Britax B-Lively Review

Britax created baby gear for over 70 years launching in the United States in 1996. In Europe, Britax has the best-selling car seat with a specialized interest in side impact protection (SIP), installation, and strollers. The Britax company now owns the BOB company as well.

Performance Comparison

Weight and Folded Size

This stroller is heavy for a lightweight product but still lighter for a full-size stroller and potentially light enough to double as a travel option.

This stroller is heavier than the Britax B-Agile 3 it replaces and is one of the heaviest options in the review. It is, however, somewhat smaller with a size of 6,612 cubic inches when folded compared to 6,658 of the B-Agile.

Ease of Use

Thanks to various features uncommon to traditional umbrella options, the B-Lively is easy to use.

Fold and Unfold

Folding the B-Lively requires one hand, and it automatically locks and self-stands. Folding is a two-step process of releasing the frame lock (above left) and pulling the seat handle (above right).

Brakes

The brake pedal is large enough with an easy-to-press design that engages single-action brakes and takes a second press to disengage.

Storage

The bin fits a large diaper bag and has a 10 lb weight allowance. It has easy access from behind and a unique front access portal behind the leg rest. The canopy back has two small pockets and a medium-sized zippered pocket that can help you stay organized and avoid losing essential items.

Sunshade

The canopy is large with a mesh ventilation strip that doubles as the peek-a-boo window. The mesh strip doesn't have a traditional cover, and the canopy fabric folds over the opening to close. You can't check on your baby while strolling without letting extra air under the shade.

Harness

The 5-point harness is the same as the B-Agile predecessor. It is an average two-piece buckle that is harder to connect. Straps slide easily for adjustment, but the padding could get in the way. The height adjustment is a rethread design by pushing plastic pieces through the desired slot.

Seat

The B-Lively seat reclines deeply for napping with a plastic back toggle that requires two hands to operate. The sling-style seat is padded and has a non-adjustable leg rest and narrow footrest.

Car Seat Compatibility

This stroller comes with adapters for the Britax car seats. Currently (March 2019), the Britax website makes it difficult to tell which adapters are compatible with this stroller. Even after attempting to purchase the adapters, there is no description of which seats work with it. The user manual directs you to buy a frame for other brands on the Britax website, but the website doesn't offer any information.

Ease of Setup

The B-Lively took us just over 5 minutes to assemble. You have to snap the three wheels and install the canopy with no tools required.

The manual instructions start a few pages in and are not as good as those with the quick start instructions.

Maneuverability

The B-Lively is surprisingly agile given the dual wheel design we traditionally find hard to move. It provides impressive maneuverability for the umbrella category compared to the competition, even if it isn't great. You can lock the swivel front wheel in place (above left) for better traction over rough terrain, and the smaller footprint allows it to move easily through narrow spaces. It is best on flat surfaces with more struggling over grass and gravel.

Quality

The B-Lively is okay, but in our opinion, not as sturdy as Britax products of yore. Though, compared to the competition, it still scored well. The frame doesn't flex, but it has more parts than the old B-Agile 3. The fabric is ripstop, but the padding and stitching aren't as nice as in previous versions. Britax has made some minor changes we noticed, like the lack of a window cover with magnetic closure, removal of larger zippered pockets, and Velcro on the front storage access instead of the higher quality zipper it used to have.

Should You Buy the Britax B-Lively?

The B-Lively falls in the upper half of the group in terms of score. It is a good choice if you want a lighter stroller for everyday use and you plan to use it with your Britax car seat. It does not fold down small enough to fit in an overhead bin for airplane travel, so it may not be the best option for families who fly frequently. But if you want a lightweight product with better features than are traditionally found in umbrella strollers, the Britax B-Lively fits the bill.

What Other Umbrella Stroller Should You Consider?

Most of the umbrella strollers we tested are very small and lack the functionality you'll find in the Britax. FOr this reason, you might consider a top-ranked full-size stroller instead.

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