Easy to install and will grow with our kids
March 13, 2022
As a family of 3 boys 4 and under, and with two cars that need seats regularly, we've been through A LOT of car seats. When the Stellar Product Testing Panel offered to provide the Graco 4Ever DLX Snuglock Grow in exchange for our honest feedback, we leaped at the chance. Our youngest is going to outgrow his infant seat any day now and the timing was perfect. Right off the bat, I was very impressed with the clarity of the manual. It is incredibly easy to figure out which install you need and what the rules and methods are for that install. We were especially excited to see that they allow for a variety of thin seat protectors, which is crucial with a bunch of messy kids. Some manuals just don't comment on certain common practices (like protectors), and we appreciated having the information readily available. It also seems very simple to remove the covers for washing and is very clear on what you may and may not use to clean the seat. This is something that I don't think is made clear to caregivers in many other instances. It's important to know what is and is not going to compromise the integrity of the car seat, and Graco keeps that info front and center.
We opted for a rear facing seatbelt install. Our youngest two boys both fall within the weight limit for a latch install, but our two year old is getting close. Install took minutes. It's worth noting that this seat requires the cup holders to be attached during use. This isn't an issue, but is not something I think most caregivers would take notice of. We were thrilled with the non-rethread harness, which let us quickly adjust shoulder strap height without taking everything apart. My husband's car can only take two car seats and this makes it so that both boys can be placed in the same seat with very little and very easy adjustment. We also appreciate the shoulder space that grows as you raise the headrest. Our kids have long torsos and this lets them remain comfortable.
While none of our kids are forward facing or ready for boosters, it's awesome that we will be able to use the same seat for that in the future. My one qualm with the seat is that it is not ideal for extended rear facing. Our 4-year-old has already exceeded the weight limit in the seat for rear facing, while he has about 12 lbs left in his current seat (he will exceed the height before that happens). I'm aware that most kids his age are already forward facing, though, so I don't think this is in any way a deal breaker for most families.
Overall, this is a very high end and well thought out seat with the clearest instructions I've encountered in a car seat. We can't wait to use as our kids grow. We definitely would recommend it and are grateful for the opportunity from the Stellar Product Testing Panel.
This product review was collected by the manufacturer.