Choosing the right car seat can be a minefield. There are so many things to take into consideration like are you going to opt for an infant car seat and then look at getting the next stage car seat?
Or are you going to go straight for the convertible one that can grow with your child? What budget are you comfortable with?
One car seat that may be able to cover all these possible issues is the Cosco Scenera NEXT convertible car seat.
The Cosco Scenera NEXT convertible car seat was released in 2015 and it is one of the most budget-friendly convertible car seats on the market. To be fair, this car seat is pretty basic although it does meet or exceed all federal safety standards.
We have taken a look at this car seat along with any pros or cons. Check out our review below.
Key Car Seat Features
Every car seat has some key features that you need to look for when buying a car seat for your little one. These will be the same regardless of if you’re looking for an infant car seat or a convertible one. Here are some features to consider:
Comfort
It is super important that your child is comfortable in their car seat, especially if you tend to travel a lot.
Appearance
As much as we all might deny it, we want our children’s car seats to look trendy and stylish.
However, it’s also important that your child likes their seat as this will encourage them to want to use it, saving you the nightmare of a meltdown every time you try to strap them in.
Ability To Transfer
Nobody likes being stuck with the job of moving a car seat from one vehicle to another. It’s a pain and is always more complicated than it needs to be.
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So one thing to look out for when buying a new car seat is looking at how easily they’re moved from one vehicle to another and if they fit in all the vehicles they are intended to be used in. Never assume that a specific seat will fit in all vehicles.
Safety
It’s obvious that a parent’s number one concern when purchasing a car seat is how safe their child will be whilst using it. Parents also want to be sure that in the unfortunate event of an accident that the car seat will protect their child.
Durability
Your car seat needs to be able to handle the mess and strain that children put on things. We all know children like being rough with things and therefore we need to accommodate for this when looking for a seat.
Cosco Scenera Next Review
Comfort
This seat comes with a detachable cup holder which is just brilliant. You can store either a drink to ensure your little one is hydrated or even a snack or a favorite toy.
The harness has 5 different heights and 3 different buckle locations which allows your child’s car seat to grow with them. This means you can move the harness until it’s at the perfect spot for your child, ensuring comfort and safety.
One letdown for the comfort of this seat is that it only has basic padding which could become uncomfortable during a long journey.
Appearance
The Cosco Scenera Next comes in a variety of solid colors and patterns which means your child will almost definitely find something that suits them perfectly.
Some of these options are quite loud but there are a few neutral ones that would look good in almost all vehicles.
You also want your car seats to remain to look good once you are no longer using a car seat, check out our guide on how to prevent marks on your leather car seats.
Ability To Transfer
This seat might not be the best if it is going to be moving around vehicles quite a bit as it is slightly fussy to change. However, it’s not overly difficult and can be done with just one person.
This car seat is great if you’re a family who loves to travel by airplane. This seat is certified to use on aircraft, giving your child somewhere familiar on their journey.
The Cosco Scenera Next is compact and lightweight at only 17 inches wide and weighing 9 pounds. This allows for three car seats to fit in the back of most vehicles with ease.
Safety
This seat has very basic safety precautions.
The Cosco Scenera Next meets or exceeds all federal safety standards. It is suitable for newborns thanks to its very low shoulder straps but once your newborn is seated, it’s not the coziest fit.
The seat is technically safe but this fit might cause some parents to feel uneasy. The headrest of this seat does however have built-in Side Impact Protection and a 5 point harness is used to secure your child.
This car seat is designed to hold a baby from 5 to 40 pounds and 19 to 40 inches whilst rear-facing.
Keeping an eye on your child while they are rear-facing can be difficult so the use of a good baby car mirror is advised, check out the Shynerk baby mirror.
When forward-facing, it can hold anywhere from 22 to 40 pounds and 29 to 43 inches. Your child must be at least two years old before using this seat forward-facing.
Durability
The Cosco Scenera Next has a lifespan of 8 years. The seat must be disposed of after this time.
The seat pad is removable and is both washer and dryer safe which means you do not need to worry about the mess – we all know how messy kids can be.
Specifications
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- Rear-facing weight range – 5 – 40 pounds
- Forward-facing weight range – 22 – 40 pounds
- Rear-facing height range – 19 -40 inches
- Forward-facing heigh range –29 – 43 inches
- Lowest harness position – 5 inches
- Highest harness position – 13 inches
- Expiration – 8 years from the date of manufacture
Installation
Installation can be done either with LATCH or seatbelt. Check out the videos below for how to install this car seat.
Installation using the car seatbelt.
Installation using the LATCH system.
Pros
- Lightweight and compact.
- An adjustable harness allows this seat to be used by almost anyone.
- Extremely affordable price compared to other car seats.
Cons
- The height at the top of this harness is only 13 inches.
- The harness must be rethreaded as your baby grows.
- Not the coziest fit for a newborn.
- The recline is limited and not always age suitable.
FAQs
Is Cosco Scenera next safe?
The Cosco Scenera Next meets or exceeds all federal safety standards and has built-in side impact protection in the headrest. Apart from this, there are no bells or whistles with this car seat.
What is the lightest convertible car seat on the market?
The lightest convertible car seat is the Cosco Scenera Next at just 9.1 pounds. This car seat is super easy to move between vehicles, install and fit three-seat side by side if needed.
Can you carry around a convertible car seat?
You can not carry around a convertible car seat as they don’t come with a handle. These car seats also don’t pop out of a base that stays in the car and is therefore only intended for safe travel inside a vehicle.
Can I skip the infant car seat?
Yes, you certainly can! Skipping the infant car seat can save you a tremendous amount of money in the long run. There’s no need to buy an infant car seat that your child will quickly grow out of if you can just buy a convertible car seat from the get-go.
The Final Thought
The Cosco Scenera NEXT is a fantastic lightweight seat that fits the vast majority of children well while rear-facing. It also makes a great travel seat as it is so lightweight.
But the car seat doesn’t come with the bells and whistles of many other car seats in this category, though you must consider that it is a fraction of the price.
Personally, I think that this car seat would be great as a second car seat for occasional use or for traveling but that it would not be comfortable enough for long car journeys.
