3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review

There are three-wheel compact strollers for all ages regardless of whether you're looking for a jogging stroller or a stroller that you can 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 best strollers have features that allow you to travel with your child more convenient. Whether you're shopping for a brand new 3 wheel pushchairs-wheel or a 4-wheel stroller look for features that make life easier, such as a large storage basket as well as a tray for the parent with cup holders, a movable canopy and much more. It's crucial to decide 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 comes with a variety of convenient features that will keep parents comfortable and happy. 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 running. The Wayfinder comes with the largest sunshade of the strollers we tested and a glass window on the top lets children to see out when they are resting. Jenni's 3-year-old son found the seat to have a comfortable padding, so bumps in the road did not cause any discomfort for him.

This jogging stoller features the handbrake to help maintain control on slippery surfaces. It can be folded into a Compact 3 wheel stroller, slim package that will take only a tiny space in the trunk of your car. It is also possible to transform it into an entire travel system by buying an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.

Solid tires are a must for strollers used on rough terrains. 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.

This jogging stroller has an easy-to-use fold that requires just two steps. It locks in place when folded, and it's small enough to fit into most elevators. However it's not as simple to maneuver as our other strollers with four wheels, and the mechanism to lock it is a bit hazy. It involves clicking an icon on the front of the stroller, closing a flap near the foot area, and then lifting a handle. We'd like to see a more simple system where it just clicks into place or opens when pulled.

Stroller Weight

The overall weight of a stroller is a crucial factor to take into account. A stroller that is heavier is more stable and can perform better on uneven terrain. However, many parents find that a stroller with a lighter weight is more maneuverable and more suitable for daily use.

Another important feature of a stroller is the size of its wheels and the type. Certain strollers, like jogging strollers with larger wheels can offer a more comfortable experience for infants. Larger wheels can weigh more on the stroller and make it more difficult to fold, transport and store.

Some models in our selection come with air-filled wheels, which provide an enjoyable, stable ride for your child on rough terrain. Air-filled tires are more prone to flattening, so you must replace them. If you plan to travel a lot with your stroller, we recommend the use of tires that can stand up to frequent contact with different surfaces and last longer.

Strollers with swivel wheels at the front are great to safely navigate escalators and stairs. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most common stroller-related injuries and can be especially dangerous for infants. If you are unable to avoid using the escalator and stairs with your stroller, we recommend using it when your child is safely strapped into the seat. Also keep them close to you when you walk up and down.

Some strollers can be purchased as an entire travel system in which the car seat and stroller are sold as a unit. These are typically more expensive and commodious than their stand-alone counterparts and may not perform well in the long-term. In addition many parents regret purchasing a bundle because it may not come with all of the features they want, or it could prove to not be compatible with their car or child's seat. If you want to upgrade in the future, we recommend that you purchase a stroller that is separate from a capsule or car seat.

Stroller Folding

The best compact 3 wheel strollers fold easily and put away. Some lock automatically into place when you open them. This feature is especially beneficial for families who regularly use public transportation or drive prior to taking a walks.

Three-wheel strollers are designed to move around tight spaces like aisles of grocery stores and other crowded areas easily. They are often equipped with suspension systems for an easier ride. This is especially beneficial on sidewalks that are bumpy.

The Guava Roam is a lightweight stroller that can be used for jogging. It's a good-looking stroller that can be used as a travel set-up with the adapters for car seats for Nuna Maxi-Cosi and Cybex infant carseats as well as the Uppababy bassinet (car seats and stroller board sold separately). The stroller folds down in two steps and locks into place once opened.

The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another attractive 3-wheeled jogging stroller with a nice design. It's a bit more expensive than some of our top picks, however it's well worth the money for those who love to travel or reside in an urban area. This stroller is lightweight and can be folded down to a compact 20 x 17 x 7 inch size. It comes with five-point, no-rethread cushioned harness. It can be used as a stroller for newborns and toddlers, if you have an adapter for infant car seats.

The Babyzen is a good product with some nice features. It offers a large recline and has extra storage. However some parents are disappointed by its performance. The seat doesn't lie flat when it's reclining, and there aren't any cup holders or a tray for snacks for children. The brakes are a bit difficult to engage and the handlebar's height is too high for a lot of moms who are petite.

The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that's designed to be as light as possible without sacrificing comfort or convenience. It's packed with a variety of features, including a spacious basket and a one-handed fold. The only drawback is that the brakes may be difficult to activate and don't stay locked when the stroller is folded.

Stroller Safety

The safety features of a stroller should assist in keeping your child secure during use. Some of the top-scoring strollers we've reviewed have five-point safety harnesses with adjustable, padding straps for the crotch. This allows for a customized fit. Some strollers come with a cushioned cushion that shields your child's head should they roll off or fall out of their seat. Some strollers feature a safety brake that locks two wheels, which is essential for strollers that jog since it prevents them from rolling over when they're going down escalators or stairs, which can be particularly dangerous for children.

In our tests, we rated the strollers' maneuverability in three different ways: the product's ability to rotate and bounce over bumps and dips, its ability to maneuver when loaded with children and its capacity to maneuver 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 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 decreased as the weight of the baby increased. This is why we suggest choosing the model with hand brakes, which allows you to slow down and stop without as much effort than using your body alone. However, the majority of best-scoring swivel wheel strollers don't come with this feature, and only one of our top fixed-wheel models comes with it.

You should also consider how often you'll be required to use your stroller to go up and down escalators or stairs and if it is safe to do this. Stairs and elevators are more hazardous because they have moving mechanical parts that make it difficult to control your stroller. If you can use an elevator or having another adult assist you with the stroller. Some of the most highly-rated strollers can be carried up a set of stairs or an escalator with their safety brake engaged and locked, but it's always better to be safer than not be.