In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Britax B-Safe 35 Review

Easy to use LATCH, but disappointing overall performance
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britax b-safe 35 infant car seat review
Britax B-Safe 35
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $240 List
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Manufacturer:   Britax
By Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz  ⋅  Dec 21, 2021
56
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Crash Test - 20% 5.0
  • Ease of Install - LATCH - 20% 6.5
  • Ease of Install - Belt - 10% 5.5
  • Ease of Install - w/o Base - 5% 4.5
  • Ease of Use - 15% 5.2
  • Comfort / Quality - 15% 6.3
  • Weight / Size - 15% 5.0

The Skinny

The Britax B-Safe 35 had disappointing overall performances in most test metrics earning it a lower rank compared to the competition in our best infant car seat review. While it received a higher-than-average score for installation using LATCH, it did not score above average for any other metric. This seat struggles in ease of use and even quality and comfort where Britax products traditionally shine. Even if you are looking for a Britax seat to combine with a Britax stroller, we would recommend looking at the higher-ranking alternatives over this mediocre option.
REASONS TO BUY
Nice fabric
Easy to use LATCH
Works with Britax strollers
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy and difficult to use
Editor's Note: This gear review received an update on December 20, 2021, to include information on our favorite products and what we would suggest a friend buy

Our Analysis and Test Results

RECALL NOTICE
Britax has issued an important safety recall for the Britax B-Safe 35 and B-Safe 35 Elite. This recall concerns the carry handle on the seat and does NOT affect the performance of the seat in a motor vehicle. Reports indicate the carry handle can fracture or break, resulting in the carrier falling. Britax offers a repair kit that supports the handle to prevent it from falling. If you currently own the seat, Britax advises that you do not hold or carry it by the handle until the repair is complete. The Britax website has more information on the affected seats and how to obtain a repair kit.

Britax believes parents and children should enjoy every moment and live life to its fullest potential. Britax strives to design gear with intuitive designs that are also safe. They have been manufacturing children's products for over 70 years. The Britax company launched in the United States in 1996 after a successful run in Europe as the best car seat option.

Performance Comparison



britax b-safe 35 infant car seat review - we have tested over 60 car seats, including 29 infant car seats. our...
We have tested over 60 car seats, including 29 infant car seats. Our extensive testing protocol includes crash testing each seat the same certified testing lab the US Government uses for its safety certification testing.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Crash Test


The B-Safe 35 crash test results demonstrate a basic level of protection when looking at the competition.

britax b-safe 35 infant car seat review - this chart shows the b-safe 35 crash test data for the chest sensors...
This chart shows the B-Safe 35 crash test data for the chest sensors vs the Graco SnugRide Click Connect 40 data, which has the best crash test results for the chest region
Credit: BabyGearLab, NHTSA

It exceeds the federal guidelines for safety outlined in FMVSS 213. Still, other seats appear to offer an additional margin of protection compared to the B-Safe 35 based on the crash test analysis.

britax b-safe 35 infant car seat review - this chart shows the b-safe 35 crash test data for the head sensors...
This chart shows the B-Safe 35 crash test data for the head sensors vs the Chicco Keyfit 30 data, which has the best crash test results for the head region
Credit: BabyGearLab, NHTSA

The charts show the Britax 35 (in black) compared to the top-performing products in each sensor region. The best performing seat for the head sensor (HIC) is the Chicco Keyfit 30, with results furthest from the Federal maximum allowable score. The Cybex Aton 2 came in on top for the lowest force exerted on the chest (in black).

britax b-safe 35 infant car seat review - the b-safe 35 offers relatively thick dense foam padding that...
The B-Safe 35 offers relatively thick dense foam padding that potentially increase safety
Credit: Abriah Wofford

This Britax claims some level of side impact protection (SIP) and a specially designed shell for absorbing forces. We couldn't find information on if or how they test these features. It is not a Federal requirement to test this feature or claim, and there is no agreed-upon definition of SIP in the car seat industry. So it is difficult to say what it truly means for protection for a baby.

britax b-safe 35 infant car seat review - the b-safe 35 earned its highest install score for the latch system
The B-Safe 35 earned its highest install score for the LATCH system
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Install - LATCH


This Britax earns its top score for installation in the LATCH method, but it is still not impressive compared to the competition with a slightly above average result.

britax b-safe 35 infant car seat review - the latch anchors are definitely easier to use on vehicles with pre...
The LATCH anchors are definitely easier to use on vehicles with pre formed LATCH pockets
Credit: Abriah Wofford

This seat has push-button anchors that click into the LATCH connector. The anchors are easily attached by pushing them into the U-shaped vehicle anchor points. The strap is more comfortable to tighten than much of the competition and significantly easier when loosening, which is rare.

The B-Safe 35 recline foot can be adjusted from two different...
The B-Safe 35 recline foot can be adjusted from two different locations
The recline indicator on the B-Safe 35 is easy to use and works as...
The recline indicator on the B-Safe 35 is easy to use and works as expected

This seat has a built-in reclining foot on the base (above left). This feature helps parents find the right angle for installation. The included level indicator (above right) gives a visual cue to guide them.

britax b-safe 35 infant car seat review - the b-safe 35 earned a below average score for installation with the...
The B-Safe 35 earned a below average score for installation with the belt despite the seat lock off
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Install - Belt


The B-Safe 35 has an average performance for installation using a belt with the base.

britax b-safe 35 infant car seat review - the lock off on the b-safe 35 is a result of side threading...
The lock off on the B-Safe 35 is a result of side threading mechanisms that prevent the belt from sliding through
Credit: Abriah Wofford

This seat has a belt lock-off, but it is one of the harder ones to use, and we didn't like it. Also, the belt path is not color-coded, and it is hard to thread the belt through. It took us two tries to get the seat installed tight enough, and even then, it didn't feel stable.

britax b-safe 35 infant car seat review - the b-safe 35 uses the american belt path across the lower portion...
The B-Safe 35 uses the American belt path across the lower portion of the carrier
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Install - Without the Base


Installing the B-Safe 35 without the base is below average. This infant seat has the American belt path, which, unfortunately, is not color-coded. We prefer the European belt path, as it feels more stable, in our opinion, because it utilizes the shoulder portion of the belt around the back of the seat. The American method threads the belt across the lower part of the seat.

britax b-safe 35 infant car seat review - the larger side clips on the b-safe 35 make threading the belt a...
The larger side clips on the B-Safe 35 make threading the belt a little easier
Credit: Abriah Wofford

This seat's hard to install without the base compared to the competition. It did not require a towel to get the proper angle, but it didn't feel as secure. We think it might feel more secure if we had used a pool noodle or a towel, but we also believe that it isn't very convenient to take a towel or pool noodle everywhere you go.

britax b-safe 35 infant car seat review - the release button on the b-safe 35 is easy to press but also easy...
The release button on the B-Safe 35 is easy to press but also easy for baby to play with
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


The B-Safe 35 is slightly lower than average for ease of use in the group.

britax b-safe 35 infant car seat review - the buckle on the b-safe 35 is easier to use than the buckle on the...
The buckle on the B-Safe 35 is easier to use than the buckle on the B-Safe
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Harness


The buckle isn't stiff to push, and the two sides are relatively easy to position. The chest clip has an easy to depress button and slides apart smoothly. It is also pretty easy to mate the two up when buckling.

The harness on this seat is stiffer to tighten than some of the competition, and we worry this will worsen over time as the strap gets grimy. The release button is at the carrier's foot on top of the padding near the tightening belt.

Unfortunately, the harness shoulder height adjustment on this infant seat is a rethread style adjustment with four positions. This design means you adjust the height with the baby out of the seat and from behind. The shoulder straps detach from the splitter plate and thread through the slots on the carrier's back. They then rethread through higher slots and reattach to the splitter. It isn't hard to do, but it is a hassle considering the number of steps involved and the fact that some seats can adjust with the baby in the seat and without rethreading. The corresponding crotch strap has two positions, and together they offer enough variability to achieve a proper fit for most babies.

britax b-safe 35 infant car seat review - the handle on the b-safe 35 is easy to use
The handle on the B-Safe 35 is easy to use
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Handle


The handle on this seat is easy to use and adjust. It has dual release levers located on the back of the handle where the sides attach to the carrier. Squeezing both levers allows the handle to rotate. It has four positions, and all are allowable while driving. We did not experience any rubbing with this handle regarding the canopy, which is a plus and somewhat rare.

britax b-safe 35 infant car seat review - the carrier release handle on the b-safe 35 is easy to use
The carrier release handle on the B-Safe 35 is easy to use
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Carrier and Base Connection


This carrier sits nicely on the base and clicks into place with an audible click. There are no visual indicators to ensure installation, and parents should give it a good tug to make sure. To release the carrier from the base, squeeze the handle on the back to disconnect the carrier from the base.

LATCH Anchor and Manual Storage


The LATCH anchors store by tucking under the base on each side. Storage prevents the straps and anchors themselves from getting in the way of the carrier connecting firmly to the base.

britax b-safe 35 infant car seat review - the britax b-safe 35 is somewhat disappointing for comfort compared...
The Britax B-Safe 35 is somewhat disappointing for comfort compared to the other seats in the group
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Comfort/Quality


The B-Safe 35 is average for comfort and quality. The padding on this Britax is relatively thin and flexible compared to the competition. The fabric on the seat isn't very plush, and we would have liked to see a little nicer fabric. The shell quality is better than the cheaper products in the review but not as nice as the options in the same price range as the B-Safe 35. However, the overall fit and finish look good compared to a lot of the competition.

britax b-safe 35 infant car seat review - the b-safe 35 has a very nice looking canopy
The B-Safe 35 has a very nice looking canopy
Credit: Abriah Wofford

We liked the handle better than some other Britax options. The canopy on the 35 is nice and is large compared to the competition; it doesn't have a peek-a-boo window but is one of the better-looking canopies in the group.

britax b-safe 35 infant car seat review - this is the heavier of the two britax seats we reviewed
This is the heavier of the two Britax seats we reviewed
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Weight


This Britax weighs 10.57 lbs. Given that parents will lift the carrier on and off the base and potentially carry it with their baby on board, the weight of the carrier can be important. While we don't think making a buying decision based solely on weight is a good idea, we believe that it can be helpful when choosing between two similar options.

Should You Buy the B-Safe?


We know many parents are drawn to the Britax brand because of their reputation of offering safe, high-quality products for little ones. However, in our tests, this seat failed to perform well compared to the competition and earned a surprisingly low score for performance in most metrics. As a result, it is not a seat we would recommend to a friend, and we believe there are better options available for every safety seat goal.

What Other Infant Car Seat Should You Consider?


If you want to combine your car seat with a Britax stroller, then you might be locked into a Britax seat. If this is the case, we prefer the Britax Endeavours, though it still ranked below average in our tests. Alternatively, we think you are better off choosing a higher-scoring option with the features or crash test results that are a priority to you. We prefer the high-ranking Chicco Keyfit 35, which is compatible with most of our favorite strollers, has a higher crash test result, and is easy to use and install. If you need a more budget-friendly seat, the Chicco Keyfit 30 is similar and sports a lower price and the group's best HIC crash test result. Alternatively, if budget isn't a concern and you want the best crash test score, the Cybex Aton 2 is the one for you. Unfortunately, the Cybex is not compatible with many strollers, but you might pair it with a top-ranked baby carrier instead.

Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz