3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a health-conscious person in search of a jogging stroller or just seeking a stroller that is all-purpose for use in everyday life There's a three-wheel compact stroller for you. 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 make life on the go with your little one more enjoyable. Find features that simplify your life including a big storage bin, parent tray with cups holders, adjustable canopy, and more, when shopping for a new stroller. It's important to determine which features are essential for you and your family, and what you can live without.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller, comes with plenty of convenient features to keep moms and dads happy 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 roll away while you're jogging. The Wayfinder comes with the largest sunshade of all the strollers we tested, and a large, clear window at the top allows children to see out when they are resting. Jenni's three-year-old son found the seat to have comfortable padding, so bumps on the road did not bother him.
This stroller for jogging also comes with an automatic hand brake that can help you maintain control on slick surfaces. It can be folded into a slim, compact package that will take only a tiny space in your trunk. You can also convert it into a travel system by purchasing an adapter. It is also compatible with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.
If you plan on tackling rough terrain, tires are a must for strollers of any kind. Solid tires aren't as comfortable as spongy or air-filled tires, but they're excellent for navigating potholes and bumps.
This jogging stroller has an easy-to-use fold that requires just two steps. It locks into position when folded and is small enough to fit into the majority of elevators. However, it's not as easy to move around as our other strollers with four wheels, and the mechanism for locking is a bit confusing. It involves pressing an icon on the front of the stroller, opening a flap on the foot area, and then raising the handle. We'd like to see a more simple system that clicks into the position or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight of a stroller is an important 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 a stroller with a lighter weight is more maneuverable and more suitable for everyday use.
Another crucial aspect of a stroller is its wheel size and the type. Some strollers have larger wheels, such as those for jogging, which can make the ride more comfortable for your baby. Larger wheels can weigh more on the stroller and make it difficult to fold, transport and store.
Certain models in our collection include air-filled tires that are designed to offer an enjoyable and stable ride for your child, even over rough terrain. Air-filled tires are more prone to flattening and must replace them. If you plan to travel a lot with your stroller, we recommend an option with sturdy tires that can withstand frequent contact with various surfaces and last for a longer time.
Strollers that have swivel wheels on the front are perfect for safely navigating escalators as well as stairs. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most common accidents that occur due to strollers and are especially dangerous for infants. If you cannot avoid using an escalator or stairs with your stroller, we suggest that you only use it if your child is secured in the seat. Also, keep them close to you while you go up or down.
Some strollers are a travel system which includes both the car seat as well as the stroller. While these types of products typically boast attractive price tags and provide convenience by the time spent shopping however, they are typically more expensive than their standalone counterparts and may not perform in the long run. Many parents regret purchasing a bundle product because it may not have all the features they desire or may not be compatible with their car or child's seat. We suggest that you purchase an infant stroller that can be purchased separately from the car seat or capsule if you want to upgrade to a more advanced model in the near future.
Stroller Folding
The best 3 wheel compact strollers fold quickly and easily to make transport and storage easy. 3 wheeled pushchair in position automatically when you open them. This feature is especially beneficial for families who regularly use public transportation or drive before going on walks.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to maneuver around tight spaces like aisles of grocery stores and other crowded areas with ease. They also have suspension systems that provide an easier ride for your little one and can be particularly useful on sidewalks that are bumpy.
If you're seeking a jogging stroller that won't weigh you down the Guava Roam Crossover is an excellent alternative. The stroller is elegant and can be used as a part of a travel set-up with adapters for car seats to fit Nuna MaxiCosi, Cybex, and Nuna infant carseats, and the Uppababy Bassinet. (Car seats and stroller boards 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. It's a bit pricier than some of our top choices, but it's worth the cost if you love to travel or live in a city. This stroller is lightweight and can be folded down to a small 20 x 17 x 7 inch size. It comes with a five-point, no-rethread, padded harness. It can be used as a pram for infants or toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
The Babyzen is a great product with some nice features. It is spacious in its recline, and it also has extra storage. However some parents are disappointed with its performance. The seat isn't completely flat when reclined and there are no cups or a tray to serve snacks to children. The brakes are difficult to engage and the handlebar's height is too high for a lot of moms who are petite.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that's designed to be as light as possible without skimping on the comfort or convenience. It's equipped with a lengthy list of amazing features like a huge basket and a single-handed fold. The only downside to this stroller is that the brakes are difficult to activate, and they're not locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller must ensure that your child is safe using it. Some of the best-scoring strollers we've reviewed have five-point safety harnesses with adjustable, cushioned straps for crotch. 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 come with the safety lock that locks both wheels. This is particularly important for those who run, since it stops them from falling over while walking up and down stairs and escalators.
In our tests, the maneuverability of strollers was assessed in three different ways. We scored it on the basis of a stroller's ability to bounce and turn when bumps and dips are encountered as well as its user-friendliness with a child loaded, and its ability to travel over rough terrain. We also evaluated the ease of opening and closing the safety harness, folding and unfolding the stroller, altering the height of its backrest and handlebar and operating the brakes as being able to attach and remove car seats (if necessary).
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, which assists you in slowing down and come to a stop without as much effort than using your body alone. Many of the top-scoring swivel-wheel strollers do not come with this option. Only one of our best-rated fixed-wheel strollers comes with it.
It's also important to think about how often you will require to take your stroller on an escalator or a set of stairs. an escalator, and if it's safe to do so with the stroller still in position. Stairs and elevators are more risky because they contain moving mechanical components that make it difficult to control your stroller. We recommend looking for alternatives to these obstacles, such as an elevator, if you have one or have another adult take the stroller up and down with you. Some of the top-scoring strollers can be carried up an escalator or a set of stairs. an escalator with their safety brakes engaged and locked but it's always safer to be sorry.