Britax Brook + Review

Ease of Use

The Brook+ is not as easy to use as some of the competition, with one of the group's lowest scores in our tests.

Fold and Unfold

The Brook+ does self-stand, but it requires two hands to fold and unfold. It has dual levers below the handlebar to initiate the fold. The final product is awkward with the size of the child seat and the child tray, but it has an automatic lock to keep it closed.

The child tray on the Brook+ seems like a good addition, but in the end, we think it is more of a bother than a help with the added size it brings to the fold.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

The parent console on the Brook+ checks a box some parents might be looking for, but we don't think it is as useful as more storage would be and we'd make the trade-off if we could.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

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Storage

The Brook+ has an extra-large storage bin and fits our large diaper bag. However, the maximum weight limit is only 10 lbs, so it's unlikely you can fit your groceries and baby supplies inside, even though it looks large enough.

A small Velcro pocket is in the basket, and the parent console has two cup holders and a phone holder.

Harness

The harness is easy to adjust, sliding the webbing up and down. The buckle is like other BOB/Britax buckles, which require bringing multiple pieces together to connect, with a stiff but reassuring click when engaged. Could be a challenge with a fussy child, not the best harness set-up.

Brakes

Cheaper strollers often have double-action brakes, as seen on the Brook+. This means engaging two pedals to set the parking brake instead of one. It is a minor inconvenience, but we worry that parents will forget or think one side is “good enough.” So, even though it's not a huge hassle, we still don't like the risk of errors. The pedals are easy to use but feel cheaper than the competition's.

Car Seat Compatibility

The Brook+ can be used as a travel system paired with Britax infant car seats.

Ease of Setup

The Brook+ setup is only average. It isn't that hard or even time-consuming, but it is more involved than most competitors'. The Brook+ has more parts to assemble than the average stroller, with more zip ties to cut. It doesn't require tools, but the parent tray has an odd snap-on design that we weren't fond of.

Maneuverability

The Brook+ is also not the easiest to push and turn, with a maneuverability score that is about average, though higher than the lowest-scoring options.

For hard, flat surfaces like sidewalks and vinyl, the Brook+ rolls pretty well, but it gets hung up worse on cords and thresholds than we like. The tires are harder with little give, and we could feel the rough pavement through the frame up to the handlebar. It struggles even more when you get off-road on grass and gravel, and doesn't roll well when the grass gets long. Turning is a burden, and you can feel bumps and uneven surfaces. It is a lot of effort and likely not something you want to do regularly.

Transporting and Storing

We weighed the stroller at 23 lbs in our tests. This makes it fairly lightweight, with only a few options weighing less. It isn't as small as you'd think, though, because of the strange way the seat and belly bar stick out when folded.

The measured folded size is 13,745 cubic inches. While this is not the largest in the group and isn't super large overall, it is strangely large for a stroller with this little going on. You can make it smaller or more manageable to transport in a car by removing the seat, but your options will be limited if you are trying to get on a bus or set it out of the way at a cafe.

Quality

The Brook+ earned one of the lowest quality scores, with an overall fit and finish that can't compete with the rest of this group.

The fabric for its stroller is below average, with backpack-style canvas and a design choice that feels like the cost point was the goal more than comfort. The wheels are foam-filled plastic and could easily dent or become misshapen if they hit harder rocks. They are skinny and small, which, once again, feels like a decision made for price rather than quality or ease of pushing.

The frame is probably the best part of the Brook+, with a minimal design and limited flex. This is a no-frills stroller at a lower price, but, in our opinion, many design choices were made to cut costs with little thought to form or function.

Kid's Comfort

With a bare-bones look and feel, the Brook+ doesn't offer as much as it should for kid comfort, earning just below-average marks for features that benefit passengers.

The canopy on the Brook+ looks good, but it doesn't offer enough coverage or additional features like optional ventilation.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

The Brook+ seat recline adjusts with a lift lever on the back of the seat.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

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The seat back and leg rest recline as one on a sling-style seat with an oval frame.

The adjustment is a squeeze button with an adjustable strap. It requires two hands to raise but only one to lower. The leg rest also rotates on a pivot point for comfort.

The Brook+ canopy has a mesh peek-a-boo window with a flip-up cover.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

The seat on the Brook+ offers the bare minimum for child comfort with disappointing materials and limited features.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

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The canopy on the Brook+ is large, and while there is nothing to brag about, it's not awful. It has a mesh peek-a-boo window with a flip-up cover, but it's not big enough to keep out the lower sun.

Continuous Sleeping Comfort

Babies need sleep, and a stroller that can't handle cracks and bumps might wake them up repeatedly. We discovered that, on average terrain, the Brook+ had a total of five potential wake-up events, which is fewer than many competitors'. The combination of the plastic wheels and the all-wheel suspension absorbed the shocks well on our standard course.

Should You Buy the Britax Brook+?

The Brook+ has an attractive price, and parents might be drawn to the savings, the Britax brand, or the lightweight design. But the Brook+ struggled in our tests to match the performance of most competitors. It is harder to push, and the quality is on par with the price. It isn't the worst option in the review, but it isn't one we'd recommend to a friend, no matter what your strolling goals might be.

What Other Full-Size Strollers Should You Consider?

The Joie Ginger is a top-performing product with a budget price that is easy to push and turn. Joie has shown up to the party ready to play, and they keep impressing us with what they offer for a reasonable price. While it is heavier and somewhat bigger when folded than the Britax, it is easier to push, higher quality, and more comfortable. The Cybex Balios S Lux is also more impressive than the Britax. It features excellent materials, is quick to fold, and is comfy for passengers. The storage is large, the canopy is huge, and it is easy to use and loaded with features, but it has about the same maneuverability as the Brook+. However, it is more than twice the price of the Britax and could be out of budget for many.

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