In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Britax One4Life ClickTight Review

The disappointing crash test results make this option a poor choice
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britax one4life clicktight convertible car seat review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $400 List
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Manufacturer:   Britax
By Wendy Schmitz, and BabyGearLab Review Team  ⋅  Dec 21, 2021
63
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#14 of 17
  • Crash Test - 35% 3.0
  • Ease Of Install - LATCH - 20% 8.7
  • Ease Of Install - Belt - 15% 8.5
  • Ease Of Use - 15% 7.6
  • Comfort / Quality - 10% 8.6
  • Weight / Size - 5% 4.0

The Skinny

The Britax One4Life is a quality Britax option that is easy to install and easy to use. We like the padding and comfy fabric cover you can remove in 4 parts. This seat uses the ClickTight installation method, which means you don't need to tighten anything making installation a breeze. Unfortunately, this seat suffers in a critical category, crash test analysis. With disappointing results during crash testing, we feel this option is not one we'd recommend, as you can find a better seat with better crash test results that cost the same or less than this option with similar scores overall. If Britax is your brand of choice, we believe the Britax Boulevard ClickTight ARB is a better option.
REASONS TO BUY
Easy to install
High quality construction and features
Easy to use
REASONS TO AVOID
Price
Disappointing crash test analysis
Heavy
Editor's Note: Each gear review in the convertible car seat lineup was updated on December 21, 2021, with new sections designed to help you make a final buying decision.

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Top Pick Award Editors' Choice Award Best Value Award  
Price $400 List
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Check Price at Amazon$230 List
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Pros Easy to install, high quality construction and features, easy to useEasy to install and use, cozy comfort, nice qualityBest crash test results, rear-facing till 50 lbs, priceGreat crash test results, easy to use, attractive price, lighterPrice, easy to use, best head sensor crash test
Cons Price, disappointing crash test analysis, heavyAverage crash test resultsNot the best quality, harder belt installationHarder to install using the vehicle beltLess padding, somewhat harder to install using vehicle belt
Bottom Line The disappointing crash test results make this option a poor choiceImpressive option with quality features and super easy installation parents will loveBest crash test results on a budget-friendly seat that lets little ones sit rear-facing for longerA lightweight, easy to use seat with excellent crash test result and priceBetter crash test results make this easy to use, inexpensive seat a winner
Rating Categories Britax One4Life Cli... Britax Boulevard Cl... Graco Extend2Fit Britax Emblem Britax Allegiance
Crash Test (35%)
3.0
5.5
8.5
8.0
8.0
Ease Of Install - LATCH (20%)
8.7
9.5
6.6
7.2
7.2
Ease Of Install - Belt (15%)
8.5
9.6
7.0
6.0
6.0
Ease Of Use (15%)
7.6
7.6
7.3
7.6
7.6
Comfort / Quality (10%)
8.6
8.6
5.8
7.4
6.8
Weight / Size (5%)
4.0
5.0
5.0
5.5
5.5
Specs Britax One4Life Cli... Britax Boulevard Cl... Graco Extend2Fit Britax Emblem Britax Allegiance
Crash Test HIC Score 399 289 214 218 186
Crash Test Chest G Clip 56 51 40 42 43
Min/Max Rear Facing Passenger Weight 5 - 50 lbs 5 - 40 lbs 4 - 50 lbs 5 - 40 lbs 5 - 40 lbs
Min/Max Forward Facing Passenger Weight 22 - 65 lbs 20 - 65 lbs 22 - 64 lbs 20 - 65 lbs 20 - 65 lbs
Max Rear Facing Passenger Height Child's head must be at least 1 in. below the top of the head restraint Child's head must be at least 1 in. below the top of the head restraint Child's head must be at least 1 in. below the top of the head restraint Child's head must be at least 1 in. below the top of the head restraint Child's head must be at least 1 in. below the top of the head restraint
Max Forward Facing Passenger Height 49" and the child's ears must be below the top of the head restraint. 49" and the child's ears must be below the top of the head restraint. 49" and the child's ears must be below the top of the seat shell. 49" and the child's ears must be below the top of the head restraint. 49" and the child's ears must be below the top of the head restraint.
Measured Rear Facing Seat Weight 28.3 lbs 29.5 lbs 18.7 lbs 18.8 lbs 18.5 lbs
Measured Forward Facing Seat Weight 28.3 lbs 28.4 lbs 18.7 lbs 18.8 lbs 18.5 lbs
Width 19.6" 18" 19.6" 18.9" 18.8"
Recline Positions 9 7 4 Rear Facing
3 Forward Facing
1 Rear Facing
2 Forward Facing
1 Rear Facing
2 Forward Facing
Max Recline Angle 80° 51° 51° 42° 42°
Shoulder Harness Positions 15 14 10 10 10
Crotch Strap Positions 2 2 2 2 2
Built in Lock Off ClickTight System ClickTight System No Yes Yes
Anti-rebound Device Yes Yes No No No
Head Support Yes Yes No No No
Newborn Insert Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
No Rethread Harness Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Onboard Manual Storage Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Level Indicator On Seat Hanging Indicator Ball in Tube. Ball in Tube. Line on Decal Line on Decal
Foam Type EPP EPP EPS EPP EPP
Seat Lifespan 10 yrs 10 yrs 7 yrs 7 7
Warranty 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year

Our Analysis and Test Results

Britax has been creating juvenile products for over 70 years. They design gear for families keeping fun and safety in view. The company began distribution in the United States in 1996 after becoming the best-selling car seats in Europe. Britax also sells some top-ranked strollers and now owns the BOB company.

Performance Comparison



britax one4life clicktight convertible car seat review - the one4life uses epp impact foam which doesn't off-gas and is less...
The One4Life uses EPP impact foam which doesn't off-gas and is less brittle than the more common EPS foam.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Crash Test


The One4Life has one of the lowest crash test analysis results in our best convertible car seat review, with disappointing results for the chest sensor data and better than average HIC results. We tested this car seat without the Anti-Rebound Bar, as that is how it came when purchased. Each seat in this review meets or exceeds the federal safety guidelines in the FMVSS 213. This Britax has lower results than most of the other Britax options in this review. We commission our crash tests using the same guidelines and facilities used by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

britax one4life clicktight convertible car seat review - the britax hic score is close to 400 which isn't bad considering the...
The Britax HIC score is close to 400 which isn't bad considering the maximum allowed is 1000, but the best in the group is 186, so it pales in comparison.
Credit: BabyGearLab, MGA Research
britax one4life clicktight convertible car seat review - the chest clip for the one4life is only 56 where the max allowed is...
The chest clip for the One4Life is only 56 where the max allowed is 60 and the best in the group is 33 earned by the Clek Foonf.
Credit: BabyGearLab, MGA Research

The graphs provided above include the actual test data with the Britax in black and the top-performing seat results in green for comparison purposes. The Clek Foonf has the least amount of G-forces for the chest clip with a 33, while the One4Life result is 56 (max allowable is 60). The One4Life HIC result is 399, where the max allowed is 1000, and the best is the Britax Allegiance with a 186.

britax one4life clicktight convertible car seat review - latch installation on the one4life is straightforward using the...
LATCH installation on the One4Life is straightforward using the ClickTight system.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Install - LATCH


The One4Life is easy to install using LATCH and earned one of the highest results in the group, with only a couple of seats offering easier installation, including the Britax Boulevard ClickTight ARB with perfect scores for all installation methods.

The One4Life has a push-button LATCH connector.
The One4Life has a push-button LATCH connector.
The visual recline guide on the One4Life is easy to read with the...
The visual recline guide on the One4Life is easy to read with the helpful visuals on the side of the seat.

This Britax has the push-button connection (above left) we prefer and a strap that is easy to tighten without much effort. Parents can check the installation angle of the seat using the visual indicators (above right) on the side of the seat, which is straightforward to read.

britax one4life clicktight convertible car seat review - the one4life reclines with the push of a button but it isn't as...
The One4Life reclines with the push of a button but it isn't as intuitive of a motion as the more common squeeze lever adjustment.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The angle on this seat can be adjusted using a push-button on the seat's base. This button works well but is sort of awkward compared to those with a pull lever.

britax one4life clicktight convertible car seat review - installing the one4life is simple with the clicktight system that...
Installing the One4Life is simple with the ClickTight system that makes tightening the belt easy.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Install - Belt


Installing the One4Life is simple with the vehicle belt and earned the same result here as it did for the LATCH connection. The seat bottom stays out of the way, leaving it open to thread the belt.

The rear-facing belt path for the One4Life is super easy to use and...
The rear-facing belt path for the One4Life is super easy to use and works well thanks to the ClickTight system.
The belt path for the One4Life is simple but rear-facing belt path...
The belt path for the One4Life is simple but rear-facing belt path holes are on the smaller side.

Rear-facing installation (above left) is a super easy and totally painless proposition. Forward-facing (above right) is somewhat more difficult as you have to thread the belt through smaller holes but still straightforward.

britax one4life clicktight convertible car seat review - the one4life has larger cup holders than competitors with cup...
The One4Life has larger cup holders than competitors with cup holders, but they are still too small for many sippy cups.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


This Britax has much in common with its brothers, and being easy to use is one of those things.

britax one4life clicktight convertible car seat review - the britax buckle and chest clip can be stiff but they aren't...
The Britax buckle and chest clip can be stiff but they aren't challenging to use like some of the competition.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Harness


The buckle and chest clip are easy enough to operate though somewhat stiff. The harness is easy to tighten and release with a smooth strap and a button that is easy to find and push.

britax one4life clicktight convertible car seat review - the harness height adjustment on the one4life is simple to move by...
The harness height adjustment on the One4Life is simple to move by squeezing the lever at the top and sliding thee assembly up or down.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

This seat's harness height adjustment is a non-rethread headrest assembly that moves up and down with the squeeze of a lever. The whole operation moves smoothly and is easy to use. The shoulder height has 15 positions, and the crotch strap has 2, which helps ensure a good fit for all little ones.

The LATCH connectors stow in the seatback of the One4Life.
The LATCH connectors stow in the seatback of the One4Life.
The user manual on the One4Life stows behind the padding on the...
The user manual on the One4Life stows behind the padding on the seatback.

LATCH and Manual Storage


The LATCH connectors stow in the seat back sort of wadded up and shoved in (above left). It does keep the straps out of the way, even if it isn't artfully executed. The manual stores behind a fabric flap under the main padding of the seatback (above right). It seems fairly contained, but it could potentially get soiled if there is a significant vomiting incident or spilled drink.

Cover


The cover on this seat comes off surprisingly easily. It tucks under the edges of the seat and is four pieces, making for easier removal and replacement and also means you can remove just the part that is dirty if your mess is isolated to a single area. Unfortunately, the fabric is hand wash and line dry only, which can be time-consuming both in effort and dry time. Handwash always feels shortsighted in children's products, especially for a car seat that gets a lot of action.

This Britax is comfy and high-quality with attention to detail we've...
This Britax is comfy and high-quality with attention to detail we've come to expect from Britax.
The One4Life shell is relatively encased with few nooks and crannies...
The One4Life shell is relatively encased with few nooks and crannies for gunk to hide.

Comfort/Quality


The One4Life is a quality seat, like most Britax offerings earning one of the top scores for the metric. This seat has thicker padding that is firm enough to support little bodies. The main portion of the seat is a soft yet durable fabric, while the fabric on the seat sides is a little coarser (above left). The shell is almost completely encased (above right) for easy cleanup and fewer places for the gunk to hide. The overall fit and finish are great with attention to detail that has everything in its place and tightly constructed.

Britax uses EPP foam here, which is less brittle than EPS foam, and it doesn't off-gas. This foam choice is a good example of thoughtfully using a higher-end quality material than the average seat.

britax one4life clicktight convertible car seat review - the one4life is both wide and heavy making it less suitable for...
The One4Life is both wide and heavy making it less suitable for travel and if multiple seats across your back seat is in your future.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Weight


The One4Life seat is both heavy and wide, with a width of 19.8 inches and a weight of just over 28 lbs. While it isn't the heaviest option in the group, it is over the average of 21 and certainly not light enough to consider lugging through an airport or city sidewalk. The width will prevent you from using 3 safety seats across or 2 seats with an average size adult between them.

Should You Buy the Britax One4Life ClickTight?


This safety seat claims suitability for all stages of life from infancy to booster seat. And we see why this would be attractive as a potential to save money and time buying more than one product. However, this specific seat did not score well in our tests; we don't like the idea of using the same seat for all stages. Car seats are designed with different body sizes and shapes in mind, as well as the developmental stages of muscle control. We don't believe it is possible to create one seat to meet all those needs that is comparable to the more specific one-stage seat options. This, along with poor metric performance in critical areas, makes the One4Life a no-go for us.

What Other Convertible Car Seat Should You Consider?


Any other Britax option in this review is a step above the One4Life. If concerns about installation are the most important to you, we'd recommend the Britax Boulevard ClickTight ARB as it earned the best installation test results in the group. If budget is a concern, or you want better crash test results, we love the simplicity of the Britax Emblem. This less expensive choice is somewhat more challenging to install as it lacks the ClickTight method, but it stills scored above average for installation and offers a straightforward method we think is hard to mess up.

Wendy Schmitz, and BabyGearLab Review Team
 

Honest, objective reviews. Led by a Pediatrician.

BabyGearLab was founded by a Pediatrician Mom with a mission to provide a reliable, independent, source of information to new parents. Our experts have tested thousands of baby and kids products to share key performance, health, and safety findings. We spend tens of thousands of dollars crash testing car seats to inform our ratings. And, we combine our review work with gobs of expert parenting advice. To assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing by people who care.

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