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Graco vs Evenflo Convertible Car Seat (2021): Which is Better?

Getting the right all-in-one convertible car seat that can grow with your little bundle of joy can save you so much time, energy, and money. With that said, choosing between brands like Graco and Evenflo can be trickier as their car seats have a lot of similar features, but are pegged at drastically different price points. We compare their top-rated all-in-one car seats, the Graco 4Ever and Evenflo EveryStage, to give you an idea of how these brands are different and help you decide which one better suits you and your growing child’s needs.

Graco vs Evenflo Convertible Car Seat Comparison Chart

ModelGraco 4Ever 4-in-1 Car SeatEvenflo EveryStage All-in-1 Car Seat
 Amazon productAmazon product
PriceAmazon productAmazon product
TypeConvertible 4-in-1Convertible 3-in-1
OrientationForward Facing, Rear FacingForward Facing, Rear Facing
Headrest Positions1010
Attachment Type1 Second LATCH InstallationEasyClick LATCH system
Rear-Facing Harness4 to 40 lbs4 to 50 lbs
Forward-Facing Harness22 to 65 lbs22 to 65 lbs
Highback Booster40 to 100 lbsUp to 120 lbs
Backless Booster40 to 120 lbsN/A
Recline Positions65
Machine Washable YesYes
Harness Type5-point one-hand no-rethread harness5-point one-hand no-rethread
Cup Holder22
Dimensions L x W x H20 x 21.5 x 24 inches25.25 x 24 x 19.8 inches

Design and Build Quality

While both are well-built, the Graco car seats feel more plush and well-made than Evenflo’s

The Graco 4Ever (left) and the Evenflo EveryStage (right) convertible car seats

From afar, you can’t easily tell that the Graco 4Ever and Evenflo EveryStage convertible car seats have very different price tags. Up close, however, you can see the small details that give Graco a more expensive look. The 4Ever feels more plush and its fabric feels nicer to the touch than the EveryStage’s. The Graco also has thicker padding, although the Evenflo is well-padded and comfortable as well.

Both convertible car seats let you adjust the headrest using one hand. While both work well, the Graco 4Ever glides more smoothly than the Evenflo EveryStage does. They also come with two removable cup holders, something you’re more likely going to use as your child grows. However, one gripe about the Evenflo EveryStage’s cup holders is they can be easily yanked out once your child becomes strong enough to do so.ย 

Another similarity of the Graco and Evenflo convertible car seats is their easy-to-clean, machine-washable seat pad. They can also be easily removed once it’s time to wash them. Considering how long a convertible car seat will be used by your child, this is actually an important feature that both brands offer.

Height and Weight Limits

The Evenflo EveryStage can be used rear-facing longer than the Graco 4Ever

The Graco 4Ever DLX can be used as a backless booster (4th photo on the left)

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping your child in a rear-facing position in the car for as long as possible. The Evenflo EveryStage convertible car seat wins in this regard as it can carry up to 50 lbs in the rear-facing position, while the Graco 4Ever can only hold up to 40 lbs in the same position.

The two convertible car seats’ weight limit is comparable when using the forward-facing harness as they can both hold up to 65 lbs. When it comes to the highback booster, the Evenflo EveryStage wins as its weight limit is up to 120lbs while the Graco 4Ever’s is only 100 lbs. Once your child exceeds 100 lbs, you’ll have to use the 4Ever’s backless booster. While a backless booster is okay, the highback booster seat provides your child additional side-impact and back support that a backless booster seat can’t offer.

Installation and Safety

Their LATCH system makes both convertible car seats easy to install and adjust

Both Graco and Evenflo designed their convertible car seats with ease of use and safety in mind

One of the major considerations when choosing your convertible car seat is the ease of installation and safety. Both the Graco and Evenflo convertible car seats boast a LATCH system that makes it easy to install the car seat in your car and make sure it’s tightly and securely attached to the seat.

Where the Graco edges out the Evenflo is in its recline positions and ease of adjustment. As mentioned earlier, it’s smoother to adjust the Graco’s headrest, and the same goes for its recline adjustment mechanism. You can pull the lever at the bottom of the Graco 4Ever car seat with ease, whereas the Evenflo EveryStage is a bit trickier and harder to adjust despite having a similar mechanism. In addition, the Graco offers six recline positions while the Evenflo only has five.

Verdict

While the Graco 4Ever feels more premium than the Evenflo, the Evenflo EveryStage has higher weight limits than the Graco

Amazon product

Whichever you end up choosing, you’ll get a high-quality convertible car seat that will grow with your child. The Graco 4Ever 4-in-1 has a more luxurious feel than the Evenflo and has overall smoother mechanisms. With that said, the Evenflo EveryStage wins as it can hold your child in the rear-facing position longer than the 4Ever can.

Your child can also use the Evenflo EveryStage’s high-back booster seat much longer than the Graco 4Ever. While both convertible car seats can hold up to 120 lbs of weight, the Graco requires you to switch to the backless booster when your child exceeds a weight of 100 lbs.

FAQs

๐Ÿ“Œ Which offers better convertible car seats, Graco or Evenflo?

It depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re after better fabric and make, then the Graco wins. If you’re looking for a car seat that offers better value for money, then you can’t go wrong with Evenflo‘s range of convertible car seats

๐Ÿ“Œ When should I switch to a convertible car seat?

It depends on your infant car seat’s weight and height limit. Usually, children from 9 to 18 months can use a convertible car seat.

๐Ÿ“Œ Which is better, an infant car seat or a convertible car seat?

Infant car seats are better-designed for newborns and make carrying your child from the car more convenient. If you want to save money, however, convertible car seats can still do the job.

๐Ÿ“Œ What is the difference between a booster seat and a forward-facing harness seat?

The forward-facing harness seat still uses a 5-point harness to keep your child secure. Meanwhile, a booster seat uses the vehicle’s built-in seatbelt.

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Rhodaline Escala-Phelps

Managing Editor and Team Leader at Compare Before Buying. Writer and researcher passionate about people, product comparisons, culture, and current events.