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3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a health-conscious person looking for a stroller for jogging or looking for an all-purpose stroller for use in everyday life There's a three-wheel compact stroller for you. Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through the paces on pavement and off-road surfaces as well as assessing the comfort of children in the seats.
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 4-wheel stroller, look for features that are convenient, such as a large storage basket and a tray for parents with cup holders, an adjustable canopy, and more. The most important thing is to determine which features are essential to you and your family, and which ones you can be content with.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller with a variety of useful features to keep moms as well as dads happy and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of different heights and the wrist strap is designed to ensure that the stroller won't roll away while you're jogging. The Wayfinder also has the most extensive sunshade that we tested, with a clear window up top to let kids look out while they're relaxing. Jenni's 3-year-old son found the seat to have comfortable padding, which meant bumps on the road didn't bother him.
This jogging stoller comes with an automatic handbrake that helps you keep your grip on slippery surfaces. It folds into a compact, slim package that takes up a small space in the trunk of your car. You can also convert it to an e-travel system by purchasing an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.
If you're planning to tackle rough terrain, sturdy tires are a must-have for any stroller. Solid tires are not as comfortable as spongy-filled or air-filled tires, but they're perfect for navigating potholes and bumps.
The stroller folds up in just two simple steps. It locks when folded, and is small enough to fit into the majority of elevators. However, it's not as easy to maneuver as our other 4-wheel strollers, and the mechanism to lock it is a bit confusing. It involves clicking an icon on the front of the stroller, a flap near the foot area, and then lifting a handle. We'd prefer a simpler system that clicks in place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight is a significant consideration. A stroller that is heavier is more stable and will 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 use in everyday situations.
Another important feature of a stroller is its wheel size and type. Certain strollers, like those that run on jogging with larger wheels can provide a smoother experience for infants. However, larger wheels also add to the overall weight of the stroller which can make it more difficult to fold, transport, and store.
Certain 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 more prone to flattening, and you will need to replace them. If you plan to take your stroller with you frequently, we recommend you purchase one with solid wheels. These tires are able to withstand contact with different surfaces more often and last longer.
Strollers with swivel wheels on the front are perfect for safely navigating escalators as well as stairs. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most frequent stroller-related injuries and can be particularly hazardous for infants. If you can't avoid taking the stairs or escalator in your stroller, we recommend using it only if the child is securely strapped into the seat. Keep them close to you when walking up or down.
Some strollers come as a travel system which includes both the car seat and the stroller. While these products often boast attractive price tags and provide convenience by reducing shopping time however, they are typically more expensive than their standalone counterparts and might not perform in the long haul. Additionally many parents end up regretting purchasing a bundle because it might not have all the features they would like or could turn out to be incompatible with their vehicle or child's seat. We recommend you choose a stroller that can be purchased separately from a car seat or capsule if you'd like to upgrade to a more advanced model in the near future.
3 wheel buggy Folding
The top 3 wheel compact strollers fold quickly and easily to make storage and transportation effortless. Some even lock into position automatically when you open them. This feature is particularly beneficial for families who frequently use public transportation or drive to take a walk.
Three-wheeled strollers can be maneuvered easily in tight spaces, like grocery store aisles or other areas with a lot of people. Many are equipped with suspension systems to provide a smoother ride. This is especially useful on bumpy sidewalks.
The Guava Roam is a lightweight stroller for jogging. It's a good-looking stroller that can be used as a travel set-up with the car seat adapters for Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex infant carseats, as well as the bassinet Uppababy (car seats and stroller boards sold separately). The stroller folds down in two steps and locks into place when it is opened.
Another nice-looking 3-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. It's a bit more expensive than our top picks, however it's worth the cost for those who love to travel or live in a city. The stroller is lightweight and folds down to a compact size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and features a padded, adjustable five-point harness with no-rethread straps and a large basket. It can be used as a stroller for infants and toddlers, if you have an infant car seat adapter.
The Babyzen is a good product with some nice features. It is spacious in its recline, and also comes with storage space. However, some parents are disappointed in its performance. The seat isn't completely flat when it's reclining, and there aren't any cup holders or a snack tray for kids. The brakes are a little difficult to engage and the handlebars can be too high for some moms.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that's designed to be as light as is possible without skimping on comfort or convenience. It comes with a long list of impressive features like a huge basket and a single-handed fold. The only downside to this stroller is that the brakes can be a bit difficult to activate, and they're not locking when the stroller has been folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller must keep your child safe while using it. Some of the best-scoring strollers in our review have a five-point safety harness that has adjustable, cushioned crotch straps. This allows for a customized fit. Others come with a cushioned seat cushion to protect your child's head should they fall out of the seat or roll off. Some strollers come with a safety brake that locks two wheels, which is particularly important for jogging strollers since it prevents them from flipping over when they're going up and down escalators or stairs which can be particularly risky for children.
In our tests strollers' maneuverability was evaluated in three distinct ways. We rated it on the basis of a stroller's ability to turn and bounce when bumps or dips are encountered as well as its user-friendliness with a child loaded and its ability to navigate over rough terrain. We also evaluated 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 well as attaching and removing car seats (if applicable).
3 wheeler pushchair found that 3-wheel strollers were easier to maneuver, but the advantage decreased as the weight of the baby increased. This is why we recommend the model with hand brakes, which allows you to slow down and stop with as little effort as using body power alone. However, many of the best-scoring swivel wheel strollers don't offer this feature and only one of our top fixed-wheel models does.
It is also important to think about the frequency you'll have to transport your stroller down the stairs or an escalator, and whether it's safe to do so with the stroller in the same place. Elevators and stairs pose more dangers because they move mechanical components that make it difficult to control the movement of the stroller. We suggest finding a solution to these obstacles, such as an elevator, if possible, or having another adult carry the stroller up or down with you. Some of the most highly-rated strollers can be taken onto the stairs or an escalator with their security brake engaged and locked however it's safer to be to be sorry.