The Britax Allegiance is an affordable convertible choice that provides quality for a reasonable price. To install the seat, follow the same steps as listed above, but use the green belt path. Unbuckle the seat belt first! . You push the rigid LATCH connectors onto the anchors, and that's it! Rear facing seat belt installation of the Boulevard is easy to achieve with the ClickTight system. It offers easy LATCH installation, creating a seat with a potential added margin of safety compared to the competition in this review. G just turned 6 years old, weighs 43 lbs., and is 45 tall. For this reason, we test how challenging it is to remove the fabric covers for washing. The seats lacking a lock-off did not score as well, except for the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Convertible. While neither have the best score for either sensor, they have the best combined scores for Chest and HIC results. We like that it is easy to use and the better-than-average crash test analysis indicates a potential margin of safety over the average seat in this review. We found that options with a lock-off were every bit as secure feeling when installed with a belt as with the LATCH (some even more so). The least helpful storage type is clip attachments on the seatback (above right) that leave straps dangling and accessible to children. Overall, the Emblem is an excellent choice and one we'd recommend to a friend. This carseat has a lifespan of 10 years from the date of manufacture. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Im happy to report that Britax does NOT disappoint with the feature-rich One4Life ClickTight All-in-One. I installed the One4Life (black shell) to a recline suitable for a newborn and a Marathon ClickTight (white shell) to a recline suitable for a newborn as well. The Graco Extend2Fit also has a reasonable price, the highest crash-test result analysis in the group, and can stay rear-facing longer (a potential safety +). Privacy | Cookies | Terms, In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician. The Nuna is relatively expensive, making it a possible no-go if your budget is limited. Thank you. Save products you love, products you own and much more! However, some offer significantly thicker padding, softer or more durable fabric, steel frames, or foam that doesn't off-gas. The One4Life reclines with the push of a button but it isn't as intuitive of a motion as the more common squeeze lever adjustment. The Nuna is easy to install using LATCH in the forward facing position. So, the good news is you should be able to utilize the LATCH method until your child outgrows the LATCH connectors' weight limit (please see your safety seat user manual). There is no visible damage to the car seat. We commission our crash tests using the same guidelines and facilities used by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Rear LATCH Our experts have tested thousands of baby and kids products to share key performance, health, and safety findings. $300-350 (Britax One4Life - $350-400) Crash test results: Gracco 4Ever - 6 (Britax One4Life - 3) Product weight: 22.75 lbs (Britax One4Life - 30 lbs) Height: 24" (Britax . The seat is also a beast; we don't think you'll want to move it very often or use it for travel. Repeat, if necessary, until straps are even. We are not big fans of a one-and-done approach to car seats and think an infant car seat should be used until your little one either grows out of it or ages out according to manufacturer directions. How can we improve BabyGearLab? The Allegiance failed to win an award because of its similarities to the Britax Emblem and the slight price difference. The Clek Foonf has the highest weight limit for rear facing installation out of all the car seats we tested. Retrieve your username. Youll open the CT panel, but the seat belt (or LATCH belt) is threaded behind it, behind the childs back, like a regular FF belt path. The most important rating is the crash test analysis score based on the crash test results from MGA, which corresponds to 35% of the overall score. Alternatively, the non-rethread method adjusts quickly with your little one in the seat as soon as you notice a need. Rear-facing installation (above left) is a super easy and totally painless proposition. same car seat here. Look at our best booster seat review for the next stage in safety car seats. Our reviews also rely on intense product research and observations from multiple testers to compare each product side-by-side with the competition. The Chicco NextFit (above left), Nuna Rava, Britax One4Life ClickTight, Britax Advocate ClickTight ARB, Britax Marathon ClickTight ARB, and the Britax Boulevard ClickTight ARB are top for comfort and quality. This design means it requires increased effort to install by comparison. Britax uses EPP foam here, which is less brittle than EPS foam, and it doesn't off-gas. The Chicco NextFit has a unique LATCH design with a 2-step strap tightening system that is very easy to tighten, requiring no extreme strength. Buy Now. If youre familiar with the Marathon, Boulevard, and Advocate ClickTight convertibles, the forward-facing belt path on the One4Life is oriented differently. Convertible car seats have similar designs with few apparent differences that are not cosmetic. It also isn't your top contender if you want the absolute best crash test results, as its performance results were only about average. BabyGearLab contracts with the same crash test facility that the NHTSA uses to perform our convertible seat crash tests. We still dont recognize that sign in. The Peg Perego cover and padding envelope the seat and curl around the shell and frame for an overall nice fit and finish. 10 Years of Use: One4Life convertible to booster car seat grows with your child up to 63" in height. When I first saw this I thought it was cheesythis is a Britax, after all. The harness covers also are connected to each other and this piece sits behind the cover. I think this is the best harness storage Ive seen! MGA test the seats using the same protocol that NHTSA uses based on the FMVSS 213 safety standard. Brea, CA Urgent Care & Primary Care - Brea Marketplace. Rear facing installation is the safest riding position for baby no matter what their age and it is recommended that baby stay rear facing as long as the seat indicates it is safe to do so. This is one of the easiest adjustment options in the review. Does the One4Life take up more room than a Britax clicktight convertible? Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Britax Grow with You ClickTight Harness-2-Booster Car Seat, Cool Flow Gray at the best online prices at eBay! We tested this car seat without the Anti-Rebound Bar, as that is how it came when purchased. Thank you to Britax for providing the One4Life ClickTight All-in-One used for this review. We take convertible car seat testing very seriously because the stakes are so high. None of the buckle buttons in this lineup are easy to press with a simple thumb push. When you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. The company began distribution in the United States in 1996 after becoming the best-selling car seats in Europe. A rating of how compatible, easy and secure a child car seat can be correctly installed in certain test vehicles. We include the details parents require to make an informed decision about which convertible car seat is the best option for their child and budget. Most vehicles do not offer LATCH anchors in the center location. Everything fits in its spot, though there isnt a spot to keep the harness strap covers. None of the seats in this review have straps or buttons that are impossible to use. This group has budget-friendly options with winners and lower-priced seats to meet your needs and safety goals. Maximum weight (lbs.) With a 7 of 10, the Allegiance is somewhat harder to install using the vehicle belt than some competition. Then we buy a second unit of each car seat to put through our rigorous hands-on testing process. In our tests, the Britax Boulevard ClickTight ARB earned one of the highest overall results with perfect LATCH and belt installation scores, creating a virtually foolproof convertible car seat anyone can install. Extend vs. Heres G again (6 years old, 43 lbs., 45 ), this time forward-facing in the harness. Method of adjusting harness height / position for different height children. Heres how to fix this on a seat like the One4Life that has 2 separate harness straps (each harness strap anchors at the hip and attaches at the splitter plate): We put a variety of children in the carseat to test the fit and all of them fit in the harness really well. When used as a highback booster, the seat can be secured with LATCH up to 120 lbs., the maximum weight limit. The Graco Extend2Fit earned the highest result in the group for crash test analysis with a combined head and chest sensor result that beats the competition. The Britax Emblem is a quality convertible product with easy-to-use, non-rethread shoulder strap adjustment, a push-button LATCH, and better comfort padding and fabric. G is back and hes still 6 years old, 43 lbs., and 45 tall. In our lab tests, All-In-One Car Seats Hi Patrick. These are the rules you must follow to restrain your children safely. We suggest you keep your baby in their infant car seat until they are 9-12 months old or as their height starts to push the infant seat's maximum length (always follow the manufacturer's limitations of your infant seat to guide you). There are obvious differences between the One4Life and the regular ClickTight convertibles (Marathon, Boulevard, and Advocate), such as the improved CT panel, the ability to convert to a booster, and 3 crotch strap slots. She is almost 9 months, almost 29 inches tall, 22 lbs 9 32 comments New Add a Comment Specialties: Combining smart technology with modern, welcoming clinics, Carbon Health provides virtual and in-person appointments for primary care and urgent care. This chart helps show the differences between the products and their results. We like handwashing methods over spot cleaning only, but because there is a high potential for throwup, spit-up, and poopy blowouts, it is ideal to have a machine-washable cover you can remove quickly. and harness covers. We independently buy, test, and rate all the products we review. The Foonf is relatively easy to install using the vehicle belt, offering impressive comfort and quality in its design. The One4Life has one of the lowest crash test analysis results in our best convertible car seat review, with disappointing results for the chest sensor data and better than average HIC results. Probably the most straightforward and unique cover is on the Chico NextFit Zip, which has a cover that zips off all the way around for easy removal for machine washing. The label on the side of the seat helps you determine where it should be. While it does cost a little more than those already mentioned, it is still less spendy than the average car seat in our tests and is one of the higher-ranking selections. This model is ideal for those who plan to use a full car seat well into childhood years. The harness release button and tightening strap on the Graco MyRide 65 LX are both located near the foot of the seat and they are the easiest ones in the group to use. The anti-rebound bar is a safety feature, so definitely install it if your seat came with it. The seat bottom stays out of the way, leaving it open to thread the belt. 5.0 out of 5 stars Livraison . In 2014 Consumer Reports launched its own comparative child car-seat. Since injuries can occur when a harness isn't adjusted to fit correctly, we prefer non-rethread assemblies. Britax One4Life base The One4Life has a smooth and flat base, without any protrusions or sharp angles that could damage the vehicle seat. Highly recommended!! It is the most innovative seat in the review and includes a rigid forward facing LATCH system. Ease of use Best Deals on Carry-Ons, Weekenders, Backpacks, and More, Smarter: How to Store Bags So Theyre Not a Mess, Best Deals on High Chairs, Strollers, and More Baby Products, Protect Yourself From Indoor Air Pollution, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Excels at removing embedded dirt from carpets. The chart above shows a comparison between the Sirona S and the top-scoring seat for chest clip, the Clek Foonf. Car seats are designed with different body sizes and shapes in mind, as well as the developmental stages of muscle control. If you are looking for a convertible car seat, then your baby is at the age range where many parents are also thinking about choosing the. It is one of the few seats we tested that retain the straps and clips. Unlock to see our ratings and compare products side by side. And we see why this would be attractive as a potential to save money and time buying more than one product. AND child's head is 1" below top edge of headrest Forward-facing: 22-65 lbs., 49" or less Highback booster: 40-120 lbs., 44-63", at least 4 years old One4Life Overview: Improved ClickTight installation with color-coded belt guides Adjustable 9-position base Premium Performance: Exclusive combination of StayClean fabric: stain, moisture, and odor-resistant technology + SafeWash fabric: washer/dryer friendly, naturally flame retardant with no added chemicals. Forward facing installation for the Emblem using the vehicle belt is a little trickier but the belt lock-off works well to stabilize the seat. The harness height adjustment on the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio has an easy pull tab to operate with no rethreading of straps necessary. Installing car seat base using the lap belt. allowed for child in rear facing orientation. The Britax Emblem and Britax Allegiance are also straightforward. This removes tension from the CT panel. This seat's harness height adjustment is a non-rethread headrest assembly that moves up and down with the squeeze of a lever. The Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) installation method should make it easier to correctly install car seats with fewer opportunities to make mistakes. The Chicco NextFit Zip has one of the shortest tightening straps in the group, and it took more effort to pull than some of the competition. This safety seat claims suitability for all stages of life from infancy to booster seat. allowed for child in forward facing orientation. However, in front-facing installation, the directions are different. The width will prevent you from using 3 safety seats across or 2 seats with an average size adult between them. The One4Life has an infant insert with a weight limit of 5-20 lbs. Using the belt lock-off/tensioner on the Sirona S isn't difficult but it is a two-step process. We like them as a safety feature, but we feel actual crash testing data is more critical than stated features or claims. We prefer the non-rethread style because it is simple, and we think busy parents will be more likely to keep the harness adequately fitted if they can accomplish this quickly without removing their child from the seat. Baby E was the smallest at 4 weeks old, around 9 lbs. I usually measure the front passenger seat for me and Im 56. I set the front seats of my 2011 Acura MDX to as similar a recline and distance as I could to make this a fair test. The Britax Allegiance has the best (lowest) HIC result for the group, with a slightly better than average result for the Chest Clip; these results help it earn the group's second-best score with an 8. Like all other ClickTight seats, the One4Life is designed to be installed with the seat belt. Nope, the carseat isnt touching any of the front seats. The LATCH connectors and anchors are only part of the LATCH equation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that "car crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13.". This feature made the chest clip harder to use, and didn't seem to improve its performance. Instead of being a bright blue, the text was a purple-tinged grey. Our daughter is 23 lbs and also we just finished installing and the headrest seems to rattle is this normal? Thread the seat belt through the green belt path and buckle. However, surprisingly, about a third of the options are easier to install using the vehicle belt not the LATCH. No ads. It drove me insane as I dressed and undressed the carseat and tried to figure out which way was up, but as a daily use type of thing, I can see it being quite helpful in keeping the harness covers in place and in keeping them out of the way of the chest clip. The Britax buckle and chest clip can be stiff but they aren't challenging to use like some of the competition. Car seats have come a long way in the past decade, and it seems like every manufacturer has some special feature to sell you on their product. For comfort and quality, we consider materials and overall construction. Fit was excellent outboard in the Model 3 with plenty of room for front passengers, though it was quite difficult installing it in the center position because the seat belt anchors are narrower than the carseat base. We purchase two of each car seat we review, one for crash testing and one for in-house testing, so you can trust that our results are unbiased and honest. The ClickTight and True Tensioner Door on the Nuna Rava are potential tensioners as opposed to traditional lock-offs. With several award-winning seats offering reasonable prices and better-than-average crash results, you can find a convertible car seat with a potential additional margin of protection without draining the bank. to help you make better choices for lifes big moments and the everyday ones in between. We rated each seat compared to the competition using a 1-10 scoring system using crash test report analysis. Other buckles are stiff, but at least they don't require cussing to use. *You help support BabyGearLab's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners. We love the non-rethread harness height adjustment with ten levels, seamless soft fabric, a closed outer shell, and three layers of padding for comfort. The further below the Federal HIC maximum of 1000 indicates a better result, so a taller bar indicates potentially better protection. The LATCH connectors on the Emblem have a one sides tightening strap which in our experience takes more strength to use than some of the unique LATCH straps with center connectors or self-ratcheting features. The most I needed was recline 2 before it was too upright according to the recline indicator in the Model X and the Town & Country. 49" and the child's ears must be below the top of the head restraint. below the top of the head restraint. and up to 63" in height. The Britax Boulevard ClickTight ARB has the highest score for tightening and loosening. The cover on this seat comes off surprisingly easily. Each seat has a harness tightening strap and a harness release button to loosen the straps. The recline position must be set to position B, which is most upright. It tucks under the edges of the seat and is four pieces, making for easier removal and replacement and also means you can remove just the part that is dirty if your mess is isolated to a single area. The low price translated to disappointing scores for comfort and quality, but the fabric is easy to remove and clean. The Britax HIC score is close to 400 which isn't bad considering the maximum allowed is 1000, but the best in the group is 186, so it pales in comparison. I cant seem to find it. Car Seats test program at Our testing process begins with buying two units of each car seat. The harness slots are the tallest of any all-in-one on the market, the 50 lbs. below the top of the head restraint. LATCH storage isn't as crucial for convertible seats as it is for infant carriers, where they can inhibit carrier connection to the base. Last but not least, we consulted and contracted with MGA Research, the same national testing facility that has the compliance contract for FMVSS 213 assessing the safety of car seat in the US. The seats have similarities like a plastic shell, impact foam, comfort padding, and a fabric cover. As a result of these statistics, we feel ease of installation and ease of use are critical metrics when selecting a car safety seat. The shell is almost completely encased (above right) for easy cleanup and fewer places for the gunk to hide. If Britax is your brand of choice, we believe the. This rating is based on a rear-facing installation using the LATCH system. The One4Life HIC result is 399, where the max allowed is 1000, and the best is the Britax Allegiance with a 186. Britax also sells some top-ranked strollers and now owns the BOB company. Installing the One4Life is simple with the vehicle belt and earned the same result here as it did for the LATCH connection. In this review, several seats have a belt lock-off located on the seat, all with forward and rear-facing lock-offs. Installing infant car seat shell using the lap and shoulder belt. Just bought the britax one4life and we were wondering should we install the rebound bar. there should be something you can do to mitigate the rattle. if you do choose to use it. The buckle on the Evenflo Tribute LX is one of the easiest in the group to use. The LATCH system of installation was designed to help parents install car seats safely every time. AND childs head is 1 below top edge of headrest, Highback booster: 40-120 lbs., 44-63, at least 4 years old, Improved ClickTight installation with color-coded belt guides, No-rethread harness with 15 position headrest, Energy-absorbing, rip-stitch V-shaped tether, Built-in cooling channels with ventilated mesh for improved air flow, On-board harness storage for booster mode, MSRP $364.99-$469.99 depending on fashion, Crotch strap depth: inner slot: 1 without infant insert (headrest in lowest position); second slot: 1 with infant insert, 5 3/4 without insert; outer slot: 7 without insert, Seat weight: 29.5 lbs. A small collection of just some of the convertible car seats we've tested over the years. Our testing methods include buying two safety seats for each model, one for crash testing and one for in-house lab testing and real-world use. The main portion of the seat is a soft yet durable fabric, while the fabric on the seat sides is a little coarser (above left). Rear-facing installation using vehicle seat belts. Range in inches of children allowed by seat in booster mode. NO ADDITIONAL COST: You pay $0 for repairs - parts, labor and shipping included. No ads. To help you pick the best convertible car seat, BabyGearLab spends tens of thousands of dollars crash testing car seats at the same certified testing lab the US Government uses for its safety certification testing. This rating is based on a rear-facing installation using the vehicle belts. You can see by his stats that hes nearing the height limit, but not the weight limit. The Model 3 seats are more sloped and needed a noodle to properly recline for a newborn. Passwords are 6-20 characters with at least one number and letter. Maximum weight (lbs.) All opinions expressed are those of CarseatBlog. Kids' car seats undergo significant messes and require regular cleaning (whether you like it or not). None, Included or available. Where does the user manual tuck away? While also an intriguing device, it emits EMF, and each parent will need to decide if this feature is compelling enough to expose their child to EMF. The chest clip is where the harness comes together above the buckle, across the chest. Range in inches of children allowed by the seat in forward-facing harnessed mode. While it isn't the heaviest option in the group, it is over the average of 21 and certainly not light enough to consider lugging through an airport or city sidewalk. Learn how your comment data is processed. $119.99 . Loosen the harness by sliding your hand under the chest clip and pulling out so that both straps pull evenly. The whole operation moves smoothly and is easy to use. For infants and children without head control, the arrow tip must be in the solid blue in the angle indicator on the side of the seat. Unlock for unbiased ratings and reviews for products and services you use everyday. It is effortless and requires NO strap tightening. In the event this happens, Britax recommends that the use of a car seat be discontinued if it has been in a moderate to severe crash. We've tested more than 60 car seats, including 31 convertible seats. However, the Clek Foonf (above left) is one of the narrowest options at only 17 inches, which means you might be able to use three safety seats across your back seat or two and an adult. However, the Boulevard provides impressive performance in most test areas, making it a potential option if your budget is bigger. This chart includes the % below the maximum allowed HIC result of each seat we tested in this review. The One4Life does seem like a huge carseat, but in reality, its fairly average in size and you cant beat the installation. BabyGearLab does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.See our Terms for more info. It converts from a rear-facing infant seat, to a forward-facing 5-point harness, to a high-back belt-positioning booster. All you need to do is lift the seat bottom, thread the belt across, remove the slack (don't tighten), and close the seat bottom until it clicks. It is for rear-facing use ONLY and has a label on the side to remind you. Overall, the Nuna is a quality seat with impressive scores in most metrics, and for families where budget is less of a concern and quality is number one, the Nuna is one for your list of contenders. The LATCH connectors stow in the seat back sort of wadded up and shoved in (above left). Some lock-offs work a little better than others, but even those that are challenging, still provide a more secure feeling installation in our tests than seats without a lock-off. This is due to the type of splitter plate used to hold the harness ends and will happen on other seats as well. listed below. Average of 1 Customer Reviews. For fun and to show the true rear-facing range, the model I recruited for booster pictures decided he wanted to try the seat rear-facing. Let us know! The insert is not mandatory to use but it MUST be removed when your child reaches 20 lbs. The Britax Emblem is also a good value. Our innovative . If its really bad, you can replace the harness. When its in booster mode, though, no overhang is allowed and the entire base of the car seat must be on the vehicle seat. 49" and the child's ears must be below the top of the seat shell. Forward-facing LATCH weight limit: 35 lbs. Visit Website. Powered by consumers. CarseatBlog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. 49" and the child's ears must be below the top of the head restraint. Parents should familiarize themselves with the user manual as your installation options can change as your child grows. However, we feel it deserves a nod and is a worthwhile option to save you money. LATCH installation is both easier and feels slightly more stable than using the vehicle belt. They also consider the comfort of your little one and how safe they'll be during transport. Push down on the panel to close it. PO Box 8819. One of the best car seats on the market right now! There was enough friction between the puffiness in the fabric and the shoulder belt guide so that the shoulder belt didnt retract when G sat forward. Fortunately, you dont need to remember these weight limits because theres a label right there on the front of the insert to remind you. One the one hand, theyre super easy for parents to remove for cleaning. Im going to show all the ARB pics right here. No sponsored content. The Britax ClickTight car seats don't have traditional lock-offs, but the pressure of the seat bottom closure acts as a lock-off and prevents the car seat from sliding back and forth on the vehicle belt, something we often see in lock-off-free seats. Brea arrest records. Indicates the availability of spanish language instructions. The Britax Frontier ClickTight Harness-2-Booster Car Seat is designed for toddlers to bigger kids. LATCH Weight Limits: If in your vehicle, like my Tesla Model X, the V-tether slides down the sides of the vehicle seat, you can tie the tail of the tether around the tether to turn it into a Y shape or order a tether extender from Britax to make the same shape (see pic). In this Britax One4Life review, we are giving you an overview of its features, benefits, specs, disadvantages, and much more. Our judgment of how easy each seat is to use including the clarity of labels and instructions, adjustments of clips and buckles, the transition of the seat between modes and installation features such as LATCH connections, belt paths, top tethers and booster guides. Outdoor adventures are better with a baby on your back. However, the options diverge in ease of use, with some being significantly easier to use than other contenders, thanks to extra features or better functionality of the features like buckles. Looking for the right diaper for your little one? When you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. Amazon Customer. Full Body Protection: 2 layers of side impact protection surround your child's head, neck & torso. Recline the carseat so its in the appropriate range for your child. Inflatable airplane seat belts are not compatible with the One4Life. To remove the ARB, press the red buttons on each side inside, then wiggle it a bit until you can pull it free. Hi Rebecca. BabyGearLab was founded by a Pediatrician Mom with a mission to provide a reliable, independent, source of information to new parents.