We just bought the Evenflo Sonus as it has a higher forward facing height and weight limit! It does seem bigger than the Cosco Scenera but it’s also light.
I have an Evenflo Sonus (this is similar to the titan) for travel and a Graco Triogrow for our car. The Triogrow is by far an easier install. The clicktight mechanism is very easy to use and I always feel confident about the install. It works front facing with my car, which doesn’t have removable head rests so if you are using it with a variety of cars it would likely be compatible (some forward facing car seats can only work with removable head rests). Downsides are that it’s very heavy and that it’s not particularly compact front to back (especially for a baby or younger toddler where you would want it more inclined). The Sonus is super light and easy to transport, but a pain to install. It takes me so long to install it and I don’t always feel particularly confident about my install, even when it took so long. If you don’t mind carrying a heavy AF car seat after ubering, I would get the Triogrow.
Totally! We had a few misses too before we decided it wasn't worth it to take the gamble. We bought a cheap/lightweight car seat to have on hand for travel and a carrying bag. I liked to install it in the plane seat to keep my kids contained on the flight anyway so that eliminated the baggage handling issue. We had a Cosco Scenera and Evenflo Sonus but this was a couple of years ago so I bet there are newer cooler options now.
We used the Evenflo Sonus and it nestled into our Ergobaby Metro plus stroller (also secured it with a luggage strap). We flew with it (took both car seat & stroller on board), took trains, taxis & uber. The combo worked really well for us!
It’s a bulky seat, for sure. At least it’s a compact one and not a 27lb Diono 😜 (the school bus of car seats)
For Canadian lightweight travel seats (if you plan to travel often) I’d recommend an Evenflo Sonus if under 37” or the Evenflo Sureride/Titan 65 if over 37”. You could get away with a Cosco Scenera Next if they’re petite but it won’t be long lasting as it’s often outgrown by 2-3yo.
So for little (<2yo) baby travel, we have found that the cosco scenera next is awesome. It's a convertible seat, but we used it even when our kids were still in the bucket seat at home. It's only 7lbs, super easy install in a car and airplane, machine washable, and goes on sale for about $100 fairly regularly. We use it as a secondary seat in my husband's car while at home.
We drag it through the airport in the basket of our stroller (uppababy vista) and then gate check the stroller.
Our almost 4 yo uses an evenflo sonus on board, also her secondary seat in my husband's car. That comes through the airport on a folding carseat cart.
There's no way I'd take their seats from my car (britax advocate and clek foonf) on an airplane, as both are ~40 lbs and the advocate is too wide. The cosco seat is an easier airplane install than our infant seat (uppababy mesa).
I hope this is helpful!
I second the SEATS for Kids group on fb.
Things to consider that weren't on your list that were important to me are being machine washable and having a non-rethread harness. And your specific car, and the heights of driver and passenger.
We've had a lot of seats, with 2 kids in Carseats and seats in my, my husband's, and 2 grandparent cars.
The Britax Clicktight installation is by far the easiest install, especially for non-expert installers. Britax does not allow for headrest interference, so some cars with non-removable head rests aren't compatible.
Comments on specific seats:
Britax Poplar S Clicktight: my favourite seat. Easy install, machine washable, no rethread harness, steel frame. Heavy (~40 lbs). We have 3 of these across 4 cars
Britax Advocate Clicktight: an older seat, like the boulevard. A great seat, no longer made. The anti rebound bar on the poplar is better.
Clek Foonf: premium seat. Easy install. Heavy with a steel frame. Harness must be manually rethreaded. Pain in the bum to clean, even with the Ziip cover. Canadian.
Britax emblem: solid seat, but no longer made.
Cosco scenara next: excellent travel seat for kids <2yo. Only ways 7blbs, machine washable cover. We use this for travel and in my husband's sedan. Inexpensive.
Evenflo Sonus: lightweight seat, used for travel for our eldest (4yo). A bit more annoying to install, and the straps twist more than the Britax or clek.
Top Travel Car Seats on Reddit
1
Cosco Kids
Scenera Next DLX Convertible Car Seat
78% positive of 238 users
Super light, cheap, great for air travel, but outgrown fast.
babyminded0
