3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a fitness fanatic seeking a stroller for jogging or seeking a stroller that is all-purpose for everyday use There's a three-wheel compact stroller out there for you. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor at Sentry tested these models to the test on both road surfaces and off-road ones. They also tested the comfort of the seats for children.
Stroller Features
The best strollers have features that allow you to travel with your child much easier. Find features that simplify your life for you, like a large bin for storage, a tray for parents with cup holders, an adjustable canopy and more when looking for a new stroller. It's important to determine the features that are important to you and your family members and which you can do without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for jogging. It comes with a variety of convenient features that will keep parents happy and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of all sizes and the wrist strap helps ensure that the stroller won't roll away while you're jogging. The Wayfinder comes with the largest sunshade of the strollers we tested, and a large, clear window on the top lets children to look out while they rest. Jenni's 3-year-old son found the seat to have a comfortable padding, which meant bumps on the road didn't bother him.
This jogging stroller also has a hand brake to help you keep control on slippery surfaces. It folds into the size of a compact, slim package that occupies a small space in the trunk of your car, and it can convert into a travel system using select 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 essential for strollers used on rough terrains. While they don't provide the same degree of comfort as air-filled or foam-filled tires, they're great for navigating bumps and potholes with ease.
This stroller is a jogging model and comes with a fold that takes just two steps. It locks when folded and is small enough to fit in most elevators. It's not as simple than our other four-wheel strollers, and the locking mechanism is a bit difficult to understand. It's as simple as pressing the button in the foot area at the front of stroller and then lifting the handle. We'd prefer a simpler system that just clicks in place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight is an important consideration. A stroller that is heavier tends to be more stable than a stroller that is lighter and could provide more performance on rough terrain. Many parents find a lighter stroller easier to maneuver and is more suitable for daily use.
The shape and size of the wheels is an important feature. Certain strollers, such as those that run on jogging have wheels that are larger and will provide a more comfortable ride for baby. Larger wheels can add weight to the stroller and make it more difficult to fold and transport, as well as store.
Certain models in our collection have air-filled wheels that offer a comfortable, stable ride to your child even on rough terrain. However, air-filled tires can easily become flat, which will need to be changed out. If you are planning to travel with your stroller frequently, we recommend that you select a model with solid wheels. These tires are able to be able to withstand contact with various surfaces more frequently and last longer.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are ideal for walking up and down escalators and stairs safely. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most common injuries to strollers. They can be especially dangerous for infants. If you are unable to avoid taking the stairs or escalator while using your stroller, we advise using it only when the child is securely strapped in the seat. Keep them close to you while walking up or down.
Some strollers are sold as complete travel systems in which the car seat and stroller are sold together as a unit. Although these strollers often have attractive prices and offer convenience in terms of the time spent shopping but they are usually more expensive than standalone models and may not perform as well in the long haul. In addition many parents regret buying a bundled product as it may not come with all of the features they would like, or it could prove to not be compatible with their car or child's seat. We suggest you select an infant stroller that can be purchased separately from a capsule or car seat in case you'd like to upgrade to a higher-end model in the near future.
Stroller Folding
The most compact 3 wheel strollers fold up quickly and easily to make transport and storage easy. pushchairsandprams into place when you open them. This feature is especially useful for families who frequently use public transport or drive before going on an outing.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to move through tight spaces such as aisles in grocery stores and other areas that are crowded with ease. Many are equipped with suspension systems to provide a smoother ride. This is especially beneficial on sidewalks that are bumpy.
If you're looking for a stroller that is jogging-friendly that won't weigh you down Guava Roam Crossover is a great alternative. The stroller is elegant and can also be used as part of a travel set-up with adapters for car seats to fit Nuna, MaxiCosi, Cybex, and Nuna infant carseats as well as the Uppababy Bassinet. (Car seats and stroller boards are sold separately). The stroller comes with simple two-step fold, and locks in place when opened.
Another stylish 3-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. The stroller is more expensive than our top picks but worth it if you travel a lot or live in a city. This lightweight stroller folds down to a small size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and has padding, a detachable, five-point no-rethread harness and a large basket. It can be used as a pram for newborns or young toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
While the Babyzen offers some great features, like the spacious recline and the extra storage space, some parents are dissatisfied with its performance. The seat isn't flat when it is reclining and there are 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 moms who are petite.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as light as possible, without losing comfort or ease of use. It has an impressive list of features, including a spacious basket and a one-handed fold. The only issue with this stroller is that the brakes are a little difficult to activate, and they're not locked when the stroller has been folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller will keep your child safe while using it. Some of the top-scoring products in our review feature a five-point harness with adjustable crotch straps that are padded and padded that allow for a customized fit. Others come with a cushioned seat cushion to protect your child's head should they fall from the seat or fall off. Some strollers feature a safety brake that locks two wheels, which is particularly important for jogging strollers since it prevents them from rolling over when they're going up and down stairs or escalators, which can be particularly risky for children.
In our tests, the maneuverability of strollers was evaluated in three distinct ways. We scored it based on the capability to turn and bounce when bumps or dips are encountered and its comfort with a child in it and its capacity to travel over rough terrain. We also looked at the ease of being able to open and close the safety harness, fold and unfold the stroller, adjust the backrest the height of the handlebar and brakes and attach and remove car seats (if applicable).
We found that strollers with 3 wheels were more maneuverable however, the advantages diminished as baby weight increased. This is why we suggest choosing the model with a hand brake that helps you slow down and come to a stop without as much effort as relying on body power alone. Many of the top-scoring swivel-wheel strollers don't have this feature. Only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel strollers comes with it.
It is important to think about how often you'll be required to utilize your stroller to go up or down escalators or stairs and if it is safe to do it. Stairs and elevators are more dangerous because they have moving mechanical parts which make it difficult to control your stroller. If you can choose to, we suggest using an elevator or having a second adult assist you in carrying the stroller. Some of the top-scoring strollers can be taken up a set of stairs or a set with their safety brake engaged. But it's safer to be secure rather than regretting.