3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review

There are three-wheel strollers designed for everyone, whether you're seeking a jogging stoller or a stroller for all-purpose use every day. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor of Sentry, put these models to the test on both roads and off-road surfaces. They also tested the safety of the seats for children.

Stroller Features

The top strollers come with features that make traveling with your baby more comfortable. Whether you're shopping for a new 3 wheel stroller for running-wheel or 4-wheel stroller, look for features that make life easier, such as a large storage basket and a tray for parents with cup holders, a movable canopy and 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 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 prevents the stroller from slipping away when you're jogging. The Wayfinder also features the biggest sunshade in our testing group and has a large, clear window at the top to let children look out while they're relaxing. Jenni's 3-year old found the seat to be comfortably padded, so bumps in the road won't cause him to shake.

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

If you plan on tackling rough terrains, solid tires are a must for strollers of all kinds. Solid tires aren't as comfortable as spongy or air-filled tires but they're great for navigating potholes and bumps.

The jogging stroller folds in just two easy steps. It locks when folded, and is small enough to fit into most elevators. It's not as easy as some of our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver, and the locking mechanism can be somewhat confusing. It involves pressing a button on the front of the stroller, closing a flap that is located near the foot area, and lifting the handle. We'd like to see a more simple system that clicks into the position or opens when pulled.

Stroller Weight

The weight of the overall stroller is a significant factor to consider. A stroller that is heavier tends to be more stable than a stroller that is lighter and can provide better performance in rough terrain. Many parents find a lighter stroller more maneuverable, and is more suitable for daily use.

The size and type of the wheels is another important feature. Certain strollers, like jogging strollers have wheels that are larger and will provide a more comfortable experience for infants. The larger wheels can weigh more on the stroller, making it difficult to fold and transport, as well as store.

Some models in our selection have air-filled wheels that offer an enjoyable, stable ride for your child on rough terrain. However, air-filled tires can easily get flat which will need to be changed out. If you are planning to travel a lot with your stroller, we recommend an option with sturdy tires that can withstand regular contact with various surfaces and last for a longer time.

Strollers with swivel front wheels are ideal for navigating stairs and escalators safely. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most frequent accidents that occur due to strollers and are particularly hazardous for infants. If you are unable to avoid using the escalator and stairs with your stroller, we suggest that you only use it if your child is secured in the seat. Also, keep them close to you while you go up or down.

Some strollers come as a travel system that includes both the car seat as well as the stroller. While these types of products typically boast attractive price tags and offer convenience in terms of the time spent shopping but they are usually more expensive than their standalone counterparts and might not perform in the long term. Additionally many parents regret purchasing a bundle product because it may not include all of the features they would like, or it could prove to be incompatible with their vehicle or child's seat. If you plan to upgrade your product in the future we suggest that you buy a stroller separate from a capsule or car seat.

Stroller Folding

The best 3 wheel stroller 3 wheel stroller with bassinet-wheel strollers that are compact are easy to fold and put away. Some lock automatically into place when you open them. This feature is particularly useful for families who regularly use public transportation or take a car to go on a walk.

Three-wheeled strollers can be pushed easily in tight spaces, like aisles of grocery stores or other areas with a lot of people. A lot of them are equipped with suspension systems that provide a smoother ride, which is especially useful on sidewalks that are bumpy.

The Guava Roam is a lightweight jogging stroller. The stroller is an elegant stroller that can be used as a 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 are sold separately). The stroller folds down in two steps and locks into place once opened.

Another nice-looking 3 wheel all terrain pushchair-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. This stroller is more expensive than our top choices, but is worth it if you travel frequently or live in a city. This lightweight stroller can fold down to a smaller size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and features padding, a detachable 5-point harness that is no-rethread and a large basket. It can be used as a stroller suitable for infants and toddlers, if you have an infant car seat adapter.

The Babyzen is a great product with some nice features. It has a spacious recline, and also has storage space. However, some parents are disappointed in its performance. The seat isn't fully flat when it's reclining, and there are no cups or a tray to serve snacks to children. The brakes can be a bit difficult to engage, and the handlebar 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 comfort or ease of use. It's packed with a variety of features, including a spacious basket and a fold that is one-handed. The only drawback to this stroller is that the brakes are difficult to engage, and they're not locking when the stroller has been folded.

Stroller Safety

The safety features of a stroller must ensure your child's safety while using it. Some of the top-scoring strollers we've reviewed have a five-point safety harness with adjustable and cushioned straps for crotch. This allows for a custom fit. Others have a padded seat cushion to protect your child's head in the event that they fall out of the seat or fall off. Some strollers come with the safety lock that locks both wheels. This is especially important for jogging walkers, as they are less likely to fall over while walking up and down escalators and stairs.

In our tests strollers' maneuverability was rated in three different ways. We rated it based on the ability to bounce and turn when bumps or dips are encountered, its ease of use with a child on it and its capacity to navigate over rough terrain. We also evaluated the ease of opening and closing the safety harness folding and unfolding the stroller, adjusting the height of its backrest and handlebar as well as operating the brakes as also the ability to attach and remove car seats (if necessary).

We discovered that strollers with three wheels were easier to maneuver, but the advantage decreased as the weight of the baby increased. This is why we recommend a model that has a hand brake that helps you slow down and stop without as much exertion as using body power alone. Many of the top-scoring, swivel-wheel strollers don't have this feature. Only one of our top-rated fixed wheel strollers comes with it.

It is also important to consider how often you'll be required to use your stroller for going up or down escalators or stairs and if it's 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 are able, we recommend using an elevator or having an adult assist you in carrying the stroller. Some of the top-scoring strollers are able to be taken onto the stairs or an escalator with their safety brake engaged and locked but it's always safer to be to be sorry.