Specifications checked against Britax’s US site and manual on . Not hands-on tested. How I research
Who is the Poplar Convertible Car Seat for?
The Britax Poplar is a convertible car seat in a slim 17 inch design. The manual allows rear-facing from 5 to 50 lb and 18 to 49 inches, and forward-facing from 30 to 65 lb and 35 to 49 inches. It installs with ClickTight, is certified for aircraft in both directions, and expires after 10 years.
Reasons to consider it
A lap-shoulder belt install with ClickTight, without locking the retractor
A 14-position harness and headrest that adjust together without rethreading
Aircraft certification, rear- and forward-facing
A tether whose colored stitching shows when the seat has been in a crash and must be replaced
Things to weigh up
Lower anchors are limited to 35 lb, rear- and forward-facing
The manual says not to use the tether rear-facing
Britax lists the seat at 27.2 lb
Britax does not list a stability bar for this model; the Poplar S includes one
My take on the Poplar Convertible Car Seat
The Poplar suits a family that needs a narrow convertible for a crowded back seat and wants one seat from 5 lb rear-facing to the 65 lb forward-facing limit. The main trade-off is bulk to move: Britax lists it at 27.2 lb. The Poplar S shares its limits and 17 inch width but adds a ReboundReduce stability bar for rear-facing use and a second infant insert, and Britax lists it at 28.0 lb.
A research summary of Britax’s published specifications and manual, read . Not a hands-on test or a crash-safety rating.
Who the Poplar Convertible Car Seat fits
This seat covers 2 stages, and a child has to meet every limit of the stage they are in. Britax gives it a 10-year life from the date of manufacture, so check the date label before using a hand-me-down.
Rear-facing harness5 to 50 lb · 18 to 49 in
The child faces the back of the car, which keeps the head, neck and spine supported in a frontal crash. Keep this mode as long as the child fits it.
Forward-facing harness30 to 65 lb · 35 to 49 in
The child faces forward in the seat’s own harness. Use the top tether every time, and stay in the harness until the child outgrows it.
What are the Poplar Convertible Car Seat weight, height and age limits?
Britax Poplar Convertible Car Seat limits by mode
Mode
Child weight
Child height
Minimum age
Conditions
Rear-facing harness
5 to 50 lb
18 to 49 in
Not published
Lower anchor installation limited to 35 lb (manual)
Forward-facing harness
30 to 65 lb
35 to 49 in
Not published
Lower anchor installation limited to 35 lb (manual)
A child must meet every limit for the mode they use. The labels on your seat and its manual are the final word.
Poplar Convertible Car Seat specifications
Seat weight
27.2 lb
Width
17 in
Usable life
10 years
Aircraft use
Certified for aircraft (see manual for which modes)
ClickTight installation. A lock-off clamps the vehicle belt so you do not have to switch the belt's retractor into its locked mode.
Recline
6 recline positions. The recline angle is what keeps a young baby’s airway open, so set it before tightening the install.
Harness
14-position no-rethread harness and headrest. Check the harness height at each growth spurt: at or below the shoulders rear-facing, at or above them forward-facing.
Every install is a fit between one seat and one vehicle. Read both manuals, and use a free inspection station if anything is unclear.
Will it fit your car?
At 17 in at its widest, this seat is one of the narrower ones in its class and is a candidate for three across in many mid-size cars. It weighs 27.2 lb, which matters if you will move it between cars or carry it through an airport.
Check your vehicle manual for lower anchor positions and any head-restraint rules.
Rear-facing seats need front-seat room: try the install behind the driver before you commit.
Certified for aircraft use, so it can travel as a seat rather than checked baggage.
What features does the Poplar Convertible Car Seat have?
ClickTight installation
14-position no-rethread harness and headrest
6 recline positions
V-shaped tether
SafeCell technology
Carbon steel frame
Colors listed in the US
Stone Onyx, Glacier Graphite.
Poplar Convertible Car Seat colors and prices
2 colors are listed on Amazon right now. Prices differ by color, so compare before choosing. The fabric is the only difference between them; the shell, harness and limits are identical. Prices were retrieved Nov 2, 9:50 PM UTC and can change.
Compare Poplar Convertible Car Seat colors side by side
Prices and availability shown are accurate as of the time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What to know before you live with it
Installing it rear-facing
You set the recline before installing: rear-facing, the indicator ball must be completely in the blue section, and Britax recommends the most reclined position for a baby without head and neck control. A rolled towel or pool noodle is allowed if needed. The base must be flat and parallel on the vehicle seat with no more than 3 inches over the front edge. To install, you lift the front cover flap, squeeze the ClickTight release buttons, slide both parts of the belt through the rear-facing belt paths, buckle, remove slack from the lap and then the shoulder part, and close the ClickTight. The tether stays attached to its storage hook.
Forward-facing, the recline indicator ball must sit within the dashed green lines, and Britax strongly recommends using the tether. The manual describes the tether as a crash indicator: if any of its colored stitching has ripped, the seat is no longer acceptable for use. It also warns that a vehicle head restraint can stop the seat's head restraint from rising high enough in a reclined forward-facing position. In that case you raise or remove the vehicle head restraint, or move the seat upright or to another seating position, and never force it.
A positioning layer sits under the child and changes with weight. Rear-facing, it must be folded down from 5 to 40 lb and may be up or down from 40 to 50 lb. Forward-facing, it must be folded down from 30 to 40 lb and may be up or down from 40 to 65 lb. When folded up, it goes behind the head restraint bib. The lower infant insert sits on top of the positioning layer, may be used for children of 20 lb or less rear-facing, and is never used forward-facing.
The cover comes off in three parts: a head restraint cover, a seat pan cover and an outer rim cover, each with its own steps in the manual. For washing, it points you to the care label and says not to bleach or iron. The shell and harness are sponge cleaned with warm water and mild soap, and the harness is never taken apart. The buckle is rinsed in warm water and tested until each tongue clicks. The two cup holders are removable and dishwasher safe, and either the cup holders or the cup holder caps must always be in place.
No campaign in the current NHTSA child-restraint data names this model family, and I have not run a separate review for it. Check your seat’s model number and date of manufacture before use.
What are the Britax Poplar weight and height limits?
The manual allows rear-facing from 5 to 50 lb and 18 to 49 inches, and forward-facing from 30 to 65 lb and 35 to 49 inches. Rear-facing, the head must be at least 1 inch below the top of the head restraint; forward-facing, the tops of the ears must be below it.
The manual says it is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft. Rear-facing, the aircraft lap belt goes through the rear-facing belt paths; forward-facing, the seat is upright and the belt goes through the forward-facing paths.
The manual says not to use the lower anchor attachment for a child over 35 lb, rear-facing or forward-facing. Above that, you install with the vehicle belt.
Britax lists the seat at 27.2 lb, gives dimensions of 20.5 x 17 x 23.5 inches and calls it a slim 17 inch design. It says the seat is designed to fit 3 across but that fit cannot be guaranteed in all vehicles.
What is the difference between the Poplar and the Poplar S?
Britax lists the Poplar S with the same 50 lb rear-facing and 65 lb forward-facing limits, a ReboundReduce stability bar for rear-facing use, two infant inserts and a 28.0 lb seat weight.
The manual says to stop using it once it is older than ten years, or after a moderate or severe crash. The date is on the serial number and manufactured date label.
Answers refer to the model and manual version on this page. Check the instructions supplied with your seat.
Before you buy
Weigh and measure your child. The limits above are the manufacturer’s, and a child has to meet all of them for the mode they will use.
Confirm the exact version. Colors, retail exclusives and model numbers change limits more often than you would expect; Britax lists 2 colors of this seat.
Read the manual before you buy, not after. It is linked above and holds the fit rules, the install methods and the expiry.
Check recalls by model number and date of manufacture, and register the seat with Britax so you hear about the next one.