3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a health-conscious person seeking a jogging stroller or just looking for an all-purpose stroller for use in everyday life, there's a three-wheel compact stroller for you. Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through their paces on pavement and off-road surfaces, aswell test the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The best strollers come with features that allow you to travel with your child a lot easier. Find features that simplify your life for you, like a large bin for storage, a tray for parents with cups holders, adjustable canopy, and so on when you are shopping for the latest stroller. It's important to determine what features are important to you and your family, and those you can live without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for jogging. It has many convenient features that will keep parents content and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap keeps the stroller from rolling away when you're jogging. The Wayfinder also has the most extensive sunshade that we tested with a clear view on top that lets kids observe the world while they rest. Jenni's three-year-old son found the seat to have a comfortable padding, which meant bumps in the road didn't cause any discomfort for him.
The stroller is equipped with a hand brake that helps you control slippery surfaces. It folds to a slim, compact package that takes up very little space in the trunk of your car. Additionally, it can be converted into a travel system using select infant car seats from brands like Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex by purchasing an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
If you're planning on taking on rough terrain, sturdy tires are essential for strollers of all kinds. Solid tires are not as comfortable as air-filled or spongy-filled tires but they're great for navigating potholes and bumps.
The jogging stroller folds in just two easy steps. It locks when folded, and is small enough to fit in most elevators. It's not as simple as some of our other four-wheel strollers, and the locking mechanism is a little confusing. It requires pressing the button in the foot area on the front of stroller and lifting the handle. We'd like to see a more simple system where it just clicks into place or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the overall stroller is a significant aspect to take into consideration. A heavier stroller is likely to be more stable than a lighter one and can provide more performance on rough terrain. However, a lot of parents find that strollers with lighter weights are easier to maneuver and is more suitable for use in everyday situations.
The size and type of the wheels is another important feature. Some strollers have larger wheels, such as jogging ones, which makes the ride easier for your baby. The larger wheels can weigh more on the stroller and make it difficult to fold and transport, as well as store.
Some models in our selection include air-filled tires that are designed to provide an enjoyable and stable ride for your child, even on rough terrain. However, 3 wheel pushchair -filled tires could easily become flat, which will require you to change them out. If you are planning to take your stroller on the road a lot, we recommend you purchase a model with solid wheels. These tires are able to endure contact with different surfaces more often and last longer.
Strollers that have swivel wheels on the front are perfect for safely navigating escalators as well as stairs. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most common accidents involving strollers, and can be particularly hazardous for infants. If you can't avoid using the escalator or stairs while using your stroller, we suggest that you only use it when your child is secured in the seat. Also ensure that they are close to you as you go up or down.
Some strollers are available as complete travel systems that includes the car seat and stroller are sold as a single unit. These types of products are usually more expensive and convenient than their standalone counterparts, and may not perform well in the long term. In addition, many parents later regret buying a bundled product as it may not come with all of the features they want, or it could prove to not be compatible with their car or child's seat. If you want to upgrade in the near future we suggest that you purchase a stroller separately from car seats or capsules.
Stroller Folding
The best 3 wheel strollers with a compact size are easy to fold and to store. Some even lock into the position automatically after you open them. This feature is especially beneficial for families who regularly use public transport or drive prior to taking a walks.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to move through tight spaces such as aisles of grocery stores and other areas that are crowded with ease. Many also come equipped with suspension systems that offer an easier stroll for your child, which can be especially helpful on bumpy sidewalks.
If you're looking for a stroller that is jogging-friendly that doesn't weigh you down the Guava Roam Crossover is a good alternative. It's an elegant stroller that can also be used as part of a travel system, with matching car seat adapters to fit Nuna, MaxiCosi, Cybex, and Nuna infant carseats, and the Uppababy Bassinet. (Car seats and stroller boards sold separately). The stroller has simple two-step fold, and can be locked once it is opened.
A similar stroller with a nice design is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. The stroller is more expensive than our top choices, but is worth it if you travel frequently or live in the city. This stroller is lightweight and can be folded down to a compact 20 x 17 x 7 inch size. It has five-point, non-rethread, padded harness. It can be used as a pram for infants or 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 it also has extra storage. However there are some parents who are dissatisfied in its performance. The seat doesn't lie flat when reclined and there aren't any cup holders or a snack tray for children. The brakes are a little difficult to engage and the handlebars are too high for some moms.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that's designed to be as light as it can without skimping on comfort or convenience. It has an impressive list of features, including a spacious basket and a fold that is one-handed. The only downside is that the brakes may be a bit difficult to engage and don't stay locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller will ensure your child's safety while using it. Some of the top-scoring strollers we've reviewed have five-point safety harnesses with adjustable, padding crotch straps. This allows for a customized fit. Others have a padded seat cushion to safeguard your child's head in the event that they fall from the seat or fall off. Some strollers are equipped with a safety lock that secures both wheels. This is particularly important for jogging walkers, as it prevents them from tumbling over while going up or down escalators or stairs.
In our tests, we evaluated the maneuverability of strollers in three different ways: the product's ability to turn and bounce over dips and bumps its maneuverability when laden with a child and its capacity to travel over rough surfaces. We also evaluated the ease of opening and closing the safety harness folding and unfolding the stroller, adjusting the height of its backrest and handlebar as well as operating the brakes as well as attaching and removing car seats (if applicable).
We have found that 3-wheel strollers are simpler to maneuver than 4-wheel options however this benefit diminishes as your baby grows heavier. We recommend selecting a model with hand brakes. It can help you slow down or stop without exerting the same effort as your body on its own. Many of the top-scoring, swivel-wheel strollers do not come with this option. Only one of our best-rated fixed-wheel strollers comes with it.
It's important to consider how often you will require to take your stroller on a set of stairs or an escalator, and whether or not it's safe to do it with the stroller in the same place. Stairs and elevators can be more dangerous because they have moving mechanical parts that make it difficult to control your stroller. If you're able to, we recommend using an elevator or having another adult assist you with the stroller. Some of the best-rated strollers can be carried up or down a set of stairs with their safety brake engaged. It's always safer to be safe than sorry.