Chicco NextFit Zip Product Review

Jess-Miller-Sunglasses
Published by 
Jess Miller
Last updated: 
March 31, 2023

Nothing is as daunting as settling for one car seat brand. However, you can never go wrong with the Chicco Brand. The NextFit Zip is a must-have if you’re looking for an easy to use convertible car seat with an adjustable headrest.

We did our research and came up with the Chicco NextFit Zip review, which includes its specs and features that make it unique. 

What Is the Chicco NextFit Zip?

The Chicco NextFit Zip is a convertible car seat with nine position recline, a thermal insulated cup holder, six position height adjustable headrest, and a super cinch latch. The car seat is easy to use and comfortable. You can place it at the front and rear of the car. 

Children from 5-65 pounds can use this car seat. A forward-facing position can accommodate children from 22-65 pounds, while the rear-facing one can hold an infant from 5-40 pounds. 

The Chicco NextFit seat has a dimension of 21x19x29.2 inches and 25 pounds' weight. The height and weight limits are great to serve you for a long time. You will find a rear-facing specification of 5-40pound weight limits for your baby to fit well, and a 49 inches' maximum height. The forward seat specifications are 22-65 pounds and 49 maximum height for your toddler's comfort.

Find the two ride right bubble levels which show you the correct seat angle in forward-facing or rear-facing modes. Its latch tightener gives you a secure fit with little to no effort. You can use the seat in different vehicles as it comes with different recline options.

What Makes the Chicco NextFit Zip Unique?

The Chicco NextFit Zip is different from other convertible seats. Below are a few aspects that make this car seat excellent. 

Comfort and Quality

With Britax Marathon Click Tight ARB, Britax Boulevard Click Tight, and Britax Advocate Click Tight ARB, Chicco NextFit zip car seat has the highest score of 9 out of 10 in quality and comfort. The seat's fabric tucks into a shell and transition seamlessly without any exposed attachment or sharp edges

The seat has a smooth, soft nylon fabric that is relatively easy to wipe. The padding is thick all round and resembles a memory foam material feel. Also, the seat comes with a self-contained shell with a smooth back and side for your toddler comfort for even a long car ride.

Chicco has no spaces for dirt crud to accumulate, and its bottom is smooth without rough edges, so you need not worry for any potential damage to your car seats. Through Recline sure leveling system, and the Right bubble, the seat gives you room to get the correct recline all the time. You don't need to worry that your kid is sitting too far back, or too far forward.

Latch Storage

The Chicco NextFit zip seat has the best Latch storage design. The seat's straps and anchors rest in a plastic pocket on the sides; you don't require much force for a perfect fit. You’ll love the plastic pouch that comes with a hook and the tether strap. The pocket is secure for you to use and closes with ease. 

Safety

The Chicco NextFit Zip has some impressive safety features such as the ARB click tight, push-on connectors, seat belt lockoffs, a bubble level, and a super cinch latch with push-on connectors. Moreover, other elements like padded wings, anti-rebound bar, and a large headrest enable your baby to be more comfortable with a rear-facing kit. 

Durability

Chicco NextFit baby seat is a good investment for your baby comfort as it can last for more than eight years. Spending your money on this Italian fabric gives you value for your money. 

Latch

The Chicco NextFit Zip boasts of the SuperCinch latch that not only makes your installation process simple but also helps to keep your child strapped and safe. The one-pull center Latch Strap operates the cinch system and doubles the tightening force, which means that you don't have to use too much energy to get the perfect fit. 

The seat has different features to enable you to adjust the seat to the rear-facing position easily. 

However, the seat base is wider than the latch connector. You will need extra force to install the seat since the bottom interferes with the connection and tightening of the chair.

Chicco NextFit Zip Specs

Some of the notable features we found in our Chicco NextFit zip review include:

  • LATCH compatible 
  • Multiple recline positions 
  • Recline level indicator position 
  • Recline level indicator type 
  • Spanish language instructions 
  • 6-position headrest

How Chicco NextFit Zip compares to Other Brands

While the NextFit Zip is safe, comfortable, and easy to clean, it has other competitors. Below is a look at how the car seat compares to other car seat brands in the market. 

Chicco NextFit

The build quality between Chicco NextFit and Chicco NextFit zip convertible differs since Chicco NextFit is made in Italy while Chicco NextFit zip convertible is made in China. The zip convertible is light compared to Chicco NextFit

Both car seats have a warranty of one year. However, the NextFit is a bit more expensive than the NextFit Zip convertible car seat. 

Britax Boulevard Car Seat

Similar to Chicco NextFit, the Britax Boulevard is high-end, and will comfortably carry your kids of different age. Both seats are easy to install in your car before leaving your house.

The Chicco NextFit differs in features where Chicco NextFit has a 9-position recline leveling position while Britax Boulevard has a 7-position leveling position. Both baby seats come with different colors for you to choose. However, Britax Boulevard is more durable compared to Chicco NextFit.

Britax Boulevard has a life span warrant of one year while Chicco NextFit has a two years' lifespan warrant. The warrant is only valid only on manufacturer based damages.

Graco 4ever Car Seat

Graco 4 ever is a must-have car seat. It has two bottom cup holders that can hold your child’s drink while on the trip. The seat uses EPS, energy absorbing foam to take in and disperse any impact energy in the event of an accident. 

Both Graco 4 ever and Chicco NextFit Zip come with adjustable seats. However, when Graco is extended to full height, it can block some rear visibility depending on your car. Graco 4 ever has an excellent rating on Federal Motor Vehicle Standards.

Graco 4ever is a product of China, while the NextFit Zip is from Italy. The seats have high-quality fabrics and are easy to use at any stage of your child's life. 

Another impressive feature is that the seat pad comes in three parts and the FAA approves it for airplane travel. The seat’s solid build makes it durable

Graco Extend2Fit

The Graco Extend 2Fit comes with a simplified safe adjust harness system which allows you to adjust the headrest and harness position in one motion

Both seats have a five-point harness system that helps to secure your baby’s parts and to keep your kid immobile in case of a crush. Graco Extend2Fit and NextFit Zip come with removable cup holders, a ten position headrest, and ten-year expiration. They also have a six-position recline and a no-rethread harness. The inclusion of a secure latch with push-on connectors for both car seats comes as an advantage. 

Find the InRight Latch system that allows you to snap the straps on the car’s anchors. You can release the straps with a push of a button. You may find it challenging to work with seat belt installation with the rear-facing position as the belt path is small. Threading at this point is challenging, not to forget the clunky chest clip.

Britax Marathon ClickTight

The Britax Marathon comes with seven creative color options. Britax as a brand is famous for its safety ratings, and the technology doesn’t disappoint. 

ClickTight is a must-have convertible car seat as it makes the Britax Marathon simple to install. You’ll also find the impressive adjustment, and safety features in the USA made car seat.

The Britax Marathon and NextFit Zip share specific features like the no-rethread harness, steel-reinforced frame, side impact protection, and ten-year lifespan. However, Britax has extra features such as the EZ buckle system and the SafeCell impact-absorbing base which reduces head movement in a crash. 

On the downside, the Britax has short crotch straps, which may be too tight for the child’s legs. Nonetheless, you can use the two crotch buckle positions to adjust the crotch position. The harness straps do not conform to similar tightness, and you may have to deal with a jammed recline handle. 

Some users experienced loosening of the seat pad, and a few had issues fitting the seat in some vehicles. 

Peg Perego Convertible Car Seat

The Peg Perego Primo Viaggio is an older version of the convertible car seat. The Italian manufacturer focuses on the spine, head, and neck stability. Its forward-facing capacity can accommodate up to 65 pounds, while the rear-facing size can allow up to 45 pounds.

Unlike other convertible car seats that come with harnesses, the Peg Perego convertible has deluxe latch straps that make the installation straightforward and the seat safer. The model also passes several crash ratings, which ensures that it’s safe for your child.

When compared to the NextFit, the Peg Perego falls short due to its short expiration date. It also has a unique rear-facing belt path, which makes installation difficult. The Peg Perego seat doesn’t have a booster mode. 

Pros and cons

The Chicco NextFit seat has its share of advantages and disadvantages.

It comes with a steel frame, which protects your child in case of a crash. You can convert the seat from a rear-facing seat to a front-facing one when your child is older. Chicco goes ahead to include the machine-washable fabric that you can unzip and wash. 

The USA made product assures you that the car seat meets all the Federal crash safety requirements. You can secure a newborn who is five pounds to this car seat, but you won’t find the NextFit zip ideal for preemies. 

PROS

  • A five-point Harness system with straps that hardly twist
  • Approved by FAA for use in airplanes
  • Bubble level indicators
  • Easy to install and remove when with or without base
  • Equipped with a standard metal buckle
  • Features an adjustable recline foot
  • Fitted with Push-Button, Lower anchor connectors
  • An eight years lifespan
  • Lock Off feature for the seatbelt
  • Made of Energy absorbing EPS foam
  • One-pull, single strap LATCH adjuster
  • Machine washable covers

CONS

  • The seat cushions are not breathable and may lead to sweating when used for a long time.
  • Needs better buckle placement and design
  • It's intense, making it hard to get a kid in and out easily
  • Harness buckle can stick when trying to unlatch

Pulling the straps tight when your child is in the seat can be difficult.

Conclusion

Baby boy is sleeping while seating at the car seat

Hopefully, our Chicco NextFit Zip review answered all of the questions you might have about the product.

The Chicco NextFit Zip boasts of impressive safety features. Its inclusion of the single strap latch adjuster and the lock off function allows you to strap in your child safely. You can rest knowing that your child is comfortable during the drive. 

Its nine recline angles and the leveling guide allows you to spot the right angle for your child. You can find the instructions and latch connectors for seat-belt installation in the manual. You’ll find the steel frame convenient as it provides additional protection. 

Although the NextFit Zip may be a bit expensive and may present a challenge when adjusting the harness, it provides you value for your money.

Featured Image via Chicco

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