Haven’t been any better deals since the lows of 2023 on this well-reviewed car seat. I’ve picked it for its compact size and good features/safety.
Price beat expired https://www.babybunting.com.au/product/britax-safe-n-sound-graphene-ea-ifix-car-seat-black-128291
I agree spend a bit more and get Pria , very small form factor and one of the most relaible
If size isn't an issue, what else is recommended?
Pria or Graphene.
Or look into some Infasecure.
Just make sure to get a ERF seat
Cross shopped the Pria and Graphene and ended up going with the Graphene because they had a good deal on at the time and it was noticeably smaller than the Pria. We have a Tesla Model 3 so it isn't a big sedan or anything but we could still fit 2 (not huge) passengers in the back even with the Graphene. If I recall, the shop assistant mentioned the Graphene was one of the smallest/slimmest baby seat on the market at the time.
did you compare the two side by side? I have them sitting side by side in the backseat and the Pria has a much smaller form factor in both depth and width
Not in the car but next to each other at the shops yeah
I had a car with Graphenes, and another with Prias. The Prias were far superior. I ended up replacing the Graphenes with Prias after I had a small accident, so insurance paid it off.
Fair suggestion, I see there’s a few models of the pria, any tips? LX, Gcell? Seems to be at least $100 premium over this price beat deal, do you think that’s worthwhile?
The base model is fine. The LX and Non LX are the same. One is just "exclusive" to BB so they don't have to price match.
I personally have the Gcell for both cars, and one car also has isofix since we move the seats around in that more often. The one without isofix is more than fine, and the seatbelt clamp system makes it very easy to install.
I personally think the smart strap, plus the more modern design makes it worth the extra.
I think this one is in next week catalog at WW/bigW for $399?
Just saw that in the sneak peak ww catalogue. Ad says Graphene but links to EA
https://imgur.com/a/GZrfD6e
Nice, good find! Thanks
Graphene is just the colour.
Real deal in the comments, nice! $60 saving and free delivery too! Whoooo!
Graphene is just the colour.
That is not correct - the seat comes in different colours.
Graphene EA IFIX (previously Graphene) and Graphene EA IFIX + (previously Graphene +) are the model names.
It is the Graphene EA IFIX pictured in the ad (even if it just says Graphene), so it will be the correct newer model on sale.
@caprimulgus: How silly of me, when I went shopping a few years ago, that's what the lady in the store said to me haha!
These names are like iphone names. Long, silly and ridiculous..
Does the EA IFIX mean anything @caprimulgus
@Lord Ra: To be fair, shop assistants in some of these baby stores can be terrible - giving completely incorrect information often!!
EA is short for Easy Adjust (the new head cushion adjustment system).
IFIX is short for ISOFIX.
The plus model is mainly just different fabric/stitching and some memory foam, and I believe on the Graphene line it also has slightly bigger / more advanced side impact cushions.
So basically this will be cheaper next week? We dont have that link yet though
Here's the link at big w. https://www.bigw.com.au/product/britax-safe-n-sound-graphene…
Baby bunting now matching this price too
didnt know big w sell Britax seats now. They previously sold rebranded Britax - just called Safe N Sound - not really sure what the difference was but it looked cheaper than real Britax.
How car seats have evolved though - if the Pria (mentioned above) was available 4 years ago I'd buy that one? My second one is over 19 months and still rear facing and I can definitely see the benefits of a belt path for the outer strap.
This is now dropped to $399 at BB I guess so they don’t have to price beat BigW. I called and they applied a credit note of $38 to my account for the difference. Super easy
any good finds for 12-8 years one ? Looking for that car seat
from 4+ there is no isofix solution i believe and it is too heavily to hold without the seatbelt
Does anyone buy 2nd hand car seats?
Is it like buying a 2nd hand helmet?
There's nothing inherently wrong with secondhand seats - it's really just a risk / trust thing. Whether you believe the seller when they say the seat hasnt been in an accident.
We bought one set of car seats from a friend, who we trust to tell us the truth. Would I trust a rando on marketplace? Not sure.
I would imagine plenty of scumbags / ignorant folks would happily lie about it to flog seats to the unsuspecting…so it's a bit of a minefield.
My aunt bought us a random secondhand seat from a market. Not only was it far too old - it was also a seat that had also been recalled for safety! Lol (Not an issue if you are looking to buy a specific seat - but just an example of people being ignorant and/or willfully selling unsafe seats.)
Perhaps for an emergency / occasional use seat, I personally might roll the dice on a marketplace one. For a regularly used seat, I would be less inclined - but that's up to you whether you want to take the risk.
The hope is that you are never in a bad accident, and therefore it never actually comes to the point where integrity of the seat matters. But it is always a risk, so just depends on your personal comfort level.
We chose new on sale + secondhand from friend for our seats. That works for us. Others may have a different risk appetite / may be more trusting of strangers!
I have the misfortune of having had to buy 6 carseats (for grandparents to help with daycare pickups). I just buy cheaper ones that are well rated (eg. Mothersafe AP adore) for the others that are occasionally used
Yeah - we have one AP Adore as well (we have the AP Accord version, which is the same seat). :)
So yeah, for us: either secondhand or cheaper (but still good) seats when they are not going to be used frequently.
We had been looking around at marketplace for secondhand, but ended up buying a heavily discounted AP Accord instead. :)
I'm currently looking at second hand seat for a 4-8 year old. I am being very picky, looking at newest possible manufacture date with very low use, and from a seller with good ratings and item information provided. There are some good ones out there, just need to be selective and ask questions but an element of trust is needed as with any second hand purchase. I was less inclined to buy second hand for the newborn and small infant seats after searching and ended up buying new on sale.
Thanks for your input @Tock & @caprimulgus
I'll need a seat for a new born in 5 months. Should I wait for Black Friday November?
This seat has been down to $350 at Baby Bunting, so worthwhile waiting IMO.
I have one of these, they are a good all rounder. If size is important to you though hard to beat Maxi Cosi Pria - they are tiny, and have a belt path so you don't have to loosen the outer strap to put them in