Cosco Mighty Fit 65 DX Review – Budget Lightweight Convertible Car Seat for Travel

Cosco Mighty Fit 65 DX

Overall Rating

 3.5/5

Face Rear & Front

Claiming the honor of being one of the cheapest and most compact convertible car seats, the Cosco Mighty Fit 65 is the perfect wingman for kids craving a little more companionship as they’re protected with comfort for both road trips and air travel.

Boasting a top capacity of 65 pounds and 49 inches and an eye-popping relatively slim design for fitting three across, this convertible car seat wields its compact and lightweight body to the most practical use. You will not find a more practical convertible car seat under $80. Period.

Building on the already impressive states, the Mighty Fit 65’s cup holder provides convenience and is removable when necessary. The long usable life ensures that it can be used for your kid’s growth before the car seat expires.

*Price may change due to e-commerce platform and brand sales promotion.

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Cosco Mighty Fit 65 DX Review - Three Layers of SIP for Optimal Protection

Pros & Cons

The good and the bad

What is it best for

Who we recommend it for

Value for Money

Is it worth the price tag?

Design

Dimensions, weight, color, etc

Safety Rating

Crash tests, FMVSS213, SIP

Performance

Weight/height limits, airplane, etc

Installation

Install with LATCH or seat belt

Alternatives

Other car seats to consider

1. Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

2. Who Is It Best For?

Will the Cosco Mighty Fit 65 DX Be a Good Fit For Your Child and Family?

Cosco has delivered on its promise to create a car seat that balances practical use and price with a body that is both compact and lightweight.

Alongside the Mighty Fit 65’s cheap price tag, a durable frame, and slim fit design, it lends itself to parents that want a reliable car seat without safety extras and additional comfort features.

More than using the Cosco Mighty Fit 65 for daily pickups or long road trips, parents probably use it as a second car seat and use it occasionally, or take it for travel foreignly. It’s one of the best portable car seats.

3. Value for Money

Is the price tag worth it?

The Cosco Mighty Fit 65 offers incredible value for money when you consider its practicality and convenience. The 65 lbs/ 49″ size limit is widespread among convertible car seats, making it last good years to accommodate kids around 4 or 5 years old.

The Mighty Fit 65 very closely rivals the specifications of convertible car seats that are significantly more expensive.

Complemented by a removable cup holder, the Mighty Fit 65 offers the convenience for kids to hold their snacks or drinks, enhancing its comfort performance.

By comparison, the Safety 1st Guide is practically the same car seat with the same weight and height limits, slim design, one cup holder, and lifespan, yet it costs $99.99. Mighty Fit 65, instead, offers you the car seat for less (slightly less expensive at $89.99).

This is a common occurrence in the car seat industry – a few models are OEM, meaning one manufacturer makes the car seat and then brands buy them and add their branding and unique touches, like the Disney baby and Safety 1st.

Ultimately, Cosco has undercut the market to offer the Mighty Fit 65 at a budget price – it’s a win-win for everyone.

4. Design

Dimensions and Width

The Cosco Mighty Fit 65 has the following dimensions:

Width: 18.5 inches
Height: 23.5 inches
Depth: 22 inches

Just look at its image and you’ll find that the Cosco Mighty Fit 65 is a relatively narrow car seat with a slim fit design. The 18.5-inch narrow profile can be beneficial for fitting multiple car seats in the back seat or for fitting the car seat in small vehicles.

The manufacturer boasts of its ability to place three Cosco Mighty Fit 65 in a row. However, you should remove the cup holder to achieve this. It’s understandable, all slim car seats even the Diono Radian 3RXT that is 17 inches wide still probably need to remove the cup holder for fitting three across.

The depth is similar to other car seats in its category while the height is slightly lower than high-end models with more headrest positions, such as the Graco Extend2Fit.

Overall, the car seat is considered compact and lightweight, making it easy to move from one vehicle to another.

See also

Portability

The Cosco Mighty Fit 65 convertible car seat weighs approximately 11 pounds. This weight is considered relatively lightweight for a convertible car seat, making it easier to move from one vehicle to another. It ranks top in our list of the best lightweight convertible car seats.

The car seat is also designed to be portable, with a compact and lightweight design that makes it easy to carry and install in different vehicles.

The lightweight and portable design makes it one of the best travel car seats for toddlers. If you’re a family on the go, spending under $100 to give it a shot would be a not-bad idea!

See also

Cup Holder - None

The Cosco Mighty Fit 65 is one of the car seats with cup holders. Sadly, there is only one cup holder slot, which is located on the side of the car seat. That means, the car seat has one cup holder, but is large enough to hold a variety of drink containers, including sippy cups, water bottles, and juice boxes.

Made of a hard plastic material that is easy to clean and durable, the cup holder is attached to the side of the car seat and can be easily removed when not in use. The cup holder is positioned at a convenient height for children to reach and is deep enough to securely hold drinks without tipping over.

Overall, the cup holder of Mighty Fit 65 is a convenient feature for parents and children alike. It allows children to easily access their drinks during car rides, which can help prevent spills and messes in the car. The design of the cup holder is practical and functional, with a durable and easy-to-clean material that can withstand regular use.

Color option

At first, when the Cosco Mighty Fit 65 was originally released, multiple colors were available.

Heather Onyx: a dark gray color
Heather Rose: a light pink color
Heather Dusk: a blue-gray color
Heather Navy: a dark blue color
Heather Orchid: a purple-pink color

However, after years, only the most popular one or two color options are left for sale. It seems that Onyx is the favorite color of lots of parents. It’s neutral and suitable for both boys and girls.

If you prefer a bright or colorful car seat designed for girls, check out our post on pink car seats and purple car seats to pick one.

Headrest and Harness - 5 Positions

The Cosco Mighty Fit 65 convertible car seat features 5 headrest positions, which can be adjusted to accommodate a growing child. By adjusting the headrest, parents can ensure that the child’s head is properly supported and that the harness is properly positioned across their shoulder and chest.

Here are the tips: the harness straps should be at or below the kid’s shoulder in rear-facing; while transitioning to forward-facing, the harness straps should be at or above the kid’s shoulder.

Three positions near the pad are more sparse to fit well for infants and toddlers. While the top two positions will be good for kids around 3-4 years old.

The headrest positions also play an important role in the child’s comfort, as they can help to ensure that the child’s head is supported and that they are seated in a comfortable position. Also, parents should still be sure to adjust the headrest and harness to the appropriate position for their child’s size and weight and should monitor their child’s comfort throughout the ride.

Reclines - One

At $89.99, what more features can you expect? It has one recline position, which can be adjusted with folding or unfolding the recline stand under the seat. This provides the child with the appropriate level of comfort and support.

This is one of the drawbacks for all cheap convertible car seats, featuring fewer recline positions. This decreases the difficulty for parents to find a proper fit angle for their kids, but recline positions are very important for newborns for safety more than comfort.

As a parent, you’d always need to follow the manual to install, adjust, and use the car seat, including the recline positions.

Head Support

It seems the Cosco Mighty Fit 65 only comes equipped with head support for extra comfort for the child. The head support is also adjustable and can be positioned along with the headrest at five different heights to accommodate the child’s growing size.

It does not have a body support or pillow, making it less friendly for newborns, even though it can allow a baby as small as 5 pounds. Most parents use it as a backup car seat in the second or third family vehicle or just use it for travel. It has obvious drawbacks compared to the high-end models and is not good for daily uses.

Padding

The car seat does not have ample padding as the high-end models. It is padded with a relatively thin layer of foam to provide cushioning and support for the child. Luckily, the foam padding is soft and comfortable, not only firm enough to provide adequate support for the child’s developing spine and skeletal system, but it can also help to absorb energy in the event of a crash, which can help to reduce the risk of injury.

The fabric cover of the Cosco Mighty Fit 65 convertible car seat is made from a blend of polyester and spandex that is both soft and durable. The fabric is easy to clean and maintain and can be removed for machine washing. This makes it easy to keep the car seat clean and fresh for the child, even after long car rides.

5. Cosco Mighty Fit 65 Safety Rating and Crash Tests

Is it safe to use Cosco Mighty Fit 65 DX?

Sold in the US, the Cosco Mighty Fit 65 is supposed to meet or exceed federal safety standards for car seats. The car seat has been tested and certified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and has passed rigorous crash tests to ensure that it provides optimal protection for children in a collision.

In terms of crash test ratings, the Cosco Mighty Fit 65 has been rated by the NHTSA with 4 out of 5 stars in overall safety. It received 4 stars for the frontal crash test and 5 stars for the side crash test, which are both important indicators of how well the car seat will perform in a real-world collision.

In addition to its crash test ratings, the Cosco Mighty Fit 65 has several safety features that are designed to enhance the overall safety and security of the car seat. These features include:

Side-impact protection: The car seat is designed with deep side wings that provide extra protection in the event of a side-impact collision.

Five-point harness system: The car seat has a five-point harness system that is adjustable to fit children of different sizes and helps to keep them securely fastened in the car seat.

LATCH installation: The car seat can be installed using the LATCH system, which provides a secure and stable installation in the vehicle.

Adjustable headrest: The car seat has an adjustable headrest that can be easily moved to accommodate children of different heights and provide optimal head and neck support.

Overall, the Cosco Mighty Fit 65 convertible car seat is considered to be safe and provides reliable protection for children in the event of a collision.

Side Impact Protection

Let’s explain more about Cosco Mighty Fit 65’s side impact protection.

The SIP system is integrated into the car seat and is designed to absorb and distribute the force of a side impact, reducing the risk of injury to the child.

The SIP system in the Cosco Mighty Fit 65 car seat consists of several components. The car seat has deep side wings that are lined with energy-absorbing foam to help protect the child’s head and torso in the event of a side-impact collision. The side wings are also reinforced with steel to provide additional strength and support.

In addition to the side wings, the car seat has a built-in adjustable headrest that provides additional protection for the child’s head and neck. The headrest can be easily adjusted to accommodate children of different heights and ensure a proper fit.

Overall, the side impact protection system in the Cosco Mighty Fit 65 convertible car seat is an important safety feature that helps to enhance the overall safety and security of the car seat. By providing reliable protection in the event of a side-impact collision, parents can have peace of mind knowing that their child is safe and secure while traveling in the car.

6. Performance

Weight and Height Limits

The Cosco Mighty Fit 65 DLX can be used to accommodate children in two different stages: rear-facing and forward-facing. Here are the height and weight limits for each stage:

Rear-Facing Stage:

Weight Limit: 5 to 40 pounds
Height Limit: 19 to 40 inches

Forward-Facing Stage:

Weight Limit: 22 to 65 pounds
Height Limit: 29 to 49 inches

It’s important to note that children should remain in the rear-facing position for as long as possible until they reach the maximum weight or height limit allowed by the car seat.

This is because the rear-facing position provides the best protection for the child’s head, neck, and spine in the event of a collision. The 40 lbs/ 40″ size limit is good to extend the rear-facing for kids around 2 years old. If you still want longer rear-facing riding, choose one from our best rear-facing car seats 50 lbs weight limit for a try.

Once a child outgrows the rear-facing stage, they can be transitioned to the forward-facing stage, using the same car seat. The forward-facing stage allows for a higher weight and height limit. For Cosco Mighty Fit 65, the forward-facing weight and height limits are quite common, averagely as other convertible car seats.

As far as I know in our 50+ car seats database, Evenflo Sonus 65 is the only convertible car seat that has a higher 50 inches forward-facing harness height limit. If you still want a higher harness height limit, the Chicco Fit4 and MyFit would be two good options. Both have a 54-inch height limit when being used in the 5-point harness mode.

See also

Stage / Modes -1st and 2nd

As a 2-in-1 convertible car seat, the Cosco Mighty Fit 65 allows for two different car seat stages: a rear-facing harness and a forward-facing harness. Here’s how to make use of each stage:

Rear-Facing Harness Stage:

In this stage, the Mighty Fit 65 is used for infants and small toddlers who weigh between 5 and 40 pounds and are up to 40 inches tall. The car seat is installed facing the rear of the vehicle, which is considered the safest position to provide the best protection for a child’s head, neck, and spine in a collision. Rear-facing car seats are recommended for children under the age of 2 or until the child reaches the maximum weight or height limit allowed by the car seat.

Forward-Facing Harness Stage:

Once a child outgrows the rear-facing stage, they can be transitioned to the forward-facing stage, using the same car seat. The forward-facing stage is designed for children weighing between 22 and 65 pounds until they’re 49 inches tall.

To switch between the rear-facing and forward-facing stages, the car seat should be reinstalled in the appropriate direction according to the car seat manual. Parents should also ensure that the car seat is installed correctly, using either the LATCH system or the vehicle’s seat belt, to ensure maximum safety for their child.

See also

Age Limit

The age limit is not always the leading factor to decide when to put a kid in rear-facing and when to turn the car seat to front-facing. It may vary based on the child’s growth and development, as well as the weight and height limits of the car seat. Here are the general age recommendations for each stage:

Rear-Facing 40 lbs/ 40″

Kids under 2 years of age probably use this car seat rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight or height limit allowed by the car seat. If you want to extend a longer time, only the rear-facing car seats with a 50 lb weight limit can help. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children remain in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer.

Forward-Facing-65 lbs/49″

According to the Cosco Mighty Fit 65 manual, this car seat can be used for toddlers who are at least 2 years of age. That is following the car seat laws in a few US states, which require a child to stay rear-facing until 2 years old, for example, New York, Virginia, Washington, and more.

While age can be a helpful and direct indicator for when to transition between car seat stages, weight and height are the primary factors that should be considered.

See also

Airplane

Is Cosco Mighty Fit 65 DX FAA approved for use on a plane?

Yes, the Cosco Mighty Fit 65 car seat is FAA approved for airplane use. This means that it is certified to be used on an airplane, and it can be used during takeoff, landing, or when the seat belt sign is illuminated.

Also, it’s lightweight and relatively compact, making it easy for parents to carry it navigate through the airports, and take it for air travel. The relatively slim fit design could fit well in a seat on the plane. But it’s also important to check with the airline beforehand to ensure that the car seat meets their specific requirements.

Many airlines have size restrictions for carry-on items, and some may require that car seats be checked as baggage instead. Additionally, parents should consider the weight and portability of the car seat when traveling, as it can be difficult to carry a heavy car seat through the airport.

Further Information

Tips to use car seats on airplanes

Lifespan

How long is Cosco Mighty Fit 65 DX car seat good for

Like all car seats, the Cosco Mighty Fit 65 convertible car seat has an expiration date – it’s 10 years from the manufacture date. The expiration date is typically determined by the date of manufacture and can be found on a sticker on the side of the car seat.

The exact length of time that the car seat is good for can vary, but it is generally recommended that car seats be replaced after 6-10 years, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations. This is because the materials used in car seats can degrade over time, making them less effective in protecting children in the event of a crash.

It’s important to check the car seat’s expiration date before purchasing or using it and to replace the car seat before it expires. Using an expired car seat can compromise the safety of the child and may not be compliant with local safety regulations. Parents should also refer to the car seat manual for specific recommendations on when to replace the car seat, as well as other important safety guidelines for using the car seat.

Warranty

Cosco typically provides a one-year limited warranty for their car seats – including the Mighty Fit 65, which covers any defects in materials or workmanship.

This warranty period begins on the date of purchase and covers the original purchaser of the car seat. The warranty requires that the car seat is used by the manufacturer’s instructions and is not altered or modified in any way.

7. Cosco Mighty Fit 65 DX Installation

Before starting to install the car seat, you may where to put it. The center of the back seat is probably the safest position to install a car seat.

If possible, install the car seat on that spot. If that seat is not applicable for a proper installation, for example lacking a shoulder belt, either seat on the side would be safe. You may choose any of them based on your family’s and kid’s needs.

Here are the installation steps from the Cosco Mighty Fit 65 DX manual.

Install Cosco Mighty Fit 65 DX Rear-facing

Lap-Shoulder Belt Installation (Best)

Pull Down Recline Stand to Unlock and Fold It Under Child Restraint. Loosely attach the tether hook to storage location before folding recline stand. Fold recline stand and then gently tighten tether strap to remove slack.
Place Car Seat Rear-Facing in Back Seat
Check Rear-Facing Level Lines. For children between 5-22 lb (2.3-10 kg), the bottom level line on shell must be parallel with the ground. For children 22-40 lb (10-18 kg) who can sit up unassisted, rotate the child restraint between the 2 level lines. Start by making the bottom level line parallel with the ground, then rotate seat up. Do not rotate past the top level line.
Check if Your Vehicle Belts Will Work With This Child Restraint. This is very important because not all vehicle belts will work with child restraints. Check your vehicle owner’s manual to determine what kind of vehicle belt you have and how to lock a child restraint in place to make sure the seat belt works with Cosco Mighty Fit 65 DX.
Locate Rear-Facing Belt Path
Route the Vehicle Belt. Thread the vehicle belt into the RearFacing Belt Path opening. Pull it across the seat, under the seat pad, in front of the buckle, and out through the other belt path opening. Do not twist belt.
Buckle the Vehicle Belt.
Tighten Belt. Place hand in child restraint. Firmly push child restraint down and back towards the vehicle seat back while pulling the shoulder belt or the free end of lap belt parallel with the belt path through the belt path opening as shown in the manual.
Check Belt Tightness. Hold child restraint at the belt path with your weaker hand. Push and pull from side to side. It should not move more than 1 in. (2.5 cm). If it moves more than 1 in. (2.5 cm), you can try: A. Pulling the belt tighter. B. Reinstalling the child restraint. C. Changing to a different seating location. D. Switching to lower anchor belt installation if lower anchors are available in your vehicle.
Secure Child in Car Seat. To properly secure your child in the car seat, follow the manual in the related section. Check your child’s fi t often and make any needed adjustments to the car seat as they grow.
Recheck Rear-Facing Level Lines. Redo the installation if the child restraint is not reclined according to your child’s weight. NOTE: You may need to place a tightly rolled towel(s) or foam pool noodle(s) under the front of the child restraint to help achieve the correct recline. Check often to be sure padding is still in place and the belt is tight.

Finished! Check the tightness of the install often to make sure it has not loosened.

Cosco Mighty Fit 65 DX Forward-facing installation

Install Cosco Mighty Fit 65 DX with Vehicle Belt + Tether

Pull Recline Stand Out From Under Seat and Push Up to Lock in Place.
Place Car Seat Forward-Facing in Back Seat. Make car seat flush against vehicle seat. Vehicle seat back must be upright. NOTE: If your vehicle seat has a headrest that interferes with achieving a flush car seat fit, check your vehicle owner’s manual to see if it can be removed, adjusted, or if there are other possible seating locations.
Loosely Attach Tether Hook to Vehicle’s Tether Anchor. Check vehicle owner’s manual for specific location. NOTE: If your vehicle seat has a headrest that interferes with achieving a flush car seat fit, check your vehicle owner’s manual to see if it can be removed, adjusted, or if there are other possible seating locations.
Check if Your Vehicle Belts Will Work With This Child Restraint. This is very important because not all vehicle belts will work with child restraints. Check your vehicle owner’s manual to determine what kind of vehicle belt you have and how to lock a child restraint in place to make sure the seat belt works with Cosco Mighty Fit 65 DX.
Route the Vehicle Belt. Thread the vehicle belt through Forward-Facing Belt Path opening. Pull it across the seat. Then thread it through the other belt path opening. Do not twist belt.
Buckle the Vehicle Belt.
Tighten Belt. Place hand in child restraint. Firmly push child restraint down while pulling the shoulder belt or free end of the lap belt parallel with the belt path through the belt path opening as shown.
Tighten Tether. Push firmly on the back of the seat and pull the tether strap to remove all slack and create tension on the strap.
Check Belt Tightness. Hold child restraint at the belt path with your weaker hand. Push and pull from side to side. It should not move more than 1 in. (2.5 cm).

Cosco Might Fit 65 Car Seat Manual

You should always read the user manual before starting to install and use it for riding your child.

The Cosco Mighty Fit 65 DX manual is stored in a small storage slot near the base on the back of the car seat, but you can always find the online user manual on its official website, or download the PDF here.

8. Specification and Comparison

Brand
Brand	Cosco
Type
Suitable for	Newborns, toddlers
Positions	Rear-facing and forward-facing
Design
Portability (1-10)	7.5. Lightieweight and relatively slim
Weight (pounds)	11
Weight limits (lb.)	5-40 for rear-facing, 22-65 for forward-facing
Height limit (inch)	40” for RF; 49″ for FF
Dimension	17″ x 22″ x 23.5-26.5″ WDH
Cup holder	One
Performance
Age Range	Birth-4~5 years old
Stage	1st, 2nd
Installation	LATCH and seat belt
Headrest Positions	5
Recline positions	1
Airplane	Yes
Lifespan	10 Years
Extra Features	–

Cosco Mighty Fit 65 DX vs Safety 1st Guide

Car Seats Comparison	Cosco Mighty Fit 65 DX	Safety 1st Guide
Price	$89.99	$99.99
Weight limits (lb)	RF:5-40 / FF: 22-65	RF:5-40 / FF: 22-65
Height limits (in)	RF:40" / FF: 49"	RF:40" / FF: 49"
Installation	LATCH/ Seat belt + Tether	LATCH/ Seat belt + Tether
Side impact protection	3 layers	3 layers
Headrest positions	5	5
Recine position	1	1
Width	17 inches	18.5 inches
Car Seat Weight	11 lb.	11.5 lb.
Machine-washable fabric	✓	✓
Cup Holder	One	One

*About the height limit for rear-facing: The top of the head must be 1” (2.5 cm) below the headrest adjustment lever.

9. Alternatives

What other convertible car seats should you consider?

Graco Extend2Fit

Why is it better than the Cosco Mighty Fit 65 DX?

Higher rear-facing weight limit (50 lbs vs 40 lbs)
Higher rear-facing height limit (49" vs 40")
More headrest positions (10 vs 5)
More recline positions (6 vs 2)
Advance safety features
Rigid LATCH connectors for easy installation
More padding for comfort
One more cup holder (2 vs 1)

Cosco Mighty Fit 65 DX Review – Budget Lightweight Convertible Car Seat for Travel