3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a fitness fanatic looking for a stroller for jogging or seeking a stroller that is all-purpose for everyday use, there's a three-wheel compact stroller out there for you. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor of Sentry, put these models to the test on both roads and off-road surfaces. They also tested the seating comfort for children.
Stroller Features
The best strollers offer features that make traveling with your baby more comfortable. Look for features that simplify life including a big storage bin, parent tray with cup holders, an adjustable canopy and more when you are shopping for a new stroller. It's crucial to decide which features are essential for you and your family, and what you can live without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for jogging. It is loaded with convenient features that will keep parents content and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of all heights and the wrist strap is designed to ensure that the stroller doesn't slide away when you're running. The Wayfinder also features the biggest sunshade that we tested and has a large, clear window up top to let kids peek out while they're resting. Jenni's 3-year-old son found the seat to have comfortable padding, which meant bumps in the road did not cause any discomfort for him.
This jogging stoller has a handbrake to help you keep your grip on slippery surfaces. It can be folded into a compact, slim package that takes up little space in your car's trunk. You can also convert it into a travel system by purchasing an adapter. It can also be used with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
Solid tires are essential for strollers that are used on rough terrains. While they don't offer the same degree of comfort as air-filled or foam-filled tires, they're ideal for navigating potholes and bumps with ease.
This stroller is a jogging model and features a fold-up that only requires two steps. It locks in place when folded, and it's compact enough to fit into the majority of elevators. It's not as easy as our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver, and the locking mechanism can be a little confusing. It requires pressing an icon on the front of the stroller, closing a flap that is located near the foot area, and then lifting a handle. We'd prefer a simpler system that simply clicks into place or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the overall stroller is a significant factor to take into account. A heavier stroller is more stable and will perform better on rough terrain. However, a lot of parents find that a lighter stroller is easier to maneuver and is more suitable for everyday use.
Another important aspect of a stroller is its wheel size and type. Certain strollers, like jogging strollers with larger wheels can provide a smoother ride for babies. Larger wheels can weigh more on the stroller, making it harder to fold and transport, as well as store.
Some models in our collection come with air-filled wheels, which provide an enjoyable, stable ride for your child on rough terrain. However, three wheel pushchair -filled tires can quickly become flat and require you to swap them out. If you intend to take your stroller on the road often, we suggest that you choose a model with solid wheels. These tires can endure contact with different surfaces more frequently and last longer.
Strollers that have swivel wheels at the front are great for safely navigating escalators as well as stairs. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most frequent stroller-related injuries and can be especially dangerous for infants. If you are unable to avoid using the stairs or escalator while using your stroller, we recommend using it only when the child is securely strapped in the seat. Keep them close to you when walking up or down.
Some strollers are available as a complete travel system that includes the car seat and stroller are sold as a unit. These are typically more expensive and less convenient than their separate counterparts and may not perform well in the long run. In addition many parents end up regretting purchasing a bundle product because it may not include all of the features they desire or could turn out to not be compatible with their car or child seat. We recommend you choose an infant stroller that can be purchased separately from the car seat or capsule if you'd like to upgrade to a higher-end model in the near future.
Stroller Folding
The top 3 wheel compact strollers fold easily and quickly to make transport and storage effortless. Some even lock in the position automatically after you open them. This feature is especially useful for families who regularly take public transport or drive to go on a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to maneuver around tight spaces like aisles of grocery stores and other crowded areas with ease. They also have suspension systems that offer a smoother ride for your baby which is especially useful on sidewalks that are bumpy.
If you're seeking a jogging stroller that doesn't weigh you down Guava Roam Crossover is a good option. It's a good-looking stroller that can be used as a travel system with the adapters for car seats for Nuna Maxi-Cosi, Nuna and Cybex infant carseats and the bassinet for the Uppababy (car seats and stroller boards sold separately). The stroller comes with simple two-step fold, and can be locked once it is it is opened.
3 wheeled pushchair with a nice design is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. It's more expensive than some of our top choices, but it's worth the cost if you love to travel or reside in an urban area. This stroller is lightweight and can be folded down to a small 20 x 17 x 7 inch size. It comes with a five-point, no-rethread, padding on the harness. It can even be used as a pram to carry newborns or young toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
While the Babyzen has some nice features, such as an ample recline and additional storage, some parents have been disappointed with its performance. The seat doesn't lie flat when reclined and there are no cup holders or a snack tray for kids. The brakes are also difficult to engage, and the handlebar height is too high for many mothers who are short.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that is designed to be as light as it can without skimping on the comfort or convenience. It's packed with a variety of features, including a spacious basket and a one-handed fold. The only drawback to this stroller is that the brakes are difficult to activate, and they're not locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
A stroller's safety features should assist in keeping your child secure during use. The top-scoring strollers we've reviewed have a five-point safety harness with adjustable, padding straps for the crotch. This allows for a custom fit. Some have a cushioned seat cushion to safeguard your child's head should they fall out of the seat or fall off. Some strollers are equipped with the safety lock that locks both wheels. This is particularly important for those who run, since they are less likely to fall over while going up or down stairs and escalators.
In our tests, we rated the strollers' maneuverability in three different ways: a product's ability to turn and bounce over dips and bumps, its ability to maneuver when loaded with children and its capacity to traverse rough terrain. We also evaluated the ease of opening and closing the safety harness, folding and unfolding the stroller, altering the backrest and height of the handlebar and operating the brakes as well as attaching and removing car seats (if necessary).
We found that some 3-wheel strollers are easier to maneuver than 4-wheel options however this benefit diminishes as baby gets heavier. This is why we recommend one with a hand brake, which allows you to slow down and come to a stop without as much exertion as using body power alone. However, a lot of the most efficient swivel wheel strollers offer this feature and only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel models has it.
It is also important to think about how often you will require to transport your stroller down a set of stairs or an escalator, and whether or not it will be safe to do this with the stroller still in position. Stairs and elevators can be more hazardous because they have moving mechanical components that make it difficult to control your stroller. We recommend finding an alternative 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 best-rated strollers can be taken up a set or stairs with the safety brake engaged. It's always better to be safe rather than regretting.