7 Secrets About 3 Wheel Compact Stroller That Nobody Will Tell You
3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
Whether you're a fitness enthusiast in search of a stroller for jogging or need a stroller to use for everyday use there's a compact three-wheel stroller that is suitable 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 evaluated the comfort of the seats for children.
Stroller Features
The best strollers come with features that allow you to travel with your child a lot easier. Whether you're shopping for a new 3-wheel or a 4-wheel stroller look for features that make life easier, such as an ample storage basket and a tray for parents with cup holders, adjustable canopy, and more. The trick is determining which features are not negotiable for you and your family, and which ones you could do without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for jogging. It has many useful features that will keep parents comfortable and happy. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap prevents the stroller from slipping while you are jogging. The Wayfinder also has the most extensive sunshade we've seen in our test group, with a clear window up top to let kids peek out while they're resting. Jenni's 3-year-old son found the seat to have a comfortable padding, which meant bumps on the road didn't cause any discomfort for him.
This jogging stoller features the handbrake to help keep your grip on slippery surfaces. It folds to the size of a compact, slim package that takes up very little space in the trunk of your vehicle, and it can be converted into a travel set-up with certain infant car seats from brands such as Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex with the purchase of an adapter. It can also be used with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
If you're planning to tackle rough terrain, sturdy tires are a must for strollers of all kinds. While they don't provide the same level of comfort as air-filled or foam-filled tires, they're perfect to navigate potholes and bumps easily.
This stroller is a jogging model and comes with a fold that only requires two steps. It locks in place when folded and is compact enough to fit in most elevators. It's not as simple as our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver, and the locking mechanism is somewhat complicated. It requires pressing a button on the front of the stroller, closing a flap on the foot area, and then lifting a handle. We'd like to see a more simple system that simply clicks into place or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the entire unit is a significant consideration. A heavier stroller tends to be more stable than a stroller that is lighter and could provide more performance on rough terrain. Many parents prefer a stroller that is lighter, as it is easier to maneuver, and is more suitable for daily use.
Another important feature of a stroller is the size of its wheels and type. Certain strollers have bigger wheels, such as jogging ones which can make the ride more comfortable for your baby. However, larger wheels add to the overall weight of the stroller, which can make it harder to fold, transport, and store.
Certain models in our collection have air-filled wheels that offer a comfortable, stable ride to your child even on rough terrain. However, air-filled tires can easily get flat which will require you to swap them out. If you intend to take your stroller on the road a lot, we recommend you purchase one with solid wheels. These tires are able to withstand contact with various surfaces more frequently and last longer.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are ideal for getting around stairs and escalators in a safe manner. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most frequent accidents that occur due to strollers and are particularly dangerous for infants. If you cannot avoid taking the stairs or escalator in your stroller, we recommend using it only if the 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 which includes both the car seat as well as the stroller. These types of products are usually more expensive and less convenient than their standalone counterparts, and may not perform well 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 may not be compatible with their car or child seat. If you want to upgrade in the future we suggest that you purchase a stroller that is separate from the car seat or capsule.
Stroller Folding
The most 3 wheel strollers with a compact size are easy to fold and put away. Some lock automatically into place when you open them. This feature can be especially beneficial for families who regularly use public transport or drive prior to going for a walks.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to navigate through tight spaces such as grocery store aisles and other areas that are crowded easily. Many are equipped with suspension systems for an easier ride. This is especially beneficial on sidewalks that are bumpy.
The Guava Roam is a lightweight jogging stroller. It's an elegant stroller that can also be used as part of a travel set-up with matching car seat adapters to fit Nuna MaxiCosi, Cybex, and Nuna infant carseats, and the Uppababy Bassinet. (Car seats and stroller boards are sold separately). The stroller comes with simple two-step fold, and locks into place once it is opened.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another attractive 3-wheeled jogging stroller with a nice design. It's more expensive than some of our top choices, but it's well worth the money If you're a lover of travel or reside in a city. This lightweight stroller can be folded down to a small 20 17x7 inches size. It has five-point, non-rethread, cushioned harness. It can be used as a stroller for infants or toddlers who are young, with an adapter for infant car seats.
The Babyzen is a great product with some nice features. It has a spacious recline and comes with storage space. However there are some parents who are dissatisfied with its performance. The seat isn't completely flat when it's reclining, and there's no cups or a snack tray for kids. The brakes are a bit difficult to engage, and the handlebar height is too high for a lot of moms who are petite.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that is designed to be as light as possible without sacrificing comfort or ease of use. It comes with a plethora of features, including a large basket and a one-handed fold. The only issue is that the brakes could be a bit difficult to engage and don't remain locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
A stroller's safety features should assist in keeping your child secure during use. Some of the top-scoring strollers we've reviewed have five-point safety harnesses with adjustable and padded straps for crotch. This allows for a customized fit. Some strollers come with a cushioned cushion that protects your child's head if they fall off or roll out of their seat. Some strollers have a safety brake that locks two wheels. This is particularly important for strollers that jog as it stops them from flipping over when they're going up and down escalators or stairs, where they can be especially risky for children.
In our tests, the maneuverability of strollers was assessed in three different ways. We rated it based on a product's ability to bounce and turn when bumps and dips are encountered and its comfort with a child on it and its ability to navigate over rough terrain. We also assessed the ease of opening and closing the safety harness as well as folding and unfolding the stroller, changing the height of its backrest and handlebar and operating the brakes as also the ability to attach and remove car seats (if necessary).
We found that strollers with 3 wheels were easier to maneuver however, the advantages diminished as baby weight increased. This is why we recommend a model that has a hand brake, which assists you in slowing down and stop with as little effort as using body power alone. 3 wheeler stroller of the top-scoring swivel-wheel strollers do not come with this feature. Only one of our best-rated fixed-wheel strollers comes with it.
It's also important to think about the frequency that you will need to take your stroller on a set of stairs or an escalator, and if or not it will be safe to do this while the stroller is in its place. Stairs and escalators pose more of a hazard due to the fact that they move mechanical parts which make it difficult to control the movements of the stroller. We recommend looking for alternatives to these obstacles, such as an elevator, if you can or have a person else to carry the stroller up and down with you. Some of the best-scoring strollers can be carried up an escalator or a set of stairs. an escalator with their safety brake locked and engaged, but it's always safer to be not be.