3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel strollers that fit anyone regardless of whether you're seeking a jogging stoller or an all-purpose stroller to use for every day. Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through the paces on pavement and off-road surfaces as well as assessing the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The best strollers offer features that make life on the go with your baby more enjoyable. If you're looking for a brand new 3-wheel or a 4-wheel stroller, look for features that make life easier, such as an ample storage basket, parent tray with cup holders, a movable canopy, and more. The trick is determining which features are non-negotiable for you and your family and which ones you're able to live without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for running. It is loaded with useful features that will keep parents content and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap prevents the stroller from slipping while you are jogging. The Wayfinder has the largest sunshade of all the strollers we tested and a glass opening at the top that allows kids to peek out when they're resting. Jenni's three-year-old son reportedly found the seat to have comfortable padding, which meant bumps on the road did not cause any discomfort for him.
3 wheeled pushchairs jogging stoller features an automatic handbrake that helps you keep your grip on slippery surfaces. It can be folded into a compact, slim package that takes up little space in your trunk. You can also convert it to an entire travel system by buying an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.
Solid tires are a must for strollers that are used on terrains that are rough. Solid tires aren't as comfortable as spongy or air-filled tires, but they're excellent for navigating bumps and potholes.
This stroller for jogging comes with a fold that only requires two steps. It locks in place when folded, and is compact enough to fit into most elevators. However it's not as easy to maneuver as our other 4-wheel strollers and the mechanism to lock it is a bit hazy. It involves pressing an icon on the front of the stroller, a flap on the foot area, and lifting a handle. We'd like to see a more simple system that simply clicks into place or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight of a stroller is a crucial factor to consider. A heavier stroller is more stable and can perform better on rough terrain. However, many parents find that a lighter stroller is easier to maneuver and more suitable for use in everyday situations.
Another important aspect of a stroller is the size of its wheels and the type. Some strollers have larger wheels, such as jogging ones that can make the ride smoother for your baby. The larger wheels can weigh more on the stroller, making it more difficult to fold and transport, as well as store.
Some models in our selection have air-filled tires that are designed to provide a comfortable and stable ride for your child, even over rough terrain. However, air-filled tires can easily get flat which will require you to swap them out. If you are planning to travel a lot with your stroller, we suggest a model with solid tires that can withstand frequent contact with various surfaces and last for a longer time.
Strollers with swivel wheel on the front are perfect for safely navigating escalators as well as stairs. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most frequent stroller injuries. They can be particularly dangerous for infants. If you can't avoid taking the stairs or escalator while using your stroller, we suggest using it only if the child is securely strapped in the seat and is close to you while walking up or down.
Some strollers can be purchased as complete travel systems where the car seat and stroller are sold together as a single unit. While these types of products typically boast attractive prices and offer convenience by reducing shopping time, they are generally more expensive than standalone models and might not perform in the long run. Additionally many parents regret purchasing a bundle because it might not have all the features they would like, or it could prove to be incompatible with their vehicle or child seat. If you plan to upgrade in the future we recommend you buy a stroller separate from a capsule or car seat.
Stroller Folding
The best 3 wheel compact strollers fold easily and quickly to make storage and transportation a breeze. Some even lock into the position automatically after you open them. This feature is especially useful for families that frequently use public transportation or drive to walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to navigate through tight spaces such as aisles of grocery stores and other areas that are crowded with ease. Many are equipped with suspension systems for a smoother ride, which is especially beneficial on sidewalks that are bumpy.
The Guava Roam is a lightweight jogging stroller. The stroller is an elegant stroller that can be used as part of a travel set-up 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 an easy two-step fold that locks into place once opened.
Another stylish 3-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. The stroller is more expensive than our top picks but is worth it if often or live in the city. The stroller is lightweight and folds down to a compact size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and has an adjustable, padded, five-point no-rethread harness and an ample basket. It can also be used as a pram to carry newborns or young toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
Although the Babyzen comes with some nice features, such as the spacious recline and the extra storage, certain parents have been dissatisfied with its performance. The seat isn't flat when reclined and there's no cupholders or snack trays for children. The brakes are also a bit difficult to engage, and the handlebar height is too high for a lot of mothers who are short.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that's designed to be as light as it can without skimping on the comfort or convenience. It has an impressive list of features, including a spacious basket and a one-handed fold. The only issue is that the brakes could be difficult to engage and do not remain locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller will ensure that your child is safe using it. Some of the top-scoring strollers we've reviewed have a five-point safety harness with adjustable, cushioned straps for crotch. This allows for a customised 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 have a safety lock that locks both wheels. This is particularly important for walkers who jog, as they are less likely to fall over when going up and down escalators and stairs.
In our tests, strollers' maneuverability was assessed in three different ways. We scored it based on the ability to turn and bounce when bumps or dips are encountered as well as its user-friendliness with a child loaded and its capacity to travel over rough terrain. 3 wheeler pushchair evaluated how easy it was to open and close the safety harness fold and unfold the stroller, adjust the backrest, handlebar height and brakes, and then attach and remove car seats (if applicable).
We discovered that strollers with three wheels were more maneuverable, but the advantage decreased as the weight of the baby increased. This is why we recommend one with a hand brake that allows you to slow down and stop with as little effort as using body power alone. However, the majority of best-scoring swivel wheel strollers don't come with this feature and only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel models does.
It is important to consider how often you will need to take your stroller on a set of stairs or an escalator, and if or not it will be safe to do it with the stroller still in place. Elevators and stairs are more hazardous because they have moving mechanical components which make it difficult to control your stroller. If you can, we recommend using an elevator or having an adult assist you with the stroller. Some of the top-scoring strollers are able to be carried up the stairs or an escalator, with their safety brake locked and engaged however it's safer to be safe than not be.