The word Evenflo has become a household name for my family. In fact, whenever I mention Evenflo, my husband belts out Pearl Jam’s rendition of “Even flow”. But truly, we have been fans for a while now. For my first child, Kyle, we purchased the Evenflow stair gate and ExerSaucer. Both were great as they allowed me to be “hands-free” while my son did his own thing.
Another product that Evenflo is well known for is car seats. There are so many car seats available on the market today, it’s not always easy to know which one to purchase for your child. At at recent Evenflo event in Toronto I learned that there are five key things to look for when selecting a car seat: 1) minimum & maximum weight 2) minimum & maximum height 3) age requirements 4) intended usage (i.e. how old is the child when you purchased the car seat) and 5) size of vehicle.
We recently got a chance to test out Evenflo’s Symphony All-In-One Car Seat and some of our favourite features about the car seat are as follows:
Ease of install – While installation was very quick and easy (probably less than 5 minutes) thanks to the SureLatch connector, it’s important to remember that you have to change the belt path of the SureLatch belt when you’re moving from Rear-facing to Front-facing. When we received our car seat it was set to the front-facing belt path and this is the only thing that took more time to do yet it was still pretty simple and quick.
Ease of adjustments – The easy to use red-levers enable you to adjust the headrest and the recline position (3 positions total) while the seat is already installed. Also unique to Evenflo is the infinite slide harness; perfect for the growing kid.
Accessories – The Symphony comes with a cup holder accessory which you can attach once the seat is front-facing. This is a nice to have, especially when other brands charge extra for this. Coming in 2014, the same Evenflo model will come pre-built with two cup holders. Another great accessory to come with the car seat is the body pillow and infant head support for young and small-sized kids. Since we started using this car seat when our son was 8 months old and approximately 16 pounds, we used these additional accessories for padding and support.
Longevity – Evenflo’s Symphony model is an all-in-one model that can be used by a newborn all the way up to a pre-schooler as the seat converts to a booster. This is a very economical option. Personally, I would still get a bucket seat for a newborn because I prefer the ease of moving my kids in and out of the car while still in the infant seat, especially when I’m out running errands or during cold winter days. But this is definitely a great car seat to get once your child outgrows their infant seat and you’re looking for a rear-facing option. 
I did some crowd sourcing to see what are the most important features people look for when purchasing a car seat. Here are the top answers and how Evenflo holds up against the requirements:
1. Safety – Evenflo Symphony All-In-One Car Seat received high ratings in Consumer Report, Side Impact Triple-layer foam & Side impact tested. However, the most important thing to remember is that a car seat is considered safe if it fits your child, fits your vehicle, and you use it correctly every time.
2. Size – The car seat is on the larger-side. While it wasn’t an issue for us since we drive a van, it may not be ideal for those that drive compact cars.
3. Usability – The Symphony can be used for a newborn, rear-facing, front-facing and converted to a booster. This car seat grows with your child.
4. Ease of use (for both installation and strap adjustments) – As stated above, this car seat is easy to install and easy to adjust.
5. Aesthetics – Evenflo comes in a variety of fabrics and colours to fit everyone’s personal taste and style.
Talking about car seat safety with Cheryl Hickey from ET Canada
The Evenflo Symphony All-In-One Car Seat is suiable for children who weigh between 5 to 110 lbs and retails for $259.99. It’s available exclusively at Babies R Us but one lucky Mayahood reader will get to win of their own! Enter the giveaway via Rafflecopter below (please give it a few seconds to load). Contest is open to residents of Canada. Contest ends Monday December 9, 2013. Good-luck!
I like both front and rear facing features in the one seat most.
I love that this car seat has the rear facing feature.
That its side impact tested and is easy to install
Safety and the fit in my vehicle is important. I also look for one my son will be comfortable in. One which secures him well. And he wont flop when he falls asleep!
The safety features are the most important feature to me, I especially love that this is side impact tested. It’s also a plus that it’s got ease of use for both installation and strap adjustments.
Safety is def a feature I look for! Side impact tested is really important 🙂
Definately safety
i always look at how easy it is to get my child in and out of the seat!
I love the side impact protection!
side impact protection is a must for me
Side impact protection and easy to install.
Safety features
I always look for safety straps and impact protection!
thanks
safety features such as side impact protection
I look for height and weight restrictions as well as looking at the harness
straps/ the harness weight , restricstions on the tag, any other instructions that come with packaging and any other safety features that i need to know about a car seat and to make sure the clamps are reliable
I look at the safety and weight
Does the car seat come with that cute baby?
Overall safety is top priority and it helps that it’s easy to install properly.
saafety
Safety! That’s the most important! I will also look for good reviews too!
Safety and easy in and out for the baby
The safety feature – side impact protection
Side impact rating
I look for max weight and safety.
The most important is safety feature and ease of installation!
I look at the reviews first and then secondly ease of use.
I look for safety reviews.
I look for a 5 point harness and the safety.
pam w h
I look for extended RF ability and the size of seat (whether it will fit in my vehicle). I also like an easy buckle (puzzle buckles are a pain)!
The safety features always come first…i read reviews before buying anything major like this 🙂
Safety rating of course, but versatility is also important
Safety features for sure!
I love the 3 in 1 seats…its very cost effective. I do find its hard to find a slimmer version.
Safety always comes first. But it has to be comfortable too, for our long trips. My car seat is expiring this is prefect! Crossing my fingers! After 4 it is had to have to buy a new one, LOL.
OMG! Yes… I didn’t want to buy a new one for my SECOND! lol Thanks for entering and good-luck!
i love this car seat for that it is easy to install and for its safety features
It has to be comfortable with a good safety rating and the right match for weight for my children
I want it to be able to last and this one would work going up to 110 pounds plus the ease of installing
5 point harness, good reviews, can grow with child
That it goes in and out easily.
Safety
the rear facing weight and 5 point harness
the different options and SAFETY
safety and ability to rear face for as long as possible
Safety is the most important thing
The most important thing that I look for is ease of use and installing as well as overall safety features.
Safety is the most important thing – from top ratings in crash testing, to high weight/height limits for rear facing, to a harness that is easy to adjust to a perfect fit every time…
Safety features
safety and ease of securing it in your car
I look for a 5-point harness and protection for the side of the head.
Crash test ratings.
safety features, ratings and reviews
Safety
I always look for rating and reviews and if it has SIP.
Side impact protection and safety features
I always look for 5 point harness and safety ratings
thanks
Thanks for a great review… and for the picture-perfect pic of your son *buckled correctly* in his seat! It’s simple, but so many people don’t buckle kids properly and it’s nice to see the belt with no slack, and with the chest clip at armpit level. Sorry… I’m a bit fanatical about carseat safety!! Anyway, fab post!!
hahah. phew! glad I did it so well 🙂 But I agree… might as well do it right, what’s the point otherwise, right?
safety, ratings and good harness
I look at the safety ratings and then how comfortable the seat is, a happy baby is a happy drive.
a good safety hatrness
Safety features and how adjustable the seat is is the most important to me!
I look for side impact safety features.
I look for if it has the base anchor (the one that goes underneath the car seat.)
Safety rating is the biggest thing I look for in a new carseat.
safety features
Safety !!!
I definately look for safety feature as well as carseat that will grow with them.
definitely Safety rating and that it is not recalled
Safety features and weight requirements
side impact is crucial
safety ratings and testing is definitely the most important
Safety rating, and the reviews of other users is always helpful.
Safety features and ease of installation are the most important for me.
Safety and size. If it won’t fit in the vehicle properly, it’s of no value.
The safety features are the most important to me, especially the harness.
its side impact tested and is easy to install
safety features are great, does anything else matter?
5 point harness and high safety rating
the most important feature is definately safety
The safety features are excellent on this car seat.
Easy to install and that it has a high safety rating.
The very first thing I look for is the safety rating. Safety first! =)
That its comfortable for my little one. Long car rides and unfortable children are not fun! 🙂
Safety and a trusted name.
I love that this car seat has the rear facing feature
I check for height and weight restrictions.
obviously safety, but also how easy it is to install.
Safety is top priority.
I always will look for safety features first and then make sure that it will fit in my car and not be squished with the other two car seats back there!
I look for how long a seat will last rear facing, how long it will last forward facing and how easy it is to install.
safety rating and quality
comfort and weight of the entire unit are two of our priorities
safety comfort and fits in our car
I look for safety first of course and then ease of getting the bay in and out
rafflcopter name – Jonnie J
I look for a carseat that can be rear facing as long as possible
rear facing limitations! the higher the better…
safety and teh fact that I can use it for many years is a big plus
Great Carseat and a Great Product!
Plush comfort for baby, and safety for my peace of mind.
I look for sturdiness, and a 5 point harness!
easy to install and all the safety features
I look at the harness and safety features
I tend to have large children (10+lbs at birth) so a car seat that will work for taller and heavier kids is a MUST!
number one is safety
the safety features are amazing
it needs to be easily adjusted and installed
safety and the overall rating of the seat
I look for one that rear faces for a long time and that feels comfortable, as we take a lot of long trips.
the safety features are most important
comfort is right up there with safety for us. family trips are always 6+ hrs and we need to have a seat that our kiddos will be comfy in for that long otherwise its a long and painful road trip for everyone in the car
the safety rating of course and it looks very stylish too …that is a Bonus!
safety features
safety is the most important to me
Definitely the safety features for the current stage we’re at. I don’t mind having to purchase multiple car seats over the time my girls would require one – I want them in the safest one I can find for their current stage.
I look for safety record and easy installation.
I like that it is easy to install,the side impact protection and that the child can sit in it till 110lbs.
safety
I think it would be amazing to get a car seat … I love evenflow
Safe is number 1 and then weight Limits and hight limits
Safety is very important