3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review

There are three-wheel strollers that fit anyone 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 the paces on both pavement and off-road surfaces, as well as testing children's comfort in the seats.

Stroller Features

The best strollers offer features that make traveling with your child more comfortable. If you're looking for a new 3 wheel double stroller-wheel or a 4-wheel stroller, look for features that are convenient, such as an ample storage basket, parent tray with cup holders, an adjustable canopy and more. The trick is determining which features are not negotiable for you and your family and which ones you could live without.

The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller, comes with plenty of convenient features to keep moms as well as dads comfortable and happy. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap prevents the stroller from rolling away when you're jogging. The Wayfinder has the largest sunshade of the strollers we tested and a glass window on the top lets children to look out when they're resting. Jenni's double pushchair 3 wheeler-year-old son found the seat to have comfortable cushion, so bumps in the road didn't bother him.

This jogging stroller also has a hand brake to help you maintain control on slick surfaces. It folds down to an extremely compact and slim size that takes up very little space in the trunk of your car. Additionally, it can be converted into a travel system with select infant car seats from brands including Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex with the purchase of an adapter. It is also compatible with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.

Solid tires are essential for strollers that will be used on terrains that are rough. Although they don't offer the same level of comfort as air-filled or foam-filled tires, they're perfect for navigating potholes and bumps with ease.

This stroller is a jogging model and comes with a fold that only requires two steps. It locks when folded, and it's compact enough to fit into most elevators. It's not as simple as our other four-wheel strollers, and the locking mechanism is a little complicated. It involves pressing a button near the foot area on the front of the stroller, 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 overall stroller is an important factor to consider. A stroller that is heavier is more stable and will perform better on rough terrain. Many parents find a lighter stroller more maneuverable, and is more suitable for daily use.

The type and size of the wheels is an important aspect. Some strollers come with larger wheels, such as those for jogging which can make the ride smoother for your baby. Larger wheels can add weight to the stroller and make it more difficult to fold and transport, as well as store.

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 quickly become flat and need to be changed out. If you plan to travel a lot with your stroller, we recommend a model with solid tires that can stand up to frequent contact with different surfaces and last longer.

Strollers with front wheels that swivel 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 cannot avoid taking the stairs or escalator with your stroller, we recommend using it only when your child is securely strapped in the seat. Keep them close to you as you walk up or down.

Some strollers come as an integrated travel system that incorporates both the car seat and the stroller. While these products often boast attractive price tags and provide convenience in terms of reducing shopping time however, they are typically more expensive than standalone models and may not perform as well over the long term. Many parents regret buying a bundle product because it may not come with all the features they want or be incompatible with their car or child seat. If you want to upgrade your product in the future we suggest that you buy a stroller separate from a capsule or car seat.

Stroller Folding

The most compact 3 wheel strollers fold easily and quickly to make transport and storage easy. Some even lock into position automatically when you open them. This feature can be especially useful for families who frequently use public transportation or drive prior to going for a walks.

Three-wheel strollers are designed to navigate through tight spaces such as grocery store aisles and other crowded areas with ease. They are often equipped with suspension systems for a smoother ride. This is especially beneficial on bumpy sidewalks.

The Guava Roam is a compact stroller that can be used for jogging. The stroller is an elegant stroller that can be used as a part of a travel system, with adapters for car seats 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 comes with an easy two-step fold that locks into place once it is opened.

The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another attractive 3-wheeled jogging stroller with a nice design. It's a bit pricier than some of our top choices, but it's worth the cost if you love to travel or live in an urban area. This stroller is lightweight and can be folded down to a tiny 20 17x7 inch size. It has a five-point, no-rethread, cushioned harness. It can even be used as a pram to carry newborns or toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).

Although the Babyzen has some nice features, like a roomy recline and extra storage, some parents have been disappointed with its performance. The seat doesn't lie flat when reclined, and there are no cup holders or a tray to serve snacks to children. The brakes can be a little difficult to engage and the handlebars are a bit high for some moms.

The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that is designed to be as light as possible without sacrificing comfort or ease of use. It comes with a long list of impressive features like a huge basket and a single-handed fold. The only issue with this stroller is that the brakes are a little difficult to engage and they're not locking after the stroller is folded.

Stroller Safety

The safety features of a stroller should help to keep your child safe while using it. The top-scoring strollers we've reviewed come with a five-point safety harness with adjustable, padded crotch straps. This allows for a custom fit. Some strollers have a padded cushion that protects your child's head should they roll off or fall out of their seat. Some strollers are equipped with a safety lock that locks both wheels. This is particularly important for walkers who jog, as it stops them from falling over while walking up and down stairs and escalators.

In our tests, we evaluated the strollers' maneuverability in three wheeler pushchair different ways: a product's ability to rotate and bounce over dips and bumps its ease of maneuvering when loaded with children and its capacity to maneuver over rough surfaces. We also assessed the ease of opening and closing the safety harness folding and unfolding the stroller, changing the height of its backrest and handlebar and operating the brakes as being able to attach and remove car seats (if appropriate).

We have found that 3 wheel umbrella stroller-wheel strollers are more easy to maneuver than four-wheel models, but this advantage diminishes as baby gets heavier. We recommend selecting the model that has a hand brake. It will allow you to slow down or stop without exerting the same effort as your body alone. A majority of the top-scoring swivel-wheel strollers do not have this feature. Only one of our top-rated fixed wheel strollers has it.

It is also important to think about how often you will need to take your stroller on the stairs or an escalator and whether or not it's safe to do this while the stroller is in its place. Escalators and stairs present greater risk due to the fact that they move mechanical parts that make it difficult to control the motion of the stroller. If you are able use an elevator or having an adult assist you in carrying the stroller. Some of the top-scoring strollers can be taken up or down a set of stairs with the safety brake activated. However, it's safer to be secure than sorry.