Safety 1st Guide 65 vs. UPPAbaby Alta: Which is Better? (2024)

Compare the two car seats side-by-side

Hi there! We're here to help you decide between the Safety 1st Guide 65 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

Safety 1st Guide 65 UPPAbaby Alta
Type Convertible

Rear-Facing Forward-Facing
High Back Booster
Current price
Currently unavailable
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Currently unavailable
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Rating 4.58 4.59

Our Thoughts

Taking a look at two car seats, I was immersed in attention to details and keen observation. The Safety 1st Guide 65 emerged as a budget-friendly solution for parents looking for a convertible car seat. It's lightweight, compact, and offers a good deal of quality for its modest price. Designed to fit snugly in smaller cars, it can comfortably accommodate children from 5 to 65 pounds. Importantly, it allows kids to remain in the safer, rear-facing position up to 40 pounds. But here's a catch, some parents have reported concerns about installation, especially when used in the rear-facing mode. This complexity in set up could potentially compromise the safety efficiency of the seat.

The UPPAbaby Alta, however, presents itself as a high-back booster seat promising equal parts safety and convenience. This car seat appeals to parents with children in the age bracket of 5-10 years of age, accommodating those between 40 and 100 pounds. It comes with standout features like distinct SecureFit belt routing system and rigid latch connectors for easy installation. The majority of parents attest to its comfortable and spacious design. That said, the UPPAbaby Alta has shown some minor inconsistencies with the shoulder belt position, which means you'll need to keep an eye on that.

Given these considerations, both car seats have their own unique strengths. The Safety 1st Guide 65 is a sensible choice for budget-conscious families who need a versatile, convertible car seat suitable for not only rear-facing, but also forward-facing modes. On the other hand, if you have a bit more room in your budget and your child fits within the weight and height ranges, the UPPAbaby Alta emerges as the clear choice, particularly for its user-friendly features and well-regarded safety qualities. If your family drives larger vehicles with plenty of car seat space and you're looking for a well-designed booster seat to grow with your child, don't hesitate to choose the UPPAbaby Alta.

Key Details

Guide 65 Alta
Safety 1st Guide 65 UPPAbaby Alta
Brand Safety 1st UPPAbaby
Type Convertible

Rear-Facing Forward-Facing
High Back Booster
Weighted Rating 4.58 4.59
1 yr Price Range $74.99 - $99.99 $179.99 - $179.99
Current price
Currently unavailable
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Currently unavailable
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Value

Priced under $100, this seat is lauded for its quality relative to cost.

Priced consistently at $179.99, it aligns with the market average for high-back boosters with similar features.

Safety

Offers essential safety features but has some concerns regarding stability.

It's generally well-regarded by users for safety.

Features

Basic features with no significant standout extras.

Offers unique features like rigid LATCH connectors and a SecureFit belt routing system, which are not standard on all boosters.

Installation

Installation, especially rear-facing, is noted as cumbersome by parents.

Parents report easy installation, especially praising the rigid LATCH system, indicating a user-friendly experience.

Cleaning

No specific complaints or praises suggest an average cleaning experience.

The machine washable seat pad and removable cup holder are highlighted as positives for easy cleanup.

Size

Its small footprint is a significant advantage in compact cars.

Its dimensions are standard for a high-back booster, accommodating the appropriate age and size range without being exceptionally compact or light.

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 Safety 1st Guide 65 and the UPPAbaby Alta. 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

Safety 1st Guide 65 UPPAbaby Alta
Height Range 19 - 40 inches
Weight Range 5 - 40 pounds

Forward-facing

Safety 1st Guide 65 UPPAbaby Alta
Height Range 34 - 52 inches
Weight Range 22 - 65 pounds

Booster

Safety 1st Guide 65 UPPAbaby Alta
Height Range 38 - 57 inches
Weight Range 40 - 100 pounds

Dimensions and Weight

Safety 1st Guide 65 UPPAbaby Alta
Width 19.0 inches 19.0 inches
Height 22.8 inches 33.0 inches
Depth 27.3 inches 20.0 inches
Weight 11.6 pounds 16.6 pounds

Core Specifications

Safety 1st Guide 65 UPPAbaby Alta
Model Year 2015 2019
Made In USA China
Frame Material Aluminum Unknown

Safety and Compliance

Safety 1st Guide 65 UPPAbaby Alta
Federal Safety Standards Meets all standards Meets all standards
Configurations FAA-Approved for Airplanes Forward-Facing
Rear-Facing
High Back Booster
Previous Recalls This car seat has never been recalled. This car seat has never been recalled.

Features

Safety 1st Guide 65 UPPAbaby Alta
Attachment Methods LATCH
Seatbelt
LATCH
Seatbelt
Harness Type 5-Point 3-Point
Cup Holders Has cup holders. Has cup holders.

Warranty and Durability

Safety 1st Guide 65 UPPAbaby Alta
Manufacturers Warranty Length 1 year 2 years
Lifespan 10 Years 10 Years

Additional Links

See all Safety 1st car seats See all UPPAbaby car seats
Full review of the Safety 1st Guide 65
Full review of the UPPAbaby Alta