Graco Logico S HP review

What we love

Graco has gone big on user-friendliness and colour coding making installation and adjusting the positioning of the Logica S HP a breeze. Grey colour coding has been used to distinguish the one-click release on the recline option which you use with the base. Also, additional instruction labels on the seat provide a good reference for sleep-deprived new parents. For extra protection and support for your newborn baby, a new inset has been added to this year’s model which can be easily removed from the seat without having to detach the harness. The five-point harness, which has a cosy fleece lining, has four adjustment settings for a growing baby, and elastics have also been added to the side of the seat to keep the straps out of the way.

The carry handle has an excellent grip section in the middle and the sunshade, despite being a bit clunky when stretching it out, is so large it practically covers the whole seat, which is excellent for a sleeping baby. In terms of actual safety, it has reinforced triple side impact protection at head level and across the seat belt path. And the wealth of slightly softer material is designed to absorb part of the energy in the event of a crash. The new material is an improvement on the stiff fabric used last year and can also be easily removed to wash. The seat is especially deep and spacious and my daughter Elsie had plenty of room and looked liked she would be in it for a long time. For a large seat it doesn’t weigh as much as other seats I have used in the past, but it wasn’t easy to carry around.

What to watch out for

It’s huge. It feels like you’re carting your baby around in an armchair, which is obviously good for your baby, but not so good for poor parents! Also, installing in our medium-sized car meant stretching the seatbelt to the max; we had to tilt the car seat forward to get the belt round and move the front seat.

The base makes life a lot easier, though, if you decide to spend the extra money. The buckle is large and stiff and takes a bit of getting used to, as did locating the harness adjuster, which is buried underneath the seat. But, saying that, padding protects everything so comfort is guaranteed.

Who is the Logico S HP best for?

Parents with a largish car who are on a budget, but want the safety and security of a seat with a base.

MadeForMums verdict

For a budget buy you get a lot for your money, especially in terms of safety and comfort: excellent protection, padding and a seat and base for under £150. But you need a big car to accommodate such a bulky seat, so ‘try before you buy’ is essential with this one.