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Diono Radian RXT Review (2021): A Compact & Affordable 4-in-1

January 2, 2021 by Sam Webster Leave a Comment

Diono Radian RXT All-in-One Convertible Car Seat, For Children from Birth to 120 Pounds, Shadow

Please click image for more info

The Diono Radian RXT is a 4-in-1 car seat, transitioning a child from infancy with the newborn pillow insert, through school age with the booster seat. This kind of long-lived 4-in-1 car seat is incredibly convenient for parents, but what's remarkable about the Diono Radian RXT is that it is a 4-in-1 that is very compact and affordably priced.

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Quick Navigation
Diono Radian RXT Overview
Video Overview of Diono Radian RXT
Diono Radian RXT Specs
Diono Radian RXT Features
Who is the Diono Radian RXT Most Suitable For?
What's Included with the Diono Radian RXT?
Pros and Cons of Diono Radian RXT
Diono Radian RXT Installation
Diono Radian RXT Manual
Diono Radian RXT vs. Diono Radian 3RX
fitfortwotv's Diono Radian RXT Review
Conclusion

Diono Radian RXT Overview

Diono Radian RXT All-in-One Convertible Car Seat, For Children from Birth to 120 Pounds, Shadow

The Diono Radian RXT is just 16.9 inches wide, slim enough for 3-across installations in a wide range of vehicles. Even better, it folds down flat so it can easily be stored in a trunk, packed for plane travel, or carried from place to place. It weighs just over 28 pounds, for an incredibly light-weight and portable 4-in-1 convertible car seat.

For parents who want the convenience of a single car seat for the first 10 years of a child's life, with great safety and protection, that can also be folded flat and easily transported, it's hard to beat the Diono Radian RXT.

Safety

What are this model’s NHTSA ratings? All car seats sold in the US must meet strict federal safety standards, so the NHTSA does not rate car seats for safety. Instead, they offer ratings and evaluations for ease of use. According to the NHTSA, the Diono Radian RXT has earned:

  • Labels: 1/5 stars. Labels do not explain in detail how to use the LATCH installation. There is not a full picture of a child next to the sizing information, and supplemental sizing information isn't labeled. Diagrams of installation modes are labeled with icons, which is unclear. The labels don't include how to fit the harness to the child
  • Instructions: 4/5 stars. The belt routing section does not give routing instructions for lap-only seat belts. No complete image of a child is shown with height/weight information, and the instructions don't include supplemental sizing information. The instruction manual was not attached to the car seat during packaging
  • Securing the child: 2/5 stars. The seat was not initially set for the smallest occupant. The harness needs to be rethreaded to remove the cover for cleaning, when changing to/from booster seat modes, and to adjust for a child's growth. Loose parts may be created when disassembled for cleaning. Rethreading harness requires carefully following steps in the owner's manual
  • Installation features: 4/5 stars. There are fewer than three levels of recline for rear-facing use. There is a line printed on the seat that needs to be visually leveled to the ground (not the vehicle). The LATCH storage system is denoted only with an icon, and the LATCH system has buttons to depress for removal
  • Overall ease of use: 3/5 stars
  • Does this model have:
  • Side impact protection? Yes
  • Energy-absorbing base? Energy-absorbing EPS foam
  • Metal frame? Yes

Longevity

  • What is this model’s child height limit? 57 inches max
  • What is this model’s child weight limit? Rear-facing: 45 pounds. Forward-facing: 65 pounds. Booster seat: 120 pounds

Ease of Use

Does this model have:

  • LATCH system? Yes
  • Seat belt installation? Yes
  • Non-rethread harness system? No

Ease of Installation

  • What is this model’s weight? 28.14 pounds
  • What is this model’s width? 16.9 inches
  • What type of harness adjustment system does this model have? Easy adjustment harness
  • Is the seat cover machine-washable? Yes

Comfort and Quality

  • What is the quality of padding (overall)? Adequate padding
  • What is the quality of padding in the head area? N/A
  • Is the seat fabric breathable? N/A
  • Does this model include an infant insert pillow? Yes

Video Overview of Diono Radian RXT

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Diono Radian RXT Specs

FEATURE

DESCRIPTION

Rear-facing weight limits

 5 -45 pounds

Front-facing weight limits

20 -65 pounds

Booster mode weight limits

50-120 pounds

Seated torso height

8.25-17 inches

Overall maximum height limit

up to 57 inches


Diono Radian RXT Features

FEATURE

DESCRIPTION

Safety features

  • Full steel core for safety and rigidity
  • Dynamic side impact protection with aluminum side impact walls lined with energy-absorbing EPS foam
  • Safe Stop harness reduces impact and absorbs energy in a collision
  • Rear-facing tether reduces rotation on impact

Ease of use

  • Can be installed with SuperLATCH system or with vehicle belt system
  • An audible click lets you know when the seat is secured
  • Cover is removable and machine washable for cleaning
  • Converts from rear-facing to forward-facing to booster for children of any age
  • Nonslip rubber base keeps the convertible car seat in place
  • Folds flat for easy transport or storage
  • Can fit 3-across in most family-size vehicles

Longevity features

  • 12 position headrest adjusts to fit a child over time
  • 5 shoulder harness positions and 3 buckle positions as a child grows
  • Protects kids up to a remarkable 57 inches, 120 pounds, or 10 years.

Quality and comfort features

  • Memory foam seat for additional comfort and protection
  • Expandable leg rests for comfort over time
  • Comes in eight fun and attractive colors to match any style
  • Has been recognized as a winner of Red Tricycle and PTPA awards, and was chosen the Reader's Favorite of 2013 Baby & Children's Product News

Who is the Diono Radian RXT Most Suitable For?

Diono Radian RXT All-in-One Convertible Car Seat, For Children from Birth to 120 Pounds, Shadow

The Diono Radian RXT is a fantastic choice for parents who want to invest in one car seat that will keep their kids safe and protected until they are big enough to safely use an adult lap belt. Parents also love that it folds flat for easy transportation or storage, and it comes in a wide range of colors.

Despite the slim width and light weight of the Diono Radian RXT, and the fact that it can fit 3-across, it's still a very substantial car seat, and won't fit well into all vehicles.

When rear-facing, the tall height of the car seat can take up a lot of leg room for passengers in the front seat. When forward-facing, the tall height can potentially obscure a driver's view out of the rear of the vehicle.

Despite the slim profile, the Diono Radian RXT works best in a minivan or family-sized vehicle, where the large size of this car seat doesn't impede on the view or leg room of other passengers and drivers. The Diono Radian RXT is the perfect choice for parents who want to fit two or three across in a minivan or large vehicle.

It is also an excellent choice for only occasional caregivers. For example, friends or family members who will only rarely be driving a child may prefer to have a single car seat that can fit children of very different ages over time, and then be folded up in the trunk when not in use.  


What's Included with the Diono Radian RXT?

Diono Angle Adjuster, for Rear-Facing Convertible Child Car Seats, Black

The Diono Radian RXT comes with an infant insert pillow. Diono also makes an affordable optional accessory, the angle adjustor, which may be helpful for some vehicles and installation methods.


Pros and Cons of Diono Radian RXT

Pros

  • A single 4-in-1 car seat that protects a child from infancy all the way to 4'9” inches in height, 120 pounds in weight, or the 10-year life span of the car seat.
  • Narrow enough to install 3 across in most vehicles
  • FAA approved for air travel
  • Multiple safety features, including steel frame, side impact protection, and energy-absorbing foam
  • Large range of plush, premium upholstery options in fun colors
  • Machine-washable cover
  • 12 position headrest
  • Either SuperLATCH or vehicle belt installation options
  • Folds flat for easy transport and storage

Cons

  • Depending on the vehicle and installation method, this can be a difficult car seat to install, particularly if you are using LATCH, or if you are installing 3-across. While the car seat is narrow enough for 3-across installation, there is very little room between the seats to access belts and tethers, making installation very difficult in those circumstances
  • To remove the cover for cleaning, or to adjust the harness height, you not only need to re-thread the harness, but you have to uninstall the car seat altogether. Since installation can be a challenge, this is a significant drawback
  • Depending on the vehicle model, rear-facing installations can impede a lot on the position of the front seat, forcing the front seat to slide forward, or the car seat to be very upright/not reclined. The optional angle adjuster helps with this, but the angle adjuster can only be used when the baby is old enough to hold their head up on their own
  • Shoulder straps are positioned close to each other, and may be uncomfortable for children with broad shoulders or torsos.

Diono Radian RXT Installation

There are a number of videos that show how to install this convertible car seat. From Babylist, this video shows how to install it rear-facing, front-facing, and in booster mode with a belt system, along with a few other tips for using the car seat over time:

The Car Seat Lady has a Diono Radian RXT installation video that includes LATCH and tether installation, which may be helpful for some vehicles:


Diono Radian RXT Manual

The manual is available online and can be found here:

Click to download Diono Radian RXT manual here. 


Diono Radian RXT vs. Diono Radian 3RX

Diono Radian RXT

Diono Radian RXT

VS

Diono Radian 3RX

Diono Radian 3RX

The Diono Radian RXT and Radian 3RX are extremely similar 4-in-1 convertible car seats.

  • Both carseats are rated for the same passengers:
  • Rear-facing weight limits: 5-45 pounds
  • Front-facing weight limits: 20-65 pounds
  • Booster mode weight limits: 50-120 pounds
  • Seated torso height: 8.25-17 inches
  • Overall maximum height limit: up to 57 inches

Both car seats have earned the same star rating from the NHTSA, for very similar reasons, and they are both FAA approved. Both car seats fold for storage, come in a range of colors, and are similar in size.

The biggest difference between the 3RX and the RXT is that the Diono Radian RXT has a 12-position adjustable headrest, while the 3RX does not. This adjustable headrest is both a comfort and safety feature, so it's a good feature in the RXT.

Aside from that, the Diono Radian 3RX is slightly more affordable, and about 1.5 pounds lighter in weight. All in all, if you plan on using this car seat for 10 years, the adjustable headrest seems like a good investment in your child's comfort and safety. However, if the Diono Radian will not be a primary car seat, and you are using it as a backup or for occasional transport of a child, the 3RX is a great option at a more affordable price.


fitfortwotv's Diono Radian RXT Review


Conclusion

The Diono Radian RXT is a fantastic 4-in-1 convertible car seat that can protect a child up to 57 inches in height, 120 pounds in weight, or for the 10 year lifespan of the car seat. It is attractive, comfortable, and even folds flat for easy transport and storage.

But most parents love this car seat because the slim design allows you to easily fit two or three car seats into a single vehicle, making it a great choice for a growing family. These popular convertibles are a great investment in a child's safety and comfort, and an excellent price for an investment that will last for up to 10 years.

Diono Radian RXT All-in-One Convertible Car Seat, For Children from Birth to 120 Pounds, Shadow

Diono Radian RXT (click image for more info)

Click Here for Best Price

Sam Webster

With two kids of my own, I’m passionate about child safety! I’m a research nerd who’s on a mission to make the world a safer place for kids – starting with car seats!

To contact me directly please click here.

Filed Under: Diono

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Hey! I’m Sam, mom of Sadie and Xavier.

When I started searching for a convertible car seat I was overwhelmed by the choices out there.

But being a research nerd, I relished the challenge of finding the best seat for my needs. And in the process, I gathered a ton of info!

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