Graco 4Ever DLX vs Chicco OneFit – Comprehensive Comparison

When choosing a convertible car seat, one of the features to look out for is the seat modes. While some seats are clearly stated as 4-in-1 or 5-in-1, some others are termed all-in-one. However, not all all-in-one are 4-in-1 or higher.

That is the case of the Chicco OneFit all-in-one in this Graco 4Ever DLX vs Chicco OneFit comparison. The Graco 4Ever DLX is a true 4-in-1 convertible with a 5-in-1 variant, while the Chicco OneFit is a 3-in-1.

Nonetheless, be sure to read on to learn more about the differences and similarities in detail from this comprehensive comparison of the Graco 4Ever DLX and the Chicco OneFit and key decision-making factors based on the following:

1. Specifications
2. Features
3. Ease-of-use rating
4. Safety and crash tests
5. Budget, pricing, and needs assessment.

Not to be confused by model names, there is the Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 and the Graco 4Ever DLX Extend2Fit 4-in-1. While the former is a standalone model, the latter is a variant of the Extend2Fit convertible model that comes as 2-in-1, 3-in-1, and 4-in-1 (with more features like the anti-rebound bar.)

A peculiar difference in these two name-like models is that the 4Ever DLX Extend2Fit 4-in-1 has extended usage in rear-facing (4-position extendable panel for additional 5-inch legroom and 4-50lbs weight limit – ONLY when RF) and an Anti-Rebound Bar, while the 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 lacks them.

NB: there is also a 5-in-1 variant of the 4Ever DLX, called the Graco 4Ever DLX Grad 5-in-1, which includes a 5th mode that is a removable seat belt trainer (50-120 lbs; 43-60″). This variant is also 10% slimmer than the 4Ever DLX 4-in-1.

This Graco 4Ever DLX vs Chicco OneFit comparison article will highlight features of the 4Ever DLX Extend2Fit 4-in-1 and 4Ever DLX Grad 5-in-1 in the tables that will be provided.

Other comparable models between these brands include the Graco Extend2Fit vs. Chicco NextFit and Graco 4Ever vs Chicco NextFit.

And then Chicco OneFit vs NextFit However, the NextFit is a 2-in-1 convertible.

What are the Differences Between the Graco 4Ever DLX and the Chicco OneFit all-in-one?

As highlighted earlier, the seat modes significantly differ between the Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-one and the Chicco OneFit all-in-one.

While the Chicco OneFit is a 3-in-1 car seat featuring rear-, forward-facing, and highback booster seat modes, the Graco 4Ever features an additional backless booster seat mode, which therefore gives you more value in the same 10-year period you can use either of them.

Another significant difference is that the Chicco OneFit is slimmer but ‘taller in height’ than the Graco (19″ < 21.6″) and relatively cheaper by some bucks. This means that the OneFit will take less space by width and accommodate more seats (up to two more) side by side.

However, the price difference is negligible compared to the additional seat mode giving you more value for money.

Other significant differences in these car seats include:

1. The Graco 4Ever DLX is more preemie friendly at a minimum weight limit of 4 lbs when RF, against the OneFit at 5 lbs. The 4Ever DLX Extend2Fit is 4-50 lbs.
2. A more adaptable usage (a better fit) in different vehicles when rear-facing (for the 4Ever DLX) due to the lower height clearance (24″H) compared to the OneFit (27″H; up to 30.5″ when fully reclined). However, the Chicco is slimmer than the Graco (19″H < 21.6″H)

Table: Specification Comparison – Chicco OneFit vs Graco 4Ever DLX

NHTSA Ease-of-Use Rating

The National Highway Transport and Safety Agency (NHTSA) provides a simple evaluation of car seats based on how easy it is to use different features in different modes. There is an overall ease-of-use rating for each seat to help you make a quick and informed decision.

This rating is based on four categories:

1. Evaluation of Instructions
2. Vehicle Installation Features
3. Evaluation of Labels
4. Securing the child

Ratings:

• 5 Stars = Excellent features
• 4 Stars = Above-average features
• 3 Stars = Average features
• 2 Stars = Below-average features
• 1 Star = Poor features
• N/A = Does not contain any feature that require a rating or rating not available

General Features Comparison: Similarities and Differences

Safety Features

Installation Features

Ease-of-Use Features

Comfortability of a Child

Longevity, Suitability, and Compatibility

Miscellaneous features

In-Depth Analysis of The Seats – Which is The Winner? – Helping you Make a Decision

From the tables above, including the 4Ever DLX Extend2Fit 4-in-1, you will notice nominal differences and a few similarities between the Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 and Chicco OneFit all-in-one in a glance across their specifications, albeit some name terms.

It becomes more straightforward to decide now, and you can tell which would give you more value for your money while meeting your needs.

Fundamental aspects of a car seat you should look out for are ease of installation, comfort for a child, ease-of-use features over aesthetics, brand loyalty, variants, and even safety ratings, as “all” car seats sold are SAFE.

Specification Comparison

This section covers the aspects of product dimension/size, vehicle compatibility, seat modes, weight & height limits.

Product Dimension

This is one area where these car seats have some comparable differences that can significantly determine your choice.

Depending on your need for a convertible car seat, you want to pay close attention to your vehicle space and seat mode usage.

• The Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 measures 20″D X 24″H X 5″W,
• The 4Ever DLX Grad 5-in-1 measures 19.8″D X 26.2″H X 18″W,
• The Graco 4Ever DLX Extend2Fit measures 28.5″D X 24.5″H X 19″W, and
• The Chicco OneFit, 21.5″D x 27″H x 19″ W.

The Chicco OneFit is slimmer than the 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 (19″W < 21.5″ W) but is the same as the Extend2Fit model (19″W) and, therefore, will save up more space for other car seats side by side. Whereas the 4Ever DLX Grad 5-in-1 is the slimmest.

On the other hand, the Gracos have similar seat height (approx. 24″H), while the Chicco is the tallest (27″H; up to 30″H when fully reclined). This implies the OneFit will not be a good choice when rear-facing as it will take up more front-to-back space. If the driver or front-seat passenger is tall, this will become an inconvenient challenge. The suitable option will be to install in the center position.

In this regard, your needs will determine your choice.

Product Weight

This may not be a significant factor in your decision-making for either of these car seats, but it is worth noting.

Since a convertible car seat is designed with a non-detachable seat base, it is suited for permanent use in a vehicle. Therefore, there may not be the need to uninstall the car seat now and then as in an infant carrier.

However, there may be instances where you may need to be switching between cars. This is where this factor swings in.

The Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 weighs slightly less than the Chicco OneFit at 23 lbs compared to 25 lbs.

In this regard, the 4Ever takes an early lead.

However, the 4Ever DLX 5-in-1 weighs 24.1 lbs; the 4Ever DLX Extend2Fit weighs 26.9 lbs, the heaviest and the most expensive.

Seat Modes, Weight, and Height Limits

This is another significant factor to consider.

While in the world of marketing, terminologies can sometimes be misleading, clarity is needed to understand whatever marketing gimmick a manufacturer may have used during promotions.

The Chicco OneFit’s all-in-one feature is limited compared to the 4-in-1 or 5-in-1 the Gracos 4Ever DLX offers – the additional backless booster seat mode and then a removable seat belt trainer.

On the other hand, depending on where you reside and the state car seat laws, this factor can be overlooked as you may be able to transition your child to the vehicle seat belt sooner instead of riding longer in a booster seat, say more a backless seat.

Nonetheless, you never can tell where tomorrow leads. Therefore, it is wise to plan all the better.

In this regard, the 4Ever DLX will be the better option.

Features Comparison

Now to the butter on the bread.

This section covers aspects of safety, installation, ease-of-use features, comfortability for a child, FAA approval, and the defined years of usage (expiration).

Safety Features

All car seats are SAFE, and a higher price does not mean ‘higher’ or ‘better’ safety.

As an emphasis when you read about car seats here on ParentingWithHumility, car seats sold on the US market are safe as long as they are not recalled.

The presumption that comes from safety ratings as provided by some ‘sources’ is based on crash test comparisons with other car seats, telling you which one has higher scores than the other. However, car seat manufacturers are made to meet very stringent safety standards the federal government sets before they can be sold on the market. As such, every car seat produced is tested to meet national standards.

Notwithstanding, manufacturers go overboard to improve upon safety standards by adding more safety features, enhancing installation features, and carrying out more rigorous crash tests. This gives parents extra peace of mind knowing their little one can be safe in any eventuality.

Graco, for example, has a safety check performed on all their car seats and is trademarked the Graco® ProtectPlus Engineered™. Their car seats are rigorously tested for frontal, rear, side, and rollover crash impact.

Chicco prides itself on its DuoGuard® system, which includes a rigid shell with dual-layer protection and energy-absorbing foam.

However, no car seat will meet its expectations if it is not correctly installed. It has been estimated that “three out of every four car seats are installed improperly.”

Therefore, you should prioritize the installation features and ease of car seat installation over safety ratings.

Installation Features

To ensure that a child safety seat serves its purpose, it must be installed correctly in a car. When pushed, a car seat should not move more than 1cm front-to-back or side-side.

Some manufacturers go beyond the conventional safety belt and LATCH system installation features to include improved mechanisms that ensure a seat is easily and securely installed in either method.

The Graco 4Ever DLX features the InRight™ LATCH attachment system that makes installation with the LATCH system easy and the integrated belt lock-off system that makes installation with the safety belt easy.

Chicco prides itself on the so-called easiest-to-install features, patented the SuperCinch® and LockSure® technologies, which are installation features that ensure easy and secure installations in either LATCH or seat belt systems, respectively.

True to these features from either car seat, parents’ feedback confirms that their car seats were super easy to install.

In this regard, it is a tie.

Ease-of-Use Features

Albeit a secondary factor, this aspect of a car seat should influence your decision-making. Of all the stress of raising a child who wouldn’t need some relief here and there, especially in handling a child safety restraint.

The Chicco OneFit and the Graco 4Ever DLX are undoubtedly easy to use according to countable parents’ feedback, and this can be articulated from the features each of the seats comes with.

Nonetheless, they come with nearly similar and distinct features that make them unique in their own way, albeit almost insignificant over the other.

For example, they feature newborn inserts, seat recline in different positions, a no-rethread 5-point harness system, adjustable headrests, machine-washable fabrics, and removable/foldable cups.

However, the following are where the differences lie in detail:

Harness holder: the 4Ever DLX, including the Extend2Fit and Grad models, comes with a harness holder, a feature that helps you hold back the harness while safely getting your child out of the seat. The OneFit does not have this feature.

Harness storage: the Gracos has a compartment that houses the harness straps when not used during booster seat mode. The OneFit lacks this; however, you are advised to “Store the Harness Straps and Crotch Strap properly when using the Child Restraint in BOOSTER MODE,” according to the OneFit manual.

Headrest positions: this used to be a difference in the other Chicco convertible, NextFit (Chicco OneFit vs NextFit), which has 9 adjustable headrest positions. However, here in OneFit, there are 10 adjustable positions, similar to the Gracos. This means they offer similar comfort while accommodating a child’s growth.

Removable cups: The OneFit comes with two round, removable, foldable cups (the cupholders). The Graco 4Ever DLX is also dual, round, and removable but not foldable, but the Extend2Fit DLX model is square-shaped.

Removable seat cover: seat covers are one challenging aspect of a car seat that can make using them a hard life. However, the Gracos come with a super easy feature, the Rapid Remove cover, that makes taking off the seat cover easy in just 60 seconds. While the OneFit doesn’t have a special feature like this, it is still easy to take off and put back. Both seats’ covers are nonetheless easy to clean and are machine washable.

Recline positions: While the Gracos will recline in 6 different positions, the OneFit will recline in 9 using the ReclineSure™ system. Despite this difference in the number of recline positions, they make no significant difference (as some positions are actually redundant). However, reclining a car seat helps position the seat to fit your vehicle seat and keeps a child’s head in a good position. Each car seat has its defined recline positions for each seat mode and the lengths (space) they take up when reclined. At the same time, their level indicators are easy to read.

NB: please refer to your car seat manual for the appropriate recline position for each seat mode.

Comfortability of a Child

In addition to how easy it is to use either of the seats, both are comfortable, giving you peace of mind for a calm and peaceful journey, irrespective of your choice.

Both seats have well-padded cushions that are very comfortable for a child. They both come with removable head and body newborn inserts, making even tiny babies very comfortable.

FAA Approved

If you must carry a ‘bulky’ convertible car seat on air travel, then any of these seats will be suitable for use as they are FAA-approved. However, they can only be used on forward-facing aircraft seats and in RF and FF modes. They must not be used in booster seat mode as airplane seats are not equipped with lap-shoulder belts.

Expiration

There is no difference in this aspect as they have expiration dates of 10 years from the date of manufacture. This is unusual in the NextFit, which has just 8 years.

Final Wrap-Up – Which Should You Go For?

While this comparison article features two brands, the reality is that four car seats were actually compared; Gracos 4Ever DLX 4-in-1, 4Ever DLX 5-in-1, Extend2Fit DLX 4-in-1, and Chicco OneFit.

Making a decision is a straight-up call.

If you reside in a state where the safety restraint laws require that children ride in a booster seat before the seat belt, then consider the DLX Grad 5-in-1, as it offers a removable seat belt trainer. The advantage of this is that, wherein you have two or more children, one could be riding in the seat belt trainer while the other is in the booster seat.

However, note that the 5-in-1 is more expensive than the 4-in-1.

Suppose you are extra conscious and thorough on safety for your newborn when RF, you may go for the Extend2Fit DLX 4-in-1, which features an anti-rebound bar – the major distinct feature from the others. Do note that this model is the most expensive of the car seats in this article.

If you are constrained by budget and are okay without the ease-of-use features the Gracos offer, then the Chicco OneFit is good for you. The OneFit is the most affordable of the seats in this article.

Cheers to happy parenting!