Graco is a leading manufacturer of child safety car seats. With that said, what should you look for when choosing a Graco forward facing car seat for your child? and Which is the best Graco forward facing car seat to choose? No worry, just find the answer in this post.
What to Look for When Buying Graco Forward Facing Car Seat?
Here, I will teach you how to choose Graco Forward Facing Car Seat from the following aspects.
Size
The first thing to consider when buying a forward-facing Graco car seat is the size of the seat. It is important to choose the correct seat size that fits your child’s weight, height, and age. Graco car seats come in different sizes and types, including convertible car seats, booster seats, and combination car seats.
Longevity
You don’t want to be buying a new car seat every year; therefore, you should consider the longevity of the car seat you choose. Ensure that the Graco forward-facing car seat can convert into a booster seat so that your child can use it for several years. Graco seats are designed to provide long-term use, with some able to accommodate children up to 120 pounds.
Portability
If you travel frequently and need to install and remove the car seat frequently, consider a lightweight and portable model. The Graco SlimFit 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat, for example, can easily fit into most vehicles and can be easily installed and removed. Additionally, Graco car seats are designed to provide maximum comfort and are lightweight enough to carry with you when traveling.
Graco Forward Facing Car Seat: Top 10 Pick
1. Graco 4Ever DLX 4 in 1 Car Seat
The Graco 4Ever DLX 4 in 1 Car Seat can be used in four different modes: rear-facing, forward-facing, highback booster, and backless booster. It is designed to be used from birth up to 120 pounds.
Features:
- Graco’s exclusive InRight™ LATCH provides an easy, one-second attachment with an audible click to help ensure secure installation.
- Integrated belt lock-off for easy vehicle seat belt installation.
- Rapid Remove machine-washable cover removes in 60 seconds, without uninstalling the seat.
- Rubberized fuss-free harness storage for a no-slip grip to get your child in and out easily.
- Harness storage compartment keeps the harness safely stored while in belt-positioning booster mode.
Pros: The Graco 4Ever DLX 4 in 1 Car Seat is a versatile and durable car seat that can be used for up to 10 years. It is easy to adjust and install, and it comes with a lot of features that you and your child will love.
Cons: The Graco 4Ever DLX 4 in 1 Car Seat is heavier and bulkier than some other car seats on the market, which may make it difficult to move from car to car.
2. Graco Nautilus SnugLock LX 3 in 1 Harness Booster Car Seat
The Graco Nautilus SnugLock LX 3 in 1 Harness Booster Car Seat can be used in three different modes: harness booster, highback booster, and backless booster. It is designed to be used from 40 to 120 pounds.
Features:
- Simply Safe Adjust Harness: The Simply Safe Adjust Harness System adjusts the height of your harness and headrest in one motion.
- Fuss-Free Harness Storage: Fuss-free harness storage holds the buckle out of the way, so it’s easy to get your child in and out of the seat.
- 3-Position Recline: With 3 recline positions, this seat keeps your growing child comfy.
- Removable Body Support: Keep your child comfortable with the removable, machine washable body support cushion.
Pros: The Graco Nautilus SnugLock LX 3 in 1 Harness Booster Car Seat is a comfortable and easy-to-use car seat that can be adjusted to fit your child as they grow. It is also lightweight and easy to move from car to car.
Cons: The car seat is not designed for infants and may not be as durable as some of the other car seats on the market.
3. Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat
The Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat grows with your child from rear-facing harness (4-50 lbs) to forward-facing harness (22-65 lbs). It features a 4-position extension panel that provides up to 5” of extra rear-facing legroom, allowing your child to safely ride rear-facing longer.
Features:
- Ride Rear-Facing Longer: The 4-position extension panel adjusts to provide 5 inches of additional legroom, allowing your child to safely ride rear-facing longer.
- ProtectPlus Engineered: This combination of the most rigorous crash tests helps to protect your child in frontal, side, rear & rollover crashes.
- No-Rethread Simply Safe Adjust Harness: Adjust the height of your harness and headrest in one motion with the No-Rethread Simply Safe Adjust Harness System to ensure your child is always properly secured.
- 10-Position Headrest: Choose the perfect headrest height from 10 positions to get the safest fit for your child as they grow.
Pros: The Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat is a comfortable and safe car seat that provides extra legroom for your child. It is also easy to install and adjust.
Cons: The car seat is only designed to be used for a few years, so you will need to purchase a new car seat when your child outgrows it.
4. Graco TurboBooster Backless Booster Car Seat
Seat your growing child comfortably and happily in our TurboBooster Backless Booster Seat. You’ll appreciate how it helps protect your child by raising him or her up to the proper height for the seat belt. Your child will appreciate the playful fabric designs and hideaway cup holders. This seat is Graco ProtectPlus Engineered to help protect your child in frontal, rear & rollover crashes.
Features:
- Helps safely transport your big kid from 4-10 years old, from 40-100 lb and up to 57 inches tall.
- Designed with the style and comfort features that kids love.
- Padded, height-adjustable armrests for your child’s comfort.
- Hideaway cup holders keep drinks and snacks within reach.
- Deluxe seat cushion removes for machine washing.
Pros: The Graco TurboBooster Backless Booster Car Seat is a simple and affordable booster seat that is easy to move from car to car.
Cons: The booster seat does not come with a harness, so it may not be as safe as some of the other car seats on the market.
5. Graco Tranzitions 3 in 1 Harness Booster Seat
This lightweight car seat transitions seamlessly from harness booster (22-65 lb) to highback booster (40-100 lb*) to backless booster (40-100 lb) and features the Simply Safe Adjust™ Harness System, which adjusts your harness and headrest to 8 height positions, with no rethreading. It features two removable cup holders to keep your child happy, and a machine washable seat pad, body insert, and harness covers. *To continue to meet industry standards, we have increased the weight minimum from 30 to 40 lb
Features:
- 3-in-1 harness booster helps protect your child, from toddler to youth.
- Grows with your child from forward-facing harness (22-65 lb) to highback booster (40-100 lb*) to backless booster (40-100 lb) *To continue to meet industry standards, we have increased the weight minimum from 30 to 40 lb.
- No-Rethread Simply Safe Adjust Harness System allows the headrest and harness to adjust together in one motion.
- Lightweight, portable seat is ideal for busy, active parents.
- One-hand, 8-position adjustable headrest grows with your child.
Pros: The Graco Tranzitions 3 in 1 Harness Booster Seat is a versatile car seat that can be adjusted to fit your child as they grow. It is also easy to install and comes with a lot of features that your child will love.
Cons: The car seat is not designed for infants and may not be as durable as some of the other car seats on the market.
6. Graco Atlas 65 2 in 1 Harness Booster Car Seat
Features:
- T2 seats in 1: forward-facing harness and highback belt-positioning booster seat
- Converts from forward-facing harness (22-65 lb) to highback belt-positioning booster seat (40-100 lb)
- No-Rethread Simply Safe Adjust Harness System allows the headrest and harness to adjust together in one motion
- Integrated harness storage compartment stores unused harness straps while in belt-positioning booster mode
- One-hand, 5-position adjustable headrest grows with your child
Pros: The Graco Atlas 65 is easy to install and adjust, has a 10-year expiration date, and meets or exceeds safety standards. It also comes in several stylish patterns and colors.
Cons: The harness straps can be difficult to tighten, and some users have reported that the seat is not very comfortable for long rides.
7. Graco SlimFit 3 in 1 Convertible Car Seat
The Graco SlimFit 3-in-1 Car Seat grows with your child, from rear-facing harness (5-40 lb) to forward-facing harness (22-65 lb) to highback booster (40-100 lb). The Simply Safe Adjust Harness System means you can easily adjust the harness and headrest together, to accommodate your growing child with ease.
Features:
- 3-in-1 car seat grows with your child from rear-facing harness (5-40 lb) to forward-facing harness (22-65 lb) to highback booster (40-100 lb).
- Slim design with dual integrated cup holders that rotate away, making the seat 10% slimmer to save valuable back seat space.
- Graco ProtectPlus Engineered: a combination of the most rigorous crash tests that helps to protect your little one in frontal, side, rear & rollover crashes.
- No-Rethread Simply Safe Adjust™ Harness System allows the headrest and harness to adjust together in one motion.
- Choose the perfect headrest height from 10 positions to get the safest fit for your child as they grow.
Pros: The Graco SlimFit is a 3-in-1 car seat, meaning it will last you several years and save you money in the long run. It is also very easy to install, has a 10-year expiration date, and meets or exceeds safety standards.
Cons: Some users have noted that the headrest can be difficult to adjust, and that the chest clip is difficult to open and close.
8. Graco Affix Youth Booster Seat with Latch System
The Graco Affix Highback Booster Seat with Latch System helps safely transport your big kid from 40 to 100 lb and up to 57″ tall. It provides a secure connection to your vehicle seat with its one-hand front-adjust Latch system, making self-buckling easier for your independent child.
Features:
- Helps safely transport your “big kid” from 30-100 lb and up to 57″ tall.
- One-hand front adjust Latch system secures booster to vehicle seat.
- Secure connection keeps booster seat properly in place while seat is unoccupied.
- Keeps booster seat steady for easy self-buckling for your independent child.
- Front adjustment allows you to quickly and easily tighten the booster to the vehicle seat.
- Engineered & crash tested to meet or exceed US standard FMVSS 213.
Pros: The Graco Affix is easy to install, lightweight, and has a 6-year expiration date. It also meets or exceeds safety standards and is a great option for parents who want a booster seat with a back and side impact protection.
Cons: The seat can be difficult to clean, and some users have noted that the headrest is too high for some children.
9. Graco Milestone All in 1 Convertible Car Seat
This All-in-1 car seat converts from rear-facing harness (5-40 lb) to forward-facing harness (22-65 lb) to highback booster (40-100 lb). Thanks to the no-rethread Simply Safe Adjust Harness System, the harness and headrest adjust together in one motion, to ensure that your child is always properly secured.
Features:
- 3-in-1 car seat grows with your child from rear-facing harness (5-40 lb) to forward-facing harness (22-65 lb) to highback booster (40-100 lb).
- Graco ProtectPlus Engineered: a combination of the most rigorous crash tests that helps to protect your little one in frontal, side, rear & rollover crashes.
- No-Rethread Simply Safe Adjust™ Harness System allows the headrest and harness to adjust together in one motion.
- Choose the perfect headrest height from 10 positions to get the safest fit for your child as they grow.
- 4-position recline keeps your child comfy and helps for a better installation.
Pros: The Graco Milestone is a 3-in-1 car seat, meaning it will last you several years and save you money in the long run. It is easy to install, has a 10-year expiration date, and meets or exceeds safety standards.
Cons: Some users have reported that the harness straps are difficult to adjust, and that the seat is bulky and takes up a lot of space in the car.
10. Graco Contender 65 Convertible Car Seat
The Graco Contender 65 Convertible Car Seat grows with your child from 5-40 lb (rear-facing) and 22-65 lb (forward-facing). It easily adapts to your growing child using the Simply Safe Adjust Harness System, which automatically adjusts both the harness and headrest height in one motion.
Features:
- Convertible car seat helps protect your rear-facing infant from 5-40 lb and your forward facing toddler from 22-65 lb.
- No-Rethread Simply Safe Adjust Harness System allows the headrest and harness to adjust together in one motion.
- Graco ProtectPlus Engineered: a combination of the most rigorous crash tests that helps to protect your little one in frontal, side, rear & rollover crashes, and additional testing based on the New Car.
- Assessment Program and for extreme car interior temperatures
- LATCH-equipped with an easy-to-read level indicator for hassle-free installation
Pros: The Graco Contender 65 is easy to install, lightweight, and meets or exceeds safety standards. It is also affordable and a great option for parents on a budget.
Cons: Some users have reported that the straps are difficult to tighten and that the seat is not as comfortable as some other options. The seat also has a relatively short expiration date of 7 years, compared to some other models.
Graco Forward Facing Car Seat FAQs
How old must a child be for a forward-facing seat?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children remain in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the age of two, or until they exceed the maximum weight or height limit of the rear-facing car seat. However, some states have different laws regarding the age or weight limit for forward-facing car seat use.
What can you expect to pay for a forward-facing car seat?
The cost of a forward-facing car seat can vary depending on the brand, model, and features. Some of the popular brands of car seats that offer forward-facing options include Graco, Britax, Chicco, Evenflo, and Diono. Prices can range from less than $50 for a basic model to more than $300 for a high-end, top-of-the-line option.
When can you turn a Graco car seat forward facing?
Graco typically offers convertible car seats that can be used both rear-facing and forward-facing. The manufacturer’s guidelines will dictate when the seat can be turned forward-facing.
What is the forward-facing limit for Graco forever?
The forward-facing limit for the Graco Forever car seat is 65 pounds and 49 inches tall, or when the child’s head is within one inch of the top of the car seat’s headrest.
Can I put my 15-month-old in a forward-facing car seat?
If a child is at least one year old and weighs at least 20 pounds, it may be legal to use a forward-facing car seat in some locations. Before making any decisions, parents should check the guidelines in their area and consult their pediatrician to ensure that their child is ready to ride forward-facing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when buying a Graco forward-facing car seat, you should pay attention to the size, longevity, and portability of the seat. Choose a car seat that fits your child’s age, weight, and height and can convert to a booster seat for longevity. Make sure that the seat easily fits in your car and is comfortable for your child, ensuring that your child enjoys every ride.