3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review

Whether you're a fitness enthusiast in search of a stroller for jogging or seeking a stroller that is all-purpose for everyday use there's a compact three-wheel stroller for you. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor at Sentry tested these models to the test on both road surfaces and off-road ones. They also tested the seating comfort for children.

Stroller Features

The most effective strollers have features that allow you to travel with your child a lot easier. Find features that make life easier, such as a large bin for storage, a tray for parents with cups holders, adjustable canopy and more, when shopping for a new stroller. It's crucial to decide which features are essential for you and your family members and those you can live without.

BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for jogging. It comes with a variety of useful features that will keep parents content and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap helps keep the stroller from slipping away while you are jogging. The Wayfinder has the largest sunshade of the strollers we tested and a large, clear window on the top lets kids to peek out when they are resting. Jenni's 3-year-old son found the seat to have a comfortable cushion, so bumps in the road did not cause any discomfort for him.

This jogging stroller also has a hand brake to help you maintain control on slick surfaces. It folds into a slim, compact package that takes only a tiny space in your trunk. You can also convert it into an e-travel system by purchasing an adapter. It is also compatible with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.

Solid tires are crucial for strollers that are used on terrains that are rough. Although they don't offer the same degree of comfort as foam-filled or air-filled tires, they're perfect to navigate potholes and bumps easily.

The stroller folds down in just two steps. It locks in place when folded and is compact enough to fit in most elevators. However it's not as simple to maneuver as our other 4-wheel strollers, and the mechanism for locking is a bit hazy. It involves pressing an arrow near the foot area at the front of stroller, and then lifting the handle. We'd prefer a simpler system that simply clicks into place or opens when pulled.

Stroller Weight

The weight of the entire unit is a crucial aspect to consider. A stroller that is heavier is more stable and will perform better on uneven terrain. However, many parents discover that strollers with lighter weights are more maneuverable and more suitable for daily use.

The shape and size of the wheels is another important feature. Some strollers, such as those that run on jogging have wheels that are larger and can offer a more comfortable ride for babies. The larger wheels can weigh more on the stroller, making it harder to fold and store, transport and fold.

Certain models we offer have air-filled tires that are designed to offer a comfortable and stable ride for your child, even over rough terrain. Air-filled tires are prone to flattening and will need to replace them. If you plan to take your stroller with you often, we suggest that you choose one with solid wheels. These tires can withstand contact with various surfaces more frequently and last longer.

Strollers with swivel front wheels are great for walking up and down escalators and stairs safely. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most frequent accidents that occur due to strollers and are particularly dangerous for infants. If you can't avoid taking the stairs or escalator in your stroller, we suggest using it only when your child is securely strapped into the seat. Keep them close to you while walking up or down.

Some strollers come as a travel system that includes both the car seat as well as the stroller. While these types of products typically boast attractive prices and offer convenience by reducing shopping time, they are generally more expensive than their standalone counterparts and may not function in the long haul. Additionally, many parents later regret buying a bundled product as it might not have all of the features they want, or it could prove to be incompatible with their vehicle or child seat. We suggest you select a stroller that can be purchased separately from a car seat or capsule if you'd like to upgrade to a more sophisticated model in the future.

Stroller Folding

The most compact 3 wheel running stroller wheel strollers are easy to fold and to store. Some even lock in place automatically when you open them. This feature is especially beneficial for families that frequently use public transportation or drive before going on a walk.

Three-wheeled strollers can be maneuvered effortlessly in tight spaces, like grocery store aisles or other areas that are crowded. They also have suspension systems that give a smoother ride for your little one and can be particularly useful on sidewalks that are bumpy.

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 and Cybex infant carseats, as well as the bassinet Uppababy (car seats and stroller board sold separately). The stroller comes with a simple two-step fold and locks into place once it is opened.

Another stylish 3 wheel stroller with bassinet-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. This stroller is a little more expensive than our top choices, but is worth it if you travel frequently or live in a city. This lightweight stroller folds down to a compact size (20.5 x 17.3 wheel pushchair off road x 7.1) and features a padded, adjustable, five-point no-rethread harness and an ample basket. It can be used as a stroller for infants or toddlers who are young, with an infant car seat adapter.

Although the Babyzen offers some great features, like a roomy recline and extra storage space, some parents have been disappointed with its performance. The seat doesn't lie flat when it reclines and there are no cupholders or snack trays for kids. The brakes are a bit difficult to activate and the handlebars can be too high for some moms.

The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that is designed to be as light as it can without sacrificing comfort or convenience. It's packed with a variety of features, including a large basket and a fold that is one-handed. The only drawback to this stroller is that the brakes are a little difficult to engage, and they don't lock when the stroller has been folded.

Stroller Safety

A stroller's safety features will assist in keeping your child safe while using it. Some of the top-scoring strollers we've reviewed have a five-point safety harness that has adjustable and padded straps for the crotch. This allows for a customised 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 come with a safety lock that secures both wheels. This is particularly important for jogging walkers, as they are less likely to fall over while going up or down escalators and stairs.

In our tests, the maneuverability of strollers was rated in three different ways. We rated it based on the ability to turn and bounce when bumps or dips are encountered, its ease of use with a child on it and its ability to travel over rough terrain. We also evaluated how easy it was to open and close the safety harness fold and unfold the stroller, adjust the backrest and handlebar height and brakes, and attach and remove car seats (if appropriate).

We found that strollers with 3 wheels were more maneuverable, but the advantage diminished as baby weight increased. We recommend selecting one with a hand brake. It will help you 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 feature. Only one of our best-rated fixed-wheel strollers comes with it.

It is also important to think about how often you will have to take your stroller up an escalator or a set of stairs. an escalator, and if or not it will be safe to do this with the stroller in the same place. Stairs and elevators can be more risky because they contain moving mechanical parts which make it difficult to control your stroller. We recommend looking for alternatives to these obstacles, like an elevator, if you can or have a person else carry the stroller up or down with you. Some of the top-scoring strollers can be carried up a set or stairs with their safety brake engaged. It's always better to be safe than sorry.