Should I Buy the Britax Poplar? A Comprehensive Review

We've been helping families choose the right convertible car seat for over 20 years. Families frequently weigh several convenience and safety features as they make this decision. For instance, a car seat can go rear-facing up to 50 pounds because rear-facing is the safest way to ride.

They also look for car seats that are easy to install. In 2017, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that over half of car seats in the US are installed incorrectly, often due to poor connection points between the car seat and the car, or because the installation process is confusing and complicated.

Furthermore, as families grow, many find it convenient to have very narrow car seats, like 17 inches wide. This not only allows for extra passengers to sit comfortably in the backseat but more importantly, enables fitting three car seats across in most vehicles. Until now, we haven't really found a car seat that meets all these criteria, but we're excited to introduce you to the Britax Poplar convertible car seat.

This car seat not only features extended rear-facing, easy installation with a ClickTight system, and a narrow width of 17 inches to fit three across, but it also comes at a relatively affordable price point of only about $300. 

Should I Buy the Britax Poplar?

Choosing the right car seat for your child can be overwhelming. There are so many things to consider: safety, comfort, convenience, and more. The Britax Poplar convertible car seat (rear and forward-facing) has been generating conversations long before it became available due to its innovative features - but is it the right option for you? In this post, I review the details and dive into the different features of this car seat including the many ways to adjust it, the ClickTight installation feature, and its compact size and ability to fit three strollers across in the back seat of most cars.

 Is the Britax Poplar Safe?

When it comes to your child, safety is the top priority, and Britax created this car seat with that in mind. The Britax Poplar was designed with a strong steel frame and other energy-managing features to help protect your child in the event of an accident. The car seat has many features that allow it to grow with your child. To help ensure a snug fit for infants and smaller babies up to 22 pounds, the seat comes with a comfortable, plush infant insert. The insert can easily be removed to fit your growing toddler properly when they are over 22 pounds. 

A huge benefit of this car seat is that it’s easily adjustable as your child grows. The Poplar uses a non-rethread 14-position harness, making it easy to customize for proper fit and comfort. This means you can save time by making adjustments to the seat without rethreading the harness each time. The seat also has an adjustable headrest, which helps provide maximum comfort and energy-managing benefits at all seated shoulder heights.

Other safety features the seat includes are extended rear-facing capabilities and ClickTight technology, which I share more about below. The Britax Poplar convertible car seat checks all the boxes for safety, convenience, comfort, and fit.

Is the Britax Poplar Easy to Install?

While car seat installation can often be a frustrating process for parents, the Britax Poplar has a design that makes it fast and easy with its ClickTight technology, which is self-tensioning and takes the guesswork out of safe car seat installation. The Poplar has the newest ClickTight mechanism that makes it very safe and very easy to install with a seatbelt. 

For installation, you simply open the ClickTight seat pan to access the belt paths, thread and buckle the seat belt, and close the compartment. The seat is then locked in place, providing a solid and secure installation. This easy installation process can save you time and give you peace of mind knowing the seat is properly installed and secure.

Can I Fit the Britax Poplar 3 Across in My Backseat?

For families that have multiple children who use a car seat, it can be difficult to fit three car seats in the same vehicle. The Britax Poplar is a slim 17-inch exterior width that offers the advantage of being able to fit three car seats across in most vehicles. This makes it the ideal choice for larger families or carpooling.

Does the Britax Poplar Have Extended Rear-Facing Capabilities?

Rear-facing car seats are recommended by safety experts as they provide better protection for a child's head, neck, and spine in the event of an accident. It is so important for car seats to allow for rear-facing capability of up to 50 pounds. Generally, many car seats only offer rear-facing capability up to 40 pounds.

The Britax Poplar was designed for rear-facing up to 50 pounds - which is 10 pounds more than many other car seats allow for. The extended rear-facing capability means your child can stay in the safer rear-facing position longer. 

Along with the extended rear-facing capabilities, the Britax Poplar also offers 2 recline positions to keep your child seated at the proper angle for when the car seat is in the rear-facing position.

Conclusion

In summary, the Britax Poplar is an outstanding option in the crowded car seat market. With its narrow design, extended rear-facing capabilities, innovative ClickTight technology, and other safety features, it is a top choice for parents. For $299.99, the Britax Poplar is a more affordable option - a true bang for your buck with all of its safety features. If you're looking for a car seat that combines safety, comfort, and practicality, the Britax Poplar is certainly worth considering.