3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
Whether you're a fitness enthusiast looking for a stroller for jogging or looking for an all-purpose stroller for everyday use, there's a three wheel buggies-wheel compact stroller for you. The Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through the paces on pavement and off-road surfaces as well as testing children's comfort in the seats.
Stroller Features
The best strollers offer features that make life on the go with your child more enjoyable. Find features that simplify life for you, like a large bin for storage, a tray for parents with cup holders, an adjustable canopy and more when looking for the latest stroller. It's important to know which features are essential for you and your family, and those you can live without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for jogging. It has many practical features that keep parents happy and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap prevents the stroller from rolling away when you're jogging. The Wayfinder has the largest sunshade of all the strollers we tested, and a large, clear opening at the top that allows children to see out when they're resting. And Jenni's 3 wheel baby strollers-year-old found the seat to be comfortable padded, so bumps in the road won't shake him up too much.
This stroller for jogging also comes with an automatic hand brake that can help you control slippery surfaces. It can fold into a slim, compact package that takes up a small space in your trunk. You can also transform it into an entire travel system by buying an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.
If you're planning on taking on rough terrain, tires are a must for strollers of any kind. Solid tires are not as comfortable as spongy-filled or air-filled tires, but they're excellent to navigate bumps and potholes.
The stroller folds up in just two simple steps. It locks into position when folded and is compact enough to fit into the majority of elevators. It's not as simple as some of our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver, and the locking mechanism is somewhat complicated. It requires pressing an arrow near the foot area on the front of stroller and lifting the handle. We'd prefer a simpler system that just clicks in place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight of a stroller is a significant factor to take into account. A stroller that is heavier is more stable and will perform better on uneven terrain. Many parents prefer a stroller that is lighter, as it is more maneuverable, and more suitable for day-to-day use.
The size and type of the wheels is an important feature. Certain strollers have bigger wheels, like jogging ones, which can make the ride more comfortable for your baby. The larger wheels can add weight to the stroller and make it harder to fold, transport and store.
Some models in our selection include 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 quickly become flat and need to be changed out. If you are planning to take your stroller on the road often, we suggest that you select a model with solid wheels. These tires can be able to withstand contact with different surfaces more often and last longer.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are ideal for getting around stairs and escalators in a safe manner. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most frequent accidents that occur due to strollers and are particularly dangerous for infants. If you cannot avoid taking the stairs or escalator while using your stroller, we suggest using it only when your child is securely strapped into the seat and is close to you while walking up or down.
Some strollers come as a travel system which includes both the car seat as well as the stroller. While these types of products typically boast attractive prices and offer convenience by the time spent shopping however, they are typically more expensive than standalone models and may not perform as well over the long term. In addition many parents end up regretting buying a bundled product as it may not include all of the features they would like or could turn out to not be compatible with their car or child's seat. We suggest that you purchase a stroller that can be purchased separately from the capsule or car seat in case you'd like to upgrade to a more advanced model in the future.
Stroller Folding
The best compact 3 wheel strollers are easy to fold and put away. Some even lock into position automatically when you open them. This feature is particularly useful for families that frequently use public transportation or drive to walk.
Three-wheeled strollers are able to maneuver easily in tight spaces, like grocery store aisles or other crowded areas. Many also come equipped with suspension systems that offer a smoother stroll for your child, which can be especially useful on sidewalks that are bumpy.
The Guava Roam is a lightweight stroller for jogging. 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 as well as the bassinet Uppababy (car seats and stroller board are sold separately). The stroller folds down in two steps and locks into place after opening.
Another nice-looking 3 wheeled pushchair-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. It's more expensive than some of our top picks, however it's worth the cost for those who love to travel or live in an urban area. This lightweight stroller can be folded down to a small 20 x 17 x 7 inch size. It comes with a five-point, no-rethread, cushioned harness. It can be used as a stroller for newborns and toddlers, if you have an infant car seat adapter.
While the Babyzen offers some great features, such as an ample recline and additional storage, some parents have been disappointed with its performance. The seat isn't flat when it reclines and there aren't cup holders or snack trays for kids. The brakes can be a bit difficult to activate and the handlebars are too high for some moms.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as lightweight as is possible, yet not the comfort or convenience. It's equipped with a lengthy list of impressive features like a huge basket and a single-handed fold. The only downside is that the brakes can be a bit difficult to activate and don't stay locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller should aid in keeping your child secure during use. 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 custom fit. Some strollers come with a cushioned cushion that shields your child's head should they fall or roll out of their seat. Some strollers have a safety lock that locks both wheels. This is crucial for those who run, since they are less likely to fall over while walking up and down escalators or stairs.
In our tests, we evaluated the maneuverability of strollers in three different ways: a stroller's ability to rotate and bounce over dips and bumps its ease of maneuvering when laden with a child and its capacity to travel over rough surfaces. 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 as well as operating the brakes as being able to attach and remove car seats (if applicable).
We discovered that some 3 wheel double buggy-wheel strollers are simpler to maneuver than 4-wheel options However, this advantage decreases as baby gets heavier. We recommend choosing the model that has a hand brake. It will help you slow down or stop without exerting 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 best-rated fixed-wheel strollers has it.
You should also consider how often you'll be required to use your stroller for going up or down escalators or stairs, and if it's safe to do so. Stairs and elevators are more risky because they contain moving mechanical components that make it difficult to control your stroller. We suggest finding a solution to these hazards, like an elevator, if possible or have another adult carry the stroller up or down with you. Some of the top-scoring strollers may be carried up a set or stairs with the safety brake engaged. It's always safer to be secure rather than sorry.