Choosing the perfect car seat can be a daunting task. How can any parent know which one is the best to buy?
Seats must live up to rigorous safety standard. With safety being the primary consideration, parents should also be seeking a seat they can easily install that also offers a comfortable ride for the baby on board.
Today, we’re going to take a look at the Chicco Fit2 in-depth and find out if it fits the bill.
Chicco Fit2 Review
Introduction
Founded in 1958, Italian manufacturer Chicco now sells their children’s products in over 120 countries. The company creates car seats, strollers, playpens, highchairs, and oral care products for both feeding and soothing.
Chicco’s “Fit” line of car seats offers plenty of parent favorites, but the Chicco Fit2 has recently earned the title of an Amazon’s Choice product. Why? At first glance, the Fit2 earns its name with an adjustable base that offers more room for rear-facing toddlers.
The Fit2 is definately an improvement over the KeyFit, however, there’s more than just what meets the eye.
Features & Benefits
The first, and perhaps most important, feature is the SuperCinch LATCH system. It features the LATCH strap standard parents have come to expect in the car seat industry alongside an easy-to-operate cinch that accommodates your child as they grow.
An insert makes this seat adaptable to newborns, a bubble level protects from the sun, and reversible features allow for European seatbelt routing. The harness boasts a no-rethread design while one-hand handle adjustments make it easier for parents to use.
The main feature of this car seat, however, is the base itself. Its two stages of adjustment allow for a roomier rear-facing experience. An anti-rebound bar and seatbelt lock-off add extra protection, while an adjustable foot recline adds comfort.
Stage 1 of the base is designed for infants up to one year old. Stage 2 is the toddler position, ideal for ages 9-24 months. The base is also detachable. Parents can unhook the car seat for easy carrying or connect the seat to a stroller.
The base also features a one hand leveling foot, RideRight bubble level indicators, and a one-pull latch tightening system. It’s one of the easiest to install on the market, according to countless parents. Aside from these unique features, here are the specifications every parent should know for this car seat:
- Seat height: 21 inches
- Seat weight: 12 pounds
- Seat width: 17 inches
- Weight ranges: 4-35lbs
- Max height: 35 inches
- Harness position range: 7-12.5 inches
What are Other Customers Saying?
Consumers these days have the luxury of combing through user reviews and testimonials, which is something you should always take advantage of. For the Chicco Fit2, the first place we looked was a natural choice; Amazon.
This top-choice product retains a 4.5-star rating with 78 reviews. With 69% of reviewers leaving a 5-star rating and another 18% giving 4-stars, it’s easy to see that this product has worked for plenty of parents. Reviews mention that this seat is durable, easy to install, and easy to use. One mother even stated that this seat saved her 2-month-old’s life in a car wreck.
Heading over to Target, Walmart, and Bed Bath & Beyond’s online stores, the Chicco Fit2 retains its highly rated status. Out of all the sites with customer ratings we viewed, the Fit2 doesn’t drop below an 85% approval rating.
Alternative Options
The Chicco Fit2 has some incredible features, but it’s always worth your while to look at what the competition has to offer. The Fit2’s main competitor is the UPPAbaby Mesa and Chicco’s KeyFit, which remains a top-selling car seat.
Fit2 vs. UPPAbaby
Mesa’s UPPAbaby is the only infant car seat to feature the Smart-Secure system. A self-retracting latch and tightness indicator makes installation simple by allowing parents to visualize and adjust the seat for a safe ride.
The fabric is breathable and washable, the headrest is adjustable, and EEP foam provides exceptional side impact protection. The UPPAbaby works with VISTA and CRUZ strollers, too. This car seat is ideal for preemies, which might make it an ideal option depending on your baby’s needs.
The Fit2 might not feature a “smart” system, but its bubble level indicators and leveling foot offer the same ease of installation. Design-wise, both car seats are similar save a few contours in the seat and padding.
Where the Chicco Fit2 car seat shines is in its ability to grow with your child until they are a toddler. The UPPAbaby seat shares similar weight ranges, but it is explicitly designed with preemies and infants in mind. The Fit2 offers better comfort for children up to two years.
Fit2 vs. KeyFit
The real competition for parents already sold on Chicco’s designs is between the Fit2 and its predecessor, the KeyFit 30. These seats share a lot in common despite looking so different, but the Fit2 is the superior model for a few reasons.
First, the weight limit is extended by five pounds, and the max height is lengthened by five inches. That makes a world of difference for a growing child. There are four new harness positions, one extra buckle position, and an adjustable headrest on the Fit2.
You’ll also find a no-rethread harness, one-handle adjustment, and an anti-rebound bar on Chicco’s newer model. Combine all of that with the two-stage base, and it’s easy to see why the Fit2 is a better option for both babies and parents.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a car seat that offers optimum safety and ease-of-use, then the Chicco Fit2 is an excellent choice. Its base makes installation a breeze, allowing you to know for sure your child is kept safe. Combined with top safety features and a supreme level of comfort, this is one that you and your child can enjoy.
Other Car Seats To Consider:
