Century Drive On 3-in-1 vs. UPPAbaby Alta: Which is Better? (2024)

Hi there! We're here to help you decide between the Century Drive On 3-in-1 and the UPPAbaby Alta.

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

When it comes to choosing an ideal car seat for your child, safety, comfort, and value for money are the top deciding factors. I've analyzed the Century Drive On 3-in-1 car seat and the UPPAbaby Alta High-Back Booster Seat to provide valuable insights to aid in your decision-making process.

The journey starts with the Century Drive On 3-in-1 car seat, a lightweight and compact option that is primarily designed with not just practicality and convenience in mind, but also a sustainable one. Being part of Century's Happy Planet collection, the fabric is made from recycled materials, indicating a nod to eco-friendliness. Versatility is another significant attribute, as this seat can be used in rear-facing, forward-facing, and belt-positioning booster modes to accommodate your growing child. Longevity is assured with its weight range of 5-100 lbs and maximum forward-facing weight of 65 lbs. Moreover, it is FAA-approved for both forward and rear-facing modes, which makes it ideal for travelling. However, it falls behind in its cleaning aspect, with neither complaints nor praise regarding this factor, suggesting an average cleaning experience. Some parents also reported challenges with the installation process.

On the other hand, the UPPAbaby Alta High-Back Booster Seat makes an impression with its emphasis on comfort, safety, and ease of use. It's comprehensive suitable for older kids, around ages 5-10 years, and has standard dimensions for a high-back booster, accommodating an appropriate age and size range without being exceptionally compact or light. Unique features such as rigid LATCH connectors, a seven-position headrest that adjusts as kids grow, and a SecureFit belt routing system not only enhance safety but also ensure ease of installation and cleanup. However, some users faced challenges with shoulder belts staying put, requiring periodic checking.

Looking at the maximum weights for the different modes, Century Drive On offers a wider spectrum of usability - it can be used as a rear-facing seat up until 40 lbs, a forward-facing seat up to 65 lbs, and lastly as a booster up to 100 lbs. In comparison, the UPPAbaby Alta, being a booster seat, only operates in the weight range of 40-100 lbs.

Given the broader range of usage and eco-friendly attributes, the Century Drive On 3-in-1 car seat would be my recommendation for parents looking for value for money, eco-consciousness, and versatility all in one package. However, it's worth noting that if ease of installation is a necessity for you or if you are already past the need for a forward or rear-facing seat, the UPPAbaby Alta high back booster could be the better fit.