Graco SlimFit3 LX 3 in 1 Review | What I Think After 3 Kids!
So, you’re trying to decide if the Graco SlimFit3 LX is right for your car seat set up — I’ve got you covered.
Trying to find the right car seat for one child is hard enough, but trying to fit three car seats across the second row can feel like the world’s hardest math equation. I’ve tried millions of combinations in every SUV imaginable and there are always a few car seats I fall back on. One of which is the super popular - Graco SlimFit3 LX.
If you haven’t heard the news - we’re expecting baby number four! Our car seat situation is about to get a whole lot more complex and I’m looking forward to figuring out the best setup and sharing all of the options along the way.
We know there are endless car seats out there and all seem to offer the latest and greatest. So, which one is the right seat for your family? Although there are many car seats I love, the slim design of the Graco SlimFit3 LX is what really sells it as an ideal seat for midsize SUVs and three across families.
If you’re new here - welcome! I’m Kelly the Car Mom and as a Child Passenger Safety Tech, it’s my goal to help you find both the best vehicle and car seat set up for your family. The Graco SlimFit 3LX is in a ton of my car tours (for good reason), but what makes it so great? That’s what I want to answer today.
Graco SlimFit3 LX Overview
The Graco SlimFit3 LX is among the narrowest car seats available and is very affordably priced. A key highlight of this car seat is its 3-in-1 capability. It functions as a rear-facing car seat for infants and toddlers, can be switched to a forward-facing seat as your child grows, and later transitions into a high-back booster seat for older children. This versatility ensures the car seat grows with your child, saving you from the hassle and expense of purchasing multiple seats in such a short time frame.
Caveat: While it's true that a convertible car seat can technically accommodate a child from infancy through to when they outgrow booster seat requirements, I recommend starting with an infant car seat first. The infant seat offers a snugger fit and is specifically designed to support your newborn during those early months. The reality is that you’ll want the convenience and portability of an infant seat for the first several months. Once your child has reached the maximum limits of their infant seat, transitioning to a convertible seat like this one is the next step.
What’s the difference between TheSlimFit3 LX 3 in 1 vs SlimFit LX 3-in-1?
I can’t believe I’m typing this but yes, Graco has two different car seats that are nearly identical in name. The main difference is The SlimFit3 LX 3 in 1 is two inches narrower than the SlimFit (no number 3!) LX 3-in-1.
SlimFit (no number 3!) LX 3-in-1.
Graco, Lizz and I volunteer to help you name your car seats!
What’s the appeal of a slim car seat?
Opting for a slim car seat is mainly about using your car's second-row space efficiently. Car seats are bulky and can quickly fill up the back seat leaving no room for additional passengers.
If getting a bigger family car isn't an option right now, you've got to make the best of the space you have. Often, two convertible car seats mean there's no room left for another person or a third car seat in the middle. Wider car seats aren’t inherently any safer and they just end up wasting valuable space.
For families with three young children (like mine!) having three car seats across the second row is often the preferred setup. I would do almost anything to avoid one child having to access the third row and buckle up unless it was absolutely necessary.
While it’s a nice thought, the reality is fitting three car seats across the second row is almost always a challenge due to limited space. But I’m here to pose a question – Do you need a new car? Or just a new car seat?
It’s entirely possible that instead of trading in your car for a larger vehicle, you could invest in new car seats and have just enough space for three car seats across your second row.
“Kelly, can’t my oldest just sit in the third row?”
They totally can! If they are independent enough to access the third row and buckle up safely, there is no reason why you can’t!
But here’s the kicker - you don’t want to have any passenger, especially a child, in the third row with half of the seats folded down.
Even though folding down seats might seem like a solution for fitting more stuff like strollers or groceries, it’s a big risk that isn’t talked about enough. In the event of a collision, whatever is stored in your trunk will fly forward with huge force. The passenger in the third row with seats folded down has no protection from those items.
To maximize your trunk space in your day to day, three car seats across is the way to go which is why a narrow car seat can be a necessity.
Can a car seat this slim be safe?
Yes! As a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, the safety of both your children and mine are my top priority and I take the recommendations I give very seriously. It’s understandable to think a slim car seat like the Graco SlimFit3 LX might not be safe, but this is absolutely not the case.
Each car seat a manufacturer makes has to pass the same, strict federal safety testing. A seat that’s narrow or wide, compact or bulky, all pass that test. They just might do so in different ways. Some manufacturers choose to incorporate specialized energy absorbing foam, others use reinforced steel frames, and others yet use crumple zones like you’d find in your vehicle. These features enhance your car seat’s ability to protect your child during a crash.
I want to make it clear, no matter what car seat you purchase (bulky or slim) it has received rigorous testing to ensure all regulatory requirements are met. Manufacturers must comply with crash testing, structural integrity, and flame resistance - to name a few tests - in order to be able to go on the market. So rest assured your child will be protected in any slim car seat, whether it’s made from Graco or not.
Graco SlimFit3 LX 3 in 1 Features I Love:
10-position No-Rethread Simply Safe Adjust Harness System allows the headrest and harness to adjust together
Easy-to-read ball level indicator on each side
Two (removable/optional) cup holders
Very comfortable seat (my kids agree!)
Rapid remove cover for easy cleaning
Forward facing lock-off
You didn’t think size was the only selling point of this car seat? To compete in this space (it’s crazy how competitive it’s gotten in the past few years) there needs to be elements that both you and your kid appreciate.
When you’re puzzling car seats together sometimes you need a little extra space on one side. Graco has the answer to this problem by offering two removable cup holders. If you have to take one out to make space, your child still has one to hold all their trinkets and goodies. If you need maximum space, both are removable (unlike almost every other Graco car seat that requires cup holders be installed!)
Similar to the cupholders, the comfort of your child is really important. Despite being slimmer, it’s a really comfortable car seat for long drives. My kids are not that picky, but I have never once heard them complain in a Graco SlimFit 3LX.
Lastly, there’s a really nice Rapid Remove cover you can wash. Here’s the kicker - you can still keep the car seat installed! No matter how many car seats I install in my lifetime, it’s still a hassle I’d like to avoid at all possible. A cover like this makes it way easier to keep the seat clean, while remaining simple.
Let’s Talk Price
I’ll be the first to say that car seats are extremely expensive. I purchase many car seats for testing and at times cringe at the final price tag. While your child’s safety is worth absolutely every penny, I’m happy to say the Graco SlimFit3 LX is one of the more reasonably priced car seats on the market.
Coming in at $279, this is a much more affordable price considering you’re getting three car seats in one.
The Clek Foonf is another one of my go-to’s for slim car seats, but it’s hundreds of dollars more in comparison and cannot be used as a booster. Comment below if you’d like me to review that car seat in the near future!
When will my child outgrow the Graco SlimFit3 LX?
While many parents worry about their child outgrowing a car seat in terms of weight, the truth is most max out in height before reaching the weight limit. The Graco SlimFit3 LX is boasts the highest rear facing harnessed height limit of 49.” It also maxes out in forward facing harness mode at 49” - as does every other convertible car seat, but one! Another point for Graco is its generously sized head rest (found on all of their seats.)
Often times a car seat is outgrown by head height in rear facing mode. Nearly all car seats require one inch of space above the child’s head and the top of the car seat. Graco does too, but because the head rest is SO large, it’s extremely rare for it to be outgrown any way other than reaching the 49” height limit.
What age should I use the Graco SlimFit3 LX?
My personal recommendation is to use the Graco SlimFit 3LX after your baby has full head and neck control, and can sit up unassisted. A newborn or young infant will be best supported in an infant seat. Plus, an infant seat easily detaches for its base, then allowing you to carry it around without moving your baby back and forth.
Although this can be used for any age, it’s easier to have an infant seat, and then use this one as your child moves from rear-facing, to forward-facing, then finally convert it into a booster.
Weight and Height Limits for the Graco SlimFit3 LX
Like with any car seat, it is absolutely vital to read the manual to understand how to properly install the car seat in your car. Just because you’ve installed one car seat, it doesn’t mean the same installation steps apply.
I promise, you’ll learn SO much by reading your manual and you’ll be kicking yourself for not doing it sooner. It’s very easy to make installation mistakes that compromise safety.
Rear-facing: 5-40 lbs. AND child’s head is 1” below height adjustment handle
Forward-facing: 22-65 lbs., 49” or less (your state law may require the child to be a minimum age of 2 and/or a higher weight!)
Highback booster: 40-100 lbs., 43-57”, at least 4 years old (I advocate for a minimum of age 5 before swapping to a booster)
What to Do If Your Car Seat Setup Isn't Working
Despite its many benefits, it's essential to acknowledge that not every car seat will work perfectly for every child or vehicle. Although the Graco SlimFit3 LX is a go-to for me when testing many vehicle benches, I sometimes can’t get it to work.
What does that mean?
If the car seats are overlapping or wedged up against each other, that isn’t a safe install. It’s okay if they touch. In fact, they likely will be in almost any car or SUV.
If you find that the Graco SlimFit3 LX isn't fitting properly or comfortably in your car, that’s okay. I have a ton of other car seats I work through to find a fit. Sometimes a different combination of car seats will fit a space better. To read a complete post on the slimmest car seats on the market for each age, click here.
Do you have a favorite car seat? Let me know in the comments!