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Quick List: Best Graco Car Seats
Graco is a well-known brand and has developed the most product lines covering various types of car seats: infant, convertible, 4 in 1, harnessed booster, high-back booster, and backless booster. We pick the best of top-rated Graco car seats (ordered by type):
1. Best Graco Infant Car Seat: Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX ($119.99 on Amazon) -Lightweight (7.2 lbs), narrow profile (17.2″); best for newborn to 1 year old.
2. Best Graco Convertible car seat: Graco Extend2Fit ($211.99 on Amazon) – 50 lb rear-facing weight limit, 5″ more legroom, ProtectPlus for enhanced safety.
3. Best Graco 3 in 1 car seat: Graco SlimFit3 LX ($279.99 on Amazon) – 16.75″ width, narrow profile, 3 across fit, Rapid Remove Cover for easy on and off.
4. Best Graco 4 in 1 Car seat – Graco 4Ever DLX ($329.99 on Amazon) – 120 pounds weight limit, ProtectPlus for safety, Rapid Remove Cover for easy on and off.
5. Best Graco harness booster seat: Graco Tranzitions ($139.99 on Amazon), 3 modes from harness to backless.
6. Best Graco booster seat: Graco TurboBooster ($59.99 on Amazon) – 16.5″, budget-friendly for most families with big kids.
7. Best Graco rotatable seat: Graco Turn2Me ($449.99 on Amazon) – 16.5″, budget-friendly for most families with big kids.
Which Graco car seat is the best?
This is an interesting question a few parents may have. If you have looked into Graco’s official website, you’ll find there are tons of car seats for option, infant, convertible, all-in-one, booster, and more,
However, the Graco car seats are slightly different from each other in the same group. So, we picked up the best 6 Graco car seats as a representative of each group.
We are ranking the top 6 Graco car seats based on size limit, recommended age range, safety features, comfort additions, ease of installation, and, finally, price.
Each Graco car seat of the top six is the best of the best, so you can’t go wrong. They perform best to satisfy the different needs of various families, kids, and situations.
Don’t worry, we’ll list all the best Graco car seats of the same group in the second half of this post, dividing the group based on the car seat types: Infant, Convertible, and Booster. Click each button below to learn more details in the comparison table of Graco car seats.
Top 6 Graco Car Seats
Best Graco Car Seats List
Infant
All 13 Graco Infant Car Seats Comparison
Convertible
All 9 Graco Convertible Car Seats Comparison
All-in-one
All 24 Graco All-in-one Car Seats Comparison
Booster
All 18 Graco Booster Seats Comparison
Graco 4Ever DLX - Best Graco Car Seat Overall
Graco 4Ever DLX
Key Features
- Weight range (lb): 4-40 (RF): 22-65 (FF); 40-120 (Booster)
- Height limits: ~49" (RF&FF); ~57” (Booster)
- Stage: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
- Lifespan: 10 years
The Good
- Up to 120 lb weight limit for big kids
- Last three car seat stages
- A place to store the buckle
- Rapid Remove Pad for easy taking off
- 10 years of lifespan
The Bad
- A bit pricey
- Heavy and bulky
- Not fit 3 across in small cars
$329.99
If you can get only one Graco car seat, you should have the Graco 4Ever DLX. It’s #1 of the best Graco car seats for its overall performance in all aspects. My big brother got one for my nephew and used it for several years now.
The 4Ever DLX is a real money saver (even though it’s more expensive than other Graco car seats). It has the highest size limit: 120lbs/57″. Along with the 10-year lifespan, it can serve well from the day your child was born until they don’t have to use the car seat.
One more point we love is that Graco 4Ever DLX is a real 4-in-1 car seat.
It has four modes of use: rear-facing, front-facing, high back, and backless booster mode. That means, when your child grows bigger around 5 or 6 years old, and is ready to use a booster, you can turn it into a no-back booster.
This really helps to save your money to purchase another backless booster.
The base is still included in the no-back mode, making it a bit higher and heavier than a regular backless booster.
As the most expensive model of Graco car seats, the Graco 4Ever DLX is packed with all the latest and best technologies to provide protection and ensure comfort for kids and deliver convenience for parents.
It is equipped with ProtectPlus engineering to protect the little one from the front, side, rear, and even rollover crashes. The reinforced steel frame and 5-point harness enhance the protection.
Including plenty of padding, the Graco 4Ever DLX ensures your little one stays comfortably. The padded foam is also good to absorb part of the crash energy in case of any crashes.
As a working and busy mom, you won’t have much time to wash the seat cover. Luckily, the seat pad is removable and machine washable so you don’t have to hand wash it.
Plus, the Graco 4Ever DLX comes with the ‘Rapid Remove’ design, greatly reducing the time to take the seat cover off. This is very similar to the ‘Zip-off’ feature in Chicco’s ‘Zip’ series.
This smart design makes it easier to regularly clean the seat pad for keeping your child comfortable.
Graco 4Ever DLX might be one of the easiest-to-install car seats, thanks to the included InRight LATCH (rigid LATCH) connectors and integrated belt lock-off. No matter which method you’re trying to use, you’ll effortlessly achieve a tight and stable installation. That’s basic for your child’s safety.
It’s a pity that the belt lock-of can be used to install the Graco 4Ever DLX in a forward-facing direction only. Not applicable in rear-facing mode, making it less competitive than Britax One4Life’s ClickTight.
We know that there is no 100% perfect car seat. The down points for Graco 4Ever DLX, it’s bulky and heavy.
Measuring 21.5 in x 24 in x 20 in (WHD), it’s not as narrow as the SlimFit3 LX. The latter is one of the narrowest car seats and also the best Graco car seat to fit 3 across.
Weighing 23 pounds, the 4Ever DLX is definitely not a lightweight car seat. If you’re finding a lightweight and portable Graco car seat for travel, it’s not a good choice!
The 40-pound rear-facing weight limit is less than the 50-pound of Extend2Fit, even though both are good Graco car seats for extending rear-facing.
Priced over $300, the 4Ever DLX is the most expensive Graco car seat. You’ll get what you pay for! It’s safe and comfortable for kids and convenient for parents.
The $329.99 (may change on different sale channels) is considered an affordable price for most households. Plus, you can pass it down to a younger baby if you’re planning to have several kiddies.
As a matter of fact, Graco car seats are cheaper than Britax car seats. Its main competitor – Britax One4Life, is almost $400 ($399.99 right now when this post is published). Other Britax car seats are also more expensive than the top 6 Graco car seats on this list and we’ll review and compare them later.
Graco Extend2Fit - Best Graco Convertible Car Seat
Graco Extend2Fit
Key Features
- Weight range (lb): 4-50 (RF): 22-65 (FF)
- Height limits: ~49” (RF&FF)
- Stage: 1st, 2nd
- Lifespan: 10 years
The Good
- 50 lbs high rear-facing limit
- Extension panel for more leg room
- Budget friendly
- 10 years of lifespan
The Bad
- A bit heavy
- Too wide to fit for small cars
- The mediocre appearance
$239.99
Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat is the best of nine Graco Convertible Car Seats.
First of all, rear-facing to 50lbs/49in for around $200 is a steal. It’s hard to find a seat that will even forward face past 50 lb. (Diono Radian series and Britax One4Life- if you needed to know.) But the 49-inch rear-facing height limit is very commonly seen among the best car seats for extended rear-facing.
My 5-year-old daughter is 90-100th percentile (47in tall and 48lbs). She could technically rear face in this seat, with a seat belt install. The expandable panel is a good point for her to stay comfortable.
Plus, the decent padding is blow-your-mind soft and silky. The padding in the top headrest section moves independently from the rest of the headrest, with more positioning options to fit a child at different growth. The removable bum padding is thick, ensuring max comfort.
You’ll be impressed by the seat for its safety features. As one of the best Graco car seats, it is packed with the company’s exclusive ProtectPlus engineering. This technique was firstly used in premium models but is now applied to the most popular Graco car seats.
This car seat is best for vehicles with deep seats. I have a Nissan Pathfinder, a full-size SUV. I didn’t expect issues with space, but I had them. Then I checked the depth of Graco Extend2Fit is up to 21.5 inches. As a result, the foot bar makes the car seat stick out, pushing the base off the vehicle seat.
You can try to install it once you get the car seat. Use that small indicator on the base to check how far off of the seat it can go and make sure the car seat can be safely installed. It also has markers for which of the recline settings are safe for rear facing and ball level.
Graco Extend2Fit is 19 inches wide, not a slim fit car seat for most cases. But we have even done three across. I follow the instructions and find my way around installing a car seat.
But it still took a while to get a tight fit if using the LATCH connectors (even though it has rigid InRight LATCH). I stood/sat on it and rocked/leaned. The LATCH has a handy loop for pulling!
However, I still had to undo it, tighten it, then attach it. No biggie, just took longer. It isn’t as tight as that seat belt install for my daughter, but it moves less than an inch at the belt path, so it’s good.
Graco SlimFit3 LX - Best Graco Car Seat to Fit 3 Across
Graco SlimFit3 LX
Key Features
- Weight range (lb): 5-40 (RF): 22-65 (FF); 40-100 (Booster)
- Height limits: ~49" (RF&FF); ~57” (Booster)
- Stage: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
- Lifespan: 10 years
The Good
- Slim design to fit 3 across
- Going through three car seat stages
- Improved breathable mesh AirFlow materials
- Rapid Remove pad for easy taking off to clean
- 10 years of lifespan
The Bad
- Not foldable
$279.99
Are you trying to find a Graco car seat to fit 3 across? If so, you won’t skip the Graco SlimFit3 LX. It’s the narrowest Graco car seat.
More than that, Graco SlimFit3 LX is also the best recommendation for the narrowest convertible car seats.
Let’s face it. Not everyone has a big SUV or full-sized car, so for them, narrow-profile car seats are the best.
Graco once launched a slim car seat called SlimFit, which boasted of saving 10% space. But it’s not narrow enough to achieve 3 across. It’s not doable with a width of 19 inches.
The company upgraded to make it narrower and gave the new model the name SlimFit3 LX. From its name, you can easily know that this Graco car seat is slim enough to do 3 across.
The Graco SlimFit3 LX is only 16.75 inches wide, more than 2-inch narrower than its sibling. It’s even narrower than the Diono Radian series that is famous for fitting 3 across.
It’s an affordable Graco car seat, priced under $300, a few bucks cheaper than the Graco 4Ever DLX we talked about above. But it has all the protection that’s needed in the higher-end models.
It is also one of the Graco car seats with the ProtectPlus. Actually, 4 Graco car seats on this list – 4Ever DLX, Extend2Fit, SlimFit3 LX, and Tranzitions have this Graco’s unique technology for the best protection.
It is also packed with the integrated belt lock-off that is used to achieve a tight installation with the vehicle seat belt. The other two Graco car seats – Extend2Fit and Tranzitions don’t have this feature.
The only inferior point is the size limit: 100 pounds of SlimFit3 LX vs 120 pounds of 4Ever DLX. Ah, the Graco SlimFit3 LX lacks the backless mode. Supposedly, that’s probably the real reason why SlimFit3 LX is cheaper than 4Ever DLX because most of the features are the same.
More than the ProtectPlus and integrated belt lock-off, the SlimFit3 LX also has a steel frame, a 10-year lifespan, a removable and machine washable seat pad, two cup holders, and most importantly, a brilliant ‘Rapid Remove’ seat cover.
Graco Tranzitions - Best Graco Harness 2 Booster
Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1
Key Features
- Weight range (lb): 22-65 (FF); 40-100 (Booster)
- Height limits: 49" (FF); 57” (Booster)
- Stage: 2nd, 3rd
- Lifespan: 7 years
The Good
- Budget price
- Up to 100 lb weight limit for big kids
- Three modes: harness, high back, and backless
- Graco ProtectPlus Engineered for optimal protection
The Bad
- Not fit 3-across
$109.99
Graco Tranzitions won the best Graco Harness 2 Booster award.
Toddlers can be hyperactive, so you need a car seat that can face the challenge. According to Consumer Reports, Graco Tranzitions is one of the highest-rated car seats there. So protection is guaranteed.
You don’t need to worry about its safety at all. The Tranzitions car sat has a superior protection performance. This Graco car seat has the company’s exclusive ProtectPlus technique. That means your little one will get all-around protection.
Have you noticed or not? Graco Tranzitions has 3-in-1 in the name. There are three ways to use it. Starting from the forward-facing harness mode for small toddlers at least 1 year old.
After your boy or girl outgrows the 65-pound upper weight or 49-inch upper height, you can choose a high back or backless booster mode. The top limit is set to 100 pounds, so it will be a great travel companion for the years to come.
Compared to 4Ever DLX, the Graco Tranzitions lacks the rear-facing mode. It’s actually a combination car seat (harness 2 booster), not the 3-in-1 car seat that belongs to the all-in-one type.
The Graco Tranzitions Harness 2 Booster comes with two cup holders. This is perfect for toddlers since they can keep the drinks in one of them and the toys in the second one. Plus, if they are cranky, it can be a good distraction while you’re strapping them in.
Toddlers like all kids are messy. So spills, and accidents will be common. Luckily, Graco Tranzitions is prepared for that. The seat cover can be easily removed, and machine washed.
If you buy this car seat, this will be the last one you’ll need. From toddlers until the day that they won’t need it, this car seat will serve well, thanks to the wide weight range from 22 to 100 pounds and 57 inches height limit.
It’s a pity that the Graco Tranzitions car seat is set to expire 7 years after the date of manufacture. That’s the shortest lifespan of all Graco car seats, as short as a Graco infant car seat.
It seems very slim. The narrowest point on the seat pad is 18 inches wide, making it probably to do 3 across in some large vehicles. But it’s not the slimmest Graco car seat anyway.
Another down point is the color option. There is only black available on both Amazon and its official website. The Kyte (similar to purple) is not on sale now. Otherwise, it should be our recommended purple car seat for toddlers.
But all can be made up by the cheap price. Graco Tranzitions is the cheapest Graco car seat of the six. It’s also one of the best cheap car seats under $200.
Graco SnugRide SnugLock
Key Features
- Weight Range: 4-35 lbs.
- Height Limit: 32 inches
- Lifespan: 7 years
- Type: Infant
- Stage: 1st
- Suitable for: Birth to 1 year old
The Good
- Budget price
- 35-lb weight limit
- 32-inch top height
- Easy installation
- Support installation without a car seat base
- Lightweight and portable to take for air travel
- Easy connect to strollers
The Bad
- A bit bulky
$159.99
Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 is the best recommendation for Graco infant car seats.
It’s safe for babies, with a metal frame and extra inserts. But the head support is not well padded to provide great support for small newborns, even the Graco boasts that it’s suitable for newborns at 4 pounds. Our friends left us feedback that their son’s head was bobbing all over the place on the way home from the hospital.
Carriers are perfect for infants because you can click them in and out of the base with no effort. It’s a compact car seat. That means, your little one will be warm and snug in their carrier during winter months because you can place extra car seat covers.
The material is soft. It’s not those sandpaper-like covers. But some parents complain it’s more low-end fabrics. However, babies love it, and many parents reported that their little ones fell asleep with ease in them.
Many carriers suffer from a major defect. The canopy won’t cover the child. The Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 Infant Car Seat is different; it has a large canopy and offers all the shade that’s needed.
It’s lightweight, comfortable, and has a one-push button on the handle. This makes it so much faster and it’s easier than having to use both hands to move the handle.
It’s really easy to install, all you have to do for this latch system is just push it on the hooks in the car, sit it on the base and wait for the click. Then lift the red handle on the back of the car seat to get it out. It’s so simple!
Graco Turbo Booster
Key Features
- Weight Range: 40-100 lbs.
- Height Limit: 57 inches
- Lifespan: 7 years
- Type: Booster
- Stage: 3rd
- Suitable for: 4-8 yeas old
The Good
- Budget price
- Two modes - high back & backless
- Lightweight and slim to do 3 across
The Bad
- Limited padding
$59.99
The Graco TurboBooster is the best Graco booster seat.
This caters to older kids who want to transition into the booster stage. There are two modes of use: high-back booster and backless booster. If your child is 4 or above, it’s a good candidate, cheap and lightweight.
This Graco car seat is safe. Besides the regular safety features, it is also packed with the ProtectPlus engineering technique. Best of all, it doesn’t just protect the head, but also provides all-around protection. That outperforms most booster seats from other brands that only cover the head-torso protection.
This Graco car seat will be the last one you will have to buy, as it’s only used for the last booster stage, high-back or no-back mode is optional. In both modes, the upper limit is set to 100 pounds. That’s good for big kids around 7 or 8 years old. As you can see, this car seat will serve until your child doesn’t need it anymore.
The installation is super simple, even though you can go with only the seat belt. My only feedback would be that they should upgrade the seat belt system. They are still going with the first-generation ones.
This Graco booster seat comes with a seat cover that is durable and ready for wear and tear for the next years to come. It’s one of the best belt-positioning booster seats out there.
It’s lightweight, only 8.42 pounds. That means you can switch this Graco car seat between different vehicles, making it a good travel car seat.
REMEMBER: do not take this booster seat for air travel. The booster seats are not allowed on a plane. This tip can be easily found in the car seat user manual, reading ‘This restraint is not certificated for aircraft use because there are no shoulder belts available in an aircraft.’
So this gives us a reminder that you should always use the lap-shoulder belt system to install a Graco booster seat and other booster seats.
This is also a slim car seat, the 16.5-inch width is narrow enough to do 3 across. That’s very common for most booster seats. No-back booster is the narrowest. Some high-back boosters are roomy with a wider seat pad and shoulder rest, like the Diono Cambria 2 XL.
Graco Infant Car Seat Comparison List
Which Graco infant car seat is best?
The best option may vary depending on the specific needs, even though the difference between Graco infant car seats may be small, from the height and weight limits, safety features, and car seat weight and width. Some advanced (also higher priced) models may have premium features like the Anti-rebound, seat belt locking system, etc.
From the customer feedback, it seems the Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX earns the crown of best Graco infant car seat, for its relatively lightweight carrier and budget price.
| Model | Weight/Height Limits | Width | Weight | Online User Manual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SnugRide® SnugLock™ 35 XT Infant Car Seat | 4-35lbs/32" | - | - | User Manual |
| SnugRide® SnugLock® 35 LX Infant Car Seat (Full review) | 4-35lbs/32" | 18" | 9.5 lbs | User Manual |
| SnugRide® SnugLock™ 35 Elite Infant Car Seat (Full review) | 4-35lbs/32" | 18.3" | 18.8 lbs | User Manual |
| SnugRide® SnugLock™ 35 Infant Car Seat (Full review) | 4-35lbs/32" | 18.7" | 14.4 lbs | User Manual |
| SnugRide® SnugLock™ 30 Infant Car Seat | 4-30lbs/30" | - | - | User Manual |
| SnugRide® SnugLock® 35 LX featuring 1-Hand Adjust | 4-35lbs/32" | 18" | 9.75 lbs | User Manual |
| SnugRide® SnugLock® 35 LX featuring TrueShield Technology | 4-35lbs/32" | 18" | 9.75 lbs | User Manual |
| SnugRide® SnugFit™ 35 DLX ft. Safety Surround Technology | 4-35lbs/32" | 17.5" | 16.2 lbs | User Manual |
| SnugRide® 35 Lite Infant Car Seat | 4-35lbs/32" | 18.1" | 10.5 lbs | User Manual |
| SnugRide® SnugFit 35 Infant Car Seat | 4-35lbs/32" | 18.1" | 10.2 lbs | User Manual |
| SnugRide® 35 Lite LX Infant Car Seat (Full Review) | 4-35lbs/32" | 18.1" | 10.5 lbs | User Manual |
| SnugRide® SnugFit 35 DLX Infant Car Seat | 4-35lbs/32" | 17.5" | 16.15 lbs | User Manual |
| SnugRide® SnugFit 35 Elite Infant Car Seat (Full review) | 4-35lbs/32" | 17.5" | 16.96 lbs | User Manual |
Graco Convertible Car Seat Comparison List
Which Graco convertible car seat is best?
It seems the Extend2Fit is the most popular Graco convertible car seat, receiving more than seventy thousand reviews on Amazon. I also have one for Chris and then used it for Jacob.
The 50 lb rear-facing weight limit is a good reason. It’s very helpful if you plan to put your kid in rear-facing for a longer time (at least) than most models. Graco Extend2Fit is one of the 30+ rear-facing car seats up to 50 lb weight limit.
| Model | Weight/Height Limits | Recommended Age | Online User Manual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extend2Fit® Convertible Car Seat (Full review) | 65lbs/49" | Newborn-7 years old | User Manual |
| Sequel™ 65 Convertible Car Seat | 22-65lbs/49" | Newborn-7 years old | User Manual |
| Contender™ Slim Convertible Car Seat | 22-65lbs/49" | Newborn-7 years old | User Manual |
| Contender™ 65 Convertible Car Seat (Full review) | 22-65lbs/49" | Newborn-7 years old | User Manual |
| Size4Me™ 65 Rapid Remove Convertible Car Seat | 22-65lbs/49" | Newborn-7 years old | User Manual |
| Admiral™ 65 Convertible Car Seat | 22-65lbs/49" | Newborn-7 years old | User Manual |
| Sequence™ 65 Platinum Convertible Car Seat | 22-65lbs/49" | Newborn-7 years old | User Manual |
| Contender™ GO Convertible Car Seat | 22-65lbs/49" | Newborn-7 years old | User Manual |
| My Ride™ 65 Convertible Car Seat | 22-65lbs/49" | Newborn-7 years old | User Manual |
Graco All-in-one Car Seat Comparison List
Graco 4 in 1 Car Seat Comparison
Which Graco 4 in 1 Car Seat is best?
Personally, I choose the Graco 4Ever DLX. The reasons?
It’s affordable. Compared to the Britax One4Life (Check comparison on Graco 4Ever DLX vs Britax One4Life) or Chicco Fit4 at $399.99, the Graco 4Ever DLX is around $70 cheaper. If adding the backless mode into consideration, the Graco 4Ever DLX saves money for a no-back booster because the backrest can be removed to turn it a no-back booster.
It’s easy to use. The Rapid Remove cover is designed for easily taking off the seat pad for cleaning. The seat belt locking mechanism is included for effortless installation.
Above listed more details on why I would like to choose the 4Ever DLX as the best Graco car seat, move to check it.
| Model | Weight/Height Limits | Recommended Age | Online User Manual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graco Grows4Me™ 4-in-1 Car Seat (Full review) | 110lbs/57" | Birth-8 years old | User Manual |
| 4Ever® DLX SnugLock® Grow™ 4-in-1 Car Seat | 120lbs/57" | Birth-10 years old | User Manual |
| 4Ever® DLX 4-in-1 Car Seat (Full review) | 120lbs/57" | Birth-10 years old | User Manual |
| 4Ever® DLX SnugLock® 4-in-1 Car Seat | 120lbs/57" | Birth-10 years old | User Manual |
| 4Ever® DLX SnugLock® 4-in-1 Car Seat | 120lbs/57" | Birth-10 years old | User Manual |
| Graco® Premier 4Ever® DLX Extend2Fit® 4-in-1 Car Seat featuring ARB | 120lbs/57" | Birth-10 years old | User Manual |
| 4Ever® Extend2Fit® 4-in-1 Car Seat | 120lbs/57" | Birth-10 years old | User Manual |
| 4Ever 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat featuring TrueShield | 120lbs/57" | Birth-10 years old | User Manual |
| 4Ever® 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat featuring Safety Surround™ SIP | 120lbs/57" | Birth-10 years old | User Manual |
| 4Ever 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat | 120lbs/57" | Birth-10 years old | User Manual |
| Premier 4Ever® DLX Extend2Fit® SnugLock® 4-in-1 Car Seat featuring ARB | 120lbs/57" | Birth-10 years old | User Manual |
Graco 3 in 1 Car Seat Comparison
Which Graco 3 in 1 car seat is best?
It’s a bit difficult to decide which Graco 3 in 1 car seat is best. But from my personal experience, these two are the best options for this group.
First is the Graco SlimFit3 LX. It’s a narrow profile and a good 3 across car seat in most vehicles. If you have three or four kids, you would absolutely love a slim car seat. And SlimFit3 LX is always on the top of my list.
The second is the Graco Turn2Me. It’s a rotating car seat, even though it’s only 90-degree rotational.
| Model | Weight/Height Limits | Recommended Age | Online User Manual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turn2Me Rotating Car Seat (Full review) | 100lbs/ 57" | Baby-8 years old | User Manual |
| Extend2Fit® 3-in-1 Car Seat (Full review) | 100lbs/ 57" | Baby-8 years old | User Manual |
| SlimFit™ All-in-One Car Seat (Full review) | 100lbs/ 57" | Baby-8 years old | User Manual |
| TriRide™ 3-in-1 Car Seat (Full review) | 100lbs/ 57" | Baby-8 years old | User Manual |
| Extend2Fit® 3-in-1 Car Seat featuring ARB | 100lbs/ 57" | Baby-8 years old | User Manual |
| TrioGrow™ SnugLock® 3-in-1 Car Seat | 100lbs/ 57" | Baby-8 years old | User Manual |
| Milestone™ 3-in-1 Car Seat | 100lbs/ 57" | Baby-8 years old | User Manual |
| Extend2Fit® 3-in-1 Car Seat featuring TrueShield | 100lbs/ 57" | Baby-8 years old | User Manual |
| SlimFit3™ LX 3-in-1 Car Seat (Full review) | 100lbs/ 57" | Baby-8 years old | User Manual |
| True3Fit™ LX 3-in-1 Car Seat | 100lbs/ 57" | Baby-8 years old | User Manual |
| Milestone® 3-in-1 Car Seat | 100lbs/ 57" | Baby-8 years old | User Manual |
| Landmark® 3-in-1 Car Seat | 100lbs/ 57" | Baby-8 years old | User Manual |
| TrioGrow™ SnugLock® LX 3-in-1 Car Seat | 100lbs/ 57" | Baby-8 years old | User Manual |
| Extend2Fit® Platinum 3-in-1 Car Seat | 100lbs/ 57" | Baby-8 years old | User Manual |
Graco Booster Seats Comparison List
| Model | Weight/Height Limits | Recommended Age | Width | Online User Manual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RightGuide™ Portable Seat Belt Trainer™ | 120lbs/60" | 5-10 years old | - | User Manual |
| Atlas™ 65 2-in-1 Harness Booster Car Seat (Full review) | 100lbs/57" | 1-8 years old | 22" | User Manual |
| AFFIX™ Highback Booster Seat with Latch System (Full review) | 100lbs/57" | 4-8 years old | 16.5" | User Manual |
| Turbobooster® Grow™ Highback Booster featuring RightGuide™ Seat Belt Trainer™ | 120lbs/60" | 4-8 years old | 19.69" | User Manual |
| AFFIX™ Backless Booster with Latch System | 100lbs/57" | 4-8 years old | 17" | User Manual |
| Nautilus® SnugLock® Grow™ 3-in-1 Harness Booster | 100lbs/57" | 2-8 years old | 20" | User Manual |
| TurboBooster® LX Backless Booster with LATCH | 100lbs/57" | 4-8 years old | 16" | User Manual |
| Tranzitions™ 3-in-1 Harness Booster (Full review) | 100lbs/57" | 1-8 years old | 17" | User Manual |
| Nautilus® 65 3-in-1 Harness Booster Car Seat | 100lbs/57" | 1-8 years old | 20" | User Manual |
| TurboBooster® Highback Booster | 100lbs/57" | 4-8 years old | 16.5" | User Manual |
| Turbobooster® Backless Booster Seat (Full review) | 100lbs/57" | 4-8 years old | 16" | User Manual |
| Nautilus® 65 LX 3-in-1 Harness Booster Car Seat (Full review) | 100lbs/57" | 1-8 years old | 22" | User Manual |
| TurboBooster® Stretch Booster Seat | 110lbs/57" | 4-8 years old | 19.69" | User Manual |
| TurboBooster® LX Highback Booster with Latch System | 100lbs/57" | 4-8 years old | 16.2" | User Manual |
| Tranzitions® SnugLock® 3-in-1 Harness Booster | 100lbs/57" | 1-8 years old | 17.5" | User Manual |
| Nautilus® SnugLock® LX 3-in-1 Harness Booster | 120lbs/57" | 1-8 years old | 19.5" | User Manual |
| Nautilus™ 65 3-in-1 Harness Booster Car Seat with Safety Surround™ Protection | 100lbs/57" | 1-8 years old | 20" | User Manual |
| Nautilus® SnugLock® 3-in-1 Harness Booster | 120lbs/57" | 1-8 years old | 19.5" | User Manual |
When do Graco car seats expire?
How long Graco car seats are good mainly depends on the types and materials (metal or plastic).
Graco infant car seats expire 7 years after the date of manufacture.
Graco convertible car seats (including the all-in-one type) expire 10 years after the date of manufacture.
Graco booster seats expire 7 or 10 years from the date of manufacture. If the Graco booster seat has a plastic frame, the usable life is shorter, only 7 years; if the frame is made of reinforced steel, the Graco booster seat will last for 10 years as long as the convertible car seats.
We have listed this expiration date information for all Graco car seats on the comparison table, also including the Graco car seats’ manual links.
It’s a bit more difficult to get an exact expiration date on Graco car seats. The expiry date is not directly provided on the car seat body. You need to do a simple calculation with the below equation:
Date of Manufacture + Car Seat’s Useful Time = Expiry Date
For example, you got a Graco Extend2Fit convertible and found its manufacture date written:
2017 /10/18 (year/month/day)
We know that convertible car seats with a 10-year lifespan, then you’ll know the expiry date of your Graco Extend2Fit is:
2027/10/18
It should be safe to use this Extend2Fit car seat until October 2027.
Further Information
Graco Car Seats Recalls List 2022
You can know everything about what Graco car seats have been recalled. We have made this list from NHTSA’s official data.
We do this list to help you avoid buying a car seat that has been through a recall event.
However, the common case is that Graco won’t manufacture a car seat that has been found defective or on a recall list. So it’s impossible for us consumers to buy a recalled Graco car seat.
No more words, check this list of Graco car seats recalls.
GRACO SNUGRIDE
GRACO COMFORTSPORT
GRACO MY RIDE 65
GRACO READY RIDE
GRACO CLASSIC RIDE
GRACO COMFORT SPORT
GRACO NAUTILUS ELITE
GRACO ARGOS 70
GRACO EXTEND2FIT CONVERTIBLE
GRACO MILESTONE
GRACO SNUGRIDE 35
GRACO CLASSIC RIDE 50
GRACO MY RIDE 70
GRACO SMART SEAT
GRACO TURBOBOOSTER
GRACO SNUGRIDE 30
GRACO SNUGRIDE CLICK CONNECT 40
GRACO SIZE 4 ME 70
GRACO COZY CLINE
GRACO SNUGRIDE CLASSIC CONNECT
If you want to know all Graco car seats that have been recalled, please go to the NHTSA recall page and type Graco for search.
Buyer’s Guide - What Features Make Graco Car Seats Popular
Without any doubt, the Graco car seats are the most popular on the market. Just search for a baby car seat or child car seat on Amazon (or other online platforms like Walmart and Target), and the Graco car seats rank top.
They have more reviews than other car seats from other brands. Winning by quantity is one product strategy. So you’ll see a lot of models in the same group, check the lists for different groups above. We have calculated, Graco has launched almost 100 models.
What we believe is the core value that Graco car seats earn so many parents’ trust is the features.
Move on reading to find what Graco car seats will provide for both children and parents.
Safety
Safety means everything. That’s the reason we as parents purchase a car seat.
It’s true that all car seats are safe because they are required to pass government safety standards. You’ll see the words ‘FMVSS 213‘ in a car seat description. That stands for Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213, which also often appears in the state laws on child restraint systems.
All the Graco car seats meet this safety standard as well.
Some states will also have this written in the local car seat laws, 5-point harness for side impact protection. But the layers of side impact protection vary depending on the makers and models.
Typically, all Graco car seats with a 5-point harness have two layers of side impact protection.
As you have seen, Graco has gone above and beyond. A lot of premium models are using the ProtectPlus tech. This provides practical protection against front and rear impact, and rollover protection.
Install
It’s deciding if your child will get 100% protection or not that if you can install the car seat properly or not.
Graco car seats are reliable to choose from if you want to achieve a tight and proper installation.
The earlier models use the first level latch system. These are great to install and a hassle to uninstall.
So Graco developed the InRight LATCH (rigid LATCH) system, making easy-to-install possible.
Some Graco car seats, like the SlimFit3 LX and 4Ever DLX, are packed with an integrated belt lock-off. This is helpful if you’re planning to install a Graco car seat using the vehicle’s seat belt.
Size Limits
Size limit matters because this determines how long you will be able to use that car seat.
All-in-one Graco car seats are popular because they save money. They usually have a great size limit and last from birth until your child doesn’t need a car seat. Graco 4Ever DLX is a good example.
However, these car seats have two main down points. First, they are more expensive than non-all-in-one car seats (but absolutely cheaper than buying two or three). The second issue is that they are heavier and bulkier (not necessary for all models). It’s not an easy thing to switch from car to car.
Graco car seats in other types like the infant, convertible, and booster have a lower size. They generally offer protection for a shorter time than all-in-one car seats, but still good to grow with your child anyway.
For example, most Graco infant car seats are good for babies within the 35lbs/32″ size (12 months or 18 months rear-facing). Graco convertible car seats have the common 65lbs/49″ size for toddlers and preschoolers (2-5 years old); while the Graco booster seats are suitable for big kids between 40 and 100 pounds until they are 57 inches tall (4-8 years old).
Fabric
Last but not least. What fabrics do the car seats use? Taking your kids in and out of the car seat means a hundred times of friction. Soft and high-quality fabrics keep your child comfortable.
The fabrics should be machine washable because you don’t have much time to hand wash them.
Luckily with Graco, the washing is easy. The seat cover can be easily unbuckled, and you throw it in the washing machine. No matter the stain, you will get it back as good as new after cleaning.
Premium models will have an upgrade on the seat cover design called ‘Rapid Remove‘, like the Graco SlimFit3 LX and Graco 4Ever DLX.
Color Options (Bonus)
Using a unisex color is good for the manufacturer to save costs. But this is not friendly for parents who want to have a different colored car seat for their little girls.
This is a very optional and personal choice, so it is not necessary anyway. Luckily, Graco car seats provide multiple color options.
FAQs on Best Graco Car Seats
What is the safest Graco car seat on the market?
The safest car seat on the market is the Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 car seat with ProtectPlus Engineering and advanced methods for a tight installation.
Is Graco a good car seat?
Graco is a good car seat maker. They have a vast lineup of car seats to choose from. They are also affordable and not overpriced.
What are the best Graco car seats?
- Best overall – Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 car seat
- Best convertible – Graco Extend2Fit
- Best to fit 3 across – Graco SlimFit3 LX
- Best harness 2 booster – Graco Tranzitions
- Best infant car seat – Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35
- Best booster seat – Graco TurboBooster
What are the height and weight limits for Graco car seats?
Since there are many Graco car seats I will break down the weight and height limit for each of them.
For the Graco infant car seats, the lower weight limit is 4 pounds, good for fitting newborns and preemies. The top weight is 35 pounds, good to last 12 months or 18 months for most infants.
For Graco convertible car seats, when used rear-facing, the lower weight limit is either 4 pounds or 5 pounds while the upper reaches 40 lbs or 50 lbs, depending on the specific models. For example, the Graco Extend2Fit is 50 pounds and other Graco car seats are 40 pounds. After switching to forward-facing mode, the range, lower, and upper limits are the same, from 22 lbs to 65 lbs.
Keep in mind that booster seats are for older children. The upper limit is typically around 100 pounds and the maximum is 120 pounds. Well, I know some adults who are not 120 pounds so you’re good with that. As for the height limit it’s fairly simple the upper height limits are at 57 inches and the lower ones are at 43 inches.
We have listed the height and weight limits for Graco car seats for different groups above. You can check the summary overview here:
- Graco infant car seats: 4-35 lbs/ 32”
- Graco convertible car seats: 22-65 lbs/ 49”
- Graco booster seats: 40-110lbs/57”
- Graco all-in-one car seats: 4-120lbs/57”
That’s an overall range of height and height limits for Graco car seats. The actual height and weight limits for each Graco car seat vary and depend on the specific model, check the table above to explore details.
What is the expiration date for Graco infant car seats, convertible car seats and booster seats?
Graco car seats have different lifespans according to the car seat types and the materials to build the frame.
Typically, infant car seats have the shortest usable life, only 7 years. But the Graco booster seats that have a plastic frame are expired 7 years as well.
The Graco convertible car seats (including all-in-one) are good to last up to 10 years from the date of manufacture.
It’s a pity that the expiration date for a Graco car seat is not imprinted on the body, and you need to do a calculation to get a result. Check our post on when Graco car seats expire and how to find the expiration date on Graco car seats.
How to install Graco car seats?
The best way to properly install Graco car seats is to read the car seat user manual and follow the steps and instructions.
Graco is known for its ease of use. For most Graco car seats, you have two ways to install them: with LATCh or with the seat belt. (DO NOT use both.)
Graco car seats come with the InRight LATCH system, which is a rigid LATCH for easier and tighter installation. Some premium Graco car seats, like the 4Ever DLX and SlimFit3 LX, have an integrated belt lock-off for seat belt installation.
How do you create a travel system with an infant seat?
As you know infant seats were designed for portability and carrying. This is why it’s a good idea to create a travel system with an infant car seat and a stroller.
In most cases, infant car seats are compatible only with strollers coming from their own brand. If you have a different one then you will need an adapter to create your travel system. When it comes to baby gear these Graco car seats are the best choice. As the child grows there’s an even bigger selection of Graco car seats.
What kind of government safety standards do these Graco car seats have?
These Graco car seats have proved themselves to have high safety standards, meeting or exceeding federal mandatory standards FMVSS 213.
There are two important things you have to make sure of. First is the side-impact protection and proper head support. For infant car seats, the anti-rebound bar is a must and typically it can be used in rear-facing car mode.
Additional safety features include energy-absorbing foam, anchors and tethers, and a no-rethread harness. Graco made car seats to meet or exceed crash tests.
Should I keep my child in the rear-facing position as long as possible?
Absolutely. The rear-facing is considerably safer than the forward-facing. With the proper and tight installation, your child will be safe and comfortable.
Make sure you adjust the harness to the proper size. Plus, most car seats, including both infant car seats and convertible car seats, have many recline positions to choose from.
If you want the most leg room out of the convertible seat then get the convertible car seat with the extension panel, like the Graco Extend2Fit.
It’s a good idea to keep them in this mode until your child grows to 2 years old. Better yet you can do it until 4 years old. Graco Extend2Fit’s 50-lb rear-facing weight limit makes it doable.
What other features do these Graco car seats have?
Graco car seats have a lot of great features to ensure protection and comfort.
There are other features included: a removable seat pad that is easy to clean, a SimpliSafe one-direction harness and headrest adjustment, easy-to-install rigid LATCH system.
They have won many awards as best bet and best car seat. For premium car seats, Graco has the ProtectPlus built in them and integrated belt lock-off.
The seat cover is removable and it’s easy to adjust for smaller cars. The car seats include easy-adjust, lower anchors, and seat base.
What is so special about the Graco Extend2Fit convertible car seat?
The Graco Extend2Fit convertible car seat is special because it allows extended rear-facing up to 50 pounds.
The common seen maximum weight for rear-facing is usually 40 pounds. So it’s not just one of the best Graco car seats but it’s one of the best rear-facing car seats for tall babies and toddlers on the market.
The seat also has an easy-to-adjust extension panel for more legroom.
How to fit three across with a Graco car seat?
There is a Graco car seat that allows it to fit three across. The SlimFit3 LX (Not the SlimFit) is the best option. It was designed to do 3 across, with a narrower width at 16.75″ (vs 19″ of SlimFit).
It’s a good idea to consult with Child Passenger Safety Technicians to choose the best seat and help to install it.
The Child Passenger Safety Technicians can tell you exactly if the car seat is properly installed or not. Plus it will give you peace of mind after you have talked with a Child Passenger Safety Technician.
What can I expect from a Graco booster seat?
Graco booster seats are the most popular. They have gained a lot of positive reviews from thousands of parents.
They are cheap. Most Graco booster seats are under $100, including the high-back and backless boosters. Graco TurboBooster backless is the cheapest, under $30.
They are lightweight. The Graco Affix high-back booster seat is only 9.8 pounds; the TurboBooster is more lightweight, 8.42 pounds, making them portable and great for switching between cars.
The booster seat lasts long. From 40 to 100 pounds in booster mode. You can even upgrade with backless booster mode until 120 pounds.
What are you getting with a Graco All in one car seat?
During the infant car seats faze you can easily clean it even after a diaper blowout. The Graco all-in-one seats are also known for extended rear-facing.
They have the highest safety level with the ProtectPlus engineering. Some premium models will have an integrated belt lock-off for easy seat belt installation.
What’s most important is the long usable time. All Graco All-in-one car seats have a 10-year lifespan. They have a great size limit of up to 120 pounds and 57 inches.
That means a child can use a Graco All-in-one car seat from day one when they were born to the day when they don’t need to use a car seat.
What kind of car seats does Graco have for older kids?
You can choose a Graco convertible car seat between 22 to 65 pounds forward-facing which allows you to hide the harness straps in the harness storage (harness holders). Or a Graco booster seat 40 to 100 pounds forward-facing.
These Graco car seats are typically installed with seat belts. As for extra comfort, all car seats have at least one cup holder, except the Graco infant car seats.
What is the best Graco convertible car seat?
The Extend2Fit is the best Graco convertible car seat. This car seat has some good safety ratings, and it’s easy to install. You can also transfer it from one vehicle to another easily which is a plus.
What is the best Graco infant car seat in 2022?
The best Graco infant car seat in 2022 is the Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35.
This car seat has a great price point with a lot of safety and comfort features. It also got a lot of reviews from parents.
What is the best Graco toddler car seat?
The best Graco toddler car seat is the Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 Harness Booster Car Seat. It’s a solid car seat with good safety ratings.
Is Graco a good car seat brand?
Graco is a good car seat brand.
It has a long history and has been making car seats for more than 60 years, so it has a lot of experience to make sure their car seats are safe and comfortable to ride with your children.
It provides tons of car seat options to satisfy different needs and scenarios.
Are Graco car seats safe?
Yes, Graco car seats are safe. All Graco car seats meet or exceed federal safety standards.
Whichever Graco car seat you choose, your child will be safe in it. These are some of the best car seats on the market.