Last updated on February 3rd, 2024 at 06:30 pm
Are you looking for the perfect Cosco car seat? Here’s everything you need to know before you buy the Cosco Scenera NEXT seat.
UPDATED August 2022
The Cosco Scenera NEXT car seat is about as good as it gets for an inexpensive and lightweight car seat. At first glance, the NEXT appears to be a bare-bones car seat. However, it has become a mainstay of the car seat world and a popular budget-friendly travel car seat.
Is the Cosco Scenera Car Seat Safe?
From a safety perspective, the Cosco Scenera NEXT meets or exceeds all federal safety standards, even though it is a no-frills car seat. The Scenera car seat has all the safety features that parents have come to expect from the Cosco car seat family; built-in padded cushions for side impact protection providing safety and security to your child’s head and neck. The Cosco Scenera has a 5-point harness and adjustable buckle to ensure that your child rides comfortably on every car ride. This car seat provides children with the comfort they desire, without sacrificing the safety they need.
How Long Is a Cosco Car Seat Good For?
Cosco car seats have the expiration date embossed on the seat and listed in the manual.
However, here are the expiration date specifics for each type of Cosco car seat:
INFANT SEATS
- 6 years if manufactured before December 14, 2013
- 10 years if manufactured after December 14, 2013
CONVERTIBLE SEATS:
- Scenera NEXT
- 6 years if manufactured before December 14, 2013
- 8 years if manufactured after December 14, 2013
- Scenera NEXT DLX and The APT
- 6 years if manufactured before December 14, 2013
- 10 years manufactured after December 14, 2013
BOOSTER SEATS
- 6 years if manufactured before December 14, 2013
- 8 years if manufactured after December 14, 2013
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Is the Cosco Scenera Airplane Approved?
The Scenera is FAA compliant for air travel. The FAA approval can be found on the label on the left side of the seat near the rear-facing belt path. The Cosco Scenera NEXT is one of the best aircraft-certified seats on the market. Its lightweight, compact design makes it ideal for plane travel. The NEXT car seat is slim and lightweight making navigating those narrow airplane aisles much easier.
How Wide Is Cosco Scenera NEXT?
At its widest point, the Cosco Scenera NEXT is 17 inches wide. This car seat can fit in some tight spots where other, larger car seats cannot. Of course, the size of the NEXT is so compact, you can install three in the back seat of the average vehicle. With only one Cosco car seat installed, two adults can easily fit into the back seat comfortably.
Is Cosco Scenera Comfortable?
This car seat is made of durable plastic and has adequate padding. However, kids still seem to find the Scenera comfortable.
What Is the Safest Convertible Car Seat on the Market?
The Cosco Scenera NEXT features safety, comfort, and easy installation all while on a budget. The NEXT is certified for use on an aircraft, and at just over 10 pounds, it’s one of the lighter convertible car seats on the market. The Scenera NEXT convertible car seat is very simple, yet effective. It has a rear-facing weight limit of 5 to 40 pounds and a forward-facing weight limit of 22 to 40 pounds. Another key point is that built right into the car seat are padded cushions of Side Impact Protection and 5-point harness to provide safety and security to your child. Plus, the Scenera NEXT is produced in Indiana, USA.
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What Is the Difference Between Cosco Scenera and Next DLX?
There isn’t much of a difference in the Cosco Scenera NEXT and the Scenera Next DLX. Safety features are similar, as well as basic design. The only noticeable difference is the cover. The NEXT DLX offers solid colored covers featuring more padding and comfort than the Cosco Scenera NEXT.
Are Lightweight Car Seats Safe?
A heavier seat is not any safer than a lighter seat. They all pass the same tests and are declared equally safe by federal testing standards. Of course, heavier car seats often have more features. However, there is no publicly available data proving the safety of heavier seats with extra safety features versus lightweight car seats. Moreover, the safest seat is the one that fits your child, fits your vehicle, and is used correctly 100% of the time.
Safety advocates suggest not accepting hand-me-down car seats and avoiding rental company car seats. Obviously, it is tough to know whether it has been involved in an accident and it may not have the latest safety and technology. If your car seat is in an accident, replace it (car insurance often covers the cost). Finally, your Cosco car seat (like all car seats) will have an expiration date. Make sure to buy one that isn’t near the expiration date and get rid of old ones that have expired.
What Is the Lightest Convertible Car Seat?
The Cosco Scenera Next DLX is the lightest convertible car seat, weighing in at 7.65 pounds.
This seat fits most children well in rear facing mode from birth to age 3. Also, it makes an excellent travel seat, since it is so lightweight.
The Cosco Scenera NEXT is suitable for children between 5 and 40 pounds, with a 19 to 43-inch height range. This car seat provides both the front and rear-facing modes, ensuring its use for approximately four years. Additionally, the Cosco Scenera NEXT car seat is stylish, and available in a wide range of colors. It’s slim, convertible compact, lightweight design makes this car seat easy for parents to carry. The Scenera NEXT car seat is best as a travel car seat or a second car seat, because it is lightweight, narrow, easy to install, and extremely inexpensive.
Why Choose the Cosco Scenera Car Seat?
- Meets or exceeds Federal Safety Standards
- Rear-facing 5-40 lb and 19-40 in.
- Forward-facing 22-40 lb and 29-43 in. (and at least 1-year-old)
- Side Impact Protection
- 5-point harness with easy front adjustment
- 5 harness heights and 3 buckle locations
- Certified for use on aircraft
- Lightweight and compact design
- Fits 3 across in the back seat of most vehicles
The Cosco Scenera car seat is not the perfect car seat for everyone, but for the price and airline compatibility, it may be the perfect car seat for frequent travelers or families with three under 4 years old!
Twiniversity Staff Writer
