Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car vs Britax Boulevard ClickTight Convertible Car
Both made our Best Car Seats for Newborns shortlist, at #1 and #3. Here's how they differ and who each one suits.
- BuyOnceRight Research Desk
- Updated
- 4 min read
Quick verdict
Choose the Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat if you want belt path routing on the shell itself means the seat installs without its base in a rental car. Choose the Britax Boulevard ClickTight Convertible Car Seat if you'd rather have one seat that goes from newborn to booster years, no need to buy a second convertible seat later. Overall we rank the Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Car Seats for Newborns list.
Winner overall: Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat
Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat vs Britax Boulevard ClickTight Convertible Car Seat compared
Every difference that matters, in one table.
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Our ranking | #1 of 4 in Best Car Seats for Newborns | #3 of 4 in Best Car Seats for Newborns |
| Pick label | ||
| Brand | Chicco | Britax |
| Key features | Fits infants 4 to 35 pounds; FAA-approved for aircraft use; Belt path routing built into the shell for base-free installs | Rear-facing 5 to 40 pounds, forward-facing 20 to 65 pounds; ClickTight installation system with a steel tensioner; Two layers of side impact protection |
| Biggest strength | Belt path routing on the shell itself means the seat installs without its base in a rental car | One seat that goes from newborn to booster years, no need to buy a second convertible seat later |
| Main trade-off | Heavier carrier than the LiteMax 35, more tiring across a long terminal walk | 5-pound minimum means it will not fit the smallest newborns or preemies |
| Best for | travel | newborns |
Which should you buy?
#1 pick
Choose the Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat if…
- Belt path routing on the shell itself means the seat installs without its base in a rental car
- Widely reported as producing a correct install on the first try, useful when rushed at an airport counter
- If you already own this seat at home, bringing the same one keeps install muscle memory consistent
Best for: travel
Prefer the alternative? See the Britax Boulevard ClickTight Convertible Car Seat section.
#3 pick
Choose the Britax Boulevard ClickTight Convertible Car Seat if…
- One seat that goes from newborn to booster years, no need to buy a second convertible seat later
- ClickTight install is widely regarded as one of the easiest convertible installs to get tight
- 14-position harness grows with the child without rethreading straps
Best for: newborns
Prefer the alternative? See the Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat section.
Pros and cons of each
Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat
Pros
- Belt path routing on the shell itself means the seat installs without its base in a rental car
- Widely reported as producing a correct install on the first try, useful when rushed at an airport counter
- If you already own this seat at home, bringing the same one keeps install muscle memory consistent
Cons
- Heavier carrier than the LiteMax 35, more tiring across a long terminal walk
- Base is not practical to bring along, so travel means base-free belt installs only
- Height limit around 30 inches limits how long it works for an older child
Britax Boulevard ClickTight Convertible Car Seat
Pros
- One seat that goes from newborn to booster years, no need to buy a second convertible seat later
- ClickTight install is widely regarded as one of the easiest convertible installs to get tight
- 14-position harness grows with the child without rethreading straps
Cons
- 5-pound minimum means it will not fit the smallest newborns or preemies
- Does not detach from the car, so there is no carrier or stroller function
- Bulkier and heavier to move between vehicles than an infant seat and base
Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat vs Britax Boulevard ClickTight Convertible Car Seat: common questions
Which is better, the Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat or the Britax Boulevard ClickTight Convertible Car Seat?
Choose the Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat if you want belt path routing on the shell itself means the seat installs without its base in a rental car. Choose the Britax Boulevard ClickTight Convertible Car Seat if you'd rather have one seat that goes from newborn to booster years, no need to buy a second convertible seat later. Overall we rank the Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Car Seats for Newborns list.
What is the difference between the Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat and the Britax Boulevard ClickTight Convertible Car Seat?
The Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat stands out because belt path routing on the shell itself means the seat installs without its base in a rental car, while the Britax Boulevard ClickTight Convertible Car Seat stands out because one seat that goes from newborn to booster years, no need to buy a second convertible seat later. The trade-offs differ too: the Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat's main caveat is that heavier carrier than the LiteMax 35, more tiring across a long terminal walk, and the Britax Boulevard ClickTight Convertible Car Seat's is that 5-pound minimum means it will not fit the smallest newborns or preemies.
Is the Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat worth it over the Britax Boulevard ClickTight Convertible Car Seat?
For most buyers, yes: it's our #1 pick. Consider the Britax Boulevard ClickTight Convertible Car Seat instead if heavier carrier than the LiteMax 35, more tiring across a long terminal walk is a deal-breaker for you.
Who should buy the Britax Boulevard ClickTight Convertible Car Seat instead of the Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat?
The Britax Boulevard ClickTight Convertible Car Seat suits newborns, while the Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat is best for travel.