Graco also provides instructions for removing and reattaching all the pads, but we found that watching YouTube tutorials was the best way to learn. There are four main pads that come off the car seat, but some of the smaller tabs and elastic loops are tricky to reattach. The hardest part of the cleaning process (for us, anyway) was having to carry the bulky, 22.75-pound car seat in and out of the car and house. You can switch it from rear- to forward-facing easily and even recline it to a lying down position when rear-facing, which is ideal for use with smaller babies.
This makes it one of the best convertible car seats for small cars or for front-seat passengers who are very tall. To help you pick the best convertible car seat, GearLab spends tens of thousands of dollars crash testing car seats at the same certified testing lab the US Government uses for its safety certification graco turbobooster testing. In this update, we bought and crash-tested the top 20 convertible seats available today to find the best. We conduct side-by-side tests of each convertible car seat over several months to determine the best in metrics like crash test performance, installation, ease of use, quality, and more.
And, like the Convertible, it allows for convenient snacking with two built-in cupholders. The seat has low sides, which make it easy to get your child in and out (similar to the Convertible). The Boulevard weighs about 29 pounds—more than many similar seats, but significantly less than our 38-pound also-great pick, the Clek Foonf. This seat comes with a one-year warranty and has a lifespan of 10 years.
We like them as a safety feature, but we feel actual crash testing data is more critical than stated features or claims. Some seats have additional features that manufacturers claim will improve the seat’s safety. Our crash test score analysis did not consider these features or claims.
Because the Graco 4Ever 4-in-1 can be used in so many different modes, parents may find themselves referring to the manual or Graco’s online resources as their child grows. The manual clearly outlines weight limits of the rear-facing position (40 pounds) and forward-facing harness position (65 pounds). As mentioned above, states may also have specific laws about car seat use. Graco recommends checking with the state you live in to make sure you’re following all regulations. Despite being lighter than most other convertible car seats (at just about 20 pounds), this car seat impressed us with how sturdy and durable it felt. The installation is very simple, and we were amazed at how well it clicked into the seat of the car.
When the Extend2Fit is installed for a newborn, we find that most taller passengers could still fit in front of it. The same was true when the seat was installed with the panel fully out and the seat upright for an older child. With the panel stored and the seat installed fully upright, there was more than enough room for our taller test passenger front passenger seat. For crumby messes, we use a handheld vacuum with a crevice tool; baby wipes work well for cleaning spills and debris that accumulates in the cup holders. If you’re looking for one car seat that will last through all your child’s ages and stages, the Graco 4Ever 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat is prepped to grow with them for ten years.
Installation was fairly easy and intuitive, and the entire process took only about 15 minutes the first time around. We did, however, find it difficult to tighten the strap that secures the car seat to the seat of the car. Even after our tester pulled it as tight as possible, the seat still wobbled side to side a bit in their car, and while it otherwise felt secure, this was a bit of a concern. Convertible car seats can be big and hefty, so if you’re working with a smaller car or trying to squeeze three seats into one row, you need the most compact option possible.
When he was a little more than 2 years old, we moved it to the forward-facing position, still using the five-point harness. We like that he stayed in a familiar seat through that transition graco turbobooster and that we didn’t have to keep buying new gear and equipment as he grew. It is possible to buy European car seats, but remember that their safety standards are different.