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Since most children will spend the first 10-12 years of their lives traveling in some form of car seat, and those seat are crucial safety equipment, many parents choose to invest in big, heavy car seats that offer the most protection and can be used for many years.
But sometimes parents don't want, or can't afford, those big heavy car seats. They aren't easy to transfer from vehicle to vehicle, take with you on a family vacation, or switch around for different occasions. And not all children grow at the same rate; it can be difficult to guess whether the car seat that is a perfect fit and comfortable for a 16 month old will also be comfortable and fit the same child 2 or 6 years later.
Some parents invest in a car seat, expecting to use it for 10 years, only to find that they need to replace it sooner than expected, and the investment doesn't pay off.
For those reasons and more, some parents and caregivers prefer smaller, lighter, more portable car seats – like the safe, affordable and user-friendly Evenflo Tribute.
Who is the Evenflo Tribute Most Suitable For?
The Evenflo Tribute is designed to be a compact, lightweight, convertible car seat at an affordable price. Since it is only rated for children up to 40 pounds and 40 inches, it is not a long-lasting car seat that will keep pace with every phase of a child's growth, but it is so affordable that it makes it easier to purchase a larger car seat in a few years when a child outgrows the Tribute.
Since it is so cost-effective and compact in size, it's a great car seat for family members and care givers who need a car seat for occasional use. It will fit 3-across in most vehicles, and is a great option for grandparents, nannies, and child care providers who don't need a big, heavy car seat permanently installed in their vehicles.
The biggest fans of the Evenflo Tribute are frequent fliers. At just 9 pounds, and FAA approved, it's the perfect car seat for parents who travel often and need a car seat that can go onto a plane, into a rental car, and back again. It's compact enough to attach to luggage, and fits well even in economy class seats.
The plastic body makes it light in weight, easy to clean, and a breeze to get through airport security.
Because it is so affordable and travel-friendly, many parents buy this car seat just to use it for a single vacation or holiday trip, without worrying that their child may outgrow it by the following year.
Pros and Cons of Evenflo Tribute
Pros
Cons
Overview of Evenflo Tribute
The Evenflo Tribute is a compact, light weight, affordable convertible car seat. It can be used rear-facing for infants and small children, then be converted to forward-facing as a child grows. Because it is small, it can fit in a wide range of vehicles, or fit with other car seats in double or even 3-across installations.
It's easy to take on an airplane or install in a taxi or rental car, making it a favorite for traveling parents. The affordable price also makes it easy to use as a backup, or give to a family member or child care provider for occasional use.
Safety
What are this model’s NHTSA ratings? Every car seat sold in the United States must meet strict federal crash test ratings, so the NHTSA does not rate car seats for safety or compliance.
Instead, the NHTSA rates car seats for ease of use. The NHTSA has rated the Evenflo Tribute (in the forward-facing configuration):
The Evenflo Tribute also has an overall ease of use rating of 2/5 stars in the rear-facing configuration, for different reasons.
Does this model have:
- Side impact protection? Yes
- Energy-absorbing base? No
- Metal frame? No
Longevity
Ease of Use
Ease of Installation
Comfort and Quality
Expiration
Video Overview of Evenflo Tribute
Evenflo Tribute Specs
FEATURE | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
Rear-facing child weight | 5 -40 pounds |
Rear-facing child height | 19 - 37 inches |
Forward-facing child weight | 22 - 40 pounds |
Forward-facing child height | 28 - 40 inches |
Car seat weight | 9.29 pounds |
Car seat dimensions | 18.5 x 22 x 25.5 inches |
Car seat expiration date | 6 years |
Evenflo Tribute Features
FEATURE | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
Safety features | |
Ease of use | |
Longevity features | |
Quality and comfort features |
What is included with the Evenflo Tribute?
The Evenflo Tribute has a removable cup holder that can be moved to either side, and it also comes with a removable head pillow.
If you are buying this car seat for travel, a car seat travel belt is the perfect accessory. This belt is a convenient way to attach a car seat to rolling luggage, making it even easier to transport a car seat during sometimes hectic and stressful travel with a child. It's simple, affordable, and makes traveling with a car seat much simpler.
Evenflo Tribute Installation
Evenflo has created videos that show how to install the Evenflo Tribute in the rear-facing position:
and in the forward-facing position. Evenflo also offers free video support to help with installation, when you book an appointment online.
Evenflo Tribute Manual
The Evenflo Tribute owner's manual can be found here:
Evenflo Tribute vs. Evenflo Sonus
The Evenflo Tribute and Sonus are both affordable convertible car seats, produced by a company with a solid reputation for safety and customer service.
Since they are similarly sized and have similar features, it's worth taking a closer look at the differences between them.
Both the Tribute and the Sonus have:
- Convertible car seat longevity that can be used rear-facing or forward facing
- Removable head pillow
- Machine washable seat pad
- Up-front harness adjustment
- Free video support
- Six year life span
- Crash and side impact testing that exceeds federal safety standards
- FAA approval
The Evenflo Sonus has a few features that the Tribute doesn't, including:
- Convertible car seat longevity that can be used rear-facing or forward facing
- Removable head pillow
- Machine washable seat pad
- Up-front harness adjustment
- Free video support
- Six year life span
- Crash and side impact testing that exceeds federal safety standards
- FAA approval
Because of the cupholders and the longer lifespan, the Sonus is a bit bigger and heavier than the Tribute, at 19 inches wide and 11.28 pounds in weight. It's also a bit more expensive.
If you are considering the Evenflo Tribute for short term use, particularly for seasonal travel, it doesn't make sense to invest in the bigger, heavier Sonus.
However, if you are looking for an affordable daily use car seat, or a backup car seat that will last for longer, the fact that the Sonus will fit a growing child for longer makes it worth the minor additional expense. The dual cupholders and air flow design are great features in a car seat that will last a growing child for a longer period of time.
Evenflo Tribute Car Seat User Review
Conclusion
The Evenflo Tribute is a convertible seat that is available at a reasonable cost. It is not without a few issues but is overall a good choice for a 2-in-one car seat.
If you are looking for a convertible car seat that is easy to use, the Tribute is a decent choice. It has an up-front harness that adjusts super easily as your child grows. The four shoulder strap is handy, too. The two-in-one convertible car seat has an energy-absorbing foam liner that adds yet another layer of security for your little person. The Tribute might require a rolled towel to get the recline position you are looking for.
Evenflo Tribute (click image for more info)
Crash tests and side-impact tests back up the safety of the Evenflo Tribute. It has a 5-point harness that provides a snug but comfortable fit. However, be aware that you might need the belt locking clip for most vehicle belt installations.
Parents that carpool will enjoy the Evenflo Tribute's smaller build. It is narrow, compact, and fits in the backseat while allowing room for siblings and friends. It even has enough space in case you need to load up more than one car seat.
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!
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