The 10 Best Cheap Britax Convertible Car Seat Reviews
Congratulations on the newborn baby. Now, you’ll have to deal with the daily joys and hassles that come along with it. One of those challenges is how you’re going to transport your infant from one place to another. You are probably torn between the traditional Britax infant car seat vs. the convertible model.
Which one wins? There are tons of questions to ask, and when it comes to your baby’s safety, a Britax convertible car seat is essential. It’s an excellent car seat for 4 year old kids because of its dual-purpose feature.
You can install it in a front or rear-facing position, unlike standard rear-facing infant car seats that need replacing after the baby’s first year.
However, there’s no clear winner if you’re looking for a straight choice between the two. The best option is one that’ll fit your life with minimum disruption. And it’s going to depend so much on your child. One major difference between a Britax toddler car seat and a Britax convertible car seat is the way they attach to your vehicle.
An infant or toddler seat is the more traditional version of the two. It faces the car’s rear and comes in two parts, the carrier, and base. The base comes with latch connectors attaching to the seat permanently, and, allows the carrier to clip in and out of it as needed.
You can match it with a dog car seat cover and bring your child’s pet companion with you.
Would you prefer to let your baby sleep while taking them from the vehicle? Cheap infant car seats like Britax brands are perfect for that.
Moreover, most carriers are stroller compatible. For instance, the Britax car seat and stroller offers a secure and flexible way to transfer your infant between the vehicle and other places.
The main advantage of the convertible chair is that it can convert to a front-facing seat as your baby grows. So in this article, we’ll walk you through the best affordable Britax convertible car seat options. Remember to read our resource on leather conditioner for car seats to keep a cool, classy vehicle interior.
Becoming a parent is can be overwhelming. Taking of your child safety is even more challenging. We’re going to tell you everything you need to know about car seats because your baby safety is always a priority.
Different Types of Car Seats
Car seats should make it safe to transport your infant in a vehicle. There are plenty of choices in the market, making it hard to know what you should get.
1) Infant Car Seats
The infant car seat is meant for infants from birth to almost two years old. After that, the child will need a bigger seat. Infant or toddler seats only face the rear position. It can also function as a carrier.
The NHTSA recommends toddlers to travel in the rear facing position until the height or weight your seat manufacturer designates. At that point, you’ll need to replace it with a preferred front-facing seat. And that’s where a Britax convertible car seat comes in.
2) Convertible Car Seats
Once you purchase the convertible seat, your baby will use it until they outgrow a car seat. It offers greater use out of your investment while providing the best value for money. The convertible version lets you use it in rear-facing and forward-facing positions. Infants, up to three years, can use the rear facing form.
Thereafter, you can switch to the forward-facing style. But convertible car seats are not for everyone. For example, they won’t give you the best service if you need a portable model. Besides, it doesn’t double up as an infant carrier. Some parents also find the seats too big for smaller infants.
3) Three in One Car Seats
To deal with these concerns, you can invest in all-in-one convertible seats. The Britax booster car seat, for example, is convertible and also works as a booster seat. The three-in-one models will serve your baby from rear-facing to front-facing, and then to a booster seat, from where they’ll begin using a seat belt.
4) Booster Car Seats
Booster seats only allow the front-facing position. The models come with different minimum weight designations between 30 and 40 pounds. The best part is that your child will use it until they no longer need a car seat.
Keep in mind that infant car seat regulations vary from one state to the other. Most states using high weight guidelines for kids in car seats.
The best booster seats often come with a built-in harness or buckles, although others will use the vehicle seat belt. You’ll want to consider your child’s height to determine the most comfortable model.
For example, depending on the growth rate, weight, and size of your child, you could get the Britax high back booster. Doing this will ensure that the infant never outgrows it unless they are ready for the seat belt.
Are Britax Car Seats Good For You?
Britax is a global household brand for its car seat safety commitment to safety. Most parents consider Britax models as the most reliable and safest. The company car seats get the best ratings during crash tests.
Moreover, all their products, including Britax convertible car seat options, come with exceptional SafeCell protection against impacts.
This safety feature exceeds federal safety standards. It includes state of the art defense components that not only absorb energy but also limit movement during collisions.
Britax seats use superior breathable padding. The fabric cool flow design ensures your baby stays fresh. If the above features aren’t enough, wait till you encounter the company ClickTight installation component.
The feature is exclusive to Britax products. Since nearly half of the buyers install car seats incorrectly, Britax patented system doesn’t allow for human error.
The 10 Best Britax Convertible Car Seat Reviews
Every parent has budget priorities. But whichever your needs, we’ve got you covered.
1) Britax Boulevard ClickTight
You’ll get this car seat if you need the best of safety and comfort for your baby.
Features
- Steel frame construction
- Click tight installation technology
- Measures 23 by 18.5 by 23.5 inches
- Fourteen positions adjustment harness
- Safe snug indicator
- Two-layer protection from side impacts
- Anti-impact base
- Up to 40 pounds in the rear-facing position and a maximum of 65 pounds front-facing position
2) Britax Marathon ClickTight
This Britax marathon car seat takes the cake for comfort.
Features
- Steel frame construction
- Seven reclining positions
- Click tight installation technology
- Two-mode buckle
- Measures 23 by 18.5 by 23.5 inches
- Fourteen positions adjustment harness
- Safe snug indicator
- Single-layer protection from side impacts
- Anti-impact base
- Up to 40 pounds in the rear-facing position and a maximum of 65 pounds front-facing position
3) Britax Advocate ClickTight
The Advocate ClickTight vehicle seat from Britax comes with breathable padding to deliver ultimate comfort for your baby.
Features
- Steel frame construction
- Measures 23 by 20.5 by 23.5 inches
- Click tight installation technology
- Head protector
- Fourteen positions adjustment harness
- Safe snug indicator
- Triple-layer protection from side impacts
- Anti-impact base
- Up to 40 pounds in the rear-facing position and maximum 65 pounds front-facing position
4) Britax One4Life ClickTight All-in-One
The One4Life convertible car seat from Britax is the only one in its class with ClickTight safety features.
Features
- Up to ten years’ usage
- Three-in-one functionality
- Supports up to 120 pounds
- Steel frame construction
- Suitable for up to 63-inch tall kids
- Click tight installation technology
- Britax high back booster technology
- Two-mode buckle
- Measures 23 by 18.5 by 23.5 inches
- Fourteen positions adjustment harness
- Safe snug indicator
- Nine recline positions
- Two-layer protection from side impacts
- Anti-impact base
- Up to 40 pounds in the rear-facing mode and maximum 65 pounds front-facing position
5) Britax Skyline 2-Stage Car Seat
You’ll get this seat if your infant likes to nap in the vehicle. The Skyline is the most comfortable among Britax Booster car seats.
Features
- High back and backless booster design
- Supports up to 120 pounds
- Dual-layer side impact protection
- Steel frame construction
- Integrated armrests
- Ten positions adjustable headrest
- Suitable for up to 63-inch tall kids
- Click tight installation technology
- Built-in foam padding
6) Britax Grow with You ClickTight
The USA Grow dual booster car seat offers the transportation flexibility you need throughout your baby’s growth.
Features
- Dual booster design
- V-shaped tether
- Supports up to 120 pounds
- Dual-layer side impact protection
- Click tight installation technology
- Neck-support padding
- Steel frame construction
- Includes compartments for snacks
- Built-in foam padding
7) Britax B-Safe Ultra Infant
You’ll get this B-Safe car seat from Britax if you need something exclusively for the infant.
Features
- Supports up to 35 pounds infants
- Rear-facing design
- Dual-layer side impact protection
- Cool flow fabric
- Rideshare seatbelt technology
- Adjustable head protection
- Steel frame
- Spring-based recline
- Compatible with strollers
- Measures 17.75 by 25 by 30.62 inches
8) Britax Grow with ClickTight Plus Harness
This Grow With You car seat by Britax will give you an easy time to wash.
Features
- Supports up to 120-pound infants
- Dual booster design
- Jet Safewash material
- Triple-layer impact cushioning
- Flame-resistant cover
- Click tight installation technology
- Four-way stretch fabric
9) Britax Allegiance 3 Stage
This three-stage Allegiance car seat by Britax is an excellent choice for those who want safety and comfort in a sleek design.
Features
- Supports up to 65-pound infants
- V-shaped tether protection
- Front and rear-facing
- Integrated lock-offs
- Anti-impact base
- Measures 26 by 18.5 by 21 inches
- Single-layer impact cushioning
- Ten positions adjustable harness
- Steel frame construction
10) Britax B-Safe 35 Infant
The B-Safe 35 car seat from Britax is available in many attractive prints with a sleek design.
Features
- Single-layer side impact protection
- Steel frame construction
- Anti-impact base
- An integrated safe center latch system
- Spring-based recliner
- Safety lock indicators
- Works with Britax strollers
- Supports up to 35-pound infants
- Measures 17.75 by 25 by 26.5 inches
Convertible vs. Infant Car Seat: Cost Implications
For most things in life, money determines the large part of each choice. Both baby safety seats can save your funds in different ways. It often comes down, which makes more sense depending on your lifestyle. It’s almost obvious how a convertible automobile seat saves money.
Once your child outgrows the front-facing seat, you won’t be spending more on a new seat. You only purchase one product that’ll serve you throughout the baby growth. And you’ll even reduce waste in the world.
On the other hand, an infant car seat will save you money on purchasing a stroller. Most toddler seats’ carriers are compatible with stroller frames.
It means you can get a set of stroller and car seat as one package and save on buying the products separately. Besides, the infant model can save you a significant amount of time.
Your ability to transfer your baby from the car is an added advantage, especially in their early years. But as your child develops, it will become hard to lift them because they get heavier.
And as your kid gets too heavy to lift, you’ll lose the beneficial functions of having an infant car seat.
Factors To Consider When Buying a Car Seat
Now that we’ve taken you through our preferred Britax convertible car seat models let’s see what you need to consider when shopping for a car seat.
1) The Infant Vital Statistics
It’s essential to pick the right seat depending on the weight, height, and age of your baby. It is safest to ride an infant in a rear-facing position. On the other hand, two-year-old and above toddlers are safest in front-facing seats.
You’ll want to get booster seats for older kids, at least until eight years, or based on their weight and height requirements.
2) Car Owner Manual
Most automobile owner’s manuals have details concerning the accurate position to place the child safety seat in the car. They also include instructions relating to the most applicable installation method.
3) Retainer Clips
It’s advisable to choose seats with two sets of retainer clips. The seats are more secure and make it difficult for toddlers, infants, or stronger kids to unfasten accidentally.
4) Safety Standards
The rule of thumb for choosing the safest seat is checking for current industry standards approvals. For example, you can check for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association or JPMA logo on the box.
5) Fabric
The car seat’s fabric is as important as the baby’s protection. Breathable material ensures your child remains cool as you travel. Besides, smooth fabrics are easier to wipe clean than their textured or corduroy counterparts.
6) Installation Manual
While most child seats are easy to install, you don’t want to take chances with your baby’s safety. Consider a product that includes complete installation instructions with clear diagrams, if possible.
The Bottom Line
Concerning your preferred car seat, there’s no wrong and right answer. While a convertible seat model offers the flexibility of use, an infant child seat can still work for you.
It will depend upon your requirements and how you intend to use the product. But if you are looking to save yourself some cash, then a Britax convertible car seat is the recommended choice.
The most crucial factor to consider when selecting the vehicle seat is your child’s safety. Your choice of car seat style may not be matter, provided the baby is safe. In that case, you would have made the right choice.
Regardless, driving with your kids without securing them properly can be extremely risky. And purchasing a new seat to that end can prove somewhat costly unless it’s a convertible model.
