We chose this on purpose to mimic late-model vehicles better and to see if faster speeds helped differentiate the seats from one another. All seats in this review are assumed to have passed the federal guidelines and should be considered safe. Based on test results, those we identify as better than average are options that potentially offer an additional margin of safety over the average seat. We take convertible car seat testing very seriously because the stakes are so high. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that “car crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13.”
Last but not least, we consulted and contracted with MGA Research, the same national testing facility that has the compliance contract for FMVSS 213 assessing the safety of car seat in the US. As a Senior Review Analyst, she led the charge for all car seat updates, testing, and installation for more than 60 seats across categories. Our panel of experts also includes Dr. Juliet Spurrier is a board-certified pediatrician , mother, and founder of BabyGearLab with a background in urgent pediatric care. The Graco Extend2Fit 3 in 1 is an impressive convertible seat in this lineup.
Many cities have designated times or events open to the public that include free car seat inspections. Don’t let kids wear padded clothing, like winter coats, when in a car seat. “Thick padded clothing in a crash essentially compresses, and it’s like there’s nothing there,” Dr. Hoffman explains. “So, when it comes to buckling a child in, they should be wearing nothing more than maybe a thin layer of fleece.” He suggests putting a blanket over them if they’re cold. Testers also had their children sit in and use the car seat for a four-week period. During that time, they noted what it felt like to get their child in and out of the car seat and how efficient the harness was.
We collect the details you need to choose the right car seat for your needs and your wallet. We purchase two of each car seat we review, one for crash testing and one for in-house testing, so graco car seat you can trust that our results are unbiased and honest. When it comes to making a car seat as simple as possible to install, Britax has figured out how to build a better mousetrap—period.
In the U.S., Dr. Hoffman points out, all car seats must have a five-point harness and a chest clip. If you’re unsure, he recommends going to the car seat manufacturer’s website and making sure it meets NHTSA safety graco turbobooster requirements. The Nuna RAVA is an attractive car seat with a brand name that’s become synonymous with baby gear luxury, but it also has a number of safety features to earn the loyalty of more practical parents.
This is about as compact as this seat can be when it’s installed rear facing. The adjustable headrest has 10 positions, it’s easy to move from between them. Since the Extend2Fit uses a no-rethread harness, adjusting the headrest also adjusts the harness height. The lowest harness position is 7 inches (with the infant insert in place), while the highest position is 17.5 inches. The manual states that the panel must be in position 2-4 for a child over 40 pounds. When CSFTL asked Graco if this is absolutely required, since the seat is far more compact without it, they stated that it’s not misuse to keep the panel tucked away.
All of the convertible car seats have similarities, like a plastic shell, impact foam, comfort padding, and a fabric cover. However, some provide thicker padding, softer or more durable fabric, or foam that doesn’t off-gas. Because this is somewhat subjective, we compare the seats side-by-side and rank them as they compare to the other competitors. Studies show that more than 7 out of 10 car seats are incorrectly installed, or the harness is not fitted correctly . As a result of these statistics, we feel ease of installation and ease of use are critical metrics when selecting a car safety seat. Both can potentially impact overall safety, and we take these metrics very seriously.
You’ll run into the weird recline rule which could make the seat awkward at best, and impossible to install safely at worst. If you like the Graco Extend2Fit series, check out the Extend2Fit 3 in 1 instead, which does not have this recline requirement. We will tell you which seats are the easiest to install using the vehicle belt and provide information on the correct installation and where to get help if you are unsure about anything or if something doesn’t seem right.
An important thing to note is that the LATCH system setup can differ from vehicle to vehicle, so you should check your car’s manual to see exactly where you can find the anchors. For comfort and quality, we review the materials and overall construction. We analyze the padding, fabric, and foam and how well they come together compared to the competition. We consider how each seat’s design contributes to a baby’s potential comfort, parent use, and durability. While some have prongs that pop out somewhat independently, and others have chest clips that slide apart smoother, none were that challenging or impossible to use. The Cybex Sirona S does have a smart chest clip that provides alerts and information about car temperature and if a child has been left behind.