Graco vs Chicco: quality

blessedandhopeful · November 2010

I had decided to buy a Graco travel system (not narrowed down to type yet), but today my mom and step-dad told me they want to buy the stroller and carseat for us. I was sticking to Graco purely because it is a quality brand with reasonable prices. Since they offered to buy and brought Chicco up as an option, I am wondering if I should start looking at those now even though they are more expensive. So...

-Are Chicco travel systems truly better quality (vs Graco) so as to account for the price difference in the two?

-Which do you suggest out of the two?

I am very grateful to them for offering, and I want to make an informed decision so I don't waste their money!

TIA

lindseyenderson · November 2010

If it were me, I would get a snugride car seat and a stroller that is compatible with it depending what you plan to use the stroller for. If it was mainly to be used outside walks, jogs, park, zoo etc I'd probably get a jogger. If it will mainly be used for mall crawling and shopping etc, I'd go for lighter weight stroller, like the city mini. I have a Peg Pliko P3 and it worked great with my snugride. Now I mostly use my Phil and Teds with my toddler, it's great for trips to the zoo and outside adventures. I don't think you have to go with a matching set to make a stroller and car seat work for you.

MrsChelseaP09 · November 2010

The Graco Snugride32 and Chicco Keyfit30 are very similar in quality.

I know Graco sells cheaper models, and with the cheaper price comes cheaper material.

skio · November 2010

MrsChelseaP09:

The Graco Snugride32 and Chicco Keyfit30 are very similar in quality.

Ditto. They are evenly matched in safety and quality, from what I've researched. Weight of the carseat is the same. It does seem like the Chicco bases are slightly bulkier.

We are getting a Graco SnugRide 35 solely because I have a hand-me-down extra base, which is fabulous, and because Graco makes it's own Snap-n-Go type stroller.

StarJay · November 2010

I preferred the Chicco when I played w/ them at BRU. I liked the materials and the way it folded better, and LOVED that the basket came completely off for cleaning. When messing w/ the carseats and bases, DH and I both felt the Chicco was a little more self explanatory and easier to figure out.

Gidgetwho · November 2010

I have the Chicco Cortina stroller and the Keyfit 30 and love them both. I played with both at Babies R Us and thought that the Graco felt a little cheaper and less substantial. The Chicco stroller pushes and turns so easily and the Graco just didn't feel as good. I would definitely recommend the Chicco.

Coleslawcat · November 2010

Without a doubt Chicco is higher quality. If you go to the store and play with both you will understand. The LATCH connectors are the premium ones rather than the cheap hooks Graco uses. The plastic doesn't feel soft and pliable on the seat. The infant supports are excellent and provide great support for newborns, unlike the ones in most Graco seats. The biggest difference is in the stroller though. Graco makes good, safe products. They are just as safe as Chicco, but there is no way I would call the quality comparable.

TulipsAndChampagne · November 2010

I review why we chose Chicco in my bio. Just click on my avatar.

Allie30 · November 2010

I wouldn't get a travel system. Period. The strollers of a travel system are not nearly as nice as the ones you can get that are just strollers. The Graco travel system is cheap, but if you're going to spend the money on a Cortina, I'd get a car seat and then a nice, REAL stroller with an adaptor for your carseat.

I picked the Chicco Keyfit 30 for my carseat, and it is much nicer than the versions of the snugride where you can only adjust the belts from the back. If you get a snugride, make sure you pick the kind where the belts can be adjusted from the front. The downside of the Keyfit is that it's MUCH heavier and a little bulkier, but since we don't haul it around (we mostly leave it in the car) it's fine for us.

There are lots of nice strollers (I hear good things about PEg PErego, though I'm getting a City mini) and you can get an adaptor and snap your seat right into them. The graco snaps in to more adapters than the Chicco.

If my parents were buying, I'd probably get a Graco carseat and a City mini with adaptor.

I bought my carseat, and I'm being given a mini as a gift. I dont' have a stroller yet (my baby is 1.5 months) and I don't plan on getting an adaptor because the mini reclines enough for a newborn with a snuggler.

darmca · November 2010

There's a big range of quality/price point in the Graco line. I've seen some for about $200 but the one we want is $460 and we're still waiting for it to go on sale to buy it. I live in a small city and they had no Chicco strollers, the graco was second most expensive after the Quinny strollers.

brandioohoo · November 2010

we haven't started reviewing gear yet, but i've heard from other mom friends that they prefer chicco, and if i'm not mistaken, aren't they #1 for safety? i could be wrong on that. but the latest print of "baby bargains" should help narrow it down. i'm actually going to order it today since several moms have recommended it. it tells about the reviews of different brands, pricing, etc. good luck with whatever you choose!

EvelynHawaii · November 2010

Have you tried out both in the store? When we compared car seats there was no doubt in our minds that the Chicco was much better quality. The Graco bases are so much cheaper price wise but also material wise - you really do get what you pay for when it comes to baby gear.

ablou · November 2010

We have the keyfit30, and loved it.

We didn't get a travel system. We have a big 3 wheel stroller (for what you would normally use a TS stroller for... outlet mall shopping, outdoor events, etc. Much easier to maneuver than a 4-wheel stroller), a lightweight, collapsible, mid-size stroller (mostly for the mall & etc. We use this one the most), and an umbrella stroller (stays in the car. We got it for when we have to take the big stroller out of town & don't need to bring it everywhere. It's great as well & is very convenient for keeping in the car.

We have purchased 2 Graco products. A high chair & a monitor. I HATE the high chair. It's poorly designed and hard to clean. We plan on transitioning Bean to a booster asap. Our monitor crapped out at 5 months. My mom has their PnP at her house. It works for short term visits, but I'm glad that we don't have that one. The construction seems cheap (like our high chair & the carseats & other products I've seen in the stores).

Graco will NOT be getting any more of our business, and I strongly dissuade people from getting their products, unless they're getting them for grandparent purposes. I don't think their quality is up to daily use.

lrn327 · November 2010

My Chicco Keyfit 30 feels a lot sturdier and has nicer materials that friends' Snugfits.

LittleApple · November 2010

The Graco and Chicco car seats are both great in quality and safety. I would say the chicco base is a tad easier to use than the Graco base, but really how many times are you taking the base in and out of the car?

I had no trouble installing my Graco base, even with the LATCH connectors.

I have a Graco Snugride 32 and love everything about it.

MrsTotty · November 2010

I wouldn't recommend a TS in general. At all. And heres why :

https://talesofthemouse.blogspot.com/2010/05/new-stroller.html

Although, I will say that we were nothing but pleased with our Chicco infant seat. The bases were really easy to use, and very sturdy. The seat held up really well (unlike the Cortina stroller) and we'll be using it for this next baby as well.

But, like PP said, both the Chicco and Graco brands are very highly rated. I would suggest playing with both in store and deciding which one YOU like better. My ultimate recommendation would be to find a seat you like, and get a Snap And Go to go with it, and then buy a kick butt toddler stroller once your LO has outgrown the infant seat. Looking back, I wish we had done that.

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