The Britax Roundabout G4.1 Convertible Car Seat: Combing Safety and Comfort

Last Updated on March 21, 2019

The Britax Roundabout G4.1 Convertible Car Seat Combing Safety and Comfort

The main thing that all parents are concerned about with car seats is that it keeps their children safe. The Britax Roundabout G4.1 Convertible car seat incorporates all the best safety features from the expensive Britax seats, but at a much more affordable price tag.

As with all convertible car seats, the Roundabout is designed to accommodate your child from infancy all the way through the toddler years.

Although the Roundabout still accounts for a child’s growth, it is a much lighter seat than others on the market. The weight makes the seat more portable and easier to install.

On top of all the other excellent features, the Britax Roundabout comes from the number 1 safety brand for all car seats.

Features

The Britax Roundabout G4.1 has a number of features that have led to it winning the BabyGearLab “Best Value Award.” Some of these features include:

  • Side impact protection, an impact absorbing base, and an impact stabilizing frame using SafeCell Impact Protection
  • Three position reclining adjustments
  • Two position buckle that moves easily to account for growth
  • A removable pillow which accounts for growth
  • Foam padding for comfort
  • Weight: 17.6 pounds
  • Shoulder width: 13”
  • Seat depth/width: 11” by 11”

Pros

  • Easy and fast installation
  • Fits in smaller vehicles
  • Can be used for children up to 55 pounds in the front-facing position and up to 40 pounds in the rear-facing position
  • Soft and breathable fabric
  • Machine washable cover

Cons

  • Fabric does not hold up to repeated washings
  • The lap belt and buckle between the legs are difficult to adjust
  • Installing the seat in the rear-facing position is tricky, especially when it comes to adjusting the reclining angle
  • The straps are difficult to tighten and do not have a click-tight latch to indicate when they are latched

Summary

There is a reason that this car seat is one of the “best value” picks for BabyGearLab with its Britax specific SafeCell impact protection. Britax seats often receive high marks for safety and the Roundabout G4.1 is no different.

The frame of the seat is made from steel, which makes it durable and impact resistant. Although the frame is durable, though, the seat is well padded which makes it a comfortable pick.

As with all convertible car seats, the Roundabout G4.1 allows you to keep the same seat from infancy all the way through two years old. In some cases, this universality can lead to poor fit, but for a convertible car seat, the Roundabout G4.1 holds up well to its more expensive counterparts.

Comparisons/Possible Alternatives

One alternative to the Britax Roundabout G4.1 is the Graco My Ride 65 LX convertible car seat. Coming in at around the same price range, it has some similar features.

While the SafeCell technology is a Britax only feature, the My Ride 65 LX has good safety rating as well. The frame on the My Ride 65 LX, though, is made of plastic rather than steel, which can be less resilient.

The Evenflo SureRide DLX convertible car seat is another good alternative to the Roundabout G4.1 at around the same price point. It also boasts some of the same features as both alternative seats.

While the SureRide DLX has many of the same features, it does seem to be easier to adjust than the Roundabout G4.1. While the Roundabout can be difficult to tighten correctly on small children, the SureRide DLX has great ratings in this area and is comfortable as well.

One place where the alternative seats may have a leg up on the Roundabout G4.1 is in the weight restrictions. The Roundabout is rated for children up to 55 pounds, but the other two options are each rated up to 65 pounds. This allows children to stay in their safe car seats for a little longer.

Verdict

Although the Britax Roundabout G4.1 does have some drawbacks, when compared to similarly priced items, it falls into the top tier. While other convertible car seats in this range have many similar features, the Roundabout G4.1 definitely comes out on top in the safety as well as the ease of use categories.

The recent studies by the American Pediatric Association suggest that children should be in rear-facing car seats until age two. The Britax Roundabout G4.1 is rated for rear-facing up to 40 pounds, so that gives the child a decent amount of time.

Some other seats do outdo the Roundabout G4.1 in the weight restrictions, but that can also lead to uncomfortable positions for the child. The Roundabout G4.1 has a good mix of both safety concerns and usability.

Despite some missteps such as the flimsy cover and the difficulty tightening the straps, the Roundabout G4.1 comes through where it counts. The safety features really shine on this car seat and make it an excellent choice for a convertible car seat.

[button link=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01J7Q7A32/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=carsandseats0b-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01J7Q7A32&linkId=655e64d020b5abe06d72e402033fa3b0″ bg_color=”Green” border=”Black”]Buy at Amazon[/button]

1 thought on “The Britax Roundabout G4.1 Convertible Car Seat: Combing Safety and Comfort”

  1. Just want to say your article is as amazing. The clarity in your post is simply spectacular and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject.
    Fine with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post.
    Thanks a million and please carry on the gratifying work.

    Reply

Leave a Comment