The Graco Smart Seat All-in-One Car Seat is among the highest-rated car seats on the market right now. It will fit most cars, but it could be a squeeze in a small vehicle when used in the rear-facing position. The base and the seat have a reinforced steel base that makes them very robust.
Designed and manufactured by Graco, an American company long known for quality and innovation, the Smart Seat is comfortable and safe for babies and convenient and user-friendly for parents.
The seat comes in a choice of three gender-neutral colors. Its fabric is non-toxic, eco-friendly and latex, phthalate, BPA and lead-free.
Containing thick padding for comfort, it is durable, so your child will get years of use from it. It also offers the utmost in safety, which, as any parent knows, is a crucial consideration when buying baby products.
One Graco Smart Seat Convertible Base comes with the car seat. If you have two cars, you can purchase a second base. Doing so will enable you to use the seat in both cars, without having to remove it from one to install in the other.
Read on to find out the specs, advantages, and disadvantages of the Graco Smart Seat All-in-One Car Seat.
Graco Smart Seat Specs
Dimensions – The Graco Smart Seat measures 21″ x 32″ x 18″ overall.
Crotch strap length – The crotch strap measures 6″ to the top of the buckle.
Crotch strap positions – The crotch strap can be fastened at the 4 1/4″ and 5 1/2″ point.
Belt heights range in booster mode – The belt height is 14″ at the lowest position and 19″ at the highest.
Weight – The base weighs 10.8lbs. The seat weighs 23.2 lbs.
Recommended weight and height
Rear-facing – In the rear-facing position, this model is suitable for babies and infants weighing between 5 and 40 pounds. The child’s head must be at least 1″ lower than the seat’s handle.
Forward-facing – Used forward-facing in a harness, it is suitable for kids weighing between 22 and 65 pounds who are between 27″ and 52″ tall.
High back booster seat – Used as a booster seat without the base, the seat will accommodate children from 30 to 100 pounds with a height of between 38″ and 57″.
NB: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children use a booster seat until they are at least 4′ 9″ tall.
Key Features & Pros
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Safety
A few years ago, there were problems with some Graco products that led to voluntary recalls and the dismissal of 15 staff members. A look at customer reviews published since then reveals that the quality control issue is now well and truly under control and Graco is back on top where they belong, producing some of the best baby products the market has to offer.
Rest assured that the Graco Smart Seat All-in-One Car Seat meets or exceeds US safety standard. Created with SeatSafe Engineering, it has undergone numerous stringent safety/crash tests including Side-Impact, Safety Harness, Extreme Temperature Testing, and more.
Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has awarded the Graco Smart Seat the highest possible rating for Ease of Use in all four evaluated categories. These include Evaluation of Instructions, Evaluation of Labels, Vehicle Installation Features, and Securing the Child.
An energy-absorbing foam lining will help to cushion your child in the event of an accident. This specially formulated foam crushes at any points of contact, absorbing the impact. It will also help to prevent your child from being pushed against the seat’s frame and the car’s doors and windows, during a crash.
An extra secure base provides security and gives mom and dad added peace of mind.
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Comfort
Ample padding and five recline positions ensure your baby is comfortable. Your infant will be able to lie flat to sleep, sit upright to look around and interact with the family, or rest comfortably in one of the other positions in between. The incline is easily adjustable, on-the-go.
The seat’s headrest adjusts to any of five positions. Its armrests flip up for easier access to and exiting from the seat.
NB When used in the forward-facing position, once the child reaches 40 lbs, the seat should only be used upright.
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Convenience
A no re-thread harness makes for quick & easy tightening and loosening. Six one-handed height adjustment options enable customization and ensure the utmost comfort and safety.
A built-in storage compartment houses the harness straps when they’re not in use, keeping them out of the way and preventing them from getting tangled.
An integrated cup holder enables your child to have milk, juice, or water close at hand.
To clean the seat, wipe over it with a damp cloth. Alternatively, remove it and put it in your washing machine.
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Easy installation
Installing the stay-in-place base and the seat is a straightforward process. The instructions for doing this are clear, and an easy-to-read leveling bubble shows you when the seat is at the right angle. Locking indicators let you know when the base and the seat are in the correct position. They will be yellow in the unlocked position, then turn gray when the seat is locked into place. As an added precaution, two “red flags” will be visible if the seat is not secured correctly.
Changing the seat orientation from front-facing to rear-facing or vice-versa is a quick and easy process that can be implemented without removing the base.
If, however, you wish to use the Graco Smart Seat as a booster, you will need to remove the base.
Cons
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Size
The Graco Smart Seat is quite large, so it may not be suitable if your car is very small.
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Weight
This model is rather heavy, so it probably won’t suit you if you want to use it in two different cars without buying a second base.
Graco Smart Seat All-in-One Car Seat Summary
Graco Smart Seat reviews reveal that most buyers are very happy with it. Parents love that it is comfortable for their baby. They also like its host of convenient features, and above all else, that it helps to ensure safe traveling.
The Graco Smart Seat All-in-One Car Seat is the only car seat your child will ever need. Fully convertible, it can be easily changed from rear to front-facing, then to a booster seat when your child is bigger.
Available now for a surprisingly affordable price considering its potential longevity, click the link below for more information. If this isn’t what you’re looking for, click here to read reviews of other best-selling car seats.
