3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a health-conscious person looking for a stroller for jogging or looking for an all-purpose stroller for use in everyday life there's a compact three-wheel stroller that is suitable for you. The Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through the paces on pavement and off-road surfaces, as well as assessing the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The top strollers come with features that allow you to travel with your little one more convenient. Whether you're shopping for a brand new
3 wheel jogger stroller-wheel or a 4-wheel stroller look for features that make life easier, such as large storage baskets as well as a tray for the parent with cup holders, an adjustable canopy, and more. The most important thing is to determine which features are essential to you and your family, and which ones you can be content with.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller with plenty of convenient features to keep moms as well as dads comfortable and happy. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap prevents the stroller from slipping away while you are jogging. The Wayfinder also features the biggest sunshade that we tested and has a large, clear window up top to let kids look out while they're relaxing. Jenni's three-year-old son found the seat to have comfortable padding, which meant bumps in the road didn't bother him.
This jogging stroller also has an automatic hand brake that can help you keep control on slippery surfaces. It can be folded into a slim, compact package that will take up a small space in your car's trunk. You can also convert it to a travel system by purchasing an adapter. It is also compatible with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
If you're planning on taking on rough terrain, tires are a must for any stroller. While they don't provide the same degree of comfort as air-filled or foam-filled tires, they're perfect to navigate potholes and bumps effortlessly.
The stroller folds up in just two simple steps. It locks into position when folded and is small enough to fit into most elevators. It's not as easy as our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver, and the locking mechanism can be a bit complicated. It involves pressing an arrow near the foot area on the front of the stroller, and then lifting the handle. We'd prefer a simpler system that clicks into the position or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight of a stroller is an important factor to consider. A stroller that is heavier tends to be more stable than a lighter one and may offer more performance on rough terrain. However, a lot of parents find that a stroller with a lighter weight is more maneuverable and more suitable for use in everyday situations.
Another important aspect of a stroller is the size of its wheels and type. Some strollers, such as those that run on jogging with larger wheels will provide a more comfortable ride for baby. However, larger wheels increase the overall weight of the stroller which makes it harder to fold or transport and store.
Certain models in our collection have air-filled wheels that offer an enjoyable, stable ride to your child even on rough terrain. However, air-filled tires can easily become flat, which will require you to change them out. If you plan to travel with your stroller a lot, we recommend you purchase one with solid wheels. These tires are able to be able to withstand contact with different surfaces more frequently and last longer.
Strollers with swivel wheels on the front are perfect for safely navigating escalators as well as stairs. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most frequent accidents that occur due to strollers and are especially dangerous for infants. If you can't avoid using an escalator or stairs with your stroller, we recommend using it if your child is secured in the seat. Also keep them close to you while you walk up and down.
Some strollers come as an integrated travel system that incorporates both the car seat and the stroller. These are typically more expensive and commodious than their stand-alone counterparts and could not last in the long term. In addition many parents end up regretting purchasing a bundle product because it might not have all the features they desire or may turn out to be incompatible with their vehicle or child's seat. If you plan to upgrade in the future, we recommend that you purchase a stroller separately from a capsule or car seat.
Stroller Folding
The most compact
3 wheeled buggies wheel strollers are easy to fold and to store. Some even lock in the position automatically after you open them. This feature is particularly beneficial for families that frequently use public transportation or drive to go on a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to navigate around tight spaces like aisles of grocery stores and other crowded areas easily. Many also come equipped with suspension systems that give a more comfortable ride for your little one which is especially helpful on slippery sidewalks.
The Guava Roam is a lightweight stroller for jogging. It's elegant and can also be used as part of a travel system, 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 has simple two-step fold, and locks into place once it is opened.
Another stylish 3-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. This stroller is a little more expensive than our top picks but is worth it if you travel often or live in the city. This lightweight stroller folds down to a small size (20.5 x 17.
3 wheeled buggy x 7.1) and comes with an adjustable, padded 5-point harness that is no-rethread and an ample basket. It can be used as a stroller for newborns and toddlers, if you have an adapter for infant car seats.
While the Babyzen offers some great features, like an ample recline and additional storage space, certain parents have been dissatisfied with its performance. The seat isn't flat when it is reclining and there are no cupholders or snack trays for children. The brakes are also difficult to engage, and the handlebar height is too high for a lot of mothers who are short.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as light as possible, without sacrificing comfort or convenience. It's equipped with a lengthy list of amazing features including a large basket and a single-handed fold. The only downside is that the brakes can be a bit difficult to engage and do not stay locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller should help to keep your child safe during use. Some of the top-scoring products in our review have 5-point harnesses that are adjustable, padded crotch straps that allow for a customised fit. Some have a cushioned seat cushion to protect your child's head in the event that they fall from the seat or roll off. Some strollers feature a safety brake that locks two wheels, which is essential for strollers that run jogging since it prevents them from slipping when they're going down stairs or escalators, which can be particularly dangerous for children.
In our tests, strollers' maneuverability was evaluated in three distinct ways. We scored it on the basis of a stroller's ability to turn and bounce when bumps and dips occur and its comfort with a child in it and its ability to travel over rough terrain. We also assessed the ease of opening and closing the safety harness folding and unfolding the stroller, changing its backrest and handlebar height and operating the brakes as being able to attach and remove car seats (if applicable).
We discovered that some
rear facing 3 wheel stroller-wheel strollers are more easy to maneuver than the 4-wheel models, but this advantage diminishes as baby gets heavier. This is why we recommend one with a hand brake that allows you to slow down and stop without as much effort as using body power alone. However, the majority of best-scoring swivel wheel strollers don't come with this feature, and only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel models does.
It is important to think about how often you'll be required 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 hazardous because they have moving mechanical components that make it difficult to control your stroller. We recommend finding an alternative to these obstacles, like an elevator, if you have one or have another adult carry the stroller up or down with you. Some of the most highly-rated strollers are able to be carried up the stairs or an escalator with their safety brake locked and engaged however it's better to be safer than not be.