3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel compact strollers for all ages, whether you're looking for a jogging stoller or a stroller that you can use every day. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor of Sentry tested these models to the test on both pavement and off-road surfaces. They also tested the safety of the seats for children.
Stroller Features
The best strollers offer features that make life on the go with your baby more enjoyable. Find features that make life easier, such as a large bin for storage, a tray for parents with cup holders, a movable canopy, and so on when you are shopping for a new stroller. The key is determining what features are non-negotiable for you and your family and which ones you could do without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for jogging. It comes with a variety of convenient features that will 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 while you jog. The Wayfinder has the largest sunshade of all the strollers we tested, and a large, clear window at the top allows children to see out while they rest. Jenni's 3-year-old daughter found the seat to be comfortable padded, so bumps in the road won't make him feel too shaken.
This stroller for jogging also comes with a hand brake that helps you keep control on slippery surfaces. It folds down to an extremely compact and slim size that takes up a tiny space in the trunk of your car, and it can convert into a travel set-up with select infant car seats from brands including Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex by purchasing an adapter. It is also compatible with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
If you're planning to tackle rough terrain, sturdy tires are a must-have for strollers of any kind. While they don't offer the same degree of comfort as air-filled or foam-filled tires, they're ideal for navigating bumps and potholes with ease.
three wheel pushchair for jogging features a fold-up that takes just two steps. It locks in place when folded, and it's compact enough to fit into most 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 hazy. It involves pressing a button near the foot area on the front of stroller and then lifting the handle. We'd prefer a simpler system where it just clicks into the position or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight is an important consideration. A heavier stroller tends to be more stable than a lighter one and may offer more performance on rough terrain. However, many parents find that a lighter stroller is easier to maneuver and is more suitable for everyday use.
Another important aspect of a stroller is its wheel size and the type. Some strollers have larger wheels, such as jogging ones which can make the ride more comfortable for your baby. However, bigger wheels increase the overall weight of the stroller which can make it more difficult to fold or transport and store.
Certain models in our collection come with air-filled tires, which are designed to provide a safe and comfortable ride for your child, even on rough terrain. Air-filled tires are susceptible to flattening and will need to replace them. If you intend to travel frequently with your stroller, we recommend the use of tires that can stand up to frequent contact with various surfaces and last longer.
Strollers with swivel wheel on the front are ideal to safely navigate escalators and stairs. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most common stroller-related injuries. They can be particularly dangerous for infants. If you cannot avoid taking the stairs or escalator in your stroller, we advise using it only if the child is securely strapped in the seat. Keep them close to you while walking up or down.
Some strollers are sold as a complete travel system that includes the car seat and stroller are sold together as a single unit. These products are often more expensive and less convenient than their standalone counterparts, and may not perform well in the long-term. In addition many parents regret buying a bundled product as it may not come with all the features they want or may turn out to be incompatible with their vehicle or child seat. We suggest that you purchase an infant stroller that can be purchased separately from a car seat or capsule if you want to upgrade to a more sophisticated model in the future.
Stroller Folding
The best 3 wheel compact strollers fold up quickly and easily to make transport and storage effortless. Some of them lock automatically when you open them. This feature can be especially useful for families who frequently use public transport or drive prior to going for a walks.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to maneuver through tight spaces such as grocery store aisles and other crowded areas easily. Many also come equipped with suspension systems that offer a smoother ride for your little one, which can be especially helpful on bumpy sidewalks.
If you're looking for a stroller that is jogging-friendly that doesn't weigh you down Guava Roam Crossover is a great option. The stroller is an elegant 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 has an easy two-step fold that locks in place when opened.
Another stylish 3-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. It's a bit more expensive than some of our top picks, however it's worth the investment If you're a lover of travel or reside in the city. The lightweight stroller can be folded down to a compact 20 17x7 inches size. It comes with five-point, no-rethread padded harness. It can even be used as a pram for infants or toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
Although the Babyzen offers some great features, including an ample recline and additional storage, certain parents have been dissatisfied with its performance. The seat isn't completely flat when it's reclining, and there aren't any cup holders or a tray for snacks for kids. The brakes are also a bit difficult to engage, and the handlebar height is too high for a lot of moms who are petite.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that's designed to be as light as possible without skimping on comfort or ease of use. It's packed with a variety of features, including a large basket and a fold that is one-handed. The only issue is that the brakes can be difficult to engage and don't stay locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller must ensure your child's safety while using it. Some of the top-scoring products in our review feature a five-point harness with padded, adjustable crotch straps that allow 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 come with safety brakes that lock two wheels, which is essential for strollers that run jogging because it prevents them from flipping over when they're going down stairs or escalators, where they can be especially risky for children.
In our tests, strollers' maneuverability was rated in three different ways. We scored it based on the ability to turn and bounce when bumps or dips are encountered as well as its user-friendliness with a child in it and its ability to traverse rough terrain. We also evaluated the ease of opening and closing the safety harness as well as folding and unfolding the stroller, adjusting the height of its backrest and handlebar and operating the brakes as also the ability to attach and remove car seats (if necessary).
We found that some 3-wheel strollers are more easy to maneuver than four-wheel models, but this advantage diminishes when your baby becomes heavier. This is why we suggest choosing a model that has a hand brake that helps you slow down and stop with as little effort as relying on body power alone. However, a lot of the most efficient swivel wheel strollers come with this feature and only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel models has it.
It is also important to consider how often you'll need to use your stroller to go up or down stairs or escalators, and if it is safe to do it. Stairs and elevators are more dangerous because they have moving mechanical parts that make it difficult to control your stroller. We suggest finding a solution to these obstacles, like an elevator, if possible or have a person else carry the stroller up or down with you. Some of the top-scoring strollers can be carried up a set of stairs or an escalator with their safety brake engaged and locked, but it's always safer to be safe than sorry.