3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review

If you're a health-conscious person looking for a jogging stroller or just need a stroller for use in everyday life, there's a three-wheel compact stroller for you. The Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through the paces on pavement and off-road surfaces as well test the comfort of children in the seats.

Stroller Features

The best strollers have features that allow you to travel with your little one more enjoyable. Find features that simplify life, such as a large bin for storage, a tray for the parent with cups holders, adjustable canopy and more when you are shopping for the latest stroller. It's important to determine what features are important to you and your family members 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 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 has the largest sunshade of the strollers we tested and a clear opening at the top that allows kids to peek out while they rest. Jenni's 3 wheel strollers-year old found the seat to be comfortably cushioned, which means bumps on the road don't cause him to shake.

This jogging stoller features an automatic handbrake that helps you keep your grip on slippery surfaces. It can be folded into a slim, compact package that will take up a small space in your car's trunk. It is also possible to convert it to a travel system by purchasing an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.

Solid tires are a must for strollers used on terrains that are rough. Solid tires are not as comfortable as air-filled or spongy-filled tires, but they're excellent for navigating potholes and bumps.

This jogging stroller comes with a fold that only requires two steps. It locks when folded and is small enough to fit in 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 hazy. It requires pressing an icon on the front of the stroller, a flap near the foot area, and then lifting the handle. We'd rather have a simpler system that just clicks in place or opens by pulling.

Stroller Weight

The overall weight is a significant consideration. 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 is more suitable for daily use.

The type and size of the wheels is another important feature. Certain strollers, such as jogging strollers with larger wheels will provide a more comfortable ride for babies. However, larger wheels also add to the overall weight of the stroller which can make it difficult to fold, transport, and store.

Some models in our selection have air-filled tires that are designed to provide an enjoyable and stable ride for your child, even over rough terrain. However, tires that are filled with air can easily get flat which will require you to swap them out. If you intend to travel with your stroller frequently, we recommend you purchase one with solid wheels. These tires are able to withstand contact with different surfaces more frequently and last longer.

Strollers that have swivel wheels on the front are ideal to safely navigate escalators and stairs. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most common accidents involving strollers, and can be particularly dangerous for infants. If you cannot avoid taking the stairs or escalator while using your stroller, we recommend using it only when the child is securely strapped in the seat and is close to you when walking up or down.

Some strollers come as an integrated travel system that incorporates both the car seat as well as the stroller. While these types of products typically boast attractive price tags and provide convenience in terms of reducing shopping time but they are usually more expensive than their standalone counterparts and may not function in the long run. In addition many parents end up regretting buying a bundled product as it might not have all of the features they want, or it could prove to not be compatible with their vehicle or child seat. We suggest you select an infant stroller that can be purchased separately from the car seat or capsule if you wish to upgrade to a more sophisticated model in the near future.

Stroller Folding

The best compact 3 wheel stroller wheel strollers fold easily and store. Some even lock in position automatically when you open them. This feature is particularly useful for families that frequently use public transportation or take a car to take a walk.

Three-wheel strollers are designed to navigate around tight spaces like aisles in grocery stores and other crowded areas easily. Many are also equipped with suspension systems that offer an easier ride for your baby, which can be especially useful on sidewalks that are bumpy.

The Guava Roam is a lightweight jogging stroller. It's an elegant stroller that can also 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 features an easy two-step fold that locks into place once opened.

The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another stylish 3 wheel stroller with car seat-wheeled jogging stroller that looks nice. It's a bit more expensive than our top picks, but it's worth the cost If you're a lover of travel or live in an urban area. The lightweight stroller can be folded down to a small 20 x 17 x 7 inch size. It comes with five-point, no-rethread padded harness. It can be used as a stroller for infants and young toddlers with an adapter for infant car seats.

The Babyzen is a great product that has some great features. It is spacious in its recline, and also has storage space. However some parents are disappointed by its performance. The seat doesn't lie flat when reclined, and there's no cups or a tray to serve snacks to children. The brakes can be difficult to engage and the handlebars can be too high for certain moms.

The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that is designed to be as light as it can without skimping on comfort or convenience. It has an impressive list of features, including a large 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 will ensure that your child is safe using it. The top-scoring strollers we've reviewed come with a five-point safety harness with adjustable, cushioned straps for the crotch. This allows for a customized fit. Some have a cushioned seat cushion to shield your child's head in the event that they fall from the seat or fall off. Some strollers feature a safety brake that locks two wheels. This is especially important for strollers that run jogging since it prevents them from slipping when they're going up or down escalators or stairs, where they could be particularly risky for children.

In our tests, we rated the strollers' maneuverability 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 ability to traverse rough terrain. We also assessed how easy it was to open and close the safety harness, fold and unfold the stroller, adjust its backrest, handlebar height and brakes, and then attach and remove car seats (if appropriate).

We found that cheap 3 wheel buggy-wheel strollers were more maneuverable however the advantages decreased as the weight of the baby increased. We suggest choosing one with a hand brake. It will allow you to slow down or stop without having to exert the same effort as your body on its own. Many of the top-scoring, swivel-wheel strollers don't have this option. Only one of our top-rated fixed wheel strollers has it.

It is also important to think about the frequency you'll need to take your stroller on an escalator or a set of stairs. an escalator, and whether or not it's safe to do this with the stroller still in the same place. Stairs and elevators can be more hazardous because they have moving mechanical components that make it difficult to control your stroller. We recommend looking for alternatives to these obstacles, like an elevator, if you can or have another adult to carry the stroller up and down with you. Some of the best-scoring strollers are able to be carried up the stairs or an escalator with their security brakes engaged and locked but it's always safer to be safe than to be sorry.