REASONS TO BUY
Easy to use and push
Useful features
Quick fold
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavier and larger
Britax B-Lively Review
Easy to push with a fast fold but heavier weight is challenging for travel
Credit: Abriah Wofford
RELATED: The Best Umbrella Strollers
The Skinny
The Britax B-Lively is the replacement stroller for the Britax B-Agile, which was previously one of our favorite strollers but has been discontinued as a standalone model. This new version is 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 one of the best full-size strollers, but the almost 19 lb weight makes it harder to lift, carry and stow, functionality key to a top-ranked umbrella 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.
Editor's Note: This product review was updated on December 16th, 2021, with additional comparisons between products to help you with your purchasing decision.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Britax B-Lively | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  | | |||
| Price | $250 List | $179 List | $180 List | $80 List $79.99 at Amazon | $100 List $82.71 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Easy to use and push, useful features, quick fold | Reasonable price, good quality, comfy napping, smaller fold | Easy to carry, lightweight, stands on its own | Inexpensive, easy to use | Inexpensive, hands only fold |
| Cons | Heavier and larger | Brake hurts the top of uncovered feet, harder to push and turn off-road | Hard to push and turn, not for napping, convoluted fold | Poor quality, harder to maneuver | Poor sun protection, wobbly wheels |
| Bottom Line | Easy to push with a fast fold but heavier weight is challenging for travel | A high-scoring, reasonably priced option with nice features suitable for comfortable napping but harder to turn off-road | Upright seat with no adjust-ability that can be harder to push on uneven terrain | The cheapest option with disappointing functionality | Difficult to navigate stroller that is lightweight and budget friendly, but lower quality |
| Rating Categories | Britax B-Lively | Zoe Traveler | UPPAbaby G-Lite | Kolcraft Cloud Plus | Summer Infant 3D lite |
| Weight/Folded Size (35%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (30%) | |||||
| Maneuverability (25%) | |||||
| Quality (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Britax B-Lively | Zoe Traveler | UPPAbaby G-Lite | Kolcraft Cloud Plus | Summer Infant 3D lite |
| Weight | 18.9 lbs | 12 lbs | 11.8 lbs | 12.6 lbs | 13.1 lbs |
| Folded Dimensions | 24"W x 9.5"H x 29"L | 17.5"W x 23"H x 13"L | 13.3"W x 10.8"H x 42.5"L | 18.6"W x 11.7"H x 34.7"L | 13.9"W x 10"H x 42.6"L |
| Folded Volume | 6,612 cu in | 5,233 cu in | 6,105 cu in | 7,551 cu in | 5,921 cu in |
| Capacity Limits | Minimum: Birth Maximum: 55 lbs/44" |
Minimum: 3 months Maximum: 45 lbs |
Minimum: 6 months Maximum: 55 lbs/45" |
Minimum: Not Listed Maximum: 50 lbs/44" |
Minimum: 6 months Maximum: 50 lbs |
| Included Car Seat Compatibility | Britax All Britax Seats | None | None | None | None |
| Click-in Car Seat Adapters | Britax All Britax Seats | None | None | None | None |
| Strap-in Car Seat Adapters | None | None | None | None | None |
| One-handed Fold | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Locking Fold | Auto | Auto | Auto | Manual | Auto |
| Self-standing Fold | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Carry Strap | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Handlebar Height - Min/Max | 40" | 40.5" | 42.3" | 38.9" | 43" |
| Sandal-friendly Brake | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Included Accessories | None | None | None | None | None |
| Setup Time | 5-10 Min | 2-5 Min | 2-5 Min | 5-10 Min | 5-10 Min |
Show full specification detailsHide full specification details
Our Analysis and Test Results
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
The fold on the B-Lively is smaller than that of the B-Agile and the Baby Jogger City Mini.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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.
The B-Lively has an automatic locking device that works well and keeps the stroller closed for easier transporting.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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).
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.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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.
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.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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.
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.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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?
The Baby Jogger City Mini 2 is a comparable stroller we tested. It has the functionality of a full-size product and is compatible with many more infant car seats than the B-Lively. While it is slightly bigger, heavier, and more expensive, it is worth considering if you are looking for a crossover product.
Manufacturer Video
—
Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz
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