Evenflo Vs Graco: Pros, Cons & Recommendations

 

Welcome to the Graco Vs Evenflo Ultimate Comparison and Showdown!

I’ve spent the last month testing both Evenflo and Graco car seats, checking out reviews, talking with moms, investigating recalls, and evaluating my kids’ frowns, scowls, and other reactions while my husband was enjoying some peace and quiet (honey you owe me a big one…).

Look:

Both Evenflo and Graco are making good car seats, and finding the perfect one for your needs can take weeks of your time. That is why I’ve decided to help you by putting my three kids in them and seeing how they react. You can treat them to ice cream when you’re in the neighborhood.

I’m comparing the best of the best these brands have to offer. I’ve put Graco convertibles against Evenflo, and also tested all-in-one seats and harness boosters.

I’m ranking them based on safety features, comfort, coyness, design, lifetime value, and, of course, price. Rest assured that no matter which one you choose, it will protect your child.

Let’s just see the winning seats already!

 

Here are the Winners from the Graco vs Evenflo Comparison

 

 

 

Evenflo SureRide DLX vs Graco Extend2Fit

Direct Comparison: Graco vs Evenflo Convertible Car Seats

The Winner is the Graco Extend2Fit

Why is the Graco Extend2Fit better than the Evenflo SureRide DLX?

• It wasn’t even a contest. The Graco is far superior to this bucket seat. Evenflo either needs a better photographer or better designer because, from the picture, it already looks uncomfortable.
• Parents who want to use extended rear-facing as long as possible will be able to do so with the Graco up until their kids reach 50 pounds, around 4 years old.
• Typically, kids tend to sleep during the convertible stage, and the Extend2Fit accommodates multiple recline options for comfort, while the SureRide is fixed.
• Finally, you would think that Evenflo at least made the installation easier, but they didn’t. Graco won this comparison hands down because the installation is far better.

Here’s why the Graco Extend2Fit is a must-buy:

• No more swearing for Mommy: Finally, a car seat that won’t force you to swear like a sailor every time you’re installing it! Better yet, there are tons of YouTube videos to help you if you get stuck because this car seat is very popular.
• Incredible safety ratings: This car seat has everything you need to keep you safe, even if you’re driving through a war zone.
• The ultimate comfort and convenience: No more disassembling the car seat to adjust the straps and doing it all over again because it wasn’t good enough on the first try! This car seat is very roomy and offers an amazing footrest.

 

Evenflo Symphony Elite vs Graco 4Ever

Direct Comparison: Graco vs Evenflo All in One Seats

	Evenflo Symphony Elite	Graco 4Ever
Safety	Steel Reinforced Frame SIP – 5-point harness	EPS Energy-Absorbing Foam Steel-Reinforced Frame Protect Plus 5-point harness
Size Limits	Rear Facing Mode: 5-40 Harness Mode: 22-65 Booster: 40-110 57”	Rear Facing Mode: 4-40 Harness Mode: 22-65 Booster Mode: 40-120 63”
Installation	SureLatch	Inright LATCH
Fabric/Material	Machine Washable	Machine Washable
Bonuses and Features
Cup Holder	2 Built In	2 Built In
Recline Position	Up to 45 degrees	6
Headrest Position	Yes	10
Rethread Harness	No	No

 

The Winner is the Graco 4Ever

Why is the Graco 4Ever better than the Evenflo Symphony?

• The main reason why Graco 4Ever is better than the Symphony is that you get more mileage out of it. From 4 up to 120 lbs., this car seat will keep your growing child safe.
• Parents who want to keep their kids as safe as possible in rear-facing mode can do so until they reach 50 pounds, around 4 years old.
• The Graco seems safer because it offers more safety features, like the Protect Plus that will ensure safety even in rollover accidents.
• Also, the Graco seems more comfortable thanks to the adjustable headrest and more titling options.

Here’s why the Graco 4Ever is a must-buy:

• You won’t be tempted to throw it across the yard: Listen, I know installing car seats is a pain. Luckily, with this 4Ever, you can say goodbye to the struggle!
• Comfortable for everyone: Your child will have a roomy and soft car seat while not forcing the passenger to kiss the dashboard during the trip.
• Super affordable: The price is a steal. That is what I love about Graco. They don’t charge an arm and a leg; only what’s fair.

 

Graco Tranzitions vs Evenflo Maestro

Direct Comparison: Graco vs Evenflo Harness Booster Car Seats

	Evenflo Maestro	Graco Tranzitions
Safety	2x Federal Crash Tested SIP 5-point harness	Side Impact Protection 2X Crash Force Tested 5-point harness
Size Limits	Harness: 22-50 Booster: 40-110 – 57”	Harness: 22-65 High Back Booster: 30-100 Backless Booster: 40-100 57”
Installation	Seat Belt and Latch	Latch and Seatbelt
Fabric/Material	Machine Washable	Machine Washable
Bonuses and Features
Cup Holder	2 Built In	2 Built In
Recline Position	No	No
Headrest Position	Yes	8
Rethread Harness	No	No

 

The Winner is the Graco Tranzitions

Why is the Graco Tranzitions better than the Evenflo Maestro?

• The main reason why the Graco Tranzitions won is that it allows the 5-point harness up to 65 lbs., which is safer than the seat belt at a young age.
• Also, it seems like Graco went the extra mile and tested this car seat above and beyond the regular testing limits. It performed well at higher speeds and bigger crashes.
• The installation is far easier with the Graco than with the Evenflo.

Here’s why the Graco Tranzitions is a must-buy:

• It takes good care of the kids: The pictures don’t do justice to this car seat. It’s sturdy and safe. The extended use of the 5-point-harness is a big plus.
• Super comfy, even on long rides: Even though it’s a fixed car seat, it’s comfortable for kids to sleep in it. Best of all, there’s no head flopping whatsoever.
• Steal of a deal: The price is perfect for people on a budget or who have to buy multiple seats for different vehicles. It’s neither fancy nor expensive, and it gets the job done at protecting the kids.

 

Car Seat Buyer’s Guide

Right at the end, I like to include a short buyer’s guide. I will share with you the system that I use when I’m reviewing car seats.

Before we get to that, here are two hot tips.

The first one is that you have to install the car seat in one of the safest places possible. The best option is in the middle of the back row. Now I know that for some, that’s not possible, so here’s the second option which is right behind the driver.

The second hot tip is the perfect installation. The wiggle room should be less than an inch. As you have seen, there are car seats which are easy to install and others are hard. No matter what, you have to get them tight. If they are not installed properly, then they won’t be able to do their job protecting your child.

If you want a second opinion, reach out to a licensed professional.

Here’s my system of checking out car seats. The #1 on my list is safety. The more it can provide, the better for the child. Now I always prefer to be overprotected than under-protected. There are some brands out there that barely pass the government standards, so I rather stick with those that go beyond the bare minimum.

The second item on my list is the size limit. These car seats are expensive, so you have to know how much mileage you’re getting out of them.

Next up is the installation. This is crucial if it’s not done right, then your child isn’t fully protected. As you have seen above, there are easier and harder installs. The more you know upfront, the better you’re prepared.

The last important item on my list is the fabric. We’re talking about kids so they will make a mess and they will spill stuff. So you have to know how easy it is to remove the cover and what kind of washing options you have.

After these, I tend to look at the secondary features. Sometimes I find some cool stuff there.

 

Evenflo vs Graco Convertible Car Seat

First, we will compare convertible car seats. These have two functions you can install them in rear and forward facing mode. As you know, rear facing provides the most protection for your little one. It’s a good idea to keep them in that mode as long as possible. In certain countries, the lower limit is set to age four.

Some models cater to infants, but they are not portable because they are bulky and heavy.

From Camp Evenflo, we have the SureRide DLX, and from the Graco camp, we have the Extend2Fit.

 

Evenflo SureRide DLX Review

Evenflo is known for making affordable car seats. This is the case with the SureRide convertible car seat. When you look at the picture, and the first idea which pops into your mind is bucket seat, you’re right.

This car seat looks and feels cheap. There’s nothing wrong with that. It has all the safety features your little one will need. It has an energy-absorbing foam that will protect your young one in case of a crash. This works by absorbing the energy, and it doesn’t let it travel up into your little one’s body.

It’s very similar to the Graco. Actually, it loses ground in the extended rear facing mode. The upper limit is set to 40 pounds, which is good. Most other car seats tap out at 30 or 35 pounds. But the Evenflo falls short of 50 pounds.

Since it’s a cheaper model, the installation isn’t that easy. You can use the seat belt and the latch system. My personal preference is the seat belt because it’s easier to install. All you have to do is to guide the belt through the right hole, and you’re done.

With the latch system, you have to partially remove the cover to put them in the right slot. Also, the Evenflo SureRide DLX uses the first generation latches. They are a hassle to work with.

When it comes to comfort well, there isn’t much. The car seat is fixed, so you can’t tilt it or adjust the headrest. Also, you will have to manually rethread the harness as your child grows.

 

Graco Extend2Fit Review

The family had their little 11-month-old sound asleep in the back. They were heading home from an eventful day.

Tragedy struck. A drunk driver hit them head-on. The two vehicles collided. The crash was loud. Metal deformed. The two cars got totaled instantly. The airbags did their job and exploded. The windshield cracked, and glass shards were flying everywhere. To make things worse, the drunk driver was speeding.

There was so much force during the impact that the family car did a 180 and finally landed in the ditch.

After things quieted down, the parents wanted to see what happened with their son. It was a miracle he wasn’t hurt. The parents suffered some light bruises and cuts, which were not life-threatening.

The Graco Extend2Fit did an outstanding job protecting the little girl’s life. Thanks to the steel frame, everything was intact.

When this car seat was designed, they had only one thing in mind to get the most mileage possible. The rear facing mode is the safest position for kids to be in. The Extend2Fit caters to newborns and up to 50 pounds in rear facing mode. You could probably keep your little one in rear facing mode up to age 4 if not more.

To give the most comfort possible, it comes with extendable leg rest. According to the company, this is necessary for extended rear facing mode.

Since it’s a convertible car seat, the installation is more challenging. You can mount it with the latch system or with the seat belt. With this model, the seat belt is the easiest one to use. No matter if you choose the forward facing or rear install, you have to feed the belt through the right hole, and you’re done.

The latch system is more complicated. After you had them click in to get the tightest install, it’s a good idea to remove the cover from the cup holders. If you have small hands, then pull the tail through the small hole. Then you have to pull it towards you. If you pull from the outside, you won’t be able to make it tight enough. It’s one of the best rated convertible car seat, options you can go with.

 

Evenflo vs Graco All in One Car Seat

These car seats are the most expensive ones to buy. They serve from birth until your child gets their driver’s license. The all in one solution offers rear facing mode, harness mode, and booster mode. Even if they are the most expensive ones, you will be saving money because you only buy it once.

If you add up the cost of just buying two car seats they already surpass one all in one car seat. During childhood, you can use up to four car seats with all stages involved.

From Camp Evenflo, we have the Symphony Elite, and from the Graco camp, we have the 4Ever.

 

Evenflo Symphony Elite Review

The Evenflo Symphony Elite has a big selling point. This is located in the installation department. You haven’t seen this before. The latches have a ratchet. Yes, you read it right. There’s a ratchet to get the tightest install possible.

After you have connected the latches, you start using the ratchet. It’s so easy that you don’t have to use any force at all. This is particularly handy for grandparents. Long gone are those days when you had to push down with your knees just to get the right installation.

Now this car seat is an all in one. So it caters to newborns up to young adults. With this car seat, you will be able to take home your newborn from the hospital. Now, this all in one is more expensive than any other individual car seat. This is a lifer. It gives you the most mileage for your money.

It’s very similar to the Graco 4Ever. The upper limit is shy by 10 pounds. The biggest take away from me was that you don’t have to rethread the harness. That’s the problem with lower-end car seats. You will be wasting your time with futile tasks as harness rethreading.

 

Graco 4Ever Review

“Mom, what was that loud noise?” asked the little girl. She didn’t realize that they just survived an ugly accident.

It was like any ordinary shopping trip. They were heading home when another driver slammed into them. The impact came head-on. The airbags exploded and protected the mother. The force of the impact was so strong that the car was projected across two lanes.

The tires exploded. It was horrific. This Graco car seat did a phenomenal job protecting the little girl. She was safe and sound. The next day she was off to kindergarten. Her mother wasn’t so lucky she ended up in the hospital with a broken nose and a few bruises.

Graco has outdone themselves with this car seat. Truth be told, it comes at a high price. And here’s the good news you buy this car seat and this will be the last one. This car seat can actually be used from birth up until your child reaches 120 pounds or 63”. It gives you the best mileage for your money.

As you have read the accident thanks to the steel-reinforced frame, the little girl was safe from harm. Now since it’s packed with everything, it’s a heavy car seat. It’s not meant to be portable.

The installation is easy. The seat bet is straight forward. You feed it through the hole and pull it tight. The latch system made your life 10x easier. After you connected, you pull #1 up, and then you pull #2 down. You’re done.

The Graco 4Ever offers a wider range of recline and headrest position. This will lead to being more comfortable than the Symphony. The Graco 4Ever is the best Graco car seat overall.

You might also be interested in: Top compact car seats for 3 year olds

 

Evenflo vs Graco Harness Booster Car Seat

Here’s the good news. This will be the last car seat you will ever buy. After this, they are big enough to handle the seat belt. When the extended booster mode expires, they can jump behind the wheel because they have earned their driver’s license.

In most cases, these car seats have two occasionally three modes. You can choose from harness mode and booster mode. With some models, you have high back booster mode and backless booster mode.From Camp Evenflo, we have the Maestro, and from the Graco camp, we have the Tranzitions.

 

Graco Tranzitions Review

This incident happened with a friend of mine.

She was taking her daughter home. It was their usual routine trip. The little girl was in the back telling about her day at school. They pulled up to a red light. Then the unthinkable happened.

A driver rear-ended them at 50 mph. The crash was devastating. The trunk disappeared during the impact. There was there than in a less than a second it was gone. The rear seat absorbed most of the crash force. It has twisted and bent into an unnatural angle.

After things got quiet, the mother wanted to know what has happened with her child. She looked back, expecting the worse. To her surprise, the girl was OK. She had not even a scratch on her. She was wide-eyed and scared, but unhurt.

You have probably double-checked the pictures after you have read the story about the accident. Yes, it does look flimsy and cheap, and it did a great job in that accident.

This Graco car seat is one of the few car seats that have three modes for older kids. You can use it as a harness and a backless booster seat. The third mode is the high back booster mode.

The Graco Tranzitions car seat is lightweight and easy to carry, so it’s the perfect travel companion. One important thing to know is that it doesn’t come with a recline function. It’s static, so if your child is on the lower end in height or weight, their head might flop.

It’s the cheapest Graco car seat. I don’t like the cheap ones because they are a real chore. The Evenflo is in the same category, so it’s a straight apples to apples comparison.

 

Evenflo Maestro Review

The Evenflo Maestro is a good choice for a harness booster car seat. It has all the protection your child will need. Plus, it’s highly rated on Consumer Reports.

This car seat has two modes the harness mode and the booster mode. Harness mode is a fancy way of saying forward-facing.

It’s on equal footing with the Transitions. While the Graco car seat has more use in harness mode by 10 pounds, the Evenflo has more use in the booster mode by 10 pounds. So they are equal.

What you have probably noticed that this car seat is fixed. It doesn’t have any recline options. For some, this is a problem because the kid’s head could flop. The Graco has the same issue as well.

Finally, an Evenflo car seat that doesn’t have manual rethreading. So far, all the Evenflo car seats I’ve reviewed had this old feature. I hate it with a passion because I could never get it right, and I had to ask my husband to help.

The installation is straight forward; you can use either the seat belt or the latch system. If you read the manual or watched the video, they recommend pushing down with the knee into the seat to get the tightest install. Well, you will need a bit of force to get it tight enough.

 

Conclusions on Evenflo car seat vs Graco

We have reached the end of the Graco and Evenflo comparison. As you have seen, they are very similar in the three categories. Now both of them are in the affordable category.

The Evenflo is a bit cheaper than the Graco. Sometimes it shows.

By now you should know which brand is the best for you. Also, you should have a clear picture of which car seat suits your needs. Now it’s your time to take action. The last time I’ve checked, the stocks were low, so get it quick.

Catch you next time.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Is Graco or Evenflo better?

Graco and Evenflo target the same audience. They both make affordable car seats. Also, they have car seats that have won multiple awards. The Evenflo is a bit cheaper than Graco and you can tell.

Is Evenflo a good brand?

Evenflo is a great brand to go with. They make affordable car seats. Now sometimes you can tell that they are cheap but other than that they are perfectly safe.

Which is better Evenflo or safety first?

It’s hard to differentiate between Evenflo and safety first. From the lineup safety first has fewer choices and seems to be cheaper than Evenflo

Which is the best Evenflo vs Graco infant car seat?

When it comes to infant car seats the Graco seems to be the best option. When you’re looking for an infant car seat you want piece of mind. A good alternative for these seats would be the chicco keyfit. These infant carriers would go hand in hand with strollers. With easy installation I would go with them.

Is Evenflo compatible with Graco?

No they are not. Typically brands explicitly try to differentiate themselves just that people don’t mix and match between parts.

What is the number 1 safest car seat?

The Number 1 Safest car seat can be picked up from the list below:

• Britax Marathon ClickTight
• Diono Radian 3RXT 4-in-1
• Graco Extend2Fit 3-in-1
• Britax Boulevard
• Graco Slimfit t

Is Evenflo a safe brand?

It used to be a safe brand but according to ProPublica investigation there’s proof that Evenflo has ignored safety recommendations and their booster seat (Big Kid) can be dangerous for kids under 40 pounds.

What are the main safety features of the Evenflo vs Graco car seats?

Well, all these seats were put to a crash test. Without a successful crash test they wouldn’t be able to sell these car seats. Another important element is the side impact protection. The side impact protection comes handy in rear-facing seat mode and forward facing as well. The more layers of side impact protection there are safer the seat. The most side impact protection that i’ve seen was 3 layers. Foam padding is a safety feature and it’s for comfort as well. The harness system will keep your little on in place. The shoulder straps are padded. Most car seats come with dual cup holders. They have passed the crash test standard.

What is the seat weight of these car seats?

When it comes to seat weight it seems that Evenflo is the lightest one from them all. For example, seat weight for Graco Tranzitions is 14.97 pounds and the seat weight for Evenflo Maestro is 9.6 pounds. While the Extend2Fit car seat weight is 23.2 pounds the Evenflo Sureride seat weight is just 9.8 pounds. Either way, they are easy to install.

What other features do these car seats have?

Most of them come with a cup holder. And there are car seats that have two cup holders to choose from. One cup holder would be for drinks and the other one for toys. Make sure that the cup holders are easily washable. As you know cup holders collect all sorts of stuff. Also make sure that the cup holders can’t be easily removed because they can be turned into projectiles. These car seats were put to crash test and passed. The booster seat is the last mode you have ever have to use. The booster seat has the longest use from them all.

What would be a good alternative next to the Evenflo vs Graco convertible car seat?

If you’re looking for a good convertible car seat you can check out the: diono radian 3rxt toddler car seat, Britax b-safe 35 infant seat, and the Nuna Rava travel systems. The britax b-safe won the best infant car seat award.

Graco vs Evenflo car seat which has the best forward facing car seat?

When it comes to picking the best forward facing car seat between Evenflo vs Graco then it’s a challenge. They are almost the same when it comes to price. They are easy to install. The best forward facing booster seats are the Graco 4ever backless turbobooster car seat. It has high safety standards. A removable seat cover for easy cleaning. Side impact protection is top fo the line. Also, there are multiple layers of side impact protection with the Graco 4ever. The weight limit is above the rest and it relies on the harness system.

Graco vs Evenflo convertible car seat which one had safety issues?

You can have peace of mind that there were no safety issues with either of the car seats. They both have high safety ratings.

From Evenflo vs Graco car seats which has the best infant insert?

When it comes to infant inserts both brands come with it. It’s also known as a body pillow. Since we’re talking about infant seats I have to mention the travel system option and the recline positions. The infant insert can be used up to 11 pounds. This satisfies all safety needs. Even babies in growth spurts can use it comfortably.

Evenflo vs Graco seats which one is easy to install?

Easy installation is their main virtue thanks to the harness system. Make sure you read the manual to have an easy installation. Sometimes the cup holders are tricky to install. So check out videos on how to install the cup holders. Now during growth spurts, the safety needs increase. The seat pad and seat cover are removable and they have passed the crash test standard.

Which is a better choice Britax vs Graco car seats?

Britax is the better choice for most people.

Last Updated on October 25, 2023 by Brian Beasley