Buying guide for best britax car seats
Your tiny tot will need a car seat the moment she leaves the hospital and for every car ride thereafter. Selecting the right car seat is one of the most important decisions you'll have to make and, for most parents, this is no easy task.
Known for making car seats that deliver superior protection, reliability, and comfort, Britax has become a go-to brand for many. But even if you've been around the car seat block a few times, figuring out where to start can be a challenge.
Read our guide to find out everything you ever wanted to know about Britax car seats, or consult our product summaries to help you make a quick selection.
Why choose a Britax car seat?
There's no disputing that there are a host of excellent car seats available from a range of leading manufacturers, all of which are fully equipped to keep your little one safe while traveling. So why might you choose a Britax car seat?
With over 70 years of experience in automotive safety and a holistic approach that doesn't compromise comfort or ease of use, Britax has become a trusted household name, and deservedly so. The Britax brand is known for meeting and, in many cases, exceeding car seat safety standards.
Let's take a look at what sets Britax car seats apart from the rest.
- Britax offers state-of-the-art side-impact protection and head/neck support. Britax was the first car seat manufacturer to recognize the need for improved side-impact protection. Realizing that one out of three car crashes are in the form of side-on collisions, Britax set about finding a safer solution. The first step was lining car seat walls with shock-absorbing EPS foam back in 1996. While other manufacturers soon followed suit, we can thank Britax for setting the industry standard. In 2002, they introduced the first energy-absorbing headrest for improved head and neck stability. Later, in 2009, they brought forth yet another breakthrough offering in the form of external cushions with energy-diverting technology.
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Britax uses innovative technology. All Britax car seats boast the patented SafeCell impact protection system, comprised of several elements which come together to make a safer product. While individual components may vary from model to model, the following mainstays are found in every Britax car seat.
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Impact absorbing bases are designed to compress upon impact in order to absorb crash forces and prevent forward movement of the seat.
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Impact-stabilizing steel frames add strength and reduce forward motion.
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Side-impact protection offers a deep, EPS foam-lined shell to keep children safe during side collisions and shield them from debris. Depending on the model, this may or may not include an energy-absorbing headrest and/or external cushioning.
- Britax embraces user-friendly design. Even the safest car seat won't offer much protection if it isn't installed correctly or your baby isn't properly secured. Car seats in general have earned a bad reputation for being frustratingly difficult to install. In fact, statistics show that a shocking three out of four car seats are not installed correctly. Britax aims to make installation as easy as possible with systems like SafeCenter LATCH, which allows the seat tethers to be tightened from the middle rather than the side, and ClickTight, a system found in select models that makes seat belt installation a breeze.
In addition to this, most Britax car seats feature a no-rethread, quick-adjust safety harness for effortless adaptability as your little one grows.
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Britax is known for top-of-the-line quality. Britax car seats may cost a bit more than some others. This is because every Britax car seat is manufactured to the highest quality standards and is designed to deliver superior safety and enhanced comfort. With careful attention paid to each detail from the shell to the stitching, you can count on a well-made product. That said, Britax offers an extensive range of car seats with an option for just about every budget.
Types of Britax car seats
When shopping for a Britax car seat, you'll have a wide selection to choose from in every major car seat category.
Britax infant car seats
Specifically designed for newborns and younger babies, infant car seats may only be used in the rear-facing position. Experts unanimously agree that this is the safest position, and most recommend starting out with an infant car seat. At the time of this writing, all Britax infant car seats feature the Click & Go system for effortless connection to any Britax stroller.
One of the company’s most popular infant car seat lines is the Britax B-Safe line. You can find Britax B-Safe car seats in multiple pricing tiers. Pricier options tend to have extra padding (both for comfort and impact protection) as well as other convenience features.
Britax convertible car seats
Convertible car seats are hands-down the most versatile car seat option. This style is designed to grow with your baby by adapting from a rear-facing car seat for infants to a forward-facing seat suitable for toddlers. Depending on the model’s minimum weight specifications, these are generally suitable for use from birth. However, they are considerably larger than infant seats, and you won't be able to connect one of these to your stroller.
All Britax convertible car seats come with a patented V-shaped top tether that's designed to minimize seat rotation and divert collision forces. Furthermore, every Britax convertible car seat is made from premium materials and designed for superior durability. However, just like the company’s line of infant car seats, Britax convertible car seats are sold at a range of prices to suit different budgets. The main trade-offs for a lower-cost Britax convertible car seat versus a pricey one are padding (for both comfort and impact protection) and convenience features.
Britax booster car seats
Booster car seats are designed strictly for use in the forward-facing position. As they are most suitable for older children (generally two years and over), they have increased weight and height limits.
Not all Britax booster car seats have the ClickTight system, but owners generally agree that these seats are easy to install. Again, you’ll find Britax offers various pricing tiers in the booster car seat category. Check the specs before buying, including the targeted age and weight range of the seat, to make sure your chosen product has the features you want.
Britax car seat prices
The price of a Britax car seat hinges mainly upon the number of additional safety, comfort, and convenience features the model offers. Basic car seats start at the lowest end of the price spectrum, with the overall cost escalating in accordance with the seat’s feature set.
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Britax infant car seat prices range between approximately $200 and $300.
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Britax convertible car seats start out at around $200 and can cost upwards of $440, depending on the model and whether or not the anti-rebound bar is included.
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Britax booster car seats cost around $160 for the most basic design and reach up to $390 or more for deluxe models.
FAQ
Q. What makes the ClickTight installation system so special?
A. The ClickTight system offered by Britax is quite possibly the easiest method of installing a car seat. While this is wonderfully convenient, the system’s true value lies in the reduced possibility of installing the seat incorrectly, which in turn would render it unsafe. There are only three steps to follow. First, turn the key to open the bottom of the seat. Second, thread and connect the seat belt. Third, click the seat closed. It doesn't get any easier that that! Furthermore, since you're using your vehicle’s seat belt, the weight limitations of LATCH installation aren't a concern.
Q. Do I really need extra side-impact protection?
A. Extra protection in any car seat is always a highly desirable feature, and infants in particular may benefit from the increased support offered Britax’s impact-absorbing headrests. However, the extra padding, whether in the form of the headrest or side padding, isn't a strict necessity, and even car seats with just the force-reducing foam-lined walls will offer protection from side-impact collisions.
Q. What are Britax HUGS chest pads?
A. HUGS stands for “Harness Ultra Guard System” and is an extension of the basic SafeCell system found in all Britax car seats. The chest pads are typically found in premium models, and while they may provide some level of added comfort, they are mainly designed to help deflect energy transfer and reduce forward movement during a collision.
