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Britax is almost synonymous with excellent, high-quality car seats. These seats are highly rated and popular among parents who don’t mind spending extra on a comfortable, top-rated seat. Each Britax model has different features, but the overall emphasis is on quality. While some parents feel these car seats are too expensive, they remain best sellers in a variety of markets. This ultimate guide will give you everything you need to know about the Britax Roundabout and other great models. There are lots of questions surrounding car seats, safety, unique features and installation, so read through the helpful FAQ before checking out the comparison sheet. You can then choose a car seat that fits your child and your lifestyle. Be sure to continue to research the best car seats. New seats are being designed every year, and the laws and safety standards can change as well. Most car seats expire after six years, so be sure to buy the newest seat available to find a long-lasting seat your child will enjoy.
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What Is A Britax Roundabout?
The Roundabout is a popular convertible car seat model by Britax. Convertible car seats are designed to offer protection for a wide range of sizes. They are able to be both infant and child, and both front-facing and rear-facing. These seats usually fall within the 5-65 pound range. If you are looking for a seat for a heavier child, try either a booster seat or a combination, which includes both convertible features and a booster seat. Booster seats can go up to 120 pounds. A convertible, however, is usually safe for newborns, at least five pounds, and can last for much of your child’s time in a car seat. For this reason, your choice of convertible car seats is one of the more important decisions regarding car seats. If you don’t like the idea of purchasing a separate booster, consider choosing an all-in-one option. Be aware, these seats generally cost significantly more, but they offer a safe seat from 5-120 pounds.
1. How Safe Are Britax Car Seats?
The biggest question about car seats is their safety. Few parents are willing to buy a car seat, expensive or not, if it isn’t safe. Thankfully, Britax has won awards for their safety ratings, including being the top-rated brand in safety technology. These are some of the safest car seats on the market. However, a leading cause of injury during accidents is improper car seat installation. Even the safest car seat can be a danger if it isn’t properly installed. Be sure to check all the safety instructions and the owner’s manual, and if in doubt, contact a child passenger safety official to help guide you through correct installation.
2. Can My Toddler Use a Britax Seat?
Car seats come in a variety of sizes and positions, and each one is rated for a specific weight-range. Rather than age, car seats go by weight and height. Check your car seat to make sure your child’s weight and height are within the correct limits. Too light, too heavy or too tall could all be dangerous for your child. Some Britax combination seats are rated up to 120 pounds. However, this list will focus on convertible car seats that fall within the 5-65 pound range. If your child weighs more than 65 ponds, consider choosing a combination car seat or a booster seat for your child.
3. Is My Car Seat Installed Correctly?
This is one of the most important questions to ask before using your car seat. Each car seat is installed slightly differently, so it can be a challenge to be sure it is correct. Refer to the owner’s manual, and don’t be afraid to contact a professional regarding your installation. Even the easy installation seats can be installed incorrectly, so be sure to read the directions thoroughly. Also, double-check the weight limits of certain seat orientations. Your infant must be a certain weight before you can turn the seat front-facing, but there is also a maximum limit to rear-facing. Straps and harnesses can also be adjusted to incorrect levels, so check your owner’s manual to confirm all the straps are in the correct positions.
4. Why Choose Britax?
Britax is one of the highest-rated companies in terms of safety. These car seats are all highly rated and best sellers. Each one has some unique features, as well as plenty of features that are standard for high-end car seats. However, Britax seats are all expensive compared to the overall car seat market. Each one is mid-range or high-end in quality and price. If you are looking for the top-of-the-line model, Britax is a great company to choose. If you are looking for a great deal on an inexpensive and functional seat, you may feel these car seats are far too expensive for you. Take a look at some of their more budget-minded options.
How We Reviewed
In order to compare to the Britax Roundabout, each convertible car seat was chosen. Britax has an excellent line of seats, and each one is highly rated. They each have unique features and different price points. These seats were chosen and reviewed based on customer opinions and ratings, professional reviews and specifications from Britax, and other online retailers. The seats were chosen to give you the entire price range of Britax convertible car seats.
Price Range
Car seats range in price depending on safety and comfort levels. Booster seats can be as little as $15, while high-end car seats can cost $600 or more. Britax seats fall in the medium and high ranges. The models on this list range from $199.98 to $379.99. At the low end, you still receive a comfortable seat with great safety ratings, but few optional extras. The more premium seats include easy-to-use belts, harnesses and installation technology. They also include additional safety features. While every seat conforms to safety minimums, some premium ones go above and beyond this benchmark.
Comparison Table
6 Best Britax Car Seats
[amazon link=”B01J7Q7A32″ title=”Britax Roundabout G4″ /]
[amazon box=”B01J7Q7A32″]
A classic choice, the Roundabout is a go-to Britax seat that is cost-effective and safe. It uses the same protective safety features that every Britax seat includes, like a base that absorbs energy, a steel frame and an impact-absorbing tether. Also, like all Britax seats, it’s made and tested in America. It’s a great starter and has plenty of safety features, and it’s the cheapest seat on this list. However, it lacks most of the convenience of a higher-quality seat, like easy buckles and installation. If you want a bargain, but don’t want to skimp on safety, try this great car seat.
[amazon link=”B078229TQZ” title=”Britax Essentials Emblem” /]
[amazon box=”B078229TQZ”]
This step-up is in the mid-range of Britax seats. It has all the same safety ratings, but a few extra features. This seat has a harness that is easily adjustable. Your child will grow fast, so you’ll have to adjust the straps frequently in order to keep your child safe. There is also an extra layer of padding on the sides of the seat, which protects against side-collisions. It’s still missing some of the high-end features, but customers love the adjustable seat harness system.
[amazon link=”B013YCXAG6″ title=”Britax Advocate” /]
[amazon box=”B013YCXAG6″]
Finally, we come to the most premium convertible car seat by Britax. The advocate comes with every feature you’ve heard of. There’s an incredible amount of adjustable and convenient features, include the harness, seat recline, easy installation mechanism, and three layers of side-impact protection. If that isn’t enough, you can even add a rebound bar. This protects your child when they are rear-facing by reducing the forward and backward movements during a collision. However, this incredibly comfortable and safe car seat is still only rated for 5-65 pounds, so you’ll eventually need a larger seat for your child. Many parents are hesitant to pay this much for a seat that won’t last until their child grows out of a car seat. If you are looking for one of the safest car seats on the market, this is a great choice.
[amazon link=”B013YCWASA” title=”Britax Boulevard” /]
[amazon box=”B013YCWASA”]
Just a slight step down from the Advocate, the Boulevard still remains an incredibly safe and convenient car seat. It only has two layers of side-protection, but the other safety features remain the same, including an optional rebound bar. This seat has adjustable straps and reclining, and is just as easy to install. Customers still love how convenient and comfortable this seat is. If you want a high-quality seat for less cost than the Advocate, try out the Britax Boulevard.
[amazon link=”B01N5P7G80″ title=”Britax Marathon” /]
[amazon box=”B01N5P7G80″]
The most mid-range car seat on the list, the Marathon is a popular combination of comfort, safety and cost-effectiveness. It has the same easy-to-install functionality of higher-priced seats, but only offers one layer of side-impact protection. You can still purchase an optional rebound bar, and it’s easy to adjust the harness. Customers love how comfortable and easy-to-clean this seat is. If you’re looking for a balance between cost and comfort, this is a great option.
[amazon link=”B0781V9C3K” title=”Britax Essentials Allegiance” /]
[amazon box=”B0781V9C3K”]
This is a bargain-priced seat offering only the essentials. For a premium company like Britax, of course, even the essentials are still good quality. The seat, while comfortable, isn’t as padded as high-priced models. The quick-adjust function for the harness is still present, but you can’t buy a rebound bar for this seat. It’s very similar to the Roundabout G4.1, but offers the extra feature of adjustable harness straps. It’s very competitively priced, and the seat itself is lightweight.
The Verdict
Whether you are buying a seat for your first child, or fifth, Britax has everything you need to keep your child safe and comfortable, and to avoid all the stress of car seat installation. Before you know it, you’ll need to adjust the straps and positioning of your car seat, so it’s important to have a seat that can move easily. Britax offers both premium and mid-range seats, so if you don’t like the Britax Roundabout, there are plenty of other great options. Carefully consider each feature, and choose the seat that works best for your price range. Each seat has slightly different features, but this guide can help you determine which ones you would like to pay for and which ones you can skip to save money. Choosing a car seat can be stressful, but hopefully with this guide you’re one step closer to finding the right seat for your child.If you are looking for the most inexpensive option, but don’t want to sacrifice safety, try the Britax Essentials Allegiance. The steel frame and impact-protection are still significant compared to other brands, and the adjustable harness makes it easy to keep your child properly secure. If you want the safest and most comfortable car seat you can find, try the Britax Advocate. This seat is the ultimate pick for safety and convenience. You and your child will both rest easy with its three layers of protection and soft, comfortable interior. Whichever model you choose, Britax is a premium, but pricey, company that has excellent quality and customer ratings for every model.