3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel strollers that fit anyone whether you're looking for a jogging stroller or a stroller that you can use on a daily basis. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor at Sentry tested these models to the test on roads and off-road surfaces. They also tested the safety of the seats for children.
Stroller Features
The best strollers have features that make traveling with your child much easier. If you're shopping for a new 3-wheel or a 4-wheel stroller look for features that are convenient, such as large storage baskets, parent tray with cup holders, a movable canopy and much more. It's important to know which features are essential for you and your family and which you can do without.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller, comes with plenty of convenient features that will keep moms and dads content and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of all heights, and the wrist strap helps ensure that the stroller won't roll away when you're running. The Wayfinder also comes with the largest sunshade we've seen in our test group, with a clear window up top to let kids observe the world while they rest. Jenni's 3-year-old daughter found the seat to be comfortably padded, so bumps in the road don't shake him up too much.
This jogging stoller features a handbrake to help you keep control on slippery surfaces. It can fold into a slim, compact package that will take only a tiny space in your trunk. It is also possible to convert it into an entire travel system by buying 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 strollers of any kind. While they don't provide the same degree of comfort as foam-filled or air-filled tires, they're perfect to navigate potholes and bumps effortlessly.
This stroller is a jogging model and comes with a fold that takes just two steps. It locks into position when folded, and is compact enough to fit into most elevators. However, it's not as easy to maneuver as our other strollers with four wheels, and the lock mechanism is a bit confusing. It requires pressing an arrow near the foot area on the front of the stroller and then lifting the handle. We'd rather have a simpler system that just clicks in place or opens by pulling.
3 wheel pushchair of a stroller is a significant factor to consider. A heavier stroller is likely to be more stable than a stroller that is lighter and could provide more performance on rough terrain. However, many parents find that strollers with lighter weights are easier to maneuver and is more suitable for use in everyday situations.
Another crucial aspect of a stroller is the size of its wheels and type. Certain strollers, like ones that jog with larger wheels can offer a more comfortable ride for baby. However, larger wheels also increase the overall weight of the stroller, which makes it more difficult to fold or transport and store.
Some models in our collection have wheels filled with air that provide a comfortable, stable ride to your child even on rough terrain. Air-filled tires are prone to flattening and will need to replace them. If you intend to travel frequently with your stroller, we recommend an option with sturdy tires that can withstand frequent contact with various surfaces and last for a longer time.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are ideal for walking up and down escalators and stairs safely. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most common stroller-related injuries and can be particularly hazardous for infants. If you can't avoid the stairs or escalator with your stroller, we advise using it only when your child is securely strapped in the seat and hold them close to you when walking up or down.
Some strollers come as an integrated travel system that incorporates both the car seat and the stroller. These types of products are usually more expensive and commodious than their separate counterparts and they may not be as effective in the long term. In addition, many parents later regret purchasing a bundle product because it may not come with all of the features they would like or may turn out to not be compatible with their vehicle or child seat. If you are planning to upgrade in the future, we recommend that you purchase a stroller separately from the car seat or capsule.
Stroller Folding
The most compact 3 wheel strollers fold quickly and easily to make storage and transport easy. Some even lock in place automatically when you open them. This feature is especially useful for families who frequently use public transportation or take a car to take a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to navigate around tight spaces like aisles in grocery stores and other crowded areas with ease. A lot of them are equipped with suspension systems to provide an easier ride. This is especially beneficial on sidewalks that are bumpy.
The Guava Roam is a compact stroller for jogging. It's a stylish stroller that can be used as a travel system, with the matching car seat adapters for Nuna Maxi-Cosi, Nuna and Cybex infant carseats as well as the Uppababy bassinet (car seats and stroller board sold separately). The stroller features a simple two-step fold and locks in place when it is opened.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another nice-looking 3-wheeled jogging stroller. It's a bit more expensive than some of our top picks, however it's worth the investment If you're a lover of travel or live in a city. This stroller is lightweight and can be folded down to a tiny 20 x 17 x 7 inch size. It has a five-point, no-rethread, padded harness. It can be used as a stroller for infants and toddlers, if you have an adapter for infant car seats.
The Babyzen is a good product with some nice features. It offers a large recline, and it also has extra storage. However there are some parents who are dissatisfied in its performance. The seat isn't fully flat when reclined and there are no cups or a snack tray for kids. The brakes can be difficult to engage and the handlebars are too high for certain moms.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as lightweight as is possible, yet not 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 drawback is that the brakes could be a bit difficult to engage and don't 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 best-scoring strollers in our review have a five-point safety harness with adjustable, padding crotch straps. three wheel pushchair allows for a custom fit. Some strollers come with a cushioned cushion that protects your child's head should they roll off or fall out of their seat. Some strollers come with the safety lock that locks both wheels. This is crucial for jogging walkers, as they are less likely to fall over while walking up and down escalators and stairs.
In our tests strollers' maneuverability was assessed in three different ways. We evaluated it on the basis of a stroller's ability to bounce and turn when bumps and dips occur, its ease of use with a child on it and its capacity to navigate over rough terrain. We also evaluated the ease of being able to open and close the safety harness, fold and unfold the stroller, adjust the backrest and handlebar height and brakes and then attach and remove car seats (if necessary).
We discovered that strollers with three wheels were more maneuverable however, the advantages diminished as baby weight increased. This is why we suggest choosing one with a hand brake, which assists you in slowing down and stop without as much exertion as using body power 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 think about how often you'll be required to utilize your stroller to go up and down escalators or stairs and if it's safe to do this. Stairs and elevators can be more hazardous because they have moving mechanical parts 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 carry the stroller up or down with you. Some of the most highly-rated strollers are able to be carried up a set of stairs or an escalator, with their safety brake locked and engaged, but it's always safer to be to be sorry.