3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a health-conscious person looking for a jogging stroller or just seeking a stroller that is all-purpose to use for everyday use there's a compact three-wheel stroller for you. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor at Sentry tested these models to the test on roads and off-road surfaces. They also evaluated the seating comfort for children.
Stroller Features
The best strollers have features that make life on the go with your child more convenient. Look for features that make life easier including a big bin for storage, a tray for the parent with cup holders, an adjustable canopy, and more, when 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.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller, comes with plenty of convenient features that will keep moms and dads comfortable and happy. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap keeps the stroller from slipping when you're jogging. The Wayfinder also has the most extensive sunshade we've seen in our test group with a clear view up top to let kids look out while they're relaxing. Jenni's 3-year-old son found the seat to have a comfortable padding, which meant bumps on the road did not cause any discomfort for him.
This jogging stoller has the handbrake to help keep your grip on slippery surfaces. It folds to an extremely compact and slim size that occupies a small space in the trunk of your vehicle, and it can be converted into a travel system with the best infant car seats from brands such as Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex with the purchase of an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.
Solid tires are essential for strollers used on rough terrains. Solid tires are not as comfortable as air-filled or spongy-filled tires, but they're excellent for navigating potholes and bumps.
This jogging stroller features a fold-up that requires just two steps. It locks in place when folded, and is compact enough to fit into most elevators. However it's not as easy to move around as our other 4-wheel strollers and the mechanism to lock it is a bit confusing. It's as simple as pressing a button near the foot area on the front of the stroller and then 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 overall weight is a crucial aspect to consider. A heavier stroller is more stable and can perform better on rough terrain. However, many parents discover that a stroller with a lighter weight is easier to maneuver and is more suitable for use in everyday situations.
Another important feature of a stroller is its wheel size and type. Certain strollers, like ones that jog with larger wheels can provide a smoother ride for babies. However, larger wheels increase the overall weight of the stroller, which can make it more difficult to fold or transport and store.
Certain models in our collection come with air-filled tires, which are designed to offer a comfortable and stable ride for your child even over rough terrain. However, air-filled tires could easily become flat, which will require you to change them out. If you plan to travel a lot with your stroller, we recommend the use of tires that can withstand frequent contact with various surfaces and last for a longer time.
Strollers with swivel wheel on the front are perfect to safely navigate escalators and stairs. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most frequent injuries to strollers. They can be especially hazardous for infants. If you can't avoid using an escalator or stairs with your stroller we recommend using it when the child is securely strapped in the seat. Also, keep them close to you while you go up or down.
Some strollers come as a travel system which includes both the car seat and the stroller. These types of products are usually more expensive and commodious than their separate counterparts and could not last in the long term. In addition many parents end up regretting purchasing a bundle product because it may not come with all of the features they want, or it could prove to not be compatible with their vehicle or child seat. We suggest that you purchase a stroller that is purchased separately from the capsule or car seat if you'd like to upgrade to a more advanced model in the near future.
Stroller Folding
The best 3 wheel compact strollers fold easily and quickly to make storage and transportation easy. Some lock automatically into place when you open them. This feature is especially useful for families that frequently use public transportation or drive to take a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to navigate through tight spaces such as grocery store aisles and other areas that are crowded easily. Many also come equipped with suspension systems that offer a more comfortable ride for your little one, which can be especially helpful on bumpy sidewalks.
The Guava Roam is a lightweight jogging stroller. It's an elegant stroller that can be used as a 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.
Another stylish 3-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. It's a bit pricier than our top choices, but it's worth the investment If you're a lover of travel or live in the city. The stroller is lightweight and folds down to a small size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and features a padded, adjustable, five-point no-rethread harness and an ample basket. It can be used as a stroller for infants and young toddlers with an adapter for infant car seats.
The Babyzen is a great product that has some great features. It is spacious in its recline and comes with storage space. However, some parents are disappointed with its performance. The seat isn't completely flat when reclined, and there's no cup holders or a tray to serve snacks to children. The brakes are a bit difficult to engage, and the handlebar height is too high for a lot of moms who are petite.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as light as it is possible, but without losing comfort or ease of use. It comes with a plethora of features, including a spacious basket and a one-handed fold. The only downside to this stroller is that the brakes are difficult to activate, and they don't lock when the stroller has been folded.
Stroller Safety
A stroller's safety features will help to keep your child safe during use. The top-scoring strollers we've reviewed have a five-point safety harness with adjustable, padded straps for crotch. This allows for a customised fit. Some strollers come with a cushioned cushion that shields your child's head should they roll off or fall out of their seat. Some strollers are equipped with a safety lock that secures both wheels. This is crucial for those who run, since it prevents them from tumbling over when going up and down escalators and stairs.
In our tests, strollers' maneuverability was evaluated in three distinct ways. We evaluated it based on a product's ability to turn and bounce when bumps and dips occur as well as its user-friendliness with a child on it and its ability to travel over rough terrain. We also assessed the ease of opening and closing the safety harness, folding and unfolding the stroller, adjusting its backrest and handlebar height, operating the brakes, as also the ability to attach and remove car seats (if necessary).
We found that 3-wheel strollers were easier to maneuver however, the advantages decreased as the weight of the baby increased. We suggest choosing one with a hand brake. three wheel pushchair will allow you to slow down or stop without having to exert the same amount of effort as your body alone. A majority of the top-scoring swivel-wheel strollers do not come with this feature. Only one of our best-rated fixed-wheel strollers comes with it.
It is important to consider the frequency you'll need to take your stroller up the stairs or an escalator and whether or not it's safe to do so while the stroller is in its place. Stairs and elevators can be more risky because they contain moving mechanical parts that make it difficult for you to control your stroller. We recommend finding an alternative to these obstacles, like an elevator, if you have one or have another adult carry the stroller up or down with you. Some of the top-scoring strollers can be taken onto an escalator or a set of stairs. an escalator, with their safety brakes engaged and locked but it's always safer to be safe than sorry.