3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel strollers that fit all ages regardless of whether you're looking for a jogging stoller or an all-purpose stroller to use on a daily basis. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor of Sentry tested these models to the test on both roads and off-road surfaces. They also tested the seating comfort for children.
Stroller Features
The best strollers offer features that make life on the go with your little one 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 as well as a tray for the parent with cup holders, a movable canopy, and more. The trick is determining which features are essential to you and your family, and which ones you're able to do without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for jogging. It has many useful features that will keep parents happy and comfortable. The handlebar adjusts to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of all heights and the wrist strap is designed to ensure that the stroller doesn't roll away when you're running. The Wayfinder also features the biggest sunshade in our testing group, with a clear window up top to let kids look out while they're relaxing. Jenni's 3-year-old son found the seat to have comfortable padding, so bumps in the road did not bother him.
This jogging stroller also has a hand brake that helps you maintain control on slick surfaces. It folds down to a slim, compact package that takes up a tiny space in the trunk of your vehicle, and it can be converted into a travel system using the best infant car seats from brands like Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex by purchasing an adapter. It is also compatible with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.
Solid tires are crucial for strollers that are used on terrains that are rough. Solid tires aren't as comfortable as spongy-filled or air-filled tires, but they're perfect 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 into 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 hazy. It's as simple as pressing the button in the foot area at the front of stroller and lifting the handle. We'd like to see a more simple system that simply clicks into the position or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight of a stroller is a significant factor to take into account. A stroller that is heavier tends to be more stable than a lighter one and can provide more performance on rough terrain. Many parents find a lighter stroller easier to maneuver and is more suitable for daily use.
Another important feature of a stroller is its wheel size and the type. Certain strollers, such as ones that jog with larger wheels can provide a smoother ride for baby. However, larger wheels also increase the overall weight of the stroller, which can make it difficult to fold, transport, and store.
Certain models we offer include air-filled tires that are designed to provide an enjoyable and stable ride for your child even on rough terrain. Air-filled tires are susceptible to flattening, and you will need to replace them. If you plan to take your stroller with you frequently, we recommend that you choose one with solid wheels. These tires can withstand contact with various surfaces more frequently and last longer.
Strollers that have swivel wheels at the front are great to safely navigate escalators and stairs. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most frequent stroller-related injuries and can be particularly dangerous for infants. If you are unable to 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 while walking up or down.
Some strollers are an integrated travel system that incorporates both the car seat as well as the stroller. These types of products are usually more expensive and less convenient than their standalone counterparts, and they may not be as effective in the long-term. Additionally many parents end up regretting buying a bundled product as it might not have all of the features they would like, or it could prove to not be compatible with their car or child seat. We suggest that you purchase a stroller that can be purchased separately from the car seat or capsule if you'd like to upgrade to a higher-end model in the future.
Stroller Folding
The most compact 3 wheel strollers fold easily and quickly to make transport and storage easy. Some even lock into place automatically when you open them. This feature is particularly beneficial for families that frequently take public transport or drive to go on a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to navigate through tight spaces such as aisles of grocery stores and other crowded areas with ease. Many are equipped with suspension systems to provide a smoother ride. This is especially beneficial on bumpy sidewalks.
The Guava Roam is a lightweight stroller that can be used for jogging. The stroller is an elegant stroller that can be used as a 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 after opening.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another nice-looking 3-wheeled jogging stroller. It's a bit pricier than some of our top choices, but it's worth the investment if you love to travel or live in a city. 3 wheel pushchair folds down to a small size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and comes with a padded, adjustable 5-point harness that is no-rethread and a large basket. It can be used as a stroller suitable for infants or toddlers who are young, with an infant car seat adapter.
The Babyzen is a great product that has some great features. It offers a large recline, and it also comes with storage space. However, some parents are disappointed in its performance. The seat isn't completely flat when reclined and there aren't any cups or a tray to serve snacks to children. The brakes are also difficult to engage, and the handlebar height is too high for many 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 comes with a plethora of features, including a spacious basket and a fold that is one-handed. The only issue with this stroller is that the brakes can be a bit difficult to engage, and they're not locking when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller should help to keep your child safe while using it. Some of the top-scoring strollers we've reviewed come with a five-point safety harness that has adjustable and padded straps for crotch. This allows for a customised fit. Others come with a cushioned seat cushion to safeguard your child's head in the event that they fall out of the seat or roll off. Some strollers come with safety brakes that lock two wheels, which is particularly important for strollers that run jogging because it prevents them from flipping over when they're going down escalators or stairs which can be particularly dangerous for children.
In our tests, we evaluated the maneuverability of strollers in three different ways: a product's ability to turn and bounce over dips and bumps, its ease of maneuvering when loaded with a child and its ability to traverse rough terrain. We also evaluated how easy it is to open and close the safety harness fold and unfold the stroller, adjust the backrest the height of the handlebar and brakes, and attach and take off car seats (if appropriate).
We found that strollers with 3 wheels were easier to maneuver, but the advantage diminished as baby weight increased. We recommend choosing one with hand brakes. It will help you slow down or stop without exerting the same amount of effort as your body alone. A majority of the top-scoring swivel-wheel strollers don't have this feature. Only one of our top-rated fixed wheel strollers has it.
It's also important to think about how often you will have to transport your stroller down a set of stairs or an escalator and whether it's safe to do this while the stroller is in its the same place. Stairs and escalators pose more dangers because they move mechanical components, making it difficult to control the motion of the stroller. We suggest finding a solution to these hazards, like an elevator, if possible or have a person else to carry the stroller up and down with you. Some of the top-scoring strollers can be carried up a set of stairs or an escalator with their safety brake locked and engaged, but it's always safer to be safe than to be sorry.