Graco Turn2Me DLX car seat review: the compact swivel seat that made nursery runs easier

The Graco Turn2Me DLX is a 360° rotating car seat designed to grow with your child from birth up to around 4 years old (40–105cm). Graco is known for practical, long-lasting baby products, and the Turn2Me DLX sits within its i-Size/R129 certified car seat range.

Its standout feature is the smooth 360° rotation, with activators on both sides of the seat to make loading and unloading easier. It also includes a two-step forward-facing safety check, designed to help prevent children being turned forward-facing too early, alongside a TrueShield™ side-impact protection pod, integrated anti-rebound bar, ISOFIX installation and support leg.

At £190, the Graco Turn2Me DLX is competitively priced for a birth-to-4 rotating car seat, sitting below many premium swivel models while still offering the core features parents look for.

How easy is the Graco Turn2Me DLX to install?

It was very easy to install; we tested it in both our Peugeot 207 and MG5 EV and found the process straightforward in both. It includes handy ISOFIX guides to help navigate deep-set anchors, and while the digital instructions are clear, the colour-coded stickers and illustrations on the seat itself provide excellent "at-a-glance" confirmation during the process.

The first installation took less than 10 minutes, and subsequent swaps between cars were even faster. Both the ISOFIX connectors and the 12-position support leg felt very sturdy, clicking into place with a reassuring "green" indicator system. This visual feedback gave me total confidence that the seat was correctly installed before every journey.

How smooth is the 360° rotation?

We already use a rotating seat for our son, but the Graco Turn2Me DLX glides by comparison.

The only minor drawback to such a smooth "spin" is that you can occasionally overshoot the locking point, requiring a quick nudge back to secure it. However, this is a small trade-off for a motion so gentle that it sometimes helped settle my newborn if she stirred.

We found ourselves using the 360° rotation every single time we loaded our daughter.

How useful is the swivel function for parents?

Having direct, front-facing access to the harness meant we could ensure a perfect fit without the usual physical strain of leaning over her. This felt especially helpful during post-birth recovery, as it reduced the need to twist or lean into the car.

Beyond the ergonomics, the rotation allowed for better engagement and eye contact with our daughter while getting her settled, and even provided a quick, accessible "spin" for cleaning up the occasional spit-up without having to remove her from the car.

How comfortable is it for your newborn?

While my daughter clearly finds the seat comfortable – often drifting off to sleep within minutes – the padding has a noticeable firmness compared to our other car seat. The firmer structure felt reassuring, though a touch more "squish" in the cushioning would have been a welcome addition for a newborn.

Because she was born at 9lb 9oz and is now on the larger side, we found we had to remove the newborn insert quite early on to prevent her from feeling overly squashed. However, once settled, she seems very content, and the side-shell ventilation is a thoughtful touch for keeping her cool on longer journeys.

How good is the recline on the Graco Turn2Me DLX?

The recline mechanism is a standout feature for balancing naptime with curiosity. Unlike many seats that feel limited, the Turn2Me DLX offers five different recline positions. This has been ideal for us; we used the deepest recline when she was asleep, but can easily sit her up a few notches when she's awake.

It allows her to see out of the window while still providing enough of an angle to ensure her head is well-supported and doesn't loll forward. Having that middle ground between fully-reclined and upright makes a significant difference in how much she enjoys being in the car.

How comfortable is it for your toddler?

My two-and-a-half-year-old son gave the seat a glowing review, declaring it "very comfy" before falling asleep multiple times on our longer motorway journeys. Despite being tall for his age, he had ample legroom while rear-facing.

How easy is it to switch between a baby and toddler?

Adjusting the seat for use from my baby to toddler was remarkably simple; the newborn insert pulls away easily without needing to unthread the straps, and the headrest adjusts upward with a quick button press to the desired height.

Perhaps the most impressive "bonus" feature for us was the buckle design. While our son has mastered the art of unclicking himself in our other car seat, he hasn't been able to undo the Graco buckle himself during testing. This added layer of security, combined with the ease of adjustment, makes it a much more relaxing experience for us as parents.

What safety features does the Graco Turn2Me DLX have?

The Graco Turn2Me DLX feels incredibly sturdy, from the rigid outer casing to the firm, supportive interior cushions. Even the strap covers feel high-quality and secure; while they can be a little awkward to position during the first few uses, once pulled into place, they provide a very reassuring, snug hold.

For side-impact protection, the seat features an interchangeable TrueShield™ pod that is impressively easy to attach and remove – a handy feature if you frequently switch the seat between cars. Despite being removable, the pod feels secure once clicked in.

Finally, I was particularly impressed by the clear visual indicators on the base and support leg. For any parent who worries about correct installation, seeing those several key points transition from red to green provides immediate reassurance.

How easy is the Graco Turn2Me DLX to clean?

In terms of daily upkeep, the cushions and straps wipe down well for spot cleaning.

For more significant clean-ups, the strap covers pop off easily, and the main fabric components can be removed for a thorough wash. We were able to remove the entire cover/fabric assembly with ease and pop them through the wash.

It was then remarkably easy to reassemble, and the fabric felt just as durable and resistant to marks afterwards, showing no signs of wear from the deeper cleaning.

What is the build quality like?

For its price, it really feels like a premium, long-lasting piece of kit.

In terms of aesthetics, the design feels smart and modern. I particularly prefer the style of this seat for our baby, as the deep side-wings and plush inserts create a "cocoon-like" environment that feels both snug and reassuring. While it lacks the "squish" of some competitors, the sleek, modern silhouette and the way the fabric integrates with the frame make it feel like a high-end addition to the car.

What’s particularly impressive is that the “cocoon-like” environment grows with your child – the seat doesn’t appear cramped when set up for a toddler.

How well does the Graco Turn2Me DLX fit in smaller cars?

We first installed it in our smaller Peugeot 207, and I was pleasantly surprised by how well it fit; it is notably more compact than our other rotating seat, making it a viable option for smaller hatchbacks without sacrificing the passenger’s legroom.

What’s in the box?

• Turn2Me DLX i-Size R129 car seat
• Newborn insert
• TrueShield™ side impact protection pod
• 2 x ISOFIX guides
• Harness & crotch pads
• Digital instruction manual provided via QR code

Is it worth the money?

When compared to other premium rotating seats, the Graco Turn2Me DLX offers exceptional value.

It excels where it matters most for daily use: the mechanical "glide”. The rotation is noticeably smoother than other 360° seats, and although it can occasionally overshoot the locking point, the ease of the swivel is well worth the minor adjustment.

Given its performance across two very different cars – our compact Peugeot 207 and our MG5 EV – I can see it working well for parents of both newborns and toddlers.

It feels robust enough to comfortably last until the 4-year (105cm) mark for both of my children. For parents looking for a premium, back-saving 360° spin without the £300+ price tag, the Turn2Me DLX is a brilliant middle-ground that still feels sturdy, reassuring and well made.

Where can I buy the Graco Turn2Me DLX car seat?

It is available from Graco, Kiddies Kingdom, Argos and Boots

MadeForMums verdict:

The Graco Turn2Me DLX is a standout choice for parents who want premium functionality without a premium price tag.

While its primary draw is the impressively smooth 360° rotation, it impressed me most as a practical everyday helper for the daily juggle – I can quickly and securely buckle my daughter in before my toddler can get too far away from the car. Having tested it across two very different vehicles, it proved that you don't need a massive car to enjoy the benefits of a swivel seat.

This seat is an ideal match for parents juggling two young children. The ability to rotate the seat towards you felt particularly helpful during post-birth recovery, but it is equally valuable for wrestling a tall, stubborn toddler into their harness.

The buckle, which my toddler couldn’t undo during testing, and the ease of transitioning from a tiny 9lb 9oz newborn setup to a spacious toddler seat make it a versatile workhorse for growing families. It reduces the physical strain of loading and unloading, allowing for better engagement with your children rather than a struggle with straps.

Ultimately, I would highly recommend the Turn2Me DLX to families looking for a long-term investment that will genuinely last from birth through to the preschool years.

While the interior padding is firmer than some of its rivals, the build quality, easy-clean fabrics, and clear "red-to-green" installation indicators offer a level of reassurance that is hard to beat at this price point. It is a reliable, user-friendly, and back-saving solution for the "real world" of parenting.

Read more:

• Best rotating car seats, tested by parents
• Best car seats from birth
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