3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel compact strollers for everyone, whether you're looking for a jogging stoller or a stroller that you can use for every day. Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through the paces on pavement and off-road surfaces, aswell as assessing the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The best strollers come with features that allow you to travel with your child much easier. Find features that simplify your life, such as a large bin for storage, a tray for the parent with cups holders, adjustable canopy and more, when shopping for a new stroller. It's crucial to decide 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 content and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of all sizes, and the wrist strap can help ensure that the stroller doesn't roll away while you're jogging. The Wayfinder also comes with the largest sunshade that we tested, with a clear window up top to let kids peek out while they're resting. Jenni's 3-year-old son found the seat to have a comfortable padding, so bumps in the road didn't cause any discomfort for him.
This jogging stoller comes with the handbrake to help maintain control on slippery surfaces. It can fold into a compact, slim package that will take up a small space in your car's trunk. It is also possible to convert it to a travel system by purchasing an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
If you're planning to tackle rough terrains, solid tires are essential for strollers of all kinds. They're not as comfortable as air-filled or spongy-filled tires, but they're excellent to navigate bumps and potholes.
This stroller is a jogging model and comes with a fold that requires just two steps. It locks when folded and is small enough to fit in 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 involves pressing an arrow near the foot area on the front of stroller, and then lifting the handle. We'd like to see a simpler system that clicks into the position or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the overall stroller is a significant factor to consider. A stroller that is heavier is more stable and can perform better on uneven terrain. However, many parents discover that a lighter stroller is easier to maneuver and is more suitable for everyday use.
The size and type of the wheels is an important aspect. Certain strollers, like those that run on jogging, have larger wheels that will provide a more comfortable ride for baby. The larger wheels can add weight to the stroller and make it more difficult to fold and transport, as well as store.
Some models in our selection come with air-filled wheels, which provide a comfortable, stable ride to your child even on rough terrain. However, air-filled tires can easily get flat which will require you to swap them out. If you intend to travel frequently with your stroller, we suggest an option with sturdy tires that can withstand regular contact with various surfaces and last for a longer time.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are great for navigating stairs and escalators safely. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most common stroller-related injuries. They are especially hazardous for infants. If you cannot avoid using the stairs or escalator while using your stroller, we recommend using it only when the child is securely strapped in the seat. Keep them close to you while walking up or down.
Some strollers are sold as complete travel systems where the car seat and stroller are sold as a unit. While these types of products typically boast attractive prices and offer convenience in terms of the time spent shopping however, they are typically more expensive than their stand-alone counterparts and might not perform in the long term. Many parents are disappointed when they purchase a bundle product because it may not come with all the features they desire or be incompatible with their car or child seat. If you plan to upgrade in the future we recommend you purchase a stroller separately from the car seat or capsule.
Stroller Folding
The best 3 wheel compact strollers fold easily and quickly to make storage and transport effortless. Some lock automatically into place when you open them. This feature can be particularly useful for families who frequently take public transportation or drive before going on walks.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to navigate through tight spaces such as aisles in grocery stores and other crowded areas easily. Many are also equipped with suspension systems that give a more comfortable ride for your baby, which can be especially useful on sidewalks that are bumpy.
If you're looking for a stroller that is jogging-friendly that isn't heavy, the Guava Roam Crossover is a great option. It's a stylish stroller that can be used as a travel system, with the adapters for car seats for Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex infant carseats, as well as the bassinet Uppababy (car seats and stroller boards sold separately). The stroller comes with an easy two-step fold that locks in place when it is opened.
3 wheeler pushchair -wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. It's more expensive than some of our top picks, however it's worth the investment if you love to travel or reside in the city. The lightweight stroller folds down to a small size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and comes with padding, a detachable, five-point no-rethread harness and a large basket. It can even be used as a pram for infants or toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
Although the Babyzen comes with some nice features, such as the spacious recline and the extra storage, some parents have been disappointed with its performance. The seat doesn't lie flat when it reclines and there's no cupholders or snack trays for kids. The brakes are a bit difficult to engage, and the handlebar height is too high for many short moms.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as lightweight as is possible, yet not the comfort or convenience. It comes with a long list of amazing features including a large basket and a one-handed fold. The only downside to this stroller is that the brakes can be a bit difficult to engage, and they're not locking when the stroller has been folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller must ensure your child's safety while using it. Some of the top-scoring strollers we've reviewed have a five-point safety harness with adjustable, padding straps for crotch. This allows for a custom fit. Some strollers have a padded cushion that protects your child's head should they fall or roll out of their seat. Some strollers come with a safety brake that locks two wheels, which is especially important for strollers that jog because it prevents them from slipping when they're going up or down escalators or stairs which can be particularly risky for children.
In our tests, we evaluated the maneuverability of strollers in three different ways: the product's ability to bounce and turn over dips and bumps, its maneuverability when loaded with children and its capability to maneuver over rough surfaces. We also looked at how easy it was to open and close the safety harness, fold and unfold the stroller, adjust its backrest, handlebar height, operate the brakes, and attach and remove car seats (if applicable).
We discovered that some 3-wheel strollers are easier to maneuver than four-wheel models However, this advantage decreases as baby gets heavier. We recommend choosing a model with hand brakes. It can help you slow down or stop without exerting the same effort as your body alone. Many of the top-scoring swivel-wheel strollers don't have this option. Only one of our top-rated fixed wheel strollers comes with it.
It's important to consider how often you will need to transport your stroller down the stairs or an escalator, and if it's safe to do it while the stroller is in its position. Stairs and escalators pose greater risk due to the fact that they move mechanical parts, making it difficult to control the movements of the stroller. We suggest finding a solution to these obstacles, such as an elevator, if you can or have another adult carry the stroller up or down with you. Some of the most highly-rated strollers can be pushed up a set of stairs or an escalator, with their safety brakes engaged and locked but it's always safer to be safe than to be sorry.