3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review

There are three-wheel compact strollers for everyone, whether you're looking for a jogging stroller or a stroller for all-purpose use every day. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor of Sentry tested these models to the test on pavement and off-road surfaces. They also tested the seating comfort for children.

Stroller Features

The top strollers come with features that make traveling with your baby more comfortable. Find features that simplify life including a big bin for storage, a tray for parents with cup holders, an adjustable canopy, and so on when you are shopping for a new stroller. It's important to know which features are essential for you and your family, and which you can do without.

BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for jogging. It has many useful features that will keep parents content and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap keeps the stroller from rolling away while you are jogging. The Wayfinder also comes with the largest sunshade in our testing group, with a clear window up top to let kids observe the world while they rest. Jenni's three-year-old son reportedly found the seat to have a comfortable padding, so bumps in the road did not bother him.

This jogging stoller comes with the handbrake to help keep control on slippery surfaces. It folds to an extremely compact and slim size that takes up very little space in the trunk of your car. Additionally, it can be converted into a travel set-up with select infant car seats from brands such as Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex with the purchase of an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.

If you're planning on taking on rough terrains, solid tires are a must-have for any stroller. While they don't provide the same degree of comfort as air-filled or foam-filled tires, they're ideal for navigating bumps and potholes easily.

The stroller folds up in just two simple steps. It locks into place when folded, and is small enough to fit in most elevators. However, it's not as easy to maneuver as some of our other strollers with four wheels, and the mechanism for locking is a bit confusing. It involves pressing the button in the foot area on the front of stroller, and then lifting the handle. We'd like to see a more simple system that clicks into place or opens when pulled.

Stroller Weight

The overall weight of a stroller is a significant factor to take into account. A heavier stroller is likely to be more stable than one that is lighter and may offer more performance on rough terrain. Many parents prefer a stroller that is lighter, as it is more maneuverable, and more suitable for everyday use.

Another important aspect of a stroller is the size of its wheels and the type. Some strollers, such as jogging strollers, have larger wheels that can offer a more comfortable ride for baby. However, larger wheels also add to the overall weight of the stroller, which can make it more difficult to fold and transport as well as store.

Some models in our selection come with air-filled tires, which are designed to provide an enjoyable and stable ride for your child even over rough terrain. However, air-filled tires can quickly become flat and require you to swap them out. If you plan to travel with your stroller often, we suggest that you select one with solid wheels. These tires can be able to withstand contact with various surfaces more frequently and last longer.

Strollers with swivel wheels on the front are ideal for safely navigating escalators and stairs. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most frequent stroller injuries. They are especially hazardous for infants. If you are unable to avoid using an escalator or stairs with your stroller we recommend using it if your child is secured in the seat. Also ensure that they are close to you as you walk up and down.

Some strollers are available as a complete travel system in which the car seat and stroller are sold as a single unit. Although these strollers often have attractive price tags and offer convenience in terms of the time spent shopping, they are generally more expensive than standalone models and may not function as well in the long run. In addition many parents end up regretting buying a bundled product as it may not include all of the features they desire, or it could prove to not be compatible with their vehicle or child seat. We suggest that you purchase an infant stroller that can be purchased separately from the car seat or capsule if you wish to upgrade to a higher-end model in the future.

Stroller Folding

The best 3 wheeled strollers wheel compact strollers fold easily and quickly to make storage and transportation effortless. Some even lock into the position automatically after you open them. This feature is particularly beneficial for families that frequently use public transportation or take a car to walk.

Three-wheeled strollers can be pushed effortlessly in tight spaces, such as grocery store aisles or other crowded areas. Many are equipped with suspension systems that provide a smoother ride, which is particularly useful on sidewalks that are bumpy.

If you're looking for a jogging stroller that won't weigh you down, the Guava Roam Crossover is a good alternative. It's a stylish stroller which can be used as a travel set-up with the car seat adapters for Nuna Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex infant carseats and the bassinet for the Uppababy (car seats and stroller board are sold separately). The stroller folds down in two steps and locks into position after opening.

Another nice-looking 3 wheel stroller with bassinet-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. The stroller is more expensive than our top picks, but is worth it if frequently or live in a city. This lightweight 3 wheel stroller stroller can be folded down to a compact 20 17x7 inch size. It comes with five-point, no-rethread padding on the harness. It can also be used as a pram to carry newborns or young toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).

The Babyzen is a great product with a few nice features. It is spacious in its recline and comes with storage space. However there are some parents who are dissatisfied by its performance. The seat isn't fully flat when reclined, and there aren't any cups or a tray to serve snacks to children. The brakes can also be difficult to engage and the handlebars are too high for certain moms.

The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that is designed to be as light as is possible without skimping on 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 can be a bit difficult to engage, and they're not locking after the stroller is folded.

Stroller Safety

The safety features of a stroller will ensure that your child is safe using it. Some of the top-scoring products in our review have five-point harnesses with adjustable, padded crotch straps that allow for a customized fit. Others come with a cushioned seat cushion to safeguard your child's head should they fall from the seat or fall off. Some strollers feature a safety brake that locks two wheels, which is especially important for strollers that run jogging because it prevents them from rolling over when they're going up and down stairs or escalators, where they could be particularly risky for children.

In our tests, we evaluated the maneuverability of strollers in three different ways: a product's ability to bounce and turn over dips and bumps, its ability to maneuver when loaded with children and its capability to traverse rough terrain. We also evaluated the ease of being able to open and close the safety harness fold and unfold the stroller, adjust the backrest and handlebar height and brakes and attach and remove car seats (if applicable).

We found that strollers with lightest 3 wheel stroller wheels were easier to maneuver, but the advantage decreased as the weight of the baby increased. We recommend selecting a model with hand brakes. It will help you slow down or stop without putting in the same effort as your body alone. However, many of the top-scoring swivel wheel strollers do not offer this feature and only one of our top fixed-wheel models has it.

It's also important to think about how often you will require to take your stroller up a set of stairs or an escalator and whether it's safe to do this with the stroller in place. Escalators and stairs present more dangers because they move mechanical parts, making it difficult to control the motion of the stroller. If you're able to use an elevator or having another adult assist you with the stroller. Some of the best-scoring strollers can be taken onto the stairs or an escalator with their safety brake locked and engaged but it's always safer to be safe than not be.