3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel strollers that fit all ages regardless of whether you're looking for a jogging stroller or a stroller for all-purpose use for every day. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor at Sentry, put these models to the test on road surfaces and off-road ones. They also evaluated the comfort of the seats for children.
Stroller Features
The best strollers come with features that make traveling with your child a lot easier. Whether you're shopping for a new 3-wheel 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, an adjustable canopy and more. The trick is determining which features are not negotiable for you and your family, and which ones you can live without.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller with a variety of useful 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 helps keep the stroller from slipping away while you are jogging. The Wayfinder features the biggest sunshade of all the strollers we tested and a glass opening at the top that allows children to see out when they are resting. And Jenni's 3-year-old found the seat to be comfortable cushioned, so bumps on the road don't make him feel too shaken.
This stroller for jogging also comes with an automatic hand brake that can help you maintain control on slick surfaces. It folds into a slim, compact package that takes up little space in the trunk of your car. You can also convert it to an e-travel system by purchasing an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.
Solid tires are a must for strollers used on terrains that are rough. Solid tires are not as comfortable as spongy-filled or air-filled tires, but they're perfect to navigate bumps and potholes.
The jogging stroller folds in just two steps. It locks when folded, and it's small enough to fit into the majority of elevators. However it's not as simple to maneuver as our other 4-wheel strollers, and the mechanism to lock it is a bit confusing. It involves clicking an icon on the front of the stroller, a flap that is located near the foot area, and then raising the handle. We'd prefer a simpler method that clicks in place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight is a significant consideration. A stroller that is heavier tends to be more stable than a lighter one and may offer better performance in rough terrain. However, a lot of parents find that a lighter stroller is easier to maneuver and is more suitable for everyday use.
Another crucial aspect of a stroller is its wheel size and the type. Some strollers come with larger wheels, such as jogging ones, which can make the ride more comfortable for your baby. Larger wheels can weigh more on the stroller, making it difficult to fold and store, transport and fold.
Some models in our selection come with air-filled wheels, which provide a safe, comfortable ride to your child even on rough terrain. However, tires that are filled with air can easily get flat which will require you to swap them out. If you plan to travel a lot with your stroller, we suggest an option with sturdy tires that can stand up to frequent contact with various surfaces and last longer.
Strollers with swivel wheel at the front are great for safely navigating escalators as well as stairs. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most common stroller-related injuries and can be particularly hazardous for infants. If 3 wheeler pushchairs can't avoid the stairs or escalator while using your stroller, we recommend using it only if the child is securely strapped into the seat and hold them close to you as you walk up or down.
Some strollers come as a travel system that includes both the car seat and the stroller. These are typically more expensive and convenient than their standalone counterparts, and may not perform well in the long run. Additionally, many parents later regret buying a bundled product as it might not have all of the features they desire or may turn out to be incompatible with their vehicle or child's seat. We suggest you select a stroller that is purchased separately from a capsule or car seat in case you wish to upgrade to a higher-end model in the future.
Stroller Folding
The best 3-wheel strollers that are compact fold easily and store. Some of them lock automatically when you open them. This feature is particularly beneficial for families who frequently use public transportation or take a car to go on a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to navigate around tight spaces like aisles in grocery stores and other areas that are crowded with ease. They also have suspension systems that give an easier ride for your baby and can be particularly helpful on slippery sidewalks.
If you're looking for a jogging stroller that isn't heavy the Guava Roam Crossover is an excellent alternative. It's an elegant stroller that can be used as part of a travel set-up 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 comes with a simple two-step fold and can be locked once it is it is opened.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another stylish 3-wheeled jogging stroller that looks nice. It's a bit pricier than some of our top picks, however it's well worth the money if you love to travel or live in the city. This stroller is lightweight and can be folded down to a tiny 20 17x7 inch size. It comes with a five-point, no-rethread, padding on the harness. It can be used as a stroller for infants and toddlers, if you have an adapter for infant car seats.
Although the Babyzen comes with some nice features, like an ample recline and additional storage space, some parents are dissatisfied with its performance. The seat doesn't lie flat when it's reclining, and there are no cup holders or a tray for snacks for children. The brakes can be a bit difficult to activate and the handlebars can be 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 ease of use. It's packed with a variety of features, including a large basket and a one-handed fold. The only issue with this stroller is that the brakes are difficult to engage and they don't lock when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller should keep your child safe while using it. Some of the best-scoring models in our test have five-point harnesses with padded, adjustable crotch straps that allow for a custom fit. Others have a padded seat cushion to shield your child's head in the event that they fall from the seat or fall off. Some strollers have a safety lock that secures both wheels. This is crucial for walkers who jog, as they are less likely to fall over while going up or down escalators or stairs.
In our tests, we evaluated the strollers' maneuverability in three different ways: the product's ability to bounce and turn over bumps and dips, its ease of maneuvering when loaded with children and its capacity to maneuver over rough surfaces. We also assessed the ease of opening and closing the safety harness, folding and unfolding the stroller, changing the height of its backrest and handlebar, operating the brakes, as well as attaching and removing car seats (if applicable).
We found that some 3-wheel strollers are simpler to maneuver than 4-wheel options, but this advantage diminishes as baby gets heavier. This is why we suggest choosing the model with a hand brake that assists you in slowing down and come to a stop without as much effort as using body power alone. However, the majority of top-scoring swivel wheel strollers do not have this option, and only one of our top fixed-wheel models has it.
It is important to think about how often you'll be required to use your stroller to go up and down stairs or escalators, and if it is safe to do this. Elevators and stairs pose more dangers because they move mechanical parts which make it difficult to control the movement of the stroller. We suggest finding a solution to these obstacles, such as an elevator, if you can or have a person else to carry the stroller up and down with you. Some of the top-scoring strollers can be carried up a set of stairs or a set with their safety brake engaged. But it's safer to be secure rather than regretting.