In-depth reviews guided by a Pediatrician

Britax B-Lively Review

Easy to push with a fast fold but heavier weight is challenging for travel
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Price:   $250 List | $204 at Amazon
Pros:  Easy to use and push, useful features, quick fold
Cons:  Heavier and larger
Manufacturer:   Britax
By Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz  ⋅  Mar 24, 2019
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60
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#4 of 18
  • Weight/Folded Size - 35% 3
  • Ease Of Use - 30% 8
  • Maneuverability - 25% 7
  • Quality - 10% 8

The Skinny

The Britax B-Lively is the replacement stroller for the Britax B-Agile, which has been discontinued as a standalone model. This new version is both larger when folded and heavier than the stroller it replaces making it a poor substitute for a lightweight stroller. It is easy to use and has some useful features making it a good full-size option, but the almost 19 lb weight makes it harder to lift, carry and stow, functionality key to a travel stroller. While you might consider the B-Lively for doing double duty as a full-size and lightweight choice, it might fit the bill with some compromise.

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Our Analysis and Test Results

Britax has been creating 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



The fold on the B-Lively is smaller than that of the B-Agile and the Baby Jogger City Mini.
The fold on the B-Lively is smaller than that of the B-Agile and the Baby Jogger City Mini.

Weight and Folded Size


This stroller is heavy for a lightweight product, but it is 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.

The B-Lively has an automatic locking device that works well and keeps the stroller closed for easier transporting.
The B-Lively has an automatic locking device that works well and keeps the stroller closed for easier transporting.

Ease of Use


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

The safety release button on the B-Lively allows you to fold the handle only when you plan to.
The handle on the seat bottom quickly folds the B-Lively in half when pulled.

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).

The brake pedal on the B-Lively is small and located close to the wheel. It is easy to set and release but a larger pedal or better placement would be nice.
The brake pedal on the B-Lively is small and located close to the wheel. It is easy to set and release but a larger pedal or better placement would be nice.

Brakes


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

The B-Lively storage bin is large and has good access from the back and front.
The back of the B-Lively canopy has two open pockets and one zippered pocket for quick access items.

Storage


The bin fits our 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 important items.

The B-Lively has a ventilation strip in lieu of a traditional peek-a-boo window and there is no cover requiring the canopy to be shortened to keep it closed.
The B-Lively has a ventilation strip in lieu of a traditional peek-a-boo window and there is no cover, requiring the canopy to be shortened to keep it closed.

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.

The B-Lively buckle is somewhat convoluted but the straps are easy to tighten and adjust.
The B-Lively buckle is somewhat convoluted but the straps are easy to tighten and adjust.

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.

The seatback on the B-Lively reclines far enough for a comfortable napping environment.
The plastic adjustment toggle for seatback recline on the B-Lively can be operated with one hand to recline but it needs two to raise it back up.

Seat


The seat on the B-Lively reclines deeply for napping with a plastic back toggle that requires two hands to fully 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 and even after attempting to purchase the adapters there is no description on 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 3 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.

The plastic wheels of the B-Lively are better than lower quality plastic found on much of the umbrella competition.
The B-Lively dual front wheel design makes it challenging to move over uneven terrain like grass and gravel but you can lock the front wheels in place to make it somewhat easier.

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.

The B-Lively is nice quality compared to the competition in the lightweight lineup but it isn't as nice as Britax products from the past.
The B-Lively is nice quality compared to the competition in the lightweight lineup, but it isn't as nice as Britax products from the past.

Quality


The B-Lively is okay, but in our opinion, not as nice 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 previous versions. Britax has made some small changes we noticed like the lack of 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.

Manufacturer Video



— Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz