3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel compact strollers for everyone regardless of whether you're seeking a jogging stoller or an all-purpose stroller to use on a daily basis. 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 come with features that make traveling with your child a lot easier. Whether you're shopping for a brand new 3-wheel or a 4-wheel stroller look for features that are convenient, such as a large storage basket, parent tray with cup holders, adjustable canopy, and more. It's crucial to decide which features are essential for you and your family, and those you can live without.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller, comes with a variety of useful features to keep moms and dads comfortable and happy. 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 roll away while you're jogging. The Wayfinder also comes with the largest sunshade that we tested with a clear view at the top to let children peek out while they're resting. 3 wheel buggy -year-old son reportedly found the seat to have a comfortable padding, which meant bumps on the road didn't bother him.
This jogging stoller features an automatic handbrake that helps you keep control on slippery surfaces. It can fold into a compact, slim package that takes up a small space in your trunk. You can also convert it into a travel system by purchasing an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
If you plan on tackling rough terrains, solid tires are a must for any stroller. Solid tires are not as comfortable as spongy-filled or air-filled tires, but they're excellent to navigate bumps and potholes.
This stroller is a jogging model and features a fold-up that takes just two steps. It locks into position when folded and is small enough to fit in the majority of elevators. However it's not as simple to maneuver as our other 4-wheel strollers, and the mechanism for locking is a bit confusing. It's as simple as pressing an arrow near the foot area on the front of stroller and then lifting the handle. We'd rather have a simpler system that simply clicks into place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight of a stroller is a significant factor to consider. A heavier stroller is likely to be more stable than a stroller that is lighter and could provide superior performance in rough terrain. However, a lot of parents find that a lighter stroller is easier to maneuver and is more suitable for everyday use.
Another important feature of a stroller is the size of its wheels and type. Certain strollers, such as jogging strollers, have larger wheels that will provide a more comfortable ride for babies. Larger wheels can add weight to the stroller, making it difficult to fold and transport, as well as store.
Some models in our collection have wheels filled with air that provide an enjoyable, stable ride to your child even on rough terrain. However, air-filled tires could easily get flat which will require you to swap them out. If you plan to travel a lot with your stroller, we suggest an option with sturdy tires that can stand up to frequent contact with different surfaces and last longer.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are ideal for walking up and down escalators and stairs safely. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most frequent stroller injuries. They are especially dangerous for infants. If you can't avoid taking the stairs or escalator with your stroller, we recommend using it only when the child is safely strapped into the seat. Keep them close to you as you walk up or down.
Some strollers can be purchased as a complete travel system in which the car seat and stroller are sold as a single unit. While these types of products typically boast attractive price tags and provide convenience by cutting down on shopping time, they are generally more expensive than standalone models and may not function in the long term. In addition many parents regret purchasing a bundle because it may not come with all of the features they desire or may turn out to be incompatible with their vehicle or child's seat. We suggest you select a stroller that is purchased separately from a capsule or car seat in case you wish to upgrade to a more advanced model in the near future.
Stroller Folding
The most 3 wheel strollers with a compact size fold easily and put away. Some of them lock automatically when you open them. This feature is particularly useful for families who frequently use public transportation or drive to take a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to move through tight spaces such as aisles in grocery stores and other areas that are crowded easily. They are often equipped with suspension systems to provide a smoother ride, which is particularly useful on bumpy sidewalks.
If you're looking for a jogging stroller that isn't heavy Guava Roam Crossover is a good option. 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 Uppababy bassinet (car seats and stroller boards sold separately). The stroller folds down in two steps and locks into position once opened.
A similar stroller with a nice design is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. It's more expensive than our top picks, however it's worth the investment if you love to travel or live in an urban area. This stroller is lightweight and can be folded down to a compact 20 x 17 x 7 inch size. It has a five-point, no-rethread, cushioned harness. It can also be used as a pram to carry newborns or toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
The Babyzen is a quality product with a few nice features. It has a spacious recline and comes with storage space. However there are some parents who are dissatisfied in its performance. The seat isn't fully flat when reclined and there aren't any cup holders or a tray for snacks for kids. The brakes can be difficult to engage, and the handlebar height is too high for many short moms.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that's designed to be as light as possible without sacrificing comfort or convenience. It has a long list of amazing features like a huge basket and a one 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 will ensure your child's safety while using it. Some of the top-scoring products in our test have 5-point harnesses that are adjustable, padded crotch straps that allow for a customised fit. Some strollers have a padded cushion that protects your child's head if they fall or roll out of their seat. Some strollers have a safety lock that locks both wheels. This is particularly important for those who run, since it stops them from falling over when going up and down escalators and stairs.
In our tests, we rated the maneuverability of strollers in three different ways: the product's ability to turn and bounce over dips and bumps its maneuverability when loaded with children and its capability to maneuver over rough surfaces. We also assessed how easy it is 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 3-wheel strollers were easier to maneuver however, the advantages decreased as the weight of the baby increased. We recommend selecting the model that has a hand brake. It can help you slow down or stop without having to exert as much effort as using your body by itself. However, many of the most efficient swivel wheel strollers come with this feature and only one of our top fixed-wheel models has it.
It is important to consider how often you will need to transport your stroller down a set of stairs or an escalator and whether or not it will be safe to do it with the stroller still in position. Stairs and elevators are more hazardous because they have moving mechanical parts that make it difficult for you to control your stroller. We recommend looking for alternatives to these obstacles, such as an elevator, if possible or have a person else to carry the stroller up and down with you. Some of the best-scoring strollers can be pushed up an escalator or a set of stairs. an escalator with their security brake engaged and locked however it's safer to be safe than sorry.