3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel compact strollers for everyone regardless of whether you're looking for a jogging stroller or a stroller that you can use for 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 evaluated the comfort of the seats for children.
Stroller Features
The top strollers come with features that allow you to travel with your little one more enjoyable. Look for features that simplify life for you, like a large storage bin, parent tray with cup holders, an adjustable canopy and more, when shopping for the latest stroller. It's important to know which features are essential for you and your family members and what you can 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 adjusts to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of all heights, and the wrist strap helps ensure that the stroller doesn't roll away when you're jogging. The Wayfinder has the largest sunshade among the strollers we tested and a glass window at the top allows children to see out when they're resting. And Jenni's 3-year-old found the seat to be comfortable cushioned, which means bumps on the road don't shake him up too much.
This jogging stoller features a handbrake to help you maintain control on slippery surfaces. It folds into a compact, slim package that will take only a tiny space in your trunk. You can also transform 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 that are used on rough terrains. While they don't provide the same level of comfort as air-filled or foam-filled tires, they're great for navigating potholes and bumps with ease.
This stroller for jogging has an easy-to-use fold that takes just two steps. It locks when folded, and is small enough to fit in most 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 involves pressing a button near the foot area on the front of stroller and lifting the handle. We'd like to see a simpler system that simply clicks into place or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight is an important consideration. A stroller that is heavier is more stable and can perform better on rough terrain. However, a lot of parents find that strollers with lighter weights are more maneuverable and more suitable for use in everyday situations.
The type and size of the wheels is an important aspect. Certain strollers have bigger wheels, such as jogging ones that makes the ride easier for your baby. The larger wheels can add weight to the stroller, making it harder to fold, transport and store.
Some models in our selection have wheels filled with air that provide a safe, comfortable ride to your child even on rough terrain. Air-filled tires are prone to flattening, and you must replace them. If you plan to travel a lot with your stroller, we suggest the use of tires that can withstand frequent contact with different surfaces and last longer.
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 injuries. They can be particularly hazardous for infants. If you cannot avoid taking the stairs or escalator while using your stroller, we suggest using it only when your child is securely strapped into the seat and is close to you while walking up or down.
Some strollers are available as complete travel systems in which the car seat and stroller are sold as a unit. Although these strollers often have attractive price tags and offer convenience by cutting down on shopping time, they are generally more expensive than standalone models and may not perform in the long term. In pushchairsandprams , many parents later regret purchasing a bundle because it may not include all the features they would like or may turn out to not be compatible with their car or child's seat. We suggest that you purchase a stroller that can be purchased separately from a capsule or car seat in case you want to upgrade to a higher-end model in the future.
Stroller Folding
The most 3 wheel strollers with a compact size fold easily and put away. Some even lock into place automatically when you open them. This feature is particularly beneficial for families who regularly use public transportation or drive to go on a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to navigate through tight spaces such as grocery store aisles and other crowded areas easily. Many are also equipped with suspension systems that provide a smoother ride for your little one which is especially helpful on bumpy sidewalks.
The Guava Roam is a lightweight jogging stroller. The stroller is elegant and can be used as a part of a travel set-up with matching car seat adapters to fit Nuna, MaxiCosi, Cybex, and Nuna infant carseats, as well as the Uppababy Bassinet. (Car seats and stroller boards are sold separately). The stroller folds down in two steps and locks into position once opened.
A similar stroller with a nice design is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. This stroller is more expensive than our top picks but is worth it if you travel often or live in the city. The lightweight stroller folds down to a small size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and comes with an adjustable, padded five-point harness with no-rethread straps and a large basket. It can be used as a stroller suitable for infants or toddlers who are young, with an adapter for infant car seats.
Although the Babyzen has some nice features, such as the spacious recline and the extra storage, some parents are dissatisfied with its performance. The seat doesn't lay flat when it is reclining and there aren't cup holders or snack trays for children. The brakes can be difficult to engage and the handlebars are too high for some moms.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as lightweight as is possible, yet not losing comfort or ease of use. It comes with a plethora of features, including a large basket and a fold that is one-handed. The only drawback to this stroller is that the brakes are a little difficult to activate, and they don't lock when the stroller has been folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller should assist in keeping your child safe during use. Some of the best-scoring strollers we've reviewed come with five-point safety harnesses with adjustable and cushioned straps for crotch. This allows for a customized fit. Some strollers come with a padded cushion that shields your child's head should they fall or roll out of their seat. Some strollers feature a safety brake that locks two wheels. This is especially important for strollers that jog as it stops them from slipping when they're going up or down stairs or escalators, which can be particularly risky for children.
In our tests, strollers' maneuverability was rated in three different ways. We rated it based on a product's ability to turn and bounce when bumps and dips occur and its comfort with a child loaded, and its ability to travel over rough terrain. We also looked at the ease of being able to open and close the safety harness fold and unfold the stroller, adjust the backrest, handlebar height, operate the brakes, and attach and take off car seats (if necessary).
We found that 3-wheel strollers were easier to maneuver, but the advantage decreased as the weight of the baby increased. That's why we recommend choosing the model with hand brakes, which allows you to slow down and come to a stop without as much effort than using your body alone. However, many of the best-scoring swivel wheel strollers don't come with this feature, and only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel models does.
It is also important to consider the frequency you'll have to use your stroller to go up and down stairs or escalators, and if it's safe to do so. Elevators and stairs are more risky because they contain moving mechanical parts that make it difficult for you to control your stroller. If you are able use an elevator or having an adult assist you in carrying the stroller. Some of the top-scoring strollers can be carried up a set of stairs or an escalator with their safety brakes engaged and locked but it's always safer to be not be.