Best Infant Car Seat in 2018: Britax B Safe 35 vs Chicco Keyfit 30

(Last Updated On: December 30, 2017)


Chicco Keyfit 30	Britax B-Safe 35
Winner	Runner-Up
$199.99
Buy Chicco Keyfit 30 on Amazon	Buy Britax B-Safe 35 on Amazon

Today I am going to be comparing two of the most touted infant/toddler car seats on the market. The chances are that these two seats feature prominently in your quest for the perfect car seat for your little one. Sit back and let us weigh their flaws and virtues, so you do not have to. Please note, that these two car seats are so close in price that we did not even figure it into the final decision.

Winner: Chicco Keyfit 30

Specifications:

One year warranty.
Lifespan of six years and has an expiration date on each label.
For babies 4-30 pounds.
Rear-facing only.
Dimensions – 27.5 L x 24 H x 17 W
Weight with base is 17.15 pounds.
Weight without base is 9.6 pounds.

Features:

ReclineSure leveling foot.
SuperCinch One-pull LATCH tightener.
Removable padded insert for babies 4-11 pounds.
Impact protection foam.
Adjustable canopy.
Easy removal from stroller and base.
Smooth underside of the base to protect vehicle seats.
Easy vehicle belt routing and built-in lock off to keep the seat secure in vehicles without a LATCH system.
FAA approved for aircraft.
Compatible with almost all Chicco strollers.
Bubble levels to ensure correct alignment.

Pros:

Lightweight.
Feels very sturdy and holds up in a crash.
Easy to take apart.
Easy to install.
Stylish and cute.

Cons:

Cushions sometimes fall apart if they are machine washed. Be sure to wash them by hand.
The straps are on the short side.
The sun cover is one of the most common complaints about this car seat. It has a tendency to inch backward and will not stay fully extended. It also is on the shorter side compared to other car seat canopies.

Runner-Up: Britax B-Safe 35

Specifications:

One year warranty.
Expires in six years.
For children that weigh 4-35 pounds.
Rear-facing only.
Car seat only weight is 10 pounds.
Base only weight is 9 pounds.
Dimensions – 17.75″ W x 25″ H x 26.5″ D

Features:

Side impact protection.
Impact-absorbing base.
Impact-stabilizing steel frame.
SafeCenter LATCH installation.
On/off lower anchors.
Built-in lock offs.
Removable head pad.
Extra-large canopy.
Dual level indicators.
Click and go stroller compatibility.
The contoured shell that takes up less space in the car.
Easy-release harness button.

Pros:

Super easy to install.
Holds the baby snug.
Stylish design and fabrics.
Lightweight.
Easy to take apart and clean.

Cons:

The chest clip can be opened a bit too easily.
The base does not fit as snugly as would be desirable.
A common complaint is that the seat is too narrow for some babies.

After weighing out the options and the communities surrounding these two car seats, I decided that the winner of this bout had to be the Chicco Keyfit 30. It has tons of adoring fans that have stuck with this brand through thick and thin. The Chicco Keyfit 30 also has certifications to back up its boast of being the #1 rated car seat in America. And it really comes through where it counts, which is safety.

The runner-up this go around, the Britax B-Safe is no lightweight in the safety department, but it just had a few more critical flaws than the Chicco when we ranked them up beside each other. That being said we loved the steel frame and how sturdily the Britax is built.

I hope that we have alleviated some of your confusion between these two brands and we are sure that either one would be a great addition to your registry.

Check out our Best Toddler Car Seat Comparison

Here’s an installation video of the Chicco Keyfit 30:

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