3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a health-conscious person in search of a stroller for jogging or looking for an all-purpose stroller for everyday use, there's a three-wheel compact stroller out there for you. Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through the paces on pavement and off-road surfaces as well as assessing the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The best strollers have features that make life on the go with your baby more comfortable. Whether you're shopping for a new 3-wheel stroller or a 4-wheel stroller look for features that make life easier, such as an ample storage basket and a tray for parents with cup holders, adjustable canopy and more. The trick is determining which features are non-negotiable for you and your family and which ones you could 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 keeps the stroller from rolling away while you are jogging. The Wayfinder also has the most extensive sunshade in our testing group and has a large, clear window on top that lets kids look out while they're relaxing. And Jenni's 3-year-old found the seat to be comfortably cushioned, which means bumps on the road won't make him feel too shaken.
This stroller for jogging also comes with a hand brake to help you maintain control on slick surfaces. It folds into a slim, compact package that takes only a tiny space in your trunk. It is also possible to transform it into a travel system by purchasing an adapter. It can also be used with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
If you're planning to tackle rough terrain, tires are a must for strollers of all kinds. Although they don't offer the same degree of comfort as air-filled or foam-filled tires, they're great for navigating potholes and bumps easily.
This stroller is a jogging model and has an easy-to-use fold that takes just two steps. It locks in place when folded, and it's small enough to fit in the majority of elevators. However it's not as easy to move around as our other strollers with four wheels, and the mechanism to lock it is a bit confusing. It requires pressing a button near the foot area on the front of the stroller, and then lifting the handle. We'd prefer a simpler system that simply clicks into place or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the entire unit is a significant consideration. A heavier stroller tends to be more stable than one that is lighter and could provide better performance in rough terrain. However, many parents find that a stroller with a lighter weight is easier to maneuver and is more suitable for everyday use.
The shape and size of the wheels is another important feature. Certain strollers have bigger wheels, such as those for jogging which can make the ride smoother for your baby. However, larger wheels increase the overall weight of the stroller which makes it harder to fold or transport and store.
Some models in our collection come with air-filled wheels, which provide an enjoyable, stable ride for your child on rough terrain. However, tires that are filled with air can quickly become flat and require you to change them out. If you plan to take your stroller with you often, we suggest you purchase one with solid wheels. These tires are able to endure contact with different surfaces more often and last longer.
Strollers with swivel wheel at the front are great for safely navigating escalators and stairs. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most frequent stroller-related injuries and can be particularly hazardous for infants. If you cannot avoid taking the stairs or escalator while using your stroller, we recommend using it only if the child is securely strapped in the seat and is close to you while walking up or down.
Some strollers can be purchased as complete travel systems in which the car seat and stroller are sold together as a single unit. Although these strollers often have attractive price tags and offer convenience by the time spent shopping but they are usually more expensive than their standalone counterparts and may not function as well over the long haul. Additionally many parents end up regretting purchasing a bundle product because it might not have all the features they would like or could turn out to not be compatible with their car or child's seat. If you want to upgrade in the future we recommend you purchase a stroller that is separate from the car seat or capsule.
Stroller Folding
The most compact 3 wheel strollers fold easily and quickly to make storage and transport effortless. Some locks automatically lock into place when you open them. This feature can be particularly beneficial for families who regularly use public transportation or drive prior to taking a a walk.
Three-wheeled strollers are able to maneuver easily in tight spaces like grocery store aisles or other areas with a lot of people. A lot of them are equipped with suspension systems for a smoother ride. This is especially beneficial on bumpy sidewalks.
The Guava Roam is a light stroller for jogging. It's a stylish stroller which can be used as a travel system, with the adapters for car seats for Nuna Maxi-Cosi and Cybex infant carseats, as well as the Uppababy bassinet (car seats and stroller boards sold separately). The stroller comes with simple two-step fold, and locks into place once opened.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another stylish 3-wheeled jogging stroller that looks nice. It's a bit pricier than our top picks, however it's worth the cost for those who love to travel or live in the city. The stroller is lightweight and can fold down to a smaller size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and has a padded, adjustable, five-point no-rethread harness and an ample basket. It can be used as a stroller suitable for infants and young toddlers with an adapter for infant car seats.
The Babyzen is a quality product with a few nice features. It offers a large recline, and also has extra storage. However there are some parents who are dissatisfied in its performance. The seat isn't completely flat when reclined, and there are no cups or a tray for snacks for kids. The brakes are also a bit difficult to engage and the handlebar's height is too high for many short moms.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that is designed to be as light as possible without skimping on comfort or convenience. It comes with a plethora of features, including a large basket and a one-handed fold. The only drawback to this stroller is that the brakes can be a bit difficult to activate, and they're not locked after the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller should keep your child safe while using it. The top-scoring strollers in our review have five-point safety harnesses with adjustable, padding straps for the crotch. This allows for a customised fit. Some strollers have a padded cushion that shields your child's head should they fall or roll out of their seat. Some strollers have the safety lock that locks both wheels. This is crucial for those who run, since it stops them from falling over while going up or down stairs and escalators.
In our tests strollers' maneuverability was assessed in three different ways. We rated it based on a product's ability to bounce and turn when bumps and dips are encountered, its ease of use with a child on it, and its ability to traverse rough terrain. We also looked at how easy it is to open and close the safety harness fold and unfold the stroller, adjust the backrest the height of the handlebar, operate the brakes, and then attach and remove car seats (if appropriate).
We have found that 3-wheel strollers are easier to maneuver than four-wheel models however this benefit diminishes as your baby grows heavier. 3 wheel buggy suggest choosing the model that has hand brakes. It can help you slow down or stop without exerting the same effort as your body on its own. Many of the top-scoring swivel-wheel strollers don't have this option. Only one of our top-rated fixed wheel strollers has it.
It's important to consider the frequency that you will need to take your stroller on an escalator or a set of stairs. an escalator, and whether or not it will be safe to do it with the stroller still in place. Elevators and stairs pose more dangers due to the fact that they move mechanical parts that make it difficult to control the movement of the stroller. We recommend finding an alternative to these obstacles, such as an elevator, if you have one, or having another adult carry the stroller up or down with you. Some of the most highly-rated strollers can be taken onto an escalator or a set of stairs. an escalator, with their safety brake engaged and locked however it's safer to be safe than to be sorry.
