3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel strollers designed for anyone whether you're looking for a jogging stroller or a stroller that you can use for every day. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor of Sentry, put these models to the test on both road surfaces and off-road ones. They also evaluated the seating comfort for children.
Stroller Features
The best strollers offer features that make traveling with your child more convenient. Whether go to the website shopping for a new 3-wheel stroller or a 4-wheel stroller look for features that are convenient, such as an ample storage basket as well as a tray for the parent with cup holders, a movable canopy and more. The key is determining what features are essential to you and your family and which ones you can do without.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller, comes with a variety of useful features to keep moms and dads happy and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap prevents the stroller from rolling away while you jog. The Wayfinder also comes with the largest sunshade in our testing group and has a large, clear window on top that lets kids look out while they're relaxing. Jenni's 3-year-old son found the seat to have comfortable padding, which meant bumps on the road did not bother him.
This stroller for jogging also comes with a hand brake to help you maintain control on slick surfaces. It folds to the size of a compact, slim package that takes up very little space in the trunk of your car, and it can convert into a travel set-up with the best infant car seats from brands like Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex using the purchase of an adapter. It can also be used with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
Solid tires are a must for strollers used on terrains that are rough. Although they don't offer the same level of comfort as foam-filled or air-filled tires, they're perfect to navigate potholes and bumps effortlessly.
This stroller for jogging comes with a fold that requires just two steps. It locks into position when folded and is compact enough to fit in most elevators. However, it's not as easy to maneuver as our other strollers with four wheels, and the mechanism to lock it is a bit difficult to understand. It requires pressing an icon on the front of the stroller, closing a flap on the foot area, and then raising the handle. We'd like to see a more simple system that simply clicks into place or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight of a stroller is a crucial factor to take into account. A heavier stroller tends to be more stable than a stroller that is lighter and can provide better performance in rough terrain. Many parents prefer a stroller that is lighter, as it is easier to maneuver and is more suitable for daily use.
Another important aspect of a stroller is the size of its wheels and type. Some strollers come with larger wheels, like jogging ones which makes the ride easier for your baby. However, larger wheels also add to the overall weight of the stroller which can make it difficult to fold and transport as well as store.
Certain models we offer include air-filled tires that are designed to provide a safe and comfortable ride for your child even on rough terrain. However, air-filled tires can quickly become flat and need to be changed out. If you plan to take your stroller on the road a lot, we recommend that you select one with solid wheels. They can be able to withstand contact with different surfaces more frequently and last longer.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are ideal for navigating stairs and escalators safely. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most common accidents that occur due to strollers and are particularly dangerous for infants. If you cannot avoid the stairs or escalator in your stroller, we recommend using it only when the child is securely strapped in the seat and is close to you while walking up or down.
Some strollers are sold as complete travel systems that includes the car seat and stroller are sold as a single unit. These are typically more expensive and commodious than their standalone counterparts, and could not last in the long term. Many parents regret buying a bundle product because it may not have all the features they desire or be incompatible with their child's car seat or. We recommend you choose a stroller that can be purchased separately from a car seat or capsule if you wish to upgrade to a more advanced model in the near future.
Stroller Folding
The top 3 wheel compact strollers fold quickly and easily to make transport and storage easy. Some lock automatically into place when you open them. This feature is particularly useful for families who frequently use public transportation or take a car to take a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to navigate through tight spaces such as aisles of grocery stores and other crowded areas with ease. They also have suspension systems that provide a smoother stroll for your child, which can be especially helpful on bumpy sidewalks.
The Guava Roam is a light stroller for jogging. The stroller is elegant and can also be used as part of a travel system with car seat adapters to fit Nuna, MaxiCosi, Cybex, and Nuna infant carseats, and the Uppababy Bassinet. (Car seats and stroller boards are sold separately). The stroller features a simple two-step fold and locks into place once opened.
three wheel pushchair -looking 3-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. This stroller is more expensive than our top picks, but is worth it if you travel a lot or live in a city. The lightweight stroller can be folded down to a tiny 20 17x7 inches size. It has five-point, non-rethread, padding on the harness. It can be used as a stroller for infants or toddlers who are young, with an adapter for infant car seats.
The Babyzen is a quality product with some nice features. It has a spacious recline and has extra storage. However, some parents are disappointed by its performance. The seat isn't fully flat when reclined, and there aren't any cups or a tray to serve snacks to kids. The brakes are also difficult to engage and the handlebar's height is too high for a lot of mothers who are short.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that's designed to be as light as possible without sacrificing comfort or ease of use. It's equipped with a lengthy list of impressive features, such as a large basket and a one handed fold. The only drawback is that the brakes could be difficult to engage and do not stay locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller will ensure that your child is safe using it. Some of the top-scoring strollers in our test have a five-point harness with padded, adjustable crotch straps that allow 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 feature a safety brake that locks two wheels. This is essential for strollers that run jogging since it prevents them from rolling over when they're going down stairs or escalators, which can be particularly dangerous for children.
In our tests, we evaluated the strollers' maneuverability in three different ways: a stroller's ability to bounce and turn over dips and bumps its ability to maneuver when loaded with children and its capability to travel over rough surfaces. We also looked at how easy it was to open and close the safety harness, fold and unfold the stroller, adjust the backrest and handlebar height and brakes and attach and remove car seats (if appropriate).
We have found that 3-wheel strollers are easier to maneuver than four-wheel models, but this advantage diminishes as your baby grows heavier. This is why we recommend a model that has a hand brake that assists you in slowing down and stop with as little effort as relying on body power alone. However, a lot of the best-scoring swivel wheel strollers don't offer this feature and only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel models has it.
You should also consider the frequency you'll have to utilize your stroller to go up or down escalators or stairs, and if it is safe to do this. Elevators and stairs are more risky because they contain moving mechanical components that make it difficult for you to control your stroller. If you are able, we recommend using an elevator or having a second adult help you carry the stroller. Some of the top-scoring strollers can be carried up a set of stairs or a set with the safety brake activated. However, it's safer to be secure than sorry.