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Choosing a car seat isn’t easy. It’s also not easy to choose a car seat when you’re considering two top options from the same popular car seat brand.
In this case, it would be the Britax Frontier vs. The Britax Pinnacle. They both offer plenty of convertible car seats and, since they’re both from Britax, a lot of the same qualities. But the truth is, they aren’t the same car seat.
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Main Differences Between Britax Frontier vs Pinnacle
The main differences between Britax Frontier vs Pinnacle are:
- The Britax Frontier is cheaper, whereas the Britax Pinnacle has an extra layer of side impact protection.
- The Britax Frontier weighs 25 pounds and is quite slim, whereas the Britax Pinnacle weighs 26.5 pounds and is heavier of the two.
- The Britax Frontier doesn’t have SafeCell Complete Side Impact Protection MAX around the headwings, whereas the Britax Pinnacle has it and it’s a very wide seat.
These differences are what will make it easier for you to choose between them. Take the Frontier, for example. You can’t ignore the benefit of safety precautions that it offers. On the other hand, the Pinnacle has similar safety features, including an extra layer of side impact protection.
They both share the easy ClickTight Installation System, which probably makes it that much more difficult to pick which one is best. And they both share similar adjustable headrest and recline positions.
But after you look at them both thoroughly, you might be able to see why one is better than the other. Neither is meant to be the only car seat you’ll ever need or work for your baby from infancy, but as a convertible seat to a toddler car seat, they both offer plenty.
Britax Frontier
The Britax Frontier Car Seat is all about safety. It’s made with the Britax SafeCell Impact Protection which essentially surrounds your little one with multiple layers of protection on each side. The headrest is lined with foam and has an energy-absorbing shell to take impact well and keep it away from your child’s head for the most part.
The car seat also has an impact energy-absorbing foam base to give you even more peace of mind. When it comes to comfort, the Frontier also performs well for your child. It has multiple recline positions to get your child is just the right spot for safety standards and comfort and there are nine different headrest positions to choose from as your child grows.
Although it can’t be used for babies and isn’t a rear-facing infant car seat, the Frontier does a transition from forward-facing car seat harness mode to forward-facing belt-positioning booster mode once your child is ready. And when you do transition to this convertible booster seat, it could very well be the last vehicle car seat you’ll need.
Features
- Child Weight Limit: The Frontier is designed for children from 25-120 lbs.
- Adjustments: It has multiple recline and headrest harness positions to keep your child comfortable and safe every step of the way.
- Safety: The car seat is made with a steel frame, impact-absorbing base, and two layers of side protection to keep your little one safe in the event of a crash.
- Where To Buy: You can find it on Amazon or in-store at Target.
- Has This Item Been Recalled?: There was a 2008 recall for Britax Frontier restraints.
Pros
- The Frontier has the ClickTight Installation System, which makes installing the booster car seat as simple as possible in any car.
- The five-point harness can be used until your child is 90 lbs, which is a huge plus in the safety column.
- It’s easy to take off the car seat cover for cleaning.
- As a whole, the car seat can be used for toddlers and children up to 120 lbs, which means you can get years of use out of it.
- It’s also relatively slim, especially when compared to the Britax Pinnacle.
Cons
- Although it offers plenty in terms of safety and ease of use, the Frontier is a little pricey for a convertible booster car seat.
- The actual seat isn’t very cushioned, so it may not be a comfortable ride for children for long car rides.
- The armrests are also lacking sufficient padding.
This is a very safe car seat. There are MANY safe car seats. BUT, It's rated for up to 120 pounds. Most car seats with similar safety features don't come close. Better value because it lasts longer! No need to buy multiple car seats.
Britax Pinnacle
The Britax Pinnacle isn’t totally unlike the Frontier, which is to be expected. They’re both convertible booster seats from the same manufacturer, so their drastic similarities aren’t very surprising.
The Pinnacle, however, is a few inches wider than the Frontier, which could make a big difference for some families, depending on the size of their car. On the other hand, however, the Pinnacle can be purchased on the manufacturer’s website while the Frontier cannot. It’s a small benefit, but it might help some parents more easily decide which car seat they’d prefer of the two.
Like the Frontier, the Pinnacle is made with the ClickTight Car Seat Installation System, making the installation simple and quick.
This is especially useful if you need to move the car seat between different cars. It also has side impact protection with extra plush cushions on the outside to help absorb impact in the event of a crash. When it comes to safety belt and ease of use, the Britax Pinnacle is easily a top option.
Features
- Child Weight Limit: Like the Frontier, the Pinnacle is made for children from 25-120 lbs.
- Adjustments: It has nine different harness headrest positions and multiple recline options.
- Safety: There are three layers of side impact protection, an impact absorbing base, and a steel-reinforced frame.
- Where To Buy: You can find it on the manufacturer’s website and on Amazon or in-store at Target and Buy Buy Baby.
- Has This Item Been Recalled?: There are no recent or current recalls on the Britax Pinnacle.
Pros
- It offers an additional layer of side impact protection that the Frontier is lacking.
- It’s also extra padded and comfortable for growing toddlers and small children.
- Adjusting the harness has never been easier because you don’t need to rethread to adjust it as your child grows.
- Thanks to the ClickTight Installation System, installing it in essentially any car is simple.
Cons
- Overall, it’s pretty heavy, so using it with multiple cars can be a challenge.
- It’s also a tad bulkier, especially when compared to the Britax Frontier.
- The Pinnacle is also more costly than the Frontier.
The Verdict
Whenever you have two different car seats from the same brand, it’s harder to choose between them. The same goes for the Britax Frontier vs. the Britax Pinnacle. While both are convertible car seats that can last your child a long time, though, obviously one is going to be the stronger option of the two. In this case, the Britax Frontier is the better car seat.
It offers safety and is a little more affordable for your little one. It can also give you plenty of peace of mind thanks to its longevity. The Britax Pinnacle has similar safety features, which have value on its own to be sure, but the car seat still does not surpass the cost and overall quality of the Frontier. At the end of the day, it’s all about choosing the car seat that ticks off all of your must-haves for your little one, and the Frontier should do just that.
Final Thoughts on Britax Pinnacle and Frontier
Choosing a car seat isn’t as simple as just picking out a random one from a random brand and calling it a day. In fact, it legitimately shouldn’t be that easy. When looking at every aspect of the Britax Frontier and Pinnacle, however, it’s a little easier to see which one might suit your family a little better.
As long as you take into consideration the good and the not-so-good that they both offer, it will likely be easy to see why the Britax Frontier is the stronger option between the two. And overall. You and your little one will not be disappointed.
Recommended Reads:
- Britax Advocate vs. Boulevard – The Britax Car Seat Battle!
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- Britax Pioneer vs. Frontier Car Seat: Find Out What’s Best for You!
- Graco Affix Youth Booster Seat vs Highback Turbobooster Car Seat – Which is Best?
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FAQs
Answer: When used as a booster seat, the Britax Pinnacle cannot recline. If you want it in this position, you have to pull the handle under the seat before installing the seat.
Answer: The Britax Frontier and Pinnacle car seats are ClickTight boosters and they have a life of 10 years in comparison to harness boosters which have a life span of 9 years.
Answer: Some booster seats do come with LATCH, however, most of them don’t because the Clicktight system is easier to install and secure. The reason why they don’t come with a LATCH system is because vehicles already have them in at least two positions, so you can safely adjust the seat.
