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3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel strollers that fit anyone, whether you’re seeking a jogging stoller or an all-purpose stroller to use on a daily basis. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor of Sentry The models were put to the test on road surfaces and off-road ones. They also tested the safety of the seats for children.
Stroller Features
The best strollers have features that make traveling with your baby more enjoyable. If you’re looking for a new 3 wheel double buggy-wheel or a 4-wheel stroller, look for features that make life easier, such as an ample storage basket as well as a tray for the parent with cup holders, adjustable canopy and more. It’s crucial to decide what features are important to you and your family, and which you can do without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for jogging. It is loaded with convenient features that will keep parents content and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of all sizes, and the wrist strap helps ensure that the stroller doesn’t slide away when you’re jogging. The Wayfinder also comes with the largest sunshade that we tested, with a clear window up top to let kids peek out while they’re resting. Jenni’s 3-year old found the seat to be comfortable padded, so bumps in the road don’t make him feel too shaken.
This jogging stoller has an automatic handbrake that helps you maintain control on slippery surfaces. It folds into a slim, compact package that takes up a tiny space in the trunk of your car. Additionally, it can convert into a travel system with the best infant car seats from brands like Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex with the purchase of an adapter. It is also compatible with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
If you’re planning on taking on rough terrain, sturdy tires are essential for strollers of all kinds. Solid tires are not as comfortable as air-filled or spongy-filled tires but they’re great for navigating potholes and bumps.
This jogging stroller has an easy-to-use fold that only requires two steps. It locks in place when folded, and it’s small enough to fit into the majority of elevators. It’s not as simple as some of our other four-wheel strollers 3 wheels to maneuver and the locking mechanism is a bit complicated. It’s as simple as pressing an arrow near the foot area on the front of stroller and lifting the handle. We’d prefer a simpler system that just clicks in place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the entire unit is a significant consideration. A stroller that is heavier is more stable and can perform better on rough terrain. However, a lot of parents find that a stroller with a lighter weight is easier to maneuver and more suitable for daily use.
Another crucial aspect of a stroller is the size of its wheels and type. Some strollers come with larger wheels, like jogging ones, which makes the ride easier for your baby. However, larger wheels also add to the overall weight of the stroller which makes it difficult to fold or transport and store.
Certain models in our collection come with air-filled tires, which are designed to offer a comfortable and stable ride for your child, even over rough terrain. However, air-filled tires could quickly become flat and require you to swap them out. If you plan to travel a lot with your stroller, we suggest an option with sturdy tires that can withstand frequent contact with various surfaces and last for a longer time.
Strollers with front wheels that swivel are ideal for walking up and down escalators and stairs safely. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most common stroller-related injuries and can be particularly hazardous for infants. If you can’t avoid the stairs or escalator in your stroller, we recommend using it only when your child is securely strapped into the seat and hold them close to you as you walk up or down.
Some strollers are a travel system that includes both the car seat as well as the stroller. These are typically more expensive and commodious than their separate counterparts and they may not be as effective in the long term. Many parents are disappointed when they purchase a bundle product because it might not include all the features they want or be incompatible with their car or child’s seat. If you are planning to upgrade your product in the future, we recommend that you purchase a stroller that is separate from the car seat or capsule.
Stroller Folding
The best 3 wheel strollers with a compact size are easy to fold and store. Some locks automatically lock into place when you open them. This feature is especially useful for families that frequently take public transport or drive to go on a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to move through tight spaces such as aisles in grocery stores and other crowded areas easily. Many also come equipped with suspension systems that give an easier stroll for your child which is especially helpful on slippery sidewalks.
If you’re looking for a jogging stroller that doesn’t weigh you down Guava Roam Crossover is a good option. It’s a good-looking stroller that can be used as a travel set-up with the matching car seat adapters for Nuna Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, and Cybex infant carseats, as well as the bassinet Uppababy (car seats and stroller board sold separately). The stroller folds down in two steps and locks into position after opening.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another attractive 3-wheeled jogging stroller with a nice design. This stroller is more expensive than our top picks but is worth it if you travel often or live in a city. This stroller is lightweight and can be folded down to a compact 20 17×7 inches size. It comes with five-point, non-rethread, padded harness. It can be used as a stroller for newborns and young toddlers with an infant car seat adapter.
Although the Babyzen offers some great features, such as the spacious recline and the extra storage space, certain parents have been dissatisfied with its performance. The seat doesn’t lie flat when reclined and there are no cups or a tray to serve snacks to children. The brakes are a bit difficult to activate and the handlebars can be too high for certain moms.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as lightweight as possible, without the comfort or convenience. It comes with a plethora of features, including a spacious basket and a fold that is one-handed. The only issue with this stroller is that the brakes are a little difficult to activate, and they’re not locking when the stroller has been folded.
Stroller Safety
A stroller’s safety features should aid in keeping your child safe during use. Some of the top-scoring strollers in our review have five-point safety harnesses with adjustable and padded straps for crotch. This allows for a customised fit. Others have a padded 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, which is especially important for strollers that run jogging since it prevents them from slipping when they’re going down escalators or stairs where they could be particularly risky for children.
In our tests, the maneuverability of strollers was rated in three different ways. We scored it based on a product’s capability to turn and bounce when bumps and dips are encountered as well as its user-friendliness with a child loaded and its ability to travel over rough terrain. We also looked at how easy it is to open and close the safety harness fold and unfold the stroller, adjust the backrest and handlebar height, operate the brakes, and then attach and remove car seats (if appropriate).
We found that strollers with rear facing 3 wheel stroller wheels were more maneuverable however, the advantages diminished as baby weight increased. That’s why we recommend choosing a model that has a hand brake that allows you to slow down and stop without as much effort than using your body alone. However, a lot of the most efficient swivel wheel strollers have this option, and only one of our top fixed-wheel models comes with it.
It is important to think about how often you’ll be required to use your stroller for going up and down escalators or stairs and if it’s safe to do this. Elevators and stairs pose greater risk due to the fact that they move mechanical parts that make it difficult to control the movement of the stroller. We recommend finding an alternative to these obstacles, like an elevator, if you have one, or having another adult take the stroller up and down with you. Some of the best-scoring strollers are able to be pushed up the stairs or an escalator with their safety brakes engaged and locked however it’s safer to be not be.