Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 Review

In 1942, Russell Gray and Robert Cone launched the Graco company. However, it only fabricated car parts at that time. After Gray left the company, the remaining partner hired an engineer to move Graco into a new kind of product, including the first baby swing. This favorite baby swing was trendy, making Graco a household name. Graco is currently a leader for baby products, including car seats in all safety seat categories and some of the best full-size strollers and some options in our best umbrella strollers review.

Performance Comparison

Crash Testing

This Graco did not perform as well as the average seat in this group in our crash testing, with head and chest sensor results below the average. While all of the seats in this review are considered safe and meet the expectations of the federal guidelines, we are looking for options that perform better than the competition. This Graco earned a low score compared to competitors.

The sensor data for the SnugRide HIC (head sensor) and the chest clip indicated higher G forces impacting the crash test dummy. It has one of the highest results for the chest clips (lower is better) in the group. Plus, one of the highest results for the HIC sensor (also lower is better). With so many seats offering better results, this option doesn't likely provide a potentially higher margin of safety over the average seat.

Ease of Installation LATCH

LATCH is the second easiest installation method for this Graco, which is a bummer considering the method was created to make installation easier. This Graco is one of the few in the lineup with the older hook-style LATCH connectors. It also lacks other popular safety features like a load leg or anti-rebound bar. There is a needle-style level indicator on one side.

This base has clip-style connectors that require more visibility to the LATCH anchor points than push-style connectors. They are both harder to get in place and much harder to remove. This process will be even more challenging if you have larger hands or a car with significant padding. We twisted our straps and put the wrong connector on the wrong side on the first go because everything was just a little harder to see. The lock-off works well, and tightening wasn't hard.

Removing this base from the car is where trouble begins. The clip connectors need enough loose straps to push forward to detach from the anchors. It requires your whole hand to be between the cushions and is far more of a struggle than pushing a button or pulling a tab.

Recline Adjustment

This recline level adjustment has four different options. Adjusting is pretty straightforward by squeezing in on a big red button on the foot end of the base.

Unfortunately, you need to make your level choice before you install the base, as the adjustment button will be unreachable after the base is installed since it presses against the vehicle seat.

Ease of Installation - Belt

The easiest installation option here uses the vehicle belt. The pathway is not color-coded, but it does have a built-in lock-off or tensioner to help get the vehicle belt tight and keep it tight. Something we struggled with on the less expensive Graco we tested.

The slots on the base are not as open as we'd like, and we had trouble getting a visual on the belt pathway all the way through. The lock-off should be lifted before you start your threading, and forgetting this step will set you back. The lock-off is harder to press down, and it helps if you carefully keep straps flat and untwisted. The lock-off works as a tensioner to help get and keep the strap tight and prevent sliding from side to side. The lock-off required little effort and was a nice addition over the other Graco we tested without one. However, even with the tensioner, it isn't as tight as some higher-ranking competitors.

Ease of Installation - w/o the Base

Installation without the base is one of the most challenging methods for this Graco, and it again scored below the average for this metric. It utilizes the American belt path across the foot portion of the carrier, and the pathway is not color-coded. It sports a line for leveling on a stick decal on the carrier's side. We typically prefer the European pathway as it utilizes the shoulder portion of the vehicle belt across the back of the carrier to help snug it up against the vehicle seat.

This seat had a little bit of fabric in the way of the belt path, but it was easy enough to guide it through. The real problem was getting the carrier tight enough to pass the wiggle test. It took multiple attempts and a rolled towel to get the job done in both test vehicles.

It feels like this could be easier with the European method or a lock-off. We had to play around with getting the vehicle belt tight enough, with the carrier at the right level angle and in the right position in relation to the seat. The whole thing was more of a chore than it needed to be.

Ease of Use

This Graco is slightly better than average for ease of use of daily functions. While a handful of features could have been done better, overall, it isn't a frustrating seat to operate.

Buckle

The buckle has a square center button that is more or less flush with the buckle bevel. The crotch strap being adjustable might help give the user more room to handle the buckle, depending on their baby's size. The chest clip has the Graco logo instead of instructions, and it uses a pinch-style connection that is easy to operate.

Harness Tightening/Loosening

The webbing allows for smooth movement of the chest clip and shoulder padding as you pull the strap to tighten. It is easy peasy with no hiccups or feelings of strap congestion. The release button is under the fabric through a smaller slit on the carrier foot area. It is a smaller space, and we worry those with larger hands might struggle. The release button and tightening strap share the same space and come from the same fabric split, which is odd and not the typical design of most seats we've tested.

Harness Adjustment

This seat uses a rethread style of shoulder strap height adjustment. There are four possible height positions and two crotch strap positions. Rethreading requires the baby out of the carrier and access to the back. You remove the straps from the metal splitter plate and unthread the straps from one whole e to another, equal on both sides. It isn't hard but more convoluted than those that move without rethreading. Once your little one is over 12 lbs (according to the manual), you'll need to unthread the straps to remove the insert.

Carrier to Base Connection

We couldn't find a wrong way to connect this seat, and the lighter weight makes it easier to hoist into the car. For releasing, there is a handle higher up on the back of the carrier that releases the connection and gives one hand a lift point. Your main lifting handle will be the carrier handle, but this lever can help provide support. Removing the carrier is a bit more finicky than most of the competition, and we had to rock it around a little to get it to come off.

Handle

Why does Graco keep making their handles and canopies the same height? This frustrating problem has been around as long as we've been testing seats, and the constant rubbing and movement of the canopy when you use the handle is ridiculous. It is a simple fix, and many competitors seem to understand the assignment. The release buttons to move the handle are on the front of the joint to rotate it; it has four possible positions, and all are okay for driving. It moves pretty smoothly, but you will take the canopy along for the ride.

Canopy

The canopy comes past the halfway point when open, but it doesn't move equally on both sides, so you need to do some straightening after it's open. It also gets hung up on the handle and will move when the handle moves past it in whatever direction the handle is traveling. This is a terrible design flaw; we don't know why Graco keeps doing it. In our opinion, there is no reason your hand should have to fight for space with the canopy to grip the handle. It stays open as long as the handle doesn't get in the way and looks decent enough.

LATCH and Manual Storage

The LATCH clips are stowed in a compartment on the front of the base. When you take them out, you have to thread them through the holes on the side to position them for use. The compartment is easy to access, but you must ensure the clip and all the extra webbing are entirely in the storage area. The manual is kept in the same place under the straps and connectors.

Comfort/Quality

This Graco offers slightly more comfort and quality than its smaller brother but not enough to get genuinely excited about. It still managed to be one of the lowest-scoring options in this metric and failed to come close to the average score for the group.

Fabric and Padding

The padding and fabric on this Graco are marginally better than the less expensive brother, but not by a lot. The insert material is softer than the rest of the seat and has a more plasticky feel that might be good for wiping clean. The logos and warnings are not within reach of little ones. Both the insert and seat padding are thin. It is so thin that we aren't sure what the point is of the insert, as it doesn't seem to provide much additional support to smaller infants. There is a general lack of comfort padding in any area, which is woefully lacking in this department compared to most of the competition. It has thin padding on the shoulder straps that might help prevent webbing chaffing, but there is nothing on the crotch strap.

Handle and Canopy

The handle is flat in some areas and round in others. It has a rubbery center grip, which is nicer for holding than those without it, and it is friendlier on your arm should you loop it through to carry. The canopy is larger than most and is a thicker canvas to keep the sun out, but it feels more plastic and less breathable than we like.

Shell

The SnugLock shell has smooth sides and two strips of rubber on the bottom. This can help prevent slipping on hard surfaces, but you still shouldn't leave little ones in their carrier on high surfaces like tables and countertops. Most of the warning stickers are on the lower parts of the shell.

Weight/Size

One of the few metrics where the SnugLock stands out is weight, with one of the highest scores in the group. This Graco carrier weighs 8.5 lbs in a lineup where the average seat is closer to 10 lbs, and the heaviest is over 17. While a couple of pounds might not sound like a big deal, it could be as your baby grows.

Should You Buy the SnugLock?

The SnugLock did not impress us during testing. With disappointing results in critical metrics we think are most important, there isn't much to rave about here, and we think parents will be happier with a different seat. No matter your hopes for an infant seat, this one is unlikely to meet them.

What Other Infant Car Seat Should You Consider?

If your budget is ultra-tight and you need an inexpensive seat with good crash test results, then the Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX is one to consider. With one of the lowest prices around and one of the highest crash test scores, this is a basic seat that puts crash test safety first. If your budget has some wiggle room and you can move to a mid-priced seat, the Chicco Keyfit 35 is a great all-around seat with better-than-average crash test results and easy installation for both methods. There is much to love about the Keyfit 35, and we think it is a good fit for most parents and worth the increase in price over either Graco if your budget allows.

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