For something slightly more affordable, the Chicco KeyFit has excellent reviews, and was also a favorite among the parents we surveyed for its ease of installation. Saxton calls it a “tried and true, solid car-seat choice.” The Chicco Keyfit 35 is an upgrade of the Keyfit 30 and extends the height and weight limits to 32 inches and 35 pounds, respectively. Other notable features include an anti-rebound bar for added stability, a no-rethread harness graco booster seat and easy-extend harness, and the ability to install the seat without the base for on-the-go travel. Many parents prefer an infant-only rear-facing car seat for the first few months of their child’s life. An infant car seat can be taken out of the car with the baby still in it, while a convertible car seat is designed to remain in the car. The Graco 4Ever starts out as a rear-facing seat that can be used when your baby is just four pounds.
This means it requires increased effort to install by comparison. However, unless you have limitations that prevent strap pulling, this shouldn’t be a deal-breaker. We believe the Emblem is an impressive contender, sporting better crash test results with a reasonable price that includes easy to use features and a nice look and feel. Overall, the Emblem is an excellent choice and one we’d recommend to a friend.
Remember, the only way a car seat will keep your child safe is when it’s properly installed. Both the car seat and your vehicle have to have their respective components in order to use the LATCH system. Any vehicle made in the year 2000 or later will have tether anchors. One set can be found in the backseat tucked between where the seat and backrest meet . You will always find two anchors on both the passenger and driver side seats, and vehicles with only one row of seats in the back also have anchors for middle-seat installation. While all car seats sold in the United States are required to meet federal standards, there are additional safety features that can be helpful when buying a seat.
Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your car safety seat. If you do not have those, write or call the company’s customer service department. Staff will ask you for the model number, name of seat, and date of manufacture. The manufacturer’s address and phone number are on a label on the seat. Also, be sure to follow the instructions in your vehicle owner’s manual about using car safety seats. Some manufacturers’ instructions may be available on their websites.
The seat belt and LATCH systems are equally safe, so caregivers should use one or the other, whichever works best for them, for their car safety seat, and their vehicle. In general, caergivers should only use 1 of the 2 options unless the car safety seat and vehicle manufacturers say it is OK to use 2 systems at the same time. The Graco SlimFit is a 3-in-1 convertible car seat that can transition from a rear-facing to a forward-forward facing car seat, and then to a highback booster seat that can hold a child that weighs up to 100 pounds. It’s a compact car seat that will leave plenty of room for your other children or passengers.
It earned a 9, which is better than the LATCH score of most competitors. The Britax Advocate ClickTight ARB is also easy to install using the vehicle belt, earning a 9. The Graco Extend2Fit earned the highest result in the group for crash test analysis with a combined head and chest sensor result that beats the competition. This Graco also has excellent results for LATCH installation, which can translate to better safety as studies indicate that many real-world injuries are related to installation errors. These combined results mean the Extend2Fit may potentially provide an additional margin of protection over the competition in this review.
Overall, the Graco 4ever All-in-One is a great choice for those who want a convertible car seat. Because it’s bulky and not portable and not the most comfortable seat on the market, we recommend this one for your everyday drives. There is a lever located on the front of the seat, in between where your child’s calves should be.
From birth — until booster age, Baby Trend car seats will be here for your little one every step of the way. All Baby Trend car seats have been designed to meet the needs that parents value most and also exceed the most up to date safety standards. The LATCH system present in cars made after September 1, 2002, allows you to secure your car seat more safely and securely than using seat belts.