Britax Marathon ClickTight vs. Safety 1st Grand 2-in-1: Which is Better? (2024)

Hi there! We're here to help you decide between the Britax Marathon ClickTight and the Safety 1st Grand 2-in-1.

Our goal is to provide you with the information you need to feel confident that you're choosing the optimal car seat for your family's needs and budget. Let us know if you have any other questions!

At A Glance

Our Thoughts

The Britax Marathon ClickTight and the Safety 1st Grand 2-in-1 car seats offer convenient convertible options for growing children. However, they have some key differences that may influence your buying decision.

The Britax Marathon ClickTight is particularly known for its versatility and safety. It transitions from a rear-facing seat for infants to a forward-facing seat for toddlers and older children. Notably, its maximum weight and height capacities for the rear-facing (up to 40lbs and 49 inches, respectively) and forward-facing positions (up to 65lbs and 49 inches, respectively) are quite generous which makes it a reliable seat for continued usage as your child grows. Secure installation is simplified with their signature ClickTight system, and the car seat features a steel frame and side impact protection for added safety. While it lacks features that accommodate larger children, it offers a multitude of benefits including flame-retardant, chemical-free fabric, and a machine-washable cover.

On the other hand, the Safety 1st Grand 2-in-1 is designed with budget-friendly and practicality in mind. It transitions from a forward-facing seat to a high-back booster seat, supporting weights up to 120 pounds, providing a longer lifespan than many of its competitors. The Safety 1st seat doesn't allow for rear-facing configuration which might count as a disadvantage for parents who want to rear-face their toddlers for longer. Its compact design fits well in smaller vehicles or those needing to accommodate multiple car seats. Unlike the Britax seat, it's lightweight and portable which makes it good for families who constantly switch the car seat between cars. While not as feature-rich as the Britax option, it boasts of ease of cleaning with a removable, machine-washable seat pad.

In terms of safety ratings, the Britax Marathon offers remarkable superiority with high grades in both front-facing and rear-facing configurations. In contrast, the Safety 1st seat gets average to below-average grades in different testing categories.

Both these seats are FAA Approved. However, the Britax seat allows for both forward-facing and rear-facing modes during air travel, whereas the Safety 1st seat is only approved for forward-facing mode during air travel and its high-back booster mode is not recommended.

To summarize, if budget and simplicity are your main concerns, the Safety 1st Grand 2-in-1 will provide you with an affordable, no-fuss option up to the high back booster stage. However, if safety, ease of installation, and overall functionality are top priorities (and your child is not exceptionally large), the Britax Marathon ClickTight offers proven protection and convenience that justify its higher price point. The extended weight limits in both forward-facing and rear-facing configuration of the Brittax seat make it a superior choice for long-term use.