Graco Snugride 35 Lx Click Connect Infant Car Seat Studio Safety Review

(Terminal Updated On: July 8, 2020)

Graco SnugRide 35 Low-cal LX

The quest for a lightweight, rear facing but automobile seat is one that many manufacturers have taken on.  Graco joins this club with their newest offering — the SnugRide 35 Calorie-free 60, part of their upkeep-friendly SnugRide Click Connect lineup.  The SnugRide line of seats has been around for quite some fourth dimension, they're solid seats that are by and large easy to install and use correctly.  Many of the CSFTL children took their beginning auto rides in a SnugRide!

This newest offering takes on the lightweight carrier challenge.  We had a lot of questions effectually the "Lite" in the name and wanted to meet how low-cal this lightweight seat really is!

CSFTL Quick Stats

• Weight range: four-35 pounds
• Elevation range: 32 inches or less
• Beat out superlative: 20 inches
• Everyman harness position: 6 inches with insert
• Weight (carrier just): seven.2 pounds
• Expiration: seven years
• Handle position: Any locked position
• Available in the United States and Canada

Measurements

• Two position adjustable crotch strap (5.five and 7 inches from the back of the seating surface area)
• Iv harness peak settings (six, eight, ten, and 12 inches)
• 2 crotch buckle positions: 5.v and vii inches from the back of the seat pan
• Base width: fourteen inches almost the recline dial, narrower at ends
• Base depth: 21 inches
• Width at widest part (handle): 17.5 inches
• Infant body and head insert for children weighing less than 12 pounds

Features

• Adjustable recline foot
• Standard lower anchor connectors
• Multi-age recline angle indicator

More About the Features

2 Position Adjustable Crotch Strap

Graco SnugRide 35 Lite Lx crotch buckle positions

The slots for this crotch buckle measure v.5 and 7 inches from the back of the seat pan.  Having more than one slot tin can help keep both modest and larger infants comfortable. We all know that babies come up in many dissimilar shapes–this adaptability helps the crotch strap not sit either too far or too close to a child'due south torso.  The manual that came with our item seat didn't include whatever weight limits on either setting, it merely stated that it is time to motility to the outer slot when the child's body is on top of the inner slot.

However, this information is on a label on the seat and itself and is too included in newer versions of the manual. Thanks for making the manual update, Graco!

Transmission Rethread Harness

Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX harness slots

The harness adjusts by removing the straps at the splitter plate and rethreading the straps through the harness slot that's at or below the child's shoulders.  In addition, there's an inner loop at the bottom of the harness that can exist used on the lower 2 harness slots.  Moving the harness onto these smaller loops reduces the harness length to be short plenty for the smallest babies.  I plant the diction in the manual about when to use which loops a bit confusing.

Graco SnugRide Lite 60 harness loop sticker

Thankfully Graco included an awesome label on the back of the seat which shows that the lower two slots are to be used with the shorter harness length, and the upper 2 slots use the longer harness length.

Canopy

The canopy is acceptable for coverage from the sun, but it's kind of noisy when it'south opened or closed.  At one point, the racket of this awning clicking into place woke up babe equally I adjusted information technology in hopes of keeping the sun out of his confront.  The canopy, thankfully, can be removed.  Some college end Graco rear facing but car seats have a much quieter canopy.

Babe Insert

Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX newborn insert

The extra padding for smaller infants can be used until the child weighs 12 pounds and does a great job of keeping little infants correctly positioned and comfy.  The head and trunk insert can exist used together or separately, however neither tin be used above 12 pounds.  The head insert must be threaded through the harness slot above the harness straps.

Adjustable Recline Pes

Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX recline pes fully extended

The recline foot extends to assistance with installing the seat at the right recline angle via the push of a button and has an easy-to-read recline bending indicator on the side of the base of operations.

Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX recline foot stored

This rather exaggerated angle helps the base of operations fit a wide range of vehicle seat slopes, though in some vehicles pool noodles or a rolled towel may exist needed to install the seat at the proper angle for a newborn.

Multi-Age Recline Bending Indicator

SnugRide Low-cal Sixty recline angle indicator

Similar many Graco rear facing but car seats, this seat has a recline range that allows the automobile seat to be installed at two different angles: more reclined for infants from nascency or slightly more upright for children who are 3 months sometime and older.  While these unlike recline angles are listed every bit options, nosotros've found it fairly difficult to install this type of base at the more upright bending.

Standard Lower Anchor Connectors

Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX lower anchor connector

The seat has standard, j-hook lower anchor connectors.  They store on the underside of the base of operations and are released from the base by pushing the grayness adjuster on the webbing. This type of adjuster is notoriously hard to release once the seat it's attached to is installed securely then nosotros tend to recommend that caregivers use the vehicle seat belt for this blazon of base equally most volition find that less frustrating.

SnugRide Lite 60 lower anchor storage

When the vehicle seat belt is used to install the base, the lower anchors store easily on the side of the base.

Side Overhang

Graco allows up to 20% of the base to overhang the vehicle seat, either front or side, which may make the SnugRide 35 Lite 60 a good choice for bound seats in vans or smaller vehicle seating areas.

Lightweight Carrier

At just over 7 pounds, the carrier portion of this seat is definitely i of the lighter carriers on the market place.  1 of our reviewers has a few rear facing only car seats available then we're including an unofficial weight comparing for you lot!

The SnugRide 35 Light LX is noticeably lighter than the Graco SnugRide SnugLock Extend2Fit 35 I had been using only prior to this seat's arrival.  It's also quite a bit lighter than the Chicco Fit2 (which isn't marketed as beingness lightweight) that I often employ for travel.  The Nuna Pipa Light that I normally use is virtually a half pound lighter than this seat, which may not seem similar a lot simply it is a noticeable difference.  We realize that mentioning all of these seats is a fleck like comparing apples to oranges since they're all more than featured (and thus, priced a chip higher) than this seat.  But we wanted to compare the weight in a meaningful mode since we recognize that some families choose their baby's first car seat based on weight lone.

Base of operations Compatibility

Graco SnugRide 35 Calorie-free LX Click Connect base of operations

The carrier portion seat ships with the Click Connect base.  That'southward part of why the seat is so budget-friendly!  However, it's too compatible with the more featured, piece of cake-to-install SnugLock bases that we're quite fond of.  If information technology'southward within your budget, nosotros'd suggest considering a SnugLock base for the primary vehicle, then using the Click Connect base for any boosted vehicles.

Installation with the Base

Graco SnugRide 35 LX Lite vehicle seat belt install

This seat includes Graco'due south basic Click Connect base.  This base tin can be installed with either lower anchors or the vehicle seat belt but does not accept a lockoff like the SnugLock series.

SnugRide Lite Lx base of operations installed with seatbelt

The base is very lightweight, just nigh iv pounds, and I found that when installing with a locked lap-shoulder belt the installation required a house manus on the base while tightening the seatbelt to forestall tilting. This niggling fob will prevent a lot of frustration (pulling up on the shoulder belt can cause the seat to tip – and no one wants a lopsided seat!).

Graco SnugRide 35 Lx Lite lower anchors

In my minivan, I was able to install the base at the maximum recline angle for newborns without much trouble.  Withal for older infants, even with the recline foot all the way in, I was barely able to get it into the 3 months+ zone.

SnugRide Lite Lx base installed with lower anchors

That isn't a safety event of course, nevertheless with a tall commuter or pocket-size vehicle that piddling extra bit can make a large difference upwardly forepart.  Note: this second recline position is an pick on many Graco bases and we've about never been able to install at that more upright bending correctly.

Installation Without the Base: Standard and European Routing

SnugRide Lite LX without the base using Euro Routing

The SnugRide 35 Low-cal Lx's manual details how to install the seat using standard routing and also European routing. In European routing the shoulder portion of a lap-shoulder belt goes around the back of the car seat's vanquish, stabilizing the seat and acting to use up the belt so that the car seat is snugly installed, even in the case of a lap-shoulder belt without a locking mechanism (which is common in Europe, but not in North America).

SnugRide Lite Sixty installed groundless with Euro Routing

Unfortunately, the labels don't include both routing options, but this flexibility is something to keep in heed.  I accept found that whenever the vehicle belt is long enough, the European routing makes for an easier baseless installation.

SnugRide Lite LX level to basis line when installing without the base of operations

If the vehicle's seatbelt is not long enough for the Euro routing to be a feasible installation, the SnugRide Lite Threescore allows the "standard" baseless installation equally well. Only route the lap portion of the shoulder belt through the baseless belt guides on the carrier, buckle the seatbelt, and appoint the seatbelt's locking machinery.

SnugRide Lite Sixty installed baseless with standard routing

Every bit always, cheque for less than i inch of movement at the belt path and when installed baseless the cherry-red line on the side must be level regardless of babe'southward age.

Compact!

Graco SnugRide Lite LX vs Chicco KeyFit

Nosotros noticed when installing the Graco SnugRide Lite that information technology seemed fairly compact, so we put it to the test beside another well-known compact rear facing only seat: The Chicco KeyFit.

In this 2013 Mazda CX-5, our thinking proved to exist correct. When installed at the most reclined angle immune (for a newborn), the SnugRide Light took up approximately 25.5 inches from front to back, while the KeyFit took up approximately 26.5 inches. At the most upright allowable reclines (for older babies with adept caput control), the SnugRide Lite took upwardly approximately 23 inches forepart to dorsum compared to 25.5 inches for the KeyFit.  This fit will vary by vehicle, but if y'all're on the lookout for a more meaty rear facing but seat, the SnugRide Low-cal may exist a proficient pick.

Fit to Child

Preemie Doll

Graco SnugRide 35 Lite 60 preemie doll with rolled wash material

Our Huggable Images preemie doll, who is four pounds and 17 inches long, had a passable fit in the seat, using the insert and a rolled washcloth at the crotch buckle.

Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX preemie doll with rolled wash material

The straps were just barely below our doll's shoulders, so this seat may not always be the best bet for the tiniest of newborns or preemies.  We always advocate that caregivers bank check the fit on bodily children before leaving the hospital.

Newborn Doll

Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX newborn doll with rolled wash textile

The newborn Huggable Images newborn doll weighs 7 pounds and is 17 inches long.  The doll fits very well in this seat.  Their shoulders were above the 2nd harness slot with the insert, and notwithstanding solidly above the lowest slot with the insert removed.

Graco SnugRide 35 Calorie-free Lx newborn doll

We took photos of the newborn doll both with and without a rolled washcloth between the doll and crotch buckle. While we felt both were solid options, it would depend on how "slumpy" the actual newborn is whether or not the crotch gyre would be required to improve the harness fit.

Real Newborn

Graco SnugRide Low-cal LX newborn

Our newborn model is ten weeks erstwhile, weighs 11 pounds and was measured at 23.75 inches tall. While she can still use the body pillow, we like her fit in the seat without any of the padding. The harness is threaded through the 2nd set of slots and the inner loops are in use (required past Graco), and she fits in the seat beautifully. Her mom was very impressed by how lightweight the seat is and past how nicely it fit in the dorsum seat of her 2013 Mazda CX-3.

13 Months Quondam

Graco SnugRide 35 Calorie-free LX 13 months old

This model is quite pocket-sized for his age: at thirteen months he is xix pounds and 28 inches tall.  He fits well in this seat.  His shoulders are just above the tertiary harness slot (he'due south wearing his usual fabric diapers), but I noticed that in disposables the 3rd slot was barely at his shoulders if I was not careful to position him.  Like most kiddos, he volition easily outgrow this seat past standing height or beat out height long before hit the weight limit.

Of import Information: Where to Discover

Graco SnugRide Lite National Safety Mark

FAA Approving/National Safety Mark (for Canadian Users) – the carrier portion of this seat is approved for use on aircraft.  The FAA approval is printed on page ten of the manual and on a characterization on underside of the shell, and for Canadian users, the National Safety Mark (the label required to prove the seat is approved for aircraft use) is located on the side of the carrier.

Graco SnugRide Low-cal LX Date of Industry characterization

Appointment of Manufacture is on the lesser of the motorcar seat, and the inside top of the base.

Graco SnugRide Lite Sixty expiration stamp

Expiration: The expiration is printed in the manual and stamped into the plastic on the bottom of the auto seat.

Graco SnugRide Lite LX manual storage

Manual Storage — the manual stores on the bottom of the base.

Overall Thoughts

When it comes to rear facing merely car seats, many families look starting time at the carrier weight.  They'll find a lightweight well-featured seat in the SnugRide Light LX.

European routing in baseless style is a definite perk, especially for travel, and especially at this price!  As technicians, we say over and over that the all-time seat is the one that fits your child, fits your car, and that you can use correctly every fourth dimension. This seat is like shooting fish in a barrel to use properly and offers a skilful fit for many differently sized infants, so information technology would be a solid, upkeep-friendly selection for many families who prefer a lighter weight carrier.

Giveaway!

Our friends at Graco are giving away 2 of these seats! One to a reader in the U.s.a., the other to a reader in Canada. Read our terms and weather condition, then enter below for your take a chance to win!

Canada

a Rafflecopter giveaway

U.s.a.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Source: https://csftl.org/graco-snugride-35-lite-lx-review/

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