Graco Enhance or Joie EveryStage?

[Seatbeltcarseats]

Or something else? These are the 2 that have come up but I’m unsure how to check which is safer.

Need a car seat for MIL’s car - she doesn’t have isofix so must be able to be seat belt fitted.

Ideally easy to put in and out - as she already has a car seat for DN and would (understandably) like some usable car space when not driving the boys about!

She will only be driving with him locally in London (20mph mainly), to the park/library/etc, no motorways or country roads.

Baby is currently 10mo and nearly 11kg.

Graco are now owned by Joie. The Enhance is the equivalent to the Joie Stages (as opposed to the Every Stage). I'd go for Joie over Graco. And the Stages as opposed to the Every Stage. They both rear face to 18kg, but the Stages is far less bulky.

@Viewfrommyhouse thanks for your reply! I’ll take a look at the Joie Stages if it’s less bulky than the Graco 👍

The Joie Stages is cheap in Argos at the moment I think.

Otherwise you could look at Graco Extend R129 (which looks to be very similar to Joie Steadi R129)

There is also the new Joie Every Stage R129 and the Graco equivalent Graco Slimfit R129.

I'd say when you're looking at these basic seats it's worth opting for an R129 model rather than R44 (the "group" system) simply because the test criteria is a bit stricter and you get some side impact protection.

And keep them rear facing. Though if you think you'll forward face later, definitely go for R129 (Steadi or Extend).

There's no real reason to prefer Joie over Graco, they are basically identical seats, if you choose the equivalent model, just with different fabrics. Graco is usually cheaper,but sometimes Joie is when there's an offer.

I think PP was saying that the Stages/Enhance is less bulky than the Every Stage :)

Thanks @BertieBotts - do you think the extend/steadi are better than the enhance/stages? Or just other options to consider? I’m not sure if you’re implying the the extend/steadi are r44 models?

sorry, I’m rather clueless! I did try posting in the car safety Facebook group but it’s been days and they still haven’t approved my post.

noted about the bulkiness :) you’re right

Sorry for the delay, I've only just seen this reply! And yes it is a bit confusing with all the similar names :D

R44 is an older regulation, and R129 is a newer regulation (just including for background). R44 seats were supposed to be being phased out this year, although this has been delayed, which means that a lot of manufacturers are phasing out their old R44-compliant models and replacing with newer R129-compliant models.

Both regulations are still legal to use and buy (and will be legal to use for ages) and are both safe. R129 has slightly more strict criteria, so you'll get better protection from an R129 seat in side impacts, and when forward facing.

For rear facing, it doesn't really matter which safety regulation. The safety benefits of rear facing outweigh the slight regulation changes anyway. So if you're only going to use the seat rear facing, then you can just buy whichever one is cheapest But if you think that you might use it forward facing later on, or you want the increased side impact protection, then the R129 regulation would be worth having.

There are two versions of the Graco Extend, one approved to R44, and one approved to R129, called Extend R129.

Likewise, there are two versions of Joie Steadi - the original (R44) Steadi and the Steadi R129.

While the original R44 Graco Extend was based on the design of the Joie Tilt, which is not often recommended because it has a short shell, the new Extend R129 looks as though it is very similar to the Joie Steadi R129.

Both Graco Enhance and Joie Stages are R44 seats. There aren't newer versions (as far as I am aware).

So, the reason that I would look at Graco Extend R129, or Joie Steadi R129 over the Graco Enhance/Joie Stages is mainly because of that newer R129 approval. But if you're really committed to ERF and you happen to find the Enhance or Stages cheaper, then they would be good options too. In addition, because the R44 regulation doesn't have a height limit like R129 does, the Enhance or Stages might be a better choice if your child is tall and slim.

Hope this isn't just even more confusing - here's a summary (maybe??)

Joie Tilt+
Graco Extend (r44 version) = Short in shell, avoid, even though cheap (£90ish)

Joie Steadi (r44 version) = Longer shell due to headrest. Usually about £120.

Joie Steadi R129 +
Graco Extend R129 = Good choice due to newer safety reg. Decent size shell, but 105cm limit. Steadi about £160, Graco about £100.

Joie Stages +
Graco Enhance = Older safety standard, but very long shell - good for tall(ish) children. Cost around £130-150. Can be good if you see on special offer.

I didn't add the info about Graco Slimfit / Slimfit R129 or Joie Every Stage / Every Stage R129, but I can if you want me to.

That's the complete list of the seatbelt fit 18kg limit seats which don't use tethers.

You can also get seatbelt fit rear facing seats up to 25kg+ but they do use tethers to fit and you're also getting up over the £200 price mark, so I assume these are out of scope - but can explain about these if you like.

I wouldn’t say the joie tilt/ graco extend is that short in the shell tbh? We have as our second car seat for travel, Ds is now 3 years, 99cm and still fits fine. Was only €60 as well when we bought so very reasonable for a 0-3/4 year rear facing seat.

It's mainly because of the conflicting advice about whether it's outgrown RF when the child's head is at the top vs the eye level, plus it's not that cheap now, it tends to be about £90 and for £10 more you can get the Graco Extend R129 so seems silly. (I can't actually see it for sale for any less than £100 at the moment).

@BertieBotts omg thank you so much, car seats are such a minefield, I would never have worked all this out on my own 😂 feel like I can actually pick one now!

I’ll have a look at the extend/steadi r149’s - I will ERF as long as possible but that’s easy to say whilst he’s currently 10 months old and can be manhandled easily (also child is short and fat haha so height restrictions unlikely to be an issue)

thanks again!!!

It's the Graco Extend LX (r129) that's the joie steadi .
The Extend is the joie tilt.