Graco Contender 65 vs. Grows4Me 4-in-1: Which is Better? (2024)

Hi there! We're here to help you decide between the Graco Contender 65 and the Graco Grows4Me 4-in-1.

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 and author with expertise in car seating, it's important to choose a seat that ensures the safety, comfort, and convenience of your little ones during travel. Among the wealth of options available today, two products stand out: the Graco Contender 65 and the Graco Grows4Me 4-in-1.

The Graco Contender 65 is a convertible car seat designed to accommodate children from infancy to the toddler stage within a weight range of 5 to 65 pounds. This seat emphasizes safety with its secure harness and impact-resistant design. It is also famed for its comfort and convenience, featuring an adjustable harness system and multiple recline positions for added comfort during long rides. Though installing this seat is generally an easy feat, a reported downside is the difficulty in cleaning, as some users have noted challenges with removing and cleaning the seat cover.

On the other hand, the Graco Grows4Me 4-in-1 offers a substantial return on investment with four modes of use. It transitions seamlessly from rear-facing to forward-facing, to high-back booster, and then to a backless booster. This versatile seat accommodates a broad weight range from 5 to 110 pounds, allowing for extended use as your child grows. The Grows4Me is designed with a steel-reinforced frame for added security and a 6-position recline for comfort. A feature that could be improved, according to some users, is its latch/hook system for installation, which may pose some challenges.

In comparing the two, both seats have their strengths. The Graco Contender 65 shines in its ease of installation and overall functionality. The Graco Grows4Me 4-in-1, however, offers a longer lifespan with its 4-in-1 design and a higher maximum weight limit in its booster function. Also, it's worth noting that both seats are FAA-approved in rear-facing and forward-facing modes, which means you can take them aboard planes for travel.

As for our recommendation, if ease of installation and day-to-day convenience is your top priority, the Graco Contender 65 may seem more attractive. However, if you're looking for a car seat that offers a wider range of use over the years, and you don't mind a bit of a struggle during installation, the Graco Grows4Me 4-in-1 would be a fit for your needs. It's just as safe, has a superior weight limit in its booster mode, and can transition through multiple stages of your child's growth, which makes it more cost-effective in the long run.