Britax B-Free Stroller Review

The Britax B-Free is a new model from Britax that is an upgraded version of B-Agile with even more cool features.

For starters, it has large all-terrain never-flat wheels that can tackle terrain much better than B-Agile. The all-wheel suspension helps to smooth out the bumps.

The expendable canopy is also huge but has a nice magnetic closure instead of the noisy Velcro that you can see on B-Agile.

The seat is also very roomy, but it has a higher weight limit of 65 lbs (only 55 lbs on B-Agile) and has an adjustable leg rest (BA does not). The one-hand strap recline goes to almost a flat position suitable for a newborn.

It also features an adjustable handlebar, a large easy-to-access basket, 7 storage pockets (wow!!!), a true one-hand fold, standing fold, auto-lock, and a 5-point harness.

You can convert it into a travel system by getting one of the Britax or BOB infant car seats. Or you can buy it as a travel system. All these cool features come at a higher weight of 22 lbs (vs 16 lbs on BA). This is still a very reasonable weight for an all-terrain model (average is around 24 lbs).

I think that B-Free is a big competition for the popular City Mini GT which is also an all-terrain model. But unlike City Mini GT, B-Free is a much more stable stroller that’s not going to flip over if you hang a bag of the handlebar.

A lot of parents complained about the GT tipping problem. Overall B-Free has a lot of great things going for and I think it will be one of the best-selling strollers this year.

The B-Free can be purchased by itself for around $359 or as a travel system with a B-Safe infant car seat for around $605 on Amazon. It comes with the car seat adapters. It doesn’t have a bumper bar option, but you can get a snack tray instead.

The Britax has also recently come out with their new next-generation car seat called “Endeavours”. If you want that car seat, you get the B-Free and the Endeavours car seat (about $249) separately.

Buy Britax B-Free Stroller »

Features

CANOPY

Like all Britax models, B-Free has a large canopy that will provide your child with plenty of shade. It has two large SPF 50+ panels plus a third zipped-in panel for even more coverage.

The peekaboo window is made out of black mesh and has a MAGNETIC closure. Most of the Britax models come with noisy Velcro covers so this is a nice upgrade.

HANDLEBAR

The handlebar is adjustable from 38″ to 44″. It has a nice rubber covering that is very easy to clean and much more durable than a foam covering. 

To avoid tipping the stroller backward when the seat is fully reclined, hang your diaper bag on the frame using stroller hooks. You can also use it to hang your water bottle or shopping bags.

SEAT

It is 13″ wide with a 20″ seat back and a measurement of 26″ from the back of the seat to the top of the canopy. This is a huge seat. Even your 4-year-old will fit in it (not like they need to be in the stroller at 4).

It has an infinite strap recline that goes to almost a flat position suitable for a newborn (I would recommend waiting at least 3 months before putting your baby into the stroller).

You’ll only need one hand to recline the seat, but two hands to bring it back up. Just like on B-Agile, there is a large mesh window in the back of the reclined seat that can be covered if it’s too windy.

BTW, the seat is not very upright. I know some kids like my baby Sophia LOVE to sit very upright so it can be a drawback.

HARNESS

It has a padded, adjustable 5-point harness with a center-release buckle. I like that the waist straps can be attached to the shoulder straps for quick and easy buckling.

STORAGE

B-Free has seven storage pockets, including two mesh seat pockets, where your child can store his/her sippy cup or toys.

There are three pockets in the back of the canopy including one large zipper pocket and two smaller pockets for small essentials like keys or phone.

LEGREST

Although it is not adjustable, it is very comfy. The leg drop is 10″ tall which is great for older kids.

There is another zipper pocket underneath the legrest where you can store small items.

BASKET

This large basket can hold your large diaper bag and more (up to 10 lbs). It’s very easy to access from the back or the front if you lift the leg rest.

The back of the basket is flexible and goes down so you can get to your stuff even with the seat fully reclined. There is also a large mesh zipper pocket inside of the basket for smaller items.

For even more storage I would recommend getting a universal stroller organizer. That way you can take not only your coffee cup, but also a LOT of stuff including keys, phone, water, wallet, snacks, diapers, toys, and more. The amount of stuff it can fit is unbelievable.

WHEELS 

It rolls on three rubber wheels with 10″ wheels in the back and 7″ wheels in the front. The front wheel is swivel but can be locked in place for more stability. These never-flat wheels will have no problem tackling grass, mulch, or gravel.

I think these wheels are a great size, and you don’t need larger ones unless you’re planning to go off-road or tackle terrain like snow or sand. They’re more than enough for everyday use! Just keep in mind that although the B-Free has three wheels, it is NOT a jogging stroller.

I love it when strollers have an all-wheel suspension system. It makes the ride so much smoother for a child. The all-terrain tires together with all-wheel suspension make the ride very smooth.

BRAKE 

It has a one-step brake located on the right wheel. Not flip-flop-friendly.

FOLD

It has a true one-hand very compact fold that is very easy to do. And I say “true” because you can hold a child or a phone in one hand and fold it with the other.

Some companies advertise it as a one-hand fold, but you still need a second hand to push the stroller together to activate the automatic lock.

It also has an automatic lock and a standing fold. The carry handle in the middle of the seat makes it very easy to transport.

The folded dimensions are 24″W  x 32″L x 15″H. It is very compact for an all-terrain model. And since it weighs only 22 lbs you can easily throw it in your trunk or carry it up the stairs.

CAR SEAT ADAPTERS

You can transform your stroller into a travel system. It works only with Britax and BOB car seats. It can be folded with adapters attached. You can buy B-Free as a travel system with Britax B-Safe or get the new generation Britax Endeavours infant car seat and B-Free separately.

Here is my list of the top 10 safest car seats on the market. The Endeavours car seat is full of great features like:

• Steel anti-rebound bar to reduce rebound rotation by up to 30% in the event of a crash
• 2 layers of side impact protection with deep foam-lined shell and quick-adjust head protection
• SafeCell impact protection
• Impact-absorbing base compresses to reduce the force of a crash
• SafeCenter LATCH
• Steel frame
• Spring-assisted recline and dual-level indicators for proper installation
• Easy-on/Easy-off LATCH connectors lock with an audible click and release with the push of a button
• No re-thread harness makes it easy to change the harness height
• Ergonomic handle
• Extra large canopy

Cons

-No bumper bar. I wish there was a bumper bar, but you can get a snack tray instead.

-Brakes not flip-flop-friendly. I think this would be an easy update.

Video Review

Baby Gizmo as always has a great video overview.

Specs

Stroller weight: 22 lbs
Weight limit: 65 lbs
Folded dimensions: 24″W  x 32″L x 15″H
Handlebar height: 38″ – 44″
Seat to canopy height: 26″
Rear wheels: 10″
Front wheel: 7″
Overall length: 42″
Overall width: 24″

Warranty

Britax provides only a 2-year warranty from the original date of purchase and you have to be an original owner.

Available colors

The Britax B-Free is available in three beautiful colors: forest, midnight, and pewter.  All strollers come with a black frame.

 

Where to buy it

The B-Free can be purchased by itself for around $359 or as a travel system with a B-Safe infant car seat for around $605. It comes with the car seat adapters.

It doesn’t have a bumper bar, but you can get a snack tray instead. If you want that car seat, you get the B-Free and the Endeavours car seat (about $249) separately.

Buy Britax B-Free Stroller »