Review: Ergobaby Metro 3 stroller should be your next purchase as a parent

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There’s nothing more personal than buying a stroller. When you’re a new parent, feeling all the stresses and anxieties of entering into a stage of life that you feel you have zero preparation for, buying a stroller feels like the single most important thing to decide amongst an endless web of forked shopping roads and neverending analysis paralysis that lead you down the dark rabbit hole of registry-completing consumerism. 

So let me help you out: BUY THE ERGOBABY METRO 3 COMPACT STROLLER. And no, my caps lock key isn’t broken, I just insist that you make this purchase if it is within your budget to do so. And if you’re not the parent of a newborn, I still recommend this stroller for toddlers. 

What: Ergobaby Metro 3 Compact Stroller
Price: $469
Where to buy: Amazon | Ergobaby

The trend these days is to buy big in order to make the stroller more “versatile.” But unless you own an SUV or minivan, a standard stroller is going to take up the entirety of the trunk space in your sedan or small hatchback. Not to mention, you may pull a muscle (especially if you’re recovering from giving birth), and you might still buy a smaller stroller anyway if you ever decide you want to travel with the little one.

All of the above is what I experienced with my full-sized stroller. It wasn’t until I decided to scrap it and downsize to a travel stroller that I realized that it still fit all my everyday needs, as well as the overhead compartment of an airplane for epic excursions. 

I began my conversion to a travel stroller stan with the Ergobaby Metro+ two years ago, and I had the pleasure of testing out the new Ergobaby Metro 3 this summer. I was already in love with its predecessor, and I’ve found that the Metro 3 somehow improved and resolved all of the minor gripes I had about the Metro+. Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering making the switch for yourself.

Ergobaby Metro 3 Compact Stroller: Key features

Impressive recline: The Metro+ Deluxe Stroller is one of the few strollers on the market that boasts a nearly 180-degree recline. With a nap-resistant baby that required long walks in the stroller to settle, this was one of our favourite features of the Metro+ stroller. It also came in clutch when we needed to initiate a diaper change on the fly and couldn’t find a change table anywhere.

The Metro 3 Compact Stroller has kept this incredible design, and made the reclining feature adjustable with one hand. You can either gently lower the back by lifting the handle to release the ribbon tension, or you can pull the ribbon up to tighten and bring the seat back upright.

Extendable canopy: With an extendable canopy that can be conveniently zipped away, the stroller is seriously impressive with how much shade it can create for the little one. There’s also a peek-a-boo window on the top of the canopy and on the back of the seat (once reclined) that allow for visibility and breathability. My favourite part of these windows is the brilliantly thoughtful magnet placement that allows you to keep the flap open without any fuss. 

Adjustable handlebar: The adjustable handlebar is great for both average and tall people, with a height that ranges from 40 to 43 inches. It’s not telescoping, but pivots, which makes it feel sturdier than the Metro+. 

Newborn-safe: The Metro 3 also has an integrated, newborn “nest” mode. Hidden within the slim profile of the stroller seat are a couple of unfolding pieces that snap together to create a comfy bassinet for your infant. This means that you don’t need to buy a separate bassinet attachment, and that you can truly use the Metro 3 from newborn up to 4 years old (or up to 50 lbs). For added convenience, there is also a carseat adapter if you want to pop your sleeping infant right onto the stroller from the car. 

Upgrades over the Metro+ Deluxe Compact Stroller

Seat updates: The seat on the Metro 3 boasts luxurious padding, which makes it not only more comfortable but more aesthetically pleasing, too. The classic, adjustable five-point harness also features more padding and a new snap button feature so that the seatbelt pads actually stay put. This was one of the minor issues I had with the Metro+, and now the seatbelt is nicer looking and more functional.

Wheel placement: The wheel placement on the new design has also been revisited. The front wheels are wider than the rear wheels, which means a sturdier ride even over cracked sidewalks or walkways at an angle, if you live in a hilly area like we do. Additionally, the Metro 3 Compact can handle pretty much all terrain — grassy fields, bumpy playgrounds and curb hopping — and at speed too, for those of you with thrill-seeking, joy-riding toddlers.

Braking: The braking system is more advanced than the Metro+, with a case that covers the mechanism so it stays more secure. It’s a fairly firm lock, however, so perhaps not the most ideal for frequent flip-flop wearers. 

Taller seatback: The new design includes a taller seatback than the Metro+ by more than an inch, for those of you with long babies who refuse to stop growing even when you ask nicely. The only drawback I might mention is that the seat at its most upright is still fairly reclined. This was no issue for a smaller baby, but as our daughter has grown she has sometimes wanted to sit up with her back straighter.

Ergobaby Metro 3 Stroller review

The Metro 3 is meant to be opened and closed with one hand, which is great for the multitasker, i.e., every parent. In my experience, it does close easily with one hand, but I still need two to get it fully unfolded and opened. 

As a travel stroller, the Metro 3 is, well, literally made for travel. At a lean 16.7 lbs, it is the perfect pick for all those national and international adventures. A nice plus is that the stroller will even fit down the aisles of most airplanes, so you can literally stroll onto the plane with your kid in tow all the way to their seat.

Once folded, the stroller is fairly compact at 22 inches tall, 9 inches deep, and 17.3 inches wide. It conveniently fits into most overhead compartments — the only ones that it can’t manage are the small, regional commuter planes. But it’s simple to do a gate-check, and I highly recommend getting the Ergobaby Carry Bag. For the colder and rainy months, I’d recommend getting a weather shield — or if you wanted to splurge on the Metro 3 Deluxe, the stroller comes with that, and a cupholder and support bar.

Overall, the Ergobaby Metro 3 is an incredibly convenient, compact stroller that will suit most families. Although it’s technically in the travel stroller category, I’d argue heartily that it’s the best pick for everyday use. 

What: Ergobaby Metro 3 Compact Stroller
Price: $469
Where to buy:Amazon | Ergobaby

Ergobaby Metro 3 Stroller specs 

• Product weight: 16.7 lbs (7.6 kg)
• Compatible car seat brands: Cybex, Nuna, BeSafe, Maxi Cosi, Avionaut, Britax
• Age range: 0–4 years
• Maximum child weight: 50 lbs (22 kg)
• Adjustable handlebar height: 40 to 42.9 in (101 to 109 cm)
• Storage basket maximum weight: 22 lbs (10 kg)
• Available colours: Blush pink, graphite grey, midnight blue, natural beige, onyx black, soft olive