Editor’s Note
While the Summer Infant 3Dlite is still available, the 3D One is no longer made by Summer Infant. When looking for a comparable option, we found the Summer 3Dmini. This is an inexpensive option for a lightweight umbrella-type stroller that weighs 11 lbs and folds compactly and easily. It can recline in multiple positions and has a padded, full-sized seat and padded 5-point harness. It even has a storage basket, storage pocket, and two cup holders. There is also a full-sized, movable canopy for sun protection.
Your stroller impacts your life. Whether you’re meandering the mall, touring the zoo, or strolling with your family through the farmer’s market, you need a stroller that is lightweight, compact, and easy to handle, but still offers your child premium comfort and gives you all those important features like cupholders, comfortable grips, and easy-to-access storage.
Summer Infant offers a variety of feature-laden standard strollers, including the Summer Infant 3Dlite and the Summer Infant 3D-one. These two models are basically two versions of the same stroller. The main differences are that the Summer Infant 3Dlite weighs about three pounds less and is slightly less expensive than the 3D-one. However, the 3D-one offers additional features that many parents will enjoy. Of the two strollers, I prefer the Summer Infant 3D-one. See why in our full Summer Infant 3Dlite Versus 3D-one Stroller Review.
Summer Infant 3D-one
Summer Infant 3Dlite
Specifications
Let’s start by taking a look at the specifications.
Summer Infant 3D-one
- Item Weight: 16 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 27 x 18 x 43 inches
- Maximum Weight: 50 Pounds
Summer Infant 3Dlite
- Item Weight: 13 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 27″ L x 18″ W x 43″ H.
- Maximum Weight: 13 pounds
The two strollers are virtually the same size, but the Summer Infant 3Dlite is three pounds lighter than the 3D-one. This lighter weight is achieved by eliminating some of the features found on the 3D-one. If you’re going to be carrying your stroller through airports, on and off subways, or up and down stairs, the lighter weight on the 3Dlite may be an advantage.
Child-Focused Features
Both the Summer Infant 3Dlite and the 3D-one offer a variety of child-focused features that will ensure your child enjoys his or her ride. Both strollers offer an easy-to-recline seat, an adjustable and padded harness, a large canopy, and smooth glide wheels that can be locked into position to ride smoothly across uneven or bumpy terrain. Neither stroller has a child snack tray or cup holder.
The Summer Infant 3D-one offers several child-focused features not found on the 3dlite. One feature I like is the adjustable calf rest which you can adjust to a higher position if your child likes to kick his or her feet up. The 3D-one also has a much larger canopy than the 3dlite–it’s simply huge. This is one of the largest stroller canopies I’ve seen, a huge plus if you’re concerned about sun protection. The canopy also has a peek-a-boo mesh window you can use to check on your child if your child is hidden from view by the large canopy.
There are also some slight differences in the seat recline features. While the 3D-one has a one-hand recline release, the 3Dlite offers an additional recline position, four instead of three positions. However, both strollers will recline to an almost flat position, an important feature if you plan on using the stroller with a young infant. I don’t know that the extra recline position will make a huge difference for most parents, but it is one place where the 3Dlite offers more features than the 3D-one.
Parent-Focused Features
Again, both the Summer Infant 3Dlite and the 3D-one offer a good selection of features designed to enhance parent use and comfort. However, the 3D-one offers additional features beyond those available on the 3Dlite.
Both strollers offer comfortable handle grips, easy folds, and auto locks and carry straps. Both strollers are also designed to fold up into a compact design, making both strollers easy to carry onto the subway or stash in the trunk alongside a load of groceries. We all know how important it is to have a stroller that’s easy to use when you’ve got an older kid running around.
That’s why you should read the best strollers for 3, 4 and 5 year olds articles.
Both the 3Dlite and the 3D-one come with parent cupholders, although the cupholder design looks flimsy on both models. Since there’s no child cupholder on either model, you may have to exercise some creativity in keeping snacks and drinks handy with these strollers.
The 3d-one offers several features not found on the 3Dlite. While the 3Dlite is easy to open and close, the 3D-one features a one-touch fold design. The 3D-one also has a kickstand to help hold the folded stroller in an upright position a feature I love. The 3D-one handles have more padding than those on the 3dlite and are coated with heat-resistant foam good if you’ve left your stroller sitting in stroller parking at the zoo too long on a hot summer day. While both harnesses are adjustable, the 3D-one has a one-touch adjustable harness and an easy pop buckle good features if you’re wrangling a squirming toddler.
The 3D-one has more features than the 3Dlite, but those additional features add weight to the stroller and a few dollars to the price tag. Parents will have to decide if those additional features are worth the extra weight and hit to their budget.
Style
I personally like the look of the 3D-one over the 3Dlite. However, both strollers feature a contemporary, eye-catching style. The 3Dlite has more color options nine colors for the 3Dlite as compared to the two for the 3D-one. If you’re the kind of parent who likes to stand out from the crowd, you may prefer the bright, eye-candy colors available on the 3D-one.
Ride
Both strollers have common features designed to ensure a smooth ride for your child, including forward-locking front wheels. The 3D-one includes smooth glide as a listed feature, but I can’t tell that the ride is will be significantly different between the two strollers. While neither stroller features the kind of shock absorption found on jogging strollers or higher-priced strollers, both the 3D-one and the 3Dlite should offer a smooth, comfortable ride for your child.
Maneuverability
I used a car seat/stroller system with my first child, and while I liked the ease of lifting her infant seat out of the car and snapping it into the stroller, I got tired of the bulk and awkwardness of the huge stroller pretty quickly. That shouldn’t be a problem with either of these models. Both the 3D-one and 3Dlite are slim in profile, just 18 inches wide. That should make it easy to weave through crowded sidewalks, narrow doors, and tight shopping aisles. Neither model offers a clear advantage in maneuverability.
Storage
Both the 3D-one and the 3Dlite offer large, easy-to-access storage baskets that can be removed for cleaning. The 3D-one also has an additional rear zipper pocket that looks like a handy place to stash your wallet, keys, phone, or extra pacifiers when out for a stroll. I don’t like carrying a bag when I’m out and on my feet for a long period of time, so having a convenient place to store a few essentials you can reach without having to dig through the basket is a nice plus.
User Ratings
The Summer 3Dlite is more widely carried and has more reviews than the Summer 3D-one.
Summer 3Dlite
Babies ‘R Us: 4.5 stars, 165 reviews
Walmart: 4 stars, 29 reviews
Target: 4.5 stars, 128 reviews
Summer 3D-one
Babies ‘R Us: N/A
Walmart: 5 stars, one review
Target: N/A
Conclusion
The Summer 3D-one and Summer 3Dlite are basically two versions of the same stroller. The 3D-one has some nice additional features, but the 3D-one is also a heavier stroller with a slightly heftier price tag. However, in a head-to-head comparison review of the Summer 3D-one versus the Summer 3Dlite, I still prefer the 3D-one.
For me, the extra three pounds of weight and about twenty-five dollar price difference are worth it for the extra features on the 3D-one. I love the kickstand no more trying to prop the stroller in the closet or against the wall only to have it crash to the floor when you’re least expecting it.
The one-hand fold and easy snap harness are nice features when your hands are full with multiple children, and I like having the extra zipper storage pocket on the back of the stroller. I also really like the huge canopy and extra sun protection on the 3D-one. Our children all burn easily, and with our Texas summers I need all the sun protection I can get.
However, the 3Dlite is still an excellent stroller option. If you don’t want the extra weight or want to save a few dollars or simply like the wider range of color options–doing without the extra features available on the 3D-one won’t be a significant inconvenience to most parents. Both strollers offer great safety, comfort, and mobility features both children and parents will love.
