3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
Whether you're a fitness enthusiast in search of a stroller for jogging or seeking a stroller that is all-purpose for use in everyday life there's a compact three-wheel stroller out there for you. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor of Sentry The models were put to the test on both road surfaces and off-road ones. They also tested the seating comfort for children.
Stroller Features
The best strollers have features that allow you to travel with your child a lot easier. Whether you're shopping for a new 3-wheel or a 4-wheel stroller look for features that make life easier, such as large storage baskets and a tray for parents with cup holders, adjustable canopy, and more. It's important to determine the features that are important to you and your family members and those you can live without.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller, comes with a variety of useful features that will keep moms and dads happy and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap helps keep the stroller from slipping away while you jog. The Wayfinder also comes with the largest sunshade we've seen in our test group and has a large, clear window on top that lets kids peek out while they're resting. Jenni's three-year-old son reportedly found the seat to have a comfortable padding, which meant bumps in the road didn't bother him.
This jogging stoller features a handbrake to help you maintain control on slippery surfaces. It can be folded into a compact, slim package that will take up a small space in your trunk. You can also convert it into an e-travel system by purchasing an adapter. It is also compatible with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
Solid tires are essential for strollers that are used on rough terrains. Although they don't offer the same level of comfort as foam-filled or air-filled tires, they're ideal for navigating potholes and bumps effortlessly.
The stroller folds up in just two simple steps. It locks in place when folded, and is compact enough to fit into the majority of elevators. However it's not as simple to move around as our other strollers with four wheels, and the lock mechanism is a bit hazy. It involves clicking a button on the front of the stroller, closing a flap on the foot area, and then raising a handle. We'd prefer a simpler system that clicks in place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight is a significant consideration. A stroller that is heavier is more stable and can perform better on uneven terrain. Many parents prefer a stroller that is lighter, as it is more maneuverable, and more suitable for day-to-day use.
The type and size of the wheels is an important feature. Some strollers have larger wheels, like jogging ones which can make the ride more comfortable for your baby. The larger wheels can weigh more on the stroller and make it difficult to fold and transport, as well as store.
Some models in our selection have air-filled tires that are designed to provide a comfortable and stable ride for your child even over rough terrain. However, tires that are filled with air can easily become flat, which will need to be changed out. If you are planning to travel with your stroller a lot, we recommend that you select a model with solid wheels. These tires can be able to withstand contact with different surfaces more often and last longer.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are ideal for navigating stairs and escalators safely. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most common accidents that occur due to strollers and are especially dangerous for infants. If you cannot avoid taking the stairs or escalator in your stroller, we advise using it only when your child is securely strapped in the seat and is close to you as you walk up or down.
Some strollers come as a travel system that includes both the car seat and the stroller. While these products often boast attractive prices and offer convenience in terms of cutting down on shopping time but they are usually more expensive than their stand-alone counterparts and might not perform in the long haul. In addition many parents regret buying a bundled product as it may not include all of the features they would like or may turn out to be incompatible with their vehicle or child's seat. We suggest that you purchase an infant stroller that can be purchased separately from a capsule or car seat if you'd like to upgrade to a higher-end model in the near future.
3 wheeled pushchair Folding
The best 3 wheel compact strollers fold quickly and easily to make storage and transport a breeze. Some even lock in the position automatically after you open them. This feature can be particularly useful for families who frequently take public transportation or drive before going on an outing.
Three-wheeled strollers can be maneuvered easily in tight spaces like grocery store aisles or other areas with a lot of people. They also have suspension systems that give a smoother ride for your little one and can be particularly helpful on bumpy sidewalks.
The Guava Roam is a light stroller that can be used 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 and the bassinet for the Uppababy (car seats and stroller boards are sold separately). The stroller folds in two steps and locks into place after opening.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another stylish 3-wheeled jogging stroller that looks nice. The stroller is more expensive than our top picks but is worth it if you travel often or live in a city. The lightweight stroller folds down to a small size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and has padding, a detachable five-point harness with no-rethread straps and an ample basket. It can be used as a stroller for infants or toddlers who are young, with an adapter for infant car seats.
The Babyzen is a good product with a few nice features. It has a spacious recline, and it also has extra storage. However there are some parents who are dissatisfied in its performance. The seat doesn't lie flat when reclined and there are no cup holders or a tray to serve snacks to children. The brakes can also be a bit difficult to activate and the handlebars are too high for certain moms.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as lightweight as it is possible, but without losing comfort or ease of use. It's packed with a variety of features, including a large basket and a fold that is one-handed. The only downside to this stroller is that the brakes are a little difficult to activate, and they don't lock when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller should help to keep your child safe during use. The top-scoring strollers we've reviewed come with five-point safety harnesses with adjustable, padding straps for crotch. This allows for a customized fit. Some strollers come with a padded cushion that protects your child's head in the event that they fall off or roll out of their seat. Some strollers come with a safety brake that locks two wheels. This is essential for jogging strollers since it prevents them from rolling over when they're going up and down escalators or stairs where they could be particularly risky for children.
In our tests the maneuverability of strollers was assessed in three different ways. We rated it based on the ability to bounce and turn when bumps and dips occur and its comfort with a child on it and its ability to navigate over rough terrain. We also evaluated the ease of opening and closing the safety harness as well as folding and unfolding the stroller, changing the backrest and height of the handlebar and operating the brakes as well as attaching and removing car seats (if necessary).
We discovered that some 3-wheel strollers are easier to maneuver than the 4-wheel models however this benefit diminishes as your baby grows heavier. This is why we suggest choosing one with a hand brake, which allows you to slow down and stop with as little effort as relying on body power alone. However, a lot of the top-scoring swivel wheel strollers do not offer this feature and only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel models does.
It is important to think about how often you'll need to use 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 which make it difficult to control the motion of the stroller. We recommend looking for alternatives to these hazards, like an elevator, if you have one, or having another adult carry the stroller up or down with you. Some of the top-scoring strollers can be taken up or down a set of stairs with the safety brake engaged. However, it's safer to be safe than sorry.