3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel compact strollers for anyone regardless of whether you're seeking a jogging stoller or a stroller that you can use every day. The Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through the paces on both pavement and off-road surfaces, aswell as assessing the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The best strollers have features that allow you to travel with your child easier. Look for features that simplify life, such as a large bin for storage, a tray for the parent with cup holders, an adjustable canopy, and so on when looking for a new stroller. The most important thing is to determine which features are essential to you and your family and which ones you can do without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for jogging. It comes with a variety of practical features that keep parents comfortable and happy. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of different heights and the wrist strap can help ensure that the stroller doesn't slide away when you're running. The Wayfinder comes with the largest sunshade among the strollers we tested and a clear window at the top allows kids to peek out while they rest. Jenni's 3-year-old son found the seat to have comfortable padding, which meant bumps in the road didn't bother him.
The stroller is equipped with a hand brake to help you maintain control on slick surfaces. It folds to a slim, compact package that occupies a small space in the trunk of your vehicle, and it can be converted into a travel set-up with select infant car seats from brands like Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex by purchasing an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.
If you plan on tackling rough terrain, sturdy tires are essential for any stroller. Solid tires aren't as comfortable as spongy or air-filled tires, but they're excellent to navigate bumps and potholes.
The stroller folds up in just two simple 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 some of our other 4-wheel strollers, and the mechanism to lock it is a bit hazy. It involves pressing the button in the foot area on the front of the stroller and then lifting the handle. We'd like to see a more simple system that clicks into the position or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight is a crucial aspect to consider. A heavier stroller is more stable and will perform better on uneven terrain. However, many parents find that a stroller with a lighter weight is easier to maneuver and is more suitable for daily use.
Another crucial aspect of a stroller is the size of its wheels and type. Some strollers come with larger wheels, such as jogging ones, which makes the ride easier for your baby. However, larger wheels also add to the overall weight of the stroller, which makes it difficult to fold, transport, and store.
Some models in our collection have air-filled wheels that offer a comfortable, stable ride for your child on rough terrain. However, air-filled tires could quickly become flat and require you to change them out. If you plan to travel a lot with your stroller, we suggest the use of tires that can stand up to frequent contact with various surfaces and last for a longer time.
Strollers with front wheels that swivel are ideal for getting around stairs and escalators in a safe manner. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most common stroller-related injuries and can be particularly hazardous for infants. If you cannot avoid using the stairs or escalator in your stroller, we recommend using it only when the child is securely strapped into the seat and hold them close to you when walking up or down.
Some strollers are available 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 provide convenience in terms of the time spent shopping but they are usually more expensive than their standalone counterparts and might not perform as well in the long term. Additionally, many parents later regret purchasing a bundle product because it may not include all of the features they would like or could turn out to be incompatible with their vehicle or child seat. If you are planning to upgrade in the future, we recommend that you buy a stroller 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 of them lock automatically when you open them. This feature is particularly useful for families who regularly use public transportation or drive to take a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to maneuver around tight spaces like aisles of grocery stores and other areas that are crowded easily. Many also come equipped with suspension systems that give a smoother stroll for your child which is especially useful on sidewalks that are bumpy.
The Guava Roam is a compact stroller that can be used for jogging. It's a stylish stroller which can be used as a travel set-up with the car seat adapters for Nuna Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, and Cybex infant carseats as well as the bassinet Uppababy (car seats and stroller board sold separately). The stroller folds down in two steps and locks into position when it is opened.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another nice-looking 3-wheeled jogging stroller. The stroller is more expensive than our top picks but is worth it if a lot or live in a city. This stroller is lightweight and can be folded down to a small 20 17x7 inch size. It has 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).
Although the Babyzen has some nice features, such as a roomy recline and extra storage, some parents are dissatisfied with its performance. The seat isn't fully flat when reclined, and there aren't any cups or a snack tray for children. The brakes can be difficult to engage and the handlebars are a bit high for some moms.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that's designed to be as light as is possible without skimping on the comfort or convenience. It's packed with a variety of features, including a large basket and a one-handed fold. 3 wheel stroller lightweight pushchairsandprams.uk to this stroller is that the brakes are a little difficult to engage and they don't lock when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller must ensure that your child is safe using it. Some of the top-scoring strollers in our review have five-point harnesses with adjustable, padded crotch straps that allow for a custom fit. Others come with a cushioned seat cushion to shield your child's head in the event that they fall from the seat or fall off. Some strollers have a safety lock that locks both wheels. This is particularly important for walkers who jog, as they are less likely to fall over when going up and down escalators and stairs.
In our tests, we evaluated the maneuverability of strollers in three different ways: a stroller's ability to turn and bounce over dips and bumps, its ability to maneuver when laden with a child and its capability to maneuver over rough surfaces. We also evaluated the ease of opening and closing the safety harness folding and unfolding the stroller, altering the height of its backrest and handlebar, operating the brakes, as well as attaching and removing car seats (if necessary).
We found that some 3-wheel strollers are simpler to maneuver than four-wheel models However, this advantage decreases as baby gets heavier. This is why we suggest choosing a model that has hand brakes, which allows you to slow down and come to a stop with as little effort as using 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.
You should also consider how often you'll be required to utilize your stroller to go up or down escalators or stairs, and if it's safe to do so. Stairs and escalators pose more dangers because they move mechanical components, making it difficult to control the movement of the stroller. If you are able, we recommend using an elevator or having an adult assist you with the stroller. Some of the best-rated strollers can be carried up or down a set of stairs with the safety brake activated. It's always safer to be safe rather than sorry.