In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician
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The Britax B-Ready has been discontinued and replaced by the Britax B-Ready G3.
REASONS TO BUY
Accepts two car seats
Easy to push
Narrow for tight spaces
REASONS TO AVOID
Heft makes it hard to lift and carry
Second seat sits low in storage bin
The Britax B-Ready Double is an inline double stroller that offers sleek styling and a shorter footprint that will draw you in. The ability to accept two infant car seats and very versatile seating configurations is also intriguing. Unfortunately, when you look closer the love affair dies and the reality of it being harder to use with poorly designed features hits home. The second seat on this stroller sits in the storage bin rendering it virtually useless, and the almost 38-pound weight is too much for some parents to lift, much less carry. The disparity in the rider experience is significant and could leave one child with little front visibility, nowhere to stretch their legs, and the ability to touch the ground. We think the B-Ready could be a good stroller, but the poor performance in our tests left us wanting more and looking elsewhere.
Update — January 2018
The Britax has added a few updates to the B-Ready Double. Check below to see what's new on the stroller.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Old B-Ready Double vs. New B-Ready Double
Britax completely redesigned the frame of the B-Ready and improved certain features with a larger basket and a canopy that extends further. This also means that 2015 parts (second seat and lower infant car seat adapter) are not interchangeable and will NOT fit the new frame. While the fabric has remained the same, the design has changed with the main stroller seat coming in 5 colors, but all sunshades are black. Also, the second seat is ONLY available in black. The rear wheels are larger, which should improve maneuverability and the connection for both rear and front wheels is also different. All of these changes added an extra 2 lbs to the weight and increased the price somewhat. We now link to the new B-Ready. Below you can see the older B-Ready Double on the left and the 2017 version on the right.
Performance Comparison
Ease of Use
The B-Ready only earned 5 of 10 for ease of use, which is a reflection on the potential daily experiences with this product and its performance.
The fold for the B-Ready is initiated by pulling up on the unlock lever on both sides of the stroller frame, which is why you will need two hands.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Fold and Unfold
The B-Ready has an easy fold that requires two hands with five steps. You need to bend about halfway, and it auto-locks and self-stands, which is nice as you might be juggling infant car seats or two babies. However, given that competitors only have one or two steps, it is a more involved process.
The B-Ready fold automatically locks in place when you compress it after folding.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Unfolding is more complicated requiring two hands and bending half-way. If you have nothing to compare it to, the process may seem like a good one, but it struggles to match the competition.
The brakes on the B-Ready are color coded so parents can tell at a glance if the brakes are properly set or not. Red indicates the brakes are engaged.
A green color on the B-Ready brakes indicate the stroller brakes are not engaged and the stroller is ready to roll.
Brakes
The photos above show the color code of a set brake (left) and a released brake (right).
This Britax has single action brakes with a convenient color coding system that tell at a glance if the brake is set. The brakes are easy to set and release with a second tap on the pedal making them sandal and barefoot friendly.
The Storage bin on the B-Ready does offer nice easy to use zippered access panels on both sides and in the front. However, there is still the problem of the second passenger virtually sitting in the second seat making it unuseable for storing supplies.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Storage
The storage bin has a maximum allowance of 10 lbs. It is relatively large, and we fit our extra-large diaper bag inside. It has access from the back and unique zippered openings on each side. Unfortunately, this is all only true when using the B-Ready with one seat. With the second seat, the bin is virtually useless as it becomes the second passenger's foot space. The bin is also likely to get dirty babies learn to walk and get dirty shoes. No storage option will make life with two challenging.
The adult cup holder is deep and sits on the right side of the stroller frame. It is removeable and has a basket design to avoid the collection of gunk.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
It has one adult cup holder that clips on the frame. It is removable, and a basket design that prevents the collection of gunk and liquid. While it is removable and easy to clean, we don't like the awkwardness when the stroller is folded. This holder is compatible with our test baby bottle, water bottle and sippy cup.
Both Canopies on the B-Ready have mesh peek-a-boo windows that double as added ventilation. The canopy and window on the main seat are larger than those found on the second seat. The second seat is shadowed by the main seat so this is arguable not an issue.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Sunshade
The B-Ready has a canopy on both seats. The sunshade on the main seat is larger than the second seat, but the second seat garners some protection from the seat in front of it. The main canopy is large with a large, mesh peek-a-boo window. The window flap has a magnetic closure cover. The second seat canopy is about half the size of the main seat, with a mesh window and magnetic closure, but the window is smaller than the main seat window.
The buckle on the B-Ready is easier to use than some, but it is a little stiff and you'll need two hands to release all the straps.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Harness
The seats both have 5-point harnesses with the same buckle and adjustment method. The harnesses are easy enough to get on and off, and very easy to adjust. The shoulder straps on the main seat are a non-rethread adjustment with two settings. The second seat is a rethread adjustment with infinite height possibilities. The crotch strap on both seats has only one position, but it is adjustable. The buckles are the same and stiff. You need two hands to remove the straps as they will not pop out automatically.
The Belly bar on the B-Ready can be easily removed or swung to the side for easier access to the seat. This is also the location where accessory cup holders connect if purchased.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Seat
The leg rest on the front seat is padded and adjustable. The front seat also has a footrest, but the back seat has neither a footrest nor a leg rest. Also, when the back seat reclines the lack of leg rest results in the baby's legs hanging uncomfortably.
Reclining either seat on the B-Ready is as simple as lifting the lever and rotating the seat to the desired position.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Both seats have a one-handed recline feature with four positions. The pull handle style of recline is easy to operate compared to much of the competition. The main seat reclines further than the second seat, but not enough to cause interference with the lower passenger. The main seat reclines facing either direction.
This photo shows the B-Ready with the seats in their most upright positions and the canopies closed. Notice the second/lower seat sits in a more reclined position than the mains seat.
This seating configuration shows the B-ready with both seats fully reclined and the canopies completely open.
The photos above show the B-Ready with the seats upright and canopies closed (left) and the seats fully reclined and the canopies completely open (right).
The Click & Go seat system on the B-Ready is easy to use and allows quick seating configuration changes by squeezing the lever and removing the seat.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The B-Ready comes standard with integrated adapters for attaching two Britax Click & Go infant car seats. The car seat attaches to the same location as the standard seats and the process is quick and painless.
B-Ready Second Seat
The Britax B-Ready is sold as a single stroller with double seat capabilities. You need to purchase the B-Ready Second Seat to connect to the B-Ready Frame. If you want to use infant car seats with the B-Ready, the Britax Click & Go infant car seats will work without adapters (though adapters must be purchased for the second seat), and other brand adapters are sold separately.
The B-Ready can also be used with 1 infant car seat and the second seat.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Car Seat Compatibility
The B-Ready accepts two infant car seats and is compatible with some Britax, Chicco, Graco, and Peg Perego (click and strap). We tested the B-Ready with the Britax B-Safe 35, Chicco Keyfit 30, Graco Classic Connect 30, and the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35. None of the adapters require assembly, and the toddler seat needs to be removed for attachment. All of the seats click in place with the exception of the Peg.
The Graco is the easiest seat to install, but it is wobbly once secured. It earned the highest score, with the Britax right behind it. The worst of the group is the Peg that was hard to install, remove, and felt unstable. Also, we worry parents will forget or forgo the strap. The Britax seat is probably the best overall with no adapters, no chance of incorrect installation, and it feels the most secure.
Ease of Setup
The B-Ready isn't that easy to put together taking over 11 minutes from start to finish. It has a great instruction manual, with clear, concise, illustrated instructions. It isn't difficult, it just takes more time with more parts.
The two single front wheels on the B-Ready make it easier to push and turn than strollers that have the dual wheel design. Foam filled rubber tires also help with passenger comfort and maneuverability.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Maneuverability
The B-Ready is a nice mover earning a score of 7 of 10 for maneuverability. The foam filled rubber tires and single front wheels design make it easier to push and turn than those with plastic tires or dual front wheels.
The front wheels on the B-ready can be locked in place with the press of a button for easier maneuvering over uneven terrain.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
This product rolls and turns smoothly, though not as well as the jogging strollers. Thanks to a smaller footprint, it manages well in tighter spaces, and while some parents feel it is large, it is smaller than side-by-side products and shorter than other tandem options. The frame has more flex than it should which gives the overall experience of a large American car from the 80s rather than a nimble sports car. The B-Ready performed almost as well off-road maneuvering over grass and gravel better than much of the competition.
The B-Ready is the heaviest product in the group and one of the largest. It is awkward to lift because of its heft and hard to fit into standard trunk spaces.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Weight and Folded Size
The B-Ready is a beast of a stroller, and there is no way to sugar coat the 37.7 lbs weight. Because of its weight, the B-Ready earned the low score of 3 of 10 for weight and folded size.
The folded size of the B-Ready is 19,622 cubic inches. It isn't the largest package, but the weight and the awkwardness make it hard to lift and near impossible to carry.
The B-Ready performed fairly well compared to the competition when it came to quality.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Quality
Quality helps bring the B-Ready up in the overall rank with a score of 7 of 10 where the high is 9.
The fabric is similar to that found on the Baby Jogger City Select but it feels nicer, has better padding, and the fabric is smoother. The shoulder height-adjustment is a soft suede-like fabric that feels durable and good on the cheek. The footrest on the main seat is a nice heavy rubberized fabric that is easy to clean, but the second seat has baby's feet inside the storage bin which doesn't feel as sturdy and is not as easy to clean.
This stroller has a nice solid looking frame, but the connections could be tighter as it has a lot of flex. The tires are puncture proof foam-filled rubber, and the wheels are hard plastic. The overall fit and finish of this stroller are nice, but frumpy compared other competitors.
The handlebar on the B-Ready adjusts via pivot points on either side of the stroller frame.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The handlebar is adjustable by rotating the bar on a pivot on either side of the frame. The bar feels good in the hand, and we like the size of the handle and the rubber center. We also like the slight ergonomic curve of the handle, and the foam feels firm.
This stroller offers all-wheel suspension. On the front, the shocks are on the wheels, and in the rear, they are on the frame and fail to provide the same level of suspension as the front wheels. This creates an arguably less comfortable ride for the back seat passenger.
The B-Ready can accept two infant car seats, including the Britax Click & Go seats and other brands with additional adapters, sold separately (the Chicco Keyfit 30 is shown here).
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Twins
The B-Ready could work for twins and would work well for infant twins as the frame can accept two infant car seats. That being said, this stroller is the heaviest in the group, and we think two children of equal size will become a burden on the pusher as they grow larger and increase the overall weight. Also, this stroller is the style where one seat sits below and almost under the main seat. This means a different rider experience for each seat, one that is so different that the passengers will likely argue about who gets to sit where.
