REASONS TO BUY
Large wheels
Ample storage
Roomy seat
REASONS TO AVOID
Large for a travel stroller
Leg lift doesn't adjust
Heavier
Britax B-Free Review
A smaller full-size that can do double duty and save you some money and frustration, avoiding a small or second stroller
Credit: Matt Lighthart
RELATED: The Best Travel Strollers
Our Verdict
The Britax B-Free is a full-size stroller we included in our best travel stroller review. We included it because it folds flat and is comparatively lightweight, making it a potential option for travel and everyday use. While it lacks the true compact size of the smallest travel option, it is still on par with other traditional travel choices and is one of the smallest travel choices. With good storage, a comfy seat, larger wheels, and a giant canopy, the B-Free checks a lot of boxes for everyday use and yet still manages to be small enough to work for many tight and busy spaces we associate with travel and being on the go. This makes the B-Free a great cross-over option for those who want to save money or space by buying one product over two. While not the smallest option in the group, it could be the right option for you if you value fewer products or multi-purpose options.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Britax B-Free | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | | |  |
| Price | $420 List $369.99 at Amazon | $449 List $479.00 at Amazon | $400 List $399.99 at Amazon | $330 List $220.00 at Amazon | $249 List |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A bigger and heavier option that is still small enough to use for travel and includes the features you want | Impressive quality option with better maneuverability and unique features for comfort and convenience | A high-quality choice with impressive seating features, smaller fold, and lots of storage | An average but unique stroller that is super small when folded but harder to push | Better performance and a durable design make this budget option an impressive contender |
| Rating Categories | Britax B-Free | Bugaboo Butterfly | UPPAbaby Minu v2 | gb Pockit+ All City | Zoe Traveler |
| Transport/Storing (30%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (30%) | |||||
| Maneuverability (20%) | |||||
| Quality (10%) | |||||
| Kid's Comfort (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Britax B-Free | Bugaboo Butterfly | UPPAbaby Minu v2 | gb Pockit+ All City | Zoe Traveler |
| Weight | 22.5 lbs | 16.0 lbs | 17.0 lbs | 13.1 lbs | 13.2 lbs |
| BGL Folded Dims. | 24"W x 10.3"H x 27"L | 17.5"W x 10.3"H x 21.3"L | 20.5"W x 10.3"H x 23"L | 13"W x 10.3"H x 21.3"L | 18.6"W x 10.3"H x 23"L |
| Capacity Limits | Min: Birth Max 55 lbs |
Min: 6 months Max: 50 lbs |
Min: 3 months Max: 50 lbs |
Min: 6 months Max: 5 years |
Min: 3 months Max: 45 lbs |
| Mfr. Max Allowable Total Storage Weight | 11 lbs | 18 lbs | 20 lbs | Not Specified | Not specified |
| Car Seat Compatibility | Britax | N/A | UPPAbaby Mesa Max & Mesa V2 | Cybex | N/A |
| Min./Max. Handle Height | 32"/44.5" | 41 in. | 41 in. | 41 in. | 40 in. |
| Wheel Type | Foam Filled Rubber | Foam | Foam | Foam | Foam |
| Brake type | Single | Single | Single | Single | Single |
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
Our Analysis and Test Results
Britax came to America from Europe in 1996. For more than 70 years, they've made award-winning car seats. The Britax company strives to create products that let families “live without limits.”
The B-Free is a full-size stroller that can potentially offer everyday convenience in a travel-friendly package, saving money over buying two separate products.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Performance Comparison
The B-Free might be one of the larger travel options, but it is still comparatively small in the stroller world at large.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Transporting and Storing
Because the B-Free is not a true travel stroller, it is larger and heavier than most competitors and, therefore, did not score as well in this metric as other options.
The B-Free fold is flat but wider than the competition.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
With a weight of 22.5 lbs, it is the heaviest option in this lineup. It is one of the lighter-weight full-size options. We included it here thinking it can ride the middle line since a few travel options are around 17 lbs.
The B-Free folds flat but is not as compact as competitors that fold in thirds or have the traditional umbrella fold. It measured 24"W x 10.3"H x 27"L in our tests. These measurements translate to 6,674 in^3. Even at this size, it is not the largest folded option in this group.
The B-Free is, in fact, a full-size stroller but folds small enough to compete with the travel options and could do double duty as an everyday stroller and travel option. At 6,674 in^3, it is not the biggest fold in the group.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Those options with a collapsing umbrella style fold create longer packages that are bigger and can be harder to stow, depending on the situation. The upside to the B-Free is it folds fairly flat and quickly, making it easier to use on public transport.
The B-Free is easy to use and has useful features like an adjustable handlebar.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Ease of Use
The B-Free is one of the easier options to use, but we do admit it has a slight edge over competitors as it is full-size and not a traditional lightweight travel option.
However, a few managed higher scores, showing it is possible to be an easy-to-use travel stroller.
Fold and Unfold
The fold is an easy operation that includes an unlock release button and a pull handle that allows the stroller to fold in half.
The B-Free can easily be deployed with one hand and a swift flick outwards.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Deploying it is almost as easy, and it can be flicked out and opened after unlocking the auto-lock. It auto-locks and self-stands.
Storage
The storage bin has open access in the back and unique access in the front via a lifting leg rest. It can hold up to 10 lbs, which, while on the lower side for a full-size it is better for a travel stroller.
The B-Free has front and rear access to storage and easily fits our large diaper bag.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
We fit our large diaper bag in the under-seat storage, but this option also has a pocket on the back of the canopy for quick access to smaller items like a smartphone or snacks.
Adjustments on the B-Free harness aren't the easiest to accomplish, but the buckle is easy and straightforward.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Harness
The B-Free harness is a reathread adjustment for the shoulder straps and pushing the plastic parts through the back padding isn't as easy as we'd like; we had to use pliers to pull the parts through the back. The straps are easy to slide up and down. The buckle is solid and easy to operate.
Despite being a lift-to-release brake pedal, the Britax pedal is easy to use and foot-friendly.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Brakes
The single action brakes on the B-Free are a single pedal on the right side of the rear axle. It is easy to set and release with only 5-10 lbs of pressure required. The pedal is sandal foot-friendly.
Ease of Setup
The Britax is easy to assemble, with no required tools and only a few components. The manual is easy to understand, and you might not even need it.
Car Seat Compatiblity
The B-Free is compatible with Britax infant car seats.
Despite being wider and larger than a traditional travel stroller, the B-Free is still nimble and moves well in tight spaces.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Maneuverability
The B-Free earned one of the best maneuverability results in our lineup. The three-wheel design, wider rear stance, and rubber tires make it a standout in this group of products that are largely plastic wheels and narrow frames.
The B-Free manages bumps in the road without trouble, unlike some of the smaller wheels in the competition.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
The B-Free is a pleasure to use on flat surfaces moving over most transitions with ease. It is narrow enough for tight spaces and turns on a dime, thanks to the three-wheel design.
Off-road, it isn't a dream like a jogging stroller, but it did perform well and managed grass and gravel better than the travel competitors. The sturdy frame and rubber tires go a long way in making it easy to push and turn on uneven surfaces.
The B-Free has an open-access storage bin.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Quality
The B-Free is better quality than most in this lineup, and it scored above average in our tests for quality.
For the price, we think the B-Free provides exactly what you need and what you expect. It has larger wheels that are more capable of traversing different terrain. They are foam-filled rubber, and the back wheels are 7.4 inches in diameter. The frame is beefier and more sturdy than several competitors because it has fewer folding hinges. Overall, it has a clean, straightforward design that is neither showy nor underwhelming.
The B-Free (center) canopy is significantly larger than competitors like the BabyZen (left) and the Bugaboo (right).
Credit: Sentry Kelly
Kid's Comfort
The Britax offers a lot of passenger comfort, and we think most little ones will find the seat roomy and adjustable enough for napping and spending time in it.
It scores above average in this metric compared to the other options; its larger size and weight come into play here.
The B-Free has a padded seat that is room and offers a good recline for napping.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Seat
The sling-style seat is lightly padded and includes a padded leg rest and footrest. The leg rest is stationary with no adjustability, and the seat back has a deep recline to encourage napping. It adjusts with a one-handed plastic toggle for reclining and two hands to pull the straps to raise it.
The sun shade on the B-Free has a zip open mesh panel that allows passengers to see out and parents to see in.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Sunshade
The sunshade on the B-Free is giant and covers down to the knees, giving great coverage to passengers. It has two peek-a-boo windows and a large top window with a magnetic cover. The second window is really a mesh zip open extension panel that offers airflow and visibility, allowing little ones to see out with full coverage.
If you'd like to limit the number or kinds of strollers you need and you don't jog, the B-Free could be a good solution for everyday and travel activities.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Should You Buy the Britax B-Free?
If you want a good cross-over product you can use daily that works for travel, then the B-Free is a great choice. This option is comfortable for passengers and easy to push. It offers good storage and folds flat enough to fit in most places. We love that it can do double duty, potentially decreasing overall gear costs with one instead of two products. This reasonably priced choice could meet your needs depending on what they are, and as long as you don't need the smallest option possible, we think it is a strong travel contender.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
What Other Travel Strollers Should You Consider?
The Zoe Traveler would be our choice if you want a smaller stroller in this price range. This option has storage large enough for some daily activities and has a comfy seating space with a bigger canopy. It is easy enough to push, folds small, and offers quality that is good enough to last through multiple kids. The Bugaboo Butterfly is our favorite if your budget can stretch. The Butterfly folds even smaller and has unique features that make it a pleasure to use. If you don't need to head off the beaten path, it could be a one-and-done option, depending on your strolling needs.
Manufacturer Video
—
Wendy Schmitz
You Might Also Like
