3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review

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

Stroller Features

The most effective strollers have features that make traveling with your child a lot easier. Find features that simplify life for you, like a large bin for storage, a tray for the parent with cup holders, a movable canopy, and more when you are shopping for a new stroller. It's crucial to decide what features are important to you and your family members and which you can do without.

BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for running. It comes with a variety of useful features that will keep parents comfortable and happy. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of all heights and the wrist strap can help ensure that the stroller won't roll away while you're jogging. The Wayfinder comes with the largest sunshade of all the strollers we tested and a clear opening at the top that allows kids to peek out while they rest. Jenni's 3 wheel stroller with car seat-year old found the seat to be comfortable padded, so bumps in the road won't shake him up too much.

This jogging stoller has an automatic handbrake that helps you keep control on slippery surfaces. It folds into a compact, slim package that will take up a small space in the trunk of your car. You can also transform it into an e-travel system by purchasing an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.

If you plan on tackling rough terrain, sturdy tires are a must-have for strollers of any kind. While they don't offer the same level of comfort as air-filled or foam-filled tires, they're great to navigate potholes and bumps effortlessly.

This jogging stroller has an easy-to-use fold that takes just two steps. It locks into position when folded, and is compact enough to fit in the majority of elevators. However, it's not as easy to maneuver as some of our other 4-wheel strollers, and the mechanism for locking is a bit difficult to understand. 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 just clicks in place or opens by pulling.

Stroller Weight

The weight of the overall stroller is a significant aspect to take into consideration. A heavier stroller is likely to be more stable than a stroller that is lighter and may offer better performance in rough terrain. Many parents find that a stroller with a lighter weight is more maneuverable, and more suitable for day-to-day use.

The size and type of the wheels is an important feature. Some strollers, such as jogging strollers have wheels that are larger and will provide a more comfortable ride for baby. The larger wheels can weigh more on the stroller and make it difficult to fold, transport and store.

Some models in our collection have wheels filled with air that provide an enjoyable, stable ride to your child even on rough terrain. Air-filled tires are prone to flattening, and you have to replace them. If you are planning to take your stroller with you often, we suggest that you select one with solid wheels. These tires can withstand contact with various surfaces more frequently and last longer.

Strollers with front wheels that swivel are ideal for navigating stairs and escalators safely. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most common accidents involving strollers, and can be especially dangerous for infants. If you are unable to avoid using an escalator or stairs with your stroller, we suggest that you only use it when the child is safely strapped into the seat. Also ensure that they are close to you as you walk up or down.

Some strollers are available as complete travel systems where the car seat and stroller are sold together as a unit. These products are often more expensive and less convenient than their separate counterparts and may not perform well in the long-term. In addition many parents regret purchasing a bundle because it may not include all the features they desire, or it could prove to not be compatible with their vehicle or child's seat. If you want to upgrade your product in the future we suggest that you buy a stroller separate from car seats or capsules.

Stroller Folding

The most 3 wheel stroller cheap wheel strollers with a compact size are easy to fold and to store. Some locks automatically lock into place when you open them. This feature can be particularly useful for families who frequently use public transport or drive prior to taking a an outing.

Three-wheeled strollers can be pushed easily in tight spaces, like aisles of grocery stores or other areas that are crowded. Many are equipped with suspension systems that provide a smoother ride, which is especially useful on bumpy sidewalks.

The Guava Roam is a light stroller for jogging. The stroller is elegant and can also be used as part of a travel system, with matching 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 after opening.

Another nice-looking 3-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. The stroller is more expensive than our top picks but worth it if you travel a lot or live in the city. The stroller is lightweight and folds down to a small size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and has a padded, adjustable 5-point harness that is no-rethread and an ample basket. It can be used as a pram to carry newborns or young toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).

Although the Babyzen comes with some nice features, such as a roomy recline and extra storage, some parents have been disappointed with its performance. The seat isn't flat when it is reclining and there are no cupholders or snack tray for children. The brakes are difficult to engage and the handlebars can be too high for certain moms.

The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as light as it is possible, but without losing comfort or ease of use. It has a long list of features that are impressive, such as a large basket and a single-handed fold. The only downside is that the brakes could be difficult to engage and do not stay locked when the stroller is folded.

Stroller Safety

The safety features of a stroller should keep your child safe while using it. The top-scoring strollers in our review have a five-point safety harness with adjustable and padded straps for crotch. This allows for a custom fit. Some strollers come with a cushioned cushion that protects your child's head should they fall off or roll out of their seat. Some strollers are equipped with a safety lock that locks both wheels. This is especially important for those who run, since it stops them from falling over when going up and down stairs and escalators.

In our tests, we rated the strollers' maneuverability in three different ways: a product's ability to bounce and turn over dips and bumps its ease of maneuvering when loaded with children and its capability to travel over rough surfaces. We also evaluated the ease of opening and closing the safety harness folding and unfolding the stroller, adjusting its backrest and handlebar height and operating the brakes as well as attaching and removing car seats (if appropriate).

We discovered that some 3-wheel strollers are simpler to maneuver than the 4-wheel models However, this advantage decreases when your baby becomes heavier. This is why we recommend a model that has a hand brake, which helps you slow down and stop without as much exertion than using your body alone. However, many of the most efficient swivel wheel strollers have this option and only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel models has it.

It is also important to think about how often you will have to take your stroller on a set of stairs or an escalator, and whether or not it's safe to do it with the stroller in the same place. Stairs and elevators can be more dangerous because they have moving mechanical parts that make it difficult for you to control your stroller. If you can use an elevator or having a second adult assist you in carrying the stroller. Some of the most highly-rated strollers are able to be pushed up an escalator or a set of stairs. an escalator with their security brake engaged and locked however it's better to be safer than sorry.