Graco Vs Chicco: Pros, Cons & Recommendations

 

Welcome to the Graco Vs Chicco car seat showdown!

I’ve spent the last month testing the very best these brands have to offer. I’ve talked with moms, looked up recalls, investigated consumer reports and drove around with my three kids doing chores while my husband was kicking back at home, honey the favor is due…

Both Graco and Chicco make good car seats, and finding the perfect fit for your needs can take a lot of time (weeks, if not more). The perk of having three kids is that I can test all these seats at once. Reading this comparison will save you a lot of time. Plus, if you’re in the neighborhood, you can treat the kids to ice cream.

I’m comparing the brands by seat category. I’ve pitted the very best infant carrier from Graco against Chicco, as well as the best convertible and all-in-one car seats.

I’m ranking these seats based on safety, comfort, ease of install, looks, design, and, of course, value for the money.

Let’s just see the winning seats already!

In a Hurry? Here are the Winners from the Graco vs Chicco Comparison

[lwptoc]

Graco SnugRide 35 vs Chicco Keyfit 30 Infant Car Seats

Direct Comparison: Graco vs Chicco Infant Car Seats

Graco Extend2Fit vs Chicco Nextfit Convertible Car Seats

Direct Comparison: Graco vs Chicco Convertible Car Seats

Graco 4Ever vs Chicco Fit4

Direct Comparison: Graco vs Chicco All-in-one car seats

 

Car Seat Buyer’s Guide

At the end of the comparison article, I usually include a small buyer’s guide to help you. You need to know what to look at to make the best decision possible.

When you get your car seat, you need to decide where you will install it. Let me share with you a tip. The safest place is in the middle of the car. Indeed, that’s not possible for everyone, so here’s my backup tip. The second safest place is behind the driver.

My next tip relates to car seat safety. Did you know that 75% of car seats in the US are not installed correctly? If that’s the case, then the car seat won’t be able to do its job. So it’s paramount to get that tight install. Whenever you have doubts, reach out to a licensed professional, they can help you.

As you have seen the tables, they look similar. That’s my system to analyze car seats. You can copy it if you like it.

Top of the list is safety. I highly recommend not skimp on it. Get the most safety that you can afford. There’s a dirty industry secret that some brands don’t want to know. There are car seat makers that barely pass the government safety tests. Now, which one would you like to protect your child? The one that barely passed or the one that went the extra mile.

Besides the standard front and rear protection, many car seats offer side impact protection. It’s a recent addition, but a handful of car seats have rollover protection as well. As you know, rollover is the deadliest crash from them all.

Next on my list is size limits. You have to know how much mileage you’re getting out of the car seat. This is my favorite place to save money without compromising safety. The math is simple. The more your child can use the car seat, the more money you’re saving in the long run.

The next one is the installation. As you have seen it above, some are easy to do, and some are hard. The most important takeaway is to get the tightest installation possible. Remember that the wiggle room should be less than an inch. Also, do the pinch test when your little one is in the seat.  If you can pinch the harness, then it’s not tight enough.

The last important thing to check is the material. You will be cleaning it often, so it’s good to know how easy it is to remove and what kind of washing it provides.

Finally, I check out the secondary features. Sometimes you can find hidden gems or major annoyances. So this would be my buyer’s guide. Put it to good use.

Graco 4Ever Review

“Mommy, what was that loud bang?” the innocence of kids. My niece didn’t know it, but they were in an ugly accident.

It was their routine shopping trip. They were on their way home. When another driver slammed into them, it was a frontal impact. The airbags deployed instantly, saving the mother’s life. The windshield cracked and broke into small sharp fragments.

The impact was so powerful that their car spun across two lanes, and all their tires exploded. From all of this, the little girl didn’t understand anything.

The next day she was going to kindergarten while her mom ended up in the hospital with a broken nose and few bruises.

These car seats were designed to serve your child from infancy until young adulthood. How they have managed to do all this is beyond me. Just look at the protection. The Graco’s Protect plus offers safety in the deadliest crashes, which are rollovers.

The Graco 4Ever is the best Graco car seat overall. The Graco 4Ever car seat comes with an OK rear-facing mode. You will be able to do it until 40 pounds. It can be considered as extended rear-facing. Since it’s packed with so much, it’s not portable. You can’t compare it with an infant carrier.

The installation isn’t that bad. The latch systems are the same as all the Graco’s above. You have to connect that pull at the tail and push down the seat to get it as tight as possible. When you switch between rear and front-facing, you will have to remove the cover. The seat belt install is quite easy, on the other hand. You have to guide the belt through the correct hole.

The major selling point is that the upper limit is set to 120 pounds or 63”. This car seat will give you the best mileage for the money.

Chicco Fit4 Review

This car seat is a tank. It’s huge and also well padded. This car seat is the ultimate money saver. You buy it when your child is an infant, and you will be using it until they get their driver’s license. Upfront, it will be expensive. There’s no doubt about that. If you only buy two car seats and not four, then you’re already ahead.

The Chicco Fit4 has three modes of installation. You can choose from the rear, front-facing, and booster mode. The upper limit to rear-facing is 40 pounds, which is OK for extended rear-facing.

The upper limit in booster mode is 100 pounds or 57”. It’s a bit shy compared to the Graco 4Ever. However, this car seat has more recline options, thus offering more comfort than the Graco.

The installation is super simple. No matter which stage you’re at, there’s a QR code that leads to the proper installation video. These guys have thought of everything. The Chicco latch install is the easiest from the all.

You have to simply follow the guides on the latches. After you’ve connected them, all you have to do is pull up on #1 and pull down on #2. That’s it, no rocket science involved.

Now there has been a slight improvement with the seat belt installation. When you’re installing in rear-facing mode, all you have to do is guide the seat belt through the hole. In front-facing, you will have to remove back cover so you can get the seat belt through. It’s not that bad, but you will need a bit of practice.

Other than these points, these car seats are quite similar.

Which all in one car seat is better?

This is a tough call. The Chicco Fit4 looks modern compared to the 4Ever. It looks more like a big kid seat. This is why the Chicco wins. However, if you want the extended booster mode up to 120 pounds, then the Graco 4ever is the best choice for you.

Graco SnugRide 35 Infant Car Seat Review

The incident happened with some acquaintances of ours.

The parents with their little boy were on their daily commute. Everything was the same, and everything was boring.

Until the unthinkable happened.

Their car got hit from the side. It was a textbook T-bone accident. The crash was loud. The metal twisted under the huge force. Airbags exploded doing their job. Glass shards were flying everywhere.

The impact force was so big that the car started rolling. After a few roles, it has settled in the ditch. The parents ended up hurt. They got many cuts and bruises plus severe whiplash.

Their little one was the luckiest of them all. He got out of the accident unhurt. There wasn’t even a scratch on him.

These infant carriers were designed so you can take your newborn home from the hospital. The lower weight limit is set to 4 pounds. The Graco SnugRide 35 will be perfect for your baby’s maiden voyage.

If we compare the two car seats, we can’t see too many differences. This Graco can be installed with the latch and the seat belt. Plus, you can install the carrier without the base. This is good if you have more than one car.

Graco made it super simple to install the base. All you have to do is connect via the seat belt or the latch and remove the slack. After that, you pull down the arm, and the base is secure.

The biggest difference between the Keyfit and the Snugride is that the Snugride gives you more mileage. Thus you can upgrade later so you will be saving money. The upper limit is set to 35 pounds or 32”, The Keyfit Infant Car Seat falls short by 5 pounds.

Chicco Keyfit 30 Infant Car Seat Review

The Chicco Keyfit 30 Infant Car Seat is one of the most stylish car seats that you will ever get to use. I mean, they look so cool. Besides coolness, they are easy to carry. Once you have installed the base, you are clicking in and out the top portion.

As the name suggests, the Keyfit 30 Infant Car Seat is limited to 30 pounds. This means that you have to upgrade earlier.

Let’s talk about the installation. This part is the most problematic part of any car seat. Remember these words of mine. The infant carriers are the easiest to install as you are upgrading. You’re getting more of a challenge.

The Keyfit 30 infant carrier can be installed both with the base and without it. So buying two bases is not necessary. Also, you can install it with the latch system or with the seat belt. Chicco came up with a genius solution on how to get the tightest install.

When you’re using the latch system, you have to pull one single strap to get it tight. Other brands either use two or a different design. By pulling on one strap, it gets easier. Either way, you will have to push the base into the seat so it won’t wiggle. This is where Graco takes the lead with that car seat. You don’t have to use force.

Another benefit of Chicco is that it’s made out of breathable fabric. Your little one won’t be drenched from sweat even during the summer months.

Other than these points, there isn’t any significant difference.

Which infant car seat is better?

The point goes to Graco Snugride 35 Infant Car Seat. It’s easier to install and gives you more mileage for the dollars you spend on it.

Chicco vs Graco Convertible Car Seat

Convertible car seats are the upgrades from carriers. These car seats can be mounted rear and front-facing mode. Experts recommend keeping your little one in rear-facing mode as long as possible. This mode offers the most protection possible. By upgrading, you will need to upgrade your install skills because they will become more difficult to mount.

These car seats aren’t as mobile as the carriers, and they are heavier too.

From Camp Graco, we have the Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat, and from the Chicco camp, we have the Nextfit Convertible Car Seat.

Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat Review

They have done this trip a thousand times. The parents with their 11-month old son were going home after visiting the grandparents.

The usual trip turned into a horror story. A drunk driver has hit them head-on. Besides being drunk, he was speeding excessively. The impact was vicious. Both cars got wrecked instantly. Metal shrieked as it got contorted in different shapes. The windshield exploded into a million pieces.

The airbags deployed protecting the passengers. It wasn’t over. The impact force was so big that the car did a 180 and landed in the ditch. The parents heard their baby boy crying. They got a few cuts and bruises. Their little one escaped without any injury. He was scared, and that’s why he was crying.

When it comes to protection, the Graco delivers on all sides. Just take a look at the accidents above. This convertible car seat has everything to keep your little one safe.

The biggest strength of this car seat comes from the long mileage that it delivers. This car seat caters to newborns who are at least 4 pounds. Also, it’s for parents who want to keep their kids in extended rear-facing mode. Here’s a side note. The rear-facing mode provides the most protection for your little one.

The Graco Extend2fit upper limit is set to 50 pounds, which is 10 pounds more than the Nextfit Convertible Car Seat. Also, it comes with additional leg support for extended rear-facing.

Let’s talk about the install. I’ve warned you it will be harder. The easiest way to install this car seat is by using the seat belt. All you have to do is feed the seat belt through the right belt guide and make it tight. That’s it.

As for the latch installation, things are a bit tricky. After you made them click, it’s a good idea to remove the cover from the cup holder and pull the tail through the small opening. This is how we will get it as tight as possible.

It’s great that the Graco provides two cup holders. One can be used for drinks and the second one for toys.

Chicco Nextfit Convertible Car Seat Review

My brother took his son out for a drive. He pulled over to buy something from the store.

Not even a minute passed when he heard a loud crash. Somebody T-boned his car. The impact came from the side where his son was sitting. He dropped everything and frantically ran to his car.

He ripped open the door, and then he saw his son. He was playing peacefully with his stuffed animals. When he saw his dad’s panicked face, he started crying. There wasn’t even a scratch on him.

The Nextfit provided the necessary protection for my nephew. It’s good that it has a steel frame, so little ones are protected no matter what.

The Nextfit looks pretty average. I mean, it caters to toddlers and up. The upper limit is set to  65 pounds or 49”. This is exactly the same as the Graco Convertible Car Seat.

The main difference comes from the install. If the Graco was easier with the seat belt, then this Chicco Nextfit is easier with the latch system. They made it so simple that you can’t get it wrong. You connect the latch connectors, and you pull #1 up and #2 down, and you’re done. Not much force is required.

With the seat belt, you will have to remove the fabric so you can guide it through. Once that’s done, you have to reattach it. The latch system is more user friendly.

Nextfit should’ve added a second cup holder. It’s always nice to have two. For toddlers, this is perfect because they can keep more toys or treasures.

Which convertible car seat is better?

The winner is the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat. It’s the best solution for parents who want to do extended rear-facing.

Chicco vs Graco harness booster car seat

Let me share with you a secret. This will be the last car seat you will ever buy. After this, your kids will probably get their driver’s license. These car seats usually have two modes, occasionally three. They can only be installed in forwarding facing mode. You can choose from harness and booster mode. Some brands differentiate between high back booster mode and backless booster mode.

From Camp Graco, we have the Tranzitions, and from the Chicco camp, we have the MyFit.

Direct Comparison Graco vs Chicco harness booster car set

Chicco MyFit vs Graco Tranzitions

Chicco MyFit Booster Seat Review

It’s a scary thought that your little one is fine, and in a second, he’s not breathing. This has happened countless times with our friends. They have a young boy who has breathing difficulties.

If the slightest thing blocks his breathing, there’s always a rush to the ER. The parents are hoping that he will outgrow this phase. The new danger to their son was the car seat. If this head happens to flop because of the bad angle. They have tried and tested several seats.

As you can imagine, it’s not safe to drive while you’re constantly checking if your son is still breathing. With the Chicco Myfit, all has changed. Since it has a good headrest, his head never flopped ever. Now the parents can rest assured that their little one is safe.

The Chicco MyFit is packed with all the safety features that you will ever need. If you look at them side by side, it’s like looking at the beauty and the cheap. The MyFit looks a lot cooler than the Transitions. As for the size limits, everything looks the same. They pretty much have the same lower and upper limits.

The only difference is that the Transitions has a high back booster mode. The top height limit is 57 inches.

There’s one key point I want to highlight. The Chicco MyFit has a four recline options to choose from while the Transitions is static. This will give more comfort to your kids.

The installation is based on the same tech as the Nextfit. If you go with the latch system, all you have to do is connect the connectors and follow the instructions. You have to pull up #1 and pull down #2.

The seat belt installation is just as tricky. You will have to remove the cover to feed the belt through.

Graco Tranzitions Booster Seat Review

My friend was taking her daughter home from school. It was their usual trip until they stopped at the red light.

Another driver rear-ended them traveling over 50 mph. The trunk has disintegrated in a fraction of a second. The back seat has twisted into an unrecognizable shape.

The crash was deafening. The rear window exploded into tiny sharp pieces. Both vehicles got totaled. Luckily there was nobody ahead, so they didn’t crash into a third car.

The mother immediately checked the back for her daughter. She was expecting the worse. Their guardian angel was there, and the child wasn’t hurt. She was scared and wide-eyed without a scratch on her.

This is the ultimate lightweight and travel-friendly car seat. Even if it doesn’t have a steel frame, it has provided good protection in the accident above. So there’s no question about safety because it delivers.

The Graco Tranzitions car seat has three modes of installation. You can choose from harness mode, high back booster, and backless booster mode. This will be the last car seat you will ever buy. The upper limit is set to 100 pounds or 57”.

The install is pretty straight forward; you can choose the latch system or the seat belt. The latch system uses the first level latches. As you can see, this car seat is on the lower end.

As for the looks, this car seat feels cheap. Yes, it’s the cheapest one from Graco. So I understand if you will go with something on the higher end.

Which harness booster car seat is better?

Hand down the winner is the beauty I mean the Chicco MyFit.

Chicco vs Graco All in One Car Seat

From Camp Graco, we have the 4Ever, and from the Chicco camp, we have the Fit4.

All in one car seats have become popular nowadays. You buy one car seat, and you’re done. This is a great strategy for saving money. The car seats that offer this option will serve your child from birth until they are old enough to drive. The all in one solution has many pros and a few cons. By reading this part, you will find out what they are. Plus, you will get the full picture if this is the right one for you.

 

Conclusions

We have reached the end of this Graco and Chicco Comparison. It was a hell of a ride. Both brands have great car seats to choose from. They all have pros and cons.

By now you should know which car seat is the best choice for you. Now it’s your turn to pick the one that fits your needs best. Get them as soon as possible because the last time I’ve checked, the stocks were running low.

I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions, please drop a comment below.

Catch you next time!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Is Graco or Chicco better?

Both Graco and Chicco have their own strengths and weaknesses. Graco is more affordable and Chicco has the looks.

Which is safer Graco or Chicco?

Both Graco and Chicco are safe car seats. Chicco has more layers of protection so I would go with them.

Is Chicco a good brand?

Yes Chicco is an excellent brand. They have a few car seats but they look good. When you want the perfect big kid seat they have it.

How do you make a travel system with the Graco snugride click connect or with the chicco keyfit?

With most infant carriers you can create a travel system To create the travel system all you need is the Graco snugride click connect or the Chicco keyfit and a stroller. You can easily click the carrier in and out from the car to the stroller. The travel system will help you move fast and efficient. The Chicco keyfit and the Graco snugride click connect baby car seat is compatible within their brands but you can mount it on different strollers if you have an adapter. These travel systems come handy when you are moving in and out of the car a lot. The infant inserts (preemie insert) can be removed after your baby reaches 11 pounds. These infant seats have high safety standards.

Chicco vs Graco baby car seat which one is the easiest to install?

Easy installation is a must with infant car seats. Luckily the baby car seat is easy to install. As you upgrade it will start to get harder and harder. The baby car seat is known for its easy installation with the seat base. Many parents choose this option and you can do it to keep your baby safe.

Chicco baby car seat vs Graco baby car seat what about the infant insert?

Both the Chicco keyfit and the graco snugride click connect baby car seat comes with an infant car seat. They can be used up to 11 pounds.

What are the weight and height limits for these infant car seats?

These infant car seats are limited to 30 pounds in weight and 30 inches in height. That’s where the Chicco Keyfit got its name from the 30 pound weight limit. The weight limits are quite generous. The 30 pounds or 30 inches is a good traget to go for with any baby car seat. The travel systems are essential for road trips. If you go with the chicco keyfit 30 you know it’s going to be easy to install. This is what you need to know that typically the infant car seat base is not FAA approved this is the only exception with baby products. The car seat weight is important so stick under 10 pounds for easy to carry this is where the Chicco keyfit takes the lead.

What are the key features of the chicco vs graco baby car seat?

Side impact protection will keep your baby safe. If you upgrade to a bigger seat you will get cup holders. Preferably get two cup holders one for drinks and one for toys. The main feature is easy to install.

Which would be a good alternative for a Chicco vs graco convertible car seat?

A good convertible car seat alternative would be the britax b-safe infant seat or the chicco kidfit booster seats. These alternatives are airplane use ready and exceed safety expectations for many parents. With the car seat carrier you can create a travel system.

Chicco vs Graco which one has the best toddler car seat?

When it comes to a toddler car seat the Chicco keyfit rains supreme. The chicco keyfit is easy to install and one of the best baby car seats you can go with.

What is an extension panel for a convertible car seat?

The Graco extend2fit convertible car seat comes with an extension panel. This offers extra comfort for kids in the baby car seat. It’s in the seat design with the ride right harness system. Make sure that the leveling system is good with the bubble levels. This is very impornant on road trips. If you’re not using the latch straps you can hide them in the storage compartment. Many backless turbobooster car seats have this seat design that there’s a storage compartment harness straps.

Chicco vs Graco seats which is the most comfortable?

First of all, they are easy to install. With the 30 pounds weight limit you’re getting great mileage. There is one cup holder included and in most cases, there are at least two cup holders. These cup holders can be divided between storing drinks and toys. All these baby seats come with multiple color options. With infant seats, you can create travel systems. The travel systems come to life with a stroller. There is more than enough storage compartment and storage basket in the seat design. Thanks to the bubble levels you can use the leveling system with ease. There’s great head support. By reading the guide lines you will be able to use the locking clip click system with ease. Did i mention that it’s easy to install? The deep cup holders will keep everything in place. The travel systems are a plus thanks to the seat design. The install can be done with the locking clip or the belt routing. There are multiple harness adjustment options. The seat cover, seat material can be easily removed. The seat covers are washable.

Is the Graco SnugRide 35 the best infant car seat?

The Graco SnugRide 35 is an excellent car seat. It’s easy to install, comfortable for your baby, and it fits in almost any vehicle.

Why do so many people buy the Chicco KeyFit 30 car seat?

The Chicco KeyFit 30 is a great car seat because of its ease and convenience. It’s lightweight and easy to install, it can be used from birth until the child is thirty pounds, and you can use it with your stroller as well.

How long can a baby use Graco SnugRide 35?

The SnugRide 35 is perfect for those who want to be sure their baby will stay safe and sound. With a height limit of up to 32″, it can comfortably fit infants from 4 lbs all the way through toddlers weighing up to 35 pounds!

Is chicco better than graco?

Chicco is a better brand than Graco. They have more car seats that look good and they also have more layers of protection.

Is chicco or graco better?

Graco is more affordable while Chicco has the looks. Both Graco and Chicco are safe car seats, but Chicco offers more layers of protection.

Last Updated on April 6, 2024 by Brian Beasley