3 wheel baby stroller Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel strollers designed for anyone regardless of whether you’re looking for a jogging stroller or an all-purpose stroller to use every day. Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through the paces on both pavement and off-road surfaces, as well test the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The most effective strollers have features that allow you to travel with your child much easier. Look for features that make life easier for you, like a large storage bin, parent tray with cups holders, adjustable canopy, and so on when looking for a new stroller. It’s crucial to decide the features that 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 to keep moms and dads happy and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap keeps the stroller from rolling away when you’re jogging. The Wayfinder also comes with the largest sunshade in our testing group with a clear view on top that lets kids peek out while they’re resting. Jenni’s 3-year-old daughter found the seat to be comfortable cushioned, so bumps on the road don’t cause him to shake.
The stroller is equipped with a hand brake to help you control slippery surfaces. It folds into an extremely compact 3 Wheel stroller and slim size that occupies a small space in the trunk of your car. Additionally, it can convert into a travel set-up with select infant car seats from brands including Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex by purchasing an adapter. It can also be used with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
If you’re planning to tackle rough terrain, sturdy tires are essential for strollers of all kinds. They’re not as comfortable as spongy-filled or air-filled tires, but they’re excellent for navigating potholes and bumps.
This stroller is a jogging model and has an easy-to-use fold that requires just two steps. It locks when folded and is compact enough to fit into most elevators. However it’s not as simple to move around as our other 4-wheel strollers, and the mechanism for locking is a bit confusing. It involves clicking a button on the front of the stroller, a flap that is located near the foot area, and then lifting the handle. We’d prefer a simpler method that just clicks in place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight is a significant consideration. A heavier stroller tends to be more stable than a lighter one and can provide superior performance in rough terrain. However, many parents find that a stroller with a lighter weight is easier to maneuver and more suitable for daily use.
The size and type of the wheels is an important feature. Some strollers come with larger wheels, such as jogging ones, which can make the ride more comfortable for your baby. However, bigger wheels increase the overall weight of the stroller which can make it difficult to fold, transport, and store.
Certain models in our collection have air-filled wheels that offer an enjoyable, stable ride to your child even on rough terrain. Air-filled tires are susceptible to flattening and will need to replace them. If you intend to travel with your stroller often, we suggest that you select one with solid wheels. These tires are able to endure contact with different surfaces more frequently and last longer.
Strollers with front wheels that swivel are ideal for walking up and down escalators and stairs safely. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most common accidents involving strollers, and can be particularly dangerous for infants. If you are unable to avoid using the stairs or escalator while using your stroller, we suggest using it only when the child is securely strapped in the seat and is close to you while walking up or down.
Some strollers are sold as an entire travel system where the car seat and stroller are sold together as a single unit. While these products often boast attractive price tags and offer convenience by reducing shopping time but they are usually more expensive than their stand-alone counterparts and may not perform in the long run. Many parents are disappointed when they purchase bundles because they might not include all the features they want or may not be compatible with their child’s car seat or. If you want to upgrade in the near future we recommend you purchase a stroller separately from car seats or capsules.
Stroller Folding
The most compact 3 wheel strollers are easy to fold and to store. Some lock automatically into place when you open them. This feature is particularly useful for families who frequently take public transport or drive to go on a walk.
Three-wheeled strollers are able to maneuver easily in tight spaces such as grocery store aisles or other areas with a lot of people. Many also come equipped with suspension systems that give a more comfortable stroll for your child which is especially helpful on slippery sidewalks.
If you’re looking for a jogging stroller that won’t weigh you down the Guava Roam Crossover is a great alternative. The stroller is an elegant stroller that can also be used as part of a travel system, with adapters for car seats to fit Nuna MaxiCosi, Cybex, and Nuna infant carseats, as well as the Uppababy Bassinet. (Car seats and stroller boards sold separately). The stroller comes with a simple two-step fold and can be locked once it is opened.
Another nice-looking 3 wheel jogger-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. It’s a bit pricier than our top picks, but it’s well worth the money for those who love to travel or live in a city. This lightweight stroller can be folded down to a compact 20 x 17 x 7 inch size. It has five-point, no-rethread padding on the harness. It can be used as a pram for newborns or toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
Although the Babyzen has some nice features, such as the spacious recline and the extra storage space, some parents are dissatisfied with its performance. The seat doesn’t lay flat when it is reclining and there aren’t cup holders or snack trays for children. The brakes can be a little difficult to engage and the handlebars can be too high for some moms.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that is designed to be as light as possible without sacrificing comfort or convenience. It’s equipped with a lengthy list of features that are impressive including a large basket and a one-handed fold. The only issue is that the brakes can be a bit difficult to activate and don’t remain locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller will keep your child safe while using it. Some of the best-scoring models in our review have 5-point harnesses that are adjustable, padded crotch straps that allow for a customized fit. Some strollers come with a padded cushion that shields your child’s head should they fall or roll out of their seat. Some strollers come with a safety brake that locks two wheels. This is particularly important for strollers that run jogging since it prevents them from flipping over when they’re going up and down stairs or escalators, where they can be especially dangerous for children.
In our tests, we rated the strollers’ maneuverability in three different ways: the product’s ability to turn and bounce over dips and bumps, its ability to maneuver when loaded with a child and its capacity to traverse rough terrain. We also looked at the ease of being able to open and close the safety harness, fold and unfold the stroller, adjust the backrest and handlebar height, operate the brakes, and attach and remove car seats (if applicable).
We found that strollers with 3 wheels were more maneuverable however the advantages diminished as baby weight increased. We recommend choosing a model with a hand brake. It will allow you to slow down or stop without having to exert as much effort as using your body by itself. However, many of the best-scoring swivel wheel strollers don’t come with this feature, and only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel models comes with it.
It is also important to consider how often you’ll be required to use your stroller for going up and down escalators or stairs and if it’s safe to do it. Escalators and stairs present more dangers because they move mechanical components which make it difficult to control the movement of the stroller. If you can, we recommend using an elevator or having another adult assist you with the stroller. Some of the top-scoring strollers are able to be taken onto an escalator or a set of stairs. an escalator, with their safety brakes engaged and locked but it’s always safer to be sorry.