3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel compact strollers for everyone regardless of whether you're seeking a jogging stoller or a stroller for all-purpose use for every day. 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 assessing the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The best strollers come with features that make traveling with your child much easier. If you're looking for a brand new 3 wheel pushchairs-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 much more. It's important to determine what features are important to you and your family and what you can live without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for running. It is loaded with practical features that keep parents 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 doesn't slide away when you're running. The Wayfinder has the largest sunshade of the strollers we tested and a large, clear window on the top lets children to look out when they're resting. Jenni's three-year-old son reportedly found the seat to have a comfortable padding, which meant bumps in the road didn't cause any discomfort for him.
This jogging stoller features the handbrake to help keep your grip on slippery surfaces. It folds into a slim, compact package that takes up a tiny space in the trunk of your car. Additionally, it can convert into a travel system with select 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.
If you plan on tackling rough terrain, tires are a must for strollers of all kinds. Solid tires aren't as comfortable as spongy-filled or air-filled tires, but they're excellent for navigating potholes and bumps.
The stroller folds down in just two simple steps. It locks in place when folded, and is small enough to fit into the majority of elevators. However, it's not as easy to maneuver as some of our other 4-wheel strollers and the mechanism to lock it is a bit confusing. It involves clicking an icon on the front of the stroller, opening a flap near the foot area, and lifting a handle. We'd like to see a more simple system that clicks into place or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight is an important consideration. A stroller that is heavier tends to be more stable than a stroller that is lighter and could provide more performance on rough terrain. Many parents find that a stroller with a lighter weight is easier to maneuver, and is more suitable for daily use.
The type and size of the wheels is an important aspect. Certain strollers have bigger wheels, such as those for jogging that makes the ride easier for your baby. Larger wheels can weigh more on the stroller and make it harder to fold and store, transport and fold.
Certain models we offer have air-filled tires that are designed to provide an enjoyable and stable ride for your child, even over rough terrain. However, tires that are filled with air can easily become flat, which will need to be changed out. If you intend to travel frequently with your stroller, we recommend a model with solid tires that can withstand frequent contact with different surfaces and last for a longer time.
Strollers with front wheels that swivel are ideal for getting around stairs and escalators in a safe manner. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most frequent accidents involving strollers, and can be especially dangerous for infants. If you are unable to avoid using the escalator and stairs with your stroller, we suggest that you only use it if your child is securely strapped in the seat. Also, keep them close to you while you walk up or down.
Some strollers are sold as an entire travel system that includes the car seat and stroller are sold as a unit. These are typically more expensive and less convenient than their separate counterparts and they may not be as effective in the long run. Many parents are disappointed when they purchase bundles because they might not include all the features they desire or be incompatible with their child's car seat or. We suggest you select a stroller that can be purchased separately from the car seat or capsule if you'd like to upgrade to a more sophisticated model in the near future.
Stroller Folding
The most compact 3 wheel strollers fold up quickly and easily to make storage and transport easy. Some of them lock automatically when you open them. This feature can be especially beneficial for families that frequently take public transportation or drive prior to going for a a walk.
Three-wheeled strollers can be pushed easily in tight spaces like grocery store aisles or other areas with a lot of people. They also have suspension systems that offer an easier stroll for your child, which can be especially useful on sidewalks that are bumpy.
The Guava Roam is a lightweight jogging stroller. It's a good-looking stroller that 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 Uppababy (car seats and stroller board are sold separately). The stroller features simple two-step fold, and locks in place when it is opened.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another attractive 3 wheeler strollers-wheeled jogging stroller with a nice design. The stroller is more expensive than our top choices, but is worth it if a lot or live in a city. The lightweight stroller folds down to a small size (20.5 x 17.3 wheel all terrain buggy (www.eediscuss.com post to a company blog) x 7.1) and has a padded, adjustable five-point harness with no-rethread straps and a large basket. It can even be used as a pram for newborns or young toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
Although the Babyzen offers some great features, such as an ample recline and additional storage, certain parents have been dissatisfied with its performance. The seat isn't fully flat when it's reclining, and there's no cup holders or a snack tray for kids. The brakes are a little difficult to engage and the handlebars are a bit high for certain moms.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as lightweight as it is possible, but without losing comfort or ease of use. It's equipped with a lengthy list of amazing features like a huge 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 after the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
A stroller's safety features should help to keep your child secure during use. Some of the best-scoring models in our review have five-point harnesses with adjustable crotch straps that are padded and padded that allow for a custom fit. Some strollers come with a padded cushion that shields your child's head in the event that they fall or roll out of their seat. Some strollers come with a safety lock that secures both wheels. This is crucial for those who run, since it stops them from falling over when going up and down stairs and escalators.
In our tests, we evaluated the maneuverability of strollers in three different ways: the product's ability to bounce and turn over dips and bumps, its ease of maneuvering when loaded with a child and its capability to traverse rough terrain. We also assessed the ease of opening and closing the safety harness, 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 found that 3 wheeler pushchairs from birth-wheel strollers were more maneuverable, but the advantage decreased as the weight of the baby increased. This is why we suggest choosing the model with a hand brake that assists you in slowing down and come to a stop without as much effort as using body power alone. However, a lot of the top-scoring swivel wheel strollers do not have this option and only one of our top fixed-wheel models does.
It is important to think about how often you'll be required to use your stroller for going up and down escalators or stairs and if it is safe to do so. Escalators and stairs present greater risk because they move mechanical parts which make it difficult to control the motion 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 can be pushed up the stairs or an escalator with their safety brake engaged and locked, but it's always better to be safer than not be.