In the search for the best possible car seat, you are likely to find the Graco Milestone and Chicco Nextfit Zip. Right from the onset, Milestone already proves to be a better option since it can offer more modes of use than Nextfit Zip. However, there are some areas where the latter may also be superior to the former so it would depend on what parents specifically like/need that will help them decide which is the final choice between the 2. Be sure to read further so you too could learn more about what these 2 child restraints can offer.
Graco Milestone*
Vs
Chicco Nextfit Zip*
Ideal Use
| Graco Milestone | Chicco Nextfit Zip | |
| Rear-Facing Weight: | 5 to 40 pounds | |
| Rear-Facing Height Limit: | the head must be at least 1-inch below the handle | Less than 49 inches |
| Forward-Facing Weight: | 20 to 65 pounds | 22 to 65 pounds |
| Forward-Facing Height Limit: | 27 to 49 inches | Up to 49 inches |
| High Back Booster Weight Limit: | 30 to 100 pounds | N/A |
| High Back Booster Height Limit: | 38 to 57 inches | N/A |
- Booster Mode
Since the rear-facing and forward-facing capacities of these two seats are similar, parents would then base their purchase decision on the booster mode found in Graco Milestone.
Compared to the Chicco Nextfit Zip that only has rear-facing and forward-facing modes, Milestone could be a better option since it can last until a child no longer require a child restraint system. The 100 pound maximum weight limit could accommodate a child above 12 years of age while the height limit of 57 inches could make the car seat last until the child is about 11 years old if the average weight and height of children from this table here will be used as a basis.
- Fit To Child
Most reviews you could read state that the Milestone might not provide a secure fit for smaller newborn babies and preemies. They approve of this car seat for the bottom end of its size range starting at 7 pounds, which is usually the weight of average newborns.
The bottom harness of the Nextfit Zip is at 5.5 inches and with the infant insert put to use, this car seat can provide a good fit even for a smaller newborn baby. The height limit is also generous so parents could still use the Nextfit Zip until the child reaches the maximum 40 pounds rear-facing weight.
Good All-In-One Car Seats
Will It Fit In My Car?
| Graco Milestone | Chicco Nextfit Zip | |
| Width | 17 inches | 19 inches |
| Height | 18.88 inches | 29.2 inches |
| Depth/Length | 24 inches | 21 inches |
- Dimensions
Width – Milestone is substantially narrower than Nextfit Zip and its 17 inches width could allow it to fit with 2 other car seats in a single row.
Height – Nextfit Zip is taller than Milestone so you might need to consider where you will install it inside the car so as not to block your rear view.
Length – When fully reclined, the Nextfit Zip is longer than Milestone so an issue you might encounter is that it might take up some space for the front passenger and driver.
- Fit in Cars
Some say that installing Graco Milestone rear-facing in a compact car could result in a tight fit. In forward-facing, its size could be comparable with the Graco Nautilus. As mentioned earlier, 3-across setup with Milestone is possible since it is considerably narrow. One parent said they have Milestone mounted on the car seat along with an infant carrier and a Nautilus. Another parent said they bought 3 Milestones and installed them in a Toyota 4Runner using the configuration forward-facing at the left + rear-facing in the middle and forward-facing at the right.
Installed in a Toyota Highlander, the Milestone fit well while still leaving ample space. It was likewise easily installed in a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta. It was initially loosely mounted, but the parent who owned the Ford F150 found a way to securely snugly install it with the LATCH. It fit well in a Jeep Cherokee and Honda Civic.
Despite the possible issues mentioned earlier under dimensions, Chicco Nextfit Zip proved to be a good choice for many parents who bought and used it in their specific vehicles. For instance, a Fiat 500 is described by one parent to be about 5 times smaller than a Toyota Camry, yet it was installed inside with no major issues. The limited space inside a Ford Fusion posed no problems for the installation of 2 Nextfit Zip seats each at the back of the driver’s seat and front passenger’s seat.
A 2005 Ford Freestar was described to have a lousy seatbelt geometry that makes forward-facing installation challenging, but Nextfit Zip was installed in it pretty well. Other cars where this car seat was installed successfully were the 2012 Ram 1500 Crew Cab and Toyota Matrix.
Good Two Way Car Seats
Installation
| Graco Milestone | Chicco Nextfit Zip | |
| Do I need to use a pool noodle/rolled towel? | Yes, but manual mentions only rolled towels | No, not mentioned in the manual |
| Easy To Install Rear-Facing? | No | Yes |
| Easy To Install Forward-Facing? | No | Yes |
| Easy To Uninstall? | Yes | |
| Recline Position | 4 | 9 |
| Lower Anchor Weight Limit | 45 pounds |
Rear-facing 35 pounds Forward-facing 40 pounds |
- Pool Noodle/Rolled Towel
The manual for Graco Milestone mentioned that rolled towels may be placed underneath the car seat in order to achieve correct recline/level. On the other hand, Chicco Nextfit Zip’s manual does not mention the use of such products for its installation. This is likely due to the fact that it has more recline settings, which is not usually found in other child restraint products.
- Installation
Installation-wise, Nextfit Zip has an advantage over Milestone, as reflected in the parents’ reviews you can read about them. Both are equipped with push-on LATCH connectors. Yet, what I appreciate about the Nextfit is that its LATCH straps have numbers on them, which will tell the installer which strap to pull. Only the Nextfit Zip has a seat belt lock-off feature.
- Recline
There are 4 recline settings available in Graco Milestone. Two for rear-facing and 2 for forward-facing. Older models of this product came with a red line decal that serves as an angle indicator. New models now have easier to use ball indicators.
The 9 recline settings in Chicco Nextfit Zip is something that parents have loved and appreciated. Other car seats in the market have at most, 6 positions for its recline. With 9 positions in Nextfit Zip, not only is the need for pool noodles/rolled towels eliminated, but it also gives parents something to use to address other related problems like head slumps. In addition, this Chicco product has a dual liquid bubble level indicator, making it useful in both rear-facing and forward-facing installations.
- Lower Anchor Weight Limit
If you ever want a LATCH installation, then the Milestone will have more edge than the Nextfit Zip since it has a higher lower anchor weight limit.
Safety
| Graco Milestone | Chicco Nextfit Zip | |
| Country Of Origin: | China | |
| Steel Frame: | Yes | |
| Five-Point Harness? | Yes | |
| Side Impact Tested: | Yes | |
| Approved For Airplane Use: | Yes | |
| Easy To Buckle And Unbuckle? | Yes | |
The table above shows that these two have similar safety attributes so it will be better for parents to take some time reading what other parents have to say regarding how each car seat performed during real life road accidents.
- One father stated that Graco Milestone saved his son’s life. Their car ran off the road and hit a guard rail and afterwards flipped over.
- High ratings for Chicco Nextfit Zip came from parents who were so thankful that the car seat efficiently saved their children from harm. One was from a mother who was annoyed with the car seat at first because it was bulky and heavy. Yet, her perception was totally reversed after the car seat protected her daughter from harm during an accident.
The Seat
| Graco Milestone | Chicco Nextfit Zip | |
| Is The Material Breathable? | No | Yes |
| Seat Weight: | 19.4 pounds | 26.2 pounds |
| Machine Washable Cover? | Yes | |
| Roomy? | Yes | |
| No-Rethread Harness? | Yes | |
| Comes With An Infant Body Support? | Removable head and body support | Yes |
| Easy To Remove Cover? | Yes | |
| Expiration | 10 Years | 8 Years |
| Comes With A Cup Holder? | Yes | |
| Shoulder Harness Has Pads? | Yes | |
| # Of Crotch Strap Positions: | 3 | 2 |
- Cover – The cover of Chicco Nextfit Zip offers a much easier way of removing the cover on instances that it needs to be washed since you can simply unzip it and remove it from the frame.
- Harness System – The harness system of Milestone might not offer a snug fit for smaller newborn babies since the lowest position is at 8 inches with the infant insert. Yet, it has a 2014 IIHS Best Bet booster belt rating that makes it capable of providing a secure fit for children 4-8 years old in almost all vehicles. Its harness need not be removed when converting to booster mode.
The harness system of Nextfit will offer better fit for smaller infants. It even has 2 chest clip settings.
- Weight – If you plan on taking a car seat when you travel or if you intend to switch cars, it is the Milestone that you will likely choose since it is lighter than Nextfit Zip.
- Expiration – Since Milestone is designed to be used in 3 modes, it is only appropriate that its expiration is 10 years. However, when using the car seat in booster mode until the child is 11 years old (as mentioned above) you need to make sure that you are still using the car seat within its intended lifespan.
Check Out The Graco Milestone Colors*
Check Out The Chicco Nextfit Zip Colors*
Compare The Price
Graco Milestone |
Chicco Nextfit Zip |
Check The Latest Price* |
Check The Latest Price* |
Conclusion
There is an approximately USD 70 price difference between the Graco Milestone and Chicco Nextfit Zip. The Milestone is cheaper.
For Graco Milestone,
- It has a booster mode.
- It is more compact, thus can be used in a 3-across installation.
- It has a higher lower anchor weight limit.
- It is lighter (more ideal for air traveling).
- It has a longer expiration date.
- It has more crotch strap positions.
The good points of Chicco Nextfit Zip that will make you want to purchase it are:
- high sides for extra safety
- more recline settings
- ease of installation in all modes thus no need to use pool noodles/rolled towels
- it has a belt lock-off feature
- seat covers are made of breathable materials
- easy to remove (zipper) seat cover for washing
Do You Need More Help To Decide Between
The Graco Milestone and Chicco Nextfit Zip?
Read My Graco Milestone Review
See My Chicco Nextfit Zip Review
What do you think?
I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments section below!
Cheers!
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