There is little that is more terrifying than driving your newborn baby around in a vehicle for the very first time. However, with the right car seat, you can be assured that your new baby is safe and snug on his/her first few rides in the car.
Graco has long held one of the most widely known and highly regarded names in the baby car seat industry. Graco has had their SnugRide car seats out for quite some time, but with a base that they called a click-to-connect. So, the appearance of the Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 is a really exciting upgrade!
By making the car seat base easier to install, Graco has effectively also improved the safety of the seat overall. After all, the car seat can only be considered safe if it is properly installed in the first place.
The Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 is a great option for someone looking for a budget-friendly car seat that is both safe and affordable.
With Graco, you can rest assured knowing that your baby is taken care of by some of the biggest baby manufacturers in the world. However, this model is noticeably lacking the quality of comfort, ease of use, and fabric features that luxury car seats have.
Top Features
Graco SnugRide SnugLock has a lot of really great things going for it. We have selected each of our favorite features to review for you. These are all things to love about this version of the classic Graco car seat.
Canopy
Like most infant car seats, the Graco SnugRide offers your infant some privacy from the world in the form of a canopy. The canopy also has a Velcro-close peep window to allow you to look on in your infant while the canopy is up.
SnugLock Technology Base
The SnugLock base that is referenced in the title of this infant carrier refers to the ease of use that you can expect when installing the car seat. In the grand scheme of things, this model is actually incredibly easy to install.
Safety Features
The Graco Snugride SnugLock 35 features an easy-to-read bubble indicator that will help you determine the safest recline for your baby’s car seat. The base has four separate levels of recline to help the seat safely fit in your vehicle.
Quick Install
The SnugLock technology allows parents to safely install the base of the car seat using either the seatbelt or the anchor system in the car. The extra locking technology allows for an extremely quick install when compared to other seats.
Weight And Height Limits
The Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 is for rear-facing infants who weigh up to 35 lbs and who are up to 32 inches long. The “35” in this seat’s title actually dictates how high the weight limit goes for this seat. Graco also sells “30” and “40” versions, so keep this in mind when you are picking out a Graco seat.
Lightweight
Graco has a reputation for making really secure car seats that are still lightweight. If you are a first-time parent, then you quickly learn that lugging your baby around in the infant carrier can get pretty tiring. That is one of the many reasons that Graco SnugRide seats get a thumbs up from parents when they weigh in at only 7.5 lbs.
What We Liked
- Ease of Installation
- Lightweight
- Affordability
What We Did Not Like
- Canopy/Carrying Handle Hard to Use
- Comfort Level
- Higher Weight Options
Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 Vs SnugLock 30
The only major difference between the Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 and the SnugLock 30 is the weight limit that your infant can use your seat. As mentioned before, the number in the title of these Graco seats actually signifies the weight limit for that particular seat. So in the SnugRide 35, you will have a weight limit of 35 lbs. In a SnugRide 30, you will only have a weight limit of 30.
Either one of these options can be viable. If you want to be able to use the seat for a longer period of time, you would want to opt for the 35. However, if you plan to switch your baby to a convertible seat before they will outgrow the seat, then you might opt for the 30 to save a few dollars in your budget.
Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 Vs. Dlx Vs. Graco SnugRide 35 Elite
The biggest difference between the original Graco SnugRide 35 and the SnugRide 35 DLX and Elite is the base. For the original Graco SnugRide 35, the seat comes with a standard SnugLock base. However, the two upgraded versions (DLX and Elite) come with a premium base that utilizes the InRight Latch system.
The InRight Latch system is basically a fancier word for saying that these more luxury bases are even easier to install than the basic base. These bases use a more user-friendly latch system while the basic base comes with an older style hook latch system. This is the only major difference between the basic model of the SnugRide SnugLock 35 and the XLT mode.
The Elite Version
As we have mentioned before, weight really matters when it comes to determining which car seat is right for you. Remember, you have to haul this car seat around with your baby inside of it more often than you would think.
One major benefit to the Elite version of this car seat, however, is the Simply Safe Adjust System. All this basically means is that you can adjust the straps on the harness without having to completely re-thread all of the harness straps. This is really beneficial for parents who are on the go a lot and do not have time to uninstall and reinstall the car seat frequently.
The Elite also has a rapid remove cover which the other two models do not have. Along with an easily removable cover, the entire cover is machine washable unlike the two lower models which require you to clean by hand. This is a major convenience factor for the Elite version of this car seat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Graco SnugRide 35 Click Connect?
Graco sells a variety of different bases that go with the SnugRide car seats. The earlier models are known as the Graco SnugRide Click Connect, and these bases do not have all the features of the SnugLock base.
In other words, the Click Connect bases are much more basic in the way they latch. They can only be installed using the anchor system, and they are harder to install than the more upgraded versions.
A SnugLock car seat, however, is compatible with the Click Connect strollers which is a big plus. Because the SnugLock car seat bases are relatively new, there are very few strollers that are compatible for the car seat. Luckily, however, Click Connect strollers will work for a new Snug Lock car seat.
How Many Years Does A Graco SnugRide Last?
The Graco SnugRide is an infant carrier. This means that it will only last as long as your baby still fits within the requirements of the weight and height limits. Most babies will outgrow these limits shortly after their first birthday. However, some babies are petite and can remain in the seat for longer.
Theoretically, you could re-use the car seat for a second infant if the baby is born before the expiration date. Simply check the car seat information to figure out when your car seat expires. Car seats are no longer safe after their expiration date because the foam inside of them can become compromised over time.
Can Graco SnugRide 35 Face Forward?
Because the Graco SnugRide 35 is an infant carrier, it can only be a rear-facing car seat. Each state has different laws and regulations that dictate the legal requirements for when a child can be forward facing. However, this is certainly not recommended before 2 years old. Your child will far outgrow the infant carrier before his/her 2nd birthday.
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of things to love about the Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 infant car seat. From the upgraded instillation process to the lightweight convenience of easily carrying your baby the Graco SnugRide does not disappoint.
This option has everything you need to keep your baby safe on the road and more. While there may be other options out there that are more luxury than Graco, this option is a great choice for parents whose budget limits them from purchasing a luxury car seat.