The Skinny
The Britax B-Free is a three-wheeled full-size stroller with foam-filled rubber tires. This stroller is easier to push and turn that the Britax B-Agile thanks to the single front wheel and the shorter footprint makes it excellent at negotiating small spaces. This stroller is easy to fold, compact for easier transport, and sports a large canopy with adequate storage. This Britax has a list price over $100 more than its lighter and smaller brother, the B-Agile, but it is nicer quality and self-stands. If you don’t mind the limited storage and you feel being easier to push is worth the added expense, then the B-Free may be the Britax for you.
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
The Britax B-Free (in blue) is an interesting offering from Britax with a performance that rivaled its popular award-winning brother the Britax B-Agile.
Overall Score (0-100)304050607080Urban Glide 2Revolution FlexUPPAbaby VistaUPPAbaby CruzCity Mini GTBritax B-FreeBritax B-Agile 3SwiftCity MiniBumbleride SpeedBugaboo Bee3City SelectPeg Perego BookletExpeditionGraco Aire3Bugaboo Cameleon3Chicco Bravo LEStokke ScootInglesina QuadQuinny Buzz Xtra7573737069696666656464636059585857535046
Product | Overall Score (0-100) |
---|---|
Urban Glide 2 | 75 |
Revolution Flex | 73 |
UPPAbaby Vista | 73 |
UPPAbaby Cruz | 70 |
City Mini GT | 69 |
Britax B-Free | 69 |
Britax B-Agile 3 | 66 |
Swift | 66 |
City Mini | 65 |
Bumbleride Speed | 64 |
Bugaboo Bee3 | 64 |
City Select | 63 |
Peg Perego Booklet | 60 |
Expedition | 59 |
Graco Aire3 | 58 |
Bugaboo Cameleon3 | 58 |
Chicco Bravo LE | 57 |
Stokke Scoot | 53 |
Inglesina Quad | 50 |
Quinny Buzz Xtra | 46 |
Performance details on how the B-Free compared to the competition are included below.
Ease of Use
The B-Free earns an average score for ease of use with a 6 of 10 with only a handful of options earning a higher score.
Fold and Unfold
The B-free shares the same folding method as the Britax B-Agile with a pull handle on the seat bottom. This handle quickly 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.
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.
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 can go with it. You can access the bin from the front and back, but access is limited to smaller openings. The canopy has two small pockets and a medium zippered pocket (above right) that can hold up to a pound collectively. The pockets are useful for smaller items like cell phones, keys, or 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. Their size misses the mark where other options, like the Thule Urban Glide 2, excel.
Sunshade
The shade on the B-Free is reminiscent of the Britax B-agile 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 air flow when the weather gets hot.
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.
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.
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 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 earns an 8 of 10 for setting up with a time of 6:45 minutes and no tools 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.
Maneuverability
With a single front wheel, the B-Free is an improvement over the dual wheeled Britax B-Agile earning a slightly better score for maneuverability with a 7 of 10. Only six strollers earned higher scores of which four are jogging strollers.
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.
Weight and Folded Size
The B-Free managed an 8 of 10 for weight and folded size with a weight of 22.4 lb and folded volume of 6,674 cubic inches. The folded size is one of the smaller options in the group making it a potential contender if your space is limited and you value maneuverability. Only the Britax B-Agile is smaller but only slightly so. The weight, however, is significantly higher than the B-Agile by over 5 lbs but still lower than the average for the group.
Quality
The B-Free is a little nicer than the B-Agile earning 7 of 10 to the B-Agile’s 6, 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 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.
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