3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a fitness fanatic in search of a stroller for jogging or looking for an all-purpose stroller for everyday use, there's a three-wheel compact stroller for you. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor at Sentry, put these models to the test on both roads and off-road surfaces. They also evaluated the safety of the seats for children.
Stroller Features
The best strollers have features that allow you to travel with your child easier. Look for features that simplify life including a big bin for storage, a tray for the parent with cup holders, an adjustable canopy, and so on when you are shopping for the latest stroller. The key is determining what features are non-negotiable for you and your family, and which ones you're able to be content with.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for jogging. It comes with a variety of useful features that will keep parents happy and comfortable. The handlebar adjusts to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of different sizes and the wrist strap can help ensure that the stroller doesn't slide away when you're running. The Wayfinder also features the biggest sunshade we've seen in our test group, with a clear window up top to let kids peek out while they're resting. Jenni's 3-year old found the seat to be comfortable padded, so bumps in the road won't make him feel too shaken.
This jogging stroller also has a hand brake that helps you control slippery surfaces. It can fold into a compact, slim package that takes up a small space in your car's trunk. You can also transform it into an entire travel system by buying an adapter. It can also be used with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
Solid tires are crucial for strollers that will be used on rough terrains. While they don't offer the same degree of comfort as air-filled or foam-filled tires, they're perfect for navigating potholes and bumps effortlessly.
The stroller folds down in just two steps. It locks into position when folded and is compact enough to fit into the majority of elevators. It's not as easy as our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver and the locking mechanism can be somewhat difficult to understand. It involves clicking a button on the front of the stroller, a flap near the foot area, and then raising 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 crucial aspect to take into consideration. A stroller that is heavier tends to be more stable than one that is lighter and could provide superior performance in rough terrain. Many parents find that a stroller with a lighter weight is more maneuverable, and more suitable for everyday use.
The shape and size of the wheels is another important aspect. Certain strollers have bigger wheels, like jogging ones, which makes the ride easier for your baby. The larger wheels can weigh more on the stroller and make it difficult to fold and transport, as well as store.
Certain models in our collection come with air-filled wheels, which provide an enjoyable, stable ride to your child even on rough terrain. Air-filled tires are prone to flattening and must replace them. If you plan to take your stroller on the road often, we suggest that you select a model with solid wheels. They can endure contact with various surfaces more frequently and last longer.
Strollers with swivel wheels on the front are ideal for safely navigating escalators as well as stairs. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most frequent stroller-related injuries and can be especially dangerous for infants. If you cannot avoid taking the stairs or escalator while using your stroller, we advise using it only when the child is securely strapped in the seat and is close to you when walking 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 are typically more expensive and commodious than their stand-alone counterparts and may not perform well in the long-term. In addition many parents end up regretting purchasing a bundle because it might not have all the features they would like, or it could prove to be incompatible with their vehicle or child seat. If you want to upgrade your product in the future we recommend you purchase a stroller that is separate from car seats or capsules.
Stroller Folding
The most 3 wheel strollers with a compact size are easy to fold and to store. Some even lock in the position automatically after you open them. This feature is particularly beneficial for families who frequently use public transportation or take a car to take a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to navigate through tight spaces such as aisles in grocery stores and other crowded areas easily. Many are equipped with suspension systems for an easier ride. This is especially useful on bumpy sidewalks.
If you're looking for a jogging stroller that doesn't weigh you down the Guava Roam Crossover is a good option. It's elegant and can be used as part of a travel system, with matching car seat adapters to fit Nuna MaxiCosi, Cybex, and Nuna infant carseats, and the Uppababy Bassinet. (Car seats and stroller boards are sold separately). The stroller folds down in two steps and locks in place once opened.
Another nice-looking 3-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. It's a bit more expensive than our top picks, but it's well worth the money for those who love to travel or reside in a city. The lightweight stroller can be folded down to a tiny 20 x 17 x 7 inch size. It comes with five-point, non-rethread, padded harness. It can be used as a stroller for infants and toddlers, if you have an infant car seat adapter.
While the Babyzen comes with some nice features, like the spacious recline and the extra storage, some parents are dissatisfied with its performance. The seat doesn't lay flat when it is reclining and there's no cupholders or snack trays for kids. The brakes can be a bit difficult to engage and the handlebar's height is too high for a lot of mothers who are short.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that is designed to be as light as possible without skimping on comfort or ease of use. It comes with a long list of impressive features including a large basket and a single-handed fold. The only downside to this stroller is that the brakes are a little difficult to engage, 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 secure during use. The top-scoring strollers we've reviewed come with a five-point safety harness with adjustable and padding straps for crotch. This allows for a customized fit. Some strollers come with a padded cushion that protects your child's head if they roll off or fall out of their seat. Some strollers are equipped with a safety lock that secures both wheels. 3 wheel buggy is crucial for walkers who jog, as it prevents them from tumbling over while going up or down escalators and stairs.
In our tests the maneuverability of strollers was evaluated in three distinct ways. We rated it on the basis of a stroller's ability to bounce and turn when bumps and dips are encountered, its ease of use with a child in it and its capacity to navigate over rough terrain. We also looked at the ease of being able to open and close the safety harness, fold and unfold the stroller, adjust its backrest, handlebar height and brakes and attach and take off car seats (if applicable).
We found that strollers with 3 wheels were more maneuverable however the advantages decreased as the weight of the baby increased. We recommend choosing one with hand brakes. It will help you slow down or stop without having to exert the same amount of effort as your body by itself. However, a lot of the top-scoring swivel wheel strollers do not offer this feature and only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel models has it.
It is important to consider the frequency you'll need to transport your stroller down a set of stairs or an escalator and whether or not it's safe to do it with the stroller still in the same place. 3 wheeler pushchair and stairs are more dangerous because they have moving mechanical parts which make it difficult to control your stroller. If you're able to choose to, we suggest using an elevator or having an adult help you carry the stroller. Some of the top-scoring strollers can be taken up or down a set of stairs with the safety brake engaged. But it's safer to be safe rather than regretting.