3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a fitness fanatic seeking a jogging stroller or just looking for an all-purpose stroller for use in everyday life there's a compact three-wheel stroller out there for you. The Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through their 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 more convenient. Whether you're shopping for a brand new 3-wheel or a 4-wheel stroller, look for convenience features like large storage baskets and a tray for parents with cup holders, an adjustable canopy and more. The key is determining what features are essential to you and your family, and which ones you can live without.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller with a wide range of features that will keep moms and dads happy 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 while you're jogging. The Wayfinder features the biggest sunshade of all the strollers we tested, and a large, clear opening at the top that allows children to look out when they're resting. Jenni's three-year-old son found the seat to have a comfortable padding, so bumps on the road did not bother him.
This jogging stroller also has an automatic hand brake that can help you keep control on slippery surfaces. It folds into an extremely compact and slim size that takes up a tiny space in the trunk of your car. Additionally, it can be converted into a travel system using the best infant car seats from brands such as Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex with the purchase of an adapter. It can also be used 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 degree of comfort as air-filled or foam-filled tires, they're perfect to navigate potholes and bumps with ease.
This jogging stroller comes with a fold that takes just two steps. It locks when folded and is small enough to fit in the majority of elevators. However, it's not as easy to move around as our other strollers with four wheels, and the mechanism to lock it is a bit difficult to understand. It involves pressing an icon on the front of the stroller, closing a flap on the foot area, and then lifting a handle. We'd prefer a simpler system that simply clicks into the position or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the overall stroller is a significant factor to consider. A heavier stroller is more stable and can perform better on uneven terrain. However, a lot of parents find that strollers with lighter weights are more maneuverable and more suitable for daily use.
The type and size of the wheels is another important feature. 3 wheel buggy have bigger wheels, like jogging ones which makes the ride easier for your baby. The larger wheels can weigh more on the stroller and make it difficult to fold and transport, as well as store.
Some models in our collection have air-filled wheels that offer a comfortable, stable ride for your child on rough terrain. However, air-filled tires could easily get flat which will require you to swap them out. If you plan to travel a lot with your stroller, we suggest a model with solid tires that can stand up to frequent contact with different surfaces and last for a longer time.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are great for navigating stairs and escalators safely. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most frequent stroller-related injuries. They are especially dangerous for infants. If you are unable to avoid using the stairs or escalator while using your stroller, we advise using it only when the child is safely strapped into the seat. Keep them close to you while walking up or down.
Some strollers are sold as complete travel systems that includes the car seat and stroller are sold together as a unit. These products are often more expensive and convenient than their stand-alone counterparts and may not perform well in the long run. Many parents regret buying a bundle product because it might not include all the features they want or be incompatible with their child's car seat or. We suggest that you purchase an infant stroller that can be purchased separately from a capsule or car seat in case you wish to upgrade to a more advanced model in the future.
Stroller Folding
The most compact 3 wheel strollers fold quickly and easily to make storage and transportation effortless. Some of them lock automatically when you open them. This feature is especially useful for families who frequently use public transportation or drive to take a walk.
Three-wheeled strollers are able to maneuver effortlessly in tight spaces, like grocery store aisles or other areas that are crowded. They are often equipped with suspension systems that provide a smoother ride. This is particularly useful on sidewalks that are bumpy.
If you're looking for a jogging stroller that isn't heavy the Guava Roam Crossover is a good alternative. It's a stylish stroller that can be used as a travel set-up with the matching car seat adapters for Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex infant carseats as well as the bassinet Uppababy (car seats and stroller board are sold separately). The stroller folds down in two steps and locks in place when it is opened.
Another stylish 3-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. This stroller is more expensive than our top choices, but worth it if you travel frequently or live in the city. The lightweight stroller can fold down to a smaller 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 also be used as a pram to carry newborns or young toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
While the Babyzen offers some great features, including an ample recline and additional storage, some parents have been disappointed with its performance. The seat isn't completely flat when reclined and there aren't any cup holders or a snack tray for kids. The brakes are also a bit difficult to engage and the handlebar's height is too high for many short moms.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as lightweight as is possible, yet not losing comfort or ease of use. 3 wheel pushchair comes with a long list of impressive features like a huge basket and a single-handed fold. The only drawback is that the brakes can be difficult to engage and do not 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 we've reviewed come with five-point safety harnesses with adjustable, padded crotch straps. This allows for a custom fit. Some have a cushioned seat cushion to shield your child's head should they fall out of the seat or fall off. Some strollers have the safety lock that locks both wheels. This is particularly important for those who run, since it prevents them from tumbling over while walking up and down stairs and escalators.
In our tests, strollers' maneuverability was assessed in three different ways. We rated it on the basis of a stroller's ability to turn and bounce when bumps and dips occur, its ease of use with a child on it and its ability to travel over rough terrain. We also assessed the ease of being able to open and close the safety harness, fold and unfold the stroller, adjust its backrest and handlebar height and brakes and then attach and remove car seats (if appropriate).
We discovered that strollers with three wheels were more maneuverable however, the advantages diminished as baby weight increased. We suggest choosing one with a hand brake. It will allow you to slow down or stop without putting in as much effort as using your body by itself. However, many of the best-scoring swivel wheel strollers don't offer this feature, and only one of our top fixed-wheel models does.
3 wheel buggy is important to think about how often you'll be required to use your stroller to go up and down stairs or escalators, and if it is safe to do so. Stairs and elevators can be more risky because they contain moving mechanical parts that make it difficult to control your stroller. If you can use an elevator or having an adult assist you with the stroller. Some of the best-scoring strollers can be taken onto a set of stairs or an escalator, with their safety brake locked and engaged but it's always safer to be sorry.