EDITOR’S NOTE
The B-Lively was released as a replacement for the extremely popular, but retired, Britax B-Agile which was among the best-rated lightweight strollers on Amazon. The B-Lively has been updated recently with new colors, such as the Cool Flow version with teal mesh panels. Also, the cardinal red color mentioned in this article has since been discontinued. And finally, the B-Lively Travel System has been updated with a new car seat by Britax, and our photos have been updated to show the newest model.
The Britax B-Lively is the newest 3-wheel stroller from Britax.
Features
One-Hand Quick-Fold
There is a reason that this feature is listed at the top, and that’s because I believe it’s an essential component to any stroller. Mind you, my stroller that I bought for my first child didn’t have this technology, and once I had to travel with my son, I really wished that it had.
When my oldest was 4 months old, we had to fly out to help take care of my mom, who was recovering from a stroke. As we approached the airport security screening area, I thought for sure that I would be able to wheel my son through. Unfortunately, they asked me to remove my son, collapse the stroller, and place it on the conveyor belt.
If I would have had the one-hand quick-fold, this request would have been inconvenient but not a big deal. However, I had a stroller that required me to pull two triggers simultaneously in order for it to collapse. The stress of the situation almost had me in tears.
I am so appreciative to Britax that they also greatly value this feature. In fact, you can find it on several of their other models like the Pathway.
Lightweight Frame
When you’re shopping for a stroller, you always want to check how much it weighs. The more you use your stroller, the more likely it is that you’ll be loading and unloading it into your vehicle. Every pound counts, so you want to choose the stroller that has a solid structure but is lightweight. The B-Lively weighs 20 pounds.
Click & Go System
This is a relatively standard feature in strollers these days. Britax makes strollers and car seats. Therefore, they specifically design their strollers so that their car seats can safely attach to the stroller. They call this connection their “Click & Go system.”
By clicking your car seat into your stroller, you effectively create a pram of sorts. This allows you to use your stroller immediately (in conjunction with the car seat) until your child weighs 55 pounds. That provides years of opportunity for use.
Britax is a staple on our Best Travel System list. Click to read about more best baby travel systems.
All-Wheel Suspension
All-wheel suspension means that this stroller will give your child the smoothest ride possible. If your child is enjoying a smooth ride, that means that you won’t be feeling bumps that could jar your shoulders.
Sure, your child will enjoy the ride better with all-wheel suspension. However, your shoulders will greatly appreciate it, too.
5-Point Harness
This is a relatively standard feature on the top strollers. You want to be able to safely secure your child in the stroller for three main reasons. First, you want them to have safety similar to what they would have in their car seat. Second, you want to make sure that they stay with you and don’t make a break for it. Finally, a 5-point harness keeps them secure when they fall asleep.
Infinite Recline
Infinite recline allows your little one to lean all the way back and nap comfortably. It’s worth mentioning that some parents use walks to calm their children or get them to fall asleep. I, personally, have done this.
In order to really get your child to sleep comfortably, you want to be able to help them recline. This helps them get better rest, and it also helps them stay asleep for longer.
Extra-Large Storage Basket
For every baby in a stroller, there is a bag of stuff. Although you may not put the entire diaper bag in the bin, you will always bring essentials. Therefore, you want plenty of room to store coats, water bottles, a purse or diaper bag, and food.
Large Zipper Pocket
This zipper pocket allows you to safely carry your personal items like your cell phone and keys. Because this pouch zips shut, you can be sure that nothing will bounce out and drop while you’re on the go.
Breathable Canopy with a Peek-A-Boo Window
As you have adventures with your stroller, you will need protection from the sun for your child. A breathable canopy ensures that your child will be covered and protected from the sun without getting too hot in this semi-cocoon.
Anytime you have a large canopy, you need to have a peek-a-boo window. This allows you to quickly check on your child to ensure that he or she is content.
Two Year Warranty
This is a fantastic feature because several other top stroller manufacturers just offer a one year warranty. With two years, you have ample time to try out your new stroller and have plenty of adventures. This lets you be certain that the stroller is quality and that it will work for you.
3 Available Colors
There are three available colors: Cardinal, Raven, and Dove. The Cardinal is the red color, Raven is black, and Dove is gray (as pictured below).
Brake System
The B-Lively has a single brake pedal that controls both rear wheels. This is much more convenient than strollers that have pedals on each wheel.
The brake was easy to push and release in our testing.
Experienced Mommy’s Video Review
Technical Information
- Stroller Weight: 20 pounds
- Maximum Unfolded Dimensions: 33″L x 23″W x 40″H
- Folded Dimensions (Wheels On): 29″L x 23″W x 12″H
- Interior Seat Width: 11″
- Maximum Child Height: 44″
- Maximum Child Weight: 55 pounds
Possible Issues
The Body Design
There are several main types of strollers: four-wheeled walkers, three-wheeled walkers, and three-wheeled joggers. The four-wheeled strollers have wheels on all four corners, making a square and are quite stable. Three-wheeled strollers for walking are lighter and more maneuverable. While the three-wheeled jogging strollers have larger wheels and are set up like a triangle with the tip of the triangle under your child’s feet. It is generally agreed that walking strollers have greater maneuverability and ability to turn while jogging strollers have greater stability and a smoother ride.
With the B-Lively, Britax is switching things up. This stroller is the frame of a jogging stroller, but with two joined wheels beneath your child’s feet. This is a style similar to the B-Agile, and the reviews for that model have all been good. This stroller shares the maneuverability found in the B-Agile and other lightweight strollers of its kind.
No Snack Tray
Snacks were an important component of stroller time with both of my kids. Truly, I cannot imagine using a stroller that didn’t have a tray for snacks and a drink.
Although a stroller organizer is available for purchase, I’m not a big fan of splurging on a stroller just to have to turn around and go shopping for the accessories to make it work or look like I think it should. Really, I think a snack tray should come with the stroller.
How to Choose the Right Stroller
A quality stroller is worth its weight in gold. In my opinion, if there’s one baby item that you want to splurge on, a stroller would be the one. Before you purchase your stroller, ask yourself these questions:
- How often do you plan to use it? Sturdiness and weight are factors.
- What surface do you plan to walk on? The size of wheels, suspension and stability may be important.
- Do you plan on jogging? The B-Lively is not a jogging stroller. Although it has suspension it doesn’t have the larger wheels that are required for higher speeds.
- Will this be used for travel or airport transportation? Obviously smaller sizes and lower weights are important for travel and getting the stroller in and out of trunks and the minivan.
By answering these questions, you’ll have a better idea of what sort of stroller you’re shopping for.
My Recommendation
Personally, I’m intrigued by the B-Lively. Britax has successfully made a lightweight stroller that offers stability and the ability to turn smoothly. Usually, lightweight strollers sacrifice a little comfort with a bumpy ride but the suspension on the B-Lively gives it a very smooth ride. For these reasons, the B-Lively gets my recommendation.
Britax started with car seats, but really excels with strollers as well. You can check out our other reviews of Britax strollers here: Pathway, B-Agile, B-Free, and B-Mobile to see what each has to offer.
The B-Lively is also available as a full travel system which is a combo of the stroller and one of the best infant car seats, made to fit together for easy transfer from car to stroller.
