No one said it would be easy to find the perfect car seat for your child.
So many companies make promises to keep your young one safest, but most parents just don’t have the means to test them all one by one and find out for themselves.
If you’re in the market for a new car seat, you’ve probably come to the realization that you’ll need to utilize a few reviews from the internet to fuel your buying decision.
Here, we’re going to take a look at the Diono’s Radian RXT, which boasts impressive reviews and safety stats.
Is this the right seat for you? We’re confident you’ll have an answer by the time you finish reading our in-depth review.
Let’s get started.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Car Seat
First of all, whether this is your tenth car seat or your first, it helps to know exactly what to look for in a car seat before making a purchase.
This quick checklist is everything your car seat should address:
- Is the seat age appropriate?
- Do you need rear-facing, front-facing, or both?
- Can it be transferred to a stroller?
- Does your car feature a LATCH system? (2002 and newer typically do)
- At what age will your child outgrow the car seat?
- What safety features does the seat offer?
- Is it simple to install, uninstall, and reinstall?
Presenting The Diono Radian RXT – Review
A popular choice in the convertible car seat category, the Diono Radian RXT offers premium rear-facing capabilities alongside a narrow profile that makes it a fit for nearly any car. With top-tier safety features, its easy to see why countless parents love this seat.
Features and Benefits
The Radian RXT’s main draw is its rear-facing capacity, which allows for up to 45-pounds and a max height of 44-inches. That’s ten more units on each specification, helping to keep your child as safe as possible well into their toddler years (roughly three to four years old).
To accommodate the added rear-facing space, the Radian utilizes a foam block to adjust the angle of the seat so that it sits in a more upright position. A rear-facing harness is also available if your car can accommodate.
The “wings,” or side-head rests, are also adjustable to ensure maximum protection on any ride. With various seatbelt and harness positions, the fact that this seat is adjustable for varying age groups shouldn’t come as a surprise to seasoned parents.
Adjustability
First up is the newborn stage, which utilizes an infant insert to provide the extra padding necessary for babies. Once your child reaches five pounds, you can easily adjust the harness with the insert added for a snug and secure fit.
At preschool age, the insert can be removed, and the harness adjusted to accommodate growth. The top harness can adjust a total of 17.5-inches, and the weight limit increases on the Radian when switched to a front-facing position.
This is where the Diono Radian RXT shines. Swapping from the rear-facing angle to an upright front-facing position, the seat can accommodate children up to 80 pounds. Known as “harness mode,” this position is excellent for most five to six-year-olds.
Finally, there’s booster mode for children ages six to seven. Now that your child can use a regular seatbelt, they simply strap themselves in while still enjoying the added safety of the Radian RXT’s design.
As long as your child’s ears rest between the seat’s wings, they’re good to go. In booster mode, the seat still attaches to your car’s LATCH for added safety.
Size
A simple yet beneficial factor for parents with multiple children is the size of this seat. You can fit three of them straight across in the backseat of nearly any vehicle. The trick is in its thin design, which sacrifices enormous cupholders without compromising safety.
Additional features for the Diono Radian RXT include:
- Adjustable head support, twelve positions
- Steel alloy frame
- Aluminum reinforced side-head protection with EPS foam
- Visual LATCH indicator
Social Proof
In the realm of online shopping, Amazon is the number one place to look for customer reviews. At the time of writing , the Radian RXT boasts an impressive 4.5-stars with over 290 reviews and 240 answered questions. The five-star category holds the most reviews at 70%, with 4-stars coming in at 11%.
You can find multiple parents attesting to how this seat saved their child’s life in atrocious car accidents, including a roll-over accident where the car went over a retaining wall. That’s insanely impressive, but we also wanted to look at other top retailers and their customer reviews. What we found from retailers like Walmart, Target, and Essex were nothing but 4.5 to 5-star ratings.
Any Worthy Alternatives?
The Diono Radian RXT has two main competitors; Graco’s 4ever and Chicco’s NextFit. Each seat is drastically different in appearance and functionality.
So, how do they stack up against one another?
1. Radian RXT vs. Graco 4ever
Off the bat, the 4ever’s weight and height limits allow it to accommodate most children up to 10 years of age up to 120-pounds. Installation, as noted by countless parents, is made simpler by one-hand adjustments. The 4ever also features strap storage and two cupholders.
The Radian RXT might not look as fancy, but it isn’t supposed to. The goal here is to create maximum safety while fitting three seats into a car. The added aluminum and steel construction also make the RXT a more rugged seat. If you want a cup holder, there is an attachable one.
2. Radian RXT vs. NextFit
Chicco’s NextFit offers a locking belt system, cinching tightener, and unzippable fabrics for an easy wash. The harness also utilizes flexible material for an easier fit. The final difference here is in the base, which makes adjusting the tilt of the seat a breeze.
The RXT might not offer those same features, but it is designed to grow with your child for a more extended period than the NextFit. Differences in safety ratings for the two are a matter of splitting hairs, making each a viable option for parents.
Conclusion
The Diono Radian RXT offers superior safety in a design that skips fancy frills in favor of a larger family. If you need to fit multiple car seats in your vehicle, then this might be the best choice for your family.
Plus, its ability to grow with your child to age seven means valuable savings that any parent could use.
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