3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel strollers that fit everyone whether you're looking for a jogging stoller or a stroller for all-purpose use every day. The Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through the paces on pavement and off-road surfaces as well as assessing the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The best strollers have features that allow you to travel with your child easier. Find features that make life easier, such as a large storage bin, parent tray with cup holders, a movable canopy and more, when shopping for a new stroller. It's important to know what features 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 has many convenient features that will keep parents content and comfortable. The handlebar adjusts to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of all sizes, and the wrist strap is designed to ensure that the stroller doesn't slide away while you're jogging. The Wayfinder features the biggest sunshade of all the strollers we tested, and a clear opening at the top that allows children to see out when they are resting. Jenni's 3-year-old daughter found the seat to be comfortable cushioned, which means bumps on the road don't cause him to shake.
This jogging stoller has a handbrake to help you keep control 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 like Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex with the purchase of an adapter. It can also be used with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
If you plan on tackling rough terrain, tires are a must for any stroller. Although they don't offer the same degree of comfort as foam-filled or air-filled tires, they're ideal for navigating potholes and bumps easily.
The jogging stroller folds in just two easy steps. It locks in place when folded, and it's small enough to fit into most elevators. It's not as simple than our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver and the locking mechanism can be somewhat complicated. It involves clicking a button on the front of the stroller, a flap on the foot area, and lifting a handle. We'd rather have a simpler system that clicks in place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the overall stroller is a significant factor to consider. A stroller that is heavier is more stable and can perform better on rough terrain. However, a lot of parents find that strollers with lighter weights are easier to maneuver and is more suitable for daily use.
The shape and size of the wheels is an important feature. Some strollers come with larger wheels, like jogging ones, which makes the ride easier for your baby. The larger wheels can add weight to the stroller, making it difficult to fold and transport, as well as store.
Some models in our selection come with air-filled tires, which are designed to provide an enjoyable and stable ride for your child, even on rough terrain. However, tires that are filled with air can easily become flat, which will need to be changed out. If you plan to travel a lot with your stroller, we recommend an option with sturdy tires that can withstand regular contact with various surfaces and last for a longer time.
Strollers with front wheels that swivel are ideal for walking up and down escalators and stairs safely. 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 the stairs or escalator in your stroller, we recommend using it only when the child is safely strapped into the seat and hold 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 as a single unit. These are typically more expensive and convenient than their stand-alone counterparts and they may not be as effective in the long run. Additionally, many parents later regret buying a bundled product as it might not have all of the features they want or could turn out to not be compatible with their car or child's seat. If you are planning to upgrade in the near future we recommend you purchase a stroller separately from the car seat or capsule.
Stroller Folding
The most 3-wheel strollers that are compact are easy to fold and put away. Some of them lock automatically when you open them. 3 wheel buggy can be especially beneficial for families that frequently use public transportation or drive before going on walks.
Three-wheeled strollers can be maneuvered easily in tight spaces like aisles of grocery stores or other crowded areas. A lot of them are equipped with suspension systems to provide an easier ride. This is especially beneficial on sidewalks that are bumpy.
If you're looking for a stroller that is jogging-friendly that doesn't weigh you down Guava Roam Crossover is an excellent alternative. It's a stylish stroller which 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 Uppababy bassinet (car seats and stroller boards are sold separately). The stroller features an easy two-step fold that can be locked once it is opened.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another nice-looking 3-wheeled jogging stroller. This stroller is a little more expensive than our top picks but worth it if you travel a lot or live in the city. This lightweight stroller can be folded down to a compact 20 x 17 x 7 inch size. It comes with five-point, no-rethread padded harness. It can be used as a stroller suitable for infants and toddlers, if you have an adapter for infant car seats.
Although the Babyzen comes with some nice features, including a roomy recline and extra storage, some parents are dissatisfied with its performance. The seat doesn't lie flat when reclined and there's no cup holders or a tray to serve snacks to children. The brakes can be a bit difficult to activate and the handlebars can be too high for certain moms.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that's designed to be as light as is possible without sacrificing the comfort or convenience. It comes with a long list of amazing features including a large basket and a one handed fold. The only issue is that the brakes can be difficult to activate and don't stay locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller must keep your child safe while using it. Some of the top-scoring strollers in our review have a five-point harness with adjustable crotch straps that are padded and padded that allow for a customised fit. Some strollers have a padded cushion that protects your child's head should they fall or roll out of their seat. Some strollers come with safety brakes that lock two wheels. This is especially important for strollers that jog because it prevents them from flipping over when they're going down escalators or stairs where they can be especially risky for children.
In our tests, we evaluated the maneuverability of strollers in three different ways: a stroller's ability to turn and bounce over dips and bumps, its maneuverability when loaded with children and its capability to travel over rough surfaces. We also assessed how easy it is to open and close the safety harness, fold and unfold the stroller, adjust its backrest the height of the handlebar and brakes and attach and take off car seats (if necessary).
We discovered that strollers with three wheels were more maneuverable, but the advantage decreased as the weight of the baby increased. This is why we suggest choosing the model with hand brakes, which assists you in slowing down and come to a stop without as much effort as relying on body power alone. However, the majority of best-scoring swivel wheel strollers don't have this option and only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel models does.
It is important to think about how often you'll need to use your stroller for going up and down escalators or stairs, and if it's safe to do so. Elevators and stairs pose more of a hazard because they move mechanical components which make it difficult to control the movements of the stroller. We suggest finding a solution to these hazards, 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 up a set of stairs or a set with their safety brake engaged. It's always better to be safe rather than regretting.