Britax B-Safe Ultra Infant Seat – Introduction
The first thing to note is that this is not an entirely new seat that has been built by Britax from scratch. Instead, they have taken all of the great features from the slightly older Britax B-Safe 35 Elite seat and added some improvements.
The new Britax B-Safe Ultra seat comes fitted with all of those great features that can still be found on the B-Safe 35 Elite, but it also comes with 3 significant upgrades.
These Upgrades are:
- European Style Belt Path
- Ultra Cool Flow Mesh Fabric
- Flip-Forward Belly Pad
In this review I am going to tell you about the main features that can be found on both the B-Safe 35 Elite and the B-Safe Ultra infant car seats, before moving on the discuss the 2 extra features that only come with the “Ultra” model.
I hope that once you have read this review you will be in a much better position to decide whether or not the Britax B-Safe Ultra seat is the best option for you and your child.
Britax B-Safe Ultra – The Main Features
#1 Child Weight Limits
The Britax B-Safe Ultra seat has a very generous maximum child weight limit of 35 lbs.
Many infant seats can only be used until your child’s weight exceeds 30-32lbs and so the ability to use the seat all the way up to 35lbs is a bonus for many parents.
So, that’s a big plus point for the Ultra seat as it comes with one of the best (if not the best) maximum child weight limits on the market today.
#2 Child Height Limits
The maximum child height limit is 32 inches, which is also excellent when compared to other infant seats.
Children very often outgrow their infant seats by height before they outgrow them by weight and so this is a very important number to consider when choosing a seat.
By combining a generous maximum child height limit with a great maximum child weight limit, Britax have ensured that you can get as much usage out of the B-Safe Ultra infant seat as is reasonably possible.
#3 Built-In Lockoffs
If the design of your vehicle, or other personal circumstances, means that you need to install an infant car seat using the adult seatbelt rather than LATCH connectors, the Britax B-Safe Ultra model comes with built-in lockoffs to make it much easier to get a snug and secure installation each and every time.
Incorrectly installed car seats is one of the most common mistakes that parents and other carers make, and it is potentially a very serious issue. Anything that makes it easier to install a car seat properly and safely is a great thing.
The Britax B-Safe Ultra seat, however, has a different option to consider when installing it using the vehicle seat belt rather than LATCH connectors – see my discussion of the European Belt Path feature below.
#4 Side Impact Protection
Just like the B-Safe 35 Elite, the B-Safe Ultra seat comes with Britax’s premium Complete Side Impact Protection Plus system.
This Safecell Complete Side Impact Protection Plus system comprises 4 elements:
- Rigid Shell (plus integrated steel bars) with Deep Side Wings
- Energy-Absorbing Foam
- Impact-absorbing Safecell Base
- Extra-padded Head Restraint
The impact-absorbing Safecell base found on this seat comprises a red “honeycomb” structure that help to absorb crash forces.
You can see close-up images of these safety features here.
#5 Seating Adjustments
The B-Safe Ultra seat comes with lots of adjustable seating positions, which are:
- Harness Slot Heights at 5.5/6.5/8/8.75/10/11 inches
- Crotch Buckle Strap Depths of 4 & 6 inches
Britax have also re-positioned the strap-adjustment button (that was criticised by parents on previous models) so that it is no longer hidden underneath the seat fabric.
#6 Seat Weight
The B-Safe Ultra seat isn’t the absolute lightest infant seat on the market, but it is certainly not one of the heaviest either. It weighs in at approximately 11.5 lbs, which is pretty standard despite the fact that the Ultra model comes with a great many premium safety features which all adds a little extra weight to the seat.
#7 Harness Adjustments
There is no need to re-thread the harness when you make adjustments as your child grows. Instead the harness can be adjusted very simply and without the need to re-thread it.
Any parent who has had to re-thread harness straps frequently will tell you that it can be very challenging and time-consuming process.
So, being able to adjust the harness without re-threading it is a big convenience benefit.
#8 Integrated Steel Bars
The B-Safe Ultra seat comes fitted with integrated steel bars, which are designed to strengthen the connection between the vehicle and the seat, thereby reducing forwards flexion of the child seat during a collision situation.
One of the biggest risks of injury to your child during a collision is as a result of their body hitting part of the internal fittings within your vehicle, such as the back of the front seat. Reduced seat flexion as a result of integrated steel bars reduces the risk of this happening to your child.
All of the features listed above can be found on both the B-Safe 35 Elite and B-Safe Ultra seats. Let’s now look at the 3 features that are only found on the B-Safe Ultra seat.
Britax B-Safe Ultra – The 3 Extra Features
#1 European Belt Path
The Britax B-Safe Ultra seat also comes with a European style Belt Guide.
This means that you have the option of being able to safely and securely fit the B-Safe Ultra seat in your vehicle without using the LATCH connectors. Whilst most modern cars are fitted with LATCH connectors and it is much more convenient to simply click the seat in and out of the seat base on every journey, there are situations in which this additional belt path option is very useful.
If you need to use the seat with multiple vehicles and cannot afford to buy multiple seat bases, or if you have grandparents or other occasional carers that need to transport your baby in their vehicles, the option to install the seat using an easy European style belt method is very convenient.
#2 Ultra Cool Mesh Fabric
The B-Safe Ultra seat is an excellent choice if you live in a place that experiences hot temperatures. Unlike the other Britax infant seats, and other competitor seats, the B-Safe Ultra comes fitted with a special cool mesh fabric that allows the hot air to circulate more freely around your child when they are seated.
This makes it much easier for them to remain cool, especially during long journeys.
The Ultra seat is a cool and comfortable option for your child.
#3 Flip-Forward Belly Pad
The Flip-Forward Belly Pad that comes with the B-Safe Ultra provides extra padding around the front part of their body for extra comfort.
It also makes it easier to access the harness buckle for easy loading and unloading.
Other Features include:
- 5-Point Harness
- Comfortable Energy-absorbing Foam Inserts
- Easy to remove seat covers
- Newborn Insert Cushion
- Stroller Compatible
- Certified for Aircraft Travel
- 6-year seat expiration
Where to Buy the Britax B-Safe Ultra Seat
The Britax B-Safe Ultra seat is not yet available to buy for immediate delivery.
Pre-Order the Britax B-Safe Ultra Here.
If you don’t want to pay extra for the 3 extra features on the Britax B-Safe Ultra, or you can’t wait until the end of April for delivery, you can now get some really great deals on the Britax B-Safe 35 Elite here.
Safety Information
After purchasing any child car seat, you should always read the User Manual thoroughly before using it. It is also advisable to visit your local Fire Department or NHTSA Child Car Seat Inspection Centre to ensure that the seat is definitely suitable for your child’s specific requirements and that you have installed it correctly. These services are usually provided free of charge.
You can find your nearest NHTSA Centre here.
Get in Touch
If you have any comments to share or questions to ask about my Britax B-Safe Ultra Infant Car Seat Review, please leave a comment in the box below or send me an email.
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