Evenflo Maestro Sport 2-in-1 Review

Evenflo is headquartered in Ohio and is the result of a 1995 merger of Evenflo Juvenile Products and Evenflo Juvenile Furniture Company. As early as 1920, the Evenflo company began making baby-feeding gear. Glass bottles followed in 1945. Evenflo began adding car seats, nursing kits, and more in the 1960s.

Performance Comparison

Crash Test

The Evenflo did not impress in our commissioned crash tests, with one of the lowest crash analysis scores in the group. While all of the seats in this review pass the federal standard and are considered safe, we ran our tests somewhat faster and on a different sled that better mimics a modern car than the sled used in the federal testing. We wanted to identify boosters that potentially offer an additional margin of safety over the average booster.

The Evenflo chest and HIC (head sensor) results were significantly higher than the competition.

Lower is better as it indicates fewer g-forces recorded in the crash test dummy sensors. The Envenflo results showed some of the highest sensor data for both sensors. Making it a seat with one of the worst analysis scores in our review.

Ease of Use

The Evenflo earned one of the lowest scores in the group for ease of use and was frustrating for users. While our kid tester was able to buckle herself in (a big deal), we didn't like the design of the shoulder belt positioner, which caused frequent slide-offs. The thinner width helped our child tester, but there is no color coding to help guide the belt, and younger users would probably benefit from more visual direction.

Because the headrest assembly area is not adjustable and sits stationary at a predetermined height, the shoulder belt can end up too close to the passenger's neck or too low for their height. The pathway for the lap belt is also further back than most, and we worry that, overall, the booster will not be suitable for kids as they grow, given the lack of adjustability.

The seat is smaller and lightweight, making it easy enough to carry and maneuver in the car. The plastic edging and open back at kind of annoying, and we kept bumping into the exposed parts, which wasn't fun. The LATCH connectors are hook-style (not our favorite). The hooks are close to the seat, and we didn't have trouble installing them, but removing the hooks is more complicated than other LATCH connector styles.

The Evenflo has dual cup holders integrated into the armrests. They detach a little easier than some, and we suspect little ones will fidget with them. The holders easily accommodated our kid's water bottle.

Weight and Size

This Evenflo is one of the lightest in the group, with a back with a weight of 9.7 lbs. There are definitely options without a back that weigh less, but this is a nice change of a full-back and lightweight combination.

However, it is somewhat wider than most at 18.7 inches. Maybe if it had been more narrow we could fall in love with the idea of narrow and light, but at this width, there isn't much to love here.

Comfort

The Evenflo has a lot going for it when it comes to comfort, and we think most kids will enjoy the ride. The padding foam is similar to memory foam, and the kid tester was a huge fan. It feels good when you press on it offering support without condesing too much. We do wish it was somewhat thicker, but it still stands out compared to others. The headrest and torso have similar padding to the main portion of the seats, but there is no padding around the armrests, which could be a bummer for kids with larger legs.

Everyone loved the soft fabric cover on this unit and it feels super good rubbing against our face. It feels like it might be somewhat cooling on hot days sitting in the sun, and we think little ones will prefer it over many competitors. The headrest is the bummer on this seat for several reasons. It is not well wrapped, and the shape doesn't support the head well while napping. Perhaps the worst part, however, is it is fixed to the seat and cannot be adjusted for height. This means it might be difficult to find a height comfort sweet spot if your child is shorter or taller than the headrest placement. It seems like a misstep in an otherwise comfy booster.

Quality

The quality of the Evenflo is below average for the group. While the foam is nice, there isn't enough of it, and the cover might be soft, but it doesn't fit tightly to the shell, and it slides around a considerable amount.

Everything is largely thin and flimsy plastic with an exposed back and cup holders that kept popping off. We suspect those cup holders will end up broken, lost, or used for fidgeting more often than for holding cups. The real saving grace is the padding it has, but it isn't enough to pull the seat up higher in the quality score.

Should You Buy the Evenflo Maestro Sport 2-in-1?

With one of the lowest overall scores in the group and below-average crash test data, the Evenflo is not a seat we'd recommend. While we get the appeal of a lower price, it is hard to find a compelling reason to choose the Evenflo compared to the competition in our tests. Given the lower ease of use, we suspect that parents and kids will be disappointed with the Evenflo.

What Other Booster Seat Should You Consider?

If budget is a driving factor in your potential booster pool, the Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1 is one of our favorites overall and the booster we think most families will be happy with. It performed well in crash testing and offered impressive ease of use, comfort, and quality. As long as lightweight and compact for travel is not your goal, the Chicco is one to consider. The UPPAbaby Alta v2 has a similar overall score to the Chicco with a slightly better crash test analysis result, but it will cost about twenty dollars more. Depending on your goals, it might be a better choice. If your goal is the best crash test analysis result and you have a bigger budget, the Nuna AACE is possibly your soul mate. This quality booster is comfortable, easy to use, and sports a top-rank overall.