Britax B-Free Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
This Product
Britax B-Free | |||||
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Awards | Best Double Duty Stroller | Best Overall Travel Stroller | Best Lightweight for Car Seat | Most Compact Travel Stroller | Best Budget Travel Stroller |
Price | $420 List $269.99 at Amazon | $480 List $479.00 at Amazon | $400 List $399.99 at Amazon | $330 List $199.99 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 Comfort (10%) | |||||
Specs | Britax B-Free | Bugaboo Butterfly | UPPAbaby Minu v2 | gb Pockit+ All City | Zoe Traveler |
Capacity Limits | Minimum: Birth Maximum: 55 lbs |
Minimum: 6 months Maximum: 50 lbs |
Minimum: 3 months Maximum: 50 lbs |
Minimum: 6 months Maximum: 5 years |
Minimum: 3 months Maximum: 45 lbs |
Measured Weight | 22.5 lbs | 16.0 lbs | 17.0 lbs | 13.1 lbs | 13.2 lbs |
Measured Folded Dimensions | 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 |
Folded Volume | 6,674 cu in | 3,355 cu in | 5,894 cu in | 2,215 cu in | 5,134 cu in |
Handlebar Height Min/Max | 32"/44.5" | 41 in | 41 in | 41 in | 40 in |
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 |
Wheel Type | Foam Filled Rubber | Foam | Foam | Foam | Foam |
Brake Type | Single | Single | Single | Single | Double |
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.”
Performance Comparison
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.