3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review

If you're a health-conscious person in search of a stroller for jogging or seeking a stroller that is all-purpose for use in everyday life there's a compact three-wheel stroller that is suitable for you. Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through the paces on both pavement and off-road surfaces, as well as testing children's comfort in the seats.

Stroller Features

The best strollers have features that allow you to travel with your baby more comfortable. Whether you're shopping for a new 3 wheel pushchair-wheel stroller or 4-wheel stroller, look for features that are convenient, such as an ample storage basket, parent tray with cup holders, a movable canopy and more. It's important to know what features are important to you and your family, and which you can do without.

BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for running. It comes with a variety of useful features that will keep parents comfortable and happy. The handlebar adjusts to three wheeler pushchairs different positions to accommodate caregivers of all sizes, and the wrist strap can help ensure that the stroller won't roll away when you're jogging. The Wayfinder has the largest sunshade of the strollers we tested and a glass opening at the top that allows children to look out when they are resting. Jenni's 3 wheel parent facing pushchair-year-old son found the seat to have comfortable padding, so bumps in the road did not cause any discomfort for him.

The stroller is equipped with a hand brake to help you keep control on slippery surfaces. It folds to a slim, compact 3 Wheel Stroller package that takes up very little space in the trunk of your car. Additionally, it can be converted into a travel set-up with select infant car seats from brands including Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex with the purchase of an adapter. It can also be used with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.

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

The jogging stroller folds in just two easy steps. It locks in place when folded, and is compact enough to fit into most elevators. However it's not as easy to move around as our other 4-wheel strollers, and the mechanism for locking is a bit confusing. It requires pressing an icon on the front of the stroller, closing a flap that is located near the foot area, and lifting the handle. We'd prefer a simpler system where it just clicks into place or opens when pulled.

Stroller Weight

The weight of the overall stroller is an important aspect to take into consideration. A stroller that is heavier tends to be more stable than one that is lighter and could provide more performance on rough terrain. Many parents find a lighter stroller more maneuverable, and more suitable for day-to-day use.

Another important aspect of a stroller is its wheel size and the type. Certain strollers, like those that run on jogging, have larger wheels that can offer a more comfortable ride for baby. However, larger wheels add to the overall weight of the stroller which makes it more difficult to fold and transport as well as store.

Certain models in our collection have air-filled tires that are designed to provide a comfortable and stable ride for your child, even over rough terrain. However, tires that are filled with air can quickly become flat and require you to change them out. If you plan to take your stroller with you frequently, we recommend that you select a model with solid wheels. They can be able to withstand contact with different surfaces more often and last longer.

Strollers with swivel front wheels are ideal for walking up and down escalators and stairs safely. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most common injuries to strollers. They can be particularly hazardous for infants. If you can't avoid taking the stairs or escalator in your stroller, we suggest using it only if the child is securely strapped in the seat. Keep them close to you as you walk up or down.

Some strollers are sold as a complete travel system where the car seat and stroller are sold together as a unit. These types of products are usually more expensive and less convenient than their separate counterparts and may not perform well in the long-term. Many parents regret buying bundle products because they might not include all the features they desire or may not be compatible with their car or child's seat. We suggest that you purchase a stroller that is purchased separately from the capsule or car seat if you'd like to upgrade to a more advanced model in the future.

Stroller Folding

The best compact 3 wheel strollers are easy to fold and store. Some even lock into position automatically when you open them. This feature is particularly beneficial for families who frequently take public transport or drive to walk.

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

The Guava Roam is a compact jogging stroller. The stroller is a stylish stroller that can also be used as part of a travel set-up with matching car seat adapters to fit Nuna, MaxiCosi, Cybex, and Nuna infant carseats, and the Uppababy Bassinet. (Car seats and stroller boards sold separately). The stroller folds in two steps and locks into position after opening.

The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another stylish 3-wheeled jogging stroller that looks nice. This stroller is a little more expensive than our top picks but is worth it if you travel frequently or live in the city. The stroller is lightweight and folds down to a small size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and features a padded, adjustable, five-point no-rethread harness and a large basket. It can even be used as a pram for infants or young toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).

Although the Babyzen comes with some nice features, like a roomy recline and extra storage, certain parents have been dissatisfied with its performance. The seat doesn't lay flat when it reclines and there are no cupholders or snack trays for kids. The brakes are a bit difficult to activate and the handlebars are too high for some moms.

The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as lightweight as possible, without the comfort or convenience. It has an impressive list of features, including a large basket and a one-handed fold. The only downside is that the brakes can be a bit difficult to activate and don't remain locked when the stroller is folded.

Stroller Safety

The safety features of a stroller must keep your child safe while using it. Some of the best-scoring strollers in our review have five-point safety harnesses with adjustable and padded crotch straps. This allows for a custom fit. Others have a padded seat cushion to shield your child's head should they fall from the seat or fall off. Some strollers come with a safety lock that locks both wheels. This is particularly important for jogging walkers, as they are less likely to fall over while going up or down escalators or stairs.

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 ease of maneuvering when laden with a child and its ability to traverse rough terrain. We also looked at the ease of being able to open and close the safety harness fold and unfold the stroller, adjust the backrest, handlebar height and brakes and then attach and remove car seats (if appropriate).

We have found that 3-wheel strollers are simpler to maneuver than four-wheel models however this benefit diminishes when your baby becomes heavier. We suggest choosing one with hand brakes. It will allow you to slow down or stop without exerting as much effort as using your body alone. Many of the top-scoring, swivel-wheel strollers do not have this option. Only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel strollers has it.

You should also consider how often you'll need to use your stroller to go up or down escalators or stairs, and if it is safe to do this. Escalators and stairs present more of a hazard because they move mechanical parts that make it difficult to control the movements of the stroller. We recommend finding an alternative to these obstacles, such as an elevator, if you have one, or having another adult carry the stroller up or down with you. Some of the most highly-rated strollers are able to be taken onto the stairs or an escalator, with their safety brakes engaged and locked however it's better to be safer than sorry.