Britax Cypress
Quick verdict
- Verdict
- Recommended
- Evidence
- Moderate
Consumer Reports rates its crash protection Better with 4/5 vehicle fit in every method, and found its ClickTight lockoff smoother than the Willow's.
- Good
- Consumer Reports: Better crash protection; vehicle fit 4/5 with LATCH, belt and carrier-only.
- CR lists excellent labels and instructions and flame-retardant-free fabrics.
- Caution
- CR: the lockoff "can be difficult to close if belts have too much tension".
- Mid-pack overall score (67, 26th of 46); out of stock at Britax when checked.
What we could not verify
- Only one lab has tested it.
- The scope of Britax's flame-retardant claim is unclear.
- CR fit 4/5 for LATCH, belt and carrier-only; the lockoff needs care. Lockoff operation is awkward to route and can be difficult to close if belts have too much tension Multiple harness loops behind seat may cause confusion during harness adjustment These recorded installation cautions need review against the Recommended rule. A score is kept on its laboratory scale; no new numerical cutoff has been applied.
Findings awaiting editorial review (1)
- Installation grade: Moderate. CR fit 4/5 for LATCH, belt and carrier-only; the lockoff needs care. Re-verified as Recommended: crash protection Better with consistent 4/5 installation scores and no misuse flag like the Willow S's. Its mid-pack Overall Score (67, 26th of 46) and out-of-stock status are shown. Consumer Reports: Britax Cypress (match: current). Lockoff operation is awkward to route and can be difficult to close if belts have too much tension Multiple harness loops behind seat may cause confusion during harness adjustment
Recommended requires no documented installation or misuse problem; each lab result keeps its own scale.
Consumer Reports tested Britax Cypress; match: current. CR fit 4/5 for LATCH, belt and carrier-only; the lockoff needs care. Lockoff operation is awkward to route and can be difficult to close if belts have too much tension Multiple harness loops behind seat may cause confusion during harness adjustment These recorded installation cautions need review against the Recommended rule. A score is kept on its laboratory scale; no new numerical cutoff has been applied.
Why we reached this verdict
The Cypress is Britax's other ClickTight infant seat, and Consumer Reports found its lockoff works "smoothly compared to the Britax Willow infant seat", though the belt needs care to thread and the lockoff can be hard to close if the belt is overtightened. CR rates crash protection Better with 4/5 vehicle fit for LATCH, belt and carrier-only installs, and lists excellent labels and instructions.
Its overall score (67) is mid-pack, and only one lab has tested it. Britax's own flame-retardant statement is attached to the accent fabric, while CR lists flame-retardant-free fabrics as a strength; PFAS is not addressed. It was out of stock at Britax on September 23, 2026.
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Check PriceAmazon · Paid linkWhat we like and what concerns us
- Good
- Consumer Reports: Better crash protection; vehicle fit 4/5 with LATCH, belt and carrier-only.
- CR lists excellent labels and instructions and flame-retardant-free fabrics.
- Caution
- CR: the lockoff "can be difficult to close if belts have too much tension".
- Mid-pack overall score (67, 26th of 46); out of stock at Britax when checked.
Why we reached this verdict
The Cypress is Britax's other ClickTight infant seat, and Consumer Reports found its lockoff works "smoothly compared to the Britax Willow infant seat", though the belt needs care to thread and the lockoff can be hard to close if the belt is overtightened. CR rates crash protection Better with 4/5 vehicle fit for LATCH, belt and carrier-only installs, and lists excellent labels and instructions.
Its overall score (67) is mid-pack, and only one lab has tested it. Britax's own flame-retardant statement is attached to the accent fabric, while CR lists flame-retardant-free fabrics as a strength; PFAS is not addressed. It was out of stock at Britax on September 23, 2026.
Explore materials & ingredients
Explore the evidence
The material claims in the record
Material claim 1
- Recorded claim
- Double-knit mélange accents... naturally flame-retardant with no added FR chemicals
Evidence at a glance
| Independent crash evidence | CR crash protection Better. Evidence grade A-: One independent program crash tested this model, or tests cover the same seat in a different fabric trim. |
|---|---|
| Installation and misuse resilience | Moderate. CR fit 4/5 for LATCH, belt and carrier-only; the lockoff needs care. Good in some methods but weak in one, or the labs disagree, or a design requires re-installation every trip. |
| What the manufacturer says about flame retardants and PFAS | Britax's wording attaches the claim to the accent fabric; CR separately lists "Flame-retardant-free fabrics" as a pro. PFAS is not addressed. |
| Regulatory status | No recall located |
| Exact-model confidence | High |
Independent crash tests
Consumer Reports
Tested model matches the current product
| Overall score | 67 CR Overall Score (0-100; combines crash protection, ease of use and vehicle fit) |
|---|---|
| Crash protection | Better |
| Ease of use | 4/5 |
| Fit to vehicle: LATCH | 4/5 |
| Fit to vehicle: belt | 4/5 |
| Fit to vehicle: carrier only | 4/5 |
| Rank | 26 of 46 tested infant seats |
| CR Recommended | No |
| Limits on the lab's listing | 4-30 lb; 32 in or less |
Strengths the lab lists
- “Excellent labels and instructions”
- “Handle can be in any locked position during travel”
- “Push-on LATCH connectors”
- “Flame-retardant-free fabrics”
Weaknesses the lab lists
- “Lockoff operation is awkward to route and can be difficult to close if belts have too much tension”
- “Multiple harness loops behind seat may cause confusion during harness adjustment”
Installation and specifications
| Child weight range | 4-30 lb |
|---|---|
| Child height limit | 17-32 in |
| Carrier weight | 9.7 lb (manufacturer) |
| Base weight | 10.2 lb (manufacturer) |
| Lower anchors | Quick-Push LATCH connectors |
| Load leg | No |
| Anti-rebound feature | Yes |
| Belt lock-off or tensioner | Yes |
| Rotating base | No |
| Car seat and stroller in one | No |
Installation features and lab observations
- ClickTight belt installation (Britax); CR: operates "smoothly compared to the Britax Willow infant seat" but "requires extra attention to thread the belt properly"
- ReboundReduce stability bar (Britax)
- Quick-Push LATCH connectors (Britax)
Federal compliance and recalls
Every seat sold in the US must meet FMVSS 213. The side-impact requirement, FMVSS 213a, applies from December 5, 2026. The manufacturer states: “Side impact tested”. Manufacturer statement; we did not verify certification.
No recall of this seat was located in NHTSA's recall data (searched September 23, 2026).
Materials and chemical claims
- “Double-knit mélange accents... naturally flame-retardant with no added FR chemicals” (Britax, manufacturer statement)
Britax's wording attaches the claim to the accent fabric; CR separately lists "Flame-retardant-free fabrics" as a pro. PFAS is not addressed.
Price and availability
| Price tier | $$$ $ under $200; $$ $200 to $349.99; $$$ $350 to $549.99; $$$$ $550 and up, by the lowest current price we saw. |
|---|---|
| Availability | Out of stock at Britax |
How this verdict changed
Before the September 23, 2026 re-audit: Recommended, evidence grade A-. Now: Recommended, evidence grade A-.
Re-verified as Recommended: crash protection Better with consistent 4/5 installation scores and no misuse flag like the Willow S's. Its mid-pack Overall Score (67, 26th of 46) and out-of-stock status are shown.
What would change our verdict
- A second independent crash test.
- A documented installation problem like the Willow S's.
What we still don't know
- Only one lab has tested it.
- The scope of Britax's flame-retardant claim is unclear.
Sources
- Cypress Infant Car Seat with Alpine Base, Britax. Accessed September 23, 2026. Current product name, limits, weights, installation hardware, price and material/chemical claims as stated by the manufacturer on the access date.
- Britax Cypress car seat review and ratings, Consumer Reports. Accessed September 23, 2026. Consumer Reports Overall Score 67; crash protection Better; ease of use 4/5; fit-to-vehicle 4/5 LATCH, 4/5 belt, 4/5 carrier-only; ranked 26 of 46 tested infant seats.
Read the category’s editorial sources
Final verdict against our infant car seats standard
Recommended Published as Recommended under the published standard for infant car seats, based on the specific, dated findings above. We apply that standard the same way to every seat on this page, and it doesn't change to fit a favorite See the full site-wide standard for how every category is held to the same process.