Keep your baby safe with the best Graco car seat

by: Steve Ganger, BestReviews Staff

Posted: Apr 19, 2023 / 11:14 AM CDT

Updated: Apr 19, 2023 / 11:14 AM CDT

Keeping their children safe is one of the highest priorities of any parent or caregiver. Car safety is front and center with all states having laws requiring safety seats for infants and children. Finding the right car seat for your child and budget is an important consideration with many options to choose from.

Minneapolis-based Graco is one of the leading manufacturers of car seats for children. They have many styles and price ranges for all types of families. For its comprehensive offerings of infant seat, harness seat and booster seat all in one, the best Graco car seat is the Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 Car Seat.

There are four types of Graco car seats.

All cars made from 2002 on have LATCH anchors installed. LATCH is the acronym for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. It is a way of attaching a car seat without using a seat belt. Graco car seats are designed to be used with LATCH anchors.

Graco offers a limited one-year warranty on workmanship. The warranty does not apply to any damage caused by the consumer or by misusing or installing it incorrectly. You need to register your car seat with proof of purchase since the warranty is based on the date of sale.

The harness is the biggest safety component for older children. The straps should be at or below the shoulders when facing the rear and at or above the shoulders when the seat faces forward. Make sure the harness is easy to adjust.

Graco car seats have padding positioned to protect your child in the event of a collision. The padding can also help hold younger children snugly in a convertible seat. The padding can be removed over time as your child grows.

Some car seats can be heavy to carry. You may want to test your car seat ahead of time to make sure you don't become fatigued when carrying your child in the seat.

Graco car seats vary in price depending on the seat type, size, weight threshold and overall style. Depending on your need, you can spend as little as $25 or up to $450.

A. Some car seats are covered by health insurance. Check your policy's provisions. Local charities and some state welfare programs also provide free car seats to first-time mothers.

A. Car seats are designed to protect your child during a car accident. If you have an accident, you should replace the car seat even if it looks unmarred. There could be unseen structural damage.

Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 Car Seat

What you need to know: This combination seat has everything you need from infant to older child.

What you’ll love: This seat has an infant seat, front-facing harness seat, and a booster seat that can be backed or backless. It has two cup holders and a six-position reclining feature. The seat is easy to adjust.

What you should consider: This is one of the most expensive Graco models.

Where to buy: Sold by Amazon

Graco Atlas 65

What you need to know: This affordable car seat can serve many purposes with a lot of positional versatility.

What you’ll love: The head rest has 10 adjustable positions to accommodate children from 22 to 100 pounds when converting from front-facing harness to booster seat. It includes Graco's standard safety features.

What you should consider: It is not intended for infants.

Where to buy: Sold by Amazon

Graco Extend2Fit

What you need to know: This seat works with a harness for both rear and forward facing situations depending on the child's size.

What you’ll love: It is designed for children from 4 to 65 pounds depending on the stage of life. You are able to provide five extra inches of leg room as the child grows. It has removable plush inserts for head and torso.

What you should consider: It is expensive with limited versatility.

Where to buy: Sold by Amazon

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Steve Ganger writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.

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