3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel strollers designed for everyone regardless of whether you're looking for a jogging stroller or a stroller for all-purpose use for every day. The Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through the paces on both pavement and off-road surfaces, as well as testing children's comfort in the seats.
Stroller Features
The best strollers offer features that make traveling with your baby more enjoyable. Find features that simplify your life including a big bin for storage, a tray for the parent with cups holders, adjustable canopy, and more when you are shopping for the latest stroller. It's important to know the features that are important to you and your family 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 happy and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap prevents the stroller from slipping while you are jogging. The Wayfinder comes with the largest sunshade among the strollers we tested and a glass window on the top lets children to look out when they are resting. Jenni's three-year-old son reportedly found the seat to have comfortable cushion, so bumps on the road did not bother him.
This jogging stoller comes with the handbrake to help keep control on slippery surfaces. It folds to a slim, compact package that takes up very little space in the trunk of your vehicle, and it can convert into a travel system using the best infant car seats from brands including Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex with the purchase of an adapter. It is also compatible with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.
Solid tires are a must for strollers used on terrains that are rough. Solid tires aren't as comfortable as spongy-filled or air-filled tires but they're great for navigating bumps and potholes.
The stroller folds up in just two steps. It locks in place when folded and is small enough to fit into the majority of elevators. It's not as easy as some of our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver and the locking mechanism is a bit difficult to understand. It requires pressing a button near the foot area at the front of stroller and lifting the handle. We'd rather have a simpler system that simply clicks into place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the entire unit is a significant consideration. A heavier stroller tends to be more stable than a lighter one and could provide superior performance in rough terrain. Many parents prefer a stroller that is lighter, as it is more maneuverable, and more suitable for day-to-day use.
3 wheeler pushchair and type of the wheels is an important aspect. Certain strollers have bigger wheels, like jogging ones which can make the ride smoother for your baby. The larger wheels can weigh more on the stroller and make it difficult to fold, transport and store.
Certain models in our collection come with air-filled tires, which are designed to provide an enjoyable and stable ride for your child even over rough terrain. Air-filled tires are prone to flattening and have to replace them. If you are planning to travel a lot with your stroller, we suggest an option with sturdy tires that can withstand frequent contact with different surfaces and last longer.
Strollers with swivel wheels on the front are perfect to safely navigate escalators and stairs. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most common accidents involving strollers, and can be especially dangerous for infants. If you can't avoid using the escalator or stairs while using your stroller, we suggest that you only use it when the child is safely strapped into the seat. Also keep them close to you when you walk up or down.
Some strollers come as a travel system which includes both the car seat as well as the stroller. These products are often more expensive and less convenient than their separate counterparts and could not last in the long run. Additionally many parents end up regretting purchasing a bundle because it might not have all of the features they want or could turn out to not be compatible with their vehicle or child seat. If you plan to upgrade in the near future, we recommend that you buy a stroller separate from car seats or capsules.
Stroller Folding
The best 3-wheel strollers that are compact are easy to fold and to store. Some locks automatically lock into place when you open them. This feature can be especially beneficial for families who regularly take public transportation or drive prior to going for a an outing.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to maneuver through tight spaces such as aisles in grocery stores and other areas that are crowded with ease. Many also come equipped with suspension systems that give an easier ride for your little one which is especially useful on sidewalks that are bumpy.
If you're looking for a jogging stroller that won't weigh you down the Guava Roam Crossover is an excellent option. It's a stylish stroller which can be used as a travel system with the adapters for car seats for Nuna Maxi-Cosi and Cybex infant carseats and the bassinet for the Uppababy (car seats and stroller boards are sold separately). The stroller features an easy two-step fold that locks in place when opened.
Another stylish 3-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. This stroller is a little more expensive than our top picks but worth it if you travel a lot or live in the city. The lightweight stroller folds down to a compact size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and has padding, a detachable five-point harness with no-rethread straps and a large basket. It can be used as a pram for infants or toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
The Babyzen is a good product that has some great features. It is spacious in its recline, and also comes with storage space. However some parents are disappointed in its performance. The seat isn't completely flat when reclined, and there's no cups or a tray for snacks for children. The brakes can also be a little difficult to engage and the handlebars can be too high for certain moms.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that is designed to be as light as it can without skimping on the comfort or convenience. It's packed with a variety of features, including a large basket and a fold that is one-handed. The only downside to this stroller is that the brakes are a little difficult to activate, and they don't lock when the stroller has been folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller should help to keep your child safe during use. Some of the top-scoring strollers in our review feature 5-point harnesses that are adjustable crotch straps that are padded and padded that allow for a customized fit. Some strollers have a padded cushion that protects your child's head should they roll off or fall out of their seat. Some strollers come with the safety lock that locks both wheels. This is crucial for walkers who jog, as it stops them from falling over when going up and down escalators and stairs.
In our tests strollers' maneuverability was assessed in three different ways. We scored it on the basis of a stroller's ability to turn and bounce when bumps and dips are encountered as well as its user-friendliness with a child in it and its ability to traverse rough terrain. We also evaluated the ease of opening and closing the safety harness as well as folding and unfolding the stroller, altering its backrest and handlebar height as well as operating the brakes as well as attaching and removing car seats (if necessary).
We discovered that some 3-wheel strollers are more easy to maneuver than four-wheel models, but this advantage diminishes as your baby grows heavier. That's why we recommend choosing the model with a hand brake that assists you in slowing down and stop with as little effort as using body power alone. A majority of the top-scoring swivel-wheel strollers don't have this feature. Only one of our top-rated fixed wheel strollers has it.
It's also important to think about how often you will have to transport your stroller down an escalator or a set of stairs. an escalator, and if or not it's safe to do so with the stroller still in position. Stairs and elevators can be more hazardous because they have moving mechanical parts which make it difficult to control your stroller. If you're able to, we recommend using an elevator or having a second adult help you carry the stroller. Some of the most highly-rated strollers can be carried up an escalator or a set of stairs. an escalator, with their safety brakes engaged and locked but it's always safer to be sorry.