Graco Turn2Me Review -Affordable Swivel 3-in-1 Car Seat

Graco Turn2Me 3-in-1 Car Seat

Graco Turn2Me

Overall Rating
4.7/5
Face Rear & Front

Introducing the Graco Turn2Me – but not as you know. Though it may look the same, and do everything you love about the traditional 3 in 1 car seats, the newly released (in 2019) Turn to Me ups the ante in a sensational way. With an innovative 180-degree rotating feature – not to mention great size limits and long-lasting – the Turn 2 Me car seat is a brutally efficient addition to the congested ultra-performance car seat market. Along with the Evenflo Revolve 360, it’s one of our favorite car seats – will it be yours, too? Let’s find out.

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

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Graco Turn2Me Review - Affordable Rotating 3 in 1 Car Seat

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 Graco Turn2Me Review: Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

2. Who Is It Best For?

Will the Graco Turn2Me Be a Good Fit For Your Child and Family?

Sporting a stunning size limit, a rotatable design, and a few great safety features as well as comfort functions, Graco Turn2Me is a great option to grow with your child from infancy to toddler and as big as 8 years of age or older until the day when your kid stops using a car seat.

From a child’s perspective, the Graco Turn2Me is designed for comfort, with a removable infant head and body support, as well as multiple recline positions, adjustable headrests, harness heights, and most important – thick padding for extra comfort.

From a parent’s perspective, the 90-degree rotating feature of the Graco Turn2Me is a big selling point, as it makes it easy for parents to access their child in the back seat of the car without having to awkwardly reach around the car seat.

Additionally, the car seat’s SnugLock installation technology, uniquely rigid InRight LATCH connectors, and side-impact protection provide peace of mind for parents who want to ensure their child’s safety while on the go.

However, it’s one of the pricey car seats with an MSRP of over $400.  That’s not budget-friendly for families who have a limited budget for travel gear. The cheaper Evenflo Gold Revolve 360 would be a good choice if you do really want to try this trendy rotating car seat type.

3. Value for Money

Graco Turn2Me Review: Is the price tag worth it?

The Graco Turn2Me has high capacity, lots of safety and comfort features, and is extremely well-kitted out with a 90-degree rotating design. Is it expensive? Yes. Is it worth the price tag? Also yes. If you’re looking for a Graco swivel car seat that features a top 100 lbs weight limit and 57 inches height limit that lasts good years and is well-padded to deliver max comfort for kids, then the Turn to Me may be the car seat for you and your little one.

Compared to similar rotating car seats, the Graco Turn2Me is competitively priced. Take the Baby Jogger City Turn and Cybex Sirona S for instance. These models retail for around $550, yet the Turn2Me is priced significantly less. As a result, the Graco Turn to Me makes it into our list of favorite rotating car seats. (It’s also popular on Amazon receiving hundreds of reviews at the time this post is finished.) 

No matter if you want to use it for newborns in rear-facing or big kids in forward-facing (including booster), the Graco Turn2Me is primed for anything you can throw its way. With bucket-loads of versatility and a feature stack that puts other expensive car seats to shame, the Turn2Me is worth the layout, especially when you’re a Graco rotating car seat fan.

4. Graco Turn 2 Me Reviews: Design

90 Degrees Rotation

The Graco Turn2Me 3-in-1 rotating car seat is the only one that swivels 90 degrees on the market till this review is done. This would be a drawback if you want a 360 car seat that will be good to rotate for 360 degrees. Why do we say that?

First, the 90-degree rotation means that you can spin the car seat toward to door at maximum, making it for parents to get the kid in and out.

Second, the rotating feature is available only for rear-facing mode. You can’t rotate it after turning it forward facing. While the Turn to Me features a 40-lb rear-facing weight limit, it means the rotational feature would be not usable soon.

Till now, there is no Graco 360 car seat. Even the company purchased the Baby Jogger brand and the other City Turn is also a rotating car seat. But it supports 180-degree rotation, not 360 degrees.

Maybe there will be a Graco 360 car seat in the future. After all, Graco is always on the tide to copycat the most popular car seat in different needs.

Dimensions and Width

The Graco Turn2Me 3-in-1 Car Seat measures approximately 20.75 inches in depth (from front to back), 19.1 inches in width (from left to right), and 24.4 inches in height (from bottom to top, not adjusted. )

It’s easy to note that the Turn2Me is not competitive in the slim fit design. The manufacturer didn’t take the need to fit three across into consideration. While the Turn2Me is not the narrowest car seat on the market, it is designed to fit in most standard-sized vehicles. 

That being said, it may not be the best option for particularly small cars or vehicles with limited backseat space. That’s the common question for all swivel car seats.

If you prefer a rotating car seat that spins 360 degrees and is narrow enough to fit three across, the Evenflo Revolve 360 Slim is the best option. It’s just 16.75″ wide, as slim as the Graco’s slimmest car seat – Graco SlimFit3 LX.

It’s also worth noting that the Graco Turn2Me 3 in 1 Car Seat can be rotated, which can make it easier to get your child in and out of the car in tight spaces. However, the rotating feature does add some extra width to the car seat, so it’s important to take this into consideration when determining if the car seat will fit in your vehicle.

Portability

The Graco Turn2Me 3 in 1 Car Seat weighs around 30 pounds, which is a bit heavier than most convertible car seats on the market. While it’s not the lightest car seat on the market, it’s not overly heavy either, so most parents should be able to carry it without much difficulty.

In terms of portability, the Graco Turn2Me 3 in 1 Car Seat is not as portable as some other car seats on the market. It’s not designed to be taken on flights or used as a travel car seat. However, it is relatively easy to install and uninstall in a car, so if you need to move it from one vehicle to another, it shouldn’t take too much time or effort.

The rotating feature of the car seat can also add some convenience in terms of portability, as it allows you to rotate the car seat to face the car door and make it easier to get your child in and out of the car. However, this feature also adds some extra width to the car seat, which can make it more difficult to fit in smaller vehicles.

If portability is your top priority, for example, you want a car seat for air travel, lightweight convertible car seats are good choices. There are also some foldable car seats that are easy to carry and store.

Two Cup Holders

Car seats with cup holders are always our top choice. Luckily, the Graco Turn2Me 3 in 1 Car Seat comes equipped with two attachable cup holders. The cup holders are conveniently located on either side of the car seat and are designed to hold cups, water bottles, or snacks.

The cup holders are removable, which makes it easier to clean them if they get dirty. To remove the cup holders, you simply need to press down on the tab located at the bottom of the cup holder and slide it out. To reattach the cup holder, you just need to line it up with the slot in the car seat and slide it back in.

One IMPORTANT thing about the cup holders is that they need parents’ assembly to mount them on

The only drawback of cup holders on Graco Turn2Me is that they are a bit far from easy reach. They’re at the front edge of the armrest.

Headrest and Harness - 10 Positions

The Turn2Me sports a 10-position adjustable headrest that allows for a custom fit as your child grows, providing optimal comfort and safety.

Thanks to the No-Rethread Simply Safe Adjust™ Harness System (one of our favorite features), parents can move the harness straps to a desired position along with the headrest adjustment foolproof. This increases the accuracy for a parent to secure the little one in the Graco Turn2Me. 

For example, in rear-facing, the harness straps should be placed at or below the kid’s shoulder while its position is the opposite in forward-facing – the harness straps are at or above the kid’s shoulders.

Reclines - 4 Positions

Like the headrest and harness positions are indispensable for your kid’s safety and comfort, the recline position is another factor that will add points to Graco Turn2Me’s performance in comfort.

It has four recline positions, not as many as the 10-position recline of Nuna Revv, but still good enough to work with the 180 degrees rotation for a perfect fit for growing children.

Generally, you can adjust the recline to an expected position to get the best fit. Never install the car seat too reclined or too upright. In the Graco Turn2Me manual, the manufacturer gives us two tips about the recline positions:

  • For children under 25 lb (11.3 kg), you MUST use recline positions 2 or 3. Kids at this weight should be placed rear-facing.
  • Make sure the seat is in the 1st recline position when switching it to booster mode.

Head and Body Support

The included head and body support make Graco Turn2Me a good car seat for newborns and younger infants. These accessories provide additional support and padding to deliver optimal comfort and safety. 

The body support helps raise the newborns up to reach the lowest harness setting since the Turn2Me is designed to accommodate a 4-pound baby. 

Both head support and body support are designed for use rear-facing only and can be removed as the infants grow bigger.

Padding

The Graco Turn2Me 3 in 1 car seat has well-padded seat cushions, which provide a comfortable ride for your child. The seat cushions are thick enough to provide adequate support, without being so bulky that they are uncomfortable.

The headrest is also padded, which helps to protect your child in the event of an impact, as well as providing a comfortable headrest for your child to rest on during long car journeys.

The padding on the Turn2Me is made of high-quality materials that are designed to withstand regular use and offer long-lasting comfort. The materials are soft to the touch, and the stitching is well-crafted, ensuring that the padding stays in place and doesn’t bunch up or become lumpy.

The materials used in the padding are machine washable and you can always remove the seat cover for cleaning in a washing machine. It’s a pity that Graco Turn2Me does not feature the “Rapid Remove Cover” used in Graco 4Ever DLX 4 in 1 and SlimFit3 LX.

6. Graco Turn2Me Safety Rating and Crash

Safety is always the top priority to choose a car seat. Is the Graco Turn2Me 3 in 1 car seat safe to use? 

Absolutely. 

The Graco Turn2Me 3 in 1 car seat is safe for use, as it meets or exceeds federal safety standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The car seat is equipped with a 5-point harness and side-impact protection, which provide added security for children in the event of an accident.

Additionally, the car seat has performed well in crash tests, with good scores for side-impact protection, head and neck protection, and overall safety.

Let’s see what kinds of crash tests Turn2Me has undergone.

First, it’s tested using approximately twice the impact force required by the US FMVSS 213 car seat safety standard. That’s the very basic crash tests that all car seats sold in the US should pass.

Second, it’s side-impact tested for occupant retention with the built-in 5-point harness system. Another mandatory test for car seats with a 5-point harness. One more tip: Some manufacturers may have a clear number of layers of side impact protection (SIP), like Britax and Diono. But Graco does not make this data clear and public. Typically, most car seats have two layers of SIP.

Third, it’s rear-impact tested based on the European Rear-Impact Crash Pulse. Not all car seats do this crash test.

Moreover, the Turn2Me is tested to meet Graco’s RollSafe™ testing standard based on the European rollover testing procedure and tested for structural integrity in extreme hot and cold temperatures. 

With all necessary and additional crash tests, the Graco Turn2Me proves itself to be a safe car seat for use, even though the safety rating is not given by the manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It’s worth giving a thump up for its overall safety features. 

However, as with any car seat, proper installation is crucial for ensuring its safety and performance in the event of an accident. Parents should carefully read the manual and follow all guidelines for installation, as well as regularly check the car seat’s tightness and adjust the harness as needed.

Side Impact Protection

The Graco Turn2Me 3 in 1 Car Seat is designed to provide excellent side impact protection to keep your child safe in the event of a side-impact collision. Let’s move on to check what kind of features it has to ensure your child is well protected: 

EPS Foam: The car seat is lined with EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) foam, which is designed to absorb energy in the event of an impact. This helps to reduce the forces that are transferred to your child during a crash, which can help to minimize the risk of injury.

Adjustable Headrest with Side-Impact Protection: The car seat features an adjustable headrest that can be raised or lowered to accommodate your child’s height. The side-impact protection is built-in on the headrest that is adjustable to grow with your kid and provide protection for your kid’s head and neck all the time. 

Steel-Reinforced Frame: The car seat has a steel-reinforced metal frame, which provides additional strength and durability. A sturdy and heavy-duty body helps ensure that the car seat remains steady and protective in place during a crash.

6. Graco Turn2Me Review: Performance

Weight and Height Limits

As an all-in-one car seat, the Graco Turn2Me goes through three stages and the weight and height limits vary depending on which stage of the car seat you are using. Let’s explore more details on each stage:

Rear-Facing harness

The first stage has the lowest weight limit: 4-40 pounds. It’s 5-pound more than the infant car seats, while the 49-inch height limit is higher. So for Turn2Me, your kid probably outgrows the 40-lb rear-facing weight limit before reaching the 49-inch height limit.

The 40-lb is good for extending the rear-facing rides. But if you want a longer rear-facing ride, the car seats with a 50-lb rear-facing weight limit are a good choice. Among the rotating car seats, the Baby Jogger City Turn and Cybex Sirona S are the best. Update: Evenflo launched two upgraded versions of Revolve 360 with a 50-lb rear-facing weight limit – Revolve360 Extend with SensorSafe and Revolve360 Extend with Quick Clean Cover.

Forward-Facing harness

Once your child outgrows the rear-facing stage, you can switch the car seat to forward-facing. The weight limit is 22-65 pounds, and the height limit is up to 49 inches. The 65 lbs/ 49” is the most common size for 99.99 percent of harnessed car seats in the second forward-facing stage.

Kids generally grow out of the height limit at this stage. So if you want to extend the harness use, you may need a car seat with a higher harness height, for example, the Chicco Fit4 and Chicco MyFit. They are the only two car seats with a 54-inch harness height limit. Another toddler car seat named Orbit G5 features a 53-inch harness height limit.

High-Back Booster

Once your child outgrows the forward-facing stage, you can switch the car seat to the high-back booster mode. In this stage, the weight limit for Graco Turn2Me is 40-100 pounds, and the height limit is up to 57 inches.

The combination of a 100-pound weight limit and a 57-inch height limit is good enough to allow your kid to ride safely and legally. Car seat laws in most US states require a child below 57 inches tall uses a booster seat. So the Graco Turn2Me 3 in 1 car seat can be used until the last day your little one needs it.

To make full use of the size limits of the Graco Turn2Me 3 in 1 Car Seat, you should regularly measure your child’s height and weight, and check the car seat’s specifications to ensure that your child is still within the recommended range for their current stage. Additionally, you can adjust the headrest and harness straps as your child grows to ensure a comfortable and secure fit.

Stage / Modes

It’s obvious that the Graco Turn2Me can be used in three different stages: rear-facing harness, forward-facing harness, and high-back booster mode. This makes it a versatile car seat that can be used from infancy to when the child no longer requires a car seat or booster.

The height and weight limits for each stage are mentioned above

It’s important to follow the height and weight limits for each stage to ensure that the car seat provides optimal safety for the child. The seat has a Simply Safe Adjust Harness System, which allows for easy adjustment of the harness and headrest to accommodate the child’s growth and ensure a proper fit.

The Trun2Me is a 3 in 1 car seat, meaning it has three modes for three stages, not supporting a no-back booster like the real 4 in 1 car seat.

One important thing that needs your attention is that the rotation feature is not available in the forward-facing position, including the forward-facing harness and booster modes.

Age Range

The Graco Turn2Me 3-in-1 car seat is designed to accommodate children from infancy to childhood, with weight and height limits that allow for use over a wide age range.

The 4-40 pounds weight limits in the rear-facing harness make it a good car seat option for 1 year and 2 year olds with extended rear-facing.  The 65-lb and 49-inch size limit in forward-facing harnesses allows preschoolers between 3 and 5 years old to fit well in Turn2Me. While big kids at 7 years or older can still ride safely and comfortably in this car seat before they reach the 100 lb/ 57” top size limit.

The most accurate way to determine if the Graco Turn2Me car seat is appropriate for your child is to follow the weight and height limits specified by the manufacturer. And It’s also important to note that different children may grow at different rates, and it’s important to monitor the fit of the car seat regularly to ensure that your child is always properly restrained and protected.

Airplane

Is a Graco Turn2Me 3-in-1 car seat allowed on a plane?

We thought the rotating car seats are not approved for airplane use. That’s not true for Graco Turn2Me.

In the car seat manual, the manufacturer says that the Turn2Me can be used on a plane and provides instructions to help parents install the car seat correctly for use on a plane.

However, this has one condition: it can be used only when in the forward-facing mode (22-65 lbs) with the internal harness system but without the lock-off.

However, its 19.1-inch width may not fit well in an airplane seat and the 30-lb weight is heavy for parents to carry and navigate through the airports.

If you’re planning to travel by plane with a young child, you may want to consider using a more portable and lightweight car seat specifically designed for travel.

As the Turn2Me car seat is not good for taking infants below 22 pounds for travel, if you need, use the Doona Infant Car Seat Stroller. It’s the only car seat with wheels that is good for families always on the go.

Lifespan

How long is Graco Turn2Me good for

According to Graco, Turn2Me has a lifespan of 10 years from the date of manufacture. That’s average for most convertible and all-in-one car seats.

Why car seats get expired?

This is because, over time, the materials used in the car seat may degrade or become less effective at providing protection in the event of a crash. It’s important to check the expiration date on the car seat and replace it if it’s past its recommended lifespan.

In addition, it’s worth noting that the lifespan of a car seat can be affected by factors such as how frequently it’s used, how it’s stored, and how it’s maintained. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and maintenance to ensure that the car seat remains in good condition and functions properly over its lifespan.

Check our post on when Graco car seats expire.

If you want to know where and how to find the expiration rate for other car seat brands, see also the car seat expiration date post.

Warranty

Like all other Graco car seats, the Turn2Me comes with a limited warranty. The length of the warranty can vary depending on the country and retailer you purchase it from.

Typically, the warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship for a specific period of time from the date of purchase.

For instance, in the US, Graco provides a one-year limited warranty from the date of purchase that covers any defects in materials and workmanship. In the UK, the warranty period for this car seat is two years from the date of purchase.

One thing that needs your attention is that the warranty only covers defects that are not caused by misuse, accidents, or alterations to the car seat. 

Also, it’s always a good step to register the car seat once you get it and plan to keep it.

7. Graco Turn2Me 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.

Install Graco Turn2Me Rear-Facing

Install Using LATCH Connectors

Install Graco Turn2Me Forward-Facing

Forward-facing Installation with LATCH

Forward-Facing Installation Using Vehicle Seat Belt

Install Graco Turn2Me in Booster Mode

Manual

The user manual is the most important thing you need to make sure it’s included in the package. You should always read the user manual before starting to install and use it for riding your child. 

The Graco Turn2Me manual is stored in a small storage slot at the bottom under the seat pad, but you can always find the online user manual on its official website, or download the PDF here.

8. Graco Turn2Me Review: Specifications

Brand 
BrandGraco
Type 
Suitable forNewborns, toddlers, and preschoolers
PositionsRear-facing and forward-facing
Design 
Portability (1-10)7. Bulky and heavy duty
Weight (lb.)39
Weight limit (lb.)4-40 (RF); 22-65 (FF); 40-100 (Booster)
Height limit (inch)49” (RF &FF); 57″ (Booster)
Dimension20.75″ x 19.13″ x 24.4″ DWH
Cup holderTwo
Performance 
Age RangeBirth-8 years or older
Stage1st, 2nd, 3rd
Longevity0-10 years old
InstallationLATCH and seat belt
Headrest Positions10
Recline Positions4
AirplaneYes
Lifespan10 Years
Extra Features90-degree rotation for easy access to the kid

Graco Turn2Me vs Evenflo Revolve 360

Evenflo Gold Revolve360 is probably the best alternative for Graco Turn2Me. It’s $50 cheaper and has a higher booster weight limit. Check the key specs comparison between these two rotatable 3 in 1 car seats.

Car Seats Comparison Graco Turn2Me Evenflo Gold Revolve360
Price $449.99 $399.99
Rotation 90 Degrees 360 Degrees
Weight limit (lb) RF:4-40 / FF: 22-65 / Booster:40-100 RF:4-40 / FF: 22-65 / Booster:40-120
Height limit (in) RF:49"* / FF: 49" / Booster:57" RF:40" / FF: 49" / Booster:57"
Headrest Adjustable Positions 10 10
Reclines 4 6
Steel Reinforced
Cup Holder Two Two
Stages Three Three
Type All-in-one All-in-one
Belt Lock-Off -

*About the 49″ 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 swivel car seats should you consider?

Evenflo Gold Revolve360

Evenflo Gold Revolve 360

Why is it better than the Graco Turn2Me?
Why is it worse than the Graco Turn2Me?
Evenflo Revolve 360 Extend Rotating All-in-one Car Seat

Evenflo Revolve 360 Extend with QCC

Why is it better than the Graco Turn2Me?
Why is it worse than the Graco Turn2Me?
Safety 1st Turn and Go 360 DLX Rotating Car Seat

Safety 1st Turn and Go 360 DLX

Why is it better than the Graco Turn2Me?
Why is it worse than the Graco Turn2Me?
Maxi-Cosi Emme 360

Maxi Cosi EMME 360

Why is it better than the Graco Turn2Me?
Why is it worse than the Graco Turn2Me?
Nuna REVV Rotating Convertible Car Seat

Nuna Revv

Why is it better than the Graco Turn2Me?
Why is it worse than the Graco Turn2Me?