3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel strollers designed for everyone whether you're looking for a jogging stroller or a stroller for all-purpose use for every day. 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 test the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The most effective strollers have features that allow you to travel with your child a lot easier. If you're looking 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. It's important to know the features that are important to you and your family, and which you can do without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for running. It is loaded with convenient features that will keep parents content and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of different heights and the wrist strap is designed to ensure that the stroller doesn't roll away when you're running. The Wayfinder has the largest sunshade of all the strollers we tested, and a large, clear opening at the top that allows children to look out while they rest. three wheel pushchair 's 3-year-old son found the seat to have a comfortable cushion, so bumps in the road didn't bother him.
The stroller is equipped with a hand brake that helps you control slippery surfaces. It can be folded into a compact, slim package that will take only a tiny space in your car's trunk. It is also possible to convert it into a travel system by purchasing an adapter. It is also compatible with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.
Solid tires are essential for strollers that will be used on rough terrains. Although they don't offer the same level of comfort as air-filled or foam-filled tires, they're perfect for navigating bumps and potholes with ease.
The stroller folds up in just two steps. It locks in place when folded and is compact enough to fit in most elevators. However, it's not as easy to maneuver as some of our other strollers with four wheels, and the mechanism to lock it is a bit confusing. It involves pressing a button on the front of the stroller, closing a flap near the foot area, and then raising a handle. We'd prefer a simpler method that clicks in place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the entire unit is a crucial aspect to consider. A stroller that is heavier is more stable and will perform better on rough terrain. However, a lot of parents find that a stroller with a lighter weight is easier to maneuver and is more suitable for everyday use.
Another crucial aspect of a stroller is its wheel size and type. Certain strollers have bigger wheels, such as jogging ones that makes the ride easier for your baby. However, larger wheels add to the overall weight of the stroller, which makes it more difficult to fold and transport as well as store.
Some models in our collection come with air-filled wheels, which provide an enjoyable, stable ride to your child even on rough terrain. However, tires that are filled with air can quickly become flat and need to be changed out. If you are planning to take your stroller with you a lot, we recommend that you select a model with solid wheels. These tires can endure contact with various surfaces more frequently and last longer.
Strollers with swivel wheel on the front are ideal to safely navigate escalators and stairs. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most frequent accidents that occur due to strollers and are particularly hazardous for infants. If you are unable to avoid using the escalator and stairs with your stroller we suggest that you only use it if your child is safely strapped into the seat. Also keep them close to you when you go up or down.
Some strollers come as a travel system that includes both the car seat and the stroller. These types of products are usually more expensive and commodious than their stand-alone counterparts and they may not be as effective in the long run. Many parents are disappointed when they purchase a bundle product because it might not include all the features they would like or may not be compatible with their car or child seat. We recommend you choose a stroller that is purchased separately from a car seat or capsule if you'd like to upgrade to a more advanced model in the future.
Stroller Folding
The top 3 wheel compact strollers fold quickly and easily to make transport and storage effortless. Some of them lock automatically when you open them. This feature is especially useful for families who frequently take public transportation or drive before going on a walk.
Three-wheeled strollers are able to maneuver effortlessly in tight spaces, like aisles of grocery stores or other areas that are crowded. A lot of them are equipped with suspension systems to provide an easier ride. This is especially beneficial on bumpy sidewalks.
The Guava Roam is a compact jogging stroller. It's a stylish stroller which can be used as a travel set-up with the matching car seat adapters for Nuna Maxi-Cosi, Nuna and Cybex infant carseats and the bassinet Uppababy (car seats and stroller boards are sold separately). The stroller has a simple two-step fold and can be locked once it is opened.
A similar stroller with a nice design is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. It's more expensive than our top picks, but it's worth the cost if you love to travel or live in the city. The lightweight stroller folds down to a small size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and has a padded, adjustable five-point harness with no-rethread straps and an ample basket. It can even be used as a pram to carry newborns or young toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
Although the Babyzen has some nice features, like an ample recline and additional storage space, certain parents have been dissatisfied with its performance. The seat doesn't lie flat when it is reclining and there's no cupholders or snack trays for children. The brakes can also be a bit difficult to activate and the handlebars are too high for some moms.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as light as it is possible, but without the comfort or convenience. It has an impressive list of features, including a large basket and a one-handed fold. The only downside is that the brakes may be a bit difficult to engage and don't stay locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
A stroller's safety features should help to keep your child safe during use. Some of the top-scoring strollers in our review feature five-point harnesses with adjustable crotch straps that are padded and padded that allow for a customized fit. Others have a padded seat cushion to safeguard your child's head in the event that they fall from the seat or roll off. Some strollers come with safety brakes that lock two wheels. This is particularly important for strollers that run jogging since it prevents them from flipping over when they're going up and down escalators or stairs where they can be especially dangerous for children.
In our tests, we evaluated 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 children and its ability to traverse rough terrain. We also evaluated how easy it was to open and close the safety harness, fold and unfold the stroller, adjust its backrest and handlebar height and brakes and attach and take off car seats (if necessary).
We discovered that some 3-wheel strollers are more easy to maneuver than four-wheel models, but this advantage diminishes as your baby grows heavier. We recommend choosing a model with hand brakes. It will allow you to slow down or stop without exerting the same amount of effort as your body on its own. A majority of the top-scoring swivel-wheel strollers do not have this option. Only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel strollers has it.
It's important to consider how often you will have to take your stroller on an escalator or a set of stairs. an escalator and whether or not it will be safe to do so while the stroller is in its place. Escalators and stairs present greater risk due to the fact that they move mechanical parts which make it difficult to control the motion of the stroller. We suggest finding a solution to these obstacles, such as an elevator, if you can or have another adult take the stroller up and down with you. Some of the top-scoring strollers may be taken up a set of stairs or a set with the safety brake engaged. But it's safer to be safe than sorry.