Britax Car Seat Comparison
The Differences in Britax Convertible Child Restraints
Britax, a well-respected name in the car seat industry, produces 5 different models of convertible seats. Here's how parents can choose the best Britax for their needs.
Since Britax moved into the U.S. car seat market in 1996, it has been a powerhouse in the sale of child passenger restraints. With 5 different models of convertible restraints, car seats that can be used rear and forward facing, parents looking to buy a Britax must scrutinize which model suits their families needs the best.
Common Features
Many of the features of Britax seats set them apart from others in the industry. Parents will appreciate many of the aspects that all of their convertible car seats share. Similar features include:
- Infants can sit rear-facing from 5 to 33 lbs
- Patented versa-tether system allows the seat to be tethered both rear andforward-facing.
- Twist-free 5-point harness
- Easy to adjust harness
- EPS foam (though some models have more foam than others. See details below).
- LATCH compatible
- Certified for airplane travel
- Available in a variety of colors and patterns
- Made in the USA with U.S. and global components
Britax Roundabout
The Roundabout is the least expensive model of all the Britax convertible seats, selling at $220. The Roundabout, as well as the Diplomat, has a lower forward-facing limit of 40 lbs compared to the other Britax convertibles. While this limit may suit children who are below to average on the growth charts, parents of larger babies may do better with a seat with a 65 lb. weight limit. The Roundabout has 3 shoulder strap positions and one crotch strap position. The other advantage of both the Roundabout and Diplomat is that it is smaller in size. This may lend for a better fit in smaller compact cars or for families who need multiple car seats on a bench seat.
Product Dimensions: Weighs 13 lbs.; Exterior Product 18.5"x24.5"x24"; Seating Compartment Height 21"; Seat Area Depth/Width 9/11"; Shoulder Width 12.5"; Harness Slot Heights 10"/12.5"/15.1"; Buckle Strap Depth 6.6".
Britax Diplomat
The Diplomat is a more elite version of the Roundabout. Parents can think of the Diplomat as having all the bells and whistles of the larger Boulevard, but with the size of a Roundabout. Added features of the Diplomat over the Roundabout include side impact protection, an infant body pillow, multi position headrest, a harness that adjusts at the turn of a button without rethreading, and comfort pads. It also comes with the steeper price of $260.
Product Dimensions Same as Roundabout except: Weighs 15 lbs; Exterior Product 19"x25"x23.5"; Harness Slot Heights 10.75 continuous adjust to 15; Buckle Strap Depth 6.75"
Britax Marathon
In the middle of the Britax spectrum of car seats sits the Marathon. The Britax Marathon is a popular choice with parents, despite its $270 price tag.
The differences in the Marathon vs. the Roundabout are that its forward facing limits are 65 lbs. and 49" height, the patented HUGS system, LATCH bar, comfort pads, and 4 slot harness. The reason why the Marathon tends to be preferred over the Roundabout by parents and car seat safety technicians is the increased forward facing limits. Keeping a child harnessed for as long as possible has clear safety advantages. While it is not likely that a child will be able to remain in the Marathon until ready to graduate to using just the car's seat belt restraint, the Marathon will probably keep young children harnessed a year or two longer than the Roundabout.
Product Dimensions: Weighs 16.5 lbs; Exterior Product 19.5"x27.5"x25.5"; Seating Compartment Height 24.5"; Shoulder Width 11.75"; Harness Slot Heights10"/12.25 /14.5"/16.75" Buckle Strap Depth 5.25"
Britax Decathlon
For a little bit more than the Marathon, $285, parents can get the Britax Decathlon. The Decathlon is quite similar to the Marathon except that it has infant and toddler pillows, omits the LATCH bar, has 3 crotch pad positions, and has a push button harness adjust rather than a lift lever. The infant body pillow may make this seat more desirable to parents who are looking to skip the use of an infant car seat carrier. The pillows may allow for a better fit for a smaller infant.
Product Dimensions same as Marathon except: Weighs 15.5 lbs; Seating Compartment Height 24.75"; Shoulder Width 11.25"; Buckle Strap Depth 2.4"/4.4"/6.4"
Britax Boulevard
Simply put, the Boulevard is a hybrid of the Diplomat and Marathon. It has the benefit of the Marathon's higher weight limits with the safety features of the Diplomat (mentioned above). Slight differences in the Diplomat and Boulevard are that it has the patented HUGS system, LATCH bar, and lift lever harness adjustment seen in the Marathon. Selling at $300, it is the most expensive of the Britax convertible car seats.
Product Dimensions: Weighs 19 lbs; Exterior Product 19.5"x27"x25.5"; Seating Compartment Height 24.6"; Shoulder Width 13.5"; Harness Slot Heights 10" continuous adjust to 17"; Buckle Strap Depth 5.25".
When selecting a Britax convertible car seat, parents need to weigh out which factors are most important to them. Britax convertibles differ in size, child size accommodated, safety features, comfort features, and cost. By focusing on what is most important to them, parents can choose the Britax seat that best meets their needs.
Specifications refer to models currently being manufactured; older models may have different requirements.
For information on car seat including recommendations for infant car seat carriers and convertible seats, refer to blog entry entitled Car Seat Article Index.
References
- Britax
- Baby Bargains, Denise and Alan Fields
