If someone mentions Graco car seats, you will probably have heard of them. It’s no surprise that, with over 60 years in the baby product business, Graco has become one of the most recognised and trusted car seat companies in the world. From highchairs to travel cots and swings to soothers, it has provided practical, innovative, and dependable products that have been designed to help you feel supported as a parent and that focus on your little one’s safety from their babyhood to the teenage years, exactly what we’re after.
As well as being durable, its range of car seats is surprisingly affordable compared to some other brands on the market, making these an excellent solution for parents on a budget. Sure, the products may not be as stylish or attractive as Cosatto or Britax, for example, but they get the job done, and once you wrap your little one up in a cosy car seat blanket, all you’ll notice is how safe and secure they are.
We’ve shared everything you need to know about the brand and the best Graco car seats worth gracing your back seat so that your youngster will travel safely – just make sure to include some baby car seat toys to keep them occupied during the journey.
The best Graco car seats at a glance:
Editor’s choice: Graco Nautilus – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best for easy access: Graco Turn2Me – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best for budget: Graco Logico L – Buy now from Amazon UK
Parkers pick of the best Graco car seats:
Editor's Choice
Pros
- Sturdy
- Easy to use and install
- Extra comfort for kids with added features, padding, and contoured armrests
Cons
- Not ISOFIX compatible
Best for newborns
Super lightweight at just 3.66kg, it has an ergonomic carry handle for taking your little one on the go and a large canopy to provide shade on a sunny day.
Pros
- Padded memory foam insert and headrest for comfort
- Meets the latest safety regulations
- ISOFIX compatible with IsoFamily base (sold separately)
Cons
- Can only be used for a limited time, until your baby is approx. 12 months old
Best for easy access
The Turn2Me earned a 'Satisfactory' (2.8) rating from ADAC and a four-star safety rating with a 'Good' (2.3) score.
Pros
- 360-degree rotating mechanism for easy access
- Two-in-one car seat for optimal protection at birth and toddler age
- ISOFIX compatible
Cons
- The button to rotate is quite low down and takes some getting used to
Best for life span
Keep your little one rearward-facing for longer, up to approximately four years old, switch to forward-facing when they're ready, and then a highback booster to take them into their tweens. The car seat comes complete with side impact protection with TrueShield technology, energy-absorbing foam, a five-point harness, and enhanced head protection.
Pros
- Three car seats in one
- Easy to use and install
- Plenty of safety features for each stage and position
Cons
- Not ISOFIX compatible
Best for versatility
Compliant with the R44 safety regulation, it has a five-point harness, side impact protection to absorb the force of a side-on collision, and a steel-enforced frame for durability.
Pros
- Two-in-one - converts from front-facing to highback booster seat
- Comfy for kids with armrests, padding, and adjustable positioning
- Easy to use and install
Cons
- Not ISOFIX compatible
Best for budget
With height adjustable armrests and a one-hand adjustable headrest, your child can keep comfy as they grow with Graco's Pedic foam used on the seat bottom for extra cushioning. The open-loop belt guides help to ensure proper seat belt positioning - making installation that bit easier - and the retractable cupholders are always a bonus.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to install
- Adjustable to fit a growing child
- Both comfy and sturdy
Cons
- Bit basic looking
Best high-back booster
Other safety features include a five-position height adjustable head support, energy-absorbing foam, and convenient isoCatch connectors that set it apart from the Logico. Available in 'Stargazer' (pictured) and 'Nickel', it doesn't have a retractable cupholder but it has a handy hideaway storage unit kids will love making use of.
Pros
- Better seat security with isoCatch connectors to attach to the vehicle seat
- Comfy with built-in armrests and padding
- Packs style and safety in one
Cons
- Some customers found the isoCatch connectors quite fiddly to deal with
Is the Graco car seat safe?
Don’t worry; even with a lower price tag, Graco car seats are perfectly safe and have plenty of safety features built-in to keep your child comfortable and protected. These include:
IsoCatch connectors: Convenient IsoCatch connectors ensure the car seat stays securely in place, connected to your car’s ISOFIX points.
TrueShield Safety Surround Side Impact Protection: This safety feature ensures your child has powerful side impact protection that safeguards their neck and head in case of an accident.
EPS energy-absorbing foam: The foam works hard to evenly and effectively distribute impact forces in the event of a collision.
Steel reinforced frame: Steel reinforcement is equipped throughout the car seat for improved resilience and durability.
Five-point harness: Easily adjustable with one hand, a five-point harness keeps your child restrained and, in the event of a collision, transfers the force of the crash to the rigid points of the body and into the seat, protecting soft parts of the body.
You’ll find that these safety features may vary across different Graco car seats, depending on the stage group and design, but each has been made to ensure your little one stays safe on the road. Several of their car seats have even won ADAC awards based on their safety features.
What is ADAC testing?
The ADAC is an independent German automobile organisation that sets the standard for safety in car seats. Twice a year, the group chooses a few select products to trial with more rigorous tests than what European safety laws require.
With an emphasis on frontal and side-impact crashes, using Q-dummies with sensors to determine the effects on a variety of ages and sizes, they score tried and tested car seats on three criteria: safety, ergonomics, and ease of use.
A number of Graco’s unique and popular car seats have been assessed by the body and received Good and Satisfactory overall ratings which we’ve of course included in our top picks below.
Eleanor Weaver is the Deputy Homes & Garden Product Editor for A Modern Kitchen, Modern Gardens, Yours, and Take A Break Pets, writing for us here at Parkers.
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