3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a fitness fanatic looking for an jogging stroller, or simply need a stroller for everyday use, there's a three-wheel compact stroller that is suitable for you. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor of Sentry The models were put to the test on road surfaces and off-road ones. They also evaluated the seating comfort for children.
Stroller Features
The best strollers have features that make traveling with your child a lot easier. Look for features that simplify life including a big storage bin, parent tray with cups holders, adjustable canopy, and more, when shopping for a new stroller. It's important to determine which features are essential for you and your family and what you can live without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for running. It has many practical features that keep parents comfortable and happy. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap helps keep the stroller from slipping when you're jogging. The Wayfinder also has the most extensive sunshade that we tested and has a large, clear window at the top to let children observe the world while they rest. And Jenni's 3-year-old found the seat to be comfortably padded, so bumps in the road don't cause him to shake.
This jogging stoller comes with an automatic handbrake that helps you keep control on slippery surfaces. It folds into an extremely compact and slim size that takes up very little space in the trunk of your vehicle, and it can convert into a travel set-up with select infant car seats from brands including Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex with the purchase of an adapter. It is also compatible with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
If you plan on tackling rough terrain, sturdy tires are a must-have for any stroller. Solid tires aren't as comfortable as spongy-filled or air-filled tires but they're great for navigating potholes and bumps.
This jogging stroller comes with a fold that requires just two steps. It locks in place when folded and is small enough to fit into the majority of elevators. However it's not as easy to maneuver as our other 4-wheel strollers and the mechanism to lock it is a bit hazy. It requires pressing an arrow near the foot area on the front of the stroller and lifting the handle. We'd rather have a simpler system that simply clicks into place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight is a significant consideration. A heavier stroller is likely to be more stable than a lighter one and could provide better performance in rough terrain. However, many parents discover that a lighter stroller is more maneuverable and more suitable for everyday use.
Another crucial aspect of a stroller is its wheel size and the type. Certain strollers, like ones that jog with larger wheels can provide a smoother ride for baby. Larger wheels can weigh more on the stroller, making it harder to fold and store, transport and fold.
Certain models in our collection come with air-filled wheels, which provide an enjoyable, stable ride to your child even on rough terrain. However, air-filled tires could quickly become flat and require you to change them out. If you are planning to take your stroller with you often, we suggest that you select a model with solid wheels. These tires can withstand contact with various surfaces more frequently and last longer.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are ideal for walking up and down escalators and stairs safely. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most common accidents involving strollers, and can be particularly hazardous for infants. If you are unable to avoid using an escalator or stairs with your stroller we suggest that you only use it when your child is securely strapped in the seat. Also, keep them close to you as you go up or down.
Some strollers can be purchased as complete travel systems where the car seat and stroller are sold together as a single unit. These products are often more expensive and commodious than their standalone counterparts, and they may not be as effective in the long term. Additionally many parents regret buying a bundled product as it might not have all the features they would like, or it could prove to not be compatible with their vehicle or child seat. If you plan to upgrade in the near future, we recommend that you purchase a stroller that is separate from car seats or capsules.
Stroller Folding
The top 3 wheel compact strollers fold up quickly and easily to make storage and transport a breeze. Some of them lock automatically when you open them. This feature is especially beneficial for families who regularly take public transportation or drive prior to going for a an outing.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to navigate around tight spaces like grocery store aisles and other crowded areas easily. They also have suspension systems that provide a more comfortable ride for your little one, which can be especially useful on sidewalks that are bumpy.
The Guava Roam is a compact jogging stroller. The stroller is elegant and can be used as a part of a travel system 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 sold separately). The stroller folds in two steps and locks into place when it is opened.
Another stylish 3-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. It's a bit more expensive than some of our top picks, however it's well worth the money if you love to travel or live in a city. 3 wheel pushchair can be folded down to a compact 20 x 17 x 7 inch size. It comes with a five-point, no-rethread, padding on the harness. It can be used as a stroller suitable for infants and toddlers, if you have an adapter for infant car seats.
The Babyzen is a good product with a few nice features. It has a spacious recline, and also has extra storage. However some parents are disappointed in its performance. The seat isn't completely flat when reclined and there are no cup holders or a tray for snacks for kids. The brakes are a bit difficult to engage, and the handlebar height is too high for a lot of mothers who are short.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that is designed to be as light as possible without skimping on comfort or convenience. It comes with a plethora of features, including a spacious basket and a one-handed fold. The only issue with this stroller is that the brakes are a little difficult to engage, and they're not locked when the stroller is 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 customised fit. Others come with a cushioned seat cushion to shield your child's head should they fall from the seat or roll off. Some strollers have the safety lock that locks both wheels. This is particularly important for jogging walkers, as it stops them from falling over while walking up and down escalators and stairs.
In our tests the maneuverability of strollers was evaluated in three distinct ways. We rated it based on the ability to bounce and turn when bumps and dips occur as well as its user-friendliness with a child on it and its capacity to traverse rough terrain. We also assessed how easy it was to open and close the safety harness, fold and unfold the stroller, adjust its backrest the height of the handlebar and brakes and then attach and remove car seats (if applicable).
We found that strollers with 3 wheels were more maneuverable however the advantages diminished as baby weight increased. This is why we recommend a model that has a hand brake, which assists you in slowing down and stop with as little effort as using body power alone. However, the majority of most efficient swivel wheel strollers offer this feature, and only one of our top fixed-wheel models does.
You should also consider how often you'll need to utilize your stroller to go up or down escalators or stairs, and if it's safe to do this. Stairs and elevators can be more risky because they contain moving mechanical components that make it difficult for you to control your stroller. If you can use an elevator or having a second adult assist you with the stroller. Some of the top-scoring strollers can be carried up a set of stairs or a set with the safety brake activated. It's always safer to be secure than regretting.