Graco SmartSeat Convertible Car Seat Base

Safety is obviously super important for any parent looking for a car seat for their child, and after doing a bunch of research and asking friends, relatives, coworkers, etc about it, we decided on this safety seat. This is not our first child seat, and I will say that while this one is very safe and can be used for newborns, I would personally get a slightly more compact one with a handle that you can carry for newborns so that you can slip them in and out of the base easily without actually removing them from the seat (especially if they're sleeping or just for convenience in strapping them into the chair prior to getting in the car). This one is better for larger infants, or toddler (can sit up well, crawl, no necessarily walk) to young child ages, in my opinion as it is much larger, heavier, and doesn't come with a carrying handle.There are many reasons to get this Graco convertible child seat, and I'll briefly list the pros and cons with a more detailed description below the list.Pros:-substantial - seems very durable and stable-easy to install-seat's recline angle and headrest can be adjusted-easy to adjust the recline, headrest, and safety straps-comes with an infant pad/lining (insert into the actual seat for cushioning/hugging the smaller child)-very secure when installed and attached to base-has a cup holder that's not inconvenient or bulky-can be used or "converted" to young child, forward facing settings after your kid grows out of the rear facing situation-instructions are very clear and easy-straps, impact pads, and other padding seem more substantial and comfortable than other car seats we've experienced-fits well in both our cars in any position (middle or directly behind the front seats) without being unstableCons:-substantially heavy and bulky (not easy to carry or take the seat in and out of the base)-while I'm sure it's good for safety and necessary for allowing to to switch from rear to forward facing, putting the seat into the base is not as simple as the slide and click - it requires you to turn knobs on each side simultaneously to lock and unlock-is NOT certified for use in airplanes-cannot be used in other carriers (i.e., strollers with seat attachments like a base)The reason we bought this car seat was because we wanted one seat that we could use for quickly growing infants into childhood before they're able to use the regular seat belt in the car. We also, as stated eariler, wanted something very safe and substantial since we would be relying on it for a few years of use on an ever larger child. This means sacrificing some of the luxuries enjoyed with the smaller, carrying seats - like being able to take the seat out of the base and carry it, insert it into a stroller equiped with attachments like the base you put in your car, taking it on the airplane, and just being easy to maneuver around. This car seat is definitely much heavier. While it means being somewhat cumbersome, it also means more stability and safety for your child until they don't need a seat or booster. It also likely means greater durability long-term.When we first put our little gal into the seat to fit her properly, it was easy to see that the cushions and padding, like the seat itself, are more substantial, softer, and more comfortable. The insert that comes with it to place into the seat is also convenient and nice - the seat is actually fairly wide, and the insert allows you to "shrink" the space so that your infant or toddler will fit more snug (no slipping or sliding around) without being uncomfortable. Much like other car seats, the straps are easy to adjust with a simple clip that is located just above the "slip strap" on the bottom, midline of the seat - you lift the clip and pull gently on the shoulder straps to loosen; leave the clip down and pull on the slip strap to tighten. The buckles are the same as others, too, with some additional padding to protect from discomfort or injury - shoulder straps secure with a buckle across the chest, just below armpit level (adjustable) and into a crotch buckle that remains in place (this also has padding so the buckle doesn't heat up too much in the sun and protects the child from the metal portion).The recline latch is a red handle on the bottom of the seat near the slip strap that allows you to provide more or less incline (from sitting up fairly straight to laying at about a 45 degree from horizontal). There is also a red, adjustable latch on top to move the head rest up and down. This also moves the shoulder straps as they are attached to it, so make sure you are aware of where the shoulder straps are before moving the head rest with your child in the seat. I would only adjust it with the straps unbuckled so you don't accidentally injure the child. As per the instructions, the childs head should rest about and inch or so below the top of the headrest. For rear facing, the shoulder straps should sit just below their shoulder height. You can also adjust the shoulder straps in the back of the seat without moving the headrest. The position locations for the recline are identfied on the side of the seat.There is a non-obtrusive cup holder on the right side of the seat (from the perspective of the child sitting in it) that's easy to install and blends well with the rest of the seat after folding the fabric back over it. It's not large enough to hold large bottles or cups (i.e., an adult bike/hiking water bottle) but will fit most child cups and bottles.On the side, you'll find the lock/unlock knobs that you have to press in and turn simultaneously to unlock (pulls the securing pins on the bottom of the seat in). When you've placed the seat into the base, you turn these and the knobs (along with the pins) will pop out securing the seat in place. When you unlock the seat, red "flags" will also pop up on the seat where the childs legs would be if they were sitting in it (another security measure) - they stay flush with the seat when it is locked.At the top but also on the side is a level indicator (just like a level you use to build structures or hang pictures). Don't pay much attention to this until the seat is in the base, then you can adjust the recline until the bubble is within the lines (rear facing infants should be in the 1,2, or 3 positions; forward facing should be in the 4, 5, or 6 positions).Installing the base into the car is pretty simple and almost exactly the same as other brands or types. There is a belt latching system that has 2 clips for either side of the base - these are meant to attach to the car's anchor points usually located between the back and bottom cushion (in the crease - look for small metal bar "loops" that are actually square most of the time). There is also a tether latch that can pass over the top of the car seat back into the anchoring point on the rear of the car seat. There is a note in the instruction manual to not use the tether in children over 25 lbs (maybe to prevent whiplash injury?). You can also use the car's seat belt to secure the base - simply place it under the base's side, between the gap, over the red belt area (unlatch the fastener button first), through the other gap, and secure it into the car's buckle. Before you re-fasten the red belt tab, pull the seat belt all the way out of its source point until it can't go any further, then release it and tighten as the part holding the base as much as you can while releasing the part the recoils into the car. You should hear clicking indicating the seat belt has engaged the safety feature (it won't re-expand until unbuckled and allowed to retract completely back into place). Then re-fasten the red belt tab on the base. After you've done either of these methods of securing, make sure the base doesn't slide side to side or up to down more than an inch - if it does, pull the adjustment straps tighter (anchoring tethers or car's seat belt) and check how level it sits in the car.Now you're ready to put the seat in the base - this is a little harder then the slide and click method that most infant car seats have. The seat is heavier to lift in, and you have to make sure the knobs are turned to the unlocked position (see above). It takes some getting used to but you can feel when it slides into its proper position - the locking knobs will be easy to turn, you'll hear the pins click into place, and the seat will be secure on the base (little movement). Then you can adjust the recline. I also recommend putting the car's front seat forward to give you space when you install it so it doesn't hit the front seat. If you put the safety seat in the middle, no worries.Overall, we've had very little difficulty with this seat. The converting from rear to forward facing comes with some sacrifices and the size and mobility but its worth it. It seems to be very sturdy, safe, and comfortable. I would definitely recommend this car seat to family and friends.

If you have two cars, it is totally worth it to have the extra base in the second car! It is so convenient to be able to move the carseat from one vehicle to the other without having to uninstall the whole seat. The people at the car seat inspection location had no trouble installing it for us, and now we know our daughter will be safe in both vehicles in case we are ever in an accident. Have your carseat inspected! 85% of all seats are installed incorrectly and it is free to have the inspection done! Get the extra base, have them both installed if you have two cars, and you will never have to worry about your child's safety, as you will know you did everything you could to protect them in a crash!

The "frequently bought together" is very wrong and misleading. The graco smart seat is not compatible with the graco 4ever seat. In fact, the 4ever seat does not have an interchangeable base. Its base is fixed. The graco smartseat is compatible with the graco smart seat.

The base is fine, but the seat is hard to move between vehicles. It's easier to just have a 2nd seat.

The base is much cheaper than a second seat. Amazon came through with a good price and it arrived on time. the seat belt holder for this base is pretty easy to use compared to out my ride 65 seat and its a snap it adjust the seat in the base. my wife can do it by herself and she was frightened to put a seat in or out of a car.

Order this to place in my truck as a alternate to take the little back and forth to daycare. It works great with the car seat and we are loving the locks visuals it really assists with knowing if it in place. Its a great safety measure and welcomed feature.

I purchased this for my small SUV. My grandson is under two and therefore they want him to remain turned backwards. The good thing about this base the seat can face either way. The base was purchased as an open box item. It arrived in a timely matter & was perfect in everyway. The base is large for a small SUV. I am unable to lower the middle armrest ( where my cup holders are), due to Its width. The car seat is large that this base is for and I have to move my front seat forward all the way to accommodate the car seat & base. I didn't want my grandson to ride in a seat he isn't familiar with or his mom hadn't researched & I knew she was comfortable with that seat. We just move the seat from one vehicle to another without the hassle of securing the seat safely. I had the fire department to install the base so I don't have to worry about me not getting it tight enough for safety. All I do is turn the button on the seat, pop it out, and move to the other car.

This base is extremely heavy does not fit in some vehicles very well and seems to be quite wide the car seat also is extremely heavy and bulky it does not fit small babies very well would recommend this child seat and base for children 6 months and up