3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
Whether you're a fitness enthusiast in search of a jogging stroller or just seeking a stroller that is all-purpose for use in everyday life, there's a three-wheel compact stroller for you. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor at Sentry tested these models to the test on roads and off-road surfaces. They also tested the seating comfort for children.
Stroller Features
The top strollers come with features that make traveling with your little one more convenient. Find features that make life easier, such as a large bin for storage, a tray for the parent with cup holders, a movable canopy, and so on when looking for a new stroller. The most important thing is to determine which features are not negotiable for you and your family and which ones you could live without.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller with a wide range of features to keep moms and dads content and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap prevents the stroller from slipping while you jog. The Wayfinder features the biggest sunshade of all the strollers we tested, and a glass window on the top lets children to look out when they are resting. Jenni's three-year-old son found the seat to have a comfortable padding, which meant bumps in the road didn't bother him.
The stroller is equipped with a hand brake to help you maintain control on slick surfaces. It folds down to a slim, compact package that occupies a small space in the trunk of your car. Additionally, it can be converted into a travel system with certain infant car seats from brands such as Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex using the purchase of an adapter. It is also compatible with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.
If you're planning on taking on rough terrain, sturdy tires are essential for strollers of any kind. Solid tires aren't as comfortable as spongy-filled or air-filled tires, but they're excellent to navigate bumps and potholes.
The jogging stroller folds in just two simple steps. It locks in place when folded and is compact enough to fit in most elevators. However, it's not as easy to move around as our other 4-wheel strollers and the lock mechanism is a bit hazy. It requires pressing the button in the foot area on the front of the stroller, and then lifting the handle. We'd like to see a simpler system that simply clicks into place or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight is a significant consideration. A heavier stroller tends to be more stable than one that is lighter and could provide superior performance in rough terrain. Many parents find that a stroller with a lighter weight is more maneuverable, and more suitable for day-to-day use.
Another important feature of a stroller is its wheel size and the type. Some strollers come with larger wheels, such as those for jogging, which can make the ride smoother for your baby. The larger wheels can add weight to the stroller, making it harder to fold and transport, as well as store.
Some models in our collection have wheels filled with air that provide a safe, comfortable ride to your child even on rough terrain. However, air-filled tires could easily become flat, which will require you to swap them out. If you intend to travel with your stroller frequently, we recommend you purchase one with solid wheels. These tires are able to endure contact with different surfaces more often and last longer.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are ideal for walking up and down escalators and stairs safely. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most frequent stroller-related injuries. They are especially hazardous for infants. If you cannot avoid using the escalator and stairs with your stroller we recommend using it when the child is securely strapped in the seat. Also keep them close to you as you go up or down.
Some strollers come as an integrated travel system that incorporates both the car seat and the stroller. These products are often more expensive and convenient than their standalone counterparts, and they may not be as effective in the long term. Additionally, many parents later regret buying a bundled product as it might not have all of the features they would like or may turn out to be incompatible with their vehicle or child's seat. We suggest you select a stroller that is purchased separately from the car seat or capsule if you want to upgrade to a more advanced model in the future.
Stroller Folding
The best compact 3 wheel strollers fold easily and to store. Some lock automatically into place when you open them. This feature is particularly useful for families who regularly take public transport or drive to take a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to maneuver through tight spaces such as aisles in grocery stores and other areas that are crowded easily. They also have suspension systems that provide an easier stroll for your child which is especially helpful on slippery sidewalks.
The Guava Roam is a compact stroller that can be used for jogging. It's a stylish stroller that can be used as a travel set-up with the adapters for car seats for Nuna Maxi-Cosi, Nuna and Cybex infant carseats as well as the bassinet for the Uppababy (car seats and stroller board sold separately). 3 wheel buggy has an easy two-step fold that locks into place once it is opened.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another stylish 3-wheeled jogging stroller that looks nice. It's a bit pricier than our top choices, but it's worth the investment If you're a lover of travel or live in the city. This stroller is lightweight and can be folded down to a tiny 20 x 17 x 7 inch size. It comes with five-point, non-rethread, padding on the harness. It can be used as a pram for infants or young toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
The Babyzen is a good product with a few nice features. It offers a large recline and has storage space. However, some parents are disappointed by its performance. The seat isn't fully flat when it's reclining, and there aren't any cups or a tray to serve snacks to children. The brakes are difficult to engage and the handlebar's height is too high for many moms who are petite.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as lightweight as possible, without the comfort or convenience. It's packed with a variety of features, including a spacious basket and a fold that is one-handed. The only issue with this stroller is that the brakes are difficult to activate, and they're not locking when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
A stroller's safety features will aid in keeping your child safe during use. Some of the top-scoring strollers we've reviewed have a five-point safety harness with adjustable, padding straps for the crotch. This allows for a customised fit. Others have a padded seat cushion to shield your child's head in the event that they fall out of the seat or fall off. Some strollers come with the safety lock that locks both wheels. This is especially important for walkers who jog, as it stops them from falling over while going up or down escalators or stairs.
In our tests, the maneuverability of strollers was evaluated in three distinct ways. We rated it based on the ability to turn and bounce when bumps or dips are encountered as well as its user-friendliness with a child in it, and its ability to travel over rough terrain. We also evaluated the ease of opening and closing the safety harness folding and unfolding the stroller, changing the height of its backrest and handlebar and operating the brakes as also the ability to attach and remove car seats (if appropriate).
We found that some 3-wheel strollers are more easy to maneuver than 4-wheel options However, this advantage decreases as baby gets heavier. That's why we recommend choosing a model that has a hand brake that assists you in slowing down and come to a stop with as little effort as relying on body power alone. A majority of the top-scoring swivel-wheel strollers don't have this feature. Only one of our top-rated fixed wheel strollers comes with it.
It is also important to consider the frequency you'll have to utilize your stroller to go up or down escalators or stairs and if it's safe to do this. Elevators and stairs pose more dangers because they move mechanical parts that make it difficult to control the movement of the stroller. We recommend looking for alternatives to these hazards, like an elevator, if possible or have another adult take the stroller up and down with you. Some of the best-rated strollers can be carried up a set of stairs or a set with the safety brake engaged. It's always safer to be safe rather than sorry.