The Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35 infant car seat first joined the extensive Graco family of child restraints back in 2005. Since then it’s been through a few iterations, one of which was to lower the minimum weight range from 5 to 4 pounds to better fit preemies. Show
The newer seats also have a longer expiration (7 years instead of 6) to better allow for extended rear-riding (to 2 years old) according to the AAP’s recommendation. The ClickConnect technology was designed to make it easy to attach to both a base and stroller with one step. It’s on the upper range in prices among the other Graco SnugRide models, but it’s still a pretty affordable seat compared to similar models of other brands. While not a huge investment for most families, you still want to get what you pay for. Is the Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35 worth the investment, and is it a safe and reliable seat for your baby? Let’s break down the stats so you can decide for yourself. Key Features of the Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35
What are the child size limits for the Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35?The 35 in the product name applies to the maximum weight range for this seat – 35 pounds. That’s becoming a fairly standard max weight in car seats, but there are still models like the SnugRide 30 that max out at 30 pounds. But 35 pounds does allow for extended rear-facing to age 2 or older.
While the SnugRide 30 has matching weight and height numbers of 30 pounds and 30 inches, the height limit of the SnugRide 35 tops out at only 32 inches. Some parents noted that the infant insert in the SnugRide 30 and 35 didn’t seem to have enough head support for newborns. There is another version called the SnugRide 35 LX with an infant insert that better restricts head movement. So if you will be driving on bumpy, curvy roads, the LX model may be a better option for your newborn. How big is the Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35 and will it fit in your vehicle?
The best thing size-wise is that this seat will likely fit in the backseat of most compact and other small cars. The only real issue with size we found involved the weight of the seat. A few parents noted a weight discrepancy from Graco’s reported weight for the carrier. While they list the SnugRide 35 as 7.5 pounds, parents reported the weight as 9 – 9.5 pounds. It’s unclear if this included the infant insert or any other accessories. A couple of pounds difference isn’t much until your baby is approaching 10 pounds. Some parents found this to be the case. You might find your arm getting really tired if you try to tote the carrier around for very long. Buying this seat as part of the Graco Aire3 Click Connect Travel System would be a good idea if you want to use the carrier outside the car. The stroller is a slim profile, lightweight (just 22 pounds) three-wheeled model. It will hold your child well after they outgrow the car seat, up to 50 pounds.
How safe is the Graco Snug Ride Click Connect 35?This car seat has been crash tested to meet and exceed US federal car seat safety standards. Graco has its own safety testing facility in Georgia and a program called SafeSeat Engineering, with standards that meet or exceed government test requirements. Additionally, they focus on 3 key areas: catastrophic crashes, extreme environments, and side impacts. Graco seats are constructed with materials that can perform differently in different temperatures. Most safety tests are performed at room temperature, but they also test at temperatures of 0 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. However, several parents noted that the SnugRide 35 wasn’t as breathable as other models, so their child’s back ended up really sweaty on warm days.
What we noted from several reports was that there seem to have been changes in quality control since the pre-2011 models (those that had minimum 5 pound weight). Parents who owned the earlier models and the more recent ones have said the new versions of the SnugRide 35 feel cheaper overall, with less padding and lower quality fabric.
How easy is the Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35 to use and install?This seems to depend on who you ask. Many parents who were new to car seats thought the seat was easy to install and use. However, parents who had used earlier versions of this seat or other car seat brands noted various flaws in both design and installation. The LATCH system may be harder to use than it should be. The clip-style LATCH anchors are difficult to attach to U-shaped vehicle anchors and removing them (especially if you have anchors that are deep in the backseat cushion and hard to see) is a pain in the neck. Once you have the LATCH clips attached, it may be hard to tighten the straps enough for the seat to feel secure. Another issue some people had was with the canopy. Oftentimes, it couldn’t be used with the carrier handle still up. This could be a pain on really sunny or rainy days, especially in summer if it’s too hot to cover your baby with a blanket. One good thing to note about installation is the adjustable recline feature on the base. There’s a color coded guide to help you get the right angle on the seat for baby’s age (newborn to 3 mon & 3 mon +). That’s a fairly unique feature among infant car seats.
Best Car Seat Hub’s final verdict
Final thoughtsThe Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35 is proven to perform safely in both crash tests and real-life crashes. Unfortunately, it’s a bit of a disappointment with some design and installation features. If you have a preemie, the infant insert that comes with this seat may not offer enough head support. Using after-market inserts is not something we’d recommend, but you could call Graco and see if they have an alternative infant insert. The SnugRide 35 will most likely fit in your vehicle, which is a big plus. Depending on the angle of your backseat, however, you might need some rolled up towels under the base to get it to the right angle. The LATCH installation (and removal) can be a pain if you have an older vehicle with hidden LATCH anchors. It shouldn’t be an issue with newer models of cars, but you can install the seat securely with just the seat belt. The price is decent for this car seat, and if you have a newer, smaller car, the Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35 could be a good option for you. Otherwise, it might be a good idea to shop around before deciding on this one. Did Graco discontinue click connect?The Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35 was discontinued in 2019.
Is Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 the same as click connect?"Graco® SnugRide® SnugLock™ car seats and bases are fully Click Connect™ compatible.
How long can you keep a baby in Graco SnugRide 35?Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35 Weight Limit
The height limit of the SnugRide Click Connect 35 is 32 inches (80cm). That's about average compared to the other seats. On average, children weight about 24 lbs by the time they've reached 32 inches. That's usually around 15 months old.
What car seats are compatible with Graco Click Connect stroller?In just one step, a travel system is created and you are ready to go. Graco® Click Connect™ strollers are compatible with all Graco® Click Connect™ Infant Car Seats, and Graco® SnugRide® SnugLock™ Infant Car Seats, making it easy to create a travel system best suited to your lifestyle.
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