Editor’s Note
The Britax Boulevard ClickTight Convertible Car Seat is still available, however, the Chicco Nextfit has been updated by Chicco.This newer version is called the Chicco NextFit Max Zip Air. This seat fits infants up to 40 lbs in rear-facing mode and up to 65 lbs in its forward-facing mode. The upgraded NextFit Max Zip Air has 9 reclining positions and its headrest is adjustable with one hand that raises easily with the 5-point harness. It provides a newborn positioner for infants under 11 lbs, a mesh backrest for comfort and ventilation, and a machine-washable seat cover for easy cleanup.
Chicco makes the installation of their car seats very easy and safe with SuperCinch Tightening and a LATCH system as well as DualRide bubble indicators, and they provide instructions here. NextFit Max Zip Air is designed with a reinforced steel frame for impact protection plus it has extra safety features in its EPS energy-absorbing foam and a deep rigid shell. This seat is meant to grow with your child in a safe and comfortable convertible car seat.
We all know that safety and cost are the two biggest factors in a car seat purchase. Whether you are upgrading from an infant seat, or you are using a convertible from day one, picking the perfect seat can be quite a struggle. The Chicco Nextfit and the Britax Boulevard Clicktight are considered luxury, higher end seats. Both are super safe, super luxurious, and will easily carry your child from birth until 65lbs. However, when given the choice, I pick the Chicco Nextfit as an overall better value. Want to know more? Read on to check out my reviews of the Chicco Nextfit vs Britax Boulevard Clicktight.
See also the new NextFit IX Zip.
Chicco Nextfit
Chicco is a well known brand, most famous for their super comfortable and safe infant car seats. Now that they have a beautiful and long lasting convertible car seat as well, many people are using this seat from day one. With a convertible, there is no need to buy an infant seat, as you can use a convertible on a baby as small as 5 lbs. The Chicco Nextfit is a well priced, high end car seat, with many features and very few drawbacks.
Extremely Easy to Install.
Trying to get a car seat installed is one thing that parents everywhere dread. But with the Chicco Nextfit, installation is a snap. If you have ever used a Chicco car seat before, you might remember how nice their latch system is, and this convertible is no different. It is so easy to tighten this latch, you will get a secure hold every single time. This is a really great feature for those who might be transferring a car seat between multiple cars. The SuperCinch Latch Tightener is an amazing feature that no other seat offers.
Reclines for your Car.
One of the main issues with convertible car seats is that they recline so far for infants that they can’t fit in many smaller cars. The Nextfit has 9 different recline positions. Virtually any car will be able to fit this car seat!
Extra Cozy for Infants.
With this seat, I promise your little one will not miss the comfort of a typical infant seat. The nextfit is extremely padded and comfortable for all ages. There is an infant insert to help keep your youngest baby in the correct and safe position. The straps are thickly padded as well.
Headrest that Grows.
The headrest on this car seat is a real luxury. I love how it adjusts to grow with your child. It has six different positions to cradle the head of any size baby, and adjusting it is very simple.
Excellent Fit.
The Nextfit has some key features that really make this seat stand out when it comes to fit. When you make the headrest higher, the straps automatically get wider. This helps them adapt to your growing child’s body, and you don’t have to do any of the work. Any little step that is fixed for you reduces the room for error. Since safety is paramount when it comes to a carseat, these little features all help make the Nextfit one of the safest seats available.
Affordable.
For a convertible luxury carseat, the Chicco Nextfit is fairly affordable. It costs less than many other luxury seats on the market. Better yet, you can use this carseat for many years to come, reducing overall costs that come with needing to upgrade.
Possible Drawbacks:
Leg Strap Issue.
The leg strap, or the piece that threads between your child’s legs and into the harness, is not padded. This can cause some pinching issues if your baby is in a onesie or shorts. To avoid this, make sure to watch the legs as you are tightening the harness.
Hard to Tighten.
Some people complain that this seat is a little hard to tighten. However, I find that all convertible seats have their issues with tightening. It generally isn’t a smooth tighten like an infant seat is. I wouldn’t let this possible complication stop you from buying this seat, but I did want to include this information.
Color Options
Nextfit Features:
- Five point harness
- Cup Holder
- Latch
- Accommodates children from 5lbs to 65 lbs
- 8 year lifespan
Watch: Nextfit
Ease of Use Ratings
Although safety should always be a leading concern when it comes to our children, you shouldn’t obsess about the safety differences between car seat brands. They are required to pass strict federal safety tests before being sold in the US market.
However, getting the installation or usage of a car seat wrong can introduce safety issues. That is why the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issues ease of use ratings (see below) for each car seat. The easier to use and the clearer the instructions, the more likely your child is to be buckled up properly every time.
The Chicco Nextfit received 4 stars in the forward-facing category.
Britax Boulevard Clicktight
The Britiax Boulevard Clicktight has some safety features than no other car seats currently offer. From the steel construction to the unique Clicktight safety system, the Britax boasts that it has the simplest and safest technology on the market.
Even though this seat screams safety, I have found that the ease of installation with the Chicco Nextfit makes it a slightly better choice and value. Although you really can’t go wrong with either seat, if you need something that is foolproof to install, the Nextfit should be your pick. If you aren’t planning on removing your seat once it is installed, you like the added shelf life of the Britax seat, and you don’t mind the higher cost, read on for my full review.
Supreme Impact Protection.
The Clicktight offers two different layers of impact protection. Along with the energy absorbing base, you can feel secure knowing that your child is safe even during an accident. The headrest and padding protect from a side impact collision, and the top tether reduces pushback in head on and read accidents.
Clicktight Installation.
Although this feature has some drawbacks (see the end of this section for more details) for many people the Clicktight seatbelt lock is a big help. You open the carseat from the front, thread the seatbelt through, and lock it into place. There is no “easy on/off Latch system†for installation, which is uncommon these days. However, the regular Latch system is present if you prefer that for installation.
Maximum Height Headrest.
The Boulevard has a headrest that adjusts into 14 different positions. Yes, 14! It may seem excessive at first, but those 14 positions should be able to accommodate your child for many years. This seat truly grows with your quickly growing child, and since it has a ten year shelf life, you can use it until they completely outgrow the weight restrictions.
Click and Safe Harness.
This is my favorite part of this seat. The Clicktight has a really special harness called the Click and Safe Snug Harness system. It takes all the guess work out of tightening your child’s harness straps, since it will make an audible clicking noise when you have them at the correct position. If you have a hard time knowing when your child is securely strapped in, this feature could be really helpful for you.
Slightly Slimmer Profile.
If you have any other Britax convertibles, you might have noticed how bulky they are in your back seat. While the Boulevard Clicktight still has some heft, the padding is slightly reduced, giving it a tiny bit of an edge size wise. You might be able to fit this into a car that didn’t fit a previous Britax seat, but definitely measure it out before you make a purchase.
Possible Drawbacks:
Higher Cost.
Although you can often find this seat on sale, it is one of the higher priced convertible seats available today. It costs more than the Chicco Nextfit, and I don’t think it has enough extra features to justify that cost.
Cup holder Not Included.
This one won’t matter much with an infant, but once your child is old enough to demand a drink in the car, you will have to shell out extra money to buy a cup holder for this seat. Since you are already paying more for this luxury seat, I wish it came with all the necessary accessories.
Tough to Install.
This may or may not be an issue for you, it is probably just personal preference. However, I have to mention that if you are used to the Latch system, you might not like the Clicktight locking system. Some people complain that it is really hard to get the seat lined up properly for the install. Installing a carseat incorrectly is one of the biggest reasons children are hurt in accidents. So while many people do like the Clicktight feature, just know that it may not be the best for you. This is the main reason that I think the Chicco Nextfit is a better overall value.
Boulevard Clicktight Features:
- Click and Safe Snug Harness
- Clicktight Install
- Steel Frame
- Accommodates children from 5lbs to 65 lbs
- 10 year lifespan
Color Options
Ease of Use Ratings
The Boulevard Clicktight received 4 starts in the rear-facing category.
Bottom Line:
Overall, if you are looking for a safe, luxurious, and comfortable car seat, the battle of the Chicco Nextfit vs Britax Boulevard Clicktight doesn’t exactly have a clear cut winner. Both seats offer supreme safety features, excellent side impact protection, unique installation accessories and are among the best rear-facing and best forward-facing car seats. However, if you are going for an overall better value for features offered, I have to recommend the Chicco Nextfit as the seat to buy. Between ease of installation and a lower price, I think the Nextfit is an excellent choice for any infant, toddler, or preschooler. The color options and deluxe padding help round out the Nextfit as well.
To sum it all up, you can’t go wrong with either seat, but I think the Nextfit has a slight edge and better value over the Boulevard Clicktight!
