3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel strollers designed for all ages, whether you're looking for a jogging stoller or a stroller for all-purpose use on a daily basis. Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through their paces on pavement and off-road surfaces, aswell test the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The best strollers come with features that make traveling with your child easier. Look for features that make life easier including a big bin for storage, a tray for the parent with cup holders, an adjustable canopy and more when you are shopping for a new stroller. The key is determining what features are not negotiable for you and your family, and which ones you could live without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for running. It comes with a variety of practical features that keep parents happy and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of all heights and the wrist strap helps ensure that the stroller won't roll away when you're running. The Wayfinder also has the most extensive sunshade in our testing group and has a large, clear window up top to let kids peek out while they're resting. And Jenni's 3 wheel running buggy-year-old found the seat to be comfortably cushioned, so bumps on the road won't make him feel too shaken.
This jogging stoller has the handbrake to help keep your grip on slippery surfaces. It can fold into a compact, slim package that takes up little space in your car's trunk. It is also possible to convert it into a travel system by purchasing an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
If you're planning on taking on rough terrain, tires are essential for strollers of any kind. Although they don't offer the same degree of comfort as foam-filled or air-filled tires, they're great to navigate potholes and bumps effortlessly.
This stroller is a jogging model and features a fold-up that takes just two steps. It locks into position when folded, and is compact enough to fit into the majority of elevators. It's not as easy as our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver, and the locking mechanism is somewhat difficult to understand. It involves pressing an icon on the front of the stroller, a flap on the foot area, and then raising the 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 an important consideration. A heavier stroller is more stable and can perform better on rough terrain. Many parents find that a stroller with a lighter weight is easier to maneuver and is more suitable for daily use.
Another important feature of a stroller is the size of its wheels and the type. Certain strollers have bigger wheels, like jogging ones which can make the ride smoother for your baby. However, larger wheels also add to the overall weight of the stroller which makes it harder to fold and transport as well as store.
Some models in our collection have wheels filled with air that provide a safe, comfortable ride to your child even on rough terrain. However, tires that are filled with air can quickly become flat and require you to change them out. If you intend to take your stroller with you a lot, we recommend you purchase a model with solid wheels. These tires can endure contact with different surfaces more frequently and last longer.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are ideal for navigating stairs and escalators safely. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most common injuries to strollers. They are especially hazardous for infants. If you can't avoid using the escalator and stairs while using your stroller, we recommend that you only use it when the child is securely strapped in the seat. Also, keep them close to you as you walk up and down.
Some strollers are a travel system that includes both the car seat and the stroller. Although these strollers often have attractive price tags and provide convenience by reducing shopping time but they are usually more expensive than their standalone counterparts and may not perform in the long run. In addition many parents end up regretting purchasing a bundle because it might not have all the features they desire or may turn out to be incompatible with their vehicle or child's seat. We suggest you select an infant stroller that can be purchased separately from a capsule or car seat in case you want to upgrade to a more advanced model in the future.
Stroller Folding
The best 3 wheel compact strollers fold up quickly and easily to make transport and storage effortless. Some even lock into the position automatically after you open them. This feature is especially useful for families who frequently use public transport or drive before going on a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to navigate around tight spaces like grocery store aisles and other areas that are crowded with ease. They also have suspension systems that give a smoother ride for your little one which is especially helpful on bumpy sidewalks.
The Guava Roam is a light jogging stroller. It's a good-looking stroller that can be used as a travel system with the adapters for car seats for Nuna Maxi-Cosi and Cybex infant carseats as well as the Uppababy bassinet (car seats and stroller boards sold separately). The stroller has an easy two-step fold that locks in place when it is opened.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another stylish 3 wheeler pushchairs-wheeled jogging stroller that looks nice. This stroller is more expensive than our top picks, but is worth it if a lot or live in a city. The stroller is lightweight 3 wheel pushchair and can fold down to a smaller size (20.5 x 17.pushchair 3 wheels x 7.1) and has an adjustable, padded, five-point no-rethread harness and a large basket. It can also be used as a pram for newborns or toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
The Babyzen is a quality product with some nice features. It is spacious in its recline, and it also comes with storage space. However there are some parents who are dissatisfied in its performance. The seat isn't completely flat when it's reclining, and there's no cups or a tray for snacks for kids. The brakes are a little difficult to engage and the handlebars can be too high for some moms.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as lightweight as possible, without losing comfort or ease of use. It's packed with a variety of features, including a spacious basket and a one-handed fold. The only issue with this stroller is that the brakes can be a bit difficult to engage, and they don't lock when the stroller has been folded.
Stroller Safety
A stroller's safety features should help to keep your child safe during use. Some of the top-scoring strollers in our test have a five-point harness with padded, adjustable crotch straps that allow for a customized fit. Some strollers come with a padded cushion that shields your child's head in the event that they fall or roll out of their seat. Some strollers have safety brakes that lock two wheels, which is essential for strollers that jog 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 the maneuverability of strollers was assessed in three different ways. We rated it on the basis of a stroller's capability to turn and bounce when bumps and dips are encountered as well as its user-friendliness with a child on it and its capacity to navigate over rough terrain. We also assessed the ease of opening and closing the safety harness folding and unfolding the stroller, adjusting the backrest and height of the handlebar as well as operating the brakes as being able to attach and remove car seats (if appropriate).
We have found that 3-wheel strollers are easier to maneuver than four-wheel models, but this advantage diminishes when your baby becomes heavier. We recommend choosing one with hand brakes. It will help you slow down or stop without exerting as much effort as using your body on its own. A majority of the top-scoring swivel-wheel strollers do not come with this option. Only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel strollers comes with it.
It is also important to consider how often you'll be required to use your stroller to go up and down escalators or stairs, and if it is safe to do this. Stairs and elevators are more dangerous because they have moving mechanical parts that make it difficult to control your stroller. We recommend finding an alternative 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 top-scoring strollers can be carried up or down a set of stairs with the safety brake engaged. It's always safer to be secure than sorry.
There are three-wheel strollers designed for all ages, whether you're looking for a jogging stoller or a stroller for all-purpose use on a daily basis. Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through their paces on pavement and off-road surfaces, aswell test the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The best strollers come with features that make traveling with your child easier. Look for features that make life easier including a big bin for storage, a tray for the parent with cup holders, an adjustable canopy and more when you are shopping for a new stroller. The key is determining what features are not negotiable for you and your family, and which ones you could live without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for running. It comes with a variety of practical features that keep parents happy and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of all heights and the wrist strap helps ensure that the stroller won't roll away when you're running. The Wayfinder also has the most extensive sunshade in our testing group and has a large, clear window up top to let kids peek out while they're resting. And Jenni's 3 wheel running buggy-year-old found the seat to be comfortably cushioned, so bumps on the road won't make him feel too shaken.
This jogging stoller has the handbrake to help keep your grip on slippery surfaces. It can fold into a compact, slim package that takes up little space in your car's trunk. It is also possible to convert it into a travel system by purchasing an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
If you're planning on taking on rough terrain, tires are essential for strollers of any kind. Although they don't offer the same degree of comfort as foam-filled or air-filled tires, they're great to navigate potholes and bumps effortlessly.
This stroller is a jogging model and features a fold-up that takes just two steps. It locks into position when folded, and is compact enough to fit into the majority of elevators. It's not as easy as our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver, and the locking mechanism is somewhat difficult to understand. It involves pressing an icon on the front of the stroller, a flap on the foot area, and then raising the 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 an important consideration. A heavier stroller is more stable and can perform better on rough terrain. Many parents find that a stroller with a lighter weight is easier to maneuver and is more suitable for daily use.
Another important feature of a stroller is the size of its wheels and the type. Certain strollers have bigger wheels, like jogging ones which can make the ride smoother for your baby. However, larger wheels also add to the overall weight of the stroller which makes it harder to fold and transport as well as store.
Some models in our collection have wheels filled with air that provide a safe, comfortable ride to your child even on rough terrain. However, tires that are filled with air can quickly become flat and require you to change them out. If you intend to take your stroller with you a lot, we recommend you purchase a model with solid wheels. These tires can endure contact with different surfaces more frequently and last longer.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are ideal for navigating stairs and escalators safely. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most common injuries to strollers. They are especially hazardous for infants. If you can't avoid using the escalator and stairs while using your stroller, we recommend that you only use it when the child is securely strapped in the seat. Also, keep them close to you as you walk up and down.
Some strollers are a travel system that includes both the car seat and the stroller. Although these strollers often have attractive price tags and provide convenience by reducing shopping time but they are usually more expensive than their standalone counterparts and may not perform in the long run. In addition many parents end up regretting purchasing a bundle because it might not have all the features they desire or may turn out to be incompatible with their vehicle or child's seat. We suggest you select an infant stroller that can be purchased separately from a capsule or car seat in case you want to upgrade to a more advanced model in the future.
Stroller Folding
The best 3 wheel compact strollers fold up quickly and easily to make transport and storage effortless. Some even lock into the position automatically after you open them. This feature is especially useful for families who frequently use public transport or drive before going on a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to navigate around tight spaces like grocery store aisles and other areas that are crowded with ease. They also have suspension systems that give a smoother ride for your little one which is especially helpful on bumpy sidewalks.
The Guava Roam is a light jogging stroller. It's a good-looking stroller that can be used as a travel system with the adapters for car seats for Nuna Maxi-Cosi and Cybex infant carseats as well as the Uppababy bassinet (car seats and stroller boards sold separately). The stroller has an easy two-step fold that locks in place when it is opened.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another stylish 3 wheeler pushchairs-wheeled jogging stroller that looks nice. This stroller is more expensive than our top picks, but is worth it if a lot or live in a city. The stroller is lightweight 3 wheel pushchair and can fold down to a smaller size (20.5 x 17.pushchair 3 wheels x 7.1) and has an adjustable, padded, five-point no-rethread harness and a large basket. It can also be used as a pram for newborns or toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
The Babyzen is a quality product with some nice features. It is spacious in its recline, and it also comes with storage space. However there are some parents who are dissatisfied in its performance. The seat isn't completely flat when it's reclining, and there's no cups or a tray for snacks for kids. The brakes are a little difficult to engage and the handlebars can be too high for some moms.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as lightweight as possible, without losing comfort or ease of use. It's packed with a variety of features, including a spacious basket and a one-handed fold. The only issue with this stroller is that the brakes can be a bit difficult to engage, and they don't lock when the stroller has been folded.
Stroller Safety
A stroller's safety features should help to keep your child safe during use. Some of the top-scoring strollers in our test have a five-point harness with padded, adjustable crotch straps that allow for a customized fit. Some strollers come with a padded cushion that shields your child's head in the event that they fall or roll out of their seat. Some strollers have safety brakes that lock two wheels, which is essential for strollers that jog 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 the maneuverability of strollers was assessed in three different ways. We rated it on the basis of a stroller's capability to turn and bounce when bumps and dips are encountered as well as its user-friendliness with a child on it and its capacity to navigate over rough terrain. We also assessed the ease of opening and closing the safety harness folding and unfolding the stroller, adjusting the backrest and height of the handlebar as well as operating the brakes as being able to attach and remove car seats (if appropriate).
We have found that 3-wheel strollers are easier to maneuver than four-wheel models, but this advantage diminishes when your baby becomes heavier. We recommend choosing one with hand brakes. It will help you slow down or stop without exerting as much effort as using your body on its own. A majority of the top-scoring swivel-wheel strollers do not come with this option. Only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel strollers comes with it.
It is also important to consider how often you'll be required to use your stroller to go up and down escalators or stairs, and if it is safe to do this. Stairs and elevators are more dangerous because they have moving mechanical parts that make it difficult to control your stroller. We recommend finding an alternative 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 top-scoring strollers can be carried up or down a set of stairs with the safety brake engaged. It's always safer to be secure than sorry.