The all-new Britax B-Safe Gen2 is the new improved version of the Britax B-35 infant car seat. True to the brand’s word, you will notice it is more spacious and has a better quality finish all around. It is also the kind of car seat you would be proud to carry.
I am partial to the Britax brand mainly because of its dedication to safety. The brand additionally offers a wide variety to choose from in each model it launches.
In the Britax Gen2 range, for instance, there are also the Gen2 FlexFit and the Gen2 FlexFit+ models. They offer extra features like the Euro belt guide and a no-rethread harness that you may not find in the Britax B-Safe Gen2 entry-level model.
In this Britax B-Safe Gen2 review, we poke around this improved edition car seat to find out if it’s really worth the buy. First, however, let’s get a feel of the basics shall we?
Overview of The Britax B-Safe Gen2 Seat
The package:
- Britax B-Safe Gen2 car seat
- The car seat base
Pros
- 3 conversions
- Bassinet can be detached and used on its own
- Compact footprint
- Includes travel bag and easy setup/takedown
- Looking for B-Safe 35. B-Safe Gen2 is the next generation of Britax infant car seats, made with a spacious seating area and tagless smooth-touch knit fabric; Fits babies 4 – 35 lbs & up to 32" in height
- BRITAX SAFETY: Sturdy build with a high-strength steel reinforced base and SafeCell crumple zone; protective shell with foam provides head-to-toe safety
- INSTALL WITH CONFIDENCE: 3 easy steps with SafeCenter LATCH: connect lower anchors, pull straps to tighten, click carrier into base
Frequently Asked Questions About the Britax B-Safe Gen2 Infant Car Seat
After my daughter was born, I was excited about going home and just getting to spend time with her in our own space. However, a part of me was equally anxious about how fragile she was in those first months. Is our car seat safe enough? Did we install it right? Is she comfortable in it?
If you are going through this, it is perfectly normal. It is also understandable that you would like to learn all you can about an infant car seat before you buy it. So, to that end, here are some helpful FAQs to demystify the Britax B-Safe Gen2.
How long can you use the Britax B-Safe Gen2?
This infant car seat can be used for as long as your baby is within the stipulated weight and height limits. It is, further, good for up to 6 years from the day it was manufactured. Do check the packaging and seat tags for the date and be sure to keep a record of it as it is paramount for your child’s safety.
Are the Britax B-Safe FlexFit and FlexFit+ worth it?
The FlexFit models cost about $50 more than the B-Safe Gen2. For this extra amount, you would get a no-rethread harness, a Euro seat belt guide [1], and an adjustable headrest, plus a few other perks. If these features are fundamental for you in a car seat, then the B-Safe Gen2 FlexFit car seat models would offer you better value.
Is the Britax B-Safe Gen2 FAA-approved?
Yes, you can use this Britax infant car seat for air travel but it has to be installed without the base.
Can I use the Gen2 car seat without the base?
Yes, you can. The Gen2 has easily-accessible belt paths and lock-offs that you can click in place to secure your setup.
Are any of the components of the Britax B-Safe Gen2 machine-washable?
The fabric cover of the Gen2 car seat can be cleaned in your washing machine and tossed in the dryer too for a quick dry. Consider using a gentle cycle for durability, especially if you intend to clean it often.
How can I tell whether the Britax B-Safe Gen2 will fit in my car?
In my rookie parenting years, I learned that reading dimensions online and actually installing the car seat in your car are two very different realities. Where possible, it may be best to test it at the store just to be sure.
The Features and Benefits of the Britax B-Safe Gen2
The features make the car seat. Sounds obvious, doesn’t it? Still, it is essential to remember that even great features are not necessarily great for everyone. It helps to evaluate how and whether they will add value to your parenting journey before you commit.
Let’s dig into the features of the Britax B-Safe Gen2 and find out what it can do for you.
The Installation System
Yes, the adverts are all true. Installing the B-Safe Gen2 car seat is a simple 3-step process that does not require the services of Hercules. It goes like this:
- With the base on the vehicle seat, push the anchor-release button
- Connect the anchors to the vehicle LATCH system and tighten the connection using the SafeCenter LATCH tightener
- Click the car seat onto the base
To find the right level of installation for the base in your car, use the base recline feature. The level indicator will also show you when you have the right angle.
Alternatively, you could choose to use the seat belt system. For this type of installation, you will not require the base. Follow the belt paths and click the seatbelt in using the lock-offs. Try and test the car seat stability by swaying it side to side; it should not move more than an inch.
Seat Usage Limit
The stipulated weight limits for the Britax B-Safe Gen2 infant car seat are 4 to 35 pounds (up to about 3 years of age). On height, it is recommended for babies measuring up to 35 inches.
While this seat is spacious, it is imperative that you transition your child to a different seat when they get to the indicated limits. Riding in it past the limits places your little one at great risk.
Recline and Comfort
The B-Safe Gen2 car seat is reclinable in 5 different positions. I find this particularly helpful when your baby starts to get taller and you need to find an angle where their legs are not squeezed between the vehicle seat and the car seat.
The Gen2 also comes with an insert that is recommended for use for babies weighing less than 11 pounds. It supports their body structure and makes strapping them in much easier.
One of the challenges of the Britax B-35 is that its tags were poorly placed on the backrest of the seating area. If you have ever forgotten to take off tags on a dress or a shirt, you know how uncomfortable that can get.
So, as a remedy, the Britax B-Safe Gen2 is draped in a tagless knitted fabric. It is a durable fabric that has a soft feel to it and better still, it is free of chemical flame retardants.
Safety Harness
The 5-point safety harness on the Britax Gen2 has two buckle settings. The first is to be used when your baby is in the newborn phase and is still using the infant insert.
When they get to 11 pounds, it is recommended that you remove the insert and move to the second harness buckle which would accommodate the growing size of your baby.
While I appreciate the thought process behind the design of this harness system, I have a hard time forgiving the fact that it is a rethread harness. I find it time-consuming and feel that it leaves room for error until you do it a couple of times and master how to do it right.
Seat Weight
Britax incorporated steel frames into most of its car seats for extra safety. Yay for safety but not-so-yay when it comes to lifting the car seat. At 10.9 pounds, this car seat is heavier than most of its peers and may be cumbersome if you need to move it, especially with the base.
Stroller Compatibility
The B-Safe Gen2 car seat is compatible with all Britax strollers as it has in-built adapters for them. This makes it easy to create a nice travel system if you enjoy the consistency of having a car seat and stroller from the same brand. For other stroller brands, you would need to buy separate adapters to pair them up with the Gen2.
Ease of Cleaning
Let’s face it, there are about a thousand and three things to get done when you have an infant in your home. Having to hand-wash car seat covers is another chore on a list that is already way too full.
Fortunately, the B-Safe Gen2 has a removable, machine-washable cover. You can simply pop it into the washer and dryer with the rest of the laundry. As for the other parts of the car seat, you can easily wipe it down with a soft cloth dipped in a bowl of luke-warm water with some mild soap.
Canopy
Skincare experts recommend that you wear sunscreen every time you step out your front door. In the first few years when you may be apprehensive about using complex products on your tot’s skin, shielding them from the sun [2] is the next best thing. This is why the generous UP50 Britax car seat canopy on the B-Safe Gen2 is an A-plus for me.
Safety Features
The B-Safe Gen2 car seat has a steel-frame base that helps make it more stable and would take on most of the impact during a crash. Further, the exterior of the base has SafeCell technology that acts as a crumple zone during impact.
What this means is, when the car seat is hit, the SafeCell region folds into itself (crumples) like a spring to absorb the impact as opposed to shattering. Consequently, the amount of force that reaches your baby is minimal and thus their chances of injury are greatly reduced.
Britax B-Safe Gen2 Infant Car Seat Summary
Are There Better Alternatives to the Britax B-Safe Gen2?
I find myself envious of the many infant car seat options available to new parents. The features are way more improved than a few years back when I was shopping for an infant seat for my little one.
Speaking of options, here are some comparable alternatives to the Britax B-Safe Gen2.
#1 Chicco KeyFit 30
The Chicco KeyFit 30 is designed and recommended for infants weighing 4-30 pounds and up to 30″ tall. It has a lightweight design and would be ideal if you would like an easily portable car seat. Its installation process is super easy and it has an adjustable no-rethread harness.
I do, however, find that it falls a bit short on safety features when compared to the B-Safe Gen2. Its canopy coverage is also quite limited.
The Chicco KeyFit 30 is a highly popular car seat that is compatible with Chicco strollers but also with numerous other brands by default. It will cost you the same amount as the B-Safe Gen2. You can read more about this car seat in our Chicco KeyFit 30 review, or check it out on Amazon, Walmart or PishPoshBaby.
#2 Britax B-Safe Ultra
Comparing the Britax B-Safe Ultra and the B-Safe Gen2 is like staring at siblings. Most of their installation, safety, and overall design features are the same. Only a few nuances set them apart.
For instance, the harness in the B-Safe ultra does not require rethreading and it has a cozy flip-forward belly pad. Its structure also provides 2 layers of side impact protection whereas the B-Safe Gen2 offers only one. Its weight and height limits are set at 4-35 pounds and 32″ respectively.
The Britax B-Safe Ultra could be a good fit for you if you are looking for a more comfortable version of the Britax B-Safe Gen2 and some extra features to go with it. You may, nonetheless, need to stretch your budget by about $50 more to get the B-Safe Ultra. It is available at both Walmart and PishPoshBaby.
#3 Graco Snugride Snuglock 35
The Graco Snugride Snuglock 35 sounds a little like something you would find at a military barracks but it is a lovely infant car seat. It is ideal for babies weighing 4-35 pounds until they are 32″ tall.
It has a lightweight design and weighs about 7.5 pounds which is almost 3 pounds less than the B-Safe Gen2. Its other features like the 5-point harness, LATCH tightener, and seat recline are all similar to that of the Britax B-Safe Gen2.
Consider the Graco Snugride Snuglock 35 if you are looking for a cheaper option to the B-Safe Gen2. It costs about $20 less, has a quality build, and its features are just as great. You can find it on Amazon or at Walmart.
- EASIEST INFANT CAR SEAT TO INSTALL – Simple, accurate and secure installation – every time – with two bubble-level indicators and spring-loaded leveling foot for proper base angle in vehicle seat and premium LATCH connectors for easy attachment.
- COMPATIBLE WITH CHICCO STROLLERS – Infant car seat clicks securely into the stay-in-car base and compatible Chicco strollers for a convenient car seat and stroller combo. A two-position carry-handle and one-hand release make it easy to remove.
- TOP-RATED INFANT CAR SEAT – Innovative SuperCinch Force-Multiplying LATCH Tightener helps achieve a secure fit in the vehicle and the carrier shell is lined with EPS energy-absorbing foam for improved impact protection
- Surrounded in safety: 2 layers of side impact protection, quick adjust head protection, steel frame, and impact absorbing base
- Rideshare Ready: European Belt Guide allows for installation without the base as needed
- Easy installation: Use Safe Center Latch or built in seat belt lock offs to secure the infant car seat
- SnugLock Technology features a hassle-free 3-step installation using vehicle seat belt or LATCH
- Grows with and helps protect rear-facing infants from 4 to 35 lb and up to 32", making it an excellent first car seat for baby
- Adjust handle with one hand, leaving other hand free
Conclusion
All things considered, Britax did a great job of revamping the Britax B-Safe 35 into the B-Safe Gen 2. It is now an entry-level car seat that offers more value, comfort, and style. It is, undoubtedly, worth considering.
To sum it all up, I would recommend the Britax B-Safe Gen2 infant seat to anyone who:
- Is keen on an infant car seat with advanced safety features
- Prefers machine-washable car seat covers
- Enjoys the convenience of an easy-install car seat
- Does not require portability as a core car seat feature
Are these the features you have been holding out for in a car seat? If so, you can get one for your little bundle of joy at Amazon, PishPoshBaby, or Walmart.
Hope you enjoyed reading our Britax B-Safe Gen2 review!
Have thoughts to share with other parents about this seat? Feel free to comment below!
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Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
