Graco Milestone Car Seat Review [Ratings & Specs]

I enjoy using Graco products because they make them with my child’s safety in mind. When I was asked to test the Graco Milestone, I was happy to do so. 

The first thing I noticed was how bulky the car seat was. It did fit in my car, but I don’t think I could put multiple seats three across. It was easy to install, though. I could hear the latch click when it was properly installed. The plush inserts allowed my child’s head to remain supported while being jostled. 

I did like the removable cup holders and seat covers. I could easily remove the seat cover without having to remove the harness, but not completely from the frame. This could make cleaning the straps difficult. I also found an integrated harness storage compartment inside the car seat. 

My child seemed comfortable while in the seat. It reclines in four positions, so I was able to find the perfect recline for them. It’s unfortunate that this car seat is so wide or I would have given it five stars. 

I suppose I can recommend this car seat since it’s a 3-in-1 and under $200. If your child get’s car sick easily, I wouldn’t suggest this since the straps aren’t removable

Price Comparison

Graco Milestone 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat, Kline

$149.99

Buy Now

Walmart.com

Graco Milestone 3 in 1 Convertible Car Seat | Infant to Toddler Car Seat, Gotham

$268.97

$299.99

in stock

4 new from $268.97

as of March 25, 2023 5:02 pm

Buy Now

Amazon.com

Graco Milestone All-in-1 Car Seat - Ayla, Black

$220.99

out of stock

Buy Now

Target.com

1.The Graco Milestone All in One Car Seat Gotham

There are two types of Graco Milestone car seats, the first is the Graco Milestone all-in-one car seat Gotham.

This seat converts from a forward-facing seat to rear-facing, to a seat belt (or high back) booster.

The standard color, Gotham, is a combination of grays and blacks perfect for masking stains and wear. The graco milestone 3 in 1 was designed for both safety and child comfort.

The rear-facing weight limit of forty pounds keeps your little one rear-facing longer. The plush infant insert pillows provide your baby with a safe and snug fit.

Recommended Use:

Rear-Facing Harness: 5 to 40lbs with child’s head at least 1” below handle on headrest

Forward-Facing Harness: 20-65lbs, 27-49” in height

Seat Belt Booster: 30-100lbs, 38-57” in height

Unique Features

• Removable cup holder
• Four-position recline

Pros

• Washable seat cover
• Steel reinforced frame
• Plush inserts
• In-Right LATCH System

Cons

• Does not convert to a backless booster
• FAA approved only with 5 point harness, not as a booster
• Wide and a bit heavy
• No base, so it is not compatible with strollers

Specifications

• weight: 19lbs
• height: 21”
• depth: 12”
• width: 19”

Graco Milestone 3 in 1 Convertible Car Seat | Infant to Toddler Car Seat, Gotham

$299.99
$268.97  in stock

4 new from $268.97

Buy Now
Amazon.com

as of March 25, 2023 5:02 pm

2.The Graco Milestone Safety Surround

The Graco Milestone all in one car seat is also sold with the addition of Safety Surround Side Impact Protection. It is also a convertible car seat transitioning from rear-facing to forward-facing, and finally a seat belt booster.

The Safety Surround side impact protection is an added layer of protection for safety in side-impact crashes. It meets the US standard as well as Graco’s side-impact testing standard and Europes side impact testing standards.

Recommended Use

Rear-Facing Harness: 5 to 40lbs with child’s head at least 1” below handle on headrest

Forward-Facing Harness: 20-65lbs, 27-49” in height

Seat Belt Booster: 30-100lbs, 38-57” in height

Unique Features

• Safety Surround offers better head protection

Pros

• Integrated storage compartment for the harness when in booster mode
• Extended rear-facing option (up to 40 pounds)
• Easy Adjust Harness adjusts in conjunction with headrest
• 10-year lifespan (after the date of manufacture)
• Bubble level indicator

Cons

• Additional side impact protection makes “wings” near child’s head bulky
• Does not convert to a backless booster
• FAA approved only with 5 point harness, not as a booster
• Wide and a bit heavy
• No base, so it is not compatible with strollers

Graco Milestone vs 4Ever

The Graco 4Ever is probably the Milestones biggest contender. The 4Ever is an all-in-one car seat in the truest sense of the word in that it can convert to a backless booster in addition to a highback booster.

The milestone all in one Gotham only transitions to a seatbelt (or high back) booster. In addition, the 4Ever offers a six position recline unlike the milestone all in one’s 4 positions.

Beyond this, they both feature the InRight LATCH system, a forty-pound rear-facing weight limit, the easy-adjust harness/headrest, and the removable seat pad.

They both offer cupholders, though the 4Ever features dual cup holders while the Milestone only has one. The milestone 3 in 1 is also a bit less costly when compared to the 4Ever which may influence your decision.

Similarities

• InRight LATCH System
• 40 pound rear facing weight limit
• Easy adjust harness/headrest
• removable/washable seat pad
• 10 year life span
• Steel reinforced frame
• Harness storage compartment
• Infant inserts

Differences

• The Graco milestone 3 in 1 converts from a rear facing, to forward facing, to high back booster. The Graco 4Ever does all of this with the addition of converting to a backless booster.
• Price
• The graco milestone 3 in 1 has one removable cup holder. The 4Ever has two.
• The graco 4ever offers six recline positions while the milestone 3 in 1 offers 4 recline positions.

Graco Milestone vs 4ever extend2fit

The Graco 4Ever Extend2Fit includes the versatility of the 4Ever with four different positions (rear facing, forward facing, high back booster and backless booster) as well as an extended rear facing weight limit of fifty pounds and a leg room extension panel.

The base model Extend2Fit includes the leg extension panel, that when used in the rear facing position provides up to five additional inches of legroom, and a rear facing weight limit of fifty pounds.

The Graco Milestone all in one does not have a leg extension panel and does not offer an extended rear facing weight limit. Finally, the 4Ever Extend2Fit offers a six position recline unlike the Milestones 4 positions.

However, the Graco Milestone 3 in 1 and 4Ever Extend2Fit do have some shared features. These include the InRight LATCH System, the easy-adjust harness and headrest, 10 year lifespan, steel-reinforced frame, harness storage compartment, and infant inserts.

The Graco 4Ever Extend2Fit offers two cup holders instead of the Milestones one. However, the 4Ever Extend2Fit cup holders are not removable. Because of the advanced features and upgrades of the Graco 4Ever Extend2Fit, you will see a bigger price tag number than that of the Graco Milestone.

Similarities

• InRight LATCH System
• 10-year life span
• Steel reinforced frame
• Harness storage compartment
• Infant inserts
• Easy adjust harness/headrest
• removable/washable seat pad

Differences

• The Graco milestone 3 in 1 converts from a rear facing, to forward facing, to high back booster. The Graco 4Ever extend2fit does all of this with the addition of converting to a backless booster.
• Extended Rear Facing. The Graco 4Ever extend2fit has a leg extension panel and a rear facing weight limit of 50lbs. The milestone 3 in 1 has no leg extension panel and a rear facing weight limit of 40 lbs.
• Price
• The graco milestone 3 in 1 has one removable cup holder. The 4Ever extend2fit has two.
• The graco 4ever extend2fit offers six recline positions while the milestone 3 in 1 offers 4 recline positions.

Graco Milestone 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat, Kline

$149.99

Buy Now

Graco Milestone 3 in 1 Convertible Car Seat | Infant to Toddler Car Seat, Gotham

$268.97

$299.99

in stock

4 new from $268.97

as of March 25, 2023 5:02 pm

Buy Now

Graco Milestone All-in-1 Car Seat - Ayla, Black

$220.99

out of stock

Buy Now

The Graco Milestone vs Slimfit

The Graco Milestone all in one car seat Gotham and the Graco Slimfit are very similar. They are both 3-in-1 convertible car seats transitioning from rear-facing to forward, to a high back or seat belt booster. Also, they both feature the InRight LATCH system, a no-rethread harness, easy to adjust headrest/harness, and similar weight and height limits.

The differences arise with the seat specifications and cup holders. The Graco slimfit is designed to be space-saving, boasting that they can offer up to an additional 10% of room in the back seat. The Graco Milestone 3 in 1 is 19” wide while the Slimfit is a narrower 17.5” wide.

An additional component of the Slimfit’s sleek design is the “rotate away” cup holders. The Slimfit has an integrated cup holder on each side (dual) that can be adjusted, while the Milestones single cup holder can be moved from armrest to armrest or taken completely off.

What We Like 

• 3 in 1 convertible. Rear facing, to forward, to high back booster.
• InRight LATCH System
• 10 year life span
• Steel reinforced frame
• Rear facing 40lbs weight limit
• Harness storage compartment
• Infant inserts
• Easy adjust harness/headrest
• removable/washable seat pad

What We Didn’t Like 

• The slimfit is 17.5” wide and the milestone 3 in 1 car seat is 19” wide.
• The graco milestone 3 in 1 has one removable cup holder.
• The slimfit has two rotate away cup holders.

Expiration Information

The Graco Milestone all in one car seat Gotham was first produced in 2014. The following information applies to all car seats manufactured from the date of first production (2014) onward.

Thanks to their steel-reinforced frame, the Graco Milestone 3 in 1 car seat and the Graco Milestone safety surround car seats are good for ten years after their date of manufacture.

Recall and Solution

Graco issued a recall in 2016 regarding their safety labels. The company found that nearly 6000 product labels on Graco Milestone car seats were missing a phrase concerning installation mandated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

This administrative error did not jeopardize the safety of the car seat. Still, the company supplied owners of affected models with a new label that they could affix to their car seat(s).

Affected Models: 1910130 (July 9, 2015 – October 9, 2015), 1923980 (August 4, 2015), 1926538 (September 12, 2015), 1926539 (August 17, 2015)

Solution: Contact Graco to receive a replacement label

Cleaning Graco Milestone Car Seats

Both versions of the Graco Milestone all in one car seat have a removable washable seat pad that can be taken out without removing the harness. The metal and plastic parts on the car seats can be gently cleaned with a damp cloth, mild soap, and cool water.

You should take care not to get any of the straps soaking wet as it could jeopardize their integrity. If necessary, the harness straps can be spot cleaned but not immersed. The buckle should be cleaned with a damp cloth. You will want to occasionally check the buckles and crotch strap for build-up as debris may impair is functionality.

Customer Reviews

Many parents seemed happy with the Graco Milestone 3 in 1 car seat’s ease of installation, safety features, and attention to detail. The removable cup holder scored high marks, especially from parents trying to secure more than one car seat in their vehicle.

In addition, they liked how simple it was to adjust the harness and headrest in one movement and modify the recline. One common complaint was that the FAA sticker could not be found on all Graco Milestone all in one car seats. This doesn’t hamper the seat safety and is not a problem for daily use, but could become an issue when you are attempting to fly.

Another issue for some was that the Graco Milestone all in one seemed too big for some infants. The seat is rated for babies five pounds and up, so this is a matter of personal preference.

However, a few parents mentioned that even with the infant inserts they did not feel that the car seat provided the security they were looking at the infant stage.

Pros

• Ease of installation
• Safety features
• 3 in 1 transition
• Removable cup holder
• Easy to adjust harness and headrest that move together

Cons

• The missing FAA approval sticker on some seats
• The bulkiness of the wings if the seat has safety surround
• The fit of the seat if using it with an infant.
• Some parents felt it was too big and insecure.

Is It Easy to install?

Graco’s InRight LATCH system makes installation easy and quick. It even has an audio click cue so you can be sure that your little one’s seat is secure.

The car seat is also clearly marked in-color so you can identify belt paths and easily transition from rear-facing to forward-facing. Finally, the colorized bubble level indicator is simple to read and nearly foolproof.

Graco has become a household name for many parents, and for good reason. They pride themselves on their company foundation of safety, durability, and recognizing the best intentions of parents and caregivers.

Their seats are designed and tested to surpass crash test and safety standards. According to Graco, their car seat safety standards include the following:

• Frontal-Impact Tested
• Side-Impact Tested
• Rear-Impact Tested
• Roll tested using Graco’s own RollSafe™ standard
• Tested for safety in peak crash forces double the crash test standard
• Tested for heat

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is Graco milestone FAA approved?

The Graco Milestone is FAA approved, but only when used with the 5 point harness. This means that it cannot be used on an airplane as a highback booster.

How do I clean the Graco Milestone all in one car seat Gotham?

Cleaning is easy thanks to the removable and washable seat pad. All other plastic and metal pieces can be cleaned with a damp cloth and mild soap, and cool water. Just be sure not to immerse or soak them, especially the harness straps.

Does Graco milestone have Isofix?

The Graco Milestone does not have Isofix. As the standard in the US is latch anchors and connectors this is what the Milestone uses. The UK version of the Graco Milestone does not have Isofix either and uses what is known as a universal fit, which is actually seat belt installation.

How do I contact Graco?

Graco can be reached via telephone at 1-800-345-4109

Alternatively, they respond to all email inquiries after you complete a short form. A link to the form can be found here: http://www.gracobaby.com/en-US/contactus

What is the lifespan of the Graco Milestone all in one car seat?

Ten years after the date of manufacture found printed on your car seat label.

Is side overhang okay with the Graco Milestone all in one?

In car seat mode (rear-facing or forward-facing) the car seat should be as flat as possible on the vehicle seat. As much as possible of the car seat should be firmly on the vehicle seat.

When in the booster position no overhang is allowed.

Should the Graco Milestone 3 in 1 car seat be replaced after an accident?

Yes, after any type of accident Graco recommends that your car seat be replaced. Even if your seat does not appear to have any evident damage there may be unseen structural damage.

This may impair its protection in future use. Additionally, even if your child was not using the seat at the time of the accident, it should be replaced.

Is it easy to transport?

The Graco Milestone 3 in 1 car seat is a convertible car seat. It is meant to be put in a vehicle and stay there. As it does not have a base it is not conducive to frequent vehicle transfers and will not adapt to a stroller.

What is the difference between the Milestone 3 in 1 and the Milestone Safety Surround?

The Graco Milestone safety surround has an added layer of protection for safety in side-impact crashes. It meets the US standards, Graco’s side-impact testing standard, and Europe’s side-impact testing standards.

How do I adjust the Graco Milestone all in one car seat?

The Graco Milestone has an easy to adjust harness and headrest that can be adjusted with one hand. The four-position recline and bubble level indicator helps to ensure that the seat is in the proper position while remaining comfortable for your little one.

Graco Milestone 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat, Kline

$149.99

Buy Now

Walmart.com

Graco Milestone 3 in 1 Convertible Car Seat | Infant to Toddler Car Seat, Gotham

$268.97

$299.99

in stock

4 new from $268.97

as of March 25, 2023 5:02 pm

Buy Now

Amazon.com

Graco Milestone All-in-1 Car Seat - Ayla, Black

$220.99

out of stock

Buy Now

Target.com

The All-In-One Advantage 

The Graco Milestone all in one car seat Gotham is a great convertible car seat, especially the Safety Surround model with the premium side impact protection.

It cannot be considered as much as an all-in-one seat as the Graco 4Ever as it does not convert to a backless booster, only a seat belt booster. However, its available transitions and four-position recline make it a seat that can easily be used for many years.

The Graco Milestone 3 in 1 car seat has many of Graco’s great features such as the InRight LATCH system, no-rethread harness, easy adjust headrest/harness, and removable seat pads. The Graco milestone all in one Gotham is a budget-friendly seat that does not skimp on any comfort or safety features.