Hi there! We're here to help you decide between the Britax Poplar 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
| Britax Poplar | Safety 1st Grand 2-in-1 | |
| Type |
Convertible Rear-Facing Forward-Facing |
Convertible Forward-Facing High Back Booster |
| Current price |
Currently unavailable
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Currently unavailable
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| Rating | 4.68 | 4.70 |
Our Thoughts
As a parent and car seat reviewer, I often get asked which car seat I would recommend. After thorough evaluation of two popular models - the Britax Poplar and the Safety 1st Grand 2-in-1, I have gathered some insights.
The Britax Poplar conversion ability from a rear-facing to a forward-facing seat makes it a versatile choice for growing kids, from infancy through toddlerhood. It's commendable how it supports longer use of rear-facing orientation, accommodating children up to 50 pounds as per its specifications. Its design also stands out for easy installation, thanks to the ClickTight system which many parents appreciate. While the Poplar's high-quality material and durable build is reassuring, note that its robustness also makes it heavier and bulkier than some other options. Hence, if you frequently move between vehicles, this is something to consider. Overall, with its attention to safety, convenience, and long term usability, the Poplar has come out strong in my review, even though it leans towards a more premium price point.
On the other hand, the Safety 1st Grand 2-in-1 car seat offers decent features at a substantially more affordable price. It transitions from a forward-facing harness seat to a belt-positioning booster, accommodating children from 30 pounds to a generous limit of 120 pounds. This extended weight range certainly provides a longer lifespan for the product. Being lightweight and more portable than the Poplar, it is pretty convenient, especially for larger families that need to fit multiple car seats. Its storage-friendly design is one of the reasons it's being appreciated by users. However, it does lack certain comfort features like plush padding and the harness straps can be a bit finicky to adjust.
In my experience, both the Britax Poplar and Safety 1st Grand 2-in-1 have their unique strengths. Britax Poplar shines in terms of advanced safety features, user-friendly installation, and durability, making it a great choice one-time investment for long-term use, if budget is not a constraint. On the other hand, the Safety 1st Grand 2-in-1 is a more affordable option that covers the basics well and offers extended use, making it suitable for parents looking for a practical, budget-friendly option, and don't mind compromising a tad bit on the luxury comfort features. From an FAA approval standpoint, both seats are approved for use in forward-facing mode making them suitable for travel. However, only the Britax Poplar has approval for rear-facing mode while the Safety 1st Grand 2-in-1 is not approved for booster mode.
Key Details
| Poplar | Grand 2-in-1 | |
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| Brand | Britax | Safety 1st |
| Type |
Convertible Rear-Facing Forward-Facing |
Convertible Forward-Facing High Back Booster |
| Weighted Rating | 4.68 | 4.70 |
| 1 yr Price Range | $299.99 - $299.99 | $74.99 - $79.99 |
| Current price |
Currently unavailable
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Currently unavailable
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| Value |
Offers a robust set of features at a competitive price point, balancing quality and cost effectively. |
The price point combined with its dual functionality as a harness and booster seat offers substantial savings over time. |
| Safety |
Safety is a hallmark of Britax, and the Poplar is no exception, with its sturdy construction and reliable performance in safety tests. |
It meets standard safety requirements, but lacks advanced features like a steel-reinforced frame. |
| Features |
With its convertible design and user-friendly installation, the Poplar stands out in its category. |
While it covers the essentials, it may not include comfort extras found in higher-end seats. |
| Installation |
The ClickTight system is frequently praised for its simplicity and effectiveness, making installation a breeze. |
Installation is straightforward with LATCH or seatbelt, but achieving a tight fit requires attention to detail. |
| Cleaning |
The seat is designed with easy-to-remove fabrics for convenient cleaning, which is a boon for busy parents. |
The seat pad is machine washable and dryer safe, and the cup holders are dishwasher-safe, simplifying maintenance. |
| Size |
The slim profile of the Poplar is advantageous for fitting into compact cars without compromising on comfort or safety. |
The design is space-efficient, ideal for fitting multiple car seats in the back of a car. |
| Review | Click here | Click here |
Comparison of Specifications
While features and reviews provide a sense of real-world use, the specs offer quantifiable details on sizing, limitations, and more. Comparing key measurements and ranges side-by-side is crucial for ensuring you choose a seat properly fitted for your child and vehicle.
We've compiled the weight limits, height limits, dimensions, and other vital statistics for the Britax Poplar and the Safety 1st Grand 2-in-1. This data will confirm whether each seat can accommodate your child's current size and projected growth. Specs like seat depth and width are also important for assessing fit with your car's backseat.
Review the following key measurements for both seats. Pay special attention to the height and weight limits to ensure your child falls within the safe ranges.
Height and Weight Limits
Rear-facing
| Britax Poplar | Safety 1st Grand 2-in-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Height Range | 0 - 49 inches | |
| Weight Range | 5 - 50 pounds |
Forward-facing
| Britax Poplar | Safety 1st Grand 2-in-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Height Range | 0 - 49 inches | 32 - 49 inches |
| Weight Range | 22 - 65 pounds | 30 - 65 pounds |
Booster
| Britax Poplar | Safety 1st Grand 2-in-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Height Range | 43 - 57 inches | |
| Weight Range | 40 - 120 pounds |
Dimensions and Weight
| Britax Poplar | Safety 1st Grand 2-in-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 17.0 inches | 19.6 inches |
| Height | 20.5 inches | 30.2 inches |
| Depth | 23.5 inches | 18.3 inches |
| Weight | 27.2 pounds | 12.2 pounds |
Core Specifications
| Britax Poplar | Safety 1st Grand 2-in-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Model Year | 2023 | 2021 |
| Made In | USA | USA |
| Frame Material | Reinforced Steel | Unknown |
Safety and Compliance
| Britax Poplar | Safety 1st Grand 2-in-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Safety Standards | Does not meet standards | Meets all standards | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Configurations FAA-Approved for Airplanes |
Forward-Facing Rear-Facing |
Forward-Facing High Back Booster |
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| NHTSA Ease-of-Use Ratings | Not rated by NHTSA. |
Forward-Facing Mode
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| Previous Recalls | This car seat has never been recalled. | This car seat has never been recalled. |
Features
| Britax Poplar | Safety 1st Grand 2-in-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Attachment Methods |
LATCH Seatbelt |
LATCH Seatbelt |
| Harness Type | 5-Point | 5-Point |
| Cup Holders | Has cup holders. | Has cup holders. |
Warranty and Durability
| Britax Poplar | Safety 1st Grand 2-in-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturers Warranty Length | 1 year | 1 year |
| Lifespan | 10 Years | 10 Years |
Additional Links
| See all Britax car seats | See all Safety 1st car seats |
| Full review of the Britax Poplar Full review of the Safety 1st Grand 2-in-1 |