3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel compact strollers for all ages, whether you're looking for a jogging stoller or a stroller for all-purpose use every day. The Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through their paces on pavement and off-road surfaces, aswell as testing children's comfort in the seats.
Stroller Features
The best strollers have features that make traveling with your baby more convenient. Whether you're shopping for a new 3-wheel stroller or a 4-wheel stroller look for features that make life easier, such as large storage baskets and a tray for parents with cup holders, a movable 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.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller, comes with a wide range of features that will keep moms and dads happy and comfortable. The handlebar adjusts to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of all sizes, and the wrist strap helps ensure that the stroller doesn't slide away while you're jogging. The Wayfinder has the largest sunshade among the strollers we tested and a clear opening at the top that allows kids to peek out while they rest. And Jenni's 3-year-old found the seat to be comfortable cushioned, so bumps on the road don't shake him up too much.
This stroller for jogging also comes with a hand brake that helps you keep control on slippery surfaces. It folds down to the size of a compact, slim package that takes up a tiny space in the trunk of your car, and it can convert into a travel system using certain 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 used on rough terrains. Solid tires aren't as comfortable as air-filled or spongy-filled tires but they're great to navigate bumps and potholes.
This stroller is a jogging model and has an easy-to-use fold that requires just two steps. It locks in place when folded, and it's compact enough to fit into the majority of elevators. However it's not as simple to maneuver as some of our other strollers with four wheels, and the mechanism to lock it is a bit confusing. It's as simple as pressing a button near the foot area on the front of the stroller, and then lifting the handle. We'd prefer a simpler system that simply clicks into place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the entire unit is an important consideration. A heavier stroller tends to be more stable than a lighter one and may offer more performance on rough terrain. Many parents find a lighter stroller easier to maneuver and more suitable for everyday use.
3 wheeler pushchairs of a stroller is the size of its wheels and the type. Some strollers come with larger wheels, such as those for jogging that can make the ride smoother for your baby. Larger wheels can add weight to the stroller and make it difficult to fold, transport and store.
Certain models in our collection have air-filled tires that are designed to offer a comfortable and stable ride for your child even over rough terrain. Air-filled tires are prone to flattening, so you must replace them. If you plan to take your stroller with you frequently, we recommend that you choose a model with solid wheels. These tires can be able to withstand contact with various surfaces more frequently and last longer.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are ideal for navigating stairs and escalators safely. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most common accidents that occur due to strollers and are especially dangerous for infants. If you cannot avoid taking the stairs or escalator with your stroller, we advise using it only when your child is securely strapped in the seat. Keep them close to you when walking up or down.
Some strollers are sold as complete travel systems in which the car seat and stroller are sold together as a unit. Although these strollers often have attractive prices and offer convenience in terms of reducing shopping time, they are generally more expensive than their stand-alone counterparts and may not perform as well over the long run. Many parents regret buying bundles because they may not have all the features they want or be incompatible with their child's car seat or. We suggest you select an infant stroller that can be purchased separately from the capsule or car seat if you wish to upgrade to a more advanced model in the near future.
Stroller Folding
The top 3 wheel compact strollers fold easily and quickly to make storage and transportation easy. Some lock automatically into place when you open them. This feature is particularly useful for families who regularly take public transport or drive to walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to maneuver through tight spaces such as grocery store aisles and other areas that are crowded easily. They also have suspension systems that give a smoother stroll for your child and can be particularly useful on sidewalks that are bumpy.
If you're seeking a jogging stroller that isn't heavy, the Guava Roam Crossover is a good option. It's a stylish stroller that can be used as a travel system with the car seat adapters for Nuna Maxi-Cosi, Nuna and Cybex infant carseats and the bassinet Uppababy (car seats and stroller boards sold separately). The stroller folds in two steps and locks into place when it is opened.
A similar stroller with a nice design is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. This stroller is more expensive than our top choices, but worth it if you travel a lot or live in a city. This lightweight stroller can be folded down to a tiny 20 x 17 x 7 inch size. It comes with five-point, non-rethread, padded harness. It can be used as a stroller for newborns and young toddlers with an infant car seat adapter.
The Babyzen is a good product that has some great features. It has a spacious recline, and also comes with storage space. However, some parents are disappointed with its performance. The seat doesn't lie flat when it reclines and there's no cupholders or snack trays for children. The brakes can also be difficult to engage and the handlebars can be too high for certain moms.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that is designed to be as light as it can without sacrificing comfort or convenience. It has an impressive list of features, including a large basket and a one-handed fold. The only downside to this stroller is that the brakes are a little difficult to engage, and they're not locking after the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
A stroller's safety features will assist in keeping your child safe while using it. Some of the best-scoring strollers we've reviewed come with a five-point safety harness with adjustable and cushioned straps for crotch. This allows for a custom fit. Some have a cushioned seat cushion to protect your child's head should they fall out of the seat or roll off. Some strollers come with a safety brake that locks two wheels, which is especially important for strollers that run jogging as it stops them from slipping when they're going down stairs or escalators, where they could be particularly risky for children.
In our tests, the maneuverability of strollers was assessed in three different ways. We rated it based on a product's capability to turn and bounce when bumps and dips are encountered and its comfort with a child on it, and its ability to navigate over rough terrain. We also assessed the ease of opening and closing the safety harness as well as folding and unfolding the stroller, altering the backrest and height of the handlebar, operating the brakes, as being able to attach and remove car seats (if applicable).
We have found that 3-wheel strollers are more easy to maneuver than the 4-wheel models however this benefit diminishes as your baby grows heavier. We recommend choosing the model that has hand brakes. It can help you slow down or stop without having to exert the same effort as your body alone. However, many of the best-scoring swivel wheel strollers don't offer this feature and only one of our top fixed-wheel models does.
It is also important to think about how often you will require to take your stroller up a set of stairs or an escalator, and whether or not it's safe to do this with the stroller in position. Escalators and stairs present greater risk because they move mechanical parts which make it difficult to control the movements of the stroller. If you are able, we recommend using an elevator or having a second adult assist you in carrying the stroller. Some of the top-scoring strollers can be carried up or down a set of stairs with the safety brake activated. But it's safer to be secure than sorry.