3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a health-conscious person seeking an jogging stroller, or simply need a stroller for everyday use, there's a three-wheel compact stroller out there for you. Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through the paces on both pavement and off-road surfaces as well as assessing the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The most effective strollers have features that make traveling with your child easier. If three wheel pushchair shopping for a brand new 3-wheel or a 4-wheel stroller, look for features that are convenient, such as a large storage basket and a tray for parents with cup holders, an adjustable canopy, and more. The key is determining what features are non-negotiable for you and your family, and which ones you can be content with.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller with a variety of useful features that will keep moms and dads comfortable and happy. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of all sizes and the wrist strap helps ensure that the stroller won't roll away when you're jogging. The Wayfinder comes with the largest sunshade of all the strollers we tested, and a glass opening at the top that allows children to look out when they're resting. Jenni's 3-year old found the seat to be comfortably cushioned, so bumps on the road don't shake him up too much.
This jogging stoller comes with an automatic handbrake that helps you keep control on slippery surfaces. It folds into a slim, compact package that takes up a tiny space in the trunk of your vehicle, and it can convert into a travel set-up with the best 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 to tackle rough terrains, solid tires are a must 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 for navigating bumps and potholes easily.
This jogging stroller comes with a fold that only requires two steps. It locks into place when folded, and is compact enough to fit into the majority of elevators. However it's not as simple to maneuver as our other 4-wheel strollers, and the mechanism for locking is a bit hazy. It involves clicking a button on the front of the stroller, opening a flap that is located near the foot area, and then raising the handle. We'd like to see a simpler system that simply clicks into place or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight of a stroller is a crucial aspect to take into consideration. A stroller that is heavier is more stable and will perform better on rough terrain. However, many parents discover that a lighter stroller is more maneuverable and more suitable for everyday use.
The shape and size of the wheels is another important feature. Certain strollers, such as ones that jog have wheels that are larger and can offer a more comfortable ride for babies. The larger wheels can add weight to the stroller, making it difficult to fold, transport and store.
Some models in our selection come with air-filled wheels, which provide an enjoyable, stable ride to your child even on rough terrain. Air-filled tires are prone to flattening and have to replace them. If you plan to take your stroller with you often, we suggest that you select one with solid wheels. These tires can withstand contact with different surfaces more often 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 common accidents that occur due to strollers and are especially dangerous for infants. If you are unable to avoid using the escalator or stairs while using your stroller, we recommend that you only use it if your child is safely strapped into the seat. Also, keep them close to you when you go up or down.
Some strollers are a travel system that includes both the car seat and the stroller. These types of products are usually more expensive and commodious than their standalone counterparts, and may not perform well in the long term. In addition many parents regret purchasing a bundle product because it may not come with all the features they desire or may turn out to be incompatible with their vehicle or child seat. We suggest you select an infant stroller that can be purchased separately from a capsule or car seat if you want to upgrade to a more advanced model in the future.
Stroller Folding
The most 3-wheel strollers that are compact fold easily and store. Some even lock into place automatically when you open them. This feature can be particularly beneficial for families that frequently take public transportation or drive before going on a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to navigate around tight spaces like grocery store aisles and other crowded areas easily. Many are also equipped with suspension systems that offer an easier ride for your little one, which can be especially useful on sidewalks that are bumpy.
The Guava Roam is a compact stroller that can be used for jogging. The stroller is an elegant stroller that 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 sold separately). The stroller comes with an easy two-step fold that locks into place once opened.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another stylish 3-wheeled jogging stroller that looks nice. It's a bit pricier than some of our top picks, but it's worth the cost If you're a lover of travel or live in an urban area. This stroller is lightweight and can be folded down to a compact 20 x 17 x 7 inch size. It has five-point, non-rethread, padding on the harness. It can also be used as a pram to carry newborns or toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
Although the Babyzen has some nice features, like an ample recline and additional storage space, some parents are dissatisfied with its performance. The seat doesn't lay flat when it is reclining and there are no cupholders or snack tray for children. The brakes are difficult to engage and the handlebars are a bit high for certain moms.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that is designed to be as light as it can without skimping on comfort or ease of use. It has a long list of features that are impressive, such as a large basket and a single-handed fold. The only issue is that the brakes could be a bit difficult to engage and do not stay locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller must ensure that your child is safe using it. The top-scoring strollers in our review have five-point safety harnesses with adjustable, padded straps for the crotch. This allows for a customized fit. Some strollers come with a padded cushion that shields your child's head should they fall or roll out of their seat. Some strollers come with safety brakes that lock two wheels. This is particularly important for strollers that jog as it stops them from rolling over when they're going up and down stairs or escalators, where they can be especially risky for children.
In our tests, we rated the strollers' maneuverability in three different ways: a product's ability to rotate and bounce over bumps and dips, its maneuverability when laden with a child and its ability to maneuver over rough surfaces. We also assessed the ease of opening and closing the safety harness as well as folding and unfolding the stroller, changing the backrest and height of the handlebar and operating the brakes as being able to attach and remove car seats (if necessary).
We discovered that some 3-wheel strollers are easier to maneuver than four-wheel models, but this advantage diminishes when your baby becomes heavier. We suggest choosing a model with a hand brake. It will allow you to slow down or stop without putting in the same effort as your body alone. Many of the top-scoring, swivel-wheel strollers do not have this feature. Only one of our top-rated fixed wheel strollers has it.
It is important to consider the frequency that you will need to take your stroller up a set of stairs or an escalator, and if or not it will be safe to do so with the stroller in the same place. 3 wheeled pushchair and stairs pose more of a hazard because they move mechanical components, making it difficult to control the movements of the stroller. If you can, we recommend using an elevator or having another adult help you carry the stroller. Some of the top-scoring strollers may be taken up or down a set of stairs with the safety brake engaged. However, it's better to be safe than regretting.