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Graco Contender 65 Convertible Car Seat

Graco

Graco Contender 65 Convertible Car Seat

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Is the Graco Contender 65 Convertible Car Seat worth it?

Yes, for the right buyer. The Graco Contender 65 Convertible Car Seat ranks #3 in our Best Car Seats Under $150 list. Its biggest strength: long rear-facing limit to 40 lb. The main caveat: bulky in compact cars.

Overview

What the Graco Contender 65 Convertible Car Seat does well

A convertible seat used rear-facing from 5 to 40 lb and forward-facing in a harness up to 65 lb.

The trade-offs

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Long rear-facing limit to 40 lb
  • Harness and headrest adjust together
  • Affordable convertible seat
  • Machine-washable cover

Cons

  • Bulky in compact cars
  • Heavy to move between cars
  • No booster mode
Fit check

Should you buy the Graco Contender 65 Convertible Car Seat?

Buy it if you're…

  • Shopping for budgets under $150

Think twice if this matters to you

  • Bulky in compact cars
  • Heavy to move between cars
  • No booster mode
Where it ranks

Featured in 2 best-of lists

ListRank
Best Car Seats Under $150#3 / 3
Best Convertible Car Seats#5 / 6
Cross-shop

Alternatives to the Graco Contender 65 Convertible Car Seat

Products ranked near it in our research, each better for a slightly different buyer.

Head-to-head

Compared with

Buying advice: car seats

  1. Infant seats are rear-facing only and portable. Convertible seats go rear-facing then forward-facing. All-in-one seats add booster mode. Boosters are for older children who have outgrown a harness.
  2. Experts recommend keeping children rear-facing as long as the seat allows. Higher rear-facing weight and height limits let you do that for longer.
  3. Look for clear level indicators and lock-offs or tensioning systems that make a tight install easier. A seat that is hard to install is more likely to be installed wrong.
  4. Measure the back seat, especially for compact cars or three-across setups. Rear-facing seats can push front seats forward.
  5. Car seats expire, usually 6 to 10 years from manufacture. Check the date and never use a seat that has been in a moderate or severe crash.

Read the full guides

Answers

Graco Contender 65 Convertible Car Seat: common questions

Is the Graco Contender 65 Convertible Car Seat worth buying?

Yes, for the right buyer. The Graco Contender 65 Convertible Car Seat ranks #3 in our Best Car Seats Under $150 list. Its biggest strength: long rear-facing limit to 40 lb. The main caveat: bulky in compact cars.

Who is the Graco Contender 65 Convertible Car Seat best for?

Based on our research it suits budgets under $150. It's ranked #3 of 3 in our Best Car Seats Under $150 list.

What are the downsides of the Graco Contender 65 Convertible Car Seat?

The main trade-offs owners and reviewers point to: bulky in compact cars; heavy to move between cars; no booster mode.

What are the best alternatives to the Graco Contender 65 Convertible Car Seat?

Worth comparing: Evenflo LiteMax 35 Infant Car Seat, Evenflo Sonus Convertible Car Seat and Britax Boulevard ClickTight Convertible Car Seat. Each ranks near it in our research for a slightly different buyer.

Where can I buy the Graco Contender 65 Convertible Car Seat?

It's sold on Amazon. Prices and stock change often, so check the current listing before you buy, our link takes you straight to it.

What does a convertible car seat mean?

A convertible car seat converts between rear-facing and forward-facing orientations in the same shell, unlike an infant seat that only rear-faces and detaches from a base. Some convertible seats, like the Graco 4Ever DLX, also convert into a highback and then backless booster, which is why they are sometimes called all-in-one or 4-in-1 seats.

At what age should a child switch from rear-facing to forward-facing?

There is no single age. Pediatric safety groups recommend keeping a child rear-facing until they reach the seat's maximum rear-facing height or weight limit, which for the seats in this list is 40 pounds. Many toddlers reach that weight limit well after age 2, which is why current guidance emphasizes the seat's limits over a fixed birthday.

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