3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review

There are three wheeled buggies-wheel strollers designed for all ages, whether you're seeking a jogging stoller or a stroller that you can use every day. Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through the 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 allow you to travel with your child a lot easier. Whether you're shopping for a brand new 3-wheel or a 4-wheel stroller, look for convenience features like large storage baskets as well as a tray for the parent with cup holders, adjustable canopy, and more. The trick is determining which features are not negotiable for you and your family and which ones you're able to live without.

BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for running. It is loaded with useful features that will keep parents content and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of different sizes and the wrist strap is designed to ensure that the stroller doesn't roll away when you're jogging. The Wayfinder also has the most extensive sunshade in our testing group, with a clear window on top that lets kids peek out while they're resting. And Jenni's 3-year-old found the seat to be comfortable padded, so bumps in the road don't make him feel too shaken.

This stroller for jogging also comes with an automatic hand brake that can help you control slippery surfaces. It folds to the size of a compact, slim package that takes up very little space in the trunk of your car. Additionally, it can be converted into a travel set-up with the best infant car seats from brands like Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex with the purchase of an adapter. It is also compatible with the best 3 wheel stroller Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.

If you're planning to tackle rough terrain, tires are a must for any stroller. Solid tires are not as comfortable as spongy or air-filled tires but they're great for navigating bumps and potholes.

This jogging stroller features a fold-up that only requires two steps. It locks into place when folded, and is compact enough to fit into the majority of elevators. It's not as simple than our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver and the locking mechanism can be a little difficult to understand. It requires pressing an icon on the front of the stroller, closing a flap near the foot area, and then lifting the handle. We'd prefer a simpler system that simply clicks into place or opens by pulling.

Stroller Weight

The weight of the entire unit is a significant consideration. A heavier stroller is more stable and will perform better on rough terrain. Many parents find that a stroller with a lighter weight is easier to maneuver, and is more suitable for daily use.

The type and size of the wheels is another important feature. Certain strollers, like ones that jog with larger wheels can provide a smoother ride for baby. Larger wheels can weigh more on the stroller and make it harder to fold and store, transport and fold.

Certain models we offer include air-filled tires that are designed to provide an enjoyable and stable ride for your child even over rough terrain. Air-filled tires are susceptible to flattening, so you will need to replace them. If you intend to travel frequently with your stroller, we recommend a model with solid tires that can withstand regular contact with different surfaces and last longer.

Strollers with swivel front wheels are great for getting around stairs and escalators in a safe manner. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most common accidents that occur due to strollers and are especially dangerous for infants. If you can't avoid the stairs or escalator with your stroller, we suggest using it only when your child is safely strapped into the seat and is close to you when walking up or down.

Some strollers are sold as a complete travel system in which the car seat and stroller are sold together as a single unit. While these types of products typically boast attractive price tags and provide convenience by the time spent shopping but they are usually more expensive than their stand-alone counterparts and might not perform as well in the long term. In addition many parents regret purchasing a bundle because it might not have all the features they desire or may turn out to be incompatible with their vehicle or child seat. If you want to upgrade in the near future we suggest that you purchase a stroller that is separate from car seats or capsules.

Stroller Folding

The most compact 3 wheel strollers are easy to fold and to store. Some lock automatically into place when you open them. This feature is especially beneficial for families who regularly use public transport or drive prior to going for a an outing.

Three-wheeled strollers can be pushed easily in tight spaces such as grocery store aisles or other areas that are crowded. They are often equipped with suspension systems that provide 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 stylish stroller that can be used as a travel system, with the adapters for car seats for Nuna Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, and Cybex infant carseats as well as the bassinet for the Uppababy (car seats and stroller board sold separately). The stroller folds in two steps and locks into place after opening.

A similar stroller with a nice design is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. It's more expensive than some of our top picks, however it's worth the investment if you love to travel or reside in a city. The stroller is lightweight and can fold down to a smaller size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and comes with padding, a detachable five-point harness with no-rethread straps and a large basket. It can be used as a stroller for newborns and young toddlers with an adapter for infant car seats.

While the Babyzen has some nice features, including an ample recline and additional storage, some parents have been disappointed with its performance. The seat doesn't lie flat when it reclines and there are no cupholders or snack trays for kids. The brakes are also difficult to engage, and the handlebar height is too high for a lot of mothers who are short.

The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as lightweight as is possible, yet not losing comfort or ease of use. It has a long list of impressive features including a large basket and a one-handed fold. The only drawback to this stroller is that the brakes can be a bit difficult to engage and they're not locked after the stroller is folded.

Stroller Safety

The safety features of a stroller must ensure that your child is safe using it. Some of the top-scoring strollers in our review feature five-point harnesses with padded, adjustable crotch straps that allow for a custom fit. Some strollers have a padded cushion that shields your child's head if they roll off or fall out of their seat. Some strollers are equipped with a safety lock that secures both wheels. This is especially important for those who run, since it stops them from falling over while walking up and down stairs and escalators.

In our tests, we rated the maneuverability of strollers in three different ways: the product's ability to bounce and turn over dips and bumps its maneuverability when loaded with a child and its ability to traverse rough terrain. We also assessed how easy it is to open and close the safety harness fold and unfold the stroller, adjust the backrest the height of the handlebar and brakes and attach and take off car seats (if applicable).

We found that 3 wheel all terrain buggy-wheel strollers were easier to maneuver, but the advantage decreased as the weight of the baby increased. We recommend choosing one with a hand brake. It will help you slow down or stop without having to exert the same amount of effort as your body by itself. However, the majority of best-scoring swivel wheel strollers don't offer this feature and only one of our top fixed-wheel models does.

It's also important to think about how often you will have to transport your stroller down a set of stairs or an escalator and whether or not it will be safe to do this with the stroller in the same place. Stairs and escalators pose greater risk because they move mechanical components that make it difficult to control the movement of the stroller. If you can, we recommend using an elevator or having an adult help you carry the stroller. Some of the top-scoring strollers are able to be carried up an escalator or a set of stairs. an escalator, with their safety brake locked and engaged but it's always safer to be safe than not be.