Every parent knows how scary it gets when traveling with a baby in their car. Anything can go wrong and accidents happen quickly. As a father myself, I know the importance of picking the best infant car seat. When I looked between the Britax vs Chicco range, I was presented with numerous options. From infant car seats to convertible seats to travel systems.
I picked Britax One4Life Convertible Car Seat as my top selection because of its impact protection features. However, if I was to choose a budget saving option without compromising on quality I would pick the Chicco Bravo Travel System for an all-in-one car seat and stroller option.
Car Seat Categories Compared
To simplify your decision-making process, I’ve split my top picks into three categories:
- Britax vs Chicco Infant Car Seat
- Britax vs Chicco Convertible Car Seat
- Britax vs Chicco Travel System
Which One is Better for Infant Car Seats: Britax vs Chicco
I’ve touched on car seats before. Read my comparison review for Evenflo vs Graco if you’re looking at either of these brands. I’ve also done an extensive review on travel systems between the Chicco and Graco brands. But, today I want to talk about the other different options you can choose from when looking for an infant car seat.
My article today focuses on the range of car seats available from both Britax and Chicco. But, I’m sure I’m not alone when I say I find the range of car seats to choose from quite overwhelming! If you, as a parent, are feeling the same way then take a deep breath!
After further research, I was able to break down my top picks based on numerous criteria I felt important when looking at infant car seats. From these studies, I narrowed down the options to review. By reading this buyer’s guide, you won’t need to spend too much time deciding which infant car seat is the right one for you and your baby when traveling in the car.
In this article, I’m talking about the Britax and Chicco brands and how they compare when looking at their infant car seats, convertible car seats and travel system options.
Comparing the Brands: Britax vs Chicco
If you’re a long time user of my site, you’ll know how much I place value on a brand. I like to know their story and how serious they are about baby and parenting gear. When looking at car seats, safety is paramount for every parent. And when a brand can assure me as a father and other parents that they’re serious about your baby’s safety, then I take note of them.
Britax has been in the business of mobile safety for over 80 years. Their impressive timeline clearly shows the development of their child car seats over the years using the latest technology. Their team of in-house experts and engineers work on innovative designs while keeping safety at the foremost of all their car seats.
Britax has branched out into strollers as well. Without losing focus on safety at all times, this brand also ensures you get a product that has value, style and high-quality features.
Chicco has been in the baby business since 1958 and their aim is to provide the best solution when it comes to parenting. From toys to baby gear to clothing, Chicco makes sure their products are reliable, safe and innovative. This Italian manufacturer has their products in over 120 countries with over 150 stores in Italy itself.
Chicco is so serious about finding the best solution for parents and their babies that they make use of information not only from medical science centers but from parents themselves.
With two brands committed to providing only their best for parents and babies, I feel they are brands worth investigating further. Which is why I’m using them for my article on the different car seats.
Key Features to Look Out for When Picking an Infant Car Seat
While the Number One feature to look out for in any infant car seat is safety, other key features will help you decide if the option you’re looking at is the best pick.
- Safety: It goes without saying both Britax and Chicco have considered all safety features in all of their car seats. The Britax infant car seats offer impact protection with a solid steel frame, side impact protection and impact-absorbing base. The safe center latch ensures the seat is always fastened tightly in the vehicle as does the built-in seat belt lock feature. The Chicco range has various innovative safety features including the EPS energy-absorbing foam in the carrier shell, latch tighteners and Locksure belt-tighteners.
- Comfort: Both the Britax and Chicco car seats offer a range of reclining positions. This means you can position the seat at an angle most comfortable for your baby or child. The Britax One4Life Convertible Car Seat has nine adjustable reclining positions with 15 positions for the headrest compared to the Chicco Convertible Easiest Infant Booster which gives you 10 headrest positions. Both Britax and Chicco convertible seats are suitable from birth to 10 years with maximum comfort.
- Convenience: Both brands offer the infant car seat and stroller in one package while both Britax and Chicco infant seats are compatible with most strollers when using adaptors. Both brands have made sure installation is straight-forward making these seats conveniently simple to use.
- Pricing: Both Britax and Chicco infant seats came in at exactly the same price while the Chicco convertible car seat option was slightly cheaper than the Britax convertible car seat. The most interesting price comparison came in with the travel system with the Chicco Bravo Travel System weighing in at a few hundred bucks cheaper than the Britax B-Free Travel System. But the Britax Travel System car seat accommodates a child weighing up to 65 pounds while the Chicco Travel System car seat only accommodates a child up to 30 pounds.
Watch this video about the importance of rear facing car seats for babies.
Here is the list of products I’ve included in my review. While I haven’t ranked them in order of preference, you already know I selected the Britax One4Life Convertible Car Seat as my top pick. But when you read the reviews, you may decide on a different one based on your own personal requirements.
- Britax B-Safe Infant Car Seat
- Chicco KeyFit Infant Seat
- Britax One4Life Convertible Car Seat
- Chicco Convertible Easiest Infant Booster
- Britax B-Free Travel System
- Chicco Bravo Travel System
Britax vs Chicco Infant Car Seat
When looking at the infant car seats available by these two brands, I opted to review the Britax B-Safe Infant Car Seat and the Chicco KeyFit Infant Seat.
Britax B-Safe Infant Car Seat
The impact-absorbing base sounds reassuring as do the sides for further impact protection. The high-strength steel frame tells me this car seat is well-made and solid. While being easy to install, the safe center latch keeps the car seat secure when placed in the car. You can achieve the best recline position by using the spring assisted recline and relax features.
This is a rear facing seat for babies weighing from four to 35 pounds, so it’s perfect for newborns and younger babies. What’s more, this infant car seat has been designed to be compatible with most travel systems with built-in adaptors. A canopy ensures the baby is well-protected against sunlight and rain. The cover is easily removable for machine washing.
When it comes to picking an infant car seat for smaller babies guaranteeing all-round body protection, this model will give any parent peace of mind when traveling with their baby.
Chicco KeyFit Infant Seat
If you’re looking for an infant car seat to bring your newborn home safely and to continue using for some time afterwards, this could be your car seat. It’s designed to fit babies weighing between four to 30 pounds. It includes a removable head support for newborns and smaller babies.
It’s innovative features allow for easy installation, making sure it’s safe and secure every time you travel. The reclining base means you can adjust the seat to an angle most comfortable for your baby. The vehicle seat belt fits neatly and securely through the seat’s belt routes plus lock-offs give added security.
A five-point harness keeps your baby secure in the car seat. Improved impact protection is enhanced by the EPS energy-absorbing foam in the shell of the seat. This infant car seat is compatible with all Chicco strollers so you can convert easily to a travel system.
Britax vs Chicco Convertible Seat
The joy of convertible seats is that they grow with your babies. This often means one investment in a car seat will last you a number of years.
Britax One4Life Convertible Car Seat
![Britax One4Life ClickTight All-In-One Car Seat – 10 Years of Use – Infant, Convertible, Booster – 5 to 120 Pounds, Spark Premium Soft Knit Fabric [Amazon Exclusive]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51NfAzfbzdL.jpg)
If you end up choosing this car seat, know you’ll have it for up to 10 years. It’s designed to take babies and infants weighing from five pounds to 120 pounds. Over the years, this car seat changes from a rear facing car seat to a forward facing seat with a five-point harness to a high-back booster position by the vehicle’s seat belt.
The premium quality steel frame together with the Britax Safe Cell technology ensures the seat can handle any crash impact. The V-shaped tether on the back of the seat is another crash feature slowing down and reducing momentum during such an event. The two layers of side protection gives added safety to the child’s head and torso on impact.
The quick-push recline gives nine different reclining positions while the headrest and harness is adjustable in 15 positions for the growing child. A bonus feature of this convertible seat is the cooling channels and mesh which allows for ventilation while the child is seated.
Chicco Convertible Easiest Infant Booster
This convertible seat will also give you 10 years of use. With easy-to-remove layers, you can change the car seat to suit your baby as they grow. At all times you’re sure they’ll be comfortable and secure with the product’s two layers of protection and steel frame. The EPS energy-absorbing foam will keep their head and torso intact during any impact.
It’s easy to install but listen to this awesome feature. You can scan the QR code on the side of the seat to find out how to adjust the seat at each transitory stage. Both the latch tightener and Locksure belt-tightening features ensure the car seat is securely positioned in the car. The 10-position headrest gives your child maximum comfort no matter how old (or young) they are.
The seat can recline at various angles to give additional comfort while the slim fit design means you can accommodate more than one seat in your car. So, if you’re looking for a convertible seat for twins or even triplets, depending on your vehicle type this could be your best solution.
Britax vs Chicco Travel System
Sometimes going with a package deal is your answer when picking a car seat and a stroller at the same time. In one step, you’ve taken away the dilemma of choosing two important pieces of baby gear by deciding to opt for a travel system.
Britax B-Free Travel System
With this product you’ll be getting an infant seat and base plus an all-terrain stroller. As with all Britax car seats, you can be sure the infant seat is well-protected against impact with its two-sided impact protection, impact-absorbing base and solid steel frame. The car seat is designed to take a child from birth up to 65 pounds or 12 months old.
Featuring reclining options, you’ll be able to seat your baby at an angle most comfortable for them. Installation is easy and secure with the latch features for the base. This rear facing seat has a belt guiding system to feed the vehicle’s seat securely and safely if you don’t make use of the base.
The 3-wheel stroller is easy to fold with an adjustable handlebar. It features extra storage pockets (seven) and a front-loading large basket for easy access.
Chicco Bravo Travel System Orion
This trio system includes the KeyFit Infant Seat and Base system (which has been reviewed under the infant seat section) and a Bravo stroller. The stroller will also take the Fit2 range of car seats without any adaptors needed.
The car seat may be placed forward-facing or rear-facing in the stroller giving you the option of letting your baby see you or the environment in front of them. An extended canopy shields the baby from the elements when outdoors. The seat can also be transformed into a convenient baby carrier.
This versatile car seat and stroller combination also includes a parent tray for holding drink bottles. The wheels are auto-positioning and when folded, the stroller is compact and easy for storage. The fabrics are removable for machine wash on a cold cycle.
Final Thoughts
Picking between the Britax vs Chicco range of car seats was not easy. Both brands take the safety standards of their products seriously and their additional features simply improve their car seats further. While I chose the Britax One4Life Convertible Car Seat as my favorite as well as the Chicco Bravo Travel System for its budget saving features, perhaps you would have chosen differently.
Which one would be your best option when traveling with your baby in the car?
Last update on 2024-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
