In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Britax Grow With You ClickTight Review

Higher quality option with metal backing and ClickTight installation, but it was hard for kid testers to use it without help
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Britax Grow With You ClickTight Review (The Britax Grow with You offers better quality than most of the competition.)
The Britax Grow with You offers better quality than most of the competition.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $350 List
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Manufacturer:   Britax
By Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz  ⋅  Jan 26, 2024
67
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#7 of 14
  • Crash Test - 35% 7.7
  • Ease of Use - 25% 6.7
  • Weight/Size - 15% 4.0
  • Comfort - 15% 5.6
  • Quality - 10% 8.5

Our Verdict

The Britax Grow with You ClickTight is a bells-and-whistles kind of booster seat with all the things you think you want but perhaps don't really need. This option has one of the highest prices in the review, but it didn't offer one of the highest performances in our tests. While there is no standout feature or function that screams don't buy, it is a very cumbersome car seat that is oddly not that comfortable. We love the ClickTight installation and snug feel of those boosters, and many parents will love the 5-point harness for smaller riders, but overall, it struggled to impress compared to the competition and left us feeling like the price is too high for what you get.
REASONS TO BUY
Higher quality
ClickTight installation
Added storage on the armrest
REASONS TO AVOID
Struggle to reach buckle from seat
Belt escapes guide frequently
Wide and heavy
Editor's Note: The Grow with You was retested in this new booster update, along with new crash testing and competitors. This update occurred on January 26, 2024.

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Crash Test Booster
Editors' Choice Award
Best Booster for Most
Top Pick Award
Best Booster for Travel and Carpooling
Best Value Award
Best Booster on a Budget
Price $350 List
Check Price at Amazon
$300 List
$299.99 at Amazon
$160 List
$159.99 at Amazon
$40 List
$37.98 at Amazon
$120 List
$79.99 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
67
83
78
68
63
Star Rating
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Bottom Line Quality choice with easy installation, but little ones needed help to buckle upThis booster offers the best crash test analysis results and performs well in all metrics making it a favorite among testersGreat choice for most families with better crash testing analysis, easy installation, and cozy seating for kidsGreat for travel and carpooling, but the quality and crash results make it less appealing as an all-the-time boosterA comfy headrest and good crash test results make this lightweight choice an option that won't break the bank
Rating Categories Britax Grow With Yo... Peg Perego Viaggio... Chicco KidFit Zip A... BubbleBum Diono Cambria 2
Crash Test (35%)
7.7
8.7
8.2
6.5
8.0
Ease of Use (25%)
6.7
9.0
8.3
8.0
5.1
Weight/Size (15%)
4.0
6.9
6.5
10.0
5.9
Comfort (15%)
5.6
8.0
7.3
4.4
6.1
Quality (10%)
8.5
7.5
8.0
3.5
4.0
Specs Britax Grow With Yo... Peg Perego Viaggio... Chicco KidFit Zip A... BubbleBum Diono Cambria 2
Modes 5 Point Harness,
High Back Booster
High Back Booster High Back Booster, Backless Booster Backless Booster High Back Booster, Backless Booster
High Back Booster Weight Range 25-65 lb 40-120 lb 40-110 lb N/A 40-120 lb
High Back Booster Height Range 34-49 in 39-63 in 38-57 in N/A 38-63 in
Width 21.5 in 16.3 in 18.2 in 11.3 in 19.9 in
Weight 26.4 lb 15.7 lb 11.8 lb 0.9 lb 12.0 lb
Backless Booster Height Range #REF! N/A 38-58 in 40-57 in 38-63 in
5 Point Harness Weight Range #REF! N/A N/A N/A N/A
5 Point Height Range #REF! N/A N/A N/A N/A
LATCH Equipped Yes Yes Yes No Yes
#REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF!
Recline Positions 2 5 2 N/A None
Foam Type EPP EPS EPS None None
Seat Lifespan 9 Years 12 Years 8 Years 4 Years from purchase date 8 Years
Aircraft Certified

Our Analysis and Test Results

Britax was a popular car seat maker in Europe when it launched in the US in 1996. Britax has been making baby gear for more than 70 years and works with other genre manufacturers to create innovative products like strollers and car seats.

Performance Comparison



The Britax Crow with You earned a slightly above-average crash test result in our commissioned third-party testing through MGA Research.
Credit: GearLab & MGA Research

Crash Test


The Grow with You performed better than the average seat in our hotter crash testing at MGA Research.


We commissioned independent crash testing in the same facility used by NHTSA but ran the test somewhat hotter and on a sled that better mimics modern vehicles.

This comparison graph shows the Grow with You (black) and one of the...
This comparison graph shows the Grow with You (black) and one of the best options in the group in green.
This graph is a comparison of the Grow with me chest clip sensor...
This graph is a comparison of the Grow with me chest clip sensor data and those of one of the best-performing options in the group, the Peg Perego.

This Britax performed better than the average seat in our lineup and had better sensor data results from the crash test dummy than much of the competition. This seat had good results for both the HIC and chest clip sensors, which is better than those with higher recorded G-forces for one or both sensors. However, there are competitors with higher results that cost less or offer more.

The ClickTight LATCH strap tensioner on the Grow with You makes installation super easy and straightforward.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


The Grow with You has a lot going on compared to the typical booster, and it only earned an average result for ease of use.

The Grow with You shoulder guide positioner is colored red and has...
The Grow with You shoulder guide positioner is colored red and has an indication sticker to help remind users to thread the vehicle shoulder belt through the slot.
The Grow with You shoulder belt positioner is less obvious from the...
The Grow with You shoulder belt positioner is less obvious from the passenger angle, and some younger kids might need help with the process in the beginning.

The bottom of the seat is wide, and this makes it harder to find the vehicle buckle. Our child tester was almost out of the seat before she could reach the buckle, and some little ones will likely need help making the connection.

The armrest and cup holder on the Britax make the seat wider and...
The armrest and cup holder on the Britax make the seat wider and kids will need to reach around it all to buckle up.
Younger or shorter passengers might struggle to reach the buckle by...
Younger or shorter passengers might struggle to reach the buckle by themselves in the Grow with You.

The strap repeatedly fell out of the shoulder guide when pulling out the slack in the belt. There was no trouble unbuckling, but again, our tester was almost fully out of the seat to reach it. Threading the belt is easy and obvious, with red color coding to help and encourage moving the belt under the armrest.

The design of the shoulder belt guide on the Grow with You resulted in the belt frequently falling out of the positioner.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Our passenger reported that the shoulder and lap belt felt comfortable but we struggled with the way the belt folds in the guide, and we couldn't really get a snug feeling. It felt like either the shoulder strap or the lap portion was loose, no matter what kind of adjustments we made.

The ClickTight installation of the Grow with You requires lifting...
The ClickTight installation of the Grow with You requires lifting the seat and a little bit of finagling to free the LATCH straps for use.
The Grow with you has hook-style LATCH connectors.
The Grow with you has hook-style LATCH connectors.

This booster is big and cumbersome and hard to move without bumping into anything around it. While we could get a good grip on the headrest for carrying, it still felt like it was a lot to manage. It is straightforward to install using the LATCH straps and the ClickTight press-down seat bottom. The tensioner allows for easier removal of the hooks when you are ready to uninstall. We like that it secures to the car so it isn't free floating. The recline handle is somewhat sticky, but we are excited it reclines, so maybe it is a worthwhile trade-off.

The integrated cup holders on the Britax create a snug home for our Thermos water bottle.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

This booster has dual cup holders incorporated into the seat itself, not hanging off the side. You can pull them out for dishwasher cleanup easily. Our test water bottle didn't fit all the way to the bottom, but it didn't fall out either. Wider cups and bottles might not fit. It also has a 2 X 2.5-inch pocket for important treasure storage. The pocket is not removable unless you remove the entire cover, so it is probably not the best for snack holding.

We measured each booster at its widest point for comparison in our side-by-side testing. This video shows the method using the Brtiax Grow with You, which is a wider-than-average option.
Credit: Natalie Nealan

Weight/Size


The Grow with You is one of the heaviest options in the group. So, if you need to carry this option or frequently engage in carpooling or camps where a booster is required, this is not a good contender at 26.4 lbs.


It is also unbelievably wide at over 21 inches, making it wider than even convertible seats. This will make it challenging to get multiple seats across one row or to have multiple passengers and a booster in one row.

britax grow with you clicktight - the britax has good padding in the adjustable headrest to provide...
The Britax has good padding in the adjustable headrest to provide support for napping littles.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Comfort


This option has some of the most padding, and that padding is comfortable without being too soft. There is extra padding in the headrest and side wings than most of the competition, so slouched napping is sure to be cozy.

britax grow with you clicktight - testers enjoyed the side and seat padding on the grow with you, as...
Testers enjoyed the side and seat padding on the Grow with You, as many do not have back or side padding at all.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The padding over the ClickTight opening could be better, given that the flap opens, and you might be able to feel it under your tushie, but it is still significantly better than most competitors. The fabric is a bit scratchy and rough with a ribbed design that seems like a flaw, given the chance for messes and bare skin on the fabric, but overall, it appears to be cooling and durable. This seat sports integrated cup holders and armrests.

The Britax is a good quality booster that might be enticing if...
The Britax is a good quality booster that might be enticing if quality is all you are looking for.
The final fit and finish and thoughtful deign components of the Grow...
The final fit and finish and thoughtful deign components of the Grow with You make it a standout for quality in this competition.

Quality


The Britax is an impressive, high-quality booster unmatched by most seats in this review. It has nice thick padding where kids need it for comfort in both the seat and headrest areas. The cover is sewn without errant stitching; it lays flat and fits the shell nicely. The ClickTight mechanism is made with some metal components, indicating it is likely to last as long as the seat.

britax grow with you clicktight - the grow with you earned a below-average overall score in this...
The Grow with You earned a below-average overall score in this review, making it an option we don't hate but also don't love.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Should You Buy the Grow with You?


The Grow with You is one of the more expensive options in our lineup and it doesn't offer much to justify the price, in our opinion. It didn't impress in any with close-to-average crash test results and average ease of use. While we get why parents are still attracted to Britax, for us, there isn't enough here to justify the hype or the price, making it an option we don't love.

What Other Booster Seat Should You Consider?


If you want the absolute best crash test results or ease of use and don't want to sacrifice quality, the Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 is the one to beat. This seat performed well in every metric and was a favorite for children and parents. It also costs less than the Britax. Alternatively, if budget is a concern and the price is hard to meet, the Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1 is about half the price and has cool features like a zip-off cover and better quality and ease of use performance over the Britax.

Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz