Joyce Koch asked 3 months ago
3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel strollers designed for anyone regardless of whether you’re seeking a jogging stoller or a stroller that you can use for every day. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor at Sentry, put these models to the test on roads and off-road surfaces. They also tested the safety of the seats for children.
Stroller Features
The best Lightweight 3 wheel stroller strollers have features that make life on the go with your baby more convenient. If you’re shopping for a brand new 3-wheel or a 4-wheel stroller look for features that are convenient, such as large storage baskets, parent tray with cup holders, an adjustable canopy and much more. It’s important to know the features that are important to you and your family, and which you can do without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for running. 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 features the biggest sunshade of the strollers we tested and a glass window at the top allows children to see out while they rest. Jenni’s 3 wheel twin stroller-year-old son found the seat to have comfortable cushion, so bumps in the road didn’t bother him.
This jogging stoller comes with the handbrake to help maintain control on slippery surfaces. It folds to an extremely compact and slim size that occupies a small space in the trunk of your car, and it can be converted into a travel system using select infant car seats from brands like Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex by purchasing an adapter. It can also be used with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
If you plan on tackling rough terrain, tires are essential for strollers of any kind. Solid tires are not as comfortable as air-filled or spongy-filled tires but they’re great to navigate bumps and potholes.
The stroller folds up in just two easy steps. It locks when folded and is compact enough to fit in the majority of elevators. However it’s not as easy to maneuver as our other 4-wheel strollers and the lock mechanism is a bit confusing. It requires pressing the button in the foot area on the front of stroller and lifting the handle. We’d prefer a simpler method that clicks in place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the overall stroller is a crucial factor to consider. A stroller that is heavier is more stable and can perform better on uneven terrain. Many parents prefer a stroller that is lighter, as it is more maneuverable, and more suitable for day-to-day use.
The size and type of the wheels is an important aspect. Some strollers come with larger wheels, such as those for jogging which makes the ride easier for your baby. Larger wheels can add weight to the stroller, making it more difficult to fold, transport and store.
Some models in our selection include air-filled tires that are designed to provide a comfortable and stable ride for your child even on rough terrain. Air-filled tires are susceptible to flattening, and you will need to 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 different surfaces more often and last longer.
Strollers with front wheels that swivel are ideal for navigating stairs and escalators safely. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most common stroller-related injuries and can be particularly hazardous for infants. If you can’t avoid using the escalator or stairs while using your stroller, we recommend using it when the child is securely strapped in the seat. Also ensure that they are close to you while you walk up or down.
Some strollers are available as an entire travel system in which the car seat and stroller are sold as a unit. While these types of products typically boast attractive price tags and offer convenience in terms of cutting down on shopping time but they are usually more expensive than their standalone counterparts and might not perform as well in the long term. In addition, many parents later regret purchasing a bundle product because it may not come with all the features they would like, or it could prove to not be compatible with their car or child’s seat. If you want to upgrade in the near future we recommend you purchase a stroller separately from a capsule or car seat.
Stroller Folding
The best 3-wheel strollers that are compact fold easily and to store. Some even lock into the position automatically after you open them. This feature is particularly beneficial for families who frequently take public transport or drive to take a walk.
Three-wheeled strollers can be maneuvered easily in tight spaces like grocery store aisles or other crowded areas. They also have suspension systems that provide a smoother stroll for your child which is especially helpful on bumpy sidewalks.
The Guava Roam is a compact stroller that can be used for jogging. It’s a stylish stroller that can be used as a travel system, with the car seat adapters for Nuna Maxi-Cosi, Nuna and Cybex infant carseats and the bassinet for the Uppababy (car seats and stroller board are sold separately). The stroller comes with simple two-step fold, and locks into place once it is opened.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another stylish 3-wheeled jogging stroller that looks nice. It’s a bit pricier than some of our top picks, but it’s worth the cost if you love to travel or live in a city. The stroller is lightweight and can fold down to a smaller size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and features padding, a detachable five-point harness with no-rethread straps and a large basket. It can be used as a stroller for infants and toddlers, if you have an infant car seat adapter.
Although the Babyzen comes with some nice features, such as an ample recline and additional storage, certain parents have been dissatisfied with its performance. The seat isn’t fully flat when reclined, and there aren’t any cups or a tray for snacks for children. The brakes are a bit difficult to activate and the handlebars are too high for certain moms.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as lightweight as possible, without losing comfort or ease of use. It comes with a long list of amazing features like a huge basket and a one-handed fold. The only drawback is that the brakes can be difficult to activate and don’t stay locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller should help to keep your child safe while using it. Some of the best-scoring models in our test have a five-point harness with padded, adjustable crotch straps that allow for a customized fit. Some strollers have a padded cushion that shields your child’s head in the event that they fall or roll out of their seat. Some strollers feature a safety brake that locks two wheels, which is especially important for strollers that run jogging since it prevents them from flipping over when they’re going down escalators or stairs which can be particularly dangerous 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 ease of maneuvering when laden with a child and its capacity to travel 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 and operating the brakes as also the ability to attach and remove car seats (if appropriate).
We found that 3-wheel strollers were easier to maneuver however, the advantages diminished as baby weight increased. We recommend selecting a model with hand brakes. It will allow you to slow down or stop without having to exert the same effort as your body on its own. However, a lot of the most efficient swivel wheel strollers have this option and only one of our top fixed-wheel models has it.
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 this. Elevators and stairs pose more dangers because they move mechanical parts that make it difficult to control the movements of the stroller. If you can choose to, we suggest using an elevator or having another adult assist you in carrying the stroller. Some of the top-scoring strollers can be pushed up an escalator or a set of stairs. an escalator with their safety brake engaged and locked, but it’s always better to be safer than to be sorry.