
Cosco Kids
Scenera Next DLX Convertible Car Seat
Budget king, super light for flights, but quickly outgrown.

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Your budget for car seats is $600? You can easily buy both if you really wanted too. But here’s my opinion. Obviously the convertible is convenient, you only have to buy one seat. It’ll be used for a few years. Many people also state their baby did better in the convertible then infant seat. The infant seat though can usually be attached to a stroller, much more convenient for when baby falls asleep. In the newborn days baby will fall asleep in the car seat most of the time, and it is going to be easier to just slip them into the stroller with that or bring them inside and take them out. Especially when it’s cold/windy out. Throw on a car seat cover and go inside. Personally, I’d still do both. Being able to put baby in the car seat inside and bundle them up if need be is so much more convenient than standing at the car door and putting them in. Also when they’re a newborn quickly taking the car seat out if you’re at the gas station or running into a store is easy. If you’ve got the convertible you either have to throw them in a carrier or a whole other stroller every time. Just my opinion! I’ve got a 15 month old and have tried it all lol
Totally recommend just checking out Walmart for car seats, even Canadian tire. They usually have sales. Ranging from $150 and upwards. This is my convertible I have in my Silverado right now https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/Evenflo-Sonus-Convertible-Car-Seat-0-4-Years/6000197659090 This is the travel system I had. https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/Evenflo-Omni-Plus-Travel-System-with-Litemax-Infant-Car-Seat-0-5-Years/6000208847811?selectedSellerId=0&wl13=1083&cmpid=SEM_CA_596_3SJSMJLILC_21692540530_pmax&utm_id=SEM_CA_596_3SJSMJLILC_21692540530_pmax&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=always_on&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21688682147&gbraid=0AAAAADv6L0SLU5zy6FLnH7H_iKxqQqlPi&gclid=CjwKCAjwnN3OBhA8EiwAfpTYek1_UxLNekyvuWYMdZ6p9NwM4A8A4ISsGPgdwUbIOXDt40CHmXXpbBoCL2QQAvD_BwE
We have the evenflo sonus, believe it fits them just a smidge longer than the cosco seat. Also has a head pad which makes it a bit comfier I think!
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!

Cosco Kids
Scenera Next DLX Convertible Car Seat
Budget king, super light for flights, but quickly outgrown.

Cosco Kids
Scenera Next Convertible Car Seat
Very portable, cheap for travel, but uncomfortable and outgrown quickly.

WAYB
Pico™ Portable Car Seat
Ultra-compact, featherlight for travel, but expensive and short-lived.

Joie
Mint Latch
Easy baseless LATCH install, good value, but outgrown fast.

Nuna
PIPA Series
Premium, light, easy baseless install for travel, but pricey.

Ranked #1
Cosco Kids - Scenera Next DLX Convertible Car Seat

Ranked #1
Cosco Kids - Scenera Next DLX Convertible Car Seat

Ranked #1
Cosco Kids - Scenera Next DLX Convertible Car Seat

Ranked #1
Cosco Kids - Scenera Next DLX Convertible Car Seat

Ranked #1
Cosco Kids - Scenera Next DLX Convertible Car Seat

Ranked #1
Nuna - PIPA Series