Britax B-Free Combo Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
This Product
Britax B-Free Combo | |||||
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Awards | Best Bang for the Frame Stroller Buck | Budget-friendly Full-size | |||
Price | $380 List $269.99 at Amazon | $110 List $108.50 at Amazon | $120 List Check Price at Amazon | $350 List $173.02 at Amazon | $90 List $89.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | Compact with an easy fold for transport but storage limits supplies | Great frame stroller with parent console and easy carrier attachment | Hard to push and turn stroller with poor car seat attachment | Budget-friendly, multi-seater with easy car seat connections for up to two infant carriers | Relatively universal with multiple strap installation that has too much room for errors |
Rating Categories | Britax B-Free Combo | Chicco KeyFit Caddy | Graco SnugRider Elite | Evenflo Pivot Xpand... | Baby Trend Snap-N-G... |
Ease Of Attaching Car Seat (30%) | |||||
Ease Of Use (30%) | |||||
Weight/Folded Size (25%) | |||||
Quality (10%) | |||||
Maneuverability (5%) | |||||
Specs | Britax B-Free Combo | Chicco KeyFit Caddy | Graco SnugRider Elite | Evenflo Pivot Xpand... | Baby Trend Snap-N-G... |
Weight | 22.6 lbs | 11.7 lbs | 13.3 lbs | 24.3 lbs | 10.9 lbs |
Folded Dimensions | 24"W x 10.3"H x 27"L | 19.8"W x 11.5"H x 33.5"L | 19.7"W x 10.3"H x 31.9"L | 26.7"W x 19.23"H x 32.7"L | 19.5"W x 11.75"H x 37.8"L |
Capacity Limits | Minimum: Birth Maximum: 65 lbs/45" |
Minimum: Birth Maximum: Max allowable weight/height for the car seat. |
Minimum: Birth Maximum: Max allowable weight/height for the car seat. |
Minimum: Infant - Toddler When stroller seat is in infant mode: birth - 6 months Maximum: 55 lbs/38" |
Minimum: Birth Maximum: 45 lbs |
Included Car Seat Compatibility | Britax All Britax Seats | Chicco KeyFit, KeyFit 30, Fit2 |
Graco all SnugRide Classic Connect seats, all SnugRide Click Connect seats, Infant SafeSeat |
Evenflo SafeMax, LiteMax | Claims to fit most seats |
Click-in Car Seat Adapters | Britax All Britax Seats | Chicco KeyFit, KeyFit 30, Fit2 |
Graco all SnugRide Classic Connect seats, all SnugRide Click Connect seats, Infant SafeSeat |
Chicco KeyFit, KeyFit 30 Evenflo SafeMax, LiteMax Graco SnugRide Click Connect 30, 35, SnugRide SnugLock 30, 35 Peg Perego Primo Viaggio |
None |
Strap-in Car Seat Adapters | None | None | None | None | Claims to fit most seats |
One-handed Fold | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Locking Fold | Auto | Auto | Auto | Auto | Manual |
Self-standing Fold | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Handlebar Height - Min/Max | 32"/44.5" | 36"/42" | 37.25"/41" | 33"/44.7" | 39.75" |
Sandal-friendly Brake | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Storage Basket Size | Medium | Large | Large | Extra large | Large |
Included Accessories | None | None | None | None | None |
Setup Time | 6:45 | 8:28 | 5:59 | 5:15 | 5:09 |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Britax launched in America in 1996 after significant European success. Britax has been creating baby gear for over 70 years, including their international best-selling car seats. Britax strives to develop products that allow families to make the most of every opportunity while living life without limitations.
Performance Comparison
Ease of Attaching Car Seat
The B-Free is one of the easiest options to use in conjunction with a car seat carrier.
The B-Free works with all Britax infant car seats, coming standard with car seat adapters (above) that clip onto the frame on both sides. The car seat then clips into the two adapters for a secure and snug fit. You don't need to remove the seat or the canopy, and the canopy can pull over the carrier for additional protection or privacy.
Weight and Folded Size
The B-Free is light and compact for a full-size stroller which is important in a gear category where being small and easy to carry is King. The B-Free weighs 22.6 lbs making it fairly heavy for a car seat stroller, but it folds into 6,674.40 cubic inches which makes it the fifth smallest when folded.
Maneuverability
Many of the lightweight and compact strollers that make great options for car seats struggled to be easy to push and turn. The B-Free impresses for maneuverability where the only options to score higher have rubber, air-filled tires. The three-wheel stroller has a locking swivel front wheel and a shorter footprint that help it negotiate small spaces and tight turns. The single front wheel is an improvement over dual-wheel strollers helping it move smoothly and easily over uneven surfaces. It isn't an off-road dream, but it can manage a play park or greenbelt easy enough.
This Britax has a padded sling-style seat and an adjustable handlebar covered in soft rubber. The B-Free is comfortable enough for passengers and pushers.
Ease of Use
This stroller is just a little harder to use than the top-ranked options in this metric, but none of them are very easy to use.
Fold and Unfold
This stroller has a one-handed fold that includes an unlock button and pulling a handle to fold. The stroller auto-locks, self-stands, and has a carry strap making it a quick and easy fold on the go.
Brakes
The B-Free brakes are single action brakes that are very easy to operate and are press to release which makes them pain-free for sandaled feet. The brake pedal is small and close to the wheel, but it is easy to use.
Storage
The storage bin (above left) feels substantial, but the access is limited in the back and the front. The maximum weight it can hold is 10 lbs, but we fit our large diaper bag inside. This stroller also has a zippered pocket on the back of the canopy (above right) for smaller items like keys, cell phones, and wallets.
Sunshade
The canopy on the B-Free can work in conjunction with the infant car seat, making it one of the few that does. It is a large sunshade that works well and doesn't hinder installing the car seat.
Ease of Setup
The B-Free has a straightforward setup with a time of 6:45 minutes. The manual is good, but it may be confusing to parents who aren't familiar with stroller assembly, and we think they could have been clearer.
Quality
The B-Free is somewhat nicer than most Britax strollers, but it has a higher price too. This stroller has thicker seat padding, nicer wheels, and a design with a more polished finished look. The wheels are foam filled rubber with ball bearing hubs that move smoothly. The material is durable, and the connections are tight with a more solid feel than other Britax options we've tested.