3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a health-conscious person looking for a stroller for jogging or need a stroller for use in everyday life, 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 pavement and off-road surfaces, as well as testing children's comfort in the seats.
Stroller Features
The best strollers have features that allow you to travel with your baby more comfortable. Look for features that make life easier for you, like a large bin for storage, a tray for parents with cup holders, an adjustable canopy and more, when shopping for a new stroller. The key is determining what features are not negotiable for 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 that will keep moms and dads comfortable and happy. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of different sizes and the wrist strap can help ensure that the stroller doesn't slide away when you're jogging. The Wayfinder also features the biggest sunshade in our testing group with a clear view up top to let kids peek out while they're resting. Jenni's 3-year-old son found the seat to have a comfortable cushion, so bumps on the road didn't cause any discomfort for him.
The stroller is equipped with a hand brake that helps you maintain control on slick surfaces. It folds into an extremely compact and slim size that occupies a small space in the trunk of your car. Additionally, it can convert into a travel system with select infant car seats from brands like Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex with the purchase of an adapter. It is also compatible with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
Solid tires are crucial for strollers that will be used on rough terrains. They're not as comfortable as spongy or air-filled tires, but they're perfect for navigating potholes and bumps.
The stroller folds down in just two steps. It locks in place when folded, and is compact enough to fit into most elevators. It's not as simple as some of our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver and the locking mechanism can be a bit complicated. It requires pressing an icon on the front of the stroller, opening a flap that is located near the foot area, and lifting a handle. We'd prefer a simpler method that clicks in place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the overall stroller is an important factor to take into account. A heavier stroller is more stable and will perform better on rough terrain. Many parents find that a stroller with a lighter weight is more maneuverable, and is more suitable for daily use.
Another crucial aspect of a stroller is its wheel size and the type. Some strollers come with larger wheels, such as jogging ones which can make the ride more comfortable for your baby. The larger wheels can weigh more on the stroller and make it difficult to fold, transport and store.
Some models in our collection have air-filled wheels that offer a safe, comfortable ride for your child on rough terrain. Air-filled tires are more prone to flattening, so you must replace them. If you are planning to travel a lot with your stroller, we suggest the use of tires that can stand up to frequent contact with different surfaces and last for a longer time.
Strollers with swivel wheels at the front are great for safely navigating escalators as well as stairs. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most common accidents involving strollers, and can be particularly dangerous for infants. If you can't avoid using an escalator or stairs with your stroller, we recommend using it when your child is safely strapped into the seat. Also ensure that they are close to you while you go up or down.
Some strollers are sold as a complete travel system where the car seat and stroller are sold as a unit. While these types of products typically boast attractive price tags and provide convenience by cutting down on shopping time, they are generally more expensive than their stand-alone counterparts and may not function in the long term. In addition many parents regret purchasing a bundle because it may not come with all the features they desire or could turn out to be incompatible with their vehicle or child's seat. We recommend you choose a stroller that is 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 best 3-wheel strollers that are compact are easy to fold and store. Some locks automatically lock into place when you open them. This feature is especially beneficial for families that frequently use public transportation or drive before going on walks.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to maneuver through tight spaces such as aisles in grocery stores and other areas that are crowded with ease. Many also come equipped with suspension systems that provide a smoother stroll for your child and can be particularly helpful on bumpy sidewalks.
The Guava Roam is a lightweight stroller for jogging. 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 Uppababy bassinet (car seats and stroller boards sold separately). visit the next page folds down in two steps and locks in place after opening.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another stylish 3-wheeled jogging stroller that looks nice. The stroller is more expensive than our top choices, but is worth it if you travel a lot or live in a city. This lightweight stroller folds down to a small size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and has padding, a detachable five-point harness with no-rethread straps and a large basket. It can even be used as a pram to carry newborns or young toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
While the Babyzen comes with some nice features, like the spacious recline and the extra storage, certain parents have been dissatisfied with its performance. The seat isn't flat when it reclines and there aren't cup holders or snack tray for children. The brakes can be a bit difficult to engage, and the handlebar height is too high for many mothers who are short.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as light 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 downside to this stroller is that the brakes are difficult to engage and they're not locking when the stroller has been folded.
Stroller Safety
A stroller's safety features should help to keep your child safe during use. The top-scoring strollers we've reviewed come with five-point safety harnesses with adjustable and cushioned crotch straps. This allows for a customized fit. Some strollers come with a cushioned cushion that shields your child's head in the event that they fall off or roll out of their seat. Some strollers come with a safety lock that locks both wheels. This is especially important for walkers who jog, as it prevents them from tumbling over while going up or down stairs and escalators.
In our tests, strollers' maneuverability was assessed in three different ways. We evaluated it on the basis of a stroller's capability to turn and bounce when bumps or dips are encountered as well as its user-friendliness with a child loaded and its capacity to traverse rough terrain. We also looked at how easy it is to open and close the safety harness, fold and unfold the stroller, adjust the backrest and handlebar height, operate the brakes, and attach and remove car seats (if applicable).
We found that 3-wheel strollers were more maneuverable, but the advantage decreased as the weight of the baby increased. We recommend choosing the model that has a hand brake. It will help you slow down or stop without exerting as much effort as using your body on its own. Many of the top-scoring swivel-wheel strollers do not come with this feature. Only one of our top-rated fixed wheel strollers has it.
You should also consider the frequency you'll have to use your stroller to go up and down escalators or stairs and if it is safe to do it. Stairs and elevators can be more risky because they contain moving mechanical components that make it difficult to control your stroller. We recommend looking for alternatives to these obstacles, such as an elevator, if possible or have a person else take the stroller up and down with you. Some of the top-scoring strollers can be taken up or down a set of stairs with their safety brake engaged. However, it's safer to be safe than regretting.