3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a health-conscious person in search of a jogging stroller or just seeking a stroller that is all-purpose to use for everyday use, there's a three-wheel compact stroller that is suitable for you. The Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through their paces on pavement and off-road surfaces, as well test the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The most effective strollers have features that make traveling with your child much easier. If you're shopping for a brand new 3-wheel or a 4-wheel stroller, look for features that are convenient, such as an ample storage basket, parent tray with cup holders, an adjustable canopy, and more. It's important to know which features are essential for you and your family members and which you can do without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for running. It comes with a variety of practical features that keep parents happy and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap helps keep the stroller from slipping while you jog. The Wayfinder also has the most extensive sunshade in our testing group, with a clear window at the top to let children look out while they're relaxing. Jenni's 3-year-old daughter found the seat to be comfortably cushioned, which means bumps on the road don't make him feel too shaken.
This stroller for jogging also comes with a hand brake to help you control slippery surfaces. It folds to the size of a compact, slim package that takes up a tiny space in the trunk of your car. Additionally, it can convert into a travel system with select infant car seats from brands like Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex with the purchase of an adapter. 3 wheeler pushchair works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.
If you plan on tackling rough terrains, solid tires are a must-have for strollers of all kinds. While they don't provide the same degree of comfort as air-filled or foam-filled tires, they're perfect to navigate potholes and bumps effortlessly.
This jogging stroller has an easy-to-use fold that takes just two steps. It locks into position when folded and is compact enough to fit into the majority of elevators. However it's not as simple to maneuver as some of our other strollers with four wheels, and the mechanism for locking is a bit difficult to understand. It involves clicking an icon on the front of the stroller, closing a flap on the foot area, and then raising the handle. We'd rather have a simpler system that just clicks in place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight is a crucial aspect to consider. A heavier stroller is more stable and can perform better on uneven terrain. However, many parents discover that a lighter stroller is more maneuverable and more suitable for everyday use.
Another important aspect of a stroller is its wheel size and type. Some strollers have larger wheels, such as jogging ones, which can make the ride smoother for your baby. However, bigger wheels increase the overall weight of the stroller which makes it difficult to fold or transport and store.
Certain models we offer have air-filled tires that are designed to offer a safe and comfortable ride for your child, even over rough terrain. However, tires that are filled with air can easily get flat which will require you to change them out. If you intend to take your stroller with you a lot, we recommend you purchase one with solid wheels. These tires are able to withstand contact with different surfaces more frequently and last longer.
Strollers that have swivel wheels on the front are perfect for safely navigating escalators as well as stairs. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most frequent stroller-related injuries and can be particularly hazardous for infants. If you cannot avoid using the escalator and stairs with your stroller we recommend using it when your child is securely strapped in the seat. Also ensure that they are close to you while you walk up and down.
Some strollers are an integrated travel system that incorporates both the car seat as well as the stroller. These types of products are usually more expensive and less convenient than their separate counterparts and they may not be as effective in the long run. Many parents are disappointed when they purchase a bundle product because it may not come with all the features they want or be incompatible with their car or child seat. We suggest that you purchase a stroller that is purchased separately from a capsule or car seat if you'd like to upgrade to a more sophisticated model in the near future.
Stroller Folding
The most 3-wheel strollers that are compact fold easily and store. Some even lock in the position automatically after you open them. This feature is particularly beneficial for families who frequently use public transportation or drive to take a walk.
Three-wheeled strollers are able to maneuver easily in tight spaces such as grocery store aisles or other areas that are crowded. Many also come equipped with suspension systems that offer a more comfortable stroll for your child and can be particularly helpful on bumpy sidewalks.
If you're seeking a jogging stroller that doesn't weigh you down Guava Roam Crossover is an excellent option. It's a stylish stroller which can be used as a travel system, with the matching car seat adapters for Nuna Maxi-Cosi, Nuna and Cybex infant carseats, as well as the Uppababy bassinet (car seats and stroller board sold separately). The stroller folds in two steps and locks into position after opening.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another attractive 3-wheeled jogging stroller with a nice design. It's a bit pricier than our top choices, but it's worth the cost If you're a lover of travel or live in a city. This lightweight stroller folds down to a small size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and features an adjustable, padded, five-point no-rethread harness 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.
The Babyzen is a great product with some nice features. It is spacious in its recline, and also has storage space. However some parents are disappointed with its performance. The seat isn't flat when it is reclining and there's no cupholders or snack trays for kids. The brakes are difficult to engage, and the handlebar height is too high for a lot of short moms.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that is designed to be as light as is possible without skimping on the comfort or convenience. It's equipped with a lengthy list of features that are impressive like a huge basket and a one handed fold. The only downside is that the brakes may be a bit difficult to engage and do not remain locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
A stroller's safety features will help to keep your child secure during use. Some of the best-scoring strollers we've reviewed come with a five-point safety harness that has adjustable, padded straps for the crotch. This allows for a customised fit. Others have a padded seat cushion to safeguard your child's head should they fall from the seat or roll off. Some strollers have a safety lock that secures both wheels. This is especially important for those who run, since it prevents them from tumbling over while walking up and down escalators or stairs.
In our tests the maneuverability of strollers was evaluated in three distinct ways. We evaluated it based on a product's capability to turn and bounce when bumps and dips are encountered, its ease of use with a child loaded and its capacity to traverse rough terrain. We also assessed how easy it is to open and close the safety harness fold and unfold the stroller, adjust the backrest, handlebar height, operate the brakes, and then attach and remove car seats (if appropriate).
We discovered that some 3-wheel strollers are more easy to maneuver than 4-wheel options however this benefit diminishes as your baby grows heavier. That's why we recommend choosing a model that has hand brakes, which helps you slow down and stop without as much exertion than using your body alone. However, the majority of best-scoring swivel wheel strollers don't come with this feature, and only one of our top fixed-wheel models has it.
It's also important to think about the frequency that you will have to take your stroller on a set of stairs or an escalator, and whether it's safe to do it while the stroller is in its position. Escalators and stairs present more of a hazard due to the fact that they move mechanical parts, making it difficult to control the movements of the stroller. We recommend finding an alternative to these obstacles, like an elevator, if you have one, or having another adult take the stroller up and down with you. Some of the top-scoring strollers can be carried up or down a set of stairs with their safety brake engaged. But it's safer to be safe rather than sorry.