3 Wheel Compact Stroller's History History Of 3 Wheel Compact Stroller
3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel compact strollers for everyone, whether you're looking for a jogging stoller or a stroller that you can use on a daily basis. 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 offer features that make life on the go with your little one more comfortable. If you're looking for a new 3-wheel stroller or a 4-wheel stroller look for features that are convenient, such as a large storage basket, parent tray with cup holders, a movable canopy and much more. The most important thing is to determine which features are non-negotiable for you and your family and which ones you can live without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for running. It comes with a variety of useful features that will keep parents content and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap prevents the stroller from slipping while you jog. The Wayfinder also features the biggest sunshade that we tested with a clear view at the top to let children peek out while they're resting. And Jenni's 3-year-old found the seat to be comfortably cushioned, which means bumps on the road won't shake him up too much.
3 wheel pushchair is equipped with a hand brake to help you maintain control on slick surfaces. It can fold into a compact, slim package that will take only a tiny space in your car's trunk. It is also possible to convert it into an entire travel system by buying an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
Solid tires are essential for strollers that will be used on terrains that are rough. Although they don't offer the same degree of comfort as foam-filled or air-filled tires, they're great to navigate potholes and bumps with ease.
This stroller is a jogging model and features a fold-up that requires just two steps. It locks in place when folded and is compact enough to fit in the majority of elevators. It's not as simple than our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver, and the locking mechanism is a little confusing. It requires pressing an arrow near the foot area on the front of stroller and lifting the handle. We'd prefer a simpler system that clicks into place or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight of a stroller is a crucial aspect to take into consideration. A heavier stroller is more stable and can perform better on rough terrain. Many parents prefer a stroller that is lighter, as it is easier to maneuver, and more suitable for everyday use.
The size and type of the wheels is another important feature. Some strollers, such as ones that jog, have larger wheels that will provide a more comfortable ride for babies. Larger wheels can add weight to the stroller and make it harder to fold and store, transport and fold.
Certain models in our collection come with air-filled tires, which are designed to provide a safe and comfortable ride for your child even on rough terrain. Air-filled tires are prone to flattening, so you must replace them. If you plan to take your stroller with you frequently, we recommend you purchase a model with solid wheels. They can withstand contact with various surfaces more frequently and last longer.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are ideal for walking up and down escalators and stairs safely. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most frequent accidents that occur due to strollers and are especially dangerous for infants. If you are unable to avoid taking the stairs or escalator in your stroller, we recommend using it only if the child is safely strapped into the seat. Keep them close to you as you walk up or down.
Some strollers are available as complete travel systems where the car seat and stroller are sold together as a unit. These types of products are usually more expensive and less convenient than their standalone counterparts, and could not last in the long-term. In addition, many parents later regret purchasing a bundle product because it may not come with all of the features they would like or could turn out to not be compatible with their car or child seat. If you want to upgrade your product in the future we recommend you buy a stroller separate from a capsule or car seat.
Stroller Folding
The best 3 wheel compact strollers fold quickly and easily to make transport and storage effortless. Some even lock into place automatically when you open them. This feature is especially useful for families who regularly take public transport or drive to take a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to move through tight spaces such as grocery store aisles and other crowded areas with ease. A lot of them are equipped with suspension systems that provide an easier ride. This is especially beneficial on sidewalks that are bumpy.
The Guava Roam is a lightweight stroller for jogging. It's a good-looking stroller that can be used as a travel system, with the car seat adapters for Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex infant carseats and the bassinet for the Uppababy (car seats and stroller boards are sold separately). The stroller folds down in two steps and locks in place once opened.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another stylish 3-wheeled jogging stroller that looks nice. It's a bit pricier than our top picks, however it's worth the investment if you love to travel or live in an urban area. The stroller is lightweight and folds down to a compact size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and features padding, a detachable 5-point harness that is no-rethread and an ample basket. It can be used as a stroller for newborns or toddlers who are young, with an infant car seat adapter.
The Babyzen is a great product with some nice features. It has a spacious recline and has storage space. However there are some parents who are dissatisfied by its performance. The seat isn't flat when it reclines and there are no cupholders or snack trays for children. The brakes can be 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 is possible without sacrificing the comfort or convenience. It's equipped with a lengthy list of amazing features like a huge basket and a one handed fold. The only issue with this stroller is that the brakes are difficult to engage and they're not locked after the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller should ensure that your child is safe using it. Some of the top-scoring strollers we've reviewed have a five-point safety harness with adjustable and padded straps for the crotch. This allows for a customized fit. Some strollers have a padded cushion that shields your child's head in the event that they fall or roll out of their seat. Some strollers come with a safety brake that locks two wheels, which is particularly important for strollers that run jogging since it prevents them from flipping over when they're going up or down escalators or stairs where they can be especially risky for children.
In our tests, we rated the strollers' maneuverability in three different ways: a stroller's ability to bounce and turn over bumps and dips, its ease of maneuvering when loaded with children and its capacity to traverse rough terrain. We also assessed how easy it was to open and close the safety harness, fold and unfold the stroller, adjust the backrest the height of the handlebar and brakes, and attach and take off car seats (if applicable).
We found that strollers with 3 wheels were more maneuverable however the advantages diminished as baby weight increased. That's why we recommend choosing one with a hand brake that helps you slow down and stop with as little effort than using your body alone. Many of the top-scoring swivel-wheel strollers don't have this option. Only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel strollers has it.
It is important to consider how often you will require to transport your stroller down the stairs or an escalator and whether or not it's safe to do it with the stroller still in position. Escalators and stairs present greater risk because they move mechanical components which make it difficult to control the movement of the stroller. We recommend finding an alternative to these obstacles, such as an elevator, if you can or have another adult to carry the stroller up and down with you. Some of the top-scoring strollers can be carried up a set of stairs or a set with their safety brake engaged. However, it's better to be safe rather than sorry.