Graco 2-in-1 vs 3-in-1 (2022): Which Car Seat is Right For You?

Graco is one of the most trusted brands when it comes to baby essentials and baby gear such as car seats, strollers, travel systems and more. Graco has been in the baby gear business for over half a century now, and they are still coming up with new and innovative baby products.

In this article, we’ll be taking a look at their car seat offerings, specifically, their Extend2Fit 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 convertible car seats. Should you buy the Extend2Fit 3-in-1 car seat for its longevity, but at a higer price? Or should you stick with the Extend2Fit 2-in-1 convertible car seat and worry about buying a booster at a later date? Read on to find out.

Graco 2-in-1 vs 3-in-1 Comparison Chart

Design

The Graco Extend2Fit 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 look similar, with minor differences.

The build quality for both the Graco Extend2Fit 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 are very good. They feature steel reinforced frames, plastic bodies and thick padding for comfort and safety. Both car seats come with side impact protection as well.

The only major difference between the Graco Extend2Fit 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 is the 3-in-1’s high back booster mode. Aside from that, they are pretty much the same. They both come with removable cup holders, removable pads for washing, ten headrest positions, six reclining positions and an auto adjust harness system.

Features

Aside from the 3-in-1’s high back booster mode, they offer the same set of features.

The most prominent feature of the Graco Extend2Fit, as the name implies, is its leg extension tray. This extension tray allows you to keep your baby in a safer rear-facing position longer. The tray, when extended fully, provides 5-inches of additional legroom so that your child can be comfortable and properly supported. You’ll be able to keep your child in this position until he/she reaches the weight limit of 50 lbs.

In forward facing mode, the weight limit for both car seats is 22-65 lbs, and the height limit is 49 inches. For the Extend2Fit 3-in-1’s booster mode, the weight limit is 40-100 lbs.

As for safety features, both car seats are side impact tested and crash tested to meet federal standards. Both car seats come with steel reinforced frames for durability, safety and longevity.

Ease of Use

Installation is easy with the Graco Extend2Fit’s InRight Latch system.

The Graco Extend2Fit’s InRight Latch system makes installation easy. You can adjust the car seat with its six reclining positions, so that your child is in a comfortable and safe position. The level indicator on the side will guide you as you adjust the car seat.

When it’s time to seat your child, the harness holders on the side are very helpful. With the harness out of the way, it is easier to put your child in the car seat. Once your child is seated, the headrest can be adjusted in ten positions so that your child is supported and comfortable. The Graco Extend2Fit’s Simply Safe Adjust system will automatically adjust the harness with the headrest, so no rethreading is necessary.

Both car seats’ covers and pads are removable, should you need to wash them. However, the process of removing them can be quite hard. The cup holders on the sides are removable as well.

Verdict

If you want a car seat that can last longer, the Graco Extend2Fit 3-in-1 is the better option.

The Graco Extend2Fit 3-in-1 is our recommendation if you are choosing between a Graco 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 car seat. It offers better longevity due to its high back booster mode, so you won’t have to worry about purchasing a new car seat when your child eventually outgrows the car seat’s forward facing mode.

The Graco Extend2Fit 2-in-1 convertible car seat is a good choice if you think that you won’t need the high back booster mode of the 3-in-1. It is less expensive, so if you are on a budget, this is a perfectly fine car seat.

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