In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Britax Brook + Review

A simple, no-frills, full-size stroller with larger storage but a bulky fold and basic materials
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Britax Brook + Review
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Price:  $300 List
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Manufacturer:   Britax
By Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz  ⋅  Mar 31, 2024
65
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#15 of 18
  • Ease of Use - 40% 7.2
  • Maneuverability - 25% 6.1
  • Transport/Storing - 15% 7.0
  • Quality - 10% 4.7
  • Kid's Comfort - 10% 6.2

Our Verdict

The Britax Brook + is a basic option from our best full-size stroller review. It is lightweight and easy to use. With a budget-friendly price, we can see how parents will be attracted to this inexpensive Britax stroller. However, there isn't much to love with this stroller. It has dual action brakes, cheaper fabric, a large fold for its size, and lower quality overall. We struggled with pushing and turning this option, and it wasn't good for moving over cords or thresholds. With not much to love here, we don't think the money savings is worth it. If your budget is small, there are better options in this review we believe are far less frustrating.
REASONS TO BUY
Large storage
Lightweight for the size
Cost effective
REASONS TO AVOID
No extra features
Bulky fold
Economical materials
Editor's Note: The Brook+ is a new addition to all new testing of full-size strollers we conducted in March 2024.

Compare to Similar Products

 
britax brook +
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Britax Brook +
Awards  Best Value Award
Lower Price Impressive Full-Size Stroller
Best Value Award
Budget Full-Size For Growing Families
Best Value Award
Best Tightest Budget Stroller
 
Price $300 List
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Bottom Line This budget option uses basic materials and lacks additional features but is lightweight and has larger storageWhile it performs well on flat surfaces, this high-quality option struggles off-road if those are your goalsA budget-friendly expandable stroller with good storage but limited other features and a heavier weightBudget-friendly jogger with off-road capabilities, but the quality is on par with the priceThe lower price makes the flaws of this jogger easier to accept
Rating Categories Britax Brook + Cybex Balios S Lux Evenflo Pivot Xpand Baby Trend Expediti... Baby Trend Expedition
Ease of Use (40%)
7.2
7.8
8.0
6.5
5.9
Maneuverability (25%)
6.1
7.1
5.4
7.8
7.6
Transport/Storing (15%)
7.0
6.8
4.2
5.4
7.0
Quality (10%)
4.7
8.0
6.7
4.0
2.7
Kid's Comfort (10%)
6.2
7.6
7.3
5.4
3.5
Specs Britax Brook + Cybex Balios S Lux Evenflo Pivot Xpand Baby Trend Expediti... Baby Trend Expedition
Capacity Limits Minimum: N/A
Maximum: 50 lbs/44 in
Minimum: Birth
Maximum: 55 lbs
Minimum: Birth
Maximum: 55 lbs/43"
Minimum: 6 months
Maximum: 50 lbs/42 in
Minimum: 6 months
Maximum: 50 lbs/42 in
Measured Weight 23 lbs 25 lbs 30 lbs 28 lbs 24 lbs
Measured Folded Dimensions 23.8"W x 15"H x 38.5"L 24"W x 16"H x 31"L 26.7"W x 19.23"H x 32.7"L 24.5"W x 16"H x 36.5"L 23.1"W x 33.1"H x 16.3"L
Folded Volume 13,745 cu in 11,904 cu in 16,790 cu in 14,308 cu in 12,463 cu in
Handlebar Height Min/Max 42" 39.5"/43" 33"/44.7" 41.5" 41"
Mfr. Max Allowable Total Storage Weight 11 lbs 24 lbs 11 lbs 11 lbs 15 lbs
Car Seat Compatibility Britax (All) Cybex (All)
Maxi Cosi Mico 30, Maxi Cosi Mico Max, Maxi Cosi Coral XP
Nuna Pipa lite
Chicco KeyFit/KeyFit 30
Evenflo SafeMax, LiteMax
Graco all with SnugRide, SnugLock 30/35
Peg-Perego Primo Viaggio 4/35
Baby Trend (All) Baby Trend (All)
Wheel Type Foam Filled Plastic Foam Filled Plastic Foam Filled Plastic Pneumatic Pneumatic
Brake Type Double Single Single Double Double

Our Analysis and Test Results

Britax launched in the US in 1996 after a successful start in Europe. The company has been creating baby products for over 70 years, including their best-selling car seats in our best infant car seat review. Britax's goal is to develop safe and useful gear, whether it is convertible car seats or strollers. Britax works with governments, manufacturers, and experts on safety to bring parents products for their children.

britax brook + - the brook+ struggles to be as easy to use as much of the competition...
The Brook+ struggles to be as easy to use as much of the competition with features that are not up to the snuff of the competition.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Ease of Use


The Brook+ is not as easy to use as some of the competition, with one of the group's lowest scores for this metric.

The Brook+ fold requires two hands and is awkward with a final product that doesn't self-stand and has parts that stick out.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Fold and Unfold


The Brook+ does not self-stand, requiring two hands to fold and unfold. It has dual levers below the handlebar to initiate the fold. The final product is awkward with the size of the child seat and the child tray. It has an automatic lock to keep it closed.

The child tray on the Brook+ seems like a good addition, but in the...
The child tray on the Brook+ seems like a good addition, but in the end, we think it is more of a bother than a help with the added size it brings to the fold.
The parent console on the Brook+ checks a box some parents might be...
The parent console on the Brook+ checks a box some parents might be looking for, but we don't think it is as useful as more storage would be and we'd make the trade-off if we could.

Storage


The Brook+ has an extra large storage bin and fits our large diaper bag. However, the maximum weight limit is only 10 lbs, so it's unlikely you can fit your groceries and baby supplies inside, even though it looks large enough.

britax brook + - the brook+ storage bin is large with good access, but the 10 lb...
The Brook+ storage bin is large with good access, but the 10 lb weight limit significantly impacts what you can carry.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

A small Velcro pocket is in the basket, and the parent console has two cup holders and a phone holder.

britax brook + - the brook+ has a basic harness that is easy to use, but the...
The Brook+ has a basic harness that is easy to use, but the materials aren't as comfortable as some competitors.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Harness


The harness is easy to adjust, sliding the webbing up and down. The buckle is like other BOB/Britax buckles, with a stiff but reaffirming click when engaged.

The Brook+ has dual-action brakes, which are often seen on cheaper strollers. We worry that parents will forget to set both sides and that accidents could happen.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Brakes


Cheaper strollers often have double-action brakes, which we see here on the Brook+. This means engaging two pedals to set the parking brake instead of one. It is a minor inconvenience, but we worry that parents will forget or think one side is “good enough.” So, despite not being a huge hassle, we still don't like the opportunity for errors. The pedals are easy to use but have a cheaper feel than the competition.

britax brook + - the brake pedals on the brook+ are smaller and close to the wheels...
The brake pedals on the Brook+ are smaller and close to the wheels impacting how easy they are to press.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Car Seat Compatibility


The Brook+ can be used as a travel system paired with Britax infant car seats.

The Brook+ has more parts to snap on than the competition, and it was a little more arduous to unpack.
Credit: Graham Faulknor

Ease of Setup


The ease of setup for the Brook+ is only average. It isn't that hard or even takes a long time, but it is more involved than most competitors. The Brook+ has more parts to assemble than the average stroller, with more zip ties to cut. It doesn't require tools, but the parent tray has an odd snap-on design that we weren't fond of.

The hard small wheels on the Brook+ make for a bumpy ride on hard surfaces and a slog on grass and gravel.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Maneuverability


The Brook+ is also not the easiest to push and turn, with a maneuverability score that is below average, though higher than the lowest-scoring options.

britax brook + - the brook+ wheels are foam-filled plastic with a dense feel that can...
The Brook+ wheels are foam-filled plastic with a dense feel that can and likely will become misshapen over time, impacting the ability to push and turn or the comfort of the passenger.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

For hard, flat surfaces like sidewalks and vinyl, the Brook+ rolls pretty well, but it gets hung up worse on cords and thresholds than we like. The tires are harder with little give, and we could feel the rough pavement through the frame up to the handlebar. It struggles even more when you get off-road on grass and gravel and doesn't roll well when the grass gets long. Turning is a burden, and you can feel bumps and uneven surfaces. It is a lot of effort and likely not something you want to do regularly.

britax brook + - for a smaller stroller, we were somewhat surprised that the brook+...
For a smaller stroller, we were somewhat surprised that the Brook+ didn't fold smaller.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Transporting and Storing


We weighed the stroller at 23 lbs in our tests. This makes it fairly lightweight for this category, with only a few options weighing less. It isn't as small as you'd think because of the strange way the seat and belly bar stick out when folded.


The measured folded size is 13,745 cubic inches. While this is not the largest in the group and isn't super large overall, it is strangely large for a stroller with this little going on. You can make it smaller or more manageable to transport in a car by removing the seat, but your options will be limited if you are trying to get ona bus or set it out of the way at a cafe.

britax brook + - the brook+ struggles with tight turns, and the cheaper design can be...
The Brook+ struggles with tight turns, and the cheaper design can be felt in most interactions with this stroller.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Quality


The Brook+ earned one of the lowest scores for quality with an overall fit and finish that can't compete side-by-side in this group.

The fabric for its stroller is below average with backpack-style canvas, and a design choice that feels like a cost point was more the goal than comfort. The wheels are foam-filled plastic and could easily dent or become misshapen if they hit harder rocks. They are skinny and small, which once again feels like a decision made for price, not quality or ease of pushing.

The frame is probably the best part of the Brook+, with a minimal design and limited flex. This is a no-frills stroller with a smaller price for this group, but it is clear, in our opinion, that many design choices were made to cut costs with little thought to form or function.

The Brook+ child's tray sweeps aside to make getting little ones in the seat easier.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Kid's Comfort


With a bare-bones look and feel, the Brook+ doesn't provide as much as it should for kid comfort, with a just below-average result for features that benefit passengers.

The canopy on the Brook+ looks good, but it doesn't offer enough...
The canopy on the Brook+ looks good, but it doesn't offer enough coverage or additional features like optional ventilation.
The Brook+ seat recline adjusts with a lift lever on the back of the...
The Brook+ seat recline adjusts with a lift lever on the back of the seat.

The seat back and leg rest recline as one on a sling-style seat with an oval frame.

britax brook + - the brook+ has a deeper recline but not as deep as those that fold...
The Brook+ has a deeper recline but not as deep as those that fold flat.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

The adjustment is a squeeze button with an adjustable strap. It requires two hands to raise but only one to lower. The leg rest also rotates on a pivot point for comfort.

The Brook+ canopy has a mesh peek-a-boo window with a flip-up cover.
The Brook+ canopy has a mesh peek-a-boo window with a flip-up cover.
The seat on the Brook+ offers the bare minimum for child comfort...
The seat on the Brook+ offers the bare minimum for child comfort with disappointing materials and limited features.

The canopy is large on the Brook+, and while there is nothing to brag about, it isn't awful. It has a mesh peek-a-boo window with a flip-up cover and is not big enough for the afternoon sun.

britax brook + - we think there are better options in our full-size stroller lineup...
We think there are better options in our full-size stroller lineup than the Brook+, no matter what your goals are.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Should You Buy the Britax Brook +?


The Brook+ has an attractive price, and parents might be drawn to the savings or the lightweight design. But the Brook+ struggled in our tests to meet the same performance as other options. It is harder to push, and the quality is on par with the price. It isn't the worst option in the review, but it isn't one we'd recommend to a friend over other competitors, depending on strolling goals.

What Other Full-Size Strollers Should You Consider?


The Britax B-Free is our preferred Britax. It is lightweight, has a compact fold, is quick to fold, and is comfy for passengers. The storage is good, the canopy is large, and we think it is worth the bump-up in price for the better quality materials. The B-Free is easier to transport, stow, push, and turn than the Brook+.

Manufacturer Video



Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz