Graco 4Ever vs DLX Car Seat Review
If you’re looking to buy a convertible car seat for your little one, then you probably came across several options from the established brand Graco. These folks produce some of the best car seats on the market.
Two of the brands’ most popular releases are the Graco 4Ever and the Graco 4Ever DLX car seats. The similarities between both models had many parents wondering which one they should get.
In this article, we’re helping you figure out exactly that with our detailed Graco 4Ever vs DLX car seat review that discusses the shared features and highlights the differences.
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What are the differences between the Graco4Ever vs the Graco4Ever DLX?
Let’s discuss the differences between the two seats. Or skip ahead to read about the detailed features of each.
1. Integrated Belt Lock Off
Click the image to see more details about the Graco4Ever DLX on Amazon
The first difference between the Graco 4Ever and Graco 4Ever DLX car seats is the integrated belt lock-off, which is featured only on the Graco 4Ever DLX.
The purpose of the integrated belt lock-off is to help you install the Graco 4Ever DLX more conveniently using the seat belt on your vehicle.
As a result, installing the Graco 4Ever DLX with your car’s seat belt is easier than the Graco 4Ever.
2. Graco ProtectPlus Engineered Safety
Click the image to see more details about the Graco 4Ever on Amazon
The Graco 4Ever DLX and Graco 4Ever car seats have undergone side-impact tests and they both meet or exceed all applicable US safety standards. However, the Graco 4Ever DLX offers something extra; Graco ProtectPlus.
Not only is the DLX car seat engineered with Graco ProtectPlus safety, but it was also subjected to several additional tests to ensure its safety level in case of any frontal, side, rear, and rollover crashes.
3. Fuss Free Harness Storage
Another extra feature on the Graco 4Ever DLX is the rubberized Fuss Free harness storage.
Absent on the Graco 4Ever, the rubberized Fuss Free harness storage is designed to make it easier for you to get your baby in and out of the car seat by providing a no-slip grip on the harness of the Graco 4Ever DLX. It also holds the unused harness when you use this car seat in booster mode.
4. RapidRemove Cover
By now, you probably already know that the seat pad of both the Graco 4Ever DLX and the Graco 4Ever are removable and machine washable. But the Graco 4Ever DLX features a little something extra called the RapidRemove Cover.
As the name suggests, the RapidRemove cover allows you to easily take the seat pad off of the Graco 4Ever DLX. The whole process can be done within 60 seconds thanks to this technology.
5. Price
You probably saw this one coming: the Graco 4Ever and the Graco 4Ever DLX car seats don’t cost the same. When it first came out, the DLX model was available at a higher price than the classic version.
This made sense because the DLX offers various additional features. But given that car seat prices often change, we recommend checking the tag on the Graco 4Ever and Graco 4Ever DLX online before making any decision.
As such, you’ll find that the DLX model is now on sale, so it’s actually less expensive than the standard version.
Graco 4Ever vs DLX Review – Comparison Table
After discussing the differences between the Graco 4Ever and the Graco 4Ever DLX car seats, let’s sum up all the information in a simple table to help you compare both products:
| Feature | Graco 4Ever | Graco 4Ever DLX |
| Car Seat Type | Convertible Car Seat | Convertible Car Seat |
| Ways to Ride | 4 | 4 |
| Rear-Facing weight limit | 4-40 lbs | 4-40 lbs |
| Forward-Facing Harness Weight Limit | 22-65 lbs | 22-65 lbs |
| Highback belt-positioning booster Weight Limit | 40-100 lbs | 40-100 lbs |
| Backless belt-positioning booster Weight Limit | 40-120 lbs | 40-120 lbs |
| Recline Position | 6-Position | 6-Position |
| Adjustable Headrest Position | 10-Position | 10-Position |
| Simply Safe Adjust Harness System | Yes | Yes |
| InRight LATCH system | Yes | Yes |
| Integrated harness storage compartment | Yes | Yes |
| Steel-reinforced frame | Yes | Yes |
| EPS Energy-absorbing Foam | Yes | Yes |
| Side Impact Tested | Yes | Yes |
| Plush head and body inserts | Yes | Yes |
| Machine Washable Seat Pad | Yes | Yes |
| RapidRemove cover | No | Yes |
| Graco ProtectPlus Engineered | No | Yes |
| Integrated belt lock-off | No | Yes |
| Fuss Free Harness Storage | No | Yes |
| Cup Holder | Dual, Integrated | Dual, Integrated |
| Price | Check here | Check here |
Who Should Buy the Graco 4Ever?
The Graco 4Ever is the standard model that you should choose if you’re not interested in additional features and just need a reliable car seat for your little one as they grow.
Although the Graco 4Ever doesn’t include some of the handy features of the DLX model, it’s easy to install and comes with a removable seat pad, a steel-reinforced frame, and EPS Energy-absorbing Foam to ensure your child’s safety.
Who Should Buy the Graco 4Ever DLX?
The Graco 4Ever DLX is ideal for parents or guardians who enjoy extra features that make car rides with their little ones more comfortable and convenient.
This model comes with an integrated belt lock-off for easier installation with the vehicle’s seat belt installation, Fuss Free harness storage to swiftly get your baby in and out of the car seat, RapidRemove cover to remove the car seat cover quicker, and Graco ProtectPlus technology for improved safety.
What is the Graco 4Ever?
The Graco 4Ever is a 4-stage convertible car seat that you can use as a rear-facing infant car seat, a forward-facing car seat for toddlers, a high-backed (or belt-positioning) booster, and a backless booster.
After the release of the DLX model, this one is considered the standard version of the car seat. It weighs in at 22.75 pounds and measures 19 inches wide.
The Graco 4Ever was side-impact tested and it meets or exceeds all applicable US safety standards, meaning that you can use it for your child with peace of mind.
=Not sure the 4Ever or DLX are right for you? Go back to our complete list of 4-in-one car seats!=
Features
Let’s take a closer look at the Graco 4Ever features:
4 Different Modes
As one of the most popular convertible car seats on the market nowadays, the Graco 4Ever has an all-in-one design that allows you to use it for your growing child in 4 different modes:
- Rear-facing for infants weighing between 4 to 40 pounds
- Forward-facing with a harness for toddlers weighing between 20 to 65 pounds
- Highback belt-positioning booster for kids weighing between 40 to 100 pounds
- Backless belt-positioning booster for older children weighing between 40 to 120 lbs pounds
Multiple Positions
The Graco 4Ever car seat is engineered to accommodate the sitting needs of your growing child, especially when it comes to comfort. As such, it features the Simply Safe Adjust Harness System which includes a 10-position adjustable headrest.
To make sure that your kid gets a comfortable sitting angle as possible, the Graco 4Ever car seat is also equipped with a 6-position recline.
Ample Cushioning
The Graco4Ever car seat comes with plush inserts to help you create a more comfortable seat for your newborn.
Simple Installation
A lot of parents get frustrated when installing car seats, but with the Graco 4Ever, you don’t need to worry about it.
Featuring InRight Latch, this car seat offers a one-second latch attachment for quick installation. It also comes with an easy-to-read level indicator that tells you whether or not the car seat is properly fitted, especially in rear-facing mode.
Clutter-free Design
The integrated harness storage compartment on the Graco 4Ever car seat holds any excess unused harness straps when you use the car seat in booster mode.
Durable Construction
One of the best features of the Graco 4Ever car seat is the construction quality. It comes with a steel-reinforced frame and EPS Energy-absorbing Foam.
The steel-reinforced frame provides the required strength and durability to handle frequent use or crash events, while the EPS Energy-absorbing Foam allows for effective shock absorption and energy management on impact.
Easy to Clean
The Graco 4Ever car also saves you the hassle of cleaning. The cover of this car seat is removable and machine washable, so you can just take it off and throw it with your laundry when gets dirty.
Dual Cup Holders
The Graco 4Ever car seat is equipped with dual cup holders on both sides so your child can conveniently access their favorite drinks and snacks during the ride.
What is the Graco 4Ever DLX?
The Graco 4Ever DLX is very similar to the classic Graco 4Ever, weighing in at 22.75 pounds and measuring 21.5 inches wide. It’s a 4-stage convertible car seat that you can use as a rear-facing infant car seat, a forward-facing car seat for toddlers, a high-backed (or belt-positioning) booster, and a backless booster.
The main difference between the two models is that the DLX features an extra layer of safety. The Graco ProtectPlus technology helps protect your little one in frontal, side, rear, and rollover crashes.
The Graco 4Ever DLX was side-impact tested and it meets or exceeds all applicable US safety standards, meaning that you can use it for your child with peace of mind.
Features
Let’s have a look at the features of the Graco 4Ever DLX:
4 Different Modes
Similar to its older sibling, the Graco 4Ever DLX is an all-in-one convertible car seat that you can use for your kid in 4 different modes:
- Rear-facing for infants weighing between 4 to 40 pounds
- Forward-facing with a harness for toddlers weighing between 20 to 65 pounds
- Highback belt-positioning booster for kids weighing between 40 to 100 pounds
- Backless belt-positioning booster for older children weighing between 40 to 120 lbs pounds
Related post: Considering other brands? Read our in-depth review of the Evenflo Everyfit vs the Graco 4Ever
Enhanced Safety
Graco 4Ever DLX is completed with Graco ProtectPlus Engineered that ensures it’s safe in any frontal, side, rear, and rollover crashes.
Sturdy Build
Similar to the standard model, the Graco 4Ever DLX car seat features reliable construction quality. The frame is reinforced with tough and the padding is EPS Energy-absorbing Foam.
The steel-reinforced frame provides the required strength and durability to handle frequent use or crash events, while the EPS Energy-absorbing Foam allows for effective shock absorption and energy management on impact.
Easy Installation
If you’re worried about setting up this car seat in your vehicle, the Graco 4Ever DLX has you covered.
It features InRight Latch, which provides a one-second latch attachment for quick installation. It’s also equipped with an easy-to-read level indicator that tells you whether or not the car seat is properly fitted, especially in rear-facing mode.
What’s more, the integrated belt lock-off helps you simply install the Graco 4Ever DLX using the seat belt on your vehicle.
Convenient Harness Storage
The rubberized Fuss Free harness storage is unique to the Graco 4Ever car seat. It helps you get your child in and out of the car seat easier.
Additionally, the integrated harness storage compartment holds any excess unused harness when you set the car seat to booster mode.
Multiple Positions
The Graco 4Ever DLX comes with the Simply Safe Adjust Harness System that’s designed to accommodate your child as they grow. It features a 10-position adjustable headrest accompanied by an integrated 6-position recline integrated to grant your kid the most comfortable angle for sitting.
Generous Padding
The Graco4Ever DLX also comes with plush head and body inserts to help your smaller baby be as comfortable as possible while sitting.
Simple Cleaning
We know that the classic model comes with a removable and machine washable cover, but the Graco 4Ever DLX takes it to the next level with the RapidRemove cover.
This feature helps you remove the seat pad quickly and easily when it gets dirty – it only takes a minute or less. Not to mention, the seat pad is machine washable so you can toss it in with your next load.
Dual Cup Holders
Like the classic version, The Graco 4Ever DLX car seat is equipped with dual cup holders on both armrests so your child can easily access their favorite drinks and snacks during the ride.
=Related Post: Looking for a three-in-one car seat instead? I recommend the Chicco NextFit ZIP. Read all the details here!=
Wrap Up- Graco 4ever vs DLX car seat review
There you have it, a comprehensive Graco 4ever vs Graco 4ever DLX car seat review to help you decide which model is best for your child’s sitting needs.
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Really good article! concise and straight forward. and the comparison table is my favourite!
Hope you guys can create more and more masterpiece 🙂
Thank you for posting this! It absolutely helped me!!