Britax B-Lively Double Review

Britax came to the US in 1996 after a long, illustrious run in Europe for over 70 years. They quickly become known for their infant car seats and quality strollers. Britax makes a variety of car seats from infant to boosters and multiple stroller options. They purchased BOB strollers and now offer high-quality jogging strollers.

Performance Comparison

Ease of Use

Thanks to stiff competition in this lineup of strollers, the B-Lively struggled to keep up and earned a lower-than-average score for ease of use compared to the competition.

Fold and Unfold

The fold is a quick and straightforward process of frame release and a handle pull. You'll need two hands, but it is easy enough to accomplish, and you can do it in a flash if you need to.

Storage

The under-seat storage bin on the B-Lively has limited access when the seats are reclined. You can access it from the front with the zippered leg rest panel lifted, but moving kids' feet out of the way isn't always easy.

The bin is large enough for supplies for two, but the weight limit is only 10 lbs. This limit is average, but there are options with three times this limit. A bar through the center of the bin still inhibits use.

Harness

Each seat has a 5-point harness with padded shoulder straps. Britax has changed the harness and buckle of the new model, and we feel it loses some ground over prior models. The Harness tightening method feels more flimsy than it used to. Closing the buckle now requires two hands, and opening it requires removing the straps from the buckle individually.

Brakes

The single-action brakes on the B-Lively worked well in our tests and are easy to set. Releasing is also easy with a design that is pain-free to foot tops.

Maneuverability

Due to the dual wheel on each front leg design of the B-Lively, it struggled in our tests for maneuverability. Historically, our tests show that this design, coupled with plastic wheels, usually results in a harder-to-push and turn stroller. While it manages well enough on flat surfaces, any bump or uneven surface causes issues with the ability to continue forward. Grass and gravel are even more challenging, and this isn't one you'd want to take very far off the beaten path.

Transporting and Storing

The size and weight of your stroller can impact your ability to lift it or fit it in your car.

Weight and Folded Size

Weight and folded size are where the B-Lively gets an opportunity to shine. When folded, this double measures 11,063 cubic inches, making it one of the smallest in the group.

It weighs just over 27 lbs, making it one of the lightest options in the lineup. If you have limited space or can't lift heavier items, this could be the game-changer you've been looking for.

Kid Ride

Your children's comfort is a priority and could impact your enjoyment of a stroller if the seats are dissimilar or have differing functions.

Seat

The seats both recline on their own for individualized comfort. The leg rests and footpad are stationary but at a slight angle for comfort. The seatbacks recline with two straps and a plastic toggle. It can recline with only one hand, but you'll need two to raise it, and we prefer the push-button style of some of the competition.

Sunshade

Each seat on the B-Lively has an independent canopy. The sunshades are UPF 50 and have a medium-sized mesh window with a fold-forward cover and no closure mechanism. They are relatively large and stay tight when open.

Quality

The B-Lively has average quality compared to the competition and is probably on par for the price. The fabric is ripstop, easy to clean, and feels skin-friendly. It has a better footrest than previous Britax options we've seen, and the storage bin material feels sturdy.

This stroller sports an adjustable handlebar covered in dense foam, and the bar is split in the middle with a strange triangle that will limit one-handed pushing. This lack of thoughtful design and attention to detail hurts the Lively compared to the competition. The wheels are plastic, and while potentially better than other plastic options in the review, they aren't great. This impacts durability and longevity as a dented plastic tire will hurt maneuverability down the road. Overall, the quality is good for the price, and we think most parents will be happy with it, but it isn't the best thing going.

Car Seat Compatibility

The B-Lively is only compatible with one infant car seat of the Britax brand only. The adapter is sold separately and comes with an attached snack tray for the second passenger. This design locks you into Britax-only infant car seats and a must-use snack tray.

Ease of Setup

The B-Lively Double comes mostly assembled, and it took us under 8 minutes to assemble it. The manual is useful and is good compared to the competition.

Our box came damaged and was missing a wheel, but once we got all the parts, we could get things rolling with the attachment of wheels and canopies.

Twins

Should You Buy the B-Lively Double?

Perhaps. The B-Lively is not a stellar stroller and isn't as easy to push as some of the competition. However, it is lightweight and smaller when folded than much of the competition, making it a potential choice if those metrics are important. If you have older twins or siblings of similar age, this stroller could be a good choice as it is suitable for napping and has a large canopy. The single-action brakes and adjustable handlebar are nice features, but the storage bin isn't as helpful as we'd like. This could be a good choice for your family if you prize size and weight over moving off-road or higher storage for errands.

What Other Double Stroller Should You Consider?

This stroller is similar to the Joovy Scooter X2 with Trays in design and looks. It is lightweight and compact when folded with deep recline seats and a single oversized canopy. If budget is a concern, and you do not need infant car seat compatibility, then the Joovy earned only one less point overall and is significantly cheaper.

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