3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review

There are three-wheel strollers designed for anyone, whether you're seeking a jogging stoller or a stroller for all-purpose use every day. The Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through the paces on both pavement and off-road surfaces as well test the comfort of children in the seats.

Stroller Features

The best strollers offer features that make life on the go with your baby more enjoyable. If you're looking for a new 3 wheel buggy-wheel stroller or a 4-wheel stroller look for features that are convenient, such as an ample storage basket and a tray for parents with cup holders, adjustable canopy and much more. It's important to know 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 that will keep moms and dads happy and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap prevents the stroller from rolling away when you're jogging. The Wayfinder comes with the largest sunshade of the strollers we tested and a glass opening at the top that allows children to look Out 'n' About Nipper Sport Stroller Review when they are resting. Jenni's three-year-old son reportedly found the seat to have comfortable padding, so bumps in the road did not bother him.

This jogging stoller has a handbrake to help you maintain control on slippery surfaces. It can be folded into a slim, compact package that takes up a small space in the trunk of your car. You can also transform it into a travel system by purchasing an adapter. It is also compatible with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.

If you're planning on taking on rough terrain, sturdy tires are a must for strollers of all kinds. While they don't offer the same degree of comfort as foam-filled or air-filled tires, they're ideal for navigating potholes and bumps easily.

This jogging stroller has an easy-to-use fold that takes just two steps. It locks when folded, and is compact enough to fit into most elevators. However it's not as simple to maneuver as our other strollers with four wheels, and the lock mechanism is a bit confusing. It requires pressing a button on the front of the stroller, a flap near the foot area, and lifting a handle. We'd like to see a simpler system that clicks into the position or opens when pulled.

Stroller Weight

The overall weight is an important consideration. A heavier stroller is likely to be more stable than a stroller that is lighter and could provide better performance in rough terrain. Many parents prefer a stroller that is lighter, as it is easier to maneuver and more suitable for everyday use.

The shape and size of the wheels is an important feature. Certain strollers have bigger wheels, such as jogging ones that can make the ride more comfortable for your baby. However, larger wheels add to the overall weight of the stroller which can make it more difficult to fold or transport and store.

Some models in our collection come with air-filled wheels, which provide a safe, comfortable ride to your child even on rough terrain. Air-filled tires are prone to flattening and have to replace them. If you are planning to travel a lot with your stroller, we suggest an option with sturdy tires that can stand up to frequent contact with various surfaces and last for a longer time.

Strollers with swivel front wheels are great 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 can't avoid using the escalator or stairs with your stroller, we recommend using it if your child is securely strapped in the seat. Also ensure that they are close to you while you go up or down.

Some strollers can be purchased as an entire travel system in which the car seat and stroller are sold as a unit. While these products often boast attractive prices and offer convenience in terms of cutting down on shopping time but they are usually more expensive than their stand-alone counterparts and may not perform as well over the long run. In addition many parents end up regretting buying a bundled product as it may not come with all of the features they want or may turn out to not be compatible with their car or child seat. We suggest that you purchase a stroller that is purchased separately from a capsule or car seat in case you'd like to upgrade to a higher-end model in the near future.

Stroller Folding

The best 3 wheel compact strollers fold quickly and easily to make transport and storage effortless. Some of them lock automatically when you open them. This feature can be particularly useful for families who frequently use public transport or drive prior to taking a walks.

Three-wheel strollers are designed to maneuver through tight spaces such as aisles of grocery stores and other areas that are crowded with ease. Many are equipped with suspension systems for a smoother ride, which is especially beneficial on bumpy sidewalks.

The Guava Roam is a light stroller for jogging. It's an elegant stroller that can also be used as part of a travel system, with adapters for car seats to fit Nuna MaxiCosi, Cybex, and Nuna infant carseats as well as the Uppababy Bassinet. (Car seats and stroller boards are sold separately). The stroller folds in two steps and locks into position after opening.

A similar stroller with a nice design is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. This stroller is more expensive than our top choices, but worth it if you travel frequently or live in the city. The lightweight stroller can be folded down to a tiny 20 17x7 inches size. It comes with five-point, non-rethread, padding on the harness. It can also be used as a pram to carry newborns or toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).

The Babyzen is a great product with some nice features. It has a spacious recline, and also has extra storage. However, some parents are disappointed by its performance. The seat isn't flat when it is reclining and there aren't cup holders or snack trays for children. The brakes can be a bit difficult to engage, and the handlebar height is too high for a lot of mothers who are short.

The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that's designed to be as light as possible without skimping on comfort or ease of use. It's equipped with a lengthy list of impressive features, such as a large basket and a one-handed fold. The only drawback is that the brakes may be a bit difficult to activate and don't remain locked when the stroller is folded.

Stroller Safety

The safety features of a stroller must keep your child safe while using it. Some of the best-scoring models in our review feature a five-point harness with adjustable, padded crotch straps that allow for a customized fit. Others have a padded seat cushion to protect your child's head in the event that they fall from the seat or fall off. Some strollers come with a safety lock that locks both wheels. This is crucial for walkers who jog, as they are less likely to fall over when going up and down stairs and escalators.

In our tests, strollers' maneuverability was evaluated in three distinct ways. We evaluated it based on the capability to turn and bounce when bumps and dips are encountered as well as its user-friendliness with a child in it, and its ability to travel over rough terrain. We also evaluated the ease of opening and closing the safety harness folding and unfolding the stroller, altering its backrest and handlebar height, operating the brakes, as well as attaching and removing car seats (if appropriate).

We found that strollers with 3 wheels were more maneuverable however, the advantages diminished as baby weight increased. We recommend choosing one with a hand brake. It will allow you to slow down or stop without having to exert as much effort as using your body on its own. However, a lot of the most efficient swivel wheel strollers offer this feature and only one of our top fixed-wheel models does.

It's also important to think about the frequency you'll need to take your stroller on a set of stairs or an escalator and whether it's safe to do it with the stroller in the same place. Stairs and escalators pose more of a hazard because they move mechanical parts which make it difficult to control the motion of the stroller. We recommend looking for alternatives to these obstacles, such as 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 taken onto the stairs or an escalator, with their safety brake engaged and locked, but it's always safer to be sorry.