(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/7007/330/kinderkraft-helsi-jogger-3-wheeler-baby-stroller-buggy-exercise-easy-folding-for-newborns-up-to-27kg-lie-flat-position-shock-absorbton-all-terrain-spacious-basket-gray-330.jpg)3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel strollers that fit all ages, whether you're looking for a jogging stoller or a stroller for all-purpose use for every day. Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through the paces on pavement and off-road surfaces, as well test the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The most effective strollers have features that allow you to travel with your child easier. If you're shopping for a new 3-wheel stroller or 4-wheel stroller, look for features that make life easier, such as large storage baskets, parent tray with cup holders, adjustable canopy and much more. The trick is determining which features are not negotiable for you and your family, and which ones you could live without.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller with a variety of useful features to keep moms and dads content and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of all sizes, and the wrist strap is designed to ensure that the stroller doesn't roll away when you're jogging. The Wayfinder also features the biggest sunshade in our testing group with a clear view up top to let kids observe the world while they rest. Jenni's three-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 maintain control on slippery surfaces. It folds into a slim, compact package that takes up a tiny space in the trunk of your car, and it can be converted into a travel set-up with the best infant car seats from brands including Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex by purchasing an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.
Solid tires are a must for strollers used on rough terrains. Solid tires aren't as comfortable as spongy-filled or air-filled tires, but they're perfect to navigate bumps and potholes.
This stroller is a jogging model and comes with a fold that only requires two steps. It locks in place when folded, and is small 3 wheel stroller enough to fit in the majority of elevators. However it's not as easy to maneuver as some of our other 4-wheel strollers, and the mechanism to lock it is a bit confusing. It requires pressing a button near the foot area on the front of stroller and lifting the handle. We'd rather have a simpler system that clicks in place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight is a significant consideration. A heavier stroller tends to be more stable than one that is lighter and may offer better performance in rough terrain. Many parents find a lighter stroller easier to maneuver and more suitable for everyday use.
The size and type of the wheels is another important feature. Certain strollers have bigger wheels, such as those for jogging which makes the ride easier for your baby. The larger wheels can add weight to the stroller and make it harder to fold and transport, as well as store.
Certain models in our collection come with air-filled wheels, which provide a comfortable, stable ride to your child even on rough terrain. However, air-filled tires could easily become flat, which will require you to change them out. If you intend to travel with your stroller often, we suggest you purchase one with solid wheels. They can withstand contact with different surfaces more often and last longer.
Strollers with front wheels that swivel are ideal for navigating stairs and escalators safely. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most frequent accidents that occur due to strollers and are particularly hazardous for infants. If you are unable to avoid using the stairs or escalator in your stroller, we suggest using it only when the child is safely strapped into the seat. Keep them close to you as you walk up or down.
Some strollers come as a travel system that includes both the car seat as well as the stroller. These types of products are usually more expensive and commodious than their separate counterparts and may not perform well in the long run. Many parents regret buying bundles because they might not include all the features they desire or be incompatible with their car or child's seat. If you want to upgrade in the near future we suggest that you purchase a stroller separately from car seats or capsules.
Stroller Folding
The most compact rear Facing 3 wheel stroller wheel strollers fold up quickly and easily to make storage and transport effortless. Some even lock in place automatically when you open them. This feature is especially useful for families who frequently use public transportation or take a car to go on a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to move through tight spaces such as aisles in grocery stores and other crowded areas with ease. A lot of them are equipped with suspension systems to provide an easier ride. This is especially useful on bumpy sidewalks.
The Guava Roam is a lightweight stroller for jogging. The stroller is elegant and can be used as part of a travel system with car seat adapters to fit Nuna, MaxiCosi, Cybex, and Nuna infant carseats, as well as the Uppababy Bassinet. (Car seats and stroller boards sold separately). The stroller folds in two steps and locks into position once opened.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another attractive 3-wheeled jogging stroller with a nice design. The stroller is more expensive than our top choices, but is worth it if frequently 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 comes with padding, a detachable, five-point no-rethread harness and a large 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 good product with some nice features. It has a spacious recline and comes with storage space. However there are some parents who are dissatisfied by its performance. The seat isn't flat when it is reclining and there's no cupholders or snack trays for children. The brakes are difficult to engage and the handlebars are too high for some moms.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as light as possible, without sacrificing comfort or convenience. It comes with a long list of features that are impressive including a large basket and a single-handed fold. The only drawback to this stroller is that the brakes are a little difficult to engage and they're not locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller will keep your child safe while using it. Some of the best-scoring strollers we've reviewed have a five-point safety harness that has adjustable and padded straps for the crotch. This allows for a custom fit. Others come with a cushioned seat cushion to shield your child's head in the event that they fall from the seat or fall off. Some strollers feature safety brakes that lock two wheels, which is essential for jogging 3 wheel stroller strollers because it prevents them from rolling over when they're going up and down stairs or escalators, which can be particularly risky for children.
In our tests, the maneuverability of strollers was evaluated in three distinct ways. We rated it on the basis of a stroller's ability to turn and bounce when bumps and dips are encountered as well as its user-friendliness with a child on it and its capacity to navigate over rough terrain. We also looked at how easy it is 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 necessary).
We found that strollers with 3 wheels were more maneuverable, but the advantage decreased as the weight of the baby increased. We recommend selecting one with a hand brake. It can help you slow down or stop without exerting as much effort as using your body on its own. Many of the top-scoring swivel-wheel strollers do not have this option. Only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel strollers comes with it.
It is also important to think about the frequency you'll have to take your stroller up an escalator or a set of stairs. an escalator, and whether it's safe to do so with the stroller still in the same place. Elevators and stairs are more risky because they contain moving mechanical parts that make it difficult to control your stroller. We suggest finding a solution to these obstacles, like an elevator, if possible or have a person else take the stroller up and down with you. Some of the best 3 wheel stroller-scoring strollers are able to be carried up a set of stairs or an escalator with their safety brake locked and engaged but it's always safer to be safe than not be.