Graco SlimFit 3-in-1 Review

The well-known Graco parent's love started in 1953 when the metal fabrication company brought a new engineer on board to expand their business. Inspired by a coworker's story of soothing a crabby baby with an outdoor patio glider, Rex Thomas and David Saint created a unique baby swing. This design catapulted the Graco company into the baby gear world. Graco produces strollers, family favorite car seats, and more.

Performance Comparison

Crash Test

With better sensor results and a higher crash test analysis, this is a seat to consider if this metric is first on your mind. All safety seats in the United States must adhere to federal guidelines; therefore, all seats in this review should be considered safe.

We purposefully ran a faster test with a more modern-day sled to push these seats a little harder than the standard.

With this method, we hoped to find exceptional seats in this lineup that could offer an additional safety margin. With some of the lowest G-forces recorded for the HIC and chest clip sensors, the SlimFit is one of those seats.

Ease of Install - LATCH

This Graco is one of the easiest Gracos to install using LATCH in this review. It has push-style LATCH connectors on a flexible strap, no lock-off, and a level indicator on one side only.

The recline range is limited, making it more of a challenge to get it exactly right during installation. It is a ball-style indicator, so some patience is needed to let it settle and determine whether it is in the right zone.

Because it is only on one side, this can further inhibit the process from going swiftly. The recline handle is easy to pull, and the rotation is smooth at least.

The connectors work well and with little effort. The strap slack pulls in easily and doesn't require much effort. It is straightforward to thread and felt snug in all directions for the wiggle test.

Forward-facing installation on the SlimFit uses the same connectors but no longer uses the level indicator. There are two options for reclining in forward-facing, and the handle is also easy to use in this configuration. Threading the belt is straightforward, and we had no problems making connections or tightening the strap. The process was quick, and the final install was stable, making it a potential contender if you need to move a seat frequently.

Ease of Install - Belt

Installing the SlimFit using a vehicle belt is somewhat harder than LATCH, but it still performed better than the average seat in our review.

Installing the SlimFit in the Rear-facing position has a ball level indicator on one side, and there is no color coding or lock-off on this model. With a lack of lock-off, getting the belt tightened was hard, resulting in less stability than some of the competition. The recline handle is on the front of the seat, so in rear-facing, you have to adjust this before installation because otherwise, you can't grab it.

You must fold fabric out of the way to access the belt pathway, as it keeps falling back into play. The path isn't great, and the shoulder portion of the belt interferes with the cup holder. Trying to tighten the belt causes the front to try to raise, but luckily, the acceptable angle range is very forgiving. Stability is okay; it passed the wiggle test, but we would want more for our kids. For this reason, we'd choose LATCH over the belt if necessary. We got a tighter install in the second test car, so some of this might be car design-dependent.

Forward facing has no angle indicator, color-coding, or lock-off. Threading the belt is straightforward, and the seat weight makes it easy to manipulate the seat during installation. It takes a little energy and effort to tighten the belt since there is no lock-off, and the pathway results in an awkward pull. Getting the seat reasonably tight in the second test car was easier than the first, but both passed the wiggle test. Overall, it is average to install and for stability.

Ease of Use

In our convertible car seat testing, the SlimFit also scored above average for ease of use.

Harness

The harness on this Graco is much like the other Gracos we tested. It has a standard buckle with an easy-to-push square buckle. The prongs require more oompf to push in, but it isn't hard. The chest clip mechanism is on the left side strap, but it functions like those working from the center.

The tightening strap on the SlimFit is more challenging to pull, and there is some resistance, indicating it is getting hung up somewhere. Loosening is easier without resistance, so whatever is causing tightening trouble is not a problem for pulling the harness loose.

This Graco has a non-rethread style height adjustment with ten height options. It has an easy-to-move three-position buckle with a third location suitable for older or larger children. The height assembly moves smoothly with no trouble in all ten positions.

LATCH Storage

The LATCH storage are basic side locations for clipping the connectors. Both are easy to locate and use, but they are rudimentary, leaving any additional webbing loose.

Cover

Much like others, the cover on this Graco doesn't come off as easily as we'd like, but it isn't the worst in the group. The material is easier to put back on than take off, which is nicer than some. There are a few loops and hooks in small places, which could be challenging for those with larger fingers.

Comfort/Quality

The SlimFit earned a higher result for comfort and quality than most seats, and it is impressive given the budget-friendly price that often translates to less in this metric.

The fabric is average and didn't elicit strong feelings either way. It isn't exceptionally soft, nor is it rough or uncomfortable. The infant insert is a jersey material that feels breathable for hotter days and sweaty baby heads. This material is also soft, with head padding about six inches wide.

This seat has good all-around padding that feels better than average memory foam. Everything lines up and looks finished with an attention to detail. The fabric and padding roll over the seat edge to better support longer or bare legs with no pressure points.

The shell is less open and exposed than the other Gracos we tested. But the plastic still feels cheaper than most, with loads of warning and instruction stickers adorning the sides.

Because this product is marketed as "slim," the cup holders on either side can fold in. Both feel sturdy enough, even if they are moveable.

Weight/Size

The SlimFit isn't as slim as you probably hope if your goal is a narrow seat, with a width of 18.6. This measurement is the group's average and doesn't stand out enough to be a boastworthy claim. Given that the seats in our lineup have a few closer to 16.9 inches, this average width is not slim.

However, it is somewhat light for the group at 18.5 lbs, especially if you look at the top-scoring seats we tested. The average weight for the group is 24.3 lbs, with the highest being over 30 lbs. The weight of the SlimFit might make it one for those who plan to travel frequently.

Should You Buy the Graco SlimFit 3-in-1?

The SlimFit is a budget-friendly seat with better crash test analysis and comfy padding. This reasonably priced option is easy to install and has easy-to-use features parents will love. Given the high cost of some of the competition, this seat offers a lot for not a lot of money, making it one we recommend.

What Other Convertible Car Seat Should You Consider?

If you want the absolute best score for crash testing, the Graco 4Ever DLX is for you. With much in common with the SlimFit, it is a similar Graco offering that is average for price and the best for crash testing. The 4Ever is easy to install using LATCH and was easy to use during testing. If your budget is even smaller and you worry about safety, the Evenflo Tribute 5 is another potential seat to review. This extremely cheap option has some of the best crash test results. While it doesn't stand out for much else (except maybe being lightweight), it is great to see a widely affordable option providing an additional safety margin over the average seat.