Best Britax Car Seats Guide

Navigating the safety seat selection process can be tricky because there are so many brands, seat types, and safety features to consider. The model you pick should provide your child with a high degree of comfort and the best possible protection.

That’s what the best Britax car seats do, as they’re made of breathable fabrics and shock-absorbing materials that dampen the force of high-intensity impacts. The brand’s product line is better suited for infants and toddlers because it contains only a few models for school-aged kids.

The underwhelming selection of booster seat solutions is one of the brand’s most significant drawbacks since only a handful of Britax models are designed for children aged five or older.

In this guide, I’ll point out all the factors you need to consider while choosing the best Britax car seat for your child and recommend some of the brand’s top models.

Bottom Line Up Front

My wife and I spent quite a bit of time discussing which Britax car seat would be best for our little one. After these long debates, I think the brand’s convertible options, like Boulevard ClickTight and Advocate ClickTight, are ideal for new parents because they adjust to the child’s needs as it grows.

B-Safe Gen2 FlexFit+  and Britax Endeavors are among the brand’s top rear-facing infant seat solutions, but they’re only suitable for infants weighing less than 35lbs.

My Top Picks at a Glance

Model	Seat type	Weight limit	Price range
B-Safe Gen2 FlexFit+	Rear-facing	35lbs	$$
Boulevard ClickTight	Convertible	65lbs	$$$
One4Life ClickTight	All-in-One	120lbs	$$$$
Grow With You	Harness to Booster	120lbs	$$
Britax Highpoint	Highback booster	120lbs	$$$
Britax Endeavors	Rear-facing	35lbs	$$$
Advocate ClickTight	Convertible	65lbs	$$$$
Britax Skyline	Highback and backless booster	120lbs	$$
Britax Emblem	3-stage convertible	65lbs	$$$

Britax Car Seat Types

Aside from ensuring that you’ll be compliant with the state car seat laws, buying the appropriate seat type for your child improves its safety. Britax offers car seats for all age groups, which can make it difficult to decide which model best suits your child.

Here’s an overview of the brand’s car seat categories that can help you pick the correct safety seat type:

• Rear-facing only – Britax infant seats can accommodate newborns that weigh just 4lbs or toddlers shorter than 32-inches. All models from this category double as carriers, and they’re compatible with the brand’s travel systems or strollers.
• Convertible – Opting for one of Britax’s convertible car seats will enable you to continue using the same seat from the moment your child leaves the hospital until it grows over 49-inches. This category contains a single all-in-one model.

• Booster seats – These models are designed for children between four and twelve years of age. However, Britax currently offers only five booster models, which somewhat limits your options.

Height, Age, and Weight Limits

The safety seat you choose must meet the local car seat law requirements. In most states, kids under two years of age must ride in the rear-facing position. The use of booster seats is only allowed for kids older than four.

Car seat laws in some states also set the minimum height and weight before a child can transition from one car seat type to another. Hence, you must consider your child’s current age, weight, and height while deciding which Britax model to choose.

The brand’s rear-facing models are designed for infants or toddlers weighing up to 35lbs. These seats are too small for kids taller than 32 inches, so you’ll probably have to replace them after your child’s second birthday. Convertible models have overlapping height and weight limits, enabling you to choose the right moment to switch from a rear-facing to a forward-facing riding position.

Britax’s all-in-one, and booster seats can support the weight of up to 120lbs and keeps kids comfortable until they’re ready to use standard seat belts.

Safety Features and Installation Options

The perfect combination of comfort and protection each Britax model offers is a part of their appeal. Brand’s car seats utilize the SafeCell technology capable of minimizing the strength of the impact the seat is taking during a crash by creating a crumple zone. They have rigid steel frames that maintain the seat’s stability at all times.

Moreover, Britax equips its models with V-shaped tethers and multi-positional harnesses that restrain a child’s forward or lateral movement. The torso and neck areas on most models are filled with two-layer or three-layer foam that neutralizes the shock during a collision.

The brand’s ClickTight technology simplifies the installation by allowing parents to utilize the car’s seat belt to lock the seat in place. Also, most ClickTight models are compatible with LATCH connectors and belts, enabling you to choose the preferred installation method.

Britax car seats have built-in level indicators and adjustable harnesses that help you place your child in a safe and comfortable position.

Expiry Dates and Recalls

I don’t recommend buying a used safety seat before going through the car seat recall list. Unfortunately, selling a recalled or expired seat isn’t illegal, so you can end up with a defective product if you’re not careful.

Britax recalled several models from the B-Safe series produced between 2015 and 2017, including the B-Safe 35 and B-Safe 35 Elite infant car seats. However, the brand’s B-Safe series isn’t discontinued, and you can still get models like B-Safe Ultra or B-Safe Gen2 that don’t have safety issues.

Depending on their type, the expiry dates of Britax car seats range from six to ten years. Rear-facing models expire after six years, while most convertible models have ten-year expiry dates. Still, you should check when the seat you’re interested in was produced and how long it is good for before buying it.

Durability and Cost

I wouldn’t call Britax an affordable brand, even though some of its models are relatively inexpensive. Chicco and Britax offer products in a similar price range, but Chicco’s models usually have more advanced safety features.

An entry-level rear-facing Britax seat costs around $200, while the most expensive models in this category cost around $300. You won’t have a lot of inexpensive options if you’re considering a Britax convertible seat because most models are priced over $350.

The brand’s belt-positioning booster seats are affordable, but despite their relatively low cost, they’re remarkably durable. None of the available options wears out quickly, so you won’t have to worry about replacing their parts. Britax offers one-year warranties for all car seats that cover the replacement or repair of defective components. Still, you’ll have to read the product’s warranty to learn more about its limitations.

Selection Criteria

The level of safety a car seat can provide was the key criterion I relied on while choosing the Britax models in this article.

However, most seats deliver exceptional whole-body protection, which is why I had to consider other factors that might prompt a parent to opt for a specific model.

I factored in the model’s price, ease of installation, fabric quality, color options, and expiry dates to identify the top seats in each category. In addition, my goal was to create an overview of Britax car seats that fit all budgets and help you find a model within your preferred price range.

Top 9 Britax Car Seats

B-Safe Gen2 FlexFit+

As a premier option within Britax’s B-Safe series, the B-Safe Gen2 FlexFit+ model comes with a variety of safety features. This infant seat’s base is reinforced with steel and has LATCH connectors that make attaching or detaching the seat easy.

The SafeCell technology and two-layer foam in the seat’s torso and head areas minimize the effect of high-velocity impacts. Moreover, a 5-point harness and an anti-rebound bar keep the child in the seat in case of an accident. This rear-facing seat doesn’t contain chemicals, and its cover is machine washable.

Pros

• The seat has a lightweight construction
• The headrest is adjustable
• Parents can install the seat without the base
• Simple three-step installation

Cons

• It’s one of the brand’s most expensive rear-facing seats
• The model’s not suitable for children older than three

Boulevard ClickTight

The first feature of the Boulevard ClickTight that caught my eye was its CleanComfort stain-resistant fabric, because I never want to get a seat that is hard to clean. Also, the seat has a breathable mesh fabric that prevents a child from overheating on long rides.

The brand’s patented ClickTight technology ensures you can install the seat quickly, while the built-in tensioner fastens the seat automatically. Britax Boulevard has a V-Shape tether that stops it from moving forward in a car crash, but the anti-rebound bar is only available as an accessory.

Please check out the Britax Boulevard vs. Marathon comparison for more information about the differences between these models.

Pros

• The seat’s back can be placed in seven positions
• The model’s height limit is 49-inches
• The padding contains plush foam
• The seat’s available in a broad spectrum of colors

Cons

• It’s not ideal for small cars

One4Life ClickTight

I think the One4Life ClickTight should be on your radar if you’re searching for an all-in-one seat your child can use until it is old enough to switch regular seat belts. This is the brand’s only all-in-one model, so you won’t have any alternatives if its price or features don’t fit all your requirements.

The seat utilizes Britax’s ClickTight installation method and has a SafeCell element that can absorb high-force impacts. Its upper section provides protection against side impacts while keeping the child snug. It also has a level indicator that allows you to choose the recline position that best fits your car.

Pros

• The seat’s fabric is resistant to odors and moisture
• This all-in-one model has two cup holders
• Belt paths are color-coded
• Adjusting the seat to the child’s height is easy

Cons

• The seat is bulky and heavy

Grow With You

Unlike most other models from this series, the Grow With You harness-2-booster seat relies primarily on LATCH Quick-Push Connectors. Still, the installation process isn’t complicated because you just have to look at color-coded guides to position the harness correctly.

The model’s 5-point harness can be folded once it is no longer in use, which enables the child to switch to the seat’s positioning belt. Also, you can adjust the headrest to the child’s height to ensure its upper body is adequately protected.

Pros

• This seat has four snack and cup holders
• The model’s height limit is 63 inches
• The seat’s safety features are excellent
• An attractive price

Cons

• The seat has only two back-recline positions
• The fabric isn’t resistant to stains

Britax Highpoint

Your child must weigh at least 40lbs before it can sit in the Britax Highpoint booster seat. Also, the manufacturer doesn’t recommend this seat for kids that aren’t yet 44-inches tall. This model has high back and backless modes, and each mode has different weight and height requirements.

Aside from the headrest that adjusts to the child’s height, the seat also has the SecureGuard Clip that makes positioning the seat belt easier. The shell offers three protection layers that include external cushioning and foam lining.

Pros

• The seat doesn’t contain fire retardants
• Cleaning the seat cover is easy
• It expires after ten years
• It offers first-rate protection against side impacts

Cons

• This model doesn’t support LATCH installation

Britax Endeavors

I know how heavy car seats that double as baby carriers can be and how difficult it can be to take them out of a car. Britax Endeavors weighs only 11.6lbs, and you can install it without a base using only its European belt guide. The base comes with LATCH connectors that allow you to attach or detach the seat with a single push of a button. The seat has a spring-assisted recline system, so you can push its back forward or backward to find the best angle.

Pros

• This model has a pillow for newborns under 11lbs
• The seat has an extra-large canopy
• It’s compatible with all Britax strollers
• The seat has six headrest heights

Cons

• Only five color pattern options are available

Advocate ClickTight

Even though it is one of Britax’s priciest convertible seats, the Advocate ClickTight model still offers plenty of value for the money. Durability is probably its most valuable trait since the seat doesn’t expire for ten years, meaning it might be the only safety seat your child will ever need.

Like most of the company’s top models, Britax Advocate offers 3-layer protection in the head and torso area. Its headrest has fourteen height positions, while the back has seven recline positions. The ClickTight technology enables parents to install this seat in just a few simple steps.

Please look at our Chicco NextFit vs. Britax Advocate comparison to find out which of these car seats is better.

Pros

• This model has a SafeCell crumple zone
• The base has the level indicator
• Breathable and machine-washable fabrics

Cons

• Anti-rebound bar is only available as an accessory

Britax Skyline

Affordability, elegant design, and conveniently positioned cup holders are some of the Britax Skyline‘s highlights that caught my attention. The booster seat has backless and high-back modes that enable the child to choose the most comfortable option.

The multi-positional headrest offers additional comfort and protection when the seat is used in the high-back mode. The cover is removable, and you can throw it into the washing machine to remove stains or unpleasant smells.

Pros

• This seat is spacious
• It’s suitable for 3-across installation in most vehicles
• The seat’s maximum weight limit is 120lbs
• This Britax model is affordable

Cons

• Safety features could be better

Britax Emblem

The list of Britax Emblem‘s features doesn’t contain any surprises. This three-stage convertible car seat utilizes the same V-shape tethers, level indicators, and foam padding as all other models from this category.

Its back can be placed in three positions which can make finding the correct installation angle difficult. The seat’s base has LATCH connectors and the SafeCell crumple zone, while its 10-position headrest offers two layers of protection against side impacts.

Please read out Britax Emblem vs. Britax Allegiance comparison for more information about these three-stage convertible seats.

Pros

• The seat cover is removable
• This model has a steel frame
• LATCH connectors keep the seat firmly in place

Cons

• The fabric isn’t breathable

FAQs

My Verdict: Are Britax Car Seats Worth It?

Perhaps the easiest way for me to describe the Britax brand is to paraphrase a popular meme. I think the Britax car seats are neither great nor terrible. They’re somewhere in between. The brand’s high-end models have truly impressive safety features and eye-catching designs. So, the only real downside of a model like the One4Life ClickTight is its price.

That’s why I think that Boulevard ClickTight or Advocate ClickTight is a more budget-friendly option that offers a similar level of quality to the brand’s top-tier models. Also, B-Safe Gen2 FlexFit+ could be the right choice if you need an easily portable infant seat you can pair with one of the brand’s strollers.

Read More:

• Britax Boulevard vs Marathon [2022]: Which is Right For You?
• Graco 4ever vs Britax Marathon – Which Child Safe Seat Should You Purchase?
• Chicco NextFit vs Britax Marathon | Which Should You Buy?