Graco Snugride v Snugride 32 v Chicco Keyfit

Okay I used the snugride with DD #1 - cannot use it again as we were in slight accident and its recommended not to use it for another child.

SO I have to buy a new one.

My main requirements are safety of course then comfort, ease of use, easy to carry and a big one for me - the cover must be able to be removed for washing.

Does anyone know if there is a weight diffrence in these three mentioned above. I know the snugride 32 goes up to a higher weight limit but does that mean the actual car seat is heavier too - i. e when there is no child in the seats is one heavier than the other?

If you have any of these can you weigh in as to why you bought this particular one.

Many thanks

Re: Graco Snugride v Snugride 32 v Chicco Keyfit

before registering for the Graco Snugride, I went & picked up bot the Snugride 32 & the Snugride at the same time. To me, there was a considerable difference in terms of the Snugride 32 being heavier. I knew that even with a 7lb baby, I would struggle.

That is why I decided to get the regular Snugride. I need to be able to get my DS in & out of the car without struggling with the seat.

Re: Graco Snugride v Snugride 32 v Chicco Keyfit

We went with the Chicco Keyfit 30. Both companies make very safe car seats though, you can't go wrong.

I liked that the Keyfit 30 was heavy actually (seemed very sturdy) and most of the reviews were stellar. I read a lot on car-seat.org and other sites (many compared the graco w/ the chicco) and found that most said the Keyfit was much easier to install, has a nice tight fit in the car, a really great infant insert, no head flop and is perfect for small newborns. I like the look of the chicco better as well.

Definitely go see them in person to see the features, material, etc.

Re: Graco Snugride v Snugride 32 v Chicco Keyfit

i bought the snugride or my child. i looked at all three and here are my reason why we went for the snugride

its is rated #6 in safety
It is light to carry
I love the colors
it attaches to my bugaboo

i didnt pick the snugride 32 because it was really heavy. a baby will be 32lbs at 3 years of ago therefore no longer in an infant seat.

the chicco was nice i think rated #1 in safety (per BBB sales lady not me) but they said the baby outgrows it faster then the snugride


we also like the peg preggo viaggio but the side impact cushions didnt move making it uncomfortable for a baby

so this helps.

were you happy with your first snugride? if you were just stick with it.

Re: Graco Snugride v Snugride 32 v Chicco Keyfit

I read in Baby Bargains that the Snugride 32 is a couple pounds heavier than the original- I think it's a bit over 9 pounds? I can double check for you when I am home later if you'd like.

We went with the 32 since I figured we would get more use out of it due to the higher weight limit. I don't know if a pound or two makes much of a difference, as this is my first....

Re: Graco Snugride v Snugride 32 v Chicco Keyfit

We just registered for infant carriers, so this info is in my head. We were looking at the same 3.

The Graco Snugride is the lightest of them, coming in around 7.5/8 lbs. The max weight is 22 lbs.

The Graco Snugride32 is the heaviest of them coming in at 10 or 11 lbs I think. There is a significant weight difference between this and the snugride! And when I held both of them, I could really tell, even though it is only 2 or 3 lbs. The snugride 32 goes up to 32 lbs for your baby.

The Chicco is right in the middle at about 9 lbs. But you can feel the weight difference between the snugride32 and this, and felt like a good 2 lbs. This weight limit for the baby was 30 lbs.

After much debate in the store, DH and I decided that I would never carry around an infant carrier with a baby that weighed 20 lbs, so we went with the Snugride. We also registered for a convertible car seat that is rear-facing and starts at the low weight of 5 lbs. So we will have a choice to either switch to the car seat, or just keep the infant carrier in the car and carry the baby to the car.

Re: Graco Snugride v Snugride 32 v Chicco Keyfit

Thanks everyone so now I am between the snugride and the chicco

I prefer the color choices in the chicco and its rated #1 for safety. Its also more expensive and I would probably have to buy a different adapter for my stroller as the one I have works for the graco.

I wasn't 100% happy with the snugride the first time around - DD was tiny and she kept flopping forward and HATED the car seat all of the time - so my memories of car seats are not good. Having said that it was easy to carry.

I thought the second child would be easier as I would have had all the stuff already and would not be second guessing everything.

Re: Graco Snugride v Snugride 32 v Chicco Keyfit

Re: Graco Snugride v Snugride 32 v Chicco Keyfit

We from a BTDT mom who has the snugride and this time around got the snugride 32 - this is my take...

There is a 2 lbs difference between the seats - BUT - there is no way I would use the seat until the baby reaches 32 inches (they will most likely hit the height BEFORE the weight). I got the snugride 32 this time b.c I wanted side impact protection and the snugride doesn't offer that feature.

DD was in the snugride until 11 months (she was only 20lbs 1 oz and 29 inches at 12 months). I plan on using the snugride 32 until 11-12 months or I can't carry it anymore - honestly by that age you usually aren't carrying them anymore in the carrier but it is NICE to have the option of leaving them in it when you go to a restaurant etc and they are asleep - once you switch you will have to wake them up every time you get them in and out of the car.

BTW even if you go with the snugride 32 your child will NOT be in it at 3 years of age as a previous poster mentioned. Many children will either hit the weight OR height by 12-18 months (IF you decide to use it until it is at capacity).

When I spoke with the car installation guy he recommended the snugrides over the chicco so that was why we didn't look at the chicco this time.