3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a fitness fanatic in search of a jogging stroller or just looking for an all-purpose stroller for everyday use there's a compact three-wheel stroller that is suitable for you. The Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through the paces on both pavement and off-road surfaces, as well as testing children's comfort in the seats.
Stroller Features
The best strollers come with features that make traveling with your child much easier. If 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 much more. The trick is determining which features are non-negotiable for you and your family, and which ones you could do without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for running. It is loaded with practical features that 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 away while you jog. The Wayfinder comes with the largest sunshade among the strollers we tested and a clear opening at the top that allows children to look out when they are resting. Jenni's 3-year-old daughter found the seat to be comfortably padded, so bumps in the road won't shake him up too much.
The stroller is equipped with an automatic hand brake that can help you control slippery surfaces. It can be folded into a slim, compact package that takes only a tiny space in the trunk of your car. It is also possible to transform it into a travel system by purchasing an adapter. It is also compatible with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.
If you're planning on taking on rough terrain, sturdy tires are essential for strollers of any kind. While they don't offer the same level of comfort as foam-filled or air-filled tires, they're great for navigating potholes and bumps with ease.
The stroller folds up in just two steps. It locks when folded, and it's compact enough to fit into the majority of elevators. However, it's not as easy to maneuver as our other 4-wheel strollers, and the lock mechanism is a bit hazy. It involves pressing an arrow near the foot area at the front of stroller and lifting the handle. We'd like to see a more simple system that clicks into the position or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the overall stroller is a significant aspect to take into consideration. A stroller that is heavier is more stable and will perform better on rough terrain. However, a lot of parents find that a lighter stroller is more maneuverable and more suitable for daily use.
Another important aspect of a stroller is its wheel size and the type. Certain strollers, such as those that run on jogging have wheels that are larger and can offer a more comfortable experience for infants. Larger wheels can weigh more on the stroller, making it difficult to fold, transport and store.
Some models in our collection have wheels filled with air that provide an enjoyable, stable ride for your child on rough terrain. Air-filled tires are susceptible to flattening and must replace them. If you plan to travel a lot with your stroller, we recommend a model with solid tires that can withstand frequent contact with various surfaces and last for a longer time.
Strollers with swivel wheel at the front are great for safely navigating escalators as well as stairs. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most frequent stroller injuries. They can be especially hazardous for infants. If you can't avoid using the stairs or escalator with your stroller, we advise using it only when your child is securely strapped in the seat and is close to you while walking up or down.
Some strollers come as a travel system which includes both the car seat and the stroller. While these products often boast attractive prices and offer convenience in terms of reducing shopping time but they are usually more expensive than standalone models and may not function as well in the long haul. Many parents are disappointed when they purchase bundles because they may not have all the features they would like or be incompatible with their child's car seat or. If you want to upgrade in the future, we recommend that you purchase a stroller separately from a capsule or car seat.
Stroller Folding
The best 3-wheel strollers that are compact fold easily and store. Some locks automatically lock into place when you open them. This feature is particularly beneficial for families that frequently use public transportation or take a car to walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to maneuver through tight spaces such as aisles in grocery stores and other areas that are crowded easily. Many are equipped with suspension systems that provide an easier ride. This is particularly useful on sidewalks that are bumpy.
The Guava Roam is a compact stroller that can be used for jogging. three wheel buggies pushchairsandprams 's a stylish stroller that can be used as a travel set-up with the adapters for car seats for Nuna Maxi-Cosi, Nuna and Cybex infant carseats and the bassinet Uppababy (car seats and stroller boards sold separately). The stroller folds in two steps and locks into position once opened.
Another stylish 3-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. It's more expensive than our top choices, but it's well worth the money if you love to travel or live in a city. The lightweight stroller can be folded down to a compact 20 17x7 inch size. It comes with a five-point, no-rethread, padded harness. It can be used as a stroller suitable for infants or toddlers who are young, with an adapter for infant car seats.
The Babyzen is a great product with some nice features. It has a spacious recline, and also has storage space. However there are some parents who are dissatisfied by its performance. The seat doesn't lie flat when it reclines and there aren't cup holders or snack trays for kids. The brakes are difficult to engage and the handlebars are a bit high for some moms.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as light as it is possible, but without losing comfort or ease of use. It's equipped with a lengthy list of amazing features including a large basket and a one handed fold. The only drawback to this stroller is that the brakes are a little difficult to engage and they're not locked when the stroller has been folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller should assist in keeping your child secure during use. The top-scoring strollers we've reviewed come with a five-point safety harness with adjustable and cushioned straps for crotch. This allows for a customized fit. Some strollers come with a cushioned cushion that shields your child's head should they fall or roll out of their seat. Some strollers have a safety lock that secures both wheels. This is particularly important for walkers who jog, as it prevents them from tumbling over while walking up and down escalators or stairs.
In our tests, we rated the maneuverability of strollers in three different ways: a stroller's ability to rotate and bounce over dips and bumps its ease of maneuvering when loaded with a child and its ability to maneuver over rough surfaces. We also assessed the ease of being able to open and close the safety harness fold and unfold the stroller, adjust its backrest the height of the handlebar and brakes and then attach and remove car seats (if necessary).
We discovered that some 3-wheel strollers are easier to maneuver than four-wheel models, but this advantage diminishes as baby gets heavier. We suggest choosing the model that has hand brakes. It will allow you to slow down or stop without exerting the same effort as your body by itself. Many of the top-scoring swivel-wheel strollers do not come with this option. Only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel strollers has it.
It's also important to think about the frequency you'll need to transport your stroller down a set of stairs or an escalator and whether or not it will be safe to do it with the stroller still in position. Escalators and stairs present more of a hazard because they move mechanical components which make it difficult to control the motion of the stroller. If you are able use an elevator or having a second adult assist you with the stroller. Some of the most highly-rated strollers can be taken onto a set of stairs or an escalator with their safety brake locked and engaged but it's always better to be safer than to be sorry.