3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
Whether you're a fitness enthusiast in search of an jogging stroller, or simply seeking a stroller that is all-purpose for everyday use There's a three-wheel compact stroller out there for you. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor at Sentry tested these models to the test on pavement and off-road surfaces. They also tested the seating comfort for children.
(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/7007/1037/baby-jogger-summit-x3-all-terrain-jogging-pushchair-foldable-3-wheel-exercise-stroller-midnight-black-1037.jpg)Stroller Features
The best strollers have features that allow you to travel with your baby more comfortable. If you're looking for a new 3 wheel pushchair sale-wheel stroller or a 4-wheel stroller, look for convenience features like a large storage basket as well as a tray for the parent with cup holders, adjustable canopy and much more. The most important thing is to determine which features are non-negotiable for you and your family and which ones you could do without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for jogging. It comes with a variety of convenient features that will keep parents comfortable and happy. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of different heights and the wrist strap helps ensure that the stroller won't roll away while you're jogging. The Wayfinder also has the most extensive sunshade in our testing group with a clear view up top to let kids look out while they're relaxing. Jenni's 3 wheel jogger-year-old daughter found the seat to be comfortably padded, so bumps in the road don't cause him to shake.
This jogging stoller features the handbrake to help maintain control on slippery surfaces. It folds down to an extremely compact and slim size that takes up very little space in the trunk of your car. Additionally, it can convert into a travel system with select infant car seats from brands such as Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex by purchasing an adapter. It can also be used with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
If you're planning on taking on rough terrains, solid tires are essential for strollers of all kinds. While they don't provide the same degree of comfort as foam-filled or air-filled tires, they're ideal to navigate potholes and bumps easily.
The stroller folds down in just two simple steps. It locks into position when folded and is small enough to fit in the majority of elevators. It's not as easy than our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver, and the locking mechanism can be a little confusing. It requires pressing an icon on the front of the stroller, a flap that is located near the foot area, and then raising a handle. We'd like to see a simpler system where it just clicks into the position or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight is a significant consideration. A stroller that is heavier tends to be more stable than a lighter one and may offer better performance in rough terrain. However, a lot of parents find that strollers with lighter weights are easier to maneuver and is more suitable for everyday use.
The shape and size of the wheels is an important feature. Certain strollers, like jogging strollers, have larger wheels that can provide a smoother experience for infants. Larger wheels can add weight to the stroller, making it harder to fold and transport, as well as store.
Some models in our collection come with air-filled wheels, which provide a comfortable, stable ride to your child even on rough terrain. Air-filled tires are prone to flattening, so you will need to replace them. If you intend to take your stroller with you frequently, we recommend you purchase a model with solid wheels. These tires can endure contact with different surfaces more often and last longer.
Strollers with swivel wheels at the front are great for safely navigating escalators as well as stairs. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most frequent accidents involving strollers, and can be particularly dangerous for infants. If you can't avoid using the escalator or stairs with your stroller, we recommend that you only use it when the child is safely strapped into the seat. Also keep them close to you when you walk up and down.
Some strollers are sold as a complete travel system where the car seat and stroller are sold together as a single unit. These are typically more expensive and convenient than their standalone counterparts, and they may not be as effective in the long run. Many parents regret purchasing a bundle product because it may not have all the features they would like or be incompatible with their car or child seat. If you are planning to upgrade your product in the future we suggest that you buy a stroller separate from the car seat or capsule.
Stroller Folding
The most 3 wheel parent facing pushchair wheel strollers with a compact size are easy to fold and to store. Some lock automatically into place when you open them. This feature is especially useful for families who regularly use public transportation or drive to go on a walk.
Three-wheeled strollers can be pushed easily in tight spaces like aisles of grocery stores or other areas with a lot of people. They also have suspension systems that provide an easier ride for your little one and can be particularly helpful on bumpy sidewalks.
(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/7007/1053/homcom-3-wheeler-pushchair-lightweight-foldable-baby-stroller-w-fully-reclining-adjustable-backrest-canopy-shopping-basket-from-birth-to-3-years-up-to-15-kg-red-1053.jpg)If you're looking for a jogging stroller that doesn't weigh you down, the Guava Roam Crossover is a great alternative. The stroller is elegant and can be used as part of a travel system with car seat adapters to fit Nuna, MaxiCosi, Cybex, and Nuna infant carseats as well as the Uppababy Bassinet. (Car seats and stroller boards sold separately). The stroller folds down in two steps and locks into place once opened.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another attractive 3-wheeled jogging stroller with a nice design. This stroller is more expensive than our top picks but is worth it if a lot or live in a city. This lightweight stroller can be folded down to a tiny 20 17×7 inches size. It has five-point, no-rethread padding on the harness. It can be used as a pram for newborns or young toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
The Babyzen is a good product with some nice features. It has a spacious recline, and also comes with storage space. However some parents are disappointed by its performance. The seat doesn't lay flat when it reclines and there aren't cup holders or snack trays for children. The brakes are also difficult to engage and the handlebar's height is too high for many moms who are petite.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as light as it is possible, but without the 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 could be a bit difficult to engage and don't stay locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller should aid in keeping your child safe while using it. Some of the top-scoring strollers we've reviewed come with a five-point safety harness that has adjustable and padded straps for crotch. This allows for a custom fit. Others come with a cushioned seat cushion to shield your child's head in the event that they fall from the seat or fall off. Some strollers have a safety brake that locks two wheels. This is particularly important for jogging strollers because it prevents 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: the product's ability to turn and bounce over bumps and dips, its maneuverability when loaded with children and its capacity to travel over rough surfaces. We also assessed how easy it was to open and close the safety harness fold and unfold the stroller, adjust the backrest the height of the handlebar and brakes and then attach and remove car seats (if necessary).
We found that 3-wheel strollers were more maneuverable however, the advantages decreased as the weight of the baby increased. We recommend selecting a model 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, the majority of best-scoring swivel wheel strollers don't offer this feature, and only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel models comes with it.
It's important to consider how often you will need to take your stroller up a set of stairs or an escalator, and whether or not it's safe to do this with the stroller in place. Stairs and elevators are more dangerous because they have moving mechanical parts that make it difficult for you to control your stroller. We recommend looking for alternatives to these hazards, like an elevator, if possible or have another adult carry the stroller up or down with you. Some of the top-scoring strollers may be taken up a set or stairs with the safety brake engaged. But it's safer to be secure than sorry.