3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
Whether you're a fitness enthusiast seeking a stroller for jogging or need a stroller for everyday use, there's a three-wheel compact stroller that is suitable for you. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor of Sentry tested these models to the test on both roads and off-road surfaces. They also tested the safety of the seats for children.
Stroller Features
The best strollers offer features that make traveling with your child more comfortable. Find Push Chairs And Prams that simplify your life, such as a large bin for storage, a tray for the parent with cups holders, adjustable canopy, and so on, when shopping for a new stroller. It's important to determine what features are important to you and your family members and which you can do without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for jogging. It comes with a variety of convenient features that will keep parents comfortable and happy. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap keeps the stroller from rolling away when you're jogging. The Wayfinder features the biggest sunshade among the strollers we tested and a clear opening at the top that allows kids to peek out while they rest. Jenni's 3-year-old daughter found the seat to be comfortably cushioned, which means bumps on the road won't shake him up too much.
This jogging stoller features the handbrake to help keep your grip on slippery surfaces. It folds to an extremely compact and slim size that takes up very little space in the trunk of your vehicle, and it can convert into a travel system with certain infant car seats from brands such as Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex by purchasing an adapter. It is also compatible with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.
Solid tires are a must for strollers that are used on terrains that are rough. Although they don't offer the same degree of comfort as foam-filled or air-filled tires, they're great to navigate potholes and bumps with ease.
This stroller for jogging has an easy-to-use fold that takes just two steps. It locks in place when folded, and is compact enough to fit in most elevators. However it's not as easy to maneuver as our other 4-wheel strollers and the mechanism to lock it is a bit confusing. It's as simple as pressing a button near the foot area on the front of the stroller and lifting the handle. We'd prefer a simpler system that simply clicks into place or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the entire unit is a crucial aspect to consider. A stroller that is heavier is more stable and can perform better on rough terrain. Many parents find a lighter stroller easier to maneuver, and more suitable for day-to-day use.
Another important feature of a stroller is its wheel size and the type. Certain strollers, such as jogging strollers, have larger wheels that will provide a more comfortable ride for babies. Larger wheels can add weight to the stroller and make it harder to fold and store, transport and fold.
Certain models we offer come with air-filled tires, which are designed to provide a safe and comfortable ride for your child even on rough terrain. Air-filled tires are more prone to flattening, so you will need to replace them. If you intend to travel with your stroller a lot, we recommend that you select one with solid wheels. They can withstand contact with different surfaces more frequently and last longer.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are great for walking up and down escalators and stairs safely. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most common accidents involving strollers, and can be particularly hazardous for infants. If you are unable to avoid using an escalator or stairs with your stroller, we recommend that you only use it when your child is safely strapped into the seat. Also, keep them close to you while you walk up or down.
Some strollers are available as a complete travel system in which the car seat and stroller are sold together as a unit. These products are often more expensive and commodious than their separate counterparts and they may not be as effective in the long term. Many parents are disappointed when they purchase bundle products because they may not come with all the features they want or may not be compatible with their car or child seat. If you want to upgrade your product in the future we recommend you buy a stroller separate from a capsule or car seat.
Stroller Folding
The most compact 3 wheel strollers fold quickly and easily to make storage and transport effortless. Some locks automatically lock into place when you open them. This feature is especially useful for families who frequently use public transport or drive prior to taking a a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to move around tight spaces like aisles in grocery stores and other crowded areas easily. They also have suspension systems that provide a more comfortable stroll for your child and can be particularly helpful on slippery sidewalks.
The Guava Roam is a light stroller that can be used for jogging. It's a stylish stroller which can be used as a travel set-up with the matching car seat adapters for Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex infant carseats and the bassinet for the Uppababy (car seats and stroller board sold separately). The stroller features simple two-step fold, and locks in place when opened.
Another nice-looking 3-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. It's more expensive than some of our top picks, however it's worth the investment for those who love to travel or live in the city. This lightweight stroller can be folded down to a small 20 x 17 x 7 inch size. It comes with five-point, non-rethread, padded harness. It can be used as a stroller suitable for infants and toddlers, if you have an infant car seat adapter.
Although the Babyzen comes with some nice features, including an ample recline and additional storage space, some parents have been disappointed with its performance. The seat isn't completely flat when it's reclining, and there aren't any cup holders or a tray to serve snacks to children. The brakes are also a bit difficult to engage, and the handlebar height is too high for a lot of mothers who are short.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as lightweight as is possible, yet not sacrificing comfort or convenience. It has a long list of amazing features including a large basket and a single-handed fold. The only issue with this stroller is that the brakes are difficult to engage and they're not locking when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller should ensure your child's safety while using it. Some of the top-scoring strollers we've reviewed come with five-point safety harnesses with adjustable and padding crotch straps. This allows for a customised fit. Some have a cushioned seat cushion to shield your child's head in the event that they fall out of the seat or roll off. Some strollers feature a safety brake that locks two wheels, which is particularly important for strollers that run jogging since it prevents them from rolling over when they're going down escalators or stairs where they can be especially dangerous for children.
In our tests, strollers' maneuverability was rated in three different ways. We rated it based on the ability to turn and bounce when bumps and dips are encountered and its comfort with a child in it, and its ability to traverse rough terrain. We also assessed the ease of opening and closing the safety harness, folding and unfolding the stroller, changing its backrest and handlebar height as well as operating the brakes as well as attaching and removing car seats (if necessary).
We found that strollers with 3 wheels were easier to maneuver however, the advantages diminished as baby weight increased. We recommend choosing the model that has hand brakes. It can help you slow down or stop without having to exert the same effort as your body alone. Many of the top-scoring swivel-wheel strollers do not come with this feature. Only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel strollers has it.
It is also important to consider the frequency you'll have to use your stroller for going up and down escalators or stairs and if it is safe to do this. Elevators and stairs pose more of a hazard because they move mechanical parts that make it difficult to control the motion of the stroller. We recommend finding an alternative to these obstacles, like an elevator, if you have one or have another adult take the stroller up and down with you. Some of the best-rated strollers can be carried up a set of stairs or a set with the safety brake activated. However, it's better to be safe than regretting.