3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a fitness fanatic seeking an jogging stroller, or simply seeking a stroller that is all-purpose for use in everyday life there's a compact three-wheel stroller that is suitable for you. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor of Sentry tested these models to the test on roads and off-road surfaces. They also evaluated the seating comfort for children.
Stroller Features
The top strollers come with features that allow you to travel with your baby more convenient. Find features that simplify life including a big bin for storage, a tray for the parent with cup holders, an adjustable canopy, and more when you are shopping for a new stroller. The most important thing is to determine which features are essential to you and your family and which ones you're able to live without.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller, comes with a wide range of features to keep moms as well as dads happy and comfortable. The handlebar adjusts to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of different sizes, and the wrist strap helps ensure that the stroller won't roll away while you're jogging. 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're resting. Jenni's three-year-old son reportedly found the seat to have a comfortable cushion, so bumps in the road didn't cause any discomfort for him.
This stroller for jogging also comes with a hand brake that helps you maintain control on slick surfaces. It can be folded into a slim, compact package that will take up a small space in the trunk of your car. You can also convert it into a travel system by purchasing an adapter. It can also be used with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
If you're planning on taking on rough terrains, solid tires are a must-have for strollers of all kinds. While they don't offer the same level of comfort as foam-filled or air-filled tires, they're perfect for navigating potholes and bumps easily.
This jogging stroller has an easy-to-use fold that takes just two steps. It locks when folded, and is compact enough to fit into most elevators. It's not as easy as our other four-wheel strollers, and the locking mechanism is a little confusing. It involves pressing an icon on the front of the stroller, closing a flap that is located near the foot area, and then lifting a handle. We'd prefer a simpler method that just clicks in place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the entire unit is a significant consideration. A heavier stroller is more stable and will perform better on rough terrain. However, many parents find that a lighter stroller is easier to maneuver and more suitable for everyday use.
Another important aspect of a stroller is its wheel size and the type. Certain strollers, such as ones that jog with larger wheels can provide a smoother ride for baby. However, bigger wheels add to the overall weight of the stroller which makes it difficult to fold, transport, and store.
Some models in our collection have air-filled wheels that offer an enjoyable, stable ride for your child on rough terrain. However, air-filled tires can easily get flat which will need to be changed out. If you plan to travel a lot with your stroller, we recommend the use of tires that can stand up to frequent contact with various surfaces and last for a longer time.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are great for navigating stairs and escalators safely. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most frequent accidents involving strollers, and can be particularly dangerous for infants. If you can't avoid using the stairs or escalator in your stroller, we suggest using it only when the child is securely strapped into the seat. Keep them close to you when walking up or down.
Some strollers come as an integrated travel system that incorporates both the car seat and the stroller. These are typically more expensive and convenient than their separate counterparts and they may not be as effective in the long-term. In addition many parents regret purchasing a bundle product because it may not include all the features they would like, or it could prove to not be compatible with their vehicle or child's seat. We suggest you select an infant stroller that can be purchased separately from the capsule or car seat in case you'd like to upgrade to a higher-end model in the future.
Stroller Folding
The top 3 wheeler pushchairs wheel compact strollers fold up quickly and easily to make transport and storage effortless. Some locks automatically lock into place when you open them. This feature is especially beneficial for families who regularly use public transport or drive prior to taking a a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to navigate through tight spaces such as aisles in grocery stores and other crowded areas with ease. Many also come equipped with suspension systems that give a more comfortable ride for your baby, which can be especially helpful on slippery sidewalks.
The Guava Roam is a light stroller for jogging. It's a good-looking stroller that can be used as a travel system, with the adapters for car seats for Nuna Maxi-Cosi and Cybex infant carseats and the Uppababy bassinet (car seats and stroller board are sold separately). The stroller features a simple two-step fold and locks into place once it is opened.
A similar stroller with a nice design is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. It's a bit more expensive than our top choices, but it's worth the investment If you're a lover of travel or reside in a city. This lightweight stroller folds down to a compact size (20.5 x 17.3 wheel stroller reversible seat wheel travel stroller (from the 249 blog) x 7.1) and comes with an adjustable, padded five-point harness with no-rethread straps and a large basket. It can be used as a stroller for newborns and young toddlers with an infant car seat adapter.
While the Babyzen has some nice features, like the spacious recline and the extra storage space, some parents have been disappointed with its performance. The seat doesn't lie flat when reclined and there's no cup holders or a tray for snacks for kids. The brakes can also be a bit difficult to activate and the handlebars are a bit high for certain moms.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as lightweight as possible, without the comfort or convenience. It comes with a long list of impressive features, such as a large basket and a one-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 will ensure that your child is safe using it. Some of the best 3 wheel stroller best 3 wheel stroller-scoring models in our review feature a five-point harness with adjustable crotch straps that are padded and padded that allow for a customised fit. Some strollers have a padded cushion that protects your child's head in the event that they fall or roll out of their seat. Some strollers have a safety lock that secures both wheels. This is particularly important for jogging walkers, as it stops them from falling over while walking up and down stairs and escalators.
In our tests, we rated the strollers' maneuverability in three different ways: the product's ability to bounce and turn over dips and bumps its maneuverability when loaded with children and its capability to maneuver over rough surfaces. We also looked at how easy it was to open and close the safety harness, fold and unfold the stroller, adjust the backrest, handlebar height and brakes, and attach and take off car seats (if necessary).
We discovered that strollers with three wheels were more maneuverable however the advantages decreased as the weight of the baby increased. This is why we suggest choosing a model that has a hand brake that helps you slow down and stop without as much effort as relying on body power alone. However, the majority of top-scoring swivel wheel strollers do not have this option and only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel models does.
It is also important to think about how often you will have to take your stroller up the stairs or an escalator, and whether it's safe to do this with the stroller in place. Escalators and stairs present more dangers due to the fact that they move mechanical parts which make it difficult to control the movement of the stroller. If you are able choose to, we suggest using an elevator or having a second adult help you carry the stroller. Some of the top-scoring strollers may be carried up or down a set of stairs with the safety brake engaged. It's always safer to be secure than regretting.