Graco 4Ever vs Chicco NextFit – Comprehensive Comparison

As much as there is a wide disparity between the Graco 4Ever (a 4-in-1) and the Chicco NextFit (a 2-in-1), you may already have them on your final list or somewhat on your bucket list of car seats while still trickling down to a better option. That is why you are here to find details on the Graco 4Ever vs Chicco NextFit car seats.

However, I will recommend you to the Graco Extend2Fit vs Chicco NextFit, which is more closely related to the Graco 4Ever vs Chicco NextFit.

Nonetheless, you will still learn from this comparison article on the Graco 4Ever 4-in-1 and the Chicco NextFit 2-in-1, with comprehensive insight and analysis into their specifications, installation, ease-of-use, and other general features.

NB: The 4Ever 4-in-1 has a fourth mode from the Extend2Fit 3-in-1 recommended earlier.
NB: The NextFit has the following variants NextFit Zip, NextFit Sport, NextFit Zip Air, NextFit Zip Max Air.

Continue reading to learn more about the differences and similarities in this Chicco NextFit and Graco 4Ever comparison and key decision-making factors based on the following:

1. Specifications
2. Features
3. Ease-of-use rating
4. Safety and crash tests
5. Pricing and other parents’ feedback assessment
6. Budget, pricing, and needs assessment.

What is the Difference Between the Graco 4Ever 4-in-1 and the Chicco NextFit 2-in-1?

The major difference between the Graco 4Ever and the Chicco NextFit car seats is the seat modes. While the Chicco NextFit is a 2-in-1 convertible that can only be used as rear-facing and forward-facing, the Graco 4Ever has additional highback and backless booster seat modes at nearly the same amount, giving you better value for money in the long run.

Other significant differences in these car seats include:

1. The Graco 4Ever has 10 years lifespan, and the Chicco NextFit has 8 years lifespan.
2. The Graco 4Ever and the Chicco NextFit Zip Max Air are preemie friendly at a minimum weight limit of 4 lbs when RF, unlike the other NextFit variants starting at 5 lbs.
3. 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 NextFit (26″H). However, the Chicco is slimmer than the Graco (19″W < 21.6″W)
4. A relatively lighter weight for the 4Ever (23 lbs) than the NextFit (25 lbs).
5. Graco 4Ever DLX beats the Chicco NextFit in crash test reports and ease-of-use ratings.

Specification Comparison: Graco 4Ever VS Chicco NextFit

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 features that require a rating

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 Both Seats – Which is The Winner? – Helping you Make a Decision

From the tables above, you’ll observe marginal differences and a few similarities between the Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 vs Chicco NextFit across their specifications.

Making a decision now becomes easier as you see what each seat offers for relatively the same amount of money.

What you should be on the lookout for should be crucial aspects of a car seat, such as ease of installation, ease of use, and comfort for your child.

Specification Comparison

Car seat specification covers every aspect of product dimension/size, weight, seat modes, weight & height limits.

Product Dimension

Depending on your seat mode need (either as RF or FF), your vehicle interior, and if you have other car seats already installed, the dimensions of these seats play a critical factor in your decision-making.

While the 4Ever DLX measures 24″ in height and 21.5″ in width, the NextFit measures 26″ in height and 19″ in width.

This means the NextFit will take up more space when rear-facing (the height, 26″) in a compact to mid-size vehicle and likely affect the front seat passenger or the driver, however tall they may be. However, because of its slimmer design, the NextFit will fit better (the width, 19″) with other car seats. To get the best out of the Chicco NextFit in RF, installing it in the middle position is best.

On the other hand, the 4Ever DLX will be a better fit when rear-facing on any position but may not fit with other car seats because of the width (21.5″). If you have a spacious car and wouldn’t need more than two seats in the rear, then the DLX is good enough.

In this regard, it is a tie.

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 weighs slightly less than the Chicco NextFit at 23 lbs compared to 25 lbs.

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

Seat Modes, Weight, and Height Limits

This is the most significant factor in deciding which car seats to go for.

The 4Ever DLX offers more value for money as a 4-in-1 car seat that will be used for ten years than the NextFit as a 2-in-1 car seat that can be used for eight years and yet almost the same price.

On the other hand, the 4Ever DLX is more preemie friendly, accommodating a tiny newborn at just 4 lbs. with head and body inserts for more comfort. While the NextFit begins at 5lbs with only one newborn insert (Newborn Positioner), albeit still comfortable.

NB: The Chicco NextFit Max Zip Air has RF weight limit of 4lbs. – 50lbs.

Furthermore, the 4Ever DLX offers additional highback booster seat mode at weight limits of 40 – 100 lbs, backless booster seat mode at weight limits of 40 – 120 lbs, and height limits of 43″ – 57″, which are both absent in the NextFit.

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

Features Comparison

Now to the icing on the cake.

This section covers safety, installation, ease-of-use features, comfortability for a child, and duration of usage (expiration – how to check if your car seat is expired)

Safety Features

As an emphasis always, car seats sold on the US market are safe. Car seat manufacturers are made to meet stringent federal safety standards before their car seats can be sold on the market; as such, you can be assured that any car seat you buy, irrespective of the brand or model, is safe – as long it is not recalled.

Nonetheless, brand names or higher prices do not determine that a car seat is safer than the other.

What makes a car seat perform its actual purpose successfully is when it has been installed properly in a vehicle.

On the other hand, manufacturers go overboard to improve safety standards by adding more safety features, passing more rigorous crash tests, and including easier installation features to give you more peace of mind.

Graco, for example, has a safety procedural 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.

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

However, going by the available reports, the Graco 4Ever DLX beats the Chicco NextFit in crash test scores and ease-of-use ratings.

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

Installation Features

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

The 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.

The NextFit 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

This is another very significant factor that should influence your buying decision.

Both seats are easy to use and feature similar and distinct features that make them unique in their own way, albeit nearly insignificant over the other.

For example, they both feature newborn inserts, recline positions, a no-rethread 5-point harness system that can be adjusted as your child grows, an adjustable headrest, machine-washable fabrics, and removable cups.

However, the following are where the differences lie:

1. Harness holder: the 4Ever DLX comes with a harness holder, a feature that helps hold the harness back quickly and safely when getting your child out of the seat. The NextFit does not have this feature.
2. Harness storage: the 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 has a harness storage feature, which helps store the harness when not in use in the booster seat modes. Since the NextFit is a 2-in-1 seat, the absence of this feature is insignificant.
3. Removable cups: it is worth noting that despite both seats featuring removable cups, the number and structure are different. The 4Ever comes with two round cups that are rigid, while the NextFit comes with one round cup that is foldable. However, the NextFit Zip Max variant comes with two round cups at a higher price.
4. Removable seat cover: conventionally, removing car seat covers to wash can be a pain. However, these two car seats feature a way of quickly removing the seat covers. The Graco 4Ever DLX comes with the Rapid Remove Cover that enables taking off the cover in just a minute. In contrast, the Chicco NextFit Zip has a zip-off seat cover that can be removed by undoing the zippers. Nonetheless, both car seat covers are machine-washable.
5. Recline positions: While the 4Ever will recline in 6 different positions, the NextFit will recline in 9 positions, called the ReclineSure™. Despite this difference in number of recline positions, they make no significant difference. 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

Both seats have well-padded cushions that are very comfortable for a child, offering comfort for a baby that, in turn, gives you the rest of mind for a peaceful journey regardless of the distance. In this regard, the 4Ever comes with plush removable head and body newborn inserts. At the same time, NextFit calls theirs a removable newborn positioner.

However, another feature that offers extra comfort is the breathable 3D AirMesh, a system in the car seat that provides airflow channels to improve ventilation. The NextFit Zip Air and NextFit Zip Max Air variants have this feature, but one is pricier.

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 airplane seats in either rear-facing or forward-facing mode, but not as a booster seat in the case of the 4Ever, as aircraft seats do not have lap-shoulder belts.

Expiration

This is a crucial factor to consider in your final decision. While car seats have expiration dates to ensure optimal structural integrity of the materials over a period, you must stop using a seat after the defined lifespan elapses.

This makes you want to get the best value for your money in the years you have to use a car seat.

The Chicco NextFit 2-in-1 expires eight years from the date of manufacture, while the Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 has a 10-year lifespan.

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

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

Final Wrap-Up – Which Should You Go For?

The key takeaway from this Graco 4Ever vs Chicco NextFit comprehensive comparison lies in the seat modes, duration of use, and value for money.

The following will help you to make a final decision on which to go for:

• Are you on a long-term budget? Then go for the Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1, as it offers you more seat modes in a 10-year lifespan.
• Is this your first car seat? Then go for the Graco 4Ever DLX, as you can use the same seat for your next baby, depending on your child spacing.
• Do you have other car seats in your vehicle? Then, you may consider the Chicco NextFit since it is slimmer.
• Are you after luxury and comfort? If you can spare the extra cash, the NextFit Zip Air or Zip Max Air could be just for you while giving your child that ‘extra’ comfort.
• If your need is a convertible to begin rear-facing for your newborn and your vehicle front-to-back seat space is ‘relatively small,’ or the front-seat occupant is ‘relatively tall,’ then the 4Ever should be your choice.
• The Chicco NextFit 2-in-1 expires 8 years from the date of manufacture, while the Graco Extend2Fit 3-in-1 has a 10-year lifespan. The 4Ever will be the better option.

Nonetheless, both car seats are great, safe, easy to install, and comfortable.