3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel strollers that fit anyone, whether you’re looking for a jogging stoller or a stroller for all-purpose use on a daily basis. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor at Sentry The models were put to the test on pavement and off-road surfaces. They also tested the safety of the seats for children.
Stroller Features
The top strollers come with features that allow you to travel with your child more convenient. Whether you’re shopping for a new 3-wheel stroller or 4-wheel stroller, look for features that are convenient, such as a large storage basket and a tray for parents with cup holders, adjustable canopy and more. The most important thing is to determine which features are not negotiable for you and your family and which ones you could be content with.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for jogging. It is loaded with practical features that keep parents comfortable and happy. The handlebar adjusts to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of different sizes, and the wrist strap helps ensure that the stroller won’t roll away while you’re jogging. The Wayfinder also features the biggest sunshade that we tested, with a clear window up top to let kids observe the world while they rest. Jenni’s three-year-old son reportedly found the seat to have comfortable cushion, so bumps on the road did not cause any discomfort for him.
This jogging stoller has a handbrake to help you keep your grip on slippery surfaces. It folds to a slim, compact package that occupies a small space in the trunk of your car, and it can convert into a travel system with the best 3 wheel stroller infant car seats from brands including Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex using the purchase of an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.
If you’re planning on taking on rough terrain, tires are a must for strollers of all kinds. Solid tires are not as comfortable as air-filled or spongy-filled tires but they’re great for navigating bumps and potholes.
The jogging stroller folds in just two easy steps. It locks in place when folded, and is small enough to fit into most elevators. It’s not as easy than our other four-wheel strollers, and the locking mechanism is a little confusing. It requires pressing the button in the foot area at the front of stroller and then lifting the handle. We’d like to see a simpler system where it just clicks into place or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the overall stroller is an important aspect to take into consideration. A heavier stroller is more stable and will perform better on rough terrain. However, a lot of parents find that strollers with lighter weights are more maneuverable and more suitable for daily use.
Another important aspect of a stroller is the size of its wheels and the type. Certain strollers, such as ones that jog with larger wheels can offer a more comfortable ride for babies. 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 have wheels filled with air that provide a comfortable, stable ride for your child on rough terrain. However, air-filled tires can quickly become flat and require you to change them out. If you are planning to travel with your stroller a lot, we recommend you purchase a model with solid wheels. These tires are able to endure contact with various surfaces more frequently and last longer.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are great for walking up and down escalators and stairs safely. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most common stroller-related injuries. They are especially dangerous for infants. If you cannot avoid using the stairs or escalator with your stroller, we recommend using it only when the child is securely strapped into the seat and hold them close to you when walking up or down.
Some strollers come as a travel system which includes both the car seat and the stroller. These types of products are usually 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 may not come with all of the features they want or may turn out to be incompatible with their vehicle or child seat. If you are planning to upgrade your product in the future we recommend you buy a stroller separate from car seats or capsules.
Stroller Folding
The most 3 wheel strollers with a compact size fold easily and put away. Some locks automatically lock into place when you open them. This feature is particularly useful for families who frequently 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 with ease. They are often equipped with suspension systems that provide a smoother ride. This is particularly useful on bumpy sidewalks.
If you’re looking for a stroller that is jogging-friendly that isn’t heavy Guava Roam Crossover is a good alternative. It’s elegant and can also be used as part of a travel set-up with adapters for car seats 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 in place once opened.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another stylish 3 wheel stroller and car seat-wheeled jogging stroller that looks nice. This stroller is more expensive than our top choices, but is worth it if you travel frequently or live in a city. This stroller is lightweight and can be folded down to a tiny 20 17×7 inch size. It has a five-point, no-rethread, padding on the harness. It can also be used as a pram for infants or young toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
While the Babyzen has some nice features, including the spacious recline and the extra storage, certain parents have been dissatisfied with its performance. The seat doesn’t lie flat when it’s reclining, and there aren’t any cup holders or a tray for snacks for kids. The brakes are a little difficult to engage and the handlebars are too high for certain moms.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that’s designed to be as light as is possible without skimping on comfort or convenience. It comes with a plethora of features, including a large basket and a one-handed fold. The only drawback is that the brakes could be a bit difficult to activate and don’t remain locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller must keep your child safe while using it. Some of the best-scoring models in our test have 5-point harnesses that are adjustable crotch straps that are padded and padded that allow for a customized fit. Some strollers have a padded cushion that protects your child’s head in the event that they fall off or roll out of their seat. Some strollers come with safety brakes that lock two wheels. This is particularly important for strollers that jog because it prevents them from flipping over when they’re going down stairs or escalators, where they can be especially risky for children.
In our tests, we evaluated the strollers’ maneuverability in three different ways: a product’s ability to rotate and bounce over dips and bumps its ease of maneuvering when laden with a child and its ability to travel over rough surfaces. We also evaluated the ease of opening and closing the safety harness folding and unfolding the stroller, altering the height of its backrest and handlebar and operating the brakes as well as attaching and removing car seats (if applicable).
We found that 3-wheel strollers were easier to maneuver, but the advantage decreased as the weight of the baby increased. This is why we recommend the model with hand brakes, which allows you to slow down and come to a stop without as much exertion as relying on body power alone. However, many of the best 3 wheel stroller with car seat-scoring swivel wheel strollers don’t offer this feature, and only one of our top fixed-wheel models has it.
It is also important to think about how often you will require to transport your stroller down the stairs or an escalator, and whether or not it will be safe to do this with the stroller still in place. Stairs and elevators are more hazardous because they have moving mechanical parts that make it difficult for you to control your stroller. We recommend looking for alternatives to these obstacles, like an elevator, if you have one, or having another adult carry the stroller up or down with you. Some of the most highly-rated strollers are able to be taken onto a set of stairs or an escalator with their security brakes engaged and locked but it’s always safer to be safe than not be.