Whether you're a fitness enthusiast in search of an jogging stroller, or simply looking for an all-purpose stroller for use in everyday life, there's a three-wheel compact stroller that is suitable for you. Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through their paces on pavement and off-road surfaces as well as assessing the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The best strollers come with features that make traveling with your child a lot easier. Whether you're shopping for a new 3-wheel or 4-wheel stroller, look for features that make life easier, such as large storage baskets, parent tray with cup holders, an adjustable canopy, and more. It's important to determine which features are essential for you and your family, and what you can live 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 can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of all heights and the wrist strap is designed to ensure that the stroller doesn't roll away when you're jogging. The Wayfinder comes with the largest sunshade of all the strollers we tested and a clear opening at the top that allows kids to peek out while they rest. Jenni's three-year-old son reportedly found the seat to have comfortable padding, so bumps on the road didn't cause any discomfort for him.
This jogging stoller comes with a handbrake to help you keep your grip on slippery surfaces. It folds down to the size of a compact, slim package that takes up very little space in the trunk of your vehicle, and it can be converted into a travel system using select infant car seats from brands like Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex using the purchase of an adapter. It is also compatible with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.
If you plan on tackling rough terrains, solid tires are a must-have for strollers of all kinds. Solid tires aren't as comfortable as air-filled or spongy-filled tires, but they're perfect for navigating bumps and potholes.
This jogging stroller has an easy-to-use fold that only requires two steps. It locks in place when folded and is small enough to fit into most elevators. It's not as simple than our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver and the locking mechanism is a little difficult to understand. It involves pressing an icon on the front of the stroller, a flap near the foot area, and lifting a handle. We'd rather have 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 stroller that is heavier tends to be more stable than a lighter one and can provide more performance on rough terrain. Many parents prefer a stroller that is lighter, as it is easier to maneuver and more suitable for day-to-day use.
Another important aspect of a stroller is the size of its wheels and type. Some strollers, such as those that run on jogging have wheels that are larger and can offer a more comfortable ride for baby. However, bigger wheels add to the overall weight of the stroller, which can make it harder to fold, transport, and store.
Some models in our selection have air-filled tires that are designed to offer a safe and comfortable ride for your child even on rough terrain. Air-filled tires are prone to flattening and must replace them. If you plan to take your stroller on the road frequently, we recommend that you choose a model with solid wheels. They can endure contact with different surfaces more frequently and last longer.
Strollers with swivel wheels on the front are ideal for safely navigating escalators as well as stairs. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most common stroller-related injuries and can be especially dangerous for infants. If you can't avoid using the stairs or escalator while using your stroller, we suggest using it only when the child is securely strapped into the seat and hold them close to you when walking up or down.
Some strollers are sold as complete travel systems that includes the car seat and stroller are sold together as a unit. These products are often more expensive and convenient than their stand-alone counterparts and could not last in the long term. In addition, many parents later regret purchasing a bundle product because it might not have all of the features they would like, or it could prove to be incompatible with their vehicle or child's seat. We suggest you select an infant stroller that can be purchased separately from the car seat or capsule if you'd like to upgrade to a more advanced model in the near future.
Stroller Folding
The most compact 3 wheel push chair wheel strollers fold easily and quickly to make storage and transport a breeze. Some locks automatically lock into place when you open them. This feature is particularly beneficial for families that frequently take public transport or drive to go on a walk.
Three-wheeled strollers can be maneuvered effortlessly in tight spaces, such as grocery store aisles or other crowded areas. They are often equipped with suspension systems for an easier ride. This is particularly useful on bumpy sidewalks.
The Guava Roam is a lightweight 3 wheel pushchair jogging stroller. The stroller is a stylish stroller that can also 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 are sold separately). The stroller comes with simple two-step fold, and locks into place once opened.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another attractive 3-wheeled jogging stroller with a nice design. It's a bit more expensive than our top picks, but it's worth the investment if you love to travel or reside in the city. The lightweight stroller folds down to a compact size (20.5 x 17.3 wheel travel system x 7.1) and features a padded, adjustable five-point harness with no-rethread straps and a large basket. It can even be used as a pram for newborns or young toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
While the Babyzen has some nice features, including an ample recline and additional storage, some parents have been disappointed with its performance. The seat isn't flat when it reclines and there are no cupholders or snack trays for children. The brakes can be difficult to engage, and the handlebar height is too high for many mothers who are short.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as light as possible, without losing comfort or ease of use. It has an impressive list of features, including a large basket and a one-handed fold. The only issue is that the brakes can be difficult to engage and do not stay locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller will ensure your child's safety while using it. Some of the best-scoring strollers we've reviewed have a five-point safety harness that has adjustable and padding straps for crotch. This allows for a custom fit. Some strollers come with a padded cushion that protects your child's head should they roll off or fall out of their seat. 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 when going up and down escalators and stairs.
In our tests, we evaluated 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 loaded with a child and its capacity 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 the height of the handlebar, operate the brakes, and attach and remove car seats (if appropriate).
We discovered that strollers with three wheels were easier to maneuver, but the advantage decreased as the weight of the baby increased. We recommend selecting one with hand brakes. It will allow you to slow down or stop without having to exert the same amount of effort as your body on its own. Many of the top-scoring, swivel-wheel strollers don't have this option. Only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel strollers comes with it.
It is also important to consider the frequency you'll have to use your stroller to go up or down escalators or stairs, and if it is safe to do so. Stairs and elevators can be more hazardous because they have moving mechanical components that make it difficult to control your stroller. We recommend finding an alternative to these hazards, like an elevator, if you can or have a person else carry the stroller up or down with you. Some of the most highly-rated strollers are able to be taken onto a set of stairs or an escalator with their security brake engaged and locked but it's always better to be safer than sorry.
Stroller Features
