3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
Whether you're a fitness enthusiast looking for a stroller for jogging or looking for an all-purpose stroller to use for everyday use there's a compact three-wheel stroller for you. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor at Sentry, put these models to the test on both road surfaces and off-road ones. They also evaluated the comfort of the seats for children.
Stroller Features
The top strollers come with features that allow you to travel with your baby more convenient. Find features that make life easier, such as a large bin for storage, a tray for parents with cups holders, adjustable canopy and more, when shopping for the latest stroller. The most important thing is to determine which features are not negotiable for you and your family and which ones you're able to live without.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller, comes with a wide range of features that will keep moms and dads content and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of all heights and the wrist strap is designed to ensure that the stroller won't roll away when you're jogging. The Wayfinder also has the most extensive sunshade that we tested, with a clear window at the top to let children peek out while they're resting. And Jenni's 3-year-old found the seat to be comfortable padded, so bumps in the road don't make him feel too shaken.
This jogging stroller also has a hand brake to help you control slippery surfaces. It folds into a compact, slim package that takes up a small space in your car's trunk. You can also convert it into an e-travel system by purchasing an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.
Solid tires are essential for strollers used on terrains that are rough. Although they don't offer the same level of comfort as foam-filled or air-filled tires, they're great for navigating potholes and bumps with ease.
The jogging stroller folds in just two simple steps. It locks in place when folded and is compact enough to fit into the majority of elevators. It's not as easy than our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver and the locking mechanism is a bit difficult to understand. It involves clicking an icon on the front of the stroller, a flap on the foot area, and then lifting a handle. We'd prefer a simpler method that clicks in place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight of a stroller is a significant factor to take into account. A stroller that is heavier is more stable and can perform better on rough terrain. Many parents prefer a stroller that is lighter, as it is easier to maneuver and more suitable for everyday use.
The type and size of the wheels is an important aspect. Certain strollers, such as ones that jog have wheels that are larger and can provide a smoother ride for baby. The larger wheels can add weight to the stroller, making it difficult to fold, transport and store.
Certain models in our collection come with air-filled wheels, which provide a safe, comfortable ride for your child on rough terrain. However, 3 wheeled pushchair that are filled with air can easily get flat which will require you to swap them out. If you are planning to travel a lot with your stroller, we suggest a model with solid tires that can withstand frequent contact with various surfaces and last longer.
Strollers with swivel wheels on the front are perfect to safely navigate escalators and stairs. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most frequent injuries to strollers. They can be particularly dangerous for infants. If you can't avoid taking the stairs or escalator in your stroller, we suggest using it only if the child is safely strapped into the seat and hold them close to you as you walk up or down.
Some strollers can be purchased as an entire travel system where the car seat and stroller are sold as a single unit. These types of products are usually more expensive and convenient than their separate counterparts and may not perform well in the long-term. Additionally many parents end up regretting purchasing a bundle product because it might not have all the features they desire or could turn out to be incompatible with their vehicle or child seat. If you want to upgrade your product in the future, we recommend that you buy a stroller separate from the car seat or capsule.
Stroller Folding
The best 3 wheel compact strollers fold easily and quickly to make transport and storage a breeze. Some even lock in the position automatically after you open them. This feature is particularly useful for families who frequently take public transport or drive to take a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to navigate around tight spaces like aisles in grocery stores and other areas that are crowded easily. Many are also equipped with suspension systems that give a smoother ride for your little one which is especially helpful on bumpy sidewalks.
If you're looking for a stroller that is jogging-friendly that isn't heavy the Guava Roam Crossover is a great option. It's a stylish stroller which can be used as a travel system, with the matching car seat adapters for Nuna Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex infant carseats as well as the bassinet for the Uppababy (car seats and stroller board are sold separately). The stroller features simple two-step fold, and can be locked once it is 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 you travel a lot or live in the city. This lightweight stroller can be folded down to a small 20 x 17 x 7 inch size. It has five-point, no-rethread padded harness. It can be used as a pram to carry newborns or young toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
The Babyzen is a good product with a few nice features. It is spacious in its recline and has storage space. However there are some parents who are dissatisfied in its performance. The seat isn't fully flat when reclined, and there's no cups or a tray for snacks for children. The brakes are a bit difficult to engage and the handlebar's height is too high for a lot of short moms.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that's designed to be as light as it can without sacrificing comfort or convenience. It has an impressive list of features, including a spacious basket and a fold that is one-handed. The only downside is that the brakes may be difficult to engage and do not stay locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
A stroller's safety features should help to keep your child safe during use. Some of the top-scoring products in our test have five-point harnesses with adjustable crotch straps that are padded and padded that allow for a custom fit. Others have a padded seat cushion to shield your child's head in the event that they fall from the seat or roll off. Some strollers feature safety brakes that lock two wheels. This is essential for jogging strollers as it stops them from flipping over when they're going up and down stairs or escalators, where they could be particularly dangerous for children.
In our tests, strollers' maneuverability was evaluated in three distinct ways. We evaluated it on the basis of a stroller's ability to turn and bounce when bumps and dips occur and its comfort with a child in it and its ability to traverse rough terrain. We also assessed how easy it was 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 remove car seats (if necessary).
We discovered that strollers with three wheels were more maneuverable, but the advantage decreased as the weight of the baby increased. That's why we recommend choosing one with hand brakes, which allows you to slow down and stop without as much exertion than using your body alone. However, many of the most efficient swivel wheel strollers have this option and only one of our top fixed-wheel models comes with it.
It is also important to think about how often you will need to take your stroller up an escalator or a set of stairs. an escalator, and whether it's safe to do so with the stroller still in place. Stairs and elevators are more dangerous because they have moving mechanical components that make it difficult to control your stroller. If you're able to choose to, we suggest using an elevator or having an adult assist you in carrying the stroller. Some of the top-scoring strollers can be taken onto an escalator or a set of stairs. an escalator with their safety brake engaged and locked, but it's always safer to be safe than not be.