3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a fitness fanatic in search of an jogging stroller, or simply seeking a stroller that is all-purpose to use for everyday use There's a three-wheel compact stroller that is suitable for you. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor of Sentry The models were put to the test on both pavement and off-road surfaces. They also evaluated the safety of the seats for children.
Stroller Features
The best strollers come with features that make traveling with your child easier. Find features that make life easier including a big storage bin, parent tray with cup holders, an adjustable canopy, and more when you are shopping for a new stroller. It's important to know what features are important to you and your family members and what you can live without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for jogging. It is loaded with practical features that keep parents content and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap keeps the stroller from slipping while you are jogging. The Wayfinder also has the most extensive sunshade we've seen in our test group with a clear view on top that lets kids peek out while they're resting. 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.
3 wheeled travel system jogging stoller features an automatic handbrake that helps 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 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 by purchasing an adapter. It is also compatible with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
If you're planning on taking on rough terrains, solid tires are a must for strollers of all kinds. Solid tires are not as comfortable as spongy or air-filled tires but they're great for navigating bumps and potholes.
The jogging stroller folds in just two steps. It locks in place when folded, and it's small enough to fit into the majority of elevators. However it's not as easy to maneuver as some of our other 4-wheel strollers and the mechanism for locking is a bit difficult to understand. It requires pressing the button in the foot area on the front of the stroller, and then lifting the handle. We'd prefer a simpler system that just clicks in place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the overall stroller is a significant aspect to take into consideration. A heavier stroller is more stable and can perform better on rough terrain. Many parents prefer a stroller that is lighter, as it is more maneuverable, and more suitable for everyday use.
Another important feature of a stroller is its wheel size and type. Certain strollers have bigger wheels, such as those for jogging which makes the ride easier for your baby. However, bigger wheels increase the overall weight of the stroller, which can make it difficult to fold, transport, and store.
Some models in our selection have air-filled wheels that offer an enjoyable, stable ride for your child on rough terrain. However, air-filled tires could easily get flat which will need to be changed out. If you intend to travel frequently with your stroller, we suggest the use of tires that can withstand frequent contact with various surfaces and last for a longer time.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are ideal for navigating stairs and escalators safely. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most common stroller-related injuries and can be especially dangerous for infants. If you are unable to avoid taking the stairs or escalator in your stroller, we recommend using it only when the child is securely strapped into the seat and is close to you when walking up or down.
Some strollers can be purchased as an entire travel system in which the car seat and stroller are sold as a unit. 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 term. Many parents regret purchasing bundle products because they may not come with all the features they want or may not be compatible with their car or child seat. If you plan to upgrade in the future we recommend you purchase a stroller separately from a capsule or car seat.
Stroller Folding
The top 3 wheel compact strollers fold up quickly and easily to make storage and transportation effortless. Some even lock in the position automatically after you open them. This feature is particularly beneficial for families who regularly take public transport or drive to go on a walk.
Three-wheeled strollers can be maneuvered easily in tight spaces like aisles of grocery stores or other areas with a lot of people. Many also come equipped with suspension systems that provide a smoother stroll for your child and can be particularly helpful on slippery 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 car seat adapters for Nuna Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, and Cybex infant carseats as well as the bassinet for the Uppababy (car seats and stroller boards sold separately). The stroller features simple two-step fold, and locks in place when it is opened.
A similar stroller with a nice design is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. It's a bit more expensive than our top choices, but it's worth the cost for those who love to travel or live in an urban area. This lightweight stroller can fold down to a smaller size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and features a padded, adjustable five-point harness with no-rethread straps and a large basket. It can even be used as a pram for infants or toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
The Babyzen is a good product that has some great features. It has a spacious recline, and also has extra storage. However, some parents are disappointed with its performance. The seat doesn't lie flat when it is reclining and there aren't cup holders or snack trays for kids. The brakes can be difficult to engage and the handlebars are too high for some moms.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that's designed to be as light as possible without skimping on comfort or ease of use. It has a long list of features that are impressive including a large basket and a single-handed fold. The only downside 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 will ensure that your child is safe using it. Some of the top-scoring strollers in our review have 5-point harnesses that are padded, adjustable crotch straps that allow for a custom fit. Some strollers have a padded cushion that shields your child's head if they fall off or roll out of their seat. Some strollers come with a safety lock that secures both wheels. This is especially important for jogging walkers, as they are less likely to fall over when going up and down escalators and stairs.
In our tests, we evaluated the strollers' maneuverability in three different ways: a product's ability to turn and bounce over dips and bumps, its maneuverability when loaded with children and its capability to maneuver over rough surfaces. We also assessed the ease of opening and closing the safety harness folding and unfolding the stroller, altering the backrest and height of the handlebar as well as operating the brakes as also the ability to attach and remove car seats (if applicable).
We found that strollers with 3 wheels were easier to maneuver however, the advantages decreased as the weight of the baby increased. We recommend choosing a model with a hand brake. It will allow you to slow down or stop without having to exert the same amount of effort as your body alone. However, a lot of the most efficient swivel wheel strollers come with this feature, 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 is safe to do so. Stairs and elevators are more hazardous because they have moving mechanical components that make it difficult to control your stroller. We recommend looking for alternatives to these obstacles, like an elevator, if you have one, or having another adult to carry the stroller up and down with you. Some of the top-scoring strollers can be carried up a set of stairs or a set with the safety brake activated. But it's better to be safe rather than regretting.