In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Britax B-Free Review

Nicer Britax that is easy to maneuver but small bin limits what you can carry
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britax b-free full size stroller review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $420 List
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Manufacturer:   Britax
By Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz  ⋅  Dec 29, 2021
70
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#9 of 17
  • Ease Of Use - 45% 6.3
  • Maneuverability - 30% 7.6
  • Weight/Folded Size - 15% 8.0
  • Quality - 10% 7.0

The Skinny

The Britax B-Free is a three-wheeled full-size stroller with foam-filled rubber tires. It is easier to push and turn than older Britax models thanks to the single front wheel and the shorter footprint, making it excellent at negotiating small spaces. This stroller is easy to fold, compact for more accessible transport, and sports a large canopy with adequate storage. This Britax has a list price over $100 more than its lighter and smaller now discontinued brother, but it is nicer quality and self-stands. It doesn't make our list of admirable strollers, but if you don't mind the lower 10 lb storage limit and think better maneuverability is worth a little more money, then the B-Free may be the Britax for you.
REASONS TO BUY
Easier to push and turn
Nice protection from the elements
Compact with easy fold
REASONS TO AVOID
Smaller storage
Harder buckle
Small front wheel
Editor's Note: The Britax B-Free individual gear review was updated on December 21, 2021, with additional information and sections to help you narrow down the selection to strollers best for you and your family.

Compare to Similar Products

 
britax b-free full size stroller review
This Product
Britax B-Free
Awards  Editors' Choice Award   Best Value Award 
Price $420 List
$287.69 at Amazon
$400 List
$399.95 at Amazon
$400 List
$399.99 at Amazon
$250 List$150 List
$103.99 at Amazon
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Pros Easier to push and turn, nice protection from the elements, compact with easy foldHigh-quality, compact fold, lighter weight, comfyLots of car seat compatibility, fairly lightweight, handbrakeBudget-friendly, light and easy to carry/stowEasy to navigate tight places, inexpensive
Cons Smaller storage, harder buckle, small front wheelSomewhat harder to pushLimited storage access, prop-up footrestNot the best mover, lower qualityLimited storage, lower quality materials
Bottom Line Nicer Britax that is easy to maneuver but small bin limits what you can carryA compact, full-size with impressive features for comfort and ease of use, but it is somewhat harder to push, especially one handAverage option that doesn't truly outshine the regular City MiniBasic stroller that is budget-friendly, lightweight and small for occasional strollingAn easy-to-maneuver and budget friendly option, but has limited functionality
Rating Categories Britax B-Free Thule Spring Baby Jogger City Mi... Britax B-Lively Baby Trend Expedition
Ease Of Use (45%)
6.3
7.9
6.6
6.6
5.1
Maneuverability (30%)
7.6
6.6
9.0
6.6
8.2
Weight/Folded Size (15%)
8.0
7.5
7.0
9.0
5.5
Quality (10%)
7.0
8.0
6.0
5.0
4.0
Specs Britax B-Free Thule Spring Baby Jogger City Mi... Britax B-Lively Baby Trend Expedition
Weight 22.4 lbs 22.7 lbs 21.6 lbs 18.9 lbs 23.7 lbs
Folded Dimensions 24"W x 10.3"H x 27"L 17"W x 15"H x 30"L 25.6"W x 11.2"H x 33"L 24"W x 9.5"H x 29"L 23.1"W x 33.1"H x 16.3"L
Capacity Limits Minimum: Birth
Maximum: 65 lbs/45"
Minimum: 6 mo.
Maximum: 64 lbs/44"
Minimum: Birth Maximum: 65 lbs/44" Minimum: Birth
Maximum: 55 lbs/44"
Minimum: 6 mo.
Maximum: 50 lbs/42"
Included Car Seat Compatibility Britax All Britax Seats None Baby Jogger City GO, City GO 2 Britax All Britax Seats Baby Trend
Any Baby Trend car seat
Click-in Car Seat Adapters Britax All Britax Seats Chicco
KeyFit 30, KeyFit2
Cybex
Cloud Q, Aton M, Aron 2
Maxi-Cosi
Mico 30
Nuna
Pipa, Pipa Lite, Pipa Lite R
Baby Jogger City GO, City GO 2
Britax B-Safe 35, B-Safe 35 Elite
Chicco KeyFit, KeyFit 2, KeyFit 30, KeyFit 30 Zip
Cybex Aton, Aton 2, Aton Q, Cloud Q
Graco Snugride Snuglock 35 Elite, Snugride 35 Platinum, Snugride Click Connect 35 LX
Maxi Cosi Mico AP, Mico Max 30, Mico NXT, Mico 30
Nuna Pipa
Peg-Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35
Uppababy Mesa
Clek Living
Britax All Britax Seats None
Strap-in Car Seat Adapters None None None None Baby Trend
Any Baby Trend Car Seat
Recline Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep
Storage Basket Size Medium Large Large Large Large
Sun Shade Size Large Large Large Large Small
One-handed Fold Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Locking Fold Auto Auto Auto Auto Auto
Self-standing Fold Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Handlebar Height - Min/Max 32"/44.5" 39"/43" 38.5"/45.7" 40" 41"
Sandal-friendly Brake Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Included Accessories None Sun Shade City GO infant car seat adapter. None None
Setup Time 5-10 minmin:sec 1-5 minmin:sec 5-10 minmin:sec 5-10 minmin:sec 5-10 minmin:sec

Our Analysis and Test Results

In 1996, Britax came to America after much success in Europe. They have been making products for children for the last 70 years, and they are an international best-selling car seat brand. Britax believes that families should live without limits making the most of every day. Their goal is to create useful gear with safety in mind with an emphasis on side-impact protection, car seat installation, and strollers. The company works closely with manufacturers, government, and safety experts to create safe products for children.

Performance Comparison



britax b-free full size stroller review - the britax b-free is a compact full-size stroller with good...
The Britax B-Free is a compact full-size stroller with good performance where it counts.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


The B-Free is average compared to the competition for ease of use, but only a handful of strollers were easier.

Folding the B-Free is easy with a simple handle to pull after you...
Folding the B-Free is easy with a simple handle to pull after you unlock the open stroller.
The B-Free has an automatic fold lock that keeps the stroller folded...
The B-Free has an automatic fold lock that keeps the stroller folded for easier transport.

Fold and Unfold


The B-free has a pull handle on the seat bottom that folds the stroller in half with only a single hand. This stroller has a push-button frame release, automatic locking feature, and it self-stands, a departure from the B-Agile.

britax b-free full size stroller review - despite being on the small side, the b-free brakes are easy to reach...
Despite being on the small side, the B-Free brakes are easy to reach and about average for ease of setting and releasing.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Brakes


The single-action brakes operate with a small press pedal near the right wheel. While not as handy as a bar pedal, they are very easy to set and release, even with open-toed shoes.

The storage bin on the B-Free is harder to access even with the...
The storage bin on the B-Free is harder to access even with the dipping back and it is only medium in size holding fewer supplies than some of the competition.
The B-Free has a convenient set of storage pockets on the back of...
The B-Free has a convenient set of storage pockets on the back of the canopy for quick access items like cell phones, cash, and keys.

Storage


The B-Free has a medium-sized storage bin with a 10 lb capacity (above left). Our large diaper bag fits inside, but not much else. You can access the bin from the front and back, but access is limited. The canopy has two small pockets and a medium zippered pocket (above right) that can collectively hold up to a pound. The pockets are useful for smaller items like cell phones, keys, or a wallet. This stroller also offers passenger stow pockets on either side of the seat. The pockets are shallow and hard to open wide enough for water bottles and sippy cups. The B-Free doesn't bring much to the table when you compare it against a contender, like the UPPABaby Vista v2, which sports easy access storage with a maximum capacity of 30 lbs.

britax b-free full size stroller review - the b-free canopy has an extra large peek-a-boo window with a...
The B-Free canopy has an extra large peek-a-boo window with a magnetic closure cover.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Sunshade


The shade on the B-Free is reminiscent of other Britax strollers with ample coverage and a mesh peek-a-boo window. This canopy has zip-open panels in the center for additional coverage and ventilation for airflow when the weather gets hot.

britax b-free full size stroller review - the buckle on the b-free requires each strap to be inserted...
The buckle on the B-Free requires each strap to be inserted separately making it a longer process than it needs to be.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Harness


The 5-point harness on this Britax is easy to adjust for fit but harder to put on and take off. The B-Free sports the same buckle as the B-Agile with a two-piece buckle that is harder to connect. Sliding the buckle for harness adjustment could be problematic with the shoulder padding, and the rethread style of height changes is basic but doable.

britax b-free full size stroller review - the push and pull plastic toggle doesn't work as smoothly as we...
The push and pull plastic toggle doesn't work as smoothly as we would like but the seat back has infinite angle possibilities for comfort.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Seat


The B-Free seat back has a deep recline operated by a plastic toggle for comfortable napping. The toggle works with one hand to lower and two to raise, providing infinite angle possibilities, but it isn't as smooth as some of the competition. The leg rest is padded but not adjustable and slopes down to a narrow footrest.

britax b-free full size stroller review - the b-free is only compatible with britax brand infant car seats...
The B-Free is only compatible with Britax brand infant car seats, but the adapter comes with the stroller so there is nothing left to purchase.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Car Seat Compatibility


The B-Free is compatible with any Britax infant car seat and comes with side click-on adapters. The adapters are easy to use, and the seat slides easily into place once the two sides are aligned. A reassuring click tells you the installation is correct, and while we didn't have any problems, parents should still give the handle a tug to ensure connection.

Ease of Setup


The B-Free has a setup time of 6:45 minutes, and no tools are required.



The manual is good compared to the competition, but the illustrations are not as useful as they could be. If this is your first stroller assembly, it could be difficult to figure them out.

The single front wheel design on the B-Free helps improve its...
The single front wheel design on the B-Free helps improve its ability to turn and negotiate bumpy terrain.
The B-Free front wheel can be locked in place for increased control...
The B-Free front wheel can be locked in place for increased control over uneven surfaces.

Maneuverability


With a single front wheel, the B-Free is an improvement over the dual-wheeled options performing better for maneuverability than much of the competition. The B-Free has a swivel front wheel (above left) you can lock in place (above right) for more control over uneven terrain. The shorter footprint helps this stroller navigate smaller spaces and crowded areas with ease. The foam-filled rubber tires are nice but could be larger for improved pushing ease.

britax b-free full size stroller review - the b-free fold is only bested by that of the britax b-agile with a...
The B-Free fold is only bested by that of the Britax B-Agile with a difference of less than 20 cubic inches. This makes it the second smallest option in the group.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Weight and Folded Size


The B-Free is better for weight and folded size than most of the competition with a weight of 22.4 lb and a folded volume of 6,674 cubic inches. The folded size is one of the smallest options in the group, making it a potential contender if your space is limited and you value maneuverability.

britax b-free full size stroller review - the b-free earned a 7 of 10 for quality with slightly better...
The B-Free earned a 7 of 10 for quality with slightly better materials than the B-Agile.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Quality


The B-Free is a little nicer than some of the older Britax strollers, but its price also reflects this. This stroller has a sturdy frame, nice canvas material, and thick elastic on the fold joints. The connections are solid, and there is little flex in the frame when pushing the weight.

The seat of the B-Free has thicker padding that extends down the leg rest. There is a seam at the knee bend that could be irritating on bare legs, but overall, passengers should be comfortable.

Should You Buy the Britax B-Free?


We understand why the Britax B-Free is a well-loved stroller. You get a decent amount of stroller for its price, and if you're using a Britax car seat, it might be a no-brainer option as it is compatible with any Britax infant car seat and comes with side click on adapters. It's also effortless to fold, lightweight and compact when folded, and offers better maneuverability than a good chunk of the competition, making it an attractive option for transporting in and out of the car. Its smaller storage bin could be a hindrance and limit what you bring on all-day adventures. But, as an everyday stroller for daily walks or errand runs, the Britax B-Free might be a fit. We would consider purchasing it if we were using a Britax car seat.

What Other Full-Size Strollers Should You Consider?


If you're not using a Britax car seat, we think the Thule Spring is an attractive and compelling alternative to the Britax B-Free. This award-winning stroller is one of our favorite strollers. Although the B-Free surpasses it in maneuverability, the Thule Spring offers more user-friendly features and better quality. It's also lightweight and compact when folded, so it shouldn't interfere with transportation.

Manufacturer Video



Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz
 

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