Before you have your baby, you’re going to need to decide which infant car seat you want to use. With about a bajillion types of car seats, this choice can feel particularly overwhelming. Don’t worry, though. I’ve done the hard work for you and am comparing two very popular infant car seats.
When choosing between the Chicco KeyFit 30 versus the Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35, I would pick the Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35. Read below to find out why I chose this car seat, how these seats compare, and which one is best for you.
How They Differ
Although these car seats have a lot in common, they also have their differences. These differences will help you decide which car seat is the best for your baby.
Technical Information
Chicco KeyFit 30
- Item Weight: 9.6 lbs. without the base
- Item Dimensions: 17 x 27.5 x 24 inches
- Minimum Manufacturer Recommended Weight: 4 lbs.
- Maximum Manufacturer Recommended Weight: 30 lbs.
- Maximum Child Height: 30 inches
Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35
- Item Weight: 7.5 lbs. without the base
- Item Dimensions: 28 x 18.7 x 15.6 inches
- Minimum Manufacturer Recommended Weight: 4 lbs.
- Maximum Manufacturer Recommended Weight: 35 lbs.
- Maximum Child Height: 32 inches
Winner:
The Leveling Foot
The car seat base of the Chicco KeyFit 30 has a leveling foot. This ensures that your car seat base will be level and flat even if your seat isn’t. Here’s a picture of the Recline Sure leveling foot.
The base for the Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35 does not offer such a feature. Instead, the base is a standard, solid construction.
Winner:
If you have any sort of curves to your seat, this leveling foot on the Chicco KeyFit 30 will save you tons of time and trouble.
Price
Of these two car seats, the KeyFit 30 is significantly more expensive. Aside from a higher quality car seat fabric and the leveling foot, I’m not really sure what else the KeyFit 30 offers that would justify this higher price.
I have no problem spending more money if I think that the higher priced item is worth it. In this case, though, the car seats are so comparable and I don’t have a need for the leveling foot, so I can’t justify that large of a price difference.
Winner:
Because sometimes less means more, I pick the Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35 for the win in this category.
Colors
I’m going to be really honest: I have no idea how many colors you can choose from for your Chicco KeyFit 30. I went to the Chicco website and was surprised to discover that none of the listed car seat colors there matched images that I’ve seen on Amazon, Target, or any of the online stores that I shopped.
However, I can verify that the Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35 comes in two colors, and both are patterned versions of black and gray. These styles are shown on the Graco website as well as all the usual online stores.
Winner:
I love black and gray, but I appreciate that some people like other colors. For this reason, I give the KeyFit 30 the win.
What They Have in Common
It’s important to understand that both manufacturers are leaders in the child car seat business for a reason. They both consistently offer quality, safe car seats. Here’s more about what the Chicco KeyFit 30 and Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35 have in common.
Safety
Car seats are rigorously tested for safety. Because of this, most car seats offer standard features such as an EPS foam lining and a 5-point harness. The EPS foam lining helps to absorb shock from impact so if you should happen to be in a car crash, your baby will be less likely to be injured.
The 5-point harness system allows you to easily secure and remove your baby from the car seat. With an adjustable strap in front, you can easily create the correct tension to keep your baby safe and the laxity necessary to comfortably remove your baby from the car seat.
Installation
Both the Chicco KeyFit 30 and Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35 use the LATCH system to secure the car seat in your automobile. Here is a video on how to install your car seat with this system. This is universal information that applies to any car seat using the LATCH system.
If your vehicle doesn’t have the LATCH system, don’t worry. You can install your car seat base with a seat belt. Here’s a video to show you how.
After you have your base installed, your car seat will have a bubble level-indicator. This will help you ensure that your car seat will be exactly in the correct position for maximal safety for your baby.
Ease of Use Ratings
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issues ease of use ratings for car seats. These ratings indicate how easy it is for people to read the provided instructions and correctly install the car seat. Both the Chicco KeyFit 30 and Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35 receive 4 out of 5 stars.
Here is what the NHTSA wrote about the Chicco KeyFit 30:
Here’s what they said about the Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35:
Travel Systems
One factor I didn’t quite put much thought into when I was pregnant with my first child was that you’re going to be lugging that car seat with you everywhere you go. Fortunately, my mom insisted that I get a car seat and stroller made by the same company. This was genius because, unbeknownst to me, the baby car seat easily clicks into the stroller to make walking with your baby a breeze.
Both companies offer this feature. The Chicco KeyFit 30 is compatible with all strollers manufactured by Chicco. Here is the most popular stroller that works with the Chicco car seat. The Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35 works with all Graco Click Connect Strollers. Here is the most popular stroller that works with the Graco car seat.
Features
Both companies also offer some basic perks to their car seat. These include:
- a removable infant insert to help your baby be more secured in the car seat,
- a rotating canopy to provide shade and comfort for your baby,
- machine washable car seat fabric, and
- a two-position, ergonomic carry-handle.
Also, it’s important to understand that these car seats are rear-facing only. They are specifically designed to provide maximal safety for infants. Once your baby out-grows the car seat, you will need to get a different one to suit your larger child.
Now, if you find car seat shopping overwhelming, you may be thinking, What the what?! I have to do this again?!
Yes, but it’s hard to say when. If you have a smaller child, your car seat will last longer. However, if you end up having a large baby who grows quickly, you’ll be back out shopping before you know it. This time though, you’ll be an experienced parent with solid ideas about features that are important to you and your baby.
Ratings
The Chicco KeyFit 30 and Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35 are rated similarly on the same websites.
- Target shoppers give the KeyFit 30 4.75 out of 5 stars with 232 reviews. They give the Click Connect 35 4.5 out of 5 stars with 616 reviews.
- Buy Buy Baby shoppers give the KeyFit 30 4.5 out of 5 stars with 115 reviews. They give the Click Connect 35 4.5 out of 5 stars with 310 reviews.
- Babies R Us shoppers give the KeyFit 30 4.5 out of 5 stars with 173 reviews. They give the Click Connect 35 4.5 out of 5 stars with 356 reviews.
Although the Chicco KeyFit 30 was slightly better reviewed at Target, the two car seats have very comparable ratings.
My Recommendation
I would pick the Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35 for several reasons. First, it’s designed to safely transport your baby for five pounds and two inches longer than the Chicco KeyFit 30.
Second, it’s lighter weight. You’re going to be physically carrying your baby in this carrier for a while, so having a lightweight car seat is a real perk. In the long run, your shoulder and back will thank you for going light.
Third, although the KeyFit 30 offers a variety of colors for their car seat, I really like black and gray. For me and my style, the Click Connect 35 fits my personality better.
Finally, the Click Connect 35 is less expensive. The car seat is extremely comparable to the KeyFit 30 and, with the large difference in price, the Click Connect 35 seems like the better buy.
Other Recommendations
If you’re interested in another opinion, a colleague of mine compared the Chicco KeyFit 30 Zip to the Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35. Independently, she and I came to the same conclusion that the Click Connect 35 would be our recommendation.
If you’re wondering what the difference is between the Chicco KeyFit 30 and the KeyFit 30 Zip, I wrote a comparison piece that compares these two car seats and the KeyFit 30 Magic. This gives you an explanation of this car seat line and what each car seat has to offer. Just for your reference, the KeyFit 30 is the base model.
