3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review

If you're a health-conscious person looking for a stroller for jogging or need a stroller to use for everyday use, there's a three-wheel compact stroller that is suitable for you. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor of Sentry, put these models to the test on both roads and off-road surfaces. They also evaluated the safety of the seats for children.

Stroller Features

The best strollers offer features that allow you to travel with your little one more convenient. Find features that make life easier including a big storage bin, parent tray with cup holders, a movable canopy and more when you are shopping for a new stroller. It's important to determine the features that are important to you and your family members and which you can do without.

BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for jogging. It has many practical features that keep parents comfortable and happy. The handlebar adjusts to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of different sizes, and the wrist strap can help ensure that the stroller doesn't slide away when you're jogging. The Wayfinder features the biggest sunshade of all the strollers we tested, and a clear opening at the top that allows children to look out when they are resting. Jenni's 3-year old found the seat to be comfortable cushioned, so bumps on the road don't shake him up too much.

This jogging stoller has a handbrake to help you keep control on slippery surfaces. It folds into a slim, compact package that occupies a small 3 wheel stroller space in the trunk of your car. Additionally, it can be converted into a travel set-up with select infant car seats from brands including Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex using the purchase of an adapter. It is also compatible with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.

Solid tires are essential for strollers that are used on rough terrains. While they don't offer the same level of comfort as air-filled or foam-filled tires, they're ideal for navigating bumps and potholes easily.

The jogging stroller folds in just two easy steps. It locks when folded, and it's small enough to fit in most elevators. However it's not as simple to move around as our other strollers with four wheels, and the lock mechanism is a bit hazy. It's as simple as pressing a button near the foot area on the front of the stroller and then lifting the 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 crucial aspect to consider. A heavier stroller is more stable and will perform better on uneven terrain. Many parents find a lighter stroller easier to maneuver, and more suitable for day-to-day use.

The type and size of the wheels is another important feature. Certain strollers have bigger wheels, such as those for jogging which can make the ride more comfortable for your baby. However, larger wheels increase the overall weight of the stroller which can make it more difficult to fold, transport, and store.

Some models in our selection have air-filled wheels that offer a comfortable, stable ride for your child on rough terrain. However, tires that are filled with air can quickly become flat and require you to change them out. If you are planning to travel a lot with your stroller, we recommend the use of tires that can withstand frequent contact with different surfaces and last longer.

Strollers that have swivel wheels on the front are ideal for safely navigating escalators as well as stairs. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most frequent stroller-related injuries. They can be particularly dangerous for infants. If you are unable to avoid using the escalator or stairs with your stroller we recommend using it if your child is secured in the seat. Also keep them close to you while you walk up and down.

Some strollers come as a travel system which includes both the car seat as well as the stroller. These products are often more expensive and less convenient than their separate counterparts and may not perform well in the long-term. Many parents regret purchasing bundle products because they might not include all the features they would like or may not be compatible with their car or child's seat. If you are planning to upgrade in the near future, we recommend that you buy a stroller separate from the car seat or capsule.

Stroller Folding

The best 3-wheel strollers that are compact fold easily and put away. Some lock automatically into place when you open them. This feature is particularly useful for families who regularly use public transportation or take a car to walk.

Three-wheel strollers are designed to navigate through tight spaces such as aisles in grocery stores and other areas that are crowded easily. They are often equipped with suspension systems that provide a smoother ride. This is especially beneficial on bumpy sidewalks.

The Guava Roam is a light jogging stroller. It's a good-looking stroller that can be used as a travel set-up with the car seat adapters for Nuna Maxi-Cosi, Nuna and Cybex infant carseats and the Uppababy bassinet (car seats and stroller boards sold separately). The stroller features a simple two-step fold and locks in place when it is opened.

The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another stylish 3-wheeled jogging stroller that looks nice. It's a bit pricier than our top choices, but it's worth the investment If you're a lover of travel or live in the city. The lightweight stroller can fold down to a smaller size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and has an adjustable, padded 5-point harness that is no-rethread and an ample basket. It can also be used as a pram for infants or toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).

Although the Babyzen offers some great features, like a roomy recline and extra storage, some parents have been disappointed with its performance. The seat isn't completely flat when it's reclining, and there are no cups or a snack tray for children. The brakes can be a little difficult to engage and the handlebars are too high for some moms.

The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that is designed to be as light as is possible without sacrificing comfort or convenience. It comes with a long list of amazing features, such as a large basket and a one-handed fold. The only downside to this stroller is that the brakes are difficult to activate, and they're not locking when the stroller is folded.

Stroller Safety

A stroller's safety features will assist in keeping your child safe during use. Some of the best-scoring models in our test have a five-point harness with padded, adjustable crotch straps that allow for a custom fit. Others come with a cushioned seat cushion to safeguard your child's head should they fall from the seat or roll off. Some strollers come with safety brakes that lock two wheels. This is particularly important for strollers that jog since it prevents them from rolling over when they're going up or down escalators or stairs, which can be particularly dangerous for children.

In our tests, we rated the maneuverability of strollers in three different ways: the product's ability to rotate and bounce over bumps and dips, its ability to maneuver when loaded with a child and its capacity to travel over rough surfaces. We also looked at the ease of being able to open and close the safety harness, fold and unfold the stroller, adjust its backrest, handlebar height and brakes and then attach and remove car seats (if applicable).

We found that some 3-wheel strollers are simpler to maneuver than four-wheel models, but this advantage diminishes as baby gets heavier. That's why we recommend choosing one with a hand brake that helps you slow down and stop without as much effort as using body power alone. Many 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's important to consider the frequency you'll require to take your stroller on an escalator or a set of stairs. an escalator, and whether or not it's safe to do it with the stroller still in the same place. Stairs and escalators pose more dangers because they move mechanical parts that make it difficult to control the movements of the stroller. If you're able to use an elevator or having another adult assist you in carrying the stroller. Some of the most highly-rated strollers can be carried up the stairs or an escalator, with their safety brakes engaged and locked but it's always safer to be safe than to be sorry.