All across the country, CPS programs are trying to get the most bang for their limited bucks. And while cost is an important factor to consider when trying to serve as many families in the community as possible – it shouldn’t be the only consideration. Injury prevention programs need to consider if the child restraints they are purchasing are user-friendly, compatible with most vehicles and work in a variety of scenarios. We’ve complied a list of budget-friendly CRs that we feel comfortable recommending for this purpose.
The specific child restraints on this list were chosen based on multiple factors which include value, versatility, weight/height range, ease of use, ease of installation and in the case of boosters – proper belt fit.
Updated May, 2017
REAR-FACING ONLY SEATS
Dorel Light n’ Comfy DX/Elite/Luxe (front-adjust model)
Specs & Features: 4-22 lbs.; up to 29″ tall; front harness adjuster; 4 sets of harness slots; 3 buckle positions; non-adjustable base; Made in China- Pros: Front harness adjuster; rated from 4 lbs. and fits preemies very well; narrow carrier and base; can be installed baseless; lightweight
- Cons: Only rated to 22 lbs.; plastic compound buckle (aka “puzzle buckle”) can be difficult to buckle and unbuckle. This buckle is not practical for parents/caregivers/grandparents who struggle with hand strength issues. Currently, only the “Luxe” models have a 2-position adjustable base. Elite/DX models lack an adjustment feature and may require the use of pool noodle(s) for some installations.
Safety 1st onBoard 35
- Specs & Features: 4-35 lbs.; up to 32″ tall; front harness adjuster; 4 sets of harness slots; 3 buckle positions; dual recline angle indicator; 5-position adjustable base; Made in USA
- Pros: Front harness adjuster; rated from 4 lbs. and fits preemies very well; generous height and weight limits for extended usage (very important for parents who don’t own a vehicle and rely on public transportation/taxis/friends & relatives to get around); can be installed baseless
- Cons: Tall seat so it takes up a considerable amount of room, especially when installed at the recommended recline for a newborn
Evenflo Embrace 35
Available through Evenflo Institutional Sales, Amazon, Walmart.com, Target.com, Kmart.com, BabyDepot
Currently made in China so it isn’t an option for many programs.
- Specs & Features: 4-35 lbs.; up to 30″ tall; front harness adjuster; 3 sets of harness slots; 3 buckle positions, 3-position adjustable base; Made in China
- Pros: Front harness adjuster; rated from 4 lbs. and fits preemies very well; can be installed baseless
- Cons: Handle not allowed to be up in the vehicle but carrier has forward handle position that can be used if space is an issue with putting handle down; requires 1.5″ of clearance with front seat if installed outboard
CONVERTIBLE SEATS
Cosco Scenera NEXT
Currently through Mercury Distributing and at Walmart
- Specs & Features: Rear-facing 5-40 lbs., 19-40″; Forward-facing 22-40 lbs., at least 2 years old; 5 sets of harness slots; 3 buckle positions; Made in USA
- Pros: Fits newborns very well; sufficient rear-facing height and weight limits to get toddlers to at least 24 months RF; doesn’t take up a lot of room when installed rear-facing; can be installed more upright rear-facing for older babies and toddlers; easy to use and easy to install; lightweight; narrow
- Cons: Requires pool noodle(s) for rear-facing recline angle; short crotch strap; very low top harness slots so it will be outgrown quickly by height in the forward-facing position. Most suitable for infants and small toddlers.
Evenflo Tribute
Available through Evenflo Institutional Sales, Amazon, Walmart.com, Target.com, Kmart.com, Baby Depot
- Specs & Features: Rear-facing 5-40 lbs., 19-37″; Forward-facing 22-40 lbs., 28-40″; 4 sets of harness slots; 2 buckle positions; Made in USA
- Pros: Sufficient rear-facing height and weight limits to get toddlers to at least 24 months RF; doesn’t take up a lot of room when installed rear-facing; easy to use and generally easy to install; lightweight; narrow
- Cons: Typically requires pool noodle(s) to achieve acceptable rear-facing recline angle; single-line rear-facing recline angle indicator; not an ideal fit for newborns – bottom harness slots 8″; crotch strap is long
Evenflo Titan 65 (aka SureRide)
- Specs & Features: Rear-facing 5-40 lbs., 19-40″; Forward-facing 22-65 lbs., 28-54″; 6 sets of harness slots; 2 buckle positions; Made in USA
- Pros: Fits newborns very well; optional shortened crotch strap position for babies under 10 lbs.; generous rear-facing height and weight limits for extended rear-facing; generous forward-facing height and weight limits for extended usage; easy to use and generally easy to install; lightweight; can use LATCH up to 50 lbs.
- Cons: Rear-facing recline leg isn’t compatible with pool noodles – if angle is too upright for a young baby a rolled up towel/baby blanket will be necessary to place under the recline leg; single-line rear-facing recline angle indicator; this is a tall seat so it may take up more room when installed rear-facing; large gap between harness slots 3 and 4
COMBINATION SEATS
Evenflo Maestro
- Specs & Features: Forward-facing with harness 22-50 lbs., 28-50″; Booster 40-110 lbs., 43-57″; 4 sets of harness slots; 2 buckle positions; Made in USA
- Pros: Generous height and weight limits for harness; most average-sized kids will fit in harness until age 5-6; good belt fit in booster mode; easy to use and generally easy to install; lightweight; institutional model from Evenflo lacks cup holders which helps when you need to fit this seat next to another CR or in a 3-across situation
- Cons: Outgrown quickly in booster mode; headrest is not height adjustable
Evenflo SecureKid
Available through Evenflo Institutional Sales (best price)
- Specs & Features: Forward-facing with harness 22-65 lbs., 28-50″; Booster 40-110 lbs., 43-57″; 4 sets of harness slots; 2 buckle positions; Made in USA
- Pros: Generous 65 lbs. weight limit for harness; tall top harness slots; good belt fit in booster mode; height-adjustable headrest provides more growing room in booster mode; easy to use and generally easy to install; lightweight; institutional model from Evenflo lacks cup holders which helps when you need to fit this seat next to another CR or in a 3-across situation
- Cons: Institutional models sold directly from Evenflo have basic hook-style LATCH connectors; retail models of the SecureKid have dual integrated cupholders and push-on LATCH connectors but those models are considerably more expensive and may not be the best choice for programs with limited funding
HIGHBACK BOOSTER SEATS
Evenflo Amp
- Specs & Features: With back 30 -110 lbs., 40-57″; Without back 40-110 lbs., 40-57″; 6 height positions; minimum age 4; Made in USA
- Pros: Dual mode; provides good belt fit on the vast majority of children; easy to assemble; does not require head support from the vehicle
- Cons: Shallow head wings don’t provide good sleep support; base is wide and boxy
Graco TurboBooster
- Specs & Features: With back 30 -100 lbs., 38-57″; Without back 40-100 lbs., 40-57″; 6 height positions; minimum age 3; Made in China
- Pros: Dual mode; provides good belt fit on the vast majority of children; does not require head support from the vehicle
- Cons: Complicated assembly required (including a screwdriver); base is wide and boxy
BACKLESS BOOSTER SEATS
Cosco HighRise/Ambassador- Specs & Features: 40-100 lbs., 43-57″; Made in USA
Evenflo Amp- Specs & Features: 40-110 lbs., 40-57″; minimum age 4; Made in USA
Harmony YouthAvailable at Walmart
- Specs & Features: 30-100 lbs., 34-57″; Made in China
Safety 1st Incognito Kid-Positioner
Available through Mercury Distributing, Amazon, Walmart.com
- Specs & Features: 60-120 lbs., 47-60″; designed for bigger, older kids who just need a little boost to fit properly in the adult seatbelt; available in 4 colors to match vehicle interiors; Made in USA
Contact information for Mercury, Evenflo & Graco to set up accounts & request freight shipping quotes. Minimum order requirements may apply.
Mercury Distributing/Child Source
Phone: (800) 815-6330 / Fax: 800 815-6324
Evenflo Institutional Sales
Patsy (800) 768-6077
[email protected]
Eve (877) 783-0444
[email protected]
Graco Institutional Sales
http://www.gracobaby.com/wheretobuy/pages/buyercontactform.aspx
What about the IMMI GO? It would seem to be a very versatile seat for CPS purposes.
Hi Robert, it would be ideal but it’s not practical because it’s too expensive for most programs. CPS programs need budget-friendly seats because funding is tight and demand usually exceeds supply.