Britax
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Britax is a UK company best known for its car seats. Britax's US subsidiary is located in Ft. Mill, South Carolina; all their strollers are made in China.
Britax started as a manufacturer of automobile and motorcycle accessories in 1938—most famously, seat belts. In 1973, Britax bought German car seat maker RÖMER, which debuted its first car seat that same year. During the 1980's, Britax acquired companies in Australia and New Zealand that also made car seats.
Britax made its US debut in 1996 when it introduced the Freeway car seat, a forward-only seat. Although Britax was selling strollers in the UK since in the 1970's, the company didn't debut strollers in the US until 2005 with a series of poor-selling models (the Esprit, Forerunner, Preview and Global).
Britax's next effort with strollers was the B-series (B-Ready, B-Smart, B-Mobile, B-Seen, B-Agile), which debuted in 2010. These strollers met with more success, particularly the B-Agile.
To beef up their presence in the stroller category, Britax purchased BOB in 2011. The company operates BOB as a separate brand that makes all-terrain strollers and stroller wagons.
Britax's efforts in the strollers market focus on the lightweight category with moderate prices.
Flagship Model: Britax Brook+
Britax's Brook+ stroller (23 lbs., see price on Amazon) is billed as a lightweight travel stroller. The aluminum frame and compact fold help make it easy to take on the road. Other features include:
- One-step standing fold.
- Water resistant canopy with visor.
- Washable seat insert (called SafeWash).
- No fire retardant fabric.
- Parent tray with two cup holders and child snack tray.
- Reversible toddler seat.
- Large cargo basket.
- Built-in car seat adapters for Britax, Nuna, Maxi Cosi and Cybex infant seats.
- All-wheel suspension and no-flat tires.
- Three-position reclining seat back.
- Infant car seat compatible with Britax's own Willow infant car seats (sold separately; also can be purchased as a travel system, see below).
On the down side, while the seat depth and width is roomy, the Brook+ is not a small a stroller—its dimensions are 37 x 23.75 x 42" unfolded. The Brook+ also lacks an adjustable handlebar.
The Brook is also sold as a travel system in two flavors: the Willow Brook S+ Travel System with the Willow S Infant Car Seat and the Willow Brook Travel System with the Willow Infant Car Seat.
Other Models: The B Series
Britax is slowly phasing out the B series of strollers, but continues to sell the B-Free and B-Free Premium as well as the B-Lively Double.
The B-Free (22 lbs., see price on Amazon) is a tri-wheel stroller with "infinite recline" that can accomodate newborns. It also includes car seat adapters for Britax infant car seats. An adjustable padded handle, front access cargo basket, mesh ventilation, extendable canopy, seven cargo pockets, one hand fold and all-terrain rubber tires round out the features.
The B-Free Premium (22 lbs.) upgrades the B-Free with special stain resistant fabric, Click-and-Go car seat adapters and a wicking seat liner to keep baby dryer and cooler.
The B-Lively Double (29 lbs., see price on Amazon), Britax's only double stroller, is a side-by-side configuration with independent canopies. Like the B-Free Premium, the included cargo basket is extra large and accessible from the front. It is compatible with Britax car seats, has an adjustable handle and all-wheel suspension.
Older B-series strollers are still available in limited quantities.
Safety Recalls
In 2017, Britax and the Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled Britax B-Agile strollers (and sister brand BOB Motion strollers) with Click & Go receivers (for infant car seats) for the following hazard: "A damaged receiver mount on the stroller can cause the car seat to disengage and fall unexpectedly, posing a fall hazard to infants in the car seat." Approximately 676,000 strollers were sold in the US, about 36,400 were sold in Canada and about 4,600 were sold in Mexico[1].
In 2014, Britax and the CPSC recalled the B-Agile, B-Agile Double (and sister brand BOB Motion strollers) for the following hazard: "The hinge on the stroller's folding mechanism can partially amputate consumers' fingertips, break their fingers or cause severe lacerations, among other injuries, when they press the release button while pulling on the release strap." About 216,000 strollers were sold in the United States while 8,800 were sold in Canada[2].
In 2010, Britax and the CPSC recalled B-Nimble strollers due to risk of brake failure: "An audible click heard when the brake pedal is pressed can give a false impression that the brake is fully engaged when it is not. When the brake is not engaged, the stroller can move unexpectedly posing a risk of injury to the child occupant." About 20,000 strollers were sold in the United States and 800 in Canada[3].
What car seats are compatible with Britax strollers?
According to Britax's website, "All Britax strollers are compatible with Britax Infant Car Seats. Additionally, they are compatible with select Maxi Cosi, Cybex and Nuna infant car seats with the purchase of the Britax Infant Car Seat Adapters (Maxi Cosi, Cybex, Nuna)."[4]
What is Britax's stroller age range?
Britax does not offer an age range indicator, however, most of their strollers can be used up to 50 lbs. (the B-Free up to 65 lbs.), the average weight of a 5-6 year old. When used with an infant car seats, the strollers can be used from birth. The B-Free has "infinite recline" so it can be used from birth without a car seat.
Is Britax non-toxic?
Britax notes on its website for the Brook + stroller: "Our fabrics are free of FR (flame-retardant) chemicals. They’re also washer and dryer-friendly." There is no information regarding fire retardant chemicals used on Britax's other strollers.
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