3 wheel pushchairs Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel strollers that fit everyone whether you're looking for a jogging stroller or an all-purpose stroller to use for every day. Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through their paces on pavement and off-road surfaces, aswell as assessing the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The best strollers come with features that make traveling with your child easier. If you're shopping for a brand new 3-wheel or a 4-wheel stroller, look for convenience features like a large storage basket, parent tray with cup holders, a movable canopy and much more. The key is determining what features are essential to you and your family and which ones you can do without.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller, comes with a wide range of features to keep moms as well as dads happy and comfortable. The handlebar adjusts to three wheel buggies different positions to accommodate caregivers of different heights, and the wrist strap can help ensure that the stroller won't roll away while you're jogging. The Wayfinder has the largest sunshade of the strollers we tested and a large, clear opening at the top that allows children to look out when they are resting. Jenni's three-year-old son found the seat to have comfortable padding, which meant bumps in the road didn't bother him.
This jogging stoller features the handbrake to help maintain control on slippery surfaces. It folds into a slim, compact package that takes up a small space in your car's trunk. You can also convert it into a travel system by purchasing an adapter. It is also compatible with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.
Solid tires are essential for strollers used on terrains that are rough. Solid tires aren't as comfortable as air-filled or spongy-filled tires, but they're excellent for navigating potholes and bumps.
This stroller for jogging comes with a fold that only requires two steps. It locks into position when folded and is small enough to fit in the majority of elevators. However it's not as easy to move around as our other 4-wheel strollers, and the mechanism for locking is a bit hazy. It's as simple as pressing the button in the foot area on the front of the stroller and then lifting the handle. We'd prefer a simpler method that clicks in place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight of a stroller is an important factor to take into account. A stroller that is heavier is more stable and can perform better on uneven terrain. Many parents find a lighter stroller easier to maneuver, and more suitable for day-to-day use.
Another important feature of a stroller is its wheel size and type. Certain strollers 3 wheels, such as ones that jog, have larger wheels that can provide a smoother ride for babies. Larger wheels can weigh more on the stroller, making it more difficult to fold and store, transport and fold.
Some models in our selection have wheels filled with air that provide an enjoyable, stable ride for your child on rough terrain. However, tires that are filled with air can easily become flat, which will need to be changed out. If you are planning to travel with your stroller frequently, we recommend you purchase one with solid wheels. These tires are able to withstand contact with various surfaces more frequently and last longer.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are ideal for getting around stairs and escalators in a safe manner. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most frequent accidents that occur due to strollers and are especially dangerous for infants. If you cannot avoid taking the stairs or escalator with your stroller, we recommend using it only when the child is securely strapped in the seat and is close to you as you walk up or down.
Some strollers can be purchased as an entire travel system that includes the car seat and stroller are sold as a single unit. These products are often more expensive and less convenient than their stand-alone counterparts and may not perform well in the long term. Additionally, many parents later regret purchasing a bundle because it might not have all of the features they would like, or it could prove to not be compatible with their vehicle or child's seat. If you plan to upgrade in the future, we recommend that you purchase a stroller that is separate from a capsule or car seat.
Stroller Folding
The most compact 3 wheel strollers fold quickly and easily to make transport and storage a breeze. Some of them lock automatically when you open them. This feature is particularly useful for families who regularly use public transportation or take a car to walk.
Three-wheeled strollers can be pushed easily in tight spaces, such as grocery store aisles or other areas that are crowded. A lot of them are equipped with suspension systems for a smoother ride. This is especially useful on bumpy sidewalks.
If you're seeking a jogging stroller that isn't heavy Guava Roam Crossover is a great alternative. 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 Uppababy bassinet (car seats and stroller board sold separately). The stroller folds down in two steps and locks into place after opening.
Another stylish 3 wheel stroller lightweight-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. It's a bit more expensive than some of our top picks, but it's worth the investment If you're a lover of travel or live in the city. The lightweight 3 wheel buggy stroller can be folded down to a compact 20 17x7 inches size. It has a five-point, no-rethread, cushioned harness. It can be used as a stroller for infants and young toddlers with an adapter for infant car seats.
While the Babyzen offers some great features, including the spacious recline and the extra storage, certain parents have been dissatisfied with its performance. The seat isn't flat when it is reclining and there aren't cup holders or snack trays for children. The brakes are difficult to engage and the handlebar's height is too high for many short moms.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that is designed to be as light as is possible without sacrificing the comfort or convenience. It's equipped with a lengthy list of impressive features, such as a large basket and a one-handed fold. The only drawback to this stroller is that the brakes are difficult to activate, and they're not locking after the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
A stroller's safety features should aid in keeping your child secure during use. Some of the best-scoring strollers we've reviewed have five-point safety harnesses with adjustable, cushioned straps for the crotch. This allows for a customized fit. Others have a padded seat cushion to protect your child's head in the event that they fall from the seat or roll off. Some strollers have a safety brake that locks two wheels, which is essential for strollers that jog as it stops them from flipping over when they're going up and down escalators or stairs where they can be especially dangerous for children.
In our tests, the maneuverability of strollers was assessed in three different ways. We evaluated it based on a product's ability to turn and bounce when bumps and dips are encountered as well as its user-friendliness with a child loaded and its ability to navigate over rough terrain. We also assessed the ease of opening and closing the safety harness folding and unfolding the stroller, changing its backrest and handlebar height and operating the brakes as well as attaching and removing car seats (if necessary).
We found that some 3 Wheel All Terrain Buggy-wheel strollers are more easy to maneuver than 4-wheel options however this benefit diminishes as your baby grows heavier. This is why we recommend one with a hand brake, which assists you in slowing down and stop without as much exertion as using body power alone. A majority of the top-scoring swivel-wheel strollers don't have this feature. Only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel strollers has it.
It is important to think about how often you'll be required to use your stroller for going up or down escalators or stairs and if it is safe to do it. Elevators and stairs pose more dangers due to the fact that they move mechanical parts, making it difficult to control the movements of the stroller. If you can use an elevator or having another adult help you carry the stroller. Some of the top-scoring strollers may be carried up a set of stairs or a set with the safety brake activated. However, it's safer to be secure rather than sorry.