20 Things That Only The Most Devoted 3 Wheel Compact Stroller Fans Understand
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 for use in everyday life there's a compact three-wheel stroller that is suitable 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 offer features that make traveling with your child more comfortable. Whether you're shopping for a new 3-wheel or a 4-wheel stroller, look for features that make life easier, such as an ample storage basket, parent tray with cup holders, an adjustable canopy, and more. It's crucial to decide what features are important to you and your family and which you can do without.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller, comes with a wide range of features that will keep moms and dads content and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap helps keep the stroller from slipping while you jog. The Wayfinder also has the most extensive sunshade that we tested and has a large, clear window at the top to let children observe the world while they rest. Jenni's 3 Wheel Stroller-year-old son found the seat to have a comfortable padding, which meant bumps on the road did not cause any discomfort for him.
This jogging stroller also has an automatic hand brake that can help you control 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 with the best infant car seats from brands including Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex using the purchase of an adapter. It is also compatible with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.
If you're planning to tackle rough terrain, sturdy 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 great to navigate potholes and bumps with ease.
This jogging stroller comes with a fold that requires just two steps. It locks in place when folded, and is small enough to fit into most elevators. It's not as simple than our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver and the locking mechanism is somewhat complicated. It requires pressing a button on the front of the stroller, a flap near the foot area, and then raising a handle. We'd rather have a simpler system that simply clicks into place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight is an important consideration. A heavier stroller is likely to be more stable than a stroller that is lighter and may offer better performance in rough terrain. Many parents find that a stroller with a lighter weight is easier to maneuver and more suitable for everyday use.
Another important aspect of a stroller is its wheel size and the type. Some strollers, such as ones that jog with larger wheels can provide a smoother ride for babies. The larger wheels can weigh more on the stroller, making it more difficult to fold and transport, as well as store.
Certain models in our collection come with air-filled tires, which are designed to offer an enjoyable and stable ride for your child even on rough terrain. Air-filled tires are more prone to flattening and must replace them. If you are planning to take your stroller with you a lot, we recommend you purchase one with solid wheels. They can withstand contact with various surfaces more frequently and last longer.
Strollers with swivel wheels on the front are perfect to safely navigate escalators and stairs. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most common stroller injuries. They can be especially hazardous for infants. If you are unable to avoid using the escalator or stairs with your stroller we suggest that you only use it when the child is securely strapped in the seat. Also ensure that they are close to you when you walk up or down.
Some strollers are sold as an entire travel system that includes the car seat and stroller are sold together as a unit. These products are often more expensive and commodious than their stand-alone counterparts and may not perform well in the long term. Many parents regret purchasing bundle products because they might not include all the features they want or may not be compatible with their car or child seat. If you are planning to upgrade in the near future, we recommend that you buy a stroller separate from the car seat or capsule.
Stroller Folding
The best compact 3 wheel buggies wheel strollers are easy to fold and put away. Some even lock in position automatically when you open them. This feature can be especially useful for families who frequently use public transportation or drive before going on an outing.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to maneuver around tight spaces like aisles of grocery stores and other areas that are crowded easily. Many also come equipped with suspension systems that provide an easier ride for your baby and can be particularly helpful on bumpy sidewalks.
The Guava Roam is a light jogging stroller. It's a stylish stroller which can be used as a travel system with the matching 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 are sold separately). The stroller folds down in two steps and locks into place when it is opened.
Another nice-looking 3-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. This stroller is more expensive than our top picks but is worth it if you travel often or live in a city. This lightweight stroller folds down to a compact size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and comes with padding, a detachable 5-point harness that is no-rethread and a large basket. It can be used as a stroller for infants and toddlers, if you have an adapter for infant car seats.
While the Babyzen has some nice features, like the spacious recline and the extra storage space, certain parents have been dissatisfied with its performance. The seat doesn't lie flat when reclined, and there's no cups or a snack tray for kids. The brakes can be difficult to engage and the handlebars are a bit high for certain moms.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as light as possible, without the comfort or convenience. It has a long list of amazing features like a huge basket and a one-handed fold. The only issue 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 should help to keep your child secure during use. Some of the best-scoring models in our review feature five-point harnesses with adjustable, padded crotch straps that allow for a customized fit. Others come with a cushioned seat cushion to safeguard your child's head in the event that they fall out of the seat or fall off. Some strollers have a safety brake that locks two wheels, which is essential for strollers that run jogging as it stops them from slipping when they're going up and down stairs or escalators, which can be particularly risky for children.
In our tests, we evaluated the maneuverability of strollers in three different ways: a stroller's ability to bounce and turn over dips and bumps its ability to maneuver when loaded with children and its capacity to traverse rough terrain. We also assessed the ease of opening and closing the safety harness, folding and unfolding the stroller, changing the height of its backrest and handlebar and operating the brakes as also the ability to attach and remove car seats (if applicable).
We found that some 3-wheel strollers are simpler to maneuver than 4-wheel options, but this advantage diminishes when your baby becomes heavier. We suggest choosing one with hand brakes. It can help you slow down or stop without exerting the same amount of effort as your body alone. A majority of the top-scoring swivel-wheel strollers don't have this option. Only one of our best lightweight 3 wheel stroller-rated fixed-wheel strollers has it.
It is also important to think about how often you will need to take your stroller up the stairs or an escalator and whether it's safe to do so with the stroller still in place. Escalators and stairs present greater risk because they move mechanical components which make it difficult to control the movements of the stroller. We recommend finding an alternative to these obstacles, like an elevator, if you have one, or having another adult take the stroller up and down with you. Some of the most highly-rated strollers can be taken onto a set of stairs or an escalator with their security brake locked and engaged, but it's always better to be safer than not be.