RECARO Convertible Car Seat As Low As $155.86 Shipped (Regularly $299.99)
Hop on over to ToysRUs.com where you can score this RECARO Performance Rally Convertible Car Seat – Raven for just $180 shipped (regularly $299.99).
In addition, Jet.com is offering up this same car seat for $183.37. Even sweeter, if you’re a new Jet.com customer, you can save an additional 15% off (up to a $30 discount) when you use promo code 15NOW at checkout, which means you can score this car seat for just $155.86 shipped! To easily find this car seat, search “RECARO Performance Rally Convertible Car Seat – Raven“. Price has gone up 🙁
This seems like a pretty sweet deal as this same car seat is priced at $299.99 at Target and $274.81 at Amazon.
The original price of $300 for a car seat is insane!!! Do people really follow brand names of car seats like jeans and shoes!?! Why pay that much when a car seat exactly as safe can be purchased for under $100 and is easier to use and lighter to lift! I say buy the > $100 seat and invest the $200 in the bank or a mutual fund for your kid. In 20 yrs that $200 will turn into a whole lot more than ending up an expired over priced car seat in a landfill never to decompose! Mom’s and dad, don’t buy into the hype of name brand!!! Every car seat is exactly equally as safe as the next weather it’s a $50 car seat or a $500 seat!
You really need to do more research before you make such ridiculous comments. Not all seats are “exactly as safe” as others. All seats meet the MINIMUM safety requirements. You get what you pay for. Higher end seats are often safer, much more comfortable, and easier to install/use.
I agree Andrea. I have these seats & love them. There is a night/day difference between these seats & the cheap Evanflo seats that we have in our second car. They are significantly more sturdy & clean so much easier. I do think $300 is outrageous for a seat (and we bought ours on sale). But for my family, we made the decision to scrimp in other areas to be able to afford these.
Not to mention much easier to install! We took a cheap Evenflo on vacation and it was such a hassle getting it in the rental car. And you have no idea if the thing is at the right level. And the straps are night and day difference. On the higher end brands, you know they are inserted correctly and as tight as needed. (Our Recaro has white dots down the outward facing sides so you know the straps are not twisted anywhere.)
My husband loves the Recaro in his car and I love the Chicco Nextfit in mine. I waited for deals on both of them and paid a fraction of the retail price. Worth it for the peace of mind.
I thought it was just me that had a hard time putting my evenflos in! Mine are an all-in-ones,though, so once in, they will last a long time. Each time I need them put in a different car or turned, I always take them to the fire dept where they have certification so that I know it is put in correctly and I don’t have to deal with all the mess and still not have it right lol.
I agree with Andrea. We don’t have these seats but I believe in paying extra for quality items that are tested to be safer, easier to install, and more comfortable for my child. These seats are on sale for $155 which is a great price for these quality car seats. I’m more than willing to pay extra to ensure the safety of my child and scrimp on clothing and toys.
Agree with Andrea. I have been doing lots of research on our next car seat (currently our little one is in an infant carrier).
There is no research to back up the claim that more expensive seats are safer.
Absolutely right. There’s *NO* empirical data which indicates that more expensive seats are safer…it’s a huge misconception to believe so and apparently very pervasive, as the comments show!
correct, there is no seat “safer” than another if they’re both installed correctly. prices are higher due to brand, comfort, ease of install/uninstall, length of time it in can be used, how long until it’s expired, etc etc. not because it’s safer. the higher priced seats are by far “nicer” but not safer, i wish more people realized that.
I agree with Andrea. I am actually someone who paid $300 for a Britax convertible car seat for my first daughter over 4 years ago. We recently transitioned our second daughter to the convertible and I spent $200 on a forward facing britax car seat that we intend to hand down later as well. You do get what you pay for and if you invest in quality car seats, they last! I have had many friends replace their $80-100 car seats at least twice if not more in the 4+ years we have had ours. No regrets and I would spend less somewhere else to know that my kids are in high quality seats that will also last for more than one child.
I am a certified car seat safety technician and I can tell you that you are completely mistaken, ladies. It worries me that so many people commenting here seem to believe in these misconceptions. Higher cost =/= safer seat! Pricier ones are not tested to be safer! If a seat were not safe then it could not be sold, period.
Andrea, your claims are simply not true- and a very dangerous way of thinking because it gives parents the false impression that paying more for a seat will ensure their child’s safety (and which discourages people from buying new seats after accidents or when they expire, as the cost may be a prohibitive factor for some). As you stated, all seats sold in the US by law must meet the mandated safety requirements…pricier ones may be more comfortable and look nicer but they are NOT safer, by default. ***The safest seat is the one that is properly installed and appropriate for the child’s height/weight.*** Ease of installation is completely subjective and variable (what may be easy for one person to install in one car may be difficult for another in their car, then there’s belt vs. LATCH system, etc.) but you can always find a certified tech to help you install it properly. As far as being sturdy goes, even the strongest seats will be completely ineffective if used incorrectly, so that has nothing to do with whether or not the seat will save a life in an accident. There have been SEVERAL recalls of the higher-end car seats issued, so that just goes to show you that the brand name doesn’t have a bearing on the actual performance of the seat. Even if you paid extra, that supposed “quality” won’t do you any favors in an accident if that seat isn’t being used effectively for your child.
Most parents do not even strap their children in properly (tightening straps as needed, using the buckle and 5 point harness in the correct fashion, avoiding the use of after-market products designed for comfort which really just wind up making the seat less safe in an accident), dress them in bulky coats in winter (which presents a compression hazard that can be fatal in an accident), forward-face way too early (or transition to booster seats too early), don’t have the car seat anchored to the car properly, reuse expired or previously-used seats that may have been in an accident, etc. These factors are what lead to serious injuries and death in car accidents- not having paid less for the seat!
so glad you commented!
Thank you RZ. Well said on “High end” brand versus “Cheap” brand. It comes down to how the car seat is properly installed – dot your “I” and cross your “t”. Hassle or not, it is our children’s lives. I have to admit I’m high end type of gal but when it comes to my babies, I did full research on ALL brands. Of course we all want to save money and put in better use, but our children’s lives are something we cannot put price on. So ask yourself this question: $300 versus $100 versus our children’s lives?
I enjoy my occasional high-end purchases too, Kimberly! No shame in that! 🙂
I completely agree that our children’s lives are priceless, and sometimes paying more means that our children enjoy more protection- but in this case, the $100 car seat is just as safe as the $300 car seat as long as you use it effectively (i.e. properly installed and appropriate for the child that is using it). Just gotta be sure that no matter how much you spend on it, it’s used right…and hopefully our children will always ride safe in vehicles.
I agree completely with everything you have said, I have 4 children age 17 down to newborn and have seen the seats(even the cheap ones get better in quality over the years. It really comes down to proper installation and buckling. with that being said there is only a “minimum” safety requirement and I can tell full well some seats “exceed” those requirements while others squeak by, not having anything to do with price. I’ve had Graco, britax, Chicco and others. I have a Recaro ProRide and it is by far the best seat I’ve had. Not a fan of the britax.. This is a great price for this seat and it all boils down to are you comfortable with the expense. Keep those babies n kids safe!
It weighs over 20 pounds and is steel and is not only a hunk of plastic. $50 Tupperware container is supposed to keep hit child safe with an impact of two cars on any impact? No. Esp when like most Americans your car seat is wrong for their age or size and they fly out the window or into the front windshield. They are not even rear impacted tested to any standards unless they are from a brand like this sold in Germany. You can’t buy any of the junk sold here in other countries.
Using the wrong type of seat/position for a child’s height and weight is a completely separate issue from the issue of using a more expensive seat, believing it to be safer. Those two things have nothing to do w/ each other. If your infant is forward facing in a $300 seat, that will not make them safer than an infant rear-facing in a $60 seat!
I’m a car seat safety tech and I can assure you that they are rear-impact tested. They couldn’t be sold if they weren’t! Please stop spreading misinformation, it can lead to someone’s child being seriously hurt or killed in an accident. Heavier, more expensive seats don’t make a difference in a wreck…properly installed seats do!
Jos is right. All seats on the market pass the same safety test and they don’t release the test scores so we have no way of knowing which seats rate better than others. That being said, to each their own when it comes to buying seats. The safest seat is a seat with a good & proper install. Some seats have a great install in one type of car but don’t fit in a different car and therefore become unsafe. I recommend the Facebook group “car seats for the littles” they are very knowledgable & can help find the right seat for your situation & budget.
Yes, exactly! The safest seat is the one that is installed properly and appropriate for the child, period. Price is absolutely not a factor when it comes to performance, in an accident.
There’s things you should never go cheap on and a car seat is at the top of the list
How a person chooses to spend their money is their own personal choice.
I agree u pay a low price a lot of times not as safe as higher priced ones , my grandson is worth the extra money for him to be safe , of course this is coming from his Mimi!!
Well said!
We have more expensive seats in our main ca ($200/250 each) and then very inexpensive seats in our occasional car. You can tell a huge difference and for us it was super important to make such an investment. Especially when they will likely fit our child throughout their lifespan in a car seat. Everyone will have an opinion, but going the cheap route was not for our family. Honestly, even our children notice the comfort difference between the two.
Recaro is awesome!
Glad to hear it Lindsey! Thanks for the feedback! 😉
I have the next size up Recaro and it’s great. So comfortable for my kid (who prefers the comfort over the Chicco NextFit). Easy to install and buckle correctly. White stripes on the straps help provide a visual so we know the straps are not twisted up. Fits well in the car.
Each carseat fits each car model differently. Toys R Us let us “try on” their floor models in our car, and it was an eyeopener about what fit best in our specific car. Especially crucial for those who must install 3 carseats at once; some carseats are too wide.
Thanks so much Just bought it! We’ve been looking for a good deal on a Recaro Convertible seat.
Side note you also save 1% from shopathome, you also receive a $5 bonus if you make a purchase of $150 or more on shopathome, PLUS if you purchase on jet with a debit card you get an extra 1.5% off! yay 🙂
There is no way of knowing what seat is “safer” than another. In the end the right seat is the one that fits well in your vehicle, and that your child fits well in. For us, the cheap ones worked well (for the herd of kids we have). I have seen thousands of children post wreck- very, very few in any type of a carseat were injured.
All of these arguments are like saying vehicle “x” is just as safe as vehicle “y.” Sure they all meet the minimum safety standards and if used improperly will not protect you but some have roll bars built in, extra air bags, etc. This argument will never be won. It reminds me of a bunch of guys measuring who’s stick is bigger lol. I do see a difference in the extra padding in how much it allows my child’s head to move side to side compared to the ones without that that allow it to move more. It’s all on what’s right for you and your family. To each their own just try to respect each other’s personal choices. That’s my two cents. But I’m so excited for his deal we needed another one for my husbands jeep and this is perfect! Thanks Collin!
Except that those extra features don’t save lives in a car accident…seat belts do, LOL.
Definitely to each their own but facts are facts too…cheaper seats are just as safe, if used correctly.
You can stop putting down others people’s choice for more comfort for their children. Never said they weren’t safe. They obviously meet the safety requirements or wouldn’t be sold and obviously wouldn’t be effective no matter the cost if they aren’t properly installed and used. Same as with seat belts in cars for children and people. I’ve seen my share of dead people who weren’t seat belted in wrecks and some that were. Was just stating some of the others have extra options that provide more comfort and padding for the child.
Nobody was putting down other people’s choices- so no need to get defensive as I just happened to disagree w/ you. I too have kids and their comfort is very important to me as well- but comfort and price point alone aren’t going to save a life in an accident and that was my point, in case you misunderstood it.
I was clarifying a very pervasive and dangerous misconception when it comes to car seats, as I’m a technician and do this for a living. People are free to pay more for high-end items if they desire to do so, but misinformation needs to be addressed as well.
Not defensive just more annoyed because your point has been overly made. And by continuing to post on everyone’s comments your opinion after your very long explanation you are putting them down. We get where you stand. Point made. You’re not going to convince them anymore by restating the same thing on everyone’s comment. You even posted on mine when I agreed they’re are all safe but some have more comfort features. That’s all I’m saying. Good day.
Okay, well feel free to take your annoyance elsewhere and keep scrolling then, if you’re that bothered by a simple discussion about car seat safety, coming from a car seat tech (on a post about car seats, of all things). Others are happy to read my “very long explanation” because in the end it can save a life…but if you don’t care, then why are you bothering to even comment at all? Lol.
You don’t have to police the comments section, or take my perspective as a personal attack on you or anyone else. I happen to be passionate about this issue so I will continue to clarify and educate people to the best of my ability. You can unfollow this discussion easily, instead.
Any car seat that is installed correctly, fits your child and they are correctly buckled in is the safest, regardless of cost. I’ve seen people who bought the most expensive car seat but fail to make sure its installed correctly or that their child’s buckles are correct, this is what will be the difference between life and death.
You are right! The seat is only as good as its installation, not its price tag!
RZ, so is there any research done on car seats like this compared to cheaper seats? I understand installation, correct fit, etc. are most important. But say you have those boxes checked off, is there any way to compare safety of seats (that perhaps some go above and beyond minimum requirements and some don’t)?
Thanks!
As per the NHTSA, all car seats on the market will meet the minimum requirements (seats w/ lower crash test ratings as well as those that score higher on crash test performance) so they will all offer good protection in a crash as long as they are installed properly and used correctly each and every single time.
There isn’t much credible research comparing various seats strictly by price point, since that isn’t a helpful metric by which to gauge the performance of a seat to begin with. But if you would like to compare car seats in general, then I highly recommend thecarseatlady.com. That website is very comprehensive and contains an exhaustive amount of useful information about what to look for in a car seat (plus it has pros and cons for most of the popular seats on the market based on the type of vehicle you have, which system you’ll be using to secure the seat, ease of installation, price point, comfort, etc).
Hope that helps!
Thank you! I will look her up.
Just purchased one. We love this car seat. Our son has his and now our daughter will get hers 🙂
Glad you could snag another! Thanks for the great review!
Hi Deann! Been wanting one too. Just wanted to ask if this could be rear faced til my son is 2?
Hi! Now that everyone has determined this car seat to be safe, can you tell me, is it comfortable? We go on a fair amount of 8hr car rides so comfort is our next concern. (For a 25lb 2 year old)
Thanks!
Our kiddos love traveling in them! No forward head tilt if they are forward facing. Snug as a bug!
Thank you!
We have recaro….LOVE THEM,my kids sleep in them on long rides and don’t complain. Will never go to a different brand now.
wow, there is some heated discussion on here. Even setting aside the issue of more expensive seats possibly being safer, I still will pay for a more expensive seat because of the ease of use. I have two recaro car seats and I love them. They are much easier (for my family) to install and I also love how easy it is to tighten and adjust the straps. For my family, it is worth the extra expense for ease of use and how much more comfortable my children are in the nicer seats. And the fact that the seat may (or may not) be safer is a bonus if it actually is safer.
I don’t have any personal experience with this seat, but Consumer Reports had some concerns about the 2015 version of this seat..
https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/structural-weakness-found-in-recaro-performance-ride-child-seat
https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/structural-weakness-found-in-recaro-performance-ride-child-seat
We have Recaro car seats and LOVE them!! I recommend them to everyone! I did extensive research before buying them and feel my children are as protected as possible. This is a great price!
Sweet! Thanks for sharing Sarah!
Absolutely Collin! Thank YOU for all you do!
Recaro makes race car driver seats. I have a relative that unknowingly passed me on the highway and he saw the Recaro stitching. Thought to himself “they make kid seats too?” Then saw me as the driver and he called me for the sole purpose of telling me that I must keep my kid safe and knew more about the brand than I did. My child has never once complained during long car drives. I don’t think it’s the most popular because they really sell themselves but I do think it is very safe.
It appears that the Jet deal is over. The price listed when I searched for the car seat was 299.
Darn! I am seeing that now as well. Thanks for the heads up!