3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review

There are three-wheel compact strollers for everyone whether you're looking for a jogging stroller or a stroller for all-purpose use every day. The Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through their paces on pavement and off-road surfaces, as well as testing children's comfort in the seats.

Stroller Features

The best strollers have features that make traveling with your baby more convenient. Whether you're shopping for a brand new 3-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, adjustable canopy and much more. It's crucial to decide the features that are important to you and your family and what you can live without.

BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for jogging. It has many practical features that keep parents content and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap helps keep the stroller from slipping away while you jog. The Wayfinder comes with the largest sunshade among the strollers we tested, and a glass window at the top allows kids to peek out while they rest. Jenni's 3 wheel infant stroller-year-old son found the seat to have a comfortable padding, so bumps on the road did not bother him.

This jogging stoller comes with the handbrake to help keep your grip on slippery surfaces. It folds to a slim, compact package that takes up a tiny space in the trunk of your vehicle, and it can be converted into a travel system using the best infant car seats from brands including Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex with the purchase of an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.

If you plan on tackling rough terrain, sturdy tires are a must-have for any stroller. They're 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 takes just two steps. It locks in place when folded, and is small enough to fit into most elevators. However, it's not as easy to maneuver as some of our other 4-wheel strollers and the mechanism for locking is a bit hazy. It involves clicking an icon on the front of the stroller, opening a flap that is located near the foot area, and lifting a handle. We'd like to see a more simple system where it just clicks into the position or opens when pulled.

Stroller Weight

The overall weight of a stroller is a crucial aspect to take into consideration. A heavier stroller is likely to be more stable than a stroller that is lighter and could provide more performance on rough terrain. However, many parents find that strollers with lighter weights are easier to maneuver and is more suitable for daily use.

The type and size of the wheels is an important feature. Some strollers, such as jogging strollers have wheels that are larger and can provide a smoother experience for infants. However, larger wheels add to the overall weight of the stroller which makes it harder to fold or transport and store.

Some models in our selection include air-filled tires that are designed to provide a safe and comfortable ride for your child, even on rough terrain. Air-filled tires are susceptible to flattening and must replace them. If you are planning to travel a lot with your stroller, we recommend a model with solid tires that can withstand frequent contact with different surfaces 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 frequent stroller injuries. They can be especially hazardous for infants. If you can't avoid using an escalator or stairs while using 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 walk up or down.

Some strollers come as a travel system that includes both the car seat as well as the stroller. These types of products are usually more expensive and commodious than their standalone counterparts, and they may not be as effective in the long term. Additionally many parents regret buying a bundled product as it might not have all the features they desire or could turn out to not be compatible with their car or child's seat. If you plan to upgrade in the near future we recommend you purchase a stroller separately from a capsule or car seat.

Stroller Folding

The most compact 3 wheel stroller with infant car seat wheel strollers fold quickly and easily to make storage and transportation easy. Some even lock in position automatically when you open them. This feature is especially useful for families who regularly take public transport or drive to go on a walk.

Three-wheel strollers are designed to maneuver through tight spaces such as grocery store aisles and other areas that are crowded with ease. They are often equipped with suspension systems to provide a smoother ride, which is especially useful on sidewalks that are bumpy.

The Guava Roam is a compact stroller that can be used for jogging. It's elegant and can be used as 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 sold separately). The stroller folds in two steps and locks in place after opening.

Another stylish 3 wheel pushchair-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. It's a bit more expensive than some of our top picks, however it's worth the investment for those who love to travel or reside in the city. The stroller is lightweight and folds down to a compact size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and comes with padding, a detachable, five-point no-rethread harness and an ample basket. It can be used as a stroller for infants and toddlers, if you have an infant car seat adapter.

While 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's no cups or a tray to serve snacks to children. The brakes are a bit difficult to activate and the handlebars are a bit high for certain moms.

The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as lightweight as is possible, yet not sacrificing comfort or convenience. It comes with a long list of amazing features like a huge basket and a single-handed fold. The only drawback is that the brakes could be a bit difficult to activate and don't stay 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 we've reviewed come with a five-point safety harness with adjustable, padding straps for the crotch. This allows for a customised fit. Some have a cushioned seat cushion to safeguard your child's head should they fall from the seat or roll off. Some strollers come with safety brakes that lock two wheels. This is particularly important for strollers that run jogging as it stops them from rolling over when they're going down escalators or stairs which can be particularly dangerous for children.

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

We found that some 3 wheel double stroller-wheel strollers are more easy to maneuver than four-wheel models however this benefit diminishes as your baby grows heavier. This is why we recommend a model that has hand brakes, which assists you in slowing down and stop without as much exertion as relying on body power alone. However, a lot of the top-scoring swivel wheel strollers do not have this option, and only one of our top fixed-wheel models comes with it.

You should also consider how often you'll need to use your stroller to go up and down stairs or escalators, and if it's safe to do this. Stairs and escalators pose greater risk because they move mechanical components that make it difficult to control the movement of the stroller. We recommend finding an alternative to these obstacles, such as an elevator, if possible or have another adult take the stroller up and down with you. Some of the top-scoring strollers are able to be carried up the stairs or an escalator with their security brake engaged and locked however it's better to be safer than to be sorry.