Graco Turn2Me 3-in-1 Review

Founded in 1942, Graco didn't start making baby gear until 1955. Engineer Rex Thomas made the first automatic baby swing, the “Swyngomatic.” Graco is not a member of the Newell Brand family, and they continue to offer a variety of baby products from car seats and strollers to pack 'n plays, and yes, baby swings.

Performance Comparison

Crash Test

The Turn2Me has one of the highest crash testing analysis scores in the rotating or non-rotating options. If your goal is rotation with the best-combined crash test sensor results, this is one for consideration.

All of the seats in this review have passed federal standards and should, as such, be considered safe. Our tests are designed to find the seats that potentially offer an additional margin of safety by performing better in a crash test that is somewhat faster and uses a more modern sled type than the federal guidelines require. We hope to identify the options that stand out in a crowd.

The analysis is based on the combined sensor results for the head (HIC score) and chest (chest clip). Lower numbers are better, as they indicate fewer forces on the crash test dummy's body and are recorded in the sensors. The Turn2Me had some of the lowest recorded results in both sensors, with one of the best-combined results. Its results indicate it could potentially offer a margin of safety over the average seat in this group.

Ease of Install - LATCH

In our opinion, Installing the Turn2Me with the LATCH is not as easy as it could be or should be. The LATCH connectors are our preferred push style with a release button, but they didn't help the overall experience beyond making them easier to remove.

Despite it being harder than some and harder than the belt installation, it is still above average for the group.

The LATCH connectors have their own pocket and a strap that uses the same belt path as the vehicle belt path. They are color-coded, and the strap lays flat across the Snug Lock, which is easy to operate. Whether it is rear-facing or forward-facing, both are relatively the same.

The rear-facing SnugLock is under the seat and requires lifting the seat bottom up, while the forward-facing installation includes using the SNugLock on the back of the seating area behind the back padding.

We like that the recline adjustment can happen after the seat is installed, which makes it easier to ensure it is installed at the right angle. The pathway for both can be tight, with the rear-facing being tighter, but the LATCH strap is narrower than the belt strap, so it can feel less tight. We had trouble tightening the strap and had to play around with angles and threading to get it right.

Forward-facing is somewhat easier because it allows for easier visibility and access to the back panel with the Snug Lock. However, tightening the strap is still not ergonomically friendly. To get the strap tightened enough and the seat to feel stable, we had to put a knee in the seat for weight and leverage.

Ease of Install - Belt

The Trun2Me is easier to install using the vehicle belt than the LATCH connectors. It has a lock-off for both forward and rear-facing directions with a water bead level on one side.

The process is simple and straightforward, but we wish the final product was somewhat more stable. While it isn't wobbly, it isn't as rock-solid as some other competitors.

The belt path is different for forward and rear-facing, with the forward-facing being somewhat easier to access. You need to raise the headrest as high as it will go, and both require padding to thread the belt across the SnugLock. We like that each path is color-coded and the lock is easy to use, but the pathway is tighter for the rear-facing, and larger hands could have difficulty getting it threaded without frustration.

Forward-facing is the easier installation of the two, as the pathway is more open and easier to access on the back panel. It is easier to get the belt routed through the lock-off and the belt tight before pressing the lock closed. It was a lot more stable in our tests forward-facing than back, though both passed the wiggle test.

Ease of Use

The Turn2Me is easy enough to use, and while we think there are options designed with ease of use in mind, it scored above average for the group, and the nuances that hurt its score are likely easy to adapt to.

Harness

Like our experience with other Graco buckles, this one is also hard to press compared to competitors. When pressed, the prongs do not eject from the buckle; you need a second hand to pull them free.

The prongs can slide down the harness, but there are retention loops to help keep them out of the way when little ones get in the seat. The chest clip is one of the hardest in the group to operate, but it isn't super difficult, just not as easy.

Tightening the harness is somewhat easier since you can do this with the seat facing you. When the chair faces you, it is still free-rotating, so it isn't as good as some that lock in that position. The harness release button is hidden under the cover. The button is located closer to the edge than some competitors, and we think this makes it easier to use.

The harness height adjustment is a non-rethread method with 10 positions over 10 inches of range and 2 crotch strap positions. Some competitors have 15 possible shoulder positions and 3 crotch strap positions, but we suspect there are plenty of options here, and one will be the right fit for each growth stage.

LATCH Storage

The LATCH connectors and their straps are hidden in a pocket on the back of the seat near the base. Everything tucks inside, and the pocket is easy to close. The user manual is stored in a separate pocket on the front side.

The tether strap attaches to the back of the shell. It works well to keep it out of reach of the passenger, but you'll need the rubber band or other containment device to keep the strap from dangling down and moving freely around the space behind the seat when installed rear-facing.

Cover

The fabric cover is super easy to take off. It has a combination of velcro, bungees, buttons, and plastic pins, but someone manages to still be intuitive. Even putting it back on was easier than we thought it would be, given the different kinds of connections. The material has a snug fit but not so snug that it is hard to get back on. It took us about 3 1/2 minutes to take it off and twice as long to put it back.

Comfort/Quality

While this Graco looks comfy and better quality from afar than other Graco options, it isn't that impressive when you get up close and start toughing it and comparing it to others.

This seat earned a below-average score for comfort and quality. In fairness, this is probably why the seat is one of the cheaper and lighter rotation options we've tested.

The fabric on the Turn2Me is super soft and doesn't feel slippery. The padding isn't the best, but it's on par with Graco. The bottom and head padding are better than the back padding, which is thin and less supportive. It has no hip or crotch padding, but there are wraps around the shoulder straps.

The Graco shell is ridiculously busy and somewhat of an eyesore. While we understand labels and stickers can help with installation, warnings, and safety, we've also seen this done so much better that it stands out as cluttered. It has a solid back, so at least there are fewer places for grime to collect.

The cup holders are a strange design you install yourself, and the manual tells you they MUST be installed when using the seat to prevent the exposure of sharp components. They are a little tricky to install with a hook that points up, but this makes them difficult to get off, which is a good thing since they need to be there to use the seat. They are smaller and wider sippy cups that will not fit inside, and because they need to stay attached, it makes them harder to keep clean.

The infant insert is one piece and very cushy compared to most. The crotch strap and slots for shoulder straps help keep it in place. However, like all inserts for convertible seats, we worry they are not as structurally supportive for infants as an infant carrier would be.

Weight/Size

None of the rotating seats is light or small, but the Turn2Me is not the worst compared to other rotating options. In our tests, it weighed 26.1 lbs, just above the group average but significantly higher than the lightest option we weighed.

If you think you might need to frequently carry your convertible seat (not a common occurrence for most), we suggest looking into non-rotating options, as they tend to be lighter and easier to carry.

It is also not that narrow, at 18.4 inches, but it is significantly narrower than several competitors that are closer to 19 inches.

This could be more or less of a factor in your buying decision, depending on how many people or seats you need to fit across a single car row.

Should You Buy the Graco Turn2Me?

If you want a great rotating seat with better crash test results we think the Turn2Me is one for the shortlist. While not a perfect seat, as it is heavy, large, and harder to install using the LATCH connectors, this option is still a standout. The Turn2Me has better crash test analysis than most and one of the best scores for the rotating options. While there are less expensive seats, it is also reasonably priced for a rotating seat, making it a more budget-friendly choice than some competition rotation options.

What Other Convertible Car Seat Should You Consider?

If you want the highest-scoring rotation seat, the Chicco Fit 360 performed better for installation and ease of use. This seat has a detachable base and is uber easy to install in any method, with the same method for forward- and rear-facing choices. While the crash test analysis is lower, there is an argument that ease of installation and installing a seat correctly impact overall safety (according to studies). If your budget is even tighter, the Graco Extend2Fit 3 in 1 is a non-rotating option with good crash test analysis results and a price significantly lower than the Turn2Me.

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