The Graco Nautilus vs Evenflo Symphony 65

A car seat is one of the most important purchases that you’ll ever make as a parent. There are plenty of great models on the market, which is why you’ll find yourself in situations where you’re doing things like debating whether to get the Graco Nautilus vs Evenflo Symphony 65. There are plenty of things to consider when buying a car seat, from comfort to safety to convenience for mom and dad.

If you’ve got to take sides in the Graco Nautilus vs Evenflo Symphony 65 debate, you’ll discover that each car seat has its fans. Both of these seats are tested to meet national safety standards and even exceed them, and both these seats get plenty of anecdotal reports regarding how they saved a baby’s life or kept a child well-protected in a minor car accident that injured the adults on board.

Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat
Evenflo Symphony 65 E3 All in One Car Seat

Both of these car seats are convertible models, which means that they will adapt to the required manner of use while your child grows. Getting a convertible car seat is often a smart move, especially if you want to be practical and buy only one or two car seats instead of going through three or four different types. Both the Nautilus and the Symphony have an upper weight limit of 100 lbs.

When it comes to the minimum weight however, these seats are not alike. The Graco Nautilus is designed for children who are at least 20 lbs in weight, while the Symphony can be used with infants and newborns who weigh at least 5 lbs. However, it has been noted that such young children are really too small to fit snugly into these convertible-type seats and you’ll probably need a body pillow to allow your child to rest securely in it.

Keep in mind also that the Graco Nautilus is a forward-facing and booster seat only, while the Evenflo Symphony 65 can be used rear-facing, forward-facing, and as a booster. Experts recommend that children be kept in the rear-facing position as long as possible for maximum safety, at least until they are two years old or for as long as they aren’t too cramped while rear-facing. Obviously, the Evenflo Symphony 65 would be the better choice if you’re buying for a younger child who you’d like to keep rear-facing at the moment.

Finally, there’s the question of appearance. Since a car seat is going to become a part of your vehicle for some time you might want to get one in a fabric and color that appeals to you. The Nautilus comes in neutral and rather sporty designs, although it does have a pink Valerie variant. The Symphony gives you more options and allows you to choose a neutral, plain seat and cover or one that features brighter colors and patterns.

When it comes to the Graco Nautilus vs Evenflo Symphony 65 debate, it appears that generally you should go for the former if you have an older child, and the latter if your baby is a bit too young to sit forward-facing.

The Graco Nautilus vs Evenflo Symphony 65