REASONS TO BUY
Impressive comfort padding and fabric
Lower price
REASONS TO AVOID
Lower crash test analysis
Cup holder falls off
Headrest is not adjustable
Evenflo Maestro Sport 2-in-1 Review
This inexpensive option might be comfortable, but the lower crash test results and lack of height adjustability make it a no-go for us
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Our Verdict
The Evenflo Maestro Sport 2-in-1 is a comfortable high-backed booster in our boosters review. Unfortunately, the headrest is not adjustable for height, and we suspect that as kids grow, many will outgrow the design before they reach the actual manufacturer's height limits. Overall, there isn't much to love about this seat, and even the lower price is not enough to make up for the harder-to-use features and lower-quality materials. With some of the lowest crash test analysis results in the group, we don't see a compelling reason to purchase the Evenflo over competitors. With some seats sporting a similar price and performing well in key metrics like crash testing, it is hard to recommend the Evenflo, no matter what your booster needs might be.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Evenflo Maestro Sport 2-in-1 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Booster for Most |  Best Booster for Travel and Carpooling |  Best Booster on a Budget | ||
| Price | $115 List $89.99 at Amazon | $160 List $159.99 at Amazon | $40 List $37.98 at Amazon | $120 List $79.99 at Amazon | $29 List $28.98 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | The below-average crash test analysis score and lack of height adjustability make this comfy option one we don't care for | Great choice for most families with better crash testing analysis, easy installation, and cozy seating for kids | Great for travel and carpooling, but the quality and crash results make it less appealing as an all-the-time booster | A comfy headrest and good crash test results make this lightweight choice an option that won't break the bank | This basic booster offers disappointing results in most metrics, including crash test analysis, making the low price less appealing |
| Rating Categories | Evenflo Maestro Spo... | Chicco KidFit Zip A... | BubbleBum | Diono Cambria 2 | Graco TurboBooster... |
| Crash Test (35%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (25%) | |||||
| Weight/Size (15%) | |||||
| Comfort (15%) | |||||
| Quality (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Evenflo Maestro Spo... | Chicco KidFit Zip A... | BubbleBum | Diono Cambria 2 | Graco TurboBooster... |
| Modes | 5 Point Harness, High Back Booster |
High Back Booster, Backless Booster | Backless Booster | High Back Booster, Backless Booster | Backless Booster |
| High Back Booster Weight Range | 40-110 lb | 40-110 lb | N/A | 40-120 lb | N/A |
| High Back Booster Height Range | 44-57 in | 38-57 in | N/A | 38-63 in | N/A |
| Width | 18.7 in | 18.2 in | 11.3 in | 19.9 in | 16.3 in |
| Weight | 9.7 lb | 11.8 lb | 0.9 lb | 12.0 lb | 4.5 lb |
| Backless Booster Height Range | N/A | 38-58 in | 40-57 in | 38-63 in | 43-57 in |
| 5 Point Harness Weight Range | 22-50 lb | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 5 Point Height Range | 28-50 in | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| LATCH Equipped | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| #REF! | #REF! | #REF! | #REF! | #REF! | #REF! |
| Recline Positions | None | 2 | N/A | None | N/A |
| Foam Type | EPS | EPS | None | None | None |
| Seat Lifespan | 6 Years | 8 Years | 4 Years from purchase date | 8 Years | 10 Years |
| Aircraft Certified |
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
Our Analysis and Test Results
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
The Evenflo did not perform well in our crash testing through MGA Research. It earned a lower crash test analysis result due to higher G-forces recorded in the HIC and chest clip dummy sensors.
Credit: GearLab & MGA Research
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.
The passenger in the Evenflo required reaching further around and back than some competitors, and this made it challenging for little ones to get the belt in the buckle.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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, and they fit our Thermos test water bottle with extra room for larger bottles.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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.
Despite the Evenflo's headrest that cannot be adjusted for height, the padding and design are comfort enough for most passengers.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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.
While components of the Evenflo do not have a finished look like the wrap-around cover, the softness of the cover was liked by many.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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.
The quality of the Evenflo is not impressive with components that seemed poorly designed, like the cup holder that easily pops off.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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.
We suspect that kids will easily remove the EVenflo cups holders and they will get lost or broken as a result.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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 Diono Cambria 2 is our wallet-loving choice. While it is not a particularly impressive booster compared to the rest of the group, it did offer higher crash test analysis results, and this is why we like it. If you can stretch your budget somewhat, the Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1 is our favorite overall and the booster we think most families will be happy with. Not only did it perform well in crash testing, it offered impressive ease of use, comfort, and quality. As long as travel is not your goal, the Chicco is one to consider.
—Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz
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