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Graco Snugride Car Seat Review: One of the Best Car Seats for ToddlersThe Graco Snugride car seat kept popping up on some of the best consumer research sites as I was checking out highly ranked car seats for toddlers. Consumer Reports and Babble.com both really liked this seat so I decided to do a full review on it. This is a rear facing seat which is the direction your baby should be facing until at least age 1 or until weighing around 30 pounds. This seat is good until your child reaches a weight of 32 pounds which probably means 1 year anyhow. 
What to Look for When Buying a Car Seat You’ll make a decision that will based on more than price and style if you look at the following important areas of consideration. They are: • Safety issues • Ease of Installation • The LATCH system • A restraining system that is sturdy and reliable • Adustment capacity from the front • Level of comfort • A pad that’s detachable This is not a high priced carrier but does have all of the right features and benefits that will insure your child’s safety and comfort. I don’t think there is any room for compromise when it comes to your child’s safety. We’ll touch on all of the points above and see how the Graco Snugride car seat compares with other seats. Safety Issues This carrier has been crash tested to not only meet but rise above the U.S. standards for safety. This seat features EPS energy absorbing foam. EPS is an expanded polystyrene foam that is light, has closed cells and is very resilient. This means that is can absorb energy in the event of a crash and greatly increase your child’s safety from the front and sides. Ease of Installation Once the seat’s base is installed, it is solid and need not be touched again. The base is secured tightly through this carrier’s seat belt lock design. The seat also features a one hand dial adjustment which gives you the security of knowing that your seat is installed properly. The LATCH system also insures easy installation. LATCH, What’s That Mean? This carrier has a seat that is extremely easy to adjust thanks to the leveling foot of the LATCH system. LATCH means lower anchors and tethers for children. A LATCH has a tether at the top and two lower anchors also attached. LATCH gives you the peace of mind of knowing that your child’s seat is installed correctly and that the seat is locked in and safe. Restraining System The restraining system is a 5 point harness. The 5 points means there are 2 straps for the thighs, 1 for each shoulder and another strap that fits between your child’s legs. This system gives you extra insurance and safety in case of an accident. Ability to Adjust the Seat from the Front You may have seen or made adjustment on a seat which can only be done from the rear of the seat. This can be a hassle. This seat has the additional benefit of a front side adjustment and this really makes the adjustment process so much easier. Seat Comfort The deluxe seat cushion affords premium comfort. The 5 point harness system also features very soft straps to give additional comfort to your baby. A head support gives additional support and comfort for your child’s head and can be easily removed if you wish. Detachable Pad The pad detaches easily and the seat cushion is machine washable. This is important especially with very young babies. The buckle can be cleaned with a cloth that’s dampened a little and the metal and plastic parts on this seat can be cleaned using a little soap and water. How Much Should You Expect to Pay? The Graco Snugride Car Seat is listed on Ebay and other retailers at around $149.00 I found one other company advertising it for $127. The cheapest I found is Amazon which is selling this seat for $115.00- $150 depending on color and including free shipping. What’s Included? • Graco Snugride Car Seat • Car Seat Base • Removable Head Support Does It Include a Warranty? Yes it has a 1 year limited manufacturer’s warranty.
This seat has very good reviews from customers who have bought this carrier averaging 4 out of 5 stars on Amazon reviews. There has been a total of 234 reviews so far which gives an idea of the seat’s popularity. Those who have bought car seats for toddlers can be a useful resource when making a buying decision. To date here are some of the comments: • Very comfortable infant car seat • Comfortable, reasonably priced and safe • Great seat • Snug for sure • Great car seat for a good value • Best Graco • Excellent in an accident I’m adding this last reviewer’s testimonial since I think it’s very important: "I was in a serious car accident this month with my son in the Graco Snugride. A driver ran a red light and I smashed into him head on going around 40 miles an hour. My car is completely wrecked. My 21 month old toddler was in the Graco Snugride car seat behind the passenger side seat. The seat was rear facing. He is completely fine. He was taken to the hospital to be checked out and was released the same day." Any Complaints? The most serious complaint I’ve seen has been that the straps don’t work after a baby reaches over 20 pounds. The claim is that they should still work until a child is a maximum of 32 pounds but many reviews stated that they were not able to comfortably strap their baby after reaching 25 pounds or so. Where Can You Purchase the Graco Snugride Car Seat? This seat is available online at Amazon. Amazon’s low price combined with the free shipping makes this the best deal around for this seat. Where Can You Read More Reviews for the Graco Snugride Car Seat? You can read over 130 reviews at Amazon.com. These are valuable because they come from users that bought and used the product. Click here to read more. |
