EDITOR’S NOTE
Britax has now released the second generation of their B-Safe car seats. The Britax B-Safe Gen2 FlexFit Infant Car Seat has many of the same features of the original B-Safe, like easy latch anchors, steel reinforcement, and two layers of side impact protection. The biggest difference is that the Gen2 car seats are supposed to be roomier and softer than previous models.
The Britax B-Safe Ultra is an upgrade from the previous version of the car seat, the Britax B-Safe 35 Elite infant car seat. It keeps many of the popular features of the 35 Elite such as the 35-pound weight limit and generous height limit. The superior impact protection and steel frame come standard on both as well. This car seat gets my strong recommendation for its safety and other features.
There are a few features that differentiate the Britax B-Safe Ultra from the Britax B-Safe 35 Elite. One is the possibility of routing without the car seat base via the European Belt Path for more flexibility on installation.
Also the Britax B-Safe ultra sports cool mesh fabric that is among the first in the industry to keep the baby more comfortable.
Benefits of Britax B-Safe Ultra Car Seat
Cool Mesh Fabrics
One of the defining features of the Britax B-Safe Ultra is that it has a cool mesh fabric to keep baby cool and comfortable. This would be really great for people in hotter climates, as the fabric will help baby not to overheat by circulating the air more efficiently. Many parents reported that this seat was very comfortable for their babies who would otherwise get sweaty in other seats.
Comfortable for baby
Not only is the baby comfortable because of the cool mesh fabric, but the padding as well. The seat and headrest have comfortable padding for maximum comfort. Users report their babies were comfortable in the seat, no matter how big or small they were. The babies were also comfortable on longer rides with no problems.
The Britax B-Safe Ultra comes with a removable body pad that can be easily removed once your baby gets bigger and outgrows it. And an extra large canopy does a great job of protecting your baby from the elements. There is also a Flip-Forward belly pad that pads and protects the front part of the baby’s body. The Flip-Forward belly pad is unique to the Britax B-Safe Ultra and is not included in the Britax B-Safe 35 Elite.
Versatile installation
A unique and helpful feature of the Britax B-Safe Ultra is that it features European Belt Guide installation so that the car seat can be installed without the base when necessary while still maintaining its safety.
Although the seat should be installed with the base whenever possible, Britax understands that sometimes circumstances arise in which that’s not possible. The European Belt Guide installation keeps the baby secure and safe even in these scenarios.
Watch a Britax representative explain how the European Belt installation works here:
Safe
The Britax B-Safe Ultra has loads of features to keep your baby safe. This includes TWO layers of side impact protection as well as the Britax SafeCell Impact Protection system.
What is the Britax SafeCell Impact Protection system? Well, it is an entire system of features that work together to keep your baby safe. This includes the impact-absorbing base and the impact-stabilizing steel frame. Per Britax, here is how it all works together:
- “Impact-absorbing base compresses to absorb crash energy and counteract forward movement, keeping your child clear from the seat in front of them.
- Impact-stabilizing steel frame gives you peace of mind knowing there is strength where you want it most, through the spine of the car seat reducing forward flex and at the connection points to the vehicle.
- Side impact protection surrounds your child in safety. We offer varying levels of side impact protection in our different car seat models.
- Side impact protection surrounds your child in a deep protective shell designed to absorb crash forces and shield your child from debris.
- 2 layers of side impact protection give your child an advanced layer of protection with an energy-absorbing head restraint designed to keep your baby’s head and neck extra secure.”
To read more about this safety system, check out the Britax website here.
No Re-thread harness
As your baby grows, you will be able to adjust the height of the straps by simply pushing a button. No more un-threading and re-threading of the harness straps.
With a one touch adjustment, both the headrest and the straps move up or down. The harness has 6 different positions.
Generous weight range
The Britax B-Safe Ultra car seat is designed to fit babies from 4 pounds to 35 pounds. Yes, even tiny preemie babies will be safe and cozy in this seat.
The 35 pound weight range is enough to take your baby through its mandatory rear facing years as long as she doesn’t grow out of the height range, which is a generous 32″. The 35 pound limit is also among the highest in the industry for an infant seat!
At 11 pounds, the seat is not the lightest in it’s category, but it’s probably due to all the extensive safety features. It’s a sacrifice I would personally be comfortable with making.
You may want to browse the list of top rated car seats for infants.
Single Stroller compatible
The Britax B-Safe Ultra car seat is compatible with the Britax single strollers. Sadly, it’s not compatible with double strollers. The car seat uses the Click and Go system to click into Britax single strollers with no adapter.
It may also be compatible with other brands of strollers with an adapter, but be sure to check with the stroller manufacturer to be sure.
Some users reported issues with compatibility, so I personally would only pair it with a Britax stroller to be sure.
Bubble level indicators
I love car seats that have the bubble level indicator. In my opinion, lines printed on the side of the car seat are just not accurate enough.
With a bubble level indicator, and specific range lines, I know exactly where I need to be (or how far away from level I am). Without the proper installation angle, the seat loses its ability to keep the baby as safe as possible.
I’m so glad to see that the Britax B-Safe Ultra has the bubble level indicators, and they’re actually on each side of the seat. It’s a must!
User friendly
Users report that the Britax B-Safe Ultra car seat is easy to install, easy to release, and easy to adjust baby in the car seat.
The seat can be installed rear-facing either using the LATCH anchors or using the seat belt. Users report that the LATCH installation is effortless and very user-friendly to install or uninstall.
When uninstalling, users report that the LATCH anchors are released with the push of a button without excessive force like some car seats. I’ve had car seats in the past where uninstalling a LATCH anchor took some serious effort. It’s nice to not have to overexert yourself just to uninstall a car seat!
The Britax B-Safe Ultra also features a spring-assisted recline to help get the recline angle correct with ease.
Users also report that adjusting the straps for the baby while baby is in the car seat is not difficult. Some seats have buttons that are hard to push, or buttons that are in an awkward position. Neither of these are true with the Britax B-Safe Ultra car seat.
Made in USA
It may be important to note that the Britax B-Safe Ultra car seat is engineered, tested and made in the USA. Parts are produced globally and assembled here. It’s important to some parents that seats are produced domestically as opposed to overseas.
Potential Downsides
Pricey
With car seats, just like with most things in life, you get what you pay for. The Britax B-Safe Ultra car seat is no different.
I’m sure premium stay-cool fabrics are not cheap and coupled with the superior impact protection of this seat, the price reflects it. Thankfully, you’ll be able to use it for a while – up to 35 lbs. Still, it’s towards the top end of pricing for infant car seats.
Limited fabric options
Currently, the fabric options are somewhat limited for the Britax B-Safe Ultra car seat. This may be a downside for some buyers. I do think that the fabrics that are available look very hip and trendy, even though the options are few and are very gender-neutral.
Not the lightest option
Most infant car seats are not easy on the arms and this one is no different. Weighing in at 11 lbs, it’s not the lightest option on the market. But it’s certainly not the heaviest either. Probably most parents won’t mind the weight of this car seat.
Thankfully, the Britax B-Safe Ultra in equipped with an ergonomic handle so that will at least help!
Conclusion
Overall, the Britax B-Safe Ultra car seat has some really nice features that translate into ultimate comfort and safety for your baby. It’s an upgrade from the already awesome Britax B-Safe 35 Elite.
Despite the high cost, I feel the benefits of this seat make it a worthwhile investment. The steel frame and multiple layers of side impact protection will keep your baby cradled in a safe place.
Because the safety of the seat depends completely on the parents’ ability to install it correctly, a user-friendly installation is of utmost importance. That is the reason I would feel very comfortable recommending this seat, as it makes installation effortless. Between the dual bubble level indicators and the easy LATCH installation, it really sets up the parent for success. Having the ability to install with the European Belt Guide is an added bonus as well.
