Car Seat Showdown: Chicco KeyFit Vs KeyFit 30 Comparison
Family feud, let’s see which one fits your needs best.
Congrats, you made it this far. Finding the perfect car seat for your little one is no small task. For most parents, this quest lasts a month or more.
So you have shortlisted the Keyfit and the Keyfit 30. I know how hard it is to tell them apart. This is why I’ve created this Chicco Keyfit vs. Keyfit 30 comparison article. To tell you the truth, there isn’t much difference between them. By reading until the end, you will know which the best is for you.
Look:
Here’s the bird’s eye view of the Chicco Keyfit 30 Infant Car Seat. No wonder it’s the highest-rated car seat on Consumer Reports, it’s as safe as a tank. Plus, babies will love it because it’s comfy.
Here’s the bird’s eye view of the Chicco Keyfit Infant Car Seat. They are very similar to the Keyfit 30 Infant Car Seats. It’s the earlier version of the Keyfit 30. It delivers on all fronts.
Direct Comparison Chicco Keyfit Vs Keyfit 30 Infant Car Seat
| Chicco Keyfit 30 Infant Car Seat | Chicco Keyfit Infant Car Seat | |
| Safety | EPS energy-absorbing foam
5-point harness |
EPS energy-absorbing foam
5-point harness |
| Size Limits | 4 to 30 pounds
30” |
4 to 22 pounds
30” |
| Installation | Super Cinch One-Pull LATCH | Super Cinch One-Pull LATCH |
| Fabric/Material | Machine Washable | Machine Washable |
| Bonuses and Features | ||
| Newborn Padding Included | Yes | Yes |
| Stroller Compatibility | Yes | Yes |
Breaking it down
Getting the right car seat for your little one is like getting your doctorate. The market is full of car seats. They have millions of features. I know how overwhelming this can be. Not to mention that little voice inside your head second-guessing your choice.
This is why this article exists. I’ve simplified as much as I could the comparison. The #1 most important thing I look at its safety. Then I check out the size limits, so I know if it’s a good fit for my little one. After that comes the installation process. Some brands are notoriously difficult to install them right. A heads up is valuable.
The last important factor is material. Accidents happen, and we all know kids are prone to spill something, so you have to know how easy to clean the seat. Finally, I talk about the little things, and sometimes they make the biggest impact.
Safety
As I mentioned above, safety is the #1 concern for most parents. Just in case you were wondering, all car seats are safe on the market. If there would be issues, recalls happening.
If all seats are safe, then why the huge price difference? First of all, there’s branding. Secondly, there’s a difference between barely passing the government standards and going beyond them.
Usually, I review the car seat side by side. Since these two baby carriers form the same brand, it would be repetitive.
This is what you need to know. The Keyfit was the first on the market, and then came the updated version the Keyfit 30. They are the same when it comes to safety. Both of them have been tested for front and rear collisions, plus it offers side impact protection as well.
The shell is fitted with EPS energy-absorbing foam. This means that during a crash, the energy is absorbed by the material and not by your little one’s body. There’s a lot of energy to dissipate. We’re driving vehicles that weigh a few tons.
Both infant carriers use the 5-point harness system. This is the most secure on the market. Slowly but surely, it’s becoming the standard.
Winner
It’s a tie
Size Limits
The second thing I check is the limit. Let’s face it these car seats are not cheap. So for most parents, it’s important to get the most bang for the buck.
Chicco Keyfit 30 Infant Car Seat
You can tell that the Chicco Keyfit 30 is the latest version. It has a larger tolerance. This means that you’re getting your money’s worth.
This infant carrier is meant to be used until 9-12 months. If your baby is smaller than 30 pounds and shorter than 30” you’re good. The main reason why parents choose this car seat over the other is that you can fit a newborn in there.
This car seat will be the perfect one for their first ride. Since 4 pounds is the lowest weight category, you can get your baby home from the hospital.
The carrier weighs 9 pounds, so it’s not too heavy to haul it around.
Chicco Keyfit Infant Car Seat
It shows that this was the first of the series. This baby carrier is limited to 22 pounds. Depending on your child’s growth speed, you might have to get a new car seat after 6 months. The lower limit is set to 4 pounds, so it’s an ideal starter seat.
Here’s a biggie. The ad says that it weighs 9 pounds. I’ve weighed it, and it’s much more. The real number is 17 pounds. Yes, this is without the base. If you get this seat, you have to add the weight of your baby. It’s not an easy one to carry around.
Winner
The point goes to Chicco Keyfit 30.
Installation
Some car seats are notorious for their installation. You need to do a 10-minute warm-up and stretching to get in shape. We’re lucky what the Chicco brand is one of the friendliest ones on the market.
Chicco Keyfit 30 and Chicco Keyfit Infant Car Seats
There’s no way to separate the two infant carriers. I want to save you time and not repeat myself.
The installation is straightforward. First, you level the car seat, and then you connect the latches. After that, you have to pull the strap until it’s tight. It’s simple as that.
The only difference which I’ve noticed between the Keyfit and Keyfit 30 is that the earlier version needs some weight against it. If you have strong arms, then you have to press down hard at the rear portion of the base. If you have strong legs, then you press it down with that. Remember “This is Sparta” the kick from the movie 300? That’s what you need to do, but instead of kicking, you push.
To install the Chicco Keyfit, you will need a few more seconds. So the decision is straightforward.
Winner
It’s a tie.
Fabric/Material
This part is very important for parents. You have to know exactly what you’re getting into when it comes to fabric cleaning. There’s nothing worse than a long road trip, and there’s a puking accident. If the only cleaning option is spot cleaning, you will need a hell of an air freshener.
This is why it’s on my top priority list.
Chicco Keyfit Vs. Chicco Keyfit 30 Infant Car Seats
Again both infant carriers are the same. The fabric is soft and comfortable. Babies love it, so they fall asleep in it. Then you can enjoy some peace. How priceless isn’t it?
The fabric can be easily removed and washed. You can use a washing machine. For the Keyfit, there are some strong recommendations to use only cold water and mild soap. Tell that to the parent who has to clean up a blowout accident.
There are no restrictions for the Chicco Keyfit 30.
Plus, parents told me that the Chicco Keyfit has some toxic chemicals. It’s because of the law. The car seat has to be fireproof, so they add flame retardants. If you smell something funky, do let it sit in the air for a day or two.
Winner
The point goes to Chicco Keyfit 30 Infant Car Seat.
Bonuses and Features
There’s not much to cover in this section because it’s mostly the same.
Usually, I dig deep and try to find some stuff that sets the two car seats apart. They are too similar for me to do that.
So here’s what you have to know. Since these carriers cater to small newborns, there is padding included. This can be removed once they grow. The paddings are included not like with other expensive car seats where you have to buy them.
Also, both infant carriers are compatible with strollers. You click the carrier out of the car and attach it to the stroller, and you’re ready to go. Getting a Chicco stroller will allow you to have the ultimate travel system.
Winner
Again it’s a tie.
Chicco Keyfit 30 Infant Car Seat
Pros:
It’s the highest-rated car seat according to Consumer Reports
It’s easy to transfer from the car
You can install it in 5 minutes, and it is just as easy to adjust
Cons:
It’s not compatible with most shopping carts
The canopy doesn’t cover the baby sufficiently
Final Recount
Chicco Keyfit 30 won two (2/5)
Chicco Keyfit didn’t win any points (0/5)
The other 3 categories were a tie.
Chicco Keyfit vs Keyfit 30 Verdict
It wasn’t easy to make a comparison because they are pretty much the same. But here’s what counts. The Chicco Keyfit 30 will get you the most bang for your buck. You will be able to use it for 12 months or more if you’re lucky. However, the Chicco Keyfit is only good for 6 months or so. Plus, the Chicco Keyfit is a lot heavier than the Kefit 30. If money matters, you know which the best choice is.
Safety-wise they are good. The Chicco Keyfit 30 is the highest rated car seat on Consumer Reports. It provides all the safety that you’ll ever need. The installation is quite similar. In a matter of second, you’ll secure the base, and then the carrier clicks in. You’re done.
Now the biggest issue is with the material. Parents reported that there are some harsh chemicals on them. That’s not good for the baby. They have fixed the mistake with the Chicco Keyfit 30.
Last but not least, I’ve mentioned the smaller features. These were the same for both of them.
We have reached the end of the Chicco Keyfit Chicco Keyfit 30. By now it should be clear which the best choice is. Now it’s your time to take action. The stocks at the moment are low, so get them while they are available.
If you have ideas or feedback, I’m open drop me a line below.
Catch you next time!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
What strollers is Chicco KeyFit 30 work with?
Chicco KeyFit 30 work with Chicco strollers. But if you have an adapter it will work with different brands as well.
When can you remove infant insert from the car seat?
It’s a good idea to remove the infant insert from the car seat when your little one reaches 11 pounds.
What does KeyFit 30 weigh as a toddler seat?
The Keyfit 30 weight is around 9 pounds this is the carrier portion without the base. The carrier weight is 9 pounds. The harness height will be good until 30 inches.
What is the weight limit for the Chicco keyfit 30 magic infant seat?
For the chicco keyfit 30 magic the weight limit is 30 pounds. The weight range is 4 pounds all the way up to 30 pounds. The height limit for the keyfit 30 magic is 30 inches.
Can you make a travel system with this Chicco infant seat?
Yes you can make your own travel system if you mount it on a stroller. It’s compatible with other Chicco strollers or with other brands if you have and adapter. You need to keep in mind state laws. The best compatibility goes with chicco bravo, cortina together double strollers and caddy strollers.
Keyfit 30 magic vs Keyfit 30 liteway plus which is ready for airplane use?
Both chicco car seats are FAA approved without the seat base. Typically the seat base is never approved by the FAA.
How do you install the Chicco keyfit 30 magic car seat?
First make sure that the bubble level indicator is in the right spot. Then add or remove the infant insert according to your need. The infant insert comes with the package. After that you can install the infant carrier with the car seat base or without it. If your installing it without the car seat base then you can only use the seat belt for installation. Make sure you consult with the manual first. After that you can use the latch system or the seat belt to make the mounting tight.
Which one has the best safety features from keyfit 30 magic vs keyfit 30 infant seats?
These infant seats are top of the line. They have a 5 point harness. As you know the 5 point harness is the safest on the market. There’s eps foam to absorb crash forces. Just like any baby products the eps foam is comfortable and safe as well. The keyfit 30 magic has a wide base angle and flexible carrying handle. The mesh panel allows easy airflow. The seat pad and the shoulder pads are comfortable. With multiple harness positions your baby will be comfortable.
Which car seats have the easiest install keyfit 30 magic vs keyfit 30?
Before you start the installation make sure you read the manual and check the bubble level indicators (bubble indicators). With the right bubble level indicators you will have the correct seat angle for your baby. You have to remove the newborn insert at first with the keyfit 30 magic. The latch connectors are the fastest way to install the seat. The latch connectors are hidden in the back. With the latch tightener you can make them tight. Other features to check out are: mesh panel, shoulder pads, seat pad.
Chicco keyfit 30 or nuna pipa which one should I buy?
The Chicco Keyfit 30 is the better choice.
Last Updated on October 27, 2023 by Brian Beasley
