Britax Vs Maxi Cosi: Pros, Cons & Recommendations

 

Welcome to the Britax Vs Maxi Cosi car seat showdown!

Over the past month, I’ve been testing these car seats by driving around my three kids, evaluating their eye rolls, scowls, and frowns, talking with other moms, looking up recalls, and checking reviews. Meanwhile, my husband was kicking back and relaxing (time to make it up honey…).

Look:

Both Britax and Maxi Cosi are making good car seats. That is why it takes so much time (weeks, if not more) to find what fits you best. With that in mind, I decided to pinch in and make the choice as easy as possible while saving you time.

The perk of having three kids in different age groups is that I can test these seats simultaneously.

I compared these seats by getting the best in each category. Britax’s infant seat was pitted against Maxi Cosi’s. Also, I’ve compared convertibles and all-in-one car seats.

I have evaluated everything, and I really mean EVERYTHING, from safety to comfort, design, coolness factor, value for the price, and even crying-to-sleep-ratio! No matter which one you choose, it will protect your little one’s life. You will have peace of mind knowing that each seat works and delivers the best safety.

Let’s just see the winning seats already!

 

Here are the Winners from the Britax vs Maxi Cosi Comparison

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Britax B-Safe Gen2 vs Maxi Cosi Mico

Direct Comparison: Maxi Cosi vs Britax Infant Car Seats

Britax Marathon vs Maxi Cosi Pria 85

Direct Comparison: Maxi Cosi vs Britax Convertible Car Seats

The Winner is the Britax Marathon

Why is the Britax Marathon better than the Maxi Cosi Pria 3-in-1?

• Since Maxi Cosi has no straight convertible car seat, I have evaluated the Pria 3-in-1 on pure convertible traits.
• The Marathon is way more comfortable because it has a lot more recline positions, and thus, no floppy head syndrome.
• I am at peace knowing that the Marathon has a steel frame, and not just a steel-reinforced frame like the Pria.
• The installation is a breeze thanks to the ClickTight technology.

Here’s why the Britax Marathon is a must-buy:

• The safest: The Marathon has one of the highest safety ratings among convertible car seats.
• Installation is like a dream: There’s no second-guessing and no science diploma needed. You only get a tight and perfect install every time.
• You don’t live with the Hulk? No problem! It’s a breeze to install. It’s as simple as the tutorial video shows. It is definitely a women-friendly car seat.

Britax One4Life vs Maxi Cosi Magellan

Direct Comparison: Maxi Cosi vs Britax All in One Seats

Car Seat Buyer’s Guide

It’s always good to have a handy buyer’s guide on your side. So I’ve put together one. Here are some hot tips first.

Did you know that 75% of car seats in the US are installed incorrectly? This is a troubling number what recent study shows. No matter what kind of protection a car seat has, if it’s not mounted right, it won’t be able to perform to the best of its abilities.

This is why it’s so important to get that tight fit.

Before you get to the installation part, have you decided on where you will put the car seat? Here are some things you should take into count. First of all, the safest place for a child is in the middle of the car. That’s where they are the most protected. Now that might not be possible for everyone. So here’s the second safest location, which is behind the driver.

There’s a misconception that the child seat shouldn’t move at all. The rule of thumb dictates that the movement should be less than an inch. But this movement has been to measure at the back of the seat. The wiggle room where the car seat meets the seat should be less than an ich. The far side it can move more.

When you read car seat reviews, you can see how much effort have people put in, so the seat doesn’t move at all. That’s an impossible task to achieve. After you have installed your car seat and you want to be extra sure that it’s safe, you can always ask a licensed professional for help.

The second rule of thumb says that the harness should pass the pinch test. If you pinch the harness and material come between the fingers, then it’s not tight enough.

I’m reviewing a lot of car seats, so I had to form my own system. I wanted to stay consistent across the board.

The #1 priority when you check any car seat is the safety. The good news is that all car seats on the market are safe. If there were any kind of issues, the recall would be instant. There’s a dirty industry secret that some brands don’t want you to know.

There are mandatory government standards that have to be passed. Now some brands barely pass them. Which car seat would you like to protect your child? The one that barely passed or the one that went the extra mile?

Now with Britax and Maxi Cosi, you have seen that they have done an outstanding job. They went the extra mile to keep your little one safe.

The next important thing I check is the size limits. The car seats are expensive, and there’s a secret for saving money without compromising safety. I will share the secret with you. When you’re buying a car seat plan ahead, check which one offers the most mileage for the money. The longer your child stays in the car seat, the more money you will be saving.

The third most important element is the installation. Now Britax with the ClickTight technology is leading the market. It’s so easy to install that once you get used to it, you won’t look back. On the other hand, Maxi Cosi hasn’t found that magic bullet yet.

In short, this would be my car seat buyer’s guide.

Britax vs Maxi Cosi Infant Car Seat

Infant car seats or infant carriers cater to newborns and above. These carriers have multiple functions besides being a car seat. Most of them can be combined with strollers. Plus, having this carrier, you will be able to go shopping or go around town while you’re little one is asleep.

The carriers are the easiest car seats to mount. The other models you will have your work cut out for you.

From Camp Britax, we have the B-Safe 35, and from the Maxi Cosi camp, we have the Mico.

Britax B-Safe Gen2 Short Review

This infant carrier has everything that your little one will need. It has every safety feature. For some, the carrier needs to have a steel base. The good side is that it offers the best protection possible. No matter the accident, your baby will be safe.

The drawback is that it will be heavy. Without the base, the B-Safe weighs 12 pounds. That’s not too bad, but you have to add the weight of your baby as well. If you had a C-section, don’t lift this car seat until you’re properly healed.

This car seat comes with Safe Cell tech. This absorbs the energy in case of an accident, and it protects your little one from it.

There’s a difference in the size limits section. Both carriers cater to newborns, and the lowest weight limit is set to 4 pounds with the B-Safe. And you can use it up to 35 pounds or 32”. This carrier gives you more mileage.

The installation is straight forward; you can use both the latch and the seat belt option. This carrier can be installed without the base. There’s no need for a second base if you have multiple cars. With both carriers, you will have to use a bit of force to get the base nice and snug.

Here’s a heads up. The material with the Britax is hand wash only. During infancy, you will bind to have milk spills and diaper blowouts. It would’ve been better if they allowed machine washing.

 

Maxi Cosi Mico Short Review

This Mico car seat, on the other hand, it’s super light. It weighs around 8 and a half pounds. Since it’s so light, it will be easy to move it from the car. These carriers can be mounted on strollers. So you get you’re your baby out with one click, and with the second one, they will be on the stroller.

This travel system will make shopping a breeze. The carrier is light, so you will be able to carry your little one wherever you’re going.

Even if it’s light, it has passed all the safety standards.  It has energy-absorbing foam, and the 5-point harness will keep your little one safe and in place no matter what. The Mico gives you a shorter mileage than the B-Safe. The lowest weight limit is set to 5 pounds. With the help of the Mico, you will be able to bring your baby home from the hospital. It has an infant wedge so your little one will sit at the right angle.

The upper limit is shy by 5 pounds.

The installation is quite similar to Britax the only difference that there’s no leveling guide. You will guess if the car seat is leveled or not. This carrier can be installed with and without the base.  If you opt for the base, you will be able to use the latch system or the seat belt.

The upside of the Maxi Cosi Mico is that you can machine wash the fabric. The cover removal is easy and straight forward. No matter the mess, the washing machine will make it good as new.

 

Britax vs Maxi Cosi Convertible Car Seat

The next development stage requires a convertible car seat. These have to mount options you can do it rear-facing and in front-facing mode. It’s highly recommended to keep your little one in the rear-facing mode as long as possible because that provides the most safety.

The minimum time in rear-facing mode is 2 years. In some countries, it’s four.

From Camp Britax, we have the Marathon, and from the Maxi Cosi camp, we have the Pria 85.

Britax Marathon Short Review

This incident happened with our friends on their way back.

Their 13-month-year-old was asleep in the back. They were so close to home when it happened.

The father couldn’t see beyond the curve. The danger lay ahead. There was a huge puddle of water. When he noticed it was already too late. He has lost control. The car has hydroplaned off the road. It hit a tree.

The word hit is an understatement. The SUV has wrapped around the tree. The impact was devastating. It has totaled the car instantly. The windshield exploded into a million pieces—the airbags deployed with a loud bang.

The aftermath wasn’t pretty. The parents got the worse of it. They have suffered multiple cuts and bruises. Their little one was lucky. She was scared and cried, but there was no injury. This is what happens when a good car seat does its job.

This story proves that the car seat is safe, and it will protect your child. Now let’s talk about the installation process.  Ever since they invented the ClickTight solutions, there’s no turning back. It’s so easy to install. Why haven’t they thought about it 10 years ago?

These car seats are catering to toddlers and above. This car seat is missing something important, and that is the cup holder. Two would be the ideal number, but this doesn’t even have one.

Also, after your child reaches 65 pounds or 49” you will have to upgrade. Compared to the Pria, you’re getting less mileage.

 

Maxi Cosi Pria 85 Short Review

This incident happened on a long road trip cut short.

The family was heading north as usual. The little one has fallen asleep as they left. He was in the back secure in his car seat. Then the unthinkable happened. They got rear-ended by an inattentive driver.

It wasn’t any fender bender, either. The truck that hit them was a tractor-trailer speeding at 70 mph. The impact was loud and powerful. Metal bent and screeched. The father has lost control over the car.

It has started skidding left and right. The ordeal stopped when the car landed in the ditch. Their first reaction was to check on their little ones. He was safe and sound. He was shaken up a bit but had no injuries what so ever.

Even if the car seat isn’t made out of solid steel, the reinforced frame did its job in the accident. The child wasn’t harmed.

There’s a biggie with the Maxi Cosi car seats. They are not that easy to install. Sure, you can practice it for an hour or two, but who has that time to spare? Meanwhile, Britax’s Clicktight is done in a matter of seconds.

They went cheap with the leveling guide. It’s a printed sticker hidden on the side. At least add a bubble or ball. That’s the easiest solution.

What’s good about the Pria is that you get a lot of mileage out of it. The upper limit is set to 85 pounds, which 20 more than the Marathon. Plus it has a built in cup holder which is missing from Britax.

 

Britax All in One Car Seat vs Maxi Cosi All in One Car Seat

These all in one car seats are the most economical ones on the market. How come? They are the most expensive. That’s true. These car seats are from birth until they get their driver’s license. You only pay this price once. If you even have to buy just two different stage car seats, you have spent more than the price of this one.

These car seats are lifers.

From Camp Britax, we have the One4Life, and from the Maxi Cosi camp, we have the Magellan.

Britax One4Life Short Review

The Britax One4Life has everything that you will ever need in a car seat. From infancy as in 5 pounds and above, it will serve your child until they reach 120 pounds or 63”.

It’s the best Britax car seat for the money. The frame, as with most Britax seats, is made out of steel. That offers the most protection possible. With the steel frame, you’re compromising on weight. Yes, this car seat is heavy.

It’s one of the most comfortable car seats we ever had. The material is nice and offers a lot of cushions.

If you’re a parent who’s looking for extended rear-facing, then this is the seat for you. Your child can ride in the rear-facing mode until they reach 50 pounds. Magellan is shy of 10 pounds in this department.

With the ClickTight tech, you can’t go wrong. You pop the seat arrange the seatbelt or the latch, and you’re done. The Britax theme made so easy that it’s laughable.

Now in the comfort department, it has overtaken the Maxi Cosi. To avoid the child’s head slump, you will have to have sufficient recline. This car seat offers 9 positions. Also, there’s one more headrest position to choose from than the Magellan.

There was an ongoing joke about Britax. These tanks can resist anything besides the washing machine. Now you can even be the fabric in a washing machine. Best of all, you will never have to readjust the straps manually. When you adjust the headrest, the straps are adjusted as well.

 

Maxi Cosi Magellan Short Review

My brother has tested this car seat in a real crash.

He was on his way to daycare with his son one early morning. In an intersection, someone ran a red light.

The collision was unavoidable. It was a horrible T-bone accident. The impact was so strong that it broke most windows. The airbags deployed protecting the passengers. Smoke came out from the other car’s engine.

They got lucky. The other driver wasn’t that fast. If he would’ve been speeding, the aftermath would’ve been a lot dire.

My brother walked away with a few minor injuries. His son was safe. The car seat protected him from harm. There was no injury what so ever on him.

This car seat has been tested in a real crash. The safety features deliver. Even though the frame isn’t made out of steel, it handled the accident well.

The biggest issue with the Maxi Cosi Magellan is the installation. They still didn’t get it right. To make things worse, the latch install is more complicated than the seat belt one. With the seat belt, all you have to do is guide the belt through the opening and click it in.

If you have to move the latches, then you have to partially disassemble. First, you have to remove the cover then the cup holders. They dropped the ball with this design. Also, it has less number of recline functions. It might not be as comfortable as the Britax.

Both car seats have the same weight upper limit, but the height is lower with the Magellan. That might be a problem if you have a tall child.

 

Conclusions

We have reached the end of this car seat comparison. Britax came out ahead in this comparison. Only in the convertible car seat section managed the Maxi Cosi take a winning spot. The difference was minimal. Britax has many highly praised car seats. They are more expensive, and it’s worth it.

Now it’s your time to choose. By now it should be clear which car seat fits you the best. Get it soon because last time I’ve checked, the stocks were low.

I love to hear your thoughts, so share them below.

Catch you next time!

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Is Maxi Cosi better than Britax?

Britax is the winner between Maxi Cosi and Britax car seats.

Which is the best Maxi Cosi car seat?

The best Maxi Cosi car seat is the Maxi Cosi Magellan.

What Britax car seat is the best?

The best Britax car seat is the Britax Advocate Clicktight.

Britax vs Maxi Cosi car seats what are the weight limits?

The rear-facing weight is typically around 30 pounds to 35 pounds. Higher weight limits can be found in booster seats. When should you upgrade? When your child’s body weight is in the 90%. The seat weight is important as well if you plan to move it around a lot. For the extended rear-facing position, the typical weight limit is 40 pounds. As for height limits, these car seats tap out around 49 inches or 52 inches. There is a booster seat that has 62 inches as a height limit. Those 5 inches make a lot of difference.

What are good infant car seat alternatives?

You can go with these: maxi-cosi pria 70, pria 85, nuna rava, chicco nextfit.

Britax car seats vs Maxi Cosi car seats which has the highest safety standards?

Both car seats have side impact protection. Nowadays it wouldn’t be safe driving around without side impact protection. Maxi Cosi is using the air protect. The air protect offers protection against rollover crashes. Let me say this the crash test performance was outstanding. The American Academy of pediatrics support these seats. The crash test results speak for themselves. No matter which brand you decide to go with you will be in safe hands. All car seats went through rigorous crash testing. The center seat is the safest place to install these convertible car seats. Shock absorption is important for the protection of your child. Not to mention that it’s super easy to use.

Britax seats vs Maxi Cosi seats how comfortable are they?

Many things come into play when you’re looking at comfort. One of the first things would be no-rethread harness adjustment. Your child will need sufficient recline positions so their head won’t flop. The harness height adjustment and the harness position will make the forward facing convertible seat comfy. It’s advised to use a pool noodle if there isn’t sufficient recline. The head rest is adjustable with the harness straps. The buckle system is known for its ease of use. The chest clip and the shoulder harness will keep your little one in place.

Britax vs Maxi Cosi seats how do you install them?

Both brands provide easy installation thanks to the latch system and the shoulder straps. Some of these seats are cleared for airplane use. The latch connection can be made with the latch connectors and then pulling down on the latch straps. Typically these car seats are installed on the back seat bottom.

How easy is it to wash them?

The seat cover from the seat pad can be easy to remove and then washed with the washing machine. While you’re at it was the body pillow as well.

Last Updated on October 25, 2023 by Brian Beasley