Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 Elite Infant Car Seat

Last updated: October 12, 2021

Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 Elite Infant Car Seat
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We looked at the top Infant Car Seats and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Infant Car Seat you should buy.

Overall Take

Designed for infants of up to 35 pounds, this infant car seat installs with ease. It has a special cover that can be removed in seconds for a good cleaning. Parents will also appreciate the adjustable base that offers four recline positions and a removable set of head and body cushions.

In our analysis of 102 expert reviews, the Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 Adjustable Infant Car Seat placed 3rd when we looked at the top 15 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.

From The Manufacturer

CLICK. That’s the sound of a secure install. The Snug Ride Snug Lock 35 Elite Infant Car Seat has a hassle-free, worry-free installation for rear-facing infants using either vehicle seat belt or Latch. In three easy steps you can feel confident you’ve got a secure install. To further make installation a breeze, the In Right Latch provides a one-second connection and the base with its 4-position recline and easy-to-read level indictor helps eliminate installation guesswork. The Simply Safe Adjust Harness System lets you adjust the harness and headrest height together, so it’s as easy as it is safe. The Safety Core absorbs crash forces in the event of a frontal crash. Clean up is a breeze with the Rapid Remove seat cover. Click Connect technology provides a secure one-step attachment to all Graco Click Connect strollers making it easy to create a custom travel system that best fits your lifestyle. The Snug Ride Snug Lock 35 Elite helps protect rear-facing infants from 4 – 35 lb and up to 32″.

Expert Reviews


What experts liked

Accommodates rear-facing riders up to 40 lbs. Lined with energy-absorbing foam for maximum protection during crashes.
This car seat is still regular sized- it can fit an infant from 4 to 30 pounds and up to 30 inches.
This model is actually a really great value — you get the higher-end LATCH connectors that won’t break your nails (they’re called “InRight Connectors”); basically, no matter if you install with a seatbelt or with LATCH, it will be easy.
SnugLock Technology, a simple 3-step installation, and Safety Surround side impact protection make this infant seat a fast favorite for your family. And when the ride is over, simply lift and go—it's only 19 pounds including the base!
The SnugLock carrier will also feature a new “Texas-sized” canopy that glides open and closed almost silently.
The SnugLock 35 carrier weighs 8.5 lbs making it one of the lightest carriers in the group and potential consideration if you need to move or carry the carrier for longer distances regularly.
Simply Safe Adjust Harness adjusts both the harness and headrest together
Snugride Snuglock takes up less space from front-to-back compared to other infant seats, so it tends to fit better behind taller drivers or passengers.
Graco includes an adjustable harness and headrest, and a SafetyCore feature designed to absorb any crash impact as standard features in this stylish, rear-facing, infant car seat.

What experts didn't like

Heavier and bulkier than some competitors due to higher weight limit.
On the flip side, this car seat probably isn’t ideal for those who have big babies.
The handle will not go past the canopy when the canopy is down, and you have to force the canopy under a raised handle.
Support cushions create a tight fit
The Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35 was our favorite lower-cost seat of the seven infant seats we tested. It’s lighter than the Chicco KeyFit 30 at 8.6 pounds, but it relies on hook latches for base installation instead of the easier push-button latches found on the Chicco and Britax models and most pricier seats. To secure a tight fit, you need to manually pull the straps for those hook latches, and that requires significantly more arm strength than the Chicco’s one-pull tightening system.
While the Snugride Snuglock uses a European routing path when installed without the base, we find the Liing and the Fit2 are easier to install with this method. If you plan to use the carrier without the base regularly, you may want to consider the Fit2 instead.

Our Expert Consultant

Dr. Niket Sonpal   
Gastroenterologist and adjunct assistant professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine

Dr. Niket Sonpal is an adjunct assistant professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine and clinical instructor at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, Brooklyn, who specializes in gastroenterology.

He is a graduate of the Medical University of Silesia-Hope Medical Institute in Poland. After completing his residency in internal medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital, he was selected to be the 2013‐2014 Chief Resident at Lenox Hill Hospital–Northshore LIJ Health System. Dr. Sonpal completed his fellowship in gastroenterology and hepatology at Lenox Hill Hospital and continues his work in the field of medical-student and resident-test preparation. He now serves as the associate program director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Brookdale University medical center.

He is also the co‐author of several medical test prep books and serves as the chief operating officer for Medquest Test Prep and director of medical education for Picmonic Test Prep.

View our Infant Car Seat buying guide for in-depth advice and recommendations.

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