Chicco Nextfit Zip Review with Pros & Cons and Recommendations

 

The sound of the impact was deafening …

My brother just parked the car on the street. The inattentive driver hit the car from the side. That side where the child seat was placed. The front and side airbags deployed instantly. The door was bent into an unnatural angle.

My brother ran and ripped the door open on the other side. His son was playing with the stuffed animals as if nothing has happened.

He started only crying when he saw the panic on his father’s face.

The Chicco Nextfit did its job. My brother has reordered the same model.

Look:

As you know, you have to change your car seat after an accident. Even if there are no external marks, you don’t know if the internal structure suffered. Somewhere all that energy had to be absorbed.

Before we get any further, let me give you a quick preview. With the Chicco Nextfit, you can choose from front-facing and rear-facing positioning. This means that your young one will be safe. It comes with the SuperCinch tightener, which will make the car seat tight and snug. You can choose from 9 levels of adjustments.

Plus, the headrest is expandable, and it’s the fabric. It is easy to remove and clean.

Let’s get this Chicco Nextfit Zip review started. If you stick with me until the end, I will tell you the pros/cons. Some of them are unexpected, to say the least.

 

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Who is the Chicco Nextfit Zip car seat for?

Parents who want to a protective shell around their kids this is the right car seat for you. Some kids don’t like the car because it’s so uncomfortable. And I’ve heard that many have requested this chair after they have sat in it.

It’s so comfortable that they relax until they fall asleep.

 

What can the Chicco Nextfit Zip car seat do for you?

As you have seen the picture, it’s a big one. It looks like a tank. So it will keep your child safe by creating a protective bubble around him.

Besides being safe, it’s comfortable. Let your little one try it out, and I bet they will request it over and over. It’s that comfy.

Besides being cushy, it doesn’t heat up. Just imagine during summer days the car is already hot your child doesn’t need stuck heat radiating from the chair. Chicco did a great design with this chair. I had no complaints from kids even after long road trips.

It’s one of the highest-rated car seats on consumer reports. That means there are many happy parents with the Chicco Nextfit car seat. The frame is made out of reinforced steel. No wonder it kept my nephew safe from harm.

I almost forgot to mention that it’s easy to install. In less than five minutes, you should be up and running. With a bit of practice, you can do it even faster though it’s a good idea to practice before the real deal.

There’s a big problem with these car seats. Eventually, kids will outgrow them. This is not the case with the Chicco Nextfit. It’s easily adjustable for growth.

 

Chicco Nextfit Zip car seat shortcomings

Let’s face it; there are no perfect products. So to keep my objectiveness, I have to mention the flaws of this car seat. Only by sharing this info will you get the full picture.

This car seat is a tank. There’s no other way to describe it. And as you know, tanks are heavy and bulky. But this keeps kids safe. Having my brother seeing his child safe and sound is priceless.

This is one of the heaviest car seats I’ve come across. So prepare that elbow and bicep muscle. You will be using it.

Since it’s this heavy once you’ve installed it, you won’t be moving any time soon. After it has clicked in place, it stays there.

The last issue that I’ve found with this car seat was the cupholder. It was flimsy. Either way, most car seats that come with a cup holder are bad. It’s a rare occasion that you will be able to have a cup that fits there.

The Chicco Nextfit Zip has the least drawbacks from all the car seats which I’ve reviewed. Were any of the deal breakers for you?

 

How To Get The Most Out Of the Chicco Nextfit  Zip car seat?

First of all, you need to get the car seat installed. As you know, rear-facing is the safest position for your little one. Now I know it’s boring and they can’t see much in the back yet it’s a must. So do keep them rear-facing as much as possible.

The next thing you need to know is that not all positions in the car are equal. The safest spot is in the middle if you have other passengers then choose the second safest spot, which is the driver side.

Since the install is quick to make sure that everything is fast and tightened, if you have doubts, ask a certified expert. With the right position and install your child will be as safe as ever.

After all, this is done, it’s time to adjust the headrest and adjust the levels (9 levels to choose from). If you’re done, your child will be riding in comfort.

I almost forgot to mention the zip-off fabric. That’s right; the fabric can be easily removed by pulling the zipper. Cleaning and washing will be a breeze.

 

Conclusion for the Chicco Nextfit Zip Review

Some say that my nephew was lucky, or it was a miracle. Well, I say that thanks to my brother’s foresight, he escaped the accident without a scratch.

The Chicco Nextfit Zip is a good chair to have. It’s a massive tank that will keep your little one safe. Plus, it’s so comfortable that they will request it.

Now by being a tank, you have to accept the fact that’s heavy, and it’s hard to transfer in and out of the car.

We have reached the end of the Chicco Nextfit review. I hope you have learned everything there’s to know about this car seat. Don’t forget safety comes first.

If you have any ideas to share, please write in the comment section below.

Catch you next time.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Is Chicco NextFit ZIP FAA approved?

Yes the Chicco NextFit ZIP Air is FAA approved.

Are Chicco car seats good?

Chicco car seats are excellent. They are not only safe but they are cool looking as well.

How long is a Chicco NextFit good for?

Chicco NextFit Zip Air is good for 8 years after the date of manufacture.

What are the weight limits for the Chicco Nextfit Zip Air convertible car seat?

For the Nextfit Zip Air convertible car seat these are the weight limits. In rear-facing position the weight limit is 40 pounds. In forward facing the weight limit is 65 pounds. With the nextfit zip air the forward facing weight range is 22-65 lbs. The harness height is 29.2 inches. And the widest point is 19 inches wide. The seat weight is 26.7 pounds.  The height limit is 49 inches. The chest clip should go below the armpit level.

How do you install this chicco convertible car seat?

With this convertible car seat you can two options to install. Makes sure you check the user manual first. The nextfit ix can be installed in rear facing and forward facing. Whichever you pick you will be able to use the vehicle seat belt installation and the lower anchor latch system. With the convertible car seat you will get a lot of mileage. They are known for their ease of use both rear facing and forward facing. Typically the latch system is the easiest to use. Either way, this chicco is known for its easy installation. If you go with the seat belt installation you have to you need to feed it through the front to back belt path with is super easy. All you have to do is connect the latch connectors and pull them tight. The latch connectors are all the newer easy to use ones. Make sure that before the installation you check the manual. Plus make sure set the recline position to the default one for much easier install. To get it easy to install follow the steps.  The nextfit has high safety rating with a lot of leg room. You can’t live without the side impact protection these came out from the test results.

What are the key features of a convertible car seat?

There’s the easy installation and the more than enough legroom with the vehicle seat. Besides being easy to install they come with a bunch of safety features. These safety features include side impact protection, energy absorption etc. They come with rear facing and forward facing seat belt installation which shows the true power of ease of use. The harness straps can be adjusted front to back. The belt path is easily accessible. Another great zip feature is the 3d air mesh (3d airmesh). The seat cover is machine washable. There are multiple color options and easy to reach release button. If you can go with extended rear facing. As you know the longer your child is in rear facing mode the safer they are. This is why it’s so great to use the extended rear facing recline positions. The cover is washing machine friendly (machine washable). The crash test results speak for themselves. There’s no rethread harness. The calf support is an added benefit. The storage compartment can be utilized in any facing installation. There’s cup holder (cup holders). In the storage compartment you can hide the shoulder straps when they are not in use. For long car rides you can use the lap belt or the vehicle bet on the anchor connectors. The tether strap when tightened ads extra stability. The next fit comes with multiple harness position options.

Which one should I buy chicco nextfit vs graco extend2fit?

Both car seats are pretty good for the price. If you prefer the ease of  install you should buy the chicco car seat.

What would be a good alternative convertible seat (infant car seat) for the chicco next fit?

The best alternative passenger seat would be the: chicco nextfit zip max, clek foonf, chicco nextfit sport, chicco keyfit infant seat.

How long can you use the chicco nextfit infant insert?

The infant insert can be used up to 11 pounds. This is for strictly rear facing position. The infant insert cushion does a great job with smaller babies.

Which car seat brand is better Maxi Cosi or Chicco?

For most people, Chicco car seats are better. Take a look at the Chicco vs Maxi Cosi car seat comparison to learn more.

Last Updated on November 1, 2023 by Brian Beasley