Britax B-Safe 35

When we opened the box of the Britax B-Safe 35 car seat, we didn’t read through the whole manual because this wasn’t the first car seat that we’ve installed. The manual was very clear, though, and would have been easy to follow if you are a newcomer to the car seat world. (Welcome!) There was little to no assembly required, and we were able to install it without any problems. We did clip the seat canopy (to block sun) on, but you don’t have to attach that before you use it. In case you’re wondering, it was a simple click-in mechanism and took zero effort.

The B-Safe 35 is a breeze to install in your car. There’s even a level built in to the car seat itself to help guide you. Once the bubble is in the middle of the level, you are OK to click it into place. The seat fits in my small SUV just fine, and I think it would fit in a smaller four-door coupe without any problems. Because this uses a base (as many infant/bucket seats do), you’re able to take the actual car seat in and out of the vehicle quickly and easily once the base is installed. You could even buy extra bases to use the same seat in multiple cars (for both parents, the grandparents or the nanny), which is nice! You can also use this seat without the base, and there are directions right on the seat for installing it that way. I wouldn’t recommend this, though, because it is much more stable when securing to the base.

The seat seems comfortable, and the fabric is soft. It even comes with extra head and back support for smaller babies that can be removed as they get older. The straps are easy to adjust. For taller tots, you can move the location where the strap comes out of the back of the seat, and that seems pretty straightforward. My husband messed around with that to be sure he would know how to do this when the time came, and there was no confusion.

The extra large canopy covers a sizeable portion of the seat (a major plus for many mamas who want to shield their babes from sun and rain … and the questionably clean hands of strangers at the grocery store). The fabric is a lighter weight than our previous car seat. I do wish it was a little thicker, but being on the thinner side could mean it’s more breathable for baby.

When it comes to safety concerns, the Britax B-Safe 35 has a number of features to ensure your little one is protected on the go. The seat is built with a SafeCell Impact Stabilizing Steel Frame. When you sit baby inside, you’ll probably notice it seems deep—that’s because of another safety feature: its high sidewalls (made of an energy-absorbing foam liner). The base is also designed to compress on impact to absorb the force of a crash, which lessens the risk of injury for petite passengers.

The seat is also very easy to clean! You can use a damp cloth or even a diaper wipe. (We all have lots of those on hand!) The seat isn’t heavy to carry when you’re on the go, but I honestly don’t think I’d describe any infant seat as “comfortable” to tote around. If you’re in the market for a travel system, this car seat is compatible with any Britax Click & Go stroller for easy maneuvering once you get to your location.

There are three color options, and they seem to fit well with standard car interiors. (We have the sandstone style!) Aesthetically, the design and colors are more streamlined and muted, which I believe is a good thing compared to the electric, bright styles that some car seats come in.

If you’re looking for a car seat that’s easy to install, boasts loads of safety features and will keep your little one comfy in the car, the Britax B-Safe 35 is worth looking into. (It’s also made in the USA!)

Weight limits: Rear-facing, 4-35 pounds
Price: $210
Where to buy: britaxusa.com