Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 vs. Safety 1st Guide 65: Which is Better? (2024)

Hi there! We're here to help you decide between the Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 and the Safety 1st Guide 65.

Our goal is to provide you with the information you need to feel confident that you're choosing the optimal car seat for your family's needs and budget. Let us know if you have any other questions!

At A Glance

Our Thoughts

As a parent, I understand how important it is to choose a suitable car seat for your child. Let's compare the Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 and Safety 1st Guide 65 car seats and see which might be more appropriate for your family's specific needs. By analyzing the safety, features, installation process, cleaning, and overall value, I believe I can help you make the right choice.

The Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 is a wonderfully versatile car seat that accommodates children from 4 lbs to 120 lbs. This impressive range means it has the potential to be the only car seat your child will need from birth through their elementary school years. The Graco 4Ever DLX prioritizes safety with features such as steel reinforcement and has been well-received by parents for its ease of installation and maintenance, with its rapid-remove cover being a standout feature. The primary drawback is its larger size, potentially challenging parents who wish to fit more than one car seat in their vehicle or have a smaller car.

Meanwhile, Safety 1st Guide 65 is also a convertible car seat accommodating babies and toddlers from 5-65 pounds. Despite its lower price point, the Guide 65 doesn't compromise on safety, providing side-impact protection and a 5-point harness. Its small footprint advantageously allows you to fit three of these car seats across most vehicles. However, this car seat has been noted by parents as particularly tricky to install, especially in the rear-facing mode.

Both car seats have advantages and limitations. The Guide 65 might be the better choice for families looking for affordability and compactness – a fitting choice for parents with smaller cars or multiple young children. However, if safety features and convenience rank high in requirements, the Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 would be worth an extra investment. This car seat undoubtedly provides long-term use, from infancy to youth, yet its potential drawbacks such as fit problems for infants must also be considered.

When it comes to weight considerations, Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 stands out with its maximum weight of 120 lbs in Booster mode, which surpasses the maximum weight of Safety 1st Guide 65. Similarly, in the forward-facing mode, Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 can accommodate a heavier child with a specFFMaxWeight of 65 compared to Safety 1st Guide 65’s 40. This means a child could enjoy the benefits of rear-facing and forward-facing positions for longer in the Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 car seat.

So if your budget permits, and you're seeking a car seat that offers longevity, versatility, and user-friendly features like easy cleaning and installation, Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 is a strong contender. However, if compactness, affordability, or the necessity to accommodate several young children in one vehicle are your main priorities, you might find the Safety 1st Guide 65 more suitable. As parents, our needs and circumstances vary greatly, and it is essential to select a car seat that aligns closely with those unique requirements.