We tested the Graco SlimFit Combination car seat and named it one of our best buys - here's why

The Graco SlimFit Combination car seat is a super-affordable convertible seat that can carry your baby from birth right up until they're 12 years old.

A trio of images of the Graco Slimfit Combination car seat in a variety of different positions for children of different ages, on a purple background
(Image credit: Graco)
Reasons to buy
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    Long-lasting (0-12 years)

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    Light enough to carry between cars

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    Easy to use

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Not Isofix cpompatible

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    Not as slim as we expected

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    Does not rotate

Why you can trust GoodTo. Our experienced Consumer Editor & parent reviewers spend hours testing products to help you make the best choice. Find out how we test and review products.

The Graco SlimFit Combination car seat is our pick for the best budget buy in our guide to the best convertible car seats based on our consumer tests.

A fantastic budget option for parents who only want to buy one seat to last their child 12 years, the SlimFit Combination car seat from trusted baby brand Graco is easy to adapt as your child grows, making it one of the best convertible car seats we've tested.

It’s packed with safety features such as TrueShield side impact protection technology, a steel-reinforced frame, and energy-absorbing EPS foam. It can be used in rearward-facing mode, forward-facing mode, and as a high-backed booster. It keeps little ones comfy too, thanks to padded inserts, a four-position recline, and a 10-position headrest, plus a removable cupholder.

Reviewed by
Family and maternity writer Tannice Hemming
Reviewed by
Tannice Hemming

For this review, Goodto.com asked journalist and mum Tannice Hemming to put the Graco SlimFit Combination car seat to the test with her children Rousseau, aged four, and Ares, 21 months. 

'The Graco SlimFit Combination car seat is an attractive, comfortable and versatile convertible car seat that can be used from birth to 12 years,' Tannice tells us. 'We tried this in two different positions - as a high-backed booster for our four-year-old and as a rear-facing seat for our 21 month old.'

In a nutshell

The Graco SlimFit Combination Car Seat is an adaptable, easy-to-use car seat that's suitable from birth right up until your child is 12 years old. It can be used in three different modes - rear-facing, forward-facing, and as a high-backed booster, depending on your child's age. Buy it if you're looking for a highly affordable convertible car seat - it's ideal as a backup seat for occasional use in a relative's car. 

A great solution for families who want one car seat that will grow with their child until they're old enough to ride in the car without one, the Graco SlimFit Combination car seat easily transforms from a rearward-facing baby seat to a forward-facing toddler seat, and, eventually, into a high-backed booster seat for older kids. Safety features include TrueShield side impact protection technology for added head protection and a steel-reinforced frame.

Price & availability

Priced at £185, the Graco SlimFit Combination car seat is an excellent budget option - especially when you factor in that it’ll last most families for 12 years. Our tester, Tannice, feels this car seat is more than worth its price tag, and not just because of how long it lasts, but because of how easy it is to use and adjust in everyday life.

'At such a bargain price for the versatility this offers, we weren’t sure whether to expect much from this car seat but it really is value for money given it could potentially last for the entire period of time in which a child needs a car seat,' Tannice explains. 'You could buy this car seat and never have to buy another one, which makes it an absolute bargain. When my first child was tiny we bought a convertible car seat for that very reason but this one surpasses it in terms of lightness, design, and comfort.'