3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
Whether you're a fitness enthusiast seeking an jogging stroller, or simply looking for an all-purpose stroller for everyday use there's a compact three-wheel stroller that is suitable for you. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor at Sentry The models were put to the test on road surfaces and off-road ones. They also evaluated the comfort of the seats for children.
Stroller Features
The best strollers offer features that make life on the go with your child more convenient. Find features that make life easier including a big storage bin, parent tray with cup holders, a movable canopy, and so on when you are shopping for a new stroller. It's important to know what features are important to you and your family, and what you can 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 comfortable and happy. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap helps keep the stroller from rolling away while you jog. The Wayfinder comes with the largest sunshade of all the strollers we tested and a large, clear window at the top allows kids to peek out when they are resting. And Jenni's 3-year-old found the seat to be comfortable cushioned, so bumps on the road don't make him feel too shaken.
This jogging stoller comes with an automatic handbrake that helps you keep your grip on slippery surfaces. It folds into a slim, compact package that takes only a tiny space in your car's trunk. You can also transform it into a travel system by purchasing an adapter. It is also compatible with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
If you're planning on taking on rough terrains, solid tires are essential for strollers of all kinds. Solid tires are not as comfortable as spongy-filled or air-filled tires, but they're perfect for navigating bumps and potholes.
The jogging stroller folds in just two simple steps. It locks into place when folded, and is compact enough to fit into the majority of elevators. It's not as easy as some of our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver, and the locking mechanism can be a bit confusing. It involves pressing an arrow near the foot area on the front of stroller and then lifting the handle. We'd like to see a simpler system where it just clicks into place or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the overall stroller is a crucial aspect to take into consideration. A heavier stroller is more stable and can perform better on uneven terrain. However, many parents find that a stroller with a lighter weight is easier to maneuver and more suitable for everyday use.
Another crucial aspect of a stroller is the size of its wheels and type. Some strollers have larger wheels, such as those for jogging which can make the ride smoother for your baby. However, larger wheels also add to the overall weight of the stroller which makes it more difficult to fold or transport and store.
Certain models in our collection include air-filled tires that are designed to provide an enjoyable and stable ride for your child even over rough terrain. Air-filled tires are more prone to flattening, so you have to replace them. If you are planning to take your stroller with you often, we suggest you purchase a model with solid wheels. They can be able to withstand contact with different surfaces more often and last longer.
Strollers with swivel wheels on the front are perfect for safely navigating escalators as well as stairs. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most common stroller-related injuries. They can be particularly hazardous for infants. If you cannot avoid using the escalator and stairs with your stroller, we recommend that you only use it when your child is safely strapped into the seat. Also ensure that they are close to you while you walk up and down.
Some strollers come as a travel system that includes both the car seat as well as the stroller. These products are often more expensive and convenient than their standalone counterparts, and they may not be as effective in the long term. Many parents regret buying a bundle product because it may not come with all the features they would like or may not be compatible with their car or child's seat. If you are planning to upgrade in the near future, we recommend that you purchase a stroller that is separate from the car seat or capsule.
Stroller Folding
The best 3 wheel compact strollers fold quickly and easily to make transport and storage easy. Some even lock in position automatically when you open them. This feature can be especially beneficial for families who regularly use public transport or drive prior to going for a an outing.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to maneuver through tight spaces such as aisles in grocery stores and other areas that are crowded easily. They also have suspension systems that provide an easier ride for your baby and can be particularly useful on sidewalks that are bumpy.
The Guava Roam is a light stroller that can be used for jogging. It's a stylish stroller that can be used as part of a travel set-up with matching car seat adapters to fit Nuna, MaxiCosi, Cybex, and Nuna infant carseats, and the Uppababy Bassinet. (Car seats and stroller boards sold separately). The stroller folds in two steps and locks into place when it is opened.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another stylish 3-wheeled jogging stroller that looks nice. This stroller is more expensive than our top choices, but worth it if you travel a lot or live in a city. The lightweight stroller can be folded down to a compact 20 x 17 x 7 inch size. It comes with five-point, no-rethread padded harness. It can also be used as a pram for infants or young toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
The Babyzen is a quality product with a few nice features. It has a spacious recline, and also has extra storage. However some parents are disappointed by its performance. three wheel pushchair isn't completely flat when reclined, and there aren't any cup holders or a tray for snacks for children. The brakes can also be difficult to engage and the handlebars are a bit high for some moms.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as light as possible, without losing comfort or ease of use. It has an impressive list of features, including a large basket and a one-handed fold. The only downside is that the brakes can be difficult to engage and do not remain locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
A stroller's safety features will aid in keeping your child safe during use. The top-scoring strollers in our review have a five-point safety harness with adjustable and padding straps for the crotch. This allows for a custom fit. Some strollers come with a padded cushion that shields your child's head should they roll off or fall out of their seat. Some strollers are equipped with a safety lock that locks both wheels. This is crucial for jogging walkers, as it stops them from falling over when going up and down escalators and stairs.
In our tests, strollers' maneuverability was assessed in three different ways. We rated it based on the capability to turn and bounce when bumps or dips are encountered, its ease of use with a child loaded and its ability to navigate over rough terrain. We also assessed the ease of opening and closing the safety harness as well as folding and unfolding the stroller, altering the backrest and height of the handlebar and operating the brakes as being able to attach and remove car seats (if necessary).
We have found that 3-wheel strollers are more easy to maneuver than four-wheel models However, this advantage decreases as baby gets heavier. This is why we suggest choosing one with a hand brake that assists you in slowing down and come to a stop with as little effort than using your body alone. However, a lot of the most efficient swivel wheel strollers have this option and only one of our top fixed-wheel models comes with it.
You should also consider the frequency you'll have to use your stroller for going up and down stairs or escalators, and if it is safe to do it. Stairs and elevators are more dangerous because they have moving mechanical components that make it difficult to control your stroller. We suggest finding a solution to these hazards, like an elevator, if you have one or have another adult take the stroller up and down with you. Some of the best-rated strollers can be taken up or down a set of stairs with the safety brake engaged. It's always safer to be safe than regretting.