There's a long way to go from an infant car seat to the seat belt. Over the course of ten years, you'll approximately change four different car seats. That's right!
Now, there are many budget-oriented brands on the market, but not every one of them is worth the risk.
Today, I will talk about Cosco, the famous cost-efficient brand, producing car seats for all stages.
I selected 7 best Cosco car seat, including the market favorites like Cosco Scenera Next, Cosco Mighty Fit 65, and Cosco Apt 50.
I've composed comprehensive car seat reviews with the essential information you should know about each model, covering both advantages and disadvantages.
Stay tuned and enjoy!
Table of Contents
- The Best Cosco Car Seats: Our 7 Picks
- #1. Cosco Apt 50 - The Best Convertible Car Seat from Cosco
- #2. Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 - The Best Combination Booster
- #3. Cosco Simple Fold Travel System - Most Flexible and Versatile
- #4. Cosco MightyFit 65 Convertible Car Seat - Space-Saving and Safe
- #5. Cosco Highback 2-in-1 Booster - Top Seller Belt-Positioning Booster Car Seat
- #6. Cosco Topside Booster Car Seat - Fantastic Travel Option
- #7. Cosco Light N Comfy DX Infant Car Seat - Best Protection and Stability
- Cosco 101: A Word About the Brand
- FAQs
- Are Cosco car seats good?
- Is Cosco car seat FAA approved?
- Are there any recalls on Evenflo car seats?
- Which Cosco car seat is best for travel?
- What is the weight limit on a Cosco car seat?
- Is Cosco Scenera comfortable?
- What is the difference between Cosco Scenera and Next DLX?
- How long does Cosco seats last?
- Do Cosco car seats need to be replaced after an accident?
- What is the Cosco return policy?
- How to instal Cosco car seat?
- How do you loosen the straps on a Cosco toddler car seat?
- Can you wash a Cosco car seat cover?
- Final Thoughts
The Best Cosco Car Seats: Our 7 Picks
I can bet there's not a single parent who's never heard of Cosco Apt 50. This car seat is a legend of baby equipment, and I can say with confidence- deservedly.
I love this car seat for it is perfectly safe and functional, yet incredibly simple in design and ultra-affordable.
Think about it, what are the features you want your car seat to have?
Let me guess, safety, easy installment, functionality, lightweight, and durability. I can assure you this model has it all.
Cosco Apt 50 convertible can be used in two modes, rear-facing from five to forty pounds and forward-facing up to fifty pounds. This is the average weight range for the best convertible car seats on the market.
Still, while they all weigh around twenty pounds, this model weighs barely eleven pounds, showing unmatched functionality.
Next off, the seat features a LATCH system and adjustable five-point harness.
The LATCH makes installation a breeze while the harness can be adjusted from the front, having six harness heights and three buckle locations. I must say. This is a very impressive performance, given the price of the seat.
The seat features side impact protection, and it passed all the federal safety standards. It is approved for use in airplanes, and it makes a perfect travel seat for its lightweight construction and easy installment.
Finally, the seat even has a removable pad, machine-washable, and dryer-safe to enable maintenance as easy as the use and installation are.
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Simple design
- Safe
- Two modes
- FAA-approved
- No booster seat
And for the finale of my article, naturally, I'll be reviewing the Cosco Finale Combination booster seat.
It does incredibly remind me of the other combination booster on the list, but this model comes with a bit upgraded design that has a broader weight capacity; let's check it out.
First of all, this seat was specially designed for large families in constant need of carpooling and traveling.
It features a compact, lightweight design that allows fitting three seats on the back of most standard vehicles and can be moved from one car to another with ease.
You can use it in a forward-facing position for kids between thirty to 65 pounds and then as a high-back booster in a weight range of 40-100 pounds.
As you can see, the weight limit is extended for both modes, but do notice that the bottom limit is also higher than the other convertibles.
Importantly, this seat is an IIHS Best Bet Booster, which means it provides a perfect belt fit for kids between 4 and eight years old in most standard vehicles. Of course, it is perfectly safe, federally-approved, and tested.
Since it was designed for traveling, it comes with a cup holder to keep drinks and snacks. Still, you can remove it to make more space when you need to fit more than one seat across.
As with other Cosco car seats, this one is pretty easy to install and clean. Remove the seat pad, toss it into the washing machine, and dry in a dryer.
- High weight capacity
- Safe
- Practical
- IIHS Best Bet Booster
- Good Value-per-Quality
- Flimsy
And, why should you opt for the Cosco travel system?
Firstly, the travel system will astonish you since it offers the most accessible folding features and storage options.
Furthermore, as you will find, the infant car seat is easy to lift and fold, so it provides maximum maneuverability.
In addition, the infant car seat stores away effortlessly, in less than a second, or you can quickly take it along for the ride.
The infant car seat will easily install in the back seat of your motor vehicle and remain stable, balanced, fixed, and immovable for maximum safety, security, and stability of your little one.
Moreover, the infant car seat also includes maximum comfort and quickly finds the best body posture for your baby, with the infinite seat recline options. So, you can pick the best angle and recline it for more convenience and coziness of your baby.
Also, the infant car seat will astonish you, as it offers a 5-point harness system. So, it will keep your baby's critical body points stable and secure, protected, and safe.
Therefore, they won't slip away and get hurt while on the go. And, the seat will provide enough support for trouble and pressure-free rides.
However, the car seat also contains a quick-click technology, so you can effortlessly attach it to the stroller, to make a perfect travel system using regular car seat adapters.
Finally, the proportions support children between 4 and 22 pounds.
- Stability
- Durable
- Sturdy
- Comfortable
- Safe
- Issues with the infant insert support
Gradually we built our way from Cosco Apt 50, over Scenera Next to their most-adapted convertible Cosco Mighty Fit 65 Convertible Car Seat.
For sure, this model is the most popular representative of the Cosco family, with a two-in-one convertible design and fantastic weight limit.
While it supports children from five to 40 pounds rear-facing, the forward-facing mode has a 65 pounds weight limit, which is the highest yet noted weight limit for a two-in-one convertible.
Mighty Fit 65 convertible car seat is, of course, LATCH-equipped with a 5-point harness, 3 buckle positions, and five optional harness heights.
It also features a slim design so that most vehicles can fit three across. When used in a rear-facing mode, it provides more space to people in the front, being just the right fit, not too small, yet space-saving.
One of the strong sides of this Cosco model is comfort. Plush, soft padding keeps your little one snuggly cradled. At the same time, it is effortless to clean, so you don't have to get mad when they make a mess.
With Mighty Fix 65, you don't have to feel guilty for your thrifty purchase since it incorporates side-impact protection and meets the federal safety standards.
It is also FAA-approved and weighs around 12 pounds, so it's a perfect companion for the airport as well.
- Side impact protection
- Safe
- Budget-friendly
- Excellent weight capacity
- Plush padding
- Easy to clean
- A bit flimsy
When the time for a booster comes, Cosco has your back again.
I selected one of their top-sellers, a fantastic high-back booster seat that can be used with a 5-point harness as a forward-facing seat too.
Having two or three kids certainly demands space-efficiency, not to mention cost reduction.
For that reason exactly, if you already have a perfectly good infant seat your younger child can use, why wouldn't you choose a harnessed booster that is less expensive than a convertible, less heavy, and more practical as a next step?
This car seat accommodates children between twenty-two and eighty pounds. It incorporates a 5-point harness that can be adjusted from the front.
Just like the high-end models, this booster seat includes the LATCH system, saving you time and effort on the installation, and most cars can fit three across.
The seat offers two shoulder belt-guide positions, enabling you to find the perfect fit for your child, which significantly affects the security.
It is equipped with side impact protection, and it passed the federal safety standards for both vehicle and airplane use. And yet, it costs less than $100.
Some handy additions it offers are machine-washable pads, a removable cup holder, and a pretty lightweight design that makes the transport between vehicles a breeze.
The only concern I have is the comfort since some parents complained about the seat not being the coziest accommodation their kids had. But, given the price and the awesome qualities, it's not that big of a deal.
- Affordable
- Safe
- FAA-approved
- Lightweight
- Two seat belt-guide options
- Easy to maintain
- Not very comfortable
Once kids overgrow the high-back car seat, they become impatient for the seat belt.
When the nagging becomes unbearable, the best is to upgrade them from a high-back booster to a back free booster where they will have more freedom in movement while being properly secured.
Cosco, of course, has its budget-friendly competitor in this race as well.
What cannot go unnoticed about this Cosco Topside seat is the neat design.
It comes in four different color combinations, each equally simplistic and elegant. The seat was designed to have a car-safe shape that leaves no marks on your car seats, keeping the surface intact after use.
It can accommodate children between 40 and 100 pounds in weight and forty-three and fifty-seven inches in height.
I love that this backless booster incorporates extra-plush padding, so despite its backless design, kids find it very comfortable and soft.
I love backless boosters because they are the best travel companions.
This model weighs only two pounds, can you believe it?
But, leaving the lightweight design aside, the seat is incredibly convenient because you can lay three across, move it from one vehicle to another without complicated installation and effort-consuming systems.
The only complaint I managed to dig up is about the thickness of the cushion. Namely, parents claim the cushion is not as comfortable as advertised.
- Lightweight
- Simple
- Soft
- Neat design
- Easy to move
- Not as thick as advertised
Finally, the Cosco DX infant car seat provides the best safety features due to the side-impact protection built through the whole car seat.
Moreover, the car seat uses the EPS energy-absorbing foam that reduces the external pressure, forces, and impacts, keeping your little one intact, stable and safe in the seat in case of a crash.
Also, the seat meets all FMVSS and regulations, so it confirms safety.
Furthermore, the infant car seat is perfect for all travel types.
The car seat is FAA-approved, suitable for planes, and follows airline regulations and rules.
In addition, the ultra-light design won't add more load to you while at the airport and safety controls. Finally, the seat is convenient for numerous rental car services.
Of course, the Cosco infant car seat offers effortless and quick installation, thanks to the LATCH system and attachments.
Thus, the infant car seat will be stable, secure, and safe while on the road, and it won't move around once you install it properly. So, your baby will be safe and sound for an extended period.
And, you know how babies can be messy sometimes. Therefore, the infant car seat offers the best content and fabrics that are both dryer safe and machine washable.
So, the unit will save your time and energy, and the removable parts will always be ready, fresh, and clean for more prolonged and robust use.
Naturally, the baby will have extra protection with the 5-point harness system that keeps them safe.
- Quick setup
- Quick cleaning
- Comfortable
- Safe
- Quality issues
Cosco 101: A Word About the Brand
Cosco is one of the oldest car seat brands on the market with more than seventy years of experience.
It was founded in Columbus, Indiana, as a small company focused on family life and how to make it better.
Nowadays, Cosco is a part of the Dorel Juvenile Group along with Maxi-Cosi, Quinny, and Safety 1st seats.
What ties all these brands like Cosco, Maxi-Cosi, and Safety 1st together is a simple but safe design that keeps the performance on the desired level without compromising the price.
Cosco car seats are known for their lightweight design and simple construction, making them perfect for families that often hit the road and need to move the seat constantly from one vehicle to another.
Their offer includes all types of car seats, from an infant car seat to the no-back booster car seat, accommodating your child from day one to 12/13 years old.
The incorporated LATCH system makes it easy to install, while the excellent forward-facing weight limit of their convertibles, combined with 3 buckle locations that most of them have, allows you to adapt the seat perfectly as your child grows.
These seats are a great option for carpooling because they feature a slim design, so you can install two or three in the back seat of your car. Plus, all the harnessed seats are FAA-approved, thus excellent for airplane travel.
Now, for all the parents who love their products manufacturer in the United States, you can rest assured knowing that Cosco car seats meet all the federal safety standards.
While you'll definitely get your money's worth with Cosco car seats, I wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully If I didn't mention their disadvantages, as well.
I believe that Cosco could improve the durability and sturdiness of their seats. Parents who don't like their products complain about the seats being flimsy and not so comfortable.
FAQs
Are Cosco car seats good?
Cosco car seats are tested to meet the federal safety standards, which is the most important aspect of every car seat on the market.
What this means is that the seat will protect your child in case of a crash, and that's, after all, what these seats are primarily made for.
Now, if we take into consideration the comfort, ease of use, durability, and countless nifty additions you get with more expensive equipment, Cosco is not the most fortunate choice.
But when it comes to the basics- safety, stability, and installation, it is pretty decent.
Is Cosco car seat FAA approved?
Yes, it is.
The Cosco Scenera Next car seat contains the FAA label stating that it's possible to use the seat either in motor vehicles or for aircraft.
You will find the label somewhere near the bottom or at the sides of the car seat. It is FAA approved as it has a harness system, so you can freely use it on the airplane.
Are there any recalls on Evenflo car seats?
Yes, more than 56,000 recalls of the Transitions 3-in-1 combination seats recently.
Parents complained the kids easily loosened the harness, which would lead to severe injuries while in the seats.
Which Cosco car seat is best for travel?
The best Cosco car seat for traveling needs is definitely the Cosco Scenera Next convertible car seat.
The car seat offers two modes of use:
- rear-facing for kids five to 40 pounds and 19 to 40 inches tall,
- front-facing for children between 22 and 40 pounds or 29 and 43 inches tall.
It is also a harnessed car seat with point-harness straps. Therefore, it's suitable for aircraft and airplane use.
In addition, the seat is FAA approved for traveling across the ocean.
You can also remove and wash the seat in the machine when your little ones get too dirty and messy when traveling long distances. Therefore, it's the best car seat for all travel types.
What is the weight limit on a Cosco car seat?
The maximum weight limit for the Cosco Scenera Next car seat is 40 pounds.
The rear-facing mode supports kids five to 40 pounds, while the forward-facing accommodates kids 22-40 pounds.
Is Cosco Scenera comfortable?
Although the Cosco Scenera Next doesn't have as much car seat padding as other car seat models to offer more support and comfort to your little ones, kids still find it comfortable.
It will keep your little ones safe, cozy, calm, and relaxed inside the car seat. You can also adjust the harness system to fit your growing children.
Therefore, it's convenient and comfortable for children. So, you can freely choose it as your first option among the Cosco car seats.
Of course, you look for different brands for more paddings, but you should never neglect the Cosco Scenera model.
What is the difference between Cosco Scenera and Next DLX?
There is not that much difference between the Cosco Scenera NEXT and the Cosco Scenera Next DLX car seats.
Safety features and overall design are similar—the only notable difference between the two seats is the car seat cover.
The Scenera Next DLX offers multiple solid-colored covers with more comfort, padding, and coziness than the regular Cosco Scenera Next.
How long does Cosco seats last?
Cosco car seats manufactured before December 2013 predominantly expire after 6 to 8 years, the ones manufactured after December 2013 expire after 8 to 10 years.
The seats come with a 1-year warranty. During this period, you can get remedies and replacements for defective materials or workmanship.
Do Cosco car seats need to be replaced after an accident?
Yes, you must replace your car seat immediately!
Safety experts strongly recommend you replace your car seat after a car crash, even if your child wasn't in the seat when the collision occurred, or the car seat doesn't seem to have suffered any external or internal damage.
Depending on the severity of the car accident, the inner structure may be harmed in multiple ways that aren't obviously visible to parents.
And safety advocates strongly urge parents to change their seats instantly.
What is the Cosco return policy?
In most places, you can return the car seat thirty days after your purchase only if the seat is bought from Dorel Juvenile Group or CoscoKids.com.
The purchased item has to be in perfect condition and the original package for you to receive a full refund.
How to instal Cosco car seat?
I will refer you to some instructional videos that will help you understand the installation process better and provide a visual aid which, to my mind, is always more helpful than a verbal or written description:
How do you loosen the straps on a Cosco toddler car seat?
You can follow the procedure below:
- push the silver button in the central slot of the harness straps
- pull the strap forward; it will going to release the straps
- shorten the length of the black belt to install them in the proper bottom parts
- the straps will be short enough to tighten them snugly over the children using the harness
- loosen the straps and turn the seat
- find a black splitter plate at the back; they must be inside out
- remove both of them
- you will thoroughly remove the straps, and later you can adjust them as you need
Can you wash a Cosco car seat cover?
Fortunately, yes, you can wash the cover.
The seat padding on the Cosco Scenera car seat can be quickly removed for effortless maintenance and washing.
They are machine washable and dryer safe. However, before you begin removing the padding and cover, you have first to remove the harness system.
If not sure how to do so, ensure you read the car seat instruction manual carefully.
Final Thoughts
And so our story about Cosco car seats ends.
When we talk about children's safety, I believe that money should not be a limiting factor. Yet, if your budget simply cannot support a high-end product, Cosco is your brand to go.
If I could choose only one convertible car seat as the best Cosco car seat with a rear-facing and forward-facing mode, it would be the Apt 50 Convertible Car Seat.
It is the best-rated model on Amazon, provides a higher rear-facing weight limit, and makes an excellent seat for travel purposes.
- With 2 modes of use, this latch equipped Cosco car seat accommodates infants from 5 pounds up to toddlers weighing 40 pounds in rear facing mode and kids up to 50 pounds in forward facing mode
- The 5 point harness adjusts easily from the front of the seat and features 6 heights and 3 buckle locations
- In both the rear facing and forward facing modes, built in side impact protection keeps your little 1 extra secure
- Easily remove the machine washable and dryer safe car seat pad to clean
- Perfect for travel, the seat is certified for use on aircraft and gives your child a familiar seat during a flight
