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 a stroller for all-purpose use on a daily basis. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor at Sentry, put these models to the test on both roads and off-road surfaces. They also evaluated the seating comfort for children.
Stroller Features
The top strollers come with features that make life on the go with your baby more comfortable. Whether you're shopping for a new 3-wheel or a 4-wheel stroller, look for features that are convenient, such as a large storage basket, parent tray with cup holders, a movable canopy, and more. The most important thing is to determine which features are non-negotiable for you and your family, and which ones you could live without.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller, comes with a variety of useful features to keep moms as well as dads content and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of different heights and the wrist strap is designed to ensure that the stroller won't roll away while you're jogging. The Wayfinder has the largest sunshade of all the strollers we tested and a glass window at the top allows children to see out when they're resting. Jenni's 3-year old found the seat to be comfortable cushioned, so bumps on the road don't cause him to shake.
This jogging stoller has the handbrake to help keep control on slippery surfaces. It can fold into a compact, slim package that takes up a small space in your trunk. You can also convert it to an entire travel system by buying an adapter. It can also be used with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
Solid tires are crucial for strollers that will be used on rough terrains. While they don't offer the same level of comfort as foam-filled or air-filled tires, they're great to navigate potholes and bumps effortlessly.
This stroller is a jogging model and features a fold-up that takes just two steps. It locks in place when folded, and is small enough to fit in the majority of elevators. It's not as easy as our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver and the locking mechanism can be somewhat confusing. It involves pressing an arrow near the foot area at the front of stroller, and then lifting the handle. We'd prefer a simpler method that just 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 find a lighter stroller easier to maneuver, and more suitable for everyday use.
The type and size of the wheels is an important aspect. Some strollers have larger wheels, such as those for jogging that can make the ride smoother for your baby. However, bigger wheels increase the overall weight of the stroller, which makes it more difficult to fold or transport and store.
Some models in our selection have air-filled tires that are designed to offer a safe and comfortable ride for your child, even over rough terrain. However, air-filled tires can easily become flat, which will require you to swap them out. If you are planning to take your stroller with you a lot, we recommend you purchase one with solid wheels. These tires can withstand contact with different surfaces more frequently and last longer.
Strollers with swivel wheels on the front are ideal for safely navigating escalators as well as stairs. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most frequent stroller-related injuries. They are especially dangerous for infants. If you can't avoid using the escalator or stairs with your stroller we recommend that you only use it when your child is secured in the seat. Also, keep them close to you while you walk up and down.
Some strollers are sold as an entire travel system that includes the car seat and stroller are sold as a unit. These are typically more expensive and commodious than their separate counterparts and may not perform well in the long term. In addition many parents regret buying a bundled product as it may not include all the features they want, or it could prove to not be compatible with their vehicle or child seat. We suggest that you purchase an infant stroller that can be purchased separately from the capsule or car seat if you want to upgrade to a higher-end model in the near future.
Stroller Folding
The best 3 wheel compact strollers fold up quickly and easily to make storage and transport easy. Some even lock in place automatically when you open them. This feature is especially useful for families who frequently use public transportation or drive to go on a walk.
Three-wheeled strollers are able to maneuver easily in tight spaces like aisles of grocery stores or other crowded areas. Many also come equipped with suspension systems that offer a more comfortable ride for your baby, which can be especially helpful on slippery sidewalks.
The Guava Roam is a light stroller 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, Nuna and Cybex infant carseats and the bassinet Uppababy (car seats and stroller board are sold separately). The stroller folds down in two steps and locks in place after opening.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another attractive 3-wheeled jogging stroller with a nice design. This stroller is a little more expensive than our top picks, but worth it if you travel frequently or live in the city. The lightweight stroller can be folded down to a tiny 20 x 17 x 7 inch size. It has a five-point, no-rethread, padding on the harness. It can be used as a stroller for newborns and toddlers, if you have an adapter for infant car seats.
The Babyzen is a good product with some nice features. It is spacious in its recline, and also comes with storage space. However there are some parents who are dissatisfied by its performance. The seat doesn't lie flat when it is reclining and there aren't cup holders or snack tray for children. The brakes can be a bit difficult to engage and the handlebar's height is too high for many mothers who are short.
three wheel pushchair is another stroller that is designed to be as light as it can without sacrificing comfort or convenience. It comes with a plethora of features, including a large basket and a fold that is one-handed. The only downside to this stroller is that the brakes can be a bit difficult to activate, and they're not locked when the stroller has been folded.
Stroller Safety
A stroller's safety features will aid in keeping your child secure during use. Some of the top-scoring products in our test have a five-point harness with padded, adjustable 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 roll off. Some strollers come with the safety lock that locks both wheels. This is crucial for those who run, since they are less likely to fall over while going up or down stairs and escalators.
In our tests strollers' maneuverability was evaluated in three distinct ways. We evaluated it based on the ability to turn and bounce when bumps and dips are encountered as well as its user-friendliness with a child in it and its capacity to travel over rough terrain. We also looked at how easy it is to open and close the safety harness, fold and unfold the stroller, adjust the backrest the height of the handlebar, operate the brakes, and attach and remove car seats (if appropriate).
We have found that 3-wheel strollers are simpler to maneuver than 4-wheel options However, this advantage decreases as your baby grows heavier. We suggest choosing a model with a hand brake. It will allow you to slow down or stop without exerting the same effort as your body alone. A majority of the top-scoring swivel-wheel strollers do not come with this option. Only one of our best-rated fixed-wheel strollers has it.
You should also consider how often you'll be required to use your stroller for going up and down escalators or stairs, and if it is safe to do it. Elevators and stairs pose greater risk because they move mechanical parts which make it difficult to control the movement of the stroller. We suggest finding a solution to these obstacles, such as an elevator, if you have one or have another adult take the stroller up and down with you. Some of the most highly-rated strollers are able to 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 sorry.