Honest Evenflo Tribute LX Convertible Car Seat Review

Convertible car seats are quite popular these days. A lot of parents would much rather buy a convertible, instead of getting one rear facing car seat and then another forward facing one. If you’re looking at convertible car seats, the Evenflo Tribute LX is an affordable option. Below is our Evenflo Tribute LX Convertible Car Seat Review that outlines all of the benefits and drawbacks, so you can make an informed decision.

Things To Consider When Buying A Convertible Car Seat

There are quite a few different things to consider when you’re shopping for a convertible car seat.

Safety

When you’re buying a car seat, safety is the single most important thing to consider. After all, this is kind of the main point.

It’s worth pointing out that car seats are one of those products that you should purchase new. There are tons of things to buy when you have a baby, and you can save a lot of money by purchasing some things second hand. However, car seats come with an expiration date. In addition, it can be really difficult to assess how much wear and tear has been put on a car seat, and whether or not it’s been in an accident. So, it’s hard to tell if a used car seat is really functioning at 100%.

Modes Of Operation

Not all convertible car seats are created equally. There are convertibles that offer rear facing and forward facing modes. However, there are also convertibles that offer one or two different booster seat modes in addition. The ones that offer rear facing, forward facing and booster modes are called all-in-one car seats.

When you’re looking at convertible car seats, you will want to make a note of which modes are provided, since you will be able to use an all-in-one for a much longer time than a car seat that only offers rear facing and forward facing modes.

Weight Limits

The safest way for young children to travel is in a rear facing car seat. So, you will want to check what the maximum weight is in rear facing mode. The higher the better, since it means you’re little one will be able to ride that way for a longer time.

You will also want to check to see where the car seat maxes out in terms of weight limit overall. That way you will have a good sense for how much mileage you will get out of it.

Ease Of Installation And Conversion

Some car seats are really difficult to install, and some are fairly easy. If you plan to leave the car seat in one car after installing it, this might not be the most important feature to consider. However, if you plan to switch it between vehicles or if you travel often, this can make a big difference in how much you love it or hate it.

Ease of conversion is also worth checking out. In general though, car seats that are easier to install are also easier to convert.

Size

Car seat sizes vary pretty widely. So, be sure to check and make sure the one that you buy will actually fit into your vehicle. This is particularly important if you drive a small car.

Other Features

Different car seats come with all sorts of bells and whistles. These includes things like adjustable recline, cup holders, storage space, and many more. Depending on your preferences, one or more of these features might have a big impact on your decision.

What Is An Evenflo Tribute LX Convertible Car Seat?

The Evenflo Tribute LX is a convertible car seat that functions in both rear facing mode and forward facing mode. It’s affordably priced, gets great marks for safety, and comes in six different color options.

In rear facing mode, it can be used by children that are 19 – 37 inches tall and weigh 5 – 40 pounds.

In forward facing mode, it can be used by children that are 28 – 40 inches tall and weigh 22 – 40 pounds.

Evenflo Tribute LX Convertible Car Seat Review

Overall, this is a quality, no-frills car seat at a remarkable price point. Like others, it has it’s strengths and weaknesses. When all is said and done though, this one is quite popular.

Performs Well In Safety Tests

Evenflo tests all of their car seats at 2x the federal crash standard. So, you can feel confident that their car seats are very safe. While it’s easy to get caught up in all of the features that different car seats offer, safety is really the most important thing.

Medium Ease Of Installation

You have two installation options with this car seat. You can use a seat belt to secure it or the LATCH system.

Generally, parents that use the seat belt installation method find it to be fairly easy to install. However, some parents that use the LATCH system have a tough time installing (and uninstalling) it.

A lot of parents also noted that they needed to use a towel to get the angle right in rear facing mode. Though, this really depends on what kind of car you drive.

Overall, this car seat is in the middle of the road in terms of installation. There are plenty of options that are easier to install, and plenty that are harder to install as well.

Lightweight And Great For Travel

Weighing in at just over 9 pounds, this car seat is as light as a feather. That makes it a great option for traveling. As someone that has lugged heavy car seats around the airport, I can definitely say that this is something that would have made things a whole lot easier.

Fairly Compact

This seat measures 18.5 inches front to back, 22 inches in width and is 25.5 inches tall. While it’s not the smallest car seat out there, it’s on the smaller side. So, it can work well for people that drive small cars.

Comfortable? Yes And No

On the plus side, it comes with a removable plush head pillow that helps keep small infants snug and secure. It also comes with 4 shoulder strap positions and 2 crotch buckle positions. So, your little passenger can be comfortably strapped in, even as he or she grows.

On the minus said, the padding in general is fairly thin. In addition, there are no pads on the straps like you see on a lot of other car seats. It also doesn’t have an adjustable recline option, which many other car seats offer.

While this car seat would appear to be less comfortable than some others, infants aren’t always the best at communicating this sort of thing. For what it’s worth, most parents report that their little ones seem fine in the car seat and have no trouble dozing off when going on a ride.

A Removable Cup Holder Sounds Better Than It Is

Cup holders are a great feature, since they make it possible for your little passenger to have beverages and snacks within reach. If a cup holder is a nice feature, then a removable cup holder should be even better, right? Not exactly. There aren’t that many times that you really feel the need to remove the cup holder. However, your toddler may decide to take if off from time to time to throw it on the ground.

Tremendous Value

This car seat is priced at a very affordable price point. While it doesn’t come with loads of bells and whistles, it excels at it’s primary purpose: providing a safe place for babies and toddlers to ride.

It’s an excellent option for anyone on a tight budget. It also works really well as a car seat for grandparents or anyone else that won’t necessarily drive with the little passenger every day.

Convertible Car Seat Comparison

The Evenflo Tribute LX Convertible Car Seat offers a ton of value at its price point. But, if you’re interested in looking at some other options, here are a few to check out.

Cosco Apt 50

One of the big advantages that this one offers is that it’s really light, weighing in at only 11 pounds. It has a weight limit in forward facing mode of 50 pounds (vs. 40 pounds for the Evenflo Tribute LX). It’s adjustable with 6 different harness heights and 3 buckle positions. So, your little one won’t outgrow it too quickly. There are two cup holders for beverages and snacks. It should be noted though that the car seat itself is a little on the bulky side.

Safety 1st Grow And Go 3-In-1 Convertible Car Seat

This is a 3-in-1 convertible that offers rear facing, forward facing, and booster modes. The weight limit in booster mode tops out at 100 pounds. So, this is suitable for infants, toddlers, and older kids as well. It’s also fairly affordable, and provides an excellent value considering how much use you will get out of it. One negative with this one is that parents report it’s fairly difficult to install.

Diono Radian 3RXT All-In-One Convertible Car Seat

The weight limit on this one is 65 pounds in forward facing mode (vs. 40 pounds for the Evenflo Tribute LX). It is extremely compact, and has a very small footprint. This can be really helpful if you drive a small car or have multiple car seats in the back. It also happens to be a fashionable choice. Some parents do note that it’s a been heavy though, and that it’s not the easiest to install.

Should You Buy An Evenflo Tribute LX Convertible Car Seat?

The Evenflo Tribute LX is a good, basic car seat at a remarkable price point. It gets high marks in the most important area: safety. So, if you’re on a tight budget, this is a really good option.

On the other hand, if you can afford to spend a bit more, there are certainly more impressive car seats out there. So, it really comes down to how much you are willing to spend for a fancier feature set.