There’s nothing quite like a solid convertible car seat to get you through the first few years of your child’s life. But like all things baby-related, it’s not as simple as just choosing one car seat or even one brand. Take Britax, for instance. It’s home to both the Britax Advocate and Britax Boulevard Car Seats and while they’re both top-of-the-line options, having to choose between them makes the process that much harder.
In a perfect world, it would be easier to choose the right car seat for your family, but it is nice to have such solid options to choose from. If Britax is already a name you’re familiar with or trust, then chances are, all that’s left for you to do is choose between these particular car seats and make your purchase. Before you can do that, however, you’re definitely going to want to consider all they offer and anything they might lack.
Like most Britax car seat options, the Advocate and Boulevard are hard to distinguish from each other at first glance. They both transition from rear to forward-facing once your baby is beyond the infant car seat stage and they can both be used for little ones up to 65 lbs.
They also simply look the same in design, which can make things just a bit harder when trying to tell them apart and choose the better option for your family. You’ll also notice, though, that the Britax Advocate is a tad more expensive than the Boulevard, which could be the deciding factor for you when it’s all said and done. Then again, it boasts three layers of side impact protection instead of the two that the Boulevard has, so that might make up for the higher cost.
The bottom line is that while both vehicle seats are strikingly similar, they both have some strong differences that can help you make the decision when it all comes down to it.
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The Main Difference Between the Britax Advocate vs Boulevard
The main differences between Britax Boulevard vs Advocate are:
- Britax Advocate has 3 different layers of side impact protection, whereas Britax Boulevard only has 2.
- Britax Advocate weighs 30.6 pounds, whereas Britax Boulevard is slightly lighter at 29.4 pounds
- Britax Advocate is a bit pricey for what it offers, whereas Britax Boulevard is less expensive.
Britax Advocate
The Britax Advocate ClickTight Convertible Car Seat just looks like a solid and safe option for your little one. It might have something to do with the obviously plush fabric and padding, but rest assured, there are indeed three layers of side impact protection to keep your child safe in the event of a crash (which have been put thru crash test simulations).
It also has a steel-reinforced frame and energy-absorbing foam base to make it extra safe on all fronts. Your child can also stay in the rear-facing car seat position until they reach 40 lbs, which means they get to stay in the safer seated position for as long as possible.
To ensure that your child is reclined just right, there’s an indicator on the side to help you as your baby grows and there are also multiple levels for the headrest to accommodate your baby for maximal head protection and, eventually, your toddler too.
The car seat dimensions are 23 x 20.5 x 23 inches and it is meant to be used for children up to 65 lbs limit, but it does have a 10-year shelf life from the date of production. Meaning that if you have a baby after your other one has grown out of your Britax Advocate and the seat is still in good shape and hasn’t expired, you’ll be able to use it all over again. So while it might not be the only car seat your child will ever need, it can last your family years.
Features:
- Safety Features. The Britax Advocate has a steel frame (reinforced steel), energy-absorbing base, and three layers of side impact protection.
- Adjustments. The headrest can be moved up to 14 different positions, and there are multiple recline levels.
- Child Weight Limit. It’s designed for children from 6-65 lbs.
- Where To Buy. You can buy it on the manufacturer’s website and Amazon or in-store at Target.
- Has This Item Been Recalled? There was a 2015 recall on the Britax Advocate.
Pros:
- The installation is an easy process for almost anyone, especially since you don’t need to use the Latch system.
- There are so many different child’s safety characteristics that it’s hard not to feel at lease with your child buckled in.
- There’s a handle built into the top of the car seat to make carrying it from car to car a little easier.
- It’s easy to make adjustments as needed as your child grows.
Cons:
- It’s on the wider side, so it might be difficult or even impossible to safely install more than two of these in your backseat.
- If your child is tall, they might outgrow the rear-facing position faster than intended, making it uncomfortable for their legs.
- As far as the car seats go, the Britax Advocate is a bit pricey for what it offers and doesn’t offer.
- There aren’t any built-in cup holders.
How to Install the Britax Advocate
Reviews
“We have two of these seats – one in each car. The seat is easy to install. We watched a video on YouTube and followed the instructions. The seat is cushy, and my daughter is comfortable riding in it. We have taken two road trips with 7+ hours each way in the car, and she did not have any issues, was able to nap comfortably in the seat. Once she is seated, it is very easy to adjust the strap to tighten it according by pulling the cord.” – Charlotte M. on Amazon.
“My most favorite Britax to date! I’ve owned seven Britax car seats over the years between 4 kids, and the technology just keeps getting better! Love the ClickTight, it really makes installation so easy and simple!! Especially in older vehicles or middle row captains, seats that don’t have the anchor latches like my ’03 GMC Yukon Denali XL. I would definitely recommend this car seat!!” – Monica Doster on Amazon.
“I love this car seat! After using one for a couple of weeks, we bought a second. My daughter is 28 lbs and rear facing. I was originally looking for a seat with a removable seat cover, due to car sickness. I had no idea ClickTight existed!! This seat is a game changer for us. The clicktight feature for rear facing is awesome! It is so ready, and fits tighter than our previous latch seat ever did. I read a ton of reviews before purchases, so I had already learned the install and removable tips. It’s very different from the traditional seat, so watch some videos and read before you try. I can install this seat in two minutes.” – Natalie Williams on Amazon.
Britax Boulevard
Like the Advocate, the Britax Boulevard ClickTight Convertible Car Seat is designed with safety in mind. It has two layers of side impact protection and a similar steel-reinforced frame and impact-absorbing base.
When you attached the harness, you can hear an audible click to let you know the car seat is installed safely and correctly, giving you peace of mind at installation. (You can download the User Manual on the Amazon Product Page).
But it also means that you won’t have to use a complicated Latch anchors system that often proves to be more of a headache than it’s worth, especially for new parents. There are seven different recline positions to get your child in the most comfortable and safest position every time.
But just so you aren’t left unsure, there’s even a bubble level indicator on the side of the infant car seat. There’s also a V-shaped tether to eliminate a chance of the seat shifting in the event of an accident or when driving over rough terrain or coming to a sudden stop.
Overall, the Boulevard is like a tank, designed with safety in mind above all else. Though the comfort your child will get from birth is also sure to make it a top choice for some families.
Like all Britax car seats, the cover of the car seat is also machine washable.
Features:
- Safety Features. The Britax Boulevard has a steel reinforced frame, energy absorbing base foam, and three layers of side impact protection.
- Adjustments. The headrest can be moved up to 14 different positions, and there are seven different recline levels.
- Child Weight Limit. It’s designed for children from 5-65 lbs, good for infants thru about 4-5 years (but ALWAYS go by weight, not age).
- Where To Buy. You can buy it on Amazon orin-storee at Target and Buy Buy Baby.
- Has This Item Been Recalled? There was a 2015 recall on the Britax Boulevard.
Pros:
- Installation is easy for almost anyone to get and takes just a few minutes.
- Although it doesn’t have the three layers of side impact protection like the Advocate, the Boulevard still has a lot of protection to keep your little one safe.
- When in the rear-facing position, there’s typically enough leg room for even taller kids.
- The instructions on the side and level indicator make getting the seat in the right position a breeze each time.
Cons:
- It’s big and bulky so it might be difficult to fit the car seat in some backseats.
- As the Advocate, the Boulevard is a little pricey, especially for a car seat that isn’t an all-in-one.
- It’s also heavy, so while you can move it between cars and install with ease, it’s heavy to carry, especially with a baby in your other arm.
- When you adjust the shoulder straps, the straps can get almost too tight for larger legs.
How to Install the Britax Boulevard
Reviews
“This thing is a tank! It’s made well. It’s got lots of padding and layers of protection. It also has a place to tuck straps so they aren’t in the way when getting baby in/out of the car which is a huge plus for me. I love that you can hear a click when the straps are tight enough, it really take the guesswork out of making sure your baby is properly buckled! It is heavy but installation is a breeze. Worth every penny.” – Tiffany L. on Amazon.
“We have two of the ClickTight car seat – the Advocate and the Boulevard. Both are extremely easy to install, either using the latch connectors or the vehicle seat belt, belt path (lap shoulder belt). One benefit of the ClickTight is the ability to easily transfer the seat between vehicles – great for last minute events like the grandparents or babysitter taking the little one out.” – M. Jolley on Amazon.
“This seat is amazingly easy to install! We’d debated over whether we “needed” the ClickTight version and I’m so happy we decided to go for it. We’ve easily moved it between cars. The seat appears comfortable (kids have liked their Britax seats over some other brands we tried) and the straps are easy to adjust. We started with a Britax seat for our eldest several years ago, moved up to a Britax belt-positioning booster seat, and happily continue with the brand for our youngest.” – Angela Monges-Ortiz on Amazon.
While both options are great, I much prefer the more cost effective Britax Boulevard. It just lasts longer (up to 65 pounds) which means you won't need to buy a second car seat for longer. There's also a few enhanced safety features.
The Verdict: Britax Boulevard or Advocate?
It probably can’t be said enough that the Britax Advocate and Britax Boulevard are so very similar in both design and features, including best in class energy-absorbing materials.
Bottom Line: But at the end of the day, the stronger option is going to have to be the Britax Advocate here.
Regarding safety, it offers three layers of side impact protection, and while the Britax Boulevard has two layers, it’s a difference you can’t ignore.
Especially since the Britax Advocate also has more padding that you can feel and see. With car seats that are so similar, it truly does take just a few small features to make a big difference. And in this case, the Britax Advocate is the stronger option and one you likely wouldn’t regret going with, either as an infant seat or toddler seat.
FAQ’s About Britax Boulevard vs Advocate
Yes. Believe it or not, the best position for a car seat is in the middle, as the seat does not get in touch with airbags from both sides.
There are new government rules which state that babies under 2 years old should remain in a rear-facing position, whereas those above 2 years old can be seated in a front-facing position.
Yes. In fact, all car seats that have straps are compatible with being installed on a plane seat. Booster seats are not allowed on a plane because they don’t exactly provide the right protection.
Final Thoughts on the Britax Boulevard vs Advocate Debate
Choosing the right convertible belt-positioning booster car seat can be daunting enough without having to pick between two very similar options from the same brand. Fortunately, there are a few key differences between the Britax Advocate and Britax Boulevard to help make that decision a little bit easier for you.
When it’s all said and done, what matters most is that you’ve chosen a car seat that’s safe, comfortable, and long-lasting. In this case, the Britax Advocate certainly meets that criteria.
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