3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel compact strollers for all ages whether you're looking for a jogging stroller or a stroller that you can use for every day. The Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through their paces on pavement and off-road surfaces, as well test the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The best strollers come with features that allow you to travel with your child much easier. If you're shopping for a new 3 wheel double stroller-wheel or a 4-wheel stroller, look for convenience features like a large storage basket as well as a tray for the parent with cup holders, adjustable canopy, and more. It's important to determine what features are important to you and your family and which you can do without.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller with a variety of useful features to keep moms and dads comfortable and happy. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap helps keep the stroller from slipping away while you jog. The Wayfinder has the largest sunshade among the strollers we tested and a glass window at the top allows children to see out when they are resting. Jenni's 3 wheeled pushchair-year-old daughter found the seat to be comfortably padded, so bumps in the road won't shake him up too much.
This jogging stoller features the handbrake to help maintain control on slippery surfaces. It folds into a compact, slim package that will take up little space in your car's trunk. It is also possible to convert it to an e-travel system by purchasing an adapter. It is also compatible with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
If you're planning on taking on rough terrain, sturdy tires are a must for strollers of any kind. Although they don't offer the same level of comfort as air-filled or foam-filled tires, they're great to navigate potholes and bumps effortlessly.
This stroller is a jogging model and has an easy-to-use fold that requires just two steps. It locks when folded and is small enough to fit in the majority of elevators. It's not as easy as our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver, and the locking mechanism is somewhat difficult to understand. It involves clicking an icon on the front of the stroller, opening a flap near the foot area, and then raising a handle. We'd like to see a simpler system where it just clicks into place or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the entire unit is a significant consideration. A stroller that is heavier is more stable and will perform better on rough terrain. However, a lot of parents find that a lighter stroller is more maneuverable and more suitable for daily use.
Another important feature of a stroller is its wheel size and type. Certain strollers have bigger wheels, like jogging ones which can make the ride more comfortable for your baby. However, larger wheels also add to the overall weight of the stroller which makes it harder to fold or transport and store.
Certain models we offer have air-filled tires that are designed to offer a comfortable and stable ride for your child, even on rough terrain. However, tires that are filled with air can quickly become flat and require you to change them out. If you plan to travel a lot with your stroller, we recommend a model with solid tires that can withstand regular contact with different surfaces and last longer.
Strollers with swivel wheel at the front are great for safely navigating escalators and stairs. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most common injuries to strollers. They are especially dangerous for infants. If you can't avoid using the stairs or escalator while using your stroller, we advise using it only when the child is safely strapped into the seat and is close to you as you walk up or down.
Some strollers are sold as an entire travel system where the car seat and stroller are sold as a single unit. These products are often more expensive and less convenient than their separate counterparts and they may not be as effective in the long term. Many parents regret buying bundles because they may not come with all the features they desire or may not be compatible with their car or child seat. We recommend you choose a stroller that is purchased separately from a capsule or car seat in case you'd like to upgrade to a higher-end model in the future.
Stroller Folding
The most compact 3 wheel Stroller 3 wheel stroller for newborn wheel strollers are easy to fold and put away. Some locks automatically lock into place when you open them. This feature is especially useful for families that frequently take public transport or drive to take a walk.
Three-wheeled strollers can be maneuvered effortlessly in tight spaces, such as grocery store aisles or other crowded areas. Many are also equipped with suspension systems that give a smoother stroll for your child which is especially useful on sidewalks that are bumpy.
If you're looking for a jogging stroller that doesn't weigh you down, the Guava Roam Crossover is a great alternative. The stroller is elegant and can also be used as part of a travel system with matching car seat adapters to fit Nuna MaxiCosi, Cybex, and Nuna infant carseats, as well as the Uppababy Bassinet. (Car seats and stroller boards sold separately). The stroller folds in two steps and locks in place after opening.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another nice-looking 3-wheeled jogging stroller. The stroller is more expensive than our top picks, but worth it if you travel often or live in the city. The lightweight stroller can be folded down to a small 20 x 17 x 7 inch size. It comes with a five-point, no-rethread, padding on the harness. It can be used as a pram for infants or young toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
Although the Babyzen has some nice features, such as a roomy recline and extra storage space, some parents are dissatisfied with its performance. The seat isn't flat when it reclines and there are no cupholders or snack trays for kids. The brakes are a bit difficult to engage and the handlebar's height is too high for a lot of moms who are petite.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as light as it is possible, but without losing comfort or ease of use. It has an impressive list of features, including a spacious basket and a fold that is one-handed. The only drawback to this stroller is that the brakes can be a bit difficult to engage, and they're not locking when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller should keep your child safe while using it. Some of the top-scoring strollers we've reviewed come with five-point safety harnesses with adjustable and padded straps for crotch. This allows for a customised fit. Some strollers have a padded cushion that shields your child's head in the event that they roll off or fall out of their seat. Some strollers have a safety brake that locks two wheels, which is essential for strollers that jog as it stops them from rolling over when they're going up and down escalators or stairs where they can be especially risky for children.
In our tests, the maneuverability of strollers was rated in three different ways. We evaluated it on the basis of a stroller's ability to bounce and turn when bumps and dips occur as well as its user-friendliness with a child in it and its capacity to navigate over rough terrain. We also evaluated the ease of opening and closing the safety harness as well as folding and unfolding the stroller, altering the height of its backrest and handlebar, operating the brakes, as also the ability to attach and remove car seats (if applicable).
We discovered that strollers with three wheels were easier to maneuver however, the advantages diminished as baby weight increased. We suggest choosing the model that has a hand brake. It will allow you to slow down or stop without putting in the same effort as your body on its own. A majority of the top-scoring swivel-wheel strollers do not have this option. Only one of our top-rated fixed wheel strollers has it.
It's also important to think about how often you will need to transport your stroller down a set of stairs or an escalator, and if or not it will be safe to do this while the stroller is in its position. Elevators and stairs pose greater risk because they move mechanical components that make it difficult to control the motion of the stroller. If you can, we recommend using an elevator or having a second adult assist you in carrying the stroller. Some of the best-scoring 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 safe than to be sorry.