Graco Atlas 65 Review – Is it the right choice for you?

Graco Atlas 65 2 in 1 Harness Booster Seat Review

2 in 1 solution for a growing child…

There are two camps when it comes to car seats. One suggests that you should buy a new car seat for each development stage. The other camp tells the reverse get one that’s an all in one solution.

Who is right?

Look:

There’s no difference between the two types of car seats. They are just as safe. According to a good friend of mine who’s a policeman there’s no such thing as a bad car seat, only an unused one.

If there would be any issues, then they would’ve been recalled already.

The main benefit of getting an all in on car seat is that you save money in the long run. Plus, you don’t have to learn all the different installation techniques. You learn one, and you’re set for the next few years.

If you buy a car seat for every growth phase, you might get more comfort. When engineers design all in one solution, they do make compromises and comfort might be one of them. That’s not always the case, and it might happen.

Before we get any further, let me give you a quick preview. This forward-facing car seat will serve you in two ways harness booster mode and highback booster mode. It’s good until your child reaches 100 pounds. It gives all the protection that you will ever need even side protection.

The fabric is an easy machine washable. You can choose from two recline positions. It has two cup holders, one for water and maybe one for toys.

Let’s get this Graco Atlas 65 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.

Who is the Graco Atlas 65 2 in 1 Harness Booster Seat?

This car seat is for parents who have an older child (at least 3 years old) and want to transition into the frontal facing mode.

This car seat is ideal for parents who have a child suffering from motion sickness. Frontal facing helps with it, and the material is easy to remove and wash.

What can the Graco Atlas 65 car seat do for you?

This car seat comes with two modes. The first one is the harness mode from 22 to 65 pounds. So if you have a 3-year-old, they are ready to go. Some parents prefer to rear face as long as possible, and that’s OK as well.

The second mode is high back booster mode, which is from 30 to 100 pounds. Depending on the growth, your child could use it until they get their driver’s license.

This is where all the benefits come in of getting a 2 in 1 solution. It will save you money during the years, and you have to learn only one installation.

Let me share with you the safety features. One of the most problematic accidents is the side crashes. This car seat has double protection for side impact. Plus, it protects the head and the torso as well.  For being this big, it’s quite light and easy to carry.

The installation is quite fast, thanks to the latch system. Plus, the straps are easy to adjust. It’s not a chore like with other brands.

The fabric is easy to remove and wash. Plus, the dark colors hide the stains well.

It comes with two recline positions, so there are no bobbing heads. It’s super comfortable; kids like it. The material looks durable and ready for the wear and tear.

Related: Which Is the Best Graco Car Seat?

Graco Atlas 65 shortcomings

Every car seat has flaws. It’s my civic duty to tell you all about them because only then will you get the full picture. Let’s see if either of them is a deal-breaker for you.

The installation relies on the latch system. Now there are different versions, and they have picked the cheaper one. The problem with the cheaper one is that it’s harder to attach. Now, if you have an older car, I feel for you. It will be a real drama to get it installed.

This car seat is huge. It’s wide and tall. It might create a blind spot in your car. Also, it’s impossible to install it in the middle. It will take up way too much space. If it’s installed there, then a 5 seater car is turned into 3. I think this is the widest seat that I’ve ever come across.

There’s a good and bad side to this. The harness release button is hard to release. It’s good if you don’t want any accidental unbuckling. And it’s bad if you want your kids to learn independence.

Now, these were the most noteworthy issues of this Graco car seat. What do you think is that bad? If you’re still with me, let’s check out the next part.

How To Get The Most Out Of Graco Atlas 65 2 in 1 Harness Booster Seat?

After you got the car seat, you have to decide where to install it. I usually say that the safest place is in the middle. Since this car seat is so wide, it’s not practical. If you don’t want to monopolize the back for your child, take a look at the second safest place, which is behind the driver.

Once that’s decided, you have to install and tighten the car seat. Graco is well known to be user friendly, and it doesn’t disappoint. If you want to be extra careful, then ask a second opinion from a certified professional.

Graco Atlas 65 2 in 1 Harness Booster SeatPros:

It offers all-around protection for the sides as well (head and torso protection)

The fabric is easy to remove and wash very important if you have a child with motion sickness

Most parents reported that kids fall asleep fast

Cons:

It’s harder to install in older cars

It’s huge both vertically, and it takes up a lot of space

Conclusion for the Graco Atlas 65 Review

This Graco car seat seems to be the full package if you have a toddler or older. It gives the best protection, and it’s easy to install. There are a few drawbacks as well. All in all, it looks comfortable, and kids fall asleep with ease.

We have reached the end of the Graco Atlas 65 Review. I hope you have learned a lot from this article. If you feel this is the right fit, get it as soon as possible because stocks are low.

If you have used this car seat and want to share your opinion, drop a comment below.

Catch you next time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Can the Graco Atlas be rear facing?

No the Graco Atlas 65 can’t be rear facing because it’s a harness booster car seat.

How do you install a Graco Atlas 65?

The Graco Atlas 65 is a harness booster car seat. This means that you can use the latch system or the vehicle seat belt to install it in 5 point harness mode. In booster mode you can only use the seat belt.

How wide is the Graco Nautilus 65 highback booster?

The Graco Nautilus 65 highback booster car seat is 22 inches wide.

What is the weight limit for the Graco Atlas 65 Booster car seat?

For this booster seat the minimum weight limit is 22 pounds. The weight range for high back booster seat is 22-65 lbs. The weight range for backless booster car seat it is 30-100 lbs. The harness height is 38-57 inches. The seat weight is 16.6 pounds. The weight limits are quite generous. Thanks to the big weight limits you can enjoy a long life span. Keep in mind to stop using the latch strap parallel when your child reaches 65 pounds. After that point the Atlas 65 combination seats should be used only with the seat belt system. After a certain age seat belts offer more protection than the harness covers and harness straps.

What kind of modes does these Atlas 65 booster seats?

These car seats can be used in high back booster with the harness system use also in backless booster seat. Before using the seat make sure that you check out the manual first.

What kind of features does this convertible car seat have?

This booster car seat has an easy removable cover which is machine washable. It comes with dual cup holders. The great thing about dual cup holders is that you can use one for drinks and the second one for toys. There’s storage compartment for the top tether. The harness system will keep your child in place. Shoulder belt install for booster car seat.

What would a be a good alternative for Graco Atlas 65 toddler-booster seats?

The best alternatives for Atlas 65 backless booster seats are: britax frontier clicktight backless booster seat, harmony defender 360 belt-positioning booster seat, cosco finale forward facing harness car seat, evenflo maestro sport belt-positioning booster seat, britax pioneer combination seat, chicco myfit le toddler booster seats. These backless booster seats are recommended by the american academy of pediatrics.

What kind of safety standards does the Atlas 65 highback booster seat comes with?

The Atlas 65 backless booster as a matter of fact is two car seats in one. It has passed crash tests and got high crash evaluations. It fared well with all vehicle types. The seat belt system works like a charm with this highback booster seat. And backless booster use is recommended above 65 pounds.  The tether strap will protect from sudden forward movement. It has an adjustable chest clip.

How do you install this Atlas seat from Graco?

If you’re using the seat pad mode then your best options would be the seat belts. After 65 pounds the seat belt system is the only way of installing.

How comfortable is this Graco car seat with the Atlas model?

It has two cup holders. As you know this car seat is for bigger kids so two cup holders are a must. The seat pad will fit good in the vehicle interior. The seat pad has more than enough seat cushion for comfort. The crotch buckle is adjustable. The shoulder straps are padded. With two cup holders one can be used for drinks while the second one for toys. Other comfy features are the: recline feature like recline option, shoulder straps, recline position. There’s a storage compartment for the latch system.

Which car seat is better Graco or Maxi Cosi?

It entirely depends on what you are looking for in a car seat.

Which is the better car seat Graco or Britax?

If you compare Graco vs Britax car seats, the better choice is usually the Britax.

Last Updated on October 29, 2023 by Brian Beasley

Written by Linda Reid

Hey there, I'm Linda, a mom of three cool kids. I've tried so many car seats, you could call me a "Car Seat Detective." Searching for the perfect car seat can feel like finding a needle in a haystack, but don't worry! I've committed to researching and reviewing car seats that are super safe, cozy, and great for growing kids. Together, we'll find the perfect car seat that keeps your child safe and cozy, and makes you feel like a super-parent!