For the LATCH install, the NextFit Zip has a so-called SuperCinch system, which allows you to tighten the straps with minimal effort. However, once your rear-facing child reaches 35 pounds, you must switch over to a seat belt install, which isn’t as easy. (You have to pull the seat belt very tight and then maintain tension while you slide the seat belt into a piece on the side of the seat.) And we found that it can be difficult to get a child in and out of the graco turbobooster NextFit’s deep, egg-shaped seat. Also, when the seat is in forward-facing mode, the depth of the seat seems to make a kid’s legs point straight out, rather than hang down, which can encourage the kid to (annoyingly) kick the seat in front of them. Knowing your baby is both safe and comfortable is key to finding a reliable car seat. For first-time parents, finding the right model can be a challenge with the multitude of features, options and stages available.
If you are traveling or switch cars often, an on-the-go option is handy and some can also transform into a stroller to make the switch from car to ground seamless. Many parents prefer an infant-only rear-facing car seat for the first few months of their child’s life. An infant car seat can be taken out of the car with the baby still in it, while a convertible car seat is designed to remain in the car. Keep in mind that babies should not be left to sleep in a car seat when not traveling, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The first version of this seat debuted in 2006, and Chicco (pronounced “KEY-co”) has made very few changes to the core design since then; this is a model that caregivers and friends recommend and pass along to each other. The KeyFit 30 was previously our top pick in this guide, and Wirecutter staffers who’ve now used the seat for many years, over multiple babies, continue to vouch for its quality. In the past, we have made it known that the 4Ever seats are not SITS favorites due to the bulky backless booster mode. But now, with their 4Ever DLX Grad, Graco has added a 5th mode, with a seat belt trainer that’s very similar to the Graco Right Guide. This version also features SnugLock, which makes the installation in the rear and forward-facing harness modes very simple. Every car seat needs to be installed using either the lower anchors or a seat belt to secure it in place, never both.
But the NHTSA may dock a seat’s rating for, say, the seat’s label not having a complete illustration of a child wearing the restraint; in our opinion that’s less important than whether a layperson can install the seat’s base snugly. So even though the NHTSA ease-of-use ratings are helpful, they don’t always line up with our own field-testing experiences and takeaways. Amid all the lengthy lists of baby “must-haves,” graco turbobooster the one item that’s not up for debate is a car seat. And most hospitals, in compliance with guidelines established by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), do not discharge a newborn until a staff member has visually confirmed the presence of a car seat to transport the baby safely home. Forward-facing installation is also straightforward, with simple recline adjustments and velcro attachment on the padding.
Many cities have designated times or events open to the public that include free car seat inspections. Move the crotch buckle to the outermost position and tuck it into the storage area. Then, lift the entire back off the bottom, harness and all, and move the red tabs back to their original position. Finally, replace the seat pad and secure the two remaining elastic loops onto the tabs at the back of the base.
This strap wraps around the Foonf and hooks to the top tether anchor; its purpose is to help further absorb the forces in a crash, without transferring them to your child. Let your little one tag along everywhere you go, with the perfect car seat to keep them safe and snug in the back seat. At Target, you can pick from great brands like Britax, Chicco & Maxi-Cosi to find just the infant car seat you need. From all-in-one variants to convertible car seats, the collection has it all. Keep your kiddo comfy with the one you think works best, be it a forward-facing or rear-facing booster seat. Picking an infant car seat that’s the right fit for your car seat is an easy task when you have adjustable variants that are super-easy to install.
But the great thing about the Graco 4Ever DLX Grad is that it has a built-in seat belt lock-off! This means you don’t need to worry about using a locking clip when traveling internationally. For over 65 years, the Graco team has thoughtfully designed car seats, strollers, playards, highchairs, and other baby gear, always with parents and babies in mind. Each Graco product undergoes extensive research and testing to ensure parents have the trusted, quality products they need with the comfort and convenience features they want.
The SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX has a noticeably thicker headrest than many models we’ve come across. In addition, the sun canopy provides decent coverage; if necessary, you can detach it in the back, so your baby can be shaded at the front if the sun is shining in. According to Graco, the canopy is designed to be adjusted quietly, so as not to disturb a sleeping baby. In our tests, we moved the canopy around, and nothing struck us as particularly different about it.
You can also unsnap the lower portion of the cover inside the belt path to expose the entire belt path — whichever method helps YOU install the seat correctly is the best one. Once the vehicle seat belt is threaded through the rear facing belt path and the shoulder portion of the belt is accessible, press down on the seat pan with one hand while pulling straight up on the top portion of the vehicle seat belt to remove all slack. Once the slack is removed, engage the seat belt’s locking mechanism to secure the installation and feed the excess slack back into the seat belt’s retractor.