Safety 1st Continuum 3 in 1 Review (2023)
Table of Contents
One thing Safety 1st is continually known for is their premium features at affordable prices.
Safety 1st has many car seats in their product line, including infant, convertible, and all-in-one car seats.
The Continuum 3-in-1 car seat is an all-in-one convertible car seat used in rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster seat modes.
The Safety 1st Continuum 3 in 1 car seat is a sequel to the Grow and Go (read the review) model but is more affordable, comes with fewer features (weight limits), and is as safe as the Grow and Go and also easy to use.
Here’s is a quick overview of the key difference between the Safety 1st Continuum 3 in 1 and the Grow and Go convertible car seats:
Table 1: Safety 1st Continuum vs Grow & Go
| FEATURE | CONTINUUM | GROW AND GO |
|---|---|---|
Weight limit | From 5 to 80 lbs. | From 5 to 100 lbs |
Harness capacity |
|
|
Cup holders | 1 removable cup holder | 2 integrated cup holders (also removable) |
Accessories | one body pillow |
|
Dimension | 24 x 19 x 23.8 (tall x wide x long) inches | 31.75 x 19.25 x 28.75 (tall x wide x long) inches |
Price |
Other than these differences, other quality features are similar – safety, installation, ease of use, cleaning, and maintenance.
Basis Of This Safety 1st Continuum 3-In-1 Car Seat Review and Why You Can Trust the Assessment
As a new parent, the overwhelming list of baby products for your newborn keeps you researching what right product to get.
A baby car seat tops the list. And when you’re constraint by budget, finding an excellent car seat that will fit your budget limit makes it even more stressful.
With my experience raising my children, I have spent countless hours researching products before buying; as such, I have the onus to choose what is right.
I’ve taken that precious time digging much information on this Continuum 3 in 1 car seat. I can confidently tell you this review is not just based on what features it carries but what parents got to say and their satisfaction and dissatisfaction with the product.
As such, you can trust that you’re reading a blunt assessment of this car seat and can save yourself extra hours reading on this particular seat.
Safety 1st Continuum Car Seat Review
As I earlier mentioned, this Continuum 3 in 1 car seat is a lower and more affordable version of the Grow and Go; however, it is as great as the latter. The car seat is packed with great PROS and as well some CONS.
If you’re in a hurry to know my assessment, here you go.
Pros and Cons
Unbiased Review on the Safety 1st Continuum Car Seat
The Safety 1st Continuum 3-in-one car seat is an excellent car seat just like its predecessor, Grow and Go. Coming with little differences in features and at a more affordable price.
However, there is the complaint that it may not fit newborns and may be difficult to install and tighten the harness straps.
This is earning an 8.0 score, short of 0.5 from an 8.5 of the Grow and Go because of the differences and the unavoidable CONS.
- 3-Positions recline for extra fit in a car and comfort for the child (positions 2&3 for rear-facing)
- Takes less space in the back seat – more legroom for the front seat
- Easy to install
- Very comfortable for a child
- Machine washable
- Comes with 1 cup holder
- Budget-friendly (affordable)
- Expiration – 10 years
- FAA Approved (to be used with harness; not to be used as booster seat)
- May not be suitable for "newborns"
- May be difficult to install/tighten
- May be difficult to tighten straps
Continuum 3-Recline Positions
The Continuum supports recline at three angles. To know if it’ll fit your car, here are the dimensions of the car seat in the three different angles
Recline 1 – Upright position: 24 tall x 19 wide x 23.75 long (inches) – suitable for forward-facing and booster seat mode.
Recline 2 – Semi-recline position: 19.5 tall x 19 Wide x 29 long (inches) – suitable for rear-facing.
Recline 3 – Full-recline position: 16.5 tall x 19 wide x 30.25 long (inches) – suitable for rear-facing.
Table 2: Safety 1st Continuum Car Seat Specifications
| FEATURE | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
Product Dimension | 24 x 19 x 23.8 (tall x wide x long) inches |
Product Weight | 18.7 lbs. |
Recommended Weight Range | 5 – 80 lbs. |
Recommended Height Limit | 52 inches |
Rear-facing Weight Limits | min. 5 lbs.; max. 40 lbs. (enough room for growth) |
Rear-facing Height Limits | 19 - 40 inches |
Forward-facing Weight Limits | min. 22 lbs.; max. 50 lbs. |
Forward-facing Height Limits | 29 - 45 inches |
Belt-positioning Booster Seat Weight Limits | min. 40 lbs.; max. 80 lbs. |
Belt-positioning Booster Seat Height Limits | min. 43 in.; max. 52 in. |
Life span (expiration) | 10 years from the date of manufacture (label on the side of the seat) (extra value for money) |
Table 3: Safety 1st Continuum Car Seat Features
| FEATURE | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
Safety Features |
|
Installation |
|
Ease of use |
|
Longevity and Suitability |
|
Comfortability for a Child |
|
Who is it best for? |
|
Key Decision-making Factors When Choosing the Continuum 3-in-1 Car Seat
Before deciding to buy a convertible car seat, you want to be sure that it is truly the car seat you need.
Here are a few questions to ask:
- Are you budget constraint?
- Do you plan to have more children?
- What is the size of your car?
While the list could be exhaustive, these are just a few important ones I’ve highlighted.
If you are within a budget and wouldn’t want to be buying any car seat anytime soon again, a convertible car seat will be your choice of seat. You can use any Safety 1st convertible car seat for 10 years.
If you do not plan on having more children and wouldn’t mind carrying your baby from the car to the house or vice-versa with a baby carrier, you may use a convertible car seat. Starting with an infant seat will be better if you plan on having more children.
If you have a small car, an infant seat will fit better. But if you need a convertible seat, then the Guide 65 will be ideal. Convertible car seats are usually weighty and are meant for permanent use in a car.
If you have made up your mind about a convertible car seat, here are key features to look out for that will match the questions you had just answered:
- Installation features – to ensure the purpose of a car seat, you have to be sure the seat can be securely installed in your car. You want to know what other users have said about the ease of installation and the seat’s installation features. There are two installation methods – LATCH/LUAS/ISOFIX system and the seat-belt method.
- Compatibility with a vehicle – this has to do with the size of your car and how many you may want to be installed in the back seat or if you already have others and need to add one more. The car seat dimensions are available to help you make this decision. Check the dimensions and match it with your vehicle seat available.
- Size – while this may be similar with the compatibility above, there is its peculiarity. If you would be moving your car seat between vehicles which may be unlikely, you want something that’ll be convenient to carry often. On the other hand, for aesthetic reasons, you may also want to consider the size.
- Ease of usage – Beyond the safety and protection a car seat offers a child, which is the sole purpose of using it in the first place, it also has to be easy to use. Additional features that enhance ease of use include a harness adjustment system, harness holders, etc.
- Comfort and growing room space – this is a major factor to consider when on a budget. You want a car seat that you can use for a long time, and that’ll afford enough space at each stage of growth. On the other hand, comfort matters really much. Is the car seat well padded? Are the pads soft? Etc.
- Weight and height requirement – many states’ car seat laws require children to use a car seat at different modes/positions based on weight and height. This, to an extent, offers you an edge in using a car seat for longer or not using one for very long, depending on the law. But you must use one for the first two years of a child’s life.
- Safety features – this is really not a major factor since car seats are made to meet federal safety standards. Nevertheless, manufacturers make their car seats to exceed these standards and even include more safety features to enhance child’s protection.
Table 4: Comparing the Factors above with What the Safety 1st Continuum 3-in-1 Offers
| Key Decision-making Factors | Continuum 3-in-1 Features | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
Installation Features |
| Excellent |
Compatibility With Vehicle |
| Very good |
Size |
| Excellent for regular cars |
Ease of Usage |
| Excellent |
Comfort And Growing Room Space |
| Excellent |
Weight And Height Requirement |
| Very Good |
Safety |
| Excellent |
Detailed Insight Based on the Features – PROS and CONS
Here comes the meat of the bone. Detailed insight into the PROS and CONS of this car seat based on actual feedback from parents who have used the seat.
PROS
Safety
The major reason for a car seat is to protect a child in a car crash. All car seats pass federal safety standards before they are sold. But how do we confirm this if it doesn’t serve this purpose in real life?
There are many parents who, unfortunately, were involved in car crashes and reported their child remaining secured and safe after such a crash. Please give it up to the Safety 1st Continuum car seat.
On the other hand, ensure your car seat is well secured and tightly installed for perfect protection.
Installation
As with most baby car seats, installation is mostly a challenge. The same goes with some Safety 1st models. However, like the Grow and Go, this Continuum is equally easy to install, as reported by many parents.
It doesn’t mean there weren’t parents that didn’t find it difficult as well to install; they were not as much as to conclude that it is difficult. Some parents find it easier to install with the seat belt than with the LATCH.
You have to ensure you tighten the car seat as required. A car seat should not move more than 1 inch when held at the belt path and pushed front-to-back or side-to-side.
Comfort
The car seat is unarguably very comfortable for a child. Safety 1st did not compromise on the comfort at the price against the Grow and Go. Therefore, if you’re contemplating between these two and thinking about the comfort, you get it here also. Many attest to this.
Other than the weight limits, which may not offer much-growing space as the Grow and Go at 80 lbs. and 100 lbs. respectively (at the booster seat mode), you still get much value within the years you may use it. If you reside in a state where the laws allow your child to transition to a seat safety belt early, then the Continuum is great for you. You can find your state car seat laws here.
Also, note that the Continuum has a minimum weight requirement of 5 lbs. It may not fit well if your baby weighs less.
Size
Many parents’ concerns sometimes are usually about the size of their car and how much space a car seat may take. While some cars can be small and need a car seat like the Guide 65 (a compact convertible seat), this Continuum takes relatively less space in rear-facing and still leaves leg room for the front-seat passenger.
Ease of usage
Parents confirm the features you read under the ease-of-usage above. Many parents praise the ease of getting a child out easily from the seat (harness holders), easy cleaning, adjusting the harness and headrest easily, and then the cup holder.
CONS
In all honesty, it was really hard finding a CON for this car seat, but I’ll still write the unavoidable ones.
May be difficult to install
Some parents find it challenging to install the car seat, but relatively few have had this difficulty.
May not be suitable for “newborns”
According to the car seat manufacturer, the Continuum 3-in-1 is suitable for children weighing a minimum of 5 lbs. For some parents, the car seat did not fit their newborn
If you buy this car seat before delivery, you may not know what your baby will weigh. It’ll be difficult to determine whether the car seat will suit.
The onBoard 65 Air 360 and onBoard 65 LT (read the reviews – both Safety 1st) are perfect for newborns, especially preemies. Ideal for newborns weighing 4 lbs.
Safety 1st Continuum 3 In 1 Installation
Installing the Continuum car seat is simple and easy, though you may face the challenge of tightening the seat. You have to ensure you securely tighten the straps/belts.
Here’s a guide on how to install safety 1st car seats. You are also recommended to follow the car seat manual, which can be found in the section below.
Safety 1st Continuum 3 in 1 Car Seat Manual
You are to follow the instructions in the manual for your car seat registration, installation, and expiration.
You can find the Safety 1st Continuum manual here. You can also find all Safety-First car seats manual on this page – when do Safety 1st car seats expire.
Final Wrap-up
This Continuum 3-in-1 Car Seat is truly a rep of its predecessor, the Grow and Go all-in-1, having similar and outstanding features and easy to use features like the latter, and yet at an affordable amount.
If you don’t mind the differences listed at the beginning of this review, you may go for the Continuum. Many parents give it a pass, I give it a pass also.
It is worth every penny and beyond that, it promises optimal safety, comfort and is easy to install, use, clean and maintain.
