3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a fitness fanatic in search of a stroller for jogging or looking for an all-purpose stroller for everyday use There's a three-wheel compact stroller that is suitable for you. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor of Sentry, put these models to the test on road surfaces and off-road ones. They also tested the comfort of the seats for children.
Stroller Features
The best strollers offer features that make life on the go with your little one more enjoyable. Find features that simplify life including a big storage bin, parent tray with cups holders, adjustable canopy, and so on when you are shopping for the latest stroller. It's important to know what features are important to you and your family members 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 happy and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of different sizes and the wrist strap helps ensure that the stroller doesn't slide away when you're running. The Wayfinder also has the most extensive sunshade in our testing group and has a large, clear window up top to let kids peek out while they're resting. Jenni's 3-year-old daughter found the seat to be comfortable cushioned, which means bumps on the road don't shake him up too much.
This jogging stoller comes with a handbrake to help you keep control on slippery surfaces. It folds down to an extremely compact and slim size that takes up a tiny space in the trunk of your car. Additionally, it can convert into a travel system with certain infant car seats from brands like Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex with the purchase of an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.
Solid tires are crucial for strollers used on terrains that are rough. Solid tires are not as comfortable as air-filled or spongy-filled tires but they're great to navigate bumps and potholes.
This stroller for jogging features a fold-up that only requires two steps. It locks into place when folded, and it's small enough to fit into the majority of elevators. It's not as simple as our other four-wheel strollers, and the locking mechanism is somewhat difficult to understand. It involves clicking an icon on the front of the stroller, closing a flap near the foot area, and lifting the handle. We'd like to see a more simple system where it just clicks into the position or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight is a significant consideration. 3 wheel buggy is more stable and will perform better on uneven terrain. However, many parents discover that strollers with lighter weights are easier to maneuver and is more suitable for daily use.
The type and size of the wheels is another important aspect. Certain strollers have bigger wheels, such as those for jogging, which can make the ride more comfortable for your baby. Larger wheels can add weight to the stroller, making it more difficult to fold, transport and store.
Some models in our selection have air-filled tires that are designed to provide an enjoyable and stable ride for your child even over rough terrain. However, tires that are filled with air can quickly become flat and need to be changed out. If you plan to travel with your stroller often, we suggest that you select a model with solid wheels. These tires can withstand contact with different surfaces more often and last longer.
Strollers with front wheels that swivel are ideal for navigating stairs and escalators safely. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most frequent accidents that occur due to strollers and are particularly dangerous for infants. If you can't avoid the stairs or escalator while using your stroller, we recommend using it only when your child is safely strapped into the seat. Keep them close to you while walking up or down.
Some strollers are sold as complete travel systems where the car seat and stroller are sold together as a unit. While these products often boast attractive price tags and offer convenience by cutting down on shopping time however, they are typically more expensive than their stand-alone counterparts and may not function as well in the long haul. Many parents regret buying bundles because they may not have all the features they desire or be incompatible with their child's car seat or. We recommend you choose a stroller that is purchased separately from a capsule or car seat if you wish to upgrade to a more sophisticated model in the near future.
Stroller Folding
The best 3-wheel strollers that are compact fold easily and put away. Some even lock into the position automatically after you open them. This feature is particularly beneficial for families that frequently use public transportation or take a car to take a walk.
Three-wheeled strollers are able to maneuver effortlessly in tight spaces, such as grocery store aisles or other areas that are crowded. A lot of them are equipped with suspension systems that provide a smoother ride, which is especially useful on bumpy sidewalks.
The Guava Roam is a compact jogging stroller. The stroller is a stylish stroller that can be used as part of a travel system, with car seat adapters to fit Nuna, MaxiCosi, Cybex, and Nuna infant carseats, and the Uppababy Bassinet. (Car seats and stroller boards are sold separately). The stroller has a simple two-step fold and locks into place once opened.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another attractive 3-wheeled jogging stroller with a nice design. The stroller is more expensive than our top picks, but worth it if you travel frequently or live in a city. The lightweight stroller can fold down to a smaller size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and features a padded, adjustable, five-point no-rethread harness and a large basket. It can be used as a pram to carry newborns or young toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
The Babyzen is a great product with a few nice features. It is spacious in its recline and has storage space. However, some parents are disappointed in its performance. The seat isn't completely flat when reclined and there are no cups or a tray to serve snacks to children. The brakes can also be a bit difficult to activate and the handlebars are too high for certain moms.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as lightweight as it is possible, but without the comfort or convenience. It comes with a plethora of features, including a large basket and a fold that is one-handed. The only downside is that the brakes may be difficult to engage and do not remain locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller should assist in keeping your child safe while using it. The top-scoring strollers we've reviewed come with a five-point safety harness that has adjustable and padding straps for the crotch. This allows for a customized fit. Others come with a cushioned seat cushion to protect your child's head should they fall out of the seat or roll off. Some strollers feature safety brakes that lock two wheels, which is essential for jogging strollers as it stops them from slipping when they're going up or down escalators or stairs where they could be particularly risky for children.
In our tests, we rated the strollers' maneuverability in three different ways: a product's ability to bounce and turn over dips and bumps, its ability to maneuver when loaded with a child and its capability to traverse rough terrain. We also evaluated the ease of opening and closing the safety harness, folding and unfolding the stroller, adjusting its backrest and handlebar height and operating the brakes as also the ability to attach and remove car seats (if applicable).
We discovered that some 3-wheel strollers are simpler to maneuver than the 4-wheel models, but this advantage diminishes when your baby becomes heavier. We recommend choosing a model with a hand brake. It can help you slow down or stop without putting in as much effort as using your body by itself. A majority of the top-scoring swivel-wheel strollers don't have this feature. Only 3 wheeler pushchair of our best-rated fixed-wheel strollers has it.
It's also important to think about how often you will need to take your stroller on a set of stairs or an escalator and whether or not it's safe to do so with the stroller still in place. Stairs and escalators pose greater risk due to the fact that they move mechanical parts, making it difficult to control the motion of the stroller. We recommend looking for alternatives to these hazards, like an elevator, if possible or have another adult to carry the stroller up and down with you. Some of the most highly-rated strollers can be carried up the stairs or an escalator, with their safety brake locked and engaged however it's safer to be sorry.