Britax Grow With You ClickTight Review

Crash Test

The Grow with You performed slightly 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.

The graph compares the HIC sensor data for the Britax Grow with You and the Nuna AACE.   Credit: GearLab & MGA Research

The graph shows a comparison of the Britax Grow with You and the Nuna AACE chest clip sensor data, where lower G-forces are better.   Credit: GearLab & MGA Research

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This Britax performed better than the average seat in our lineup and had better sensor data results from the crash test dummy than some competitors. This seat had good results for both the HIC and chest clip sensors. However, there are competitors with better results that cost less or offer more, making it feel somewhat underwhelming for crash testing.

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 an indication sticker to help remind users to thread the vehicle shoulder belt through the slot.   Credit: Abriah Wofford

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.   Credit: Abriah Wofford

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The bottom of the seat is wide, which makes it harder to locate the vehicle's 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 kids will need to reach around it all to buckle up.   Credit: Abriah Wofford

Younger or shorter passengers might struggle to reach the buckle by themselves in the Grow with You.   Credit: Abriah Wofford

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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 entirely 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.

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, regardless of the adjustments we made.

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.   Credit: Abriah Wofford

The Grow with you has hook-style LATCH connectors.   Credit: Abriah Wofford

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This booster is large and cumbersome, making it difficult to move without bumping into surrounding objects. While we could get a good grip on the headrest for carrying, it still felt like it was a lot to manage. Installation is straightforward using the LATCH straps and the ClickTight press-down seat bottom. The tensioner facilitates the easy 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 that it reclines, so maybe it is a worthwhile trade-off.

This booster features dual cup holders integrated into the seat itself, rather than hanging off the side. You can easily pull them out for dishwasher cleanup. 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.

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 secure multiple seats across a single row or to accommodate multiple passengers and a booster in the same row.

Comfort

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

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 potential for messes and bare skin on the fabric. However, 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 quality is all you are looking for.   Credit: Abriah Wofford

The final fit and finish and thoughtful deign components of the Grow with You make it a standout for quality in this competition.   Credit: Abriah Wofford

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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 most for comfort in both the seat and headrest areas. The cover is sewn without errant stitching; it lies 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.

Should You Buy the Grow with You?

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

What Other Booster Seat Should You Consider?