We purchased the Graco 4ever 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat so our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and evaluate it. Read on for our full product review.
Welcoming a new baby into the family is a fun and exciting time. it can also be very expensive as you add up the price of all the necessary equipment. Given this, it makes sense that items that can grow with your child would be invaluable to new parents. One such item is the Graco 4ever 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat, which is immensely popular for keeping children safe and comfortable. To see if the car seat lived up to its rave reviews, we took it home and our two young children, ages 1 and 3, used it. then we weigh in on its various features, from its design and durability to its overall value. Read on for our ideas.
Reading: Graco 4 in one car seat reviews
installation and configuration process: easy and safe
Most vehicles and car seats are equipped to use the latch system (lower anchors and child tethers) for installation, in which the seat is attached to the steel frame of your vehicle via anchors under the seat that are specifically designed for this purpose. . The Graco 4Ever 4-in-1 uses its own right-hand latch system, which means the car seat straps just need to be pushed down into the corresponding steel anchors, so luckily, there was no need to try and fiddle with the hooks. with the fingers . when the hooks engage, there is an audible click. this sign that the seat was secure gave us instant reassurance. And when we needed to remove the car seat for cleaning, detaching it was just as simple – all we had to do was push the red button and pop the tethers out of the latch.
When installing a car seat, you should also consider its angle. The Graco 4Ever 4-in-1 offers six recline positions, which can keep your child comfortable as they grow. Fortunately, each side of the seat has a level indicator that shows whether you’re in a safe position, whether you’re facing forward or rear. The height of its 10-position headrest is also easy to adjust; we could do it with one hand.
One important thing to keep in mind is that the configuration of the locking system can differ from vehicle to vehicle, so you should check your car manual to see exactly where you can find the anchors.
Additionally, if you are unsure about any aspect of your car seat installation, you may want to check with your local police or fire departments to have your installation inspected by a professional. many cities have designated hours or events open to the public that include free car seat inspections.
age range: birth to 10 years
Graco 4ever 4-in-1 is one of the most popular car seats on the market because it has a very long lifespan. This car seat has four positions: rear-facing, forward-facing with harness, high-back booster, and backless booster. While car seat use is based on weight and age, the company advertises that this car seat can carry a 4-pound child (using the infant insert in a rear-facing position) up to toddler and preschool years, and all the way to a booster seat for a 120-pound child. (Rear-facing is recommended, and often required by state law, for children under the age of two or who weigh 40 pounds or less and are less than 37 inches tall.) you are using a pre-owned seat—it is ten years from the date of manufacture.
Many parents prefer a rear-facing infant-only car seat for the first few months of their child’s life. an infant car seat can be removed from the car with the baby still inside, while a convertible car seat is designed to stay in the car. Having the option of keeping a sleeping baby in the car seat and using it with a travel system stroller is worth the extra purchase for many families, but if you want to use a convertible car seat from day one, bring the baby home from the very first moment. hospital, the graco 4ever 4-in-1 is a good choice when used with the included infant insert. Keep in mind that babies shouldn’t be left sleeping in a car seat when they’re not traveling, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
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We have used the graco 4ever 4-in-1 for just over two years with our oldest son. When he was ready to give up an infant car seat, we wanted something that would grow with him. we first used it when he was 12 months old in the rear-facing position with the five-point harness. when he was just over 2 years old, we switched him to the forward-facing position, still wearing the five-point harness. We like that he stayed in a familiar seat during that transition and that we didn’t have to keep buying new equipment as he got older.
With our youngest, we started using the Graco when he was about 1 year old and we still use it in the rear-facing position. we find that, even in this position, there is plenty of room for your legs. We haven’t used the Graco 4ever 4-in-1 as a booster seat, but we’re confident the seat’s familiarity and ease of use will make it a top choice for our family.
design: comfortable and practical
Our children spend a lot of time in the car, so having a comfortable car seat is essential. Graco 4ever 4-in-1 cushions are made with plush fabric that won’t scratch delicate skin. It also has a special harness system (no rethreading required), plus a six-position recline and a 10-position headrest. the harness is easy to use and makes us feel confident that our children are properly buckled up.
If you’ve ever taken a long trip with small children in the car, you know that having snacks and drinks helps keep them happy. the graco 4ever 4-in-1 has two cup holders that we use for water bottles. they fit a typical disposable water glass as well as most sippy cups. While bottles will fit too, babies using the car seat will most likely not be able to reach the cup holders on their own.
In terms of overall size, convertible car seats tend to be some of the largest car seats on the market, as they need to be versatile enough to convert from back to back and beyond. The Graco measures 21.5 inches wide (with the cup holders being the widest part), 20 inches deep, and 24 inches tall.
If you have a larger family, you may be wondering how multiple 4ever 4-in-1 car seats will fit in your vehicle. We drive a midsize SUV and can fit two Graco seats and an infant car seat in the back row with no problem. sometimes, depending on who’s in the car, we leave room in the middle of our backseat for toys, books, and the occasional adult passenger. It’s not exactly easy for adults to climb into the car around installed seats, but because it’s not an everyday occurrence in our family, it’s rarely a challenge.
cleanup: as easy as possible
Overall we found this car set to be easy to clean. for clumpy messes we use a hand vac with a crevice tool; Baby wipes work well for cleaning up spills and debris that collect in cup holders.
family very well / katie begley
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When the seat needs more cleaning, we take it inside to remove the cushions and clean the plastic. We machine wash the cushions (per Graco instructions) with regular detergent and let them air dry overnight. According to the company, the five-point harness and buckles can also be cleaned with mild soap and warm water. Occasionally we use an old toothbrush to deep clean the buckles to make sure they are free of any sticky residue and can work properly. In total, the car seat does not take more than 15 minutes to clean thoroughly.
Graco also provides instructions for removing and reattaching all of the pads, but we found that watching youtube tutorials was the best way to learn. There are four main pads that come off the car seat, but some of the smaller tabs and elastic loops are difficult to reattach. The hardest part of the cleaning process (for us, anyway) was having to lug the bulky 22.75-pound seat out of the car and into the house.
safety: follow all guidelines
With any car seat, it’s important to follow the height and weight restrictions for that particular model. Because the Graco 4ever 4-in-1 can be used in so many different modes, parents may need to refer to Graco’s manual or online resources as their child grows. the manual clearly outlines the weight limits for the rear-facing position (40 lbs.) and the forward-facing harness position (65 lbs.). As mentioned above, states may also have specific laws regarding the use of car seats. Graco recommends checking with the state you live in to make sure you are following all regulations.
We love that the Graco 4ever 4-in-1 Car Seat meets all Federal Aviation Administration guidelines and can be used on an airplane in either the rear-facing or forward-facing positions with the five-point harness. the seat also has a convenient label that describes the correct use of the aircraft.
in fact, we took the graco 4ever 4-in-1 on a flight, which saved us from worrying about any damage it might sustain as checked baggage. He easily fit in the plane seat and our son, who was 2 at the time, enjoyed a flight tied up to his family home.
price: a worthwhile investment
Graco 4ever 4-in-1 is not a cheap car seat; It retails for $299.99, though you can often find it for less through online retailers like Amazon. For my family, the price is worth it as the car seat offers quality and longevity. If we bought a cheaper car seat, we’d probably replace it before our kids ran out of car seats or booster seats. We are confident that the quality of the pads, the actual car seat frame, and the four position options will allow us to use this car seat for years to come.
competition: good price for years of use
evenflo tribute lx convertible car seat: those looking for a more basic convertible car seat should consider the evenflo tribute lx convertible car seat. We tested the car seat and found that despite its great price, it still offers comfort and all the required safety features. For around $60, parents can purchase this car seat for rear-facing or forward-facing use. It can be used for children up to 40 pounds and has multiple settings to adjust the height as they grow. It doesn’t have the latch system and uses the car’s seat belt for installation, but if you’re looking for an inexpensive car seat for travel, Evenflo’s Tribute LX has just what you need.
britax marathon clicktight convertible car seat: we also tested the britax marathon clicktight, which is popular with parents looking for a high-quality car seat that will last for many years. This model is well made and can accommodate children up to 65 pounds in the forward-facing position. promises easy setup and has seven recline positions for infants. At $279, it’s one of the more expensive options out there, but it does have a lot of advanced safety features, which some parents may prefer. However, if you are looking for a similarly priced seat that is safe and can eventually be used as a booster seat, the Graco is the way to go.
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