The Graco Snugride with EPS is a very popular car seat, well known for its mobility, ease of use, safety features. Despite its low price, the seat is able to offer many features commonly seen in the pricier car seat products. This affordability combined with practicality makes it an extremely popular product in many households.
FEATURES
5 out of 5 points
Standard features of the Snugride include a 5-point safety harness to keep children strapped in tightly, a retractable sunroof to provide shade, a convenient carrying handle and stay-in car base, and a padded head rest. When detached from the car base, the carrier can be attached to a stroller, providing a convenient option for easy transport of the infant.
SIZE
4 out of 5 points
The Graco Snugride with EPS is an infant car seat, meant to carry all babies from newborns to 22 pounds. The maximum height for a child to use this seat is 29 inches tall. This is both good and bad: good, because the seat is specifically geared toward infants, and the safety features reflect that. Many parents believe that what is safe for an older child is not necessarily appropriate for an infant, and they want their infant’s car seat to reflect that opinion. However, for those parents who prefer to purchase a car seat that they can use for a long time, the Graco Snugride is not an optimal choice, as it will only serve the infant until he or she is 22 pounds. Parents looking for a long-term seat would be better suited to purchasing a convertible seat.
SAFETY
4 out of 5 points
The infant car seat is built with EPS, which stands for “Expanded Polystyrene.” EPS is most commonly referred to as Styrofoam, but the EPS used in Graco Snugride seats is not like Styrofoam found in disposable cups. It is considered one of the most reliable and safe materials used in absorbing impact. EPS is commonly used in many types of safety equipment, but is especially popular in car seats because it provides safety and comfort simultaneously. The car seat also features a 5-point safety harness, which protects infants from seat ejection. Another important safety feature is latch equipment, which enables the user to attach the seat securely in the vehicle so that it won’t slide around. One criticism of the car seat, however, is that the stay-in base does not always click in appropriately, and needs to be double checked that it is locked into the correct position.
COMFORT
3 out of 5 points
The EPS padding provides maximum comfort for infants. The padding is most dense around the head, which is an area that needs the most support during infancy. The sun canopy also is a nice feature because it blocks the sun from babies, as well as precipitation (useful for when the carrier is converted to a stroller). The biggest issue that consumers have found in comfort with the Graco Snugride is that the strap are often too short for even smaller babies, and do not allow for winter clothing such as heavy coats. Having to be strapped in too tightly is never a pleasant experience for an infant. After receiving complaints from customers, the company has begun sending in extension straps upon request.
DURABILITY
4 out of 5 points
Overall, the seat is very durable, made from quality materials and rarely needing repairs. There have been a few complaints that the lock-in feature is not as sturdy as other features, and frequently requires double checking. Also, it is important to keep in mind that the durability is seen over a shorter period of time since the product only accommodates young infants.
CLEANING
5 out of 5 points
The Snugride is much easier to clean than most car seats, because the cover is machine-washable! This cuts down on cleaning time when compared to other products that require hand-washing of covers. The metal and plastic parts of the seat can easily be cleaned with water and a mild soap.
LOOKS AND STYLE
5 out of 5 points
The Graco Snugride offers a variety of styles and appearances to choose from. Many customers enjoy the ability to choose both the base style (Silver, Navy, Black and other colors) and the cover style (assorted colors and patterns, including plaid, flowered and polka-dotted). This variety ensures that every parent will find a style that suits his or her tastes.
Overall, the Graco Snugride with EPS is viewed as one of the best deals for car seats on the market today. Not only is it one of only two seats to pass the rigorous safety standards of Consumer Reports, it features the ability to convert the carrier to stroller, a sunroof, and extra padding. These features, combined with comfort, style, and a reasonable price, make the Graco Snugride a solid choice for your baby.