Cosco Scenera NEXT Review
Quick Overview
DESIGN
DURABILITY
ADJUSTABILITY
COST
Pros
Cons
This post may contain Amazon affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Purchasing items for your child comes with a lot of responsibility because you have to take their comfort and safety into account.
When it comes to picking a safe car seat for your baby, you want to make sure it has all that they will need for both short and long drives.
If you’ve seen the Cosco Scenera NEXT Car Seat, then you have probably wondered if it is a good option for your family to use when you need to keep your baby in the car with you.
With our Cosco Scenera NEXT review, you will find out the important things you need to know about this car seat to see if it’ll be right for you and your child.
Quick Navigation
Cosco Scenera NEXT Review
Made by an American company that manufactures its products in the USA, you get the best premium product possible.
The NEXT is a Scenera model released in 2015 and quickly became one of the most popular car seats for travel among families.
The lightweight build of the product is a feature that the company focused on, and the capability to convert the seat into a booster when needed makes it more cost-effective since you don't need to buy another product when your child grows.
The lightweight feel of this car seat is also ideal for traveling and even enables you to take it with you on a flight when you have to travel a long way.
Who Is the Cosco Scenera NEXT Car Seat For?
With Cosco Scenera NEXT Car Seat's lightweight nature and budget-conscious price point, this car seat is ideal for the average family.
Parents will spend a lot when having a kid, and everyone could use a way to cut back on the amount they spend.
This seat gives those who are looking to become more financially stable a way to save money by not purchasing a high-end and expensive product but still getting a great option that will last.
This will also make a perfect seat for families that frequently travel because of the lightweight frame and ability to use it on an airplane.
Unfortunately, the Cosco Scenera NEXT is not for everyone.
Families looking to purchase a premium product will not be satisfied with this car seat because of the cost-effective materials and construction.
Also, for those who want a heavier option that will not be moved from a single car, this will likely be too lightweight for your taste.
What’s Included
The Cosco Scenera NEXT Car Seat includes everything you will need to keep your child safe and comfy for a long ride.
It has a chest and crotch buckle that connects to secure your child's body.
It also has a pad that is washer and dryer safe; you can wash it easily to keep it clean between travel stops or before and after road trips.
The Cosco Scenera NEXT Car Seat also has a cup holder on the left side that is removable and dishwasher-safe for easy clean-up with spills.
There are no assembly tools needed since it comes fully assembled, and the seat comes ready to put in the car.
Overview of Features
The things you'd expect from the Cosco Scenera NEXT Car Seat are:
- Rear-Facing Position
The Cosco Scenera NEXT Car Seat is made for rear-facing positioning and can be attached to the seat, so you can keep the seat steady and stable when the car is moving.
The car seat is made to be used until the child is two years old and comes with a recommendation to keep your child rear-facing for the full two years.
- Secure and Adjustable Harness
The harness of the Cosco Scenera NEXT Car Seat attaches to the back of the seat itself.
It also connects over the chest and to the crotch buckle.
This keeps your child’s body secure against the seat and saves them from falling forward when you have a sudden stop or jolt.
The harness also has five different buckle heights to choose from.
As such, you can adjust the straps to your baby’s height and make them more comfortable as they grow.
- Easy Clean-Up
The Cosco Scenera NEXT Car Seat has a seat pad that comes off and can be tossed into the washer and dryer when you have a spill that needs cleaning up.
The cup holder on the side of the seat is also removable, and you can place it in the dishwasher whenever you need to clean it.
Also, if your child happens to spill a drink onto themselves, the straps that hold them in can be wiped down with soap and water to clean them up properly.
The plastic buckles can also be wiped clean if they get wet.
- Weight Limit
The Cosco Scenera NEXT Car Seat has a higher weight limit to accommodate taller children who may weigh more than their smaller siblings.
The car seat can handle up to 40 pounds in the rear-facing or the front-facing position, and the latter can accommodate a baby up to 43 inches in length.
- Travel Ready
This car seat is the ideal option for traveling because it is safe and approved for use on an aircraft, and you can place it easily into any vehicle you drive.
Whether you will be traveling often or just want a car seat that will last through an annual trip, this seat will be ready when you are.
The Cosco Scenera NEXT Car Seat is lightweight, allowing you to make your way through the airport and onto the plane faster without a heavy seat weighing you down.
- Low Price
The low price of this car seat makes it affordable for most families.
With some car seats costing hundreds of dollars, this choice is under $100, is budget-friendly, and allows families on a budget to get a high-quality car seat.
- Straps and Buckles
There are many great features on the Cosco Scenera NEXT Car Seat, but the attachment strap that hooks the seat to the car is not one of them.
You must pull the strap tight to secure the seat, but this is difficult to do and takes up a lot of time, which is frustrating when you are trying to get an early start on the road.
Although the weight capacity says that it is usable for a five-pound child, the straps and buckles feel too big for an infant that small.
How to Install the Cosco Scenera NEXT Car Seat
You need to install your child’s car seat the correct way because if you don’t, your child could end up getting hurt, defeating the purpose of a car seat.
With that said, you must learn how to correctly install and use your child’s car seat for every trip to prevent injury.
The Cosco Scenera NEXT Car Seat can be a bit tricky to attach and tighten, so if you need help getting the process down, watch this short tutorial on how to do it:
Alternatives
After reading the detailed Cosco Scenera NEXT review, for sure, there are features that you like about this car seat model.
That said, if you aren't completely sold on the use that you will get out of it, then looking for a good alternative will likely give you what you need.
To save you time and effort, below are some of the closest options to this model that will give you a little variety to choose from, and will hopefully allow you to find the best car seat for your baby.
1. Cosco Apt 50 Convertible Car Seat
As another Cosco product, you will get many of the same great features from the NEXT model but in a slightly different package.
The Apt 50 offers the same side impact protection and also comes with a seat pad that is removable and machine washable.
It also has adjustable straps that allow you to choose the best height for your child, but this model has an extra slot to pick from, which gives you even more room for your child’s shoulders and allows for more growth without needing to switch car seats.
That said, the Cosco Apt 50 Convertible Car Seat does not have a single cup holder but instead comes with one on the end of each arm for multiple drinks, or a beverage and a snack.
It also has a bright royal blue color palette for the back of the seat, unlike the plain black and white patterned choice of the Scenera NEXT.
Lastly, although this is also a budget option that won’t break the bank, it does cost slightly more than the Cosco Scenera NEXT.
2. Cosco Mighty Fit 65 DX Convertible Car Seat
This Cosco Might Fit 65 model is another convertible car seat from Cosco that can accommodate kids as they grow from an infant to a 40-pound child.
The adjustable seat allows you to change the height setting and gives your child the room they need to be comfortable.
The Cosco Mighty Fit 65 DX Convertible Car Seat also offers the chance to use it for rear-facing seating and forward-facing when the child is ready.
It has great security with a five-point harness that secures your baby in the seat and ensures that they don’t have much room to be moved around while in the car.
Although Cosco also makes this model, this car seat is not a lightweight option that will work for longer trips.
It is not a heavy-duty option, but weighs more than the Scenera and would not be ideal for airport trips with a long security check.
The Cosco Mighty Fit 65 DX Convertible Car Seat only has one cup holder on the left side of the seat, like the Scenera.
This can get in the way when you are putting the car seat side by side for multiple kids, and you need to take it off before installing.
3. Graco Grows4Me 4-in-1 Car Seat
This Graco model is an alternative that is a premium option for families wanting the best of the best for their traveling needs.
The Grows4Me car seat is convertible and adjustable, so you can adjust the height as your child grows.
It allows for a high-back and backless booster seat as your child grows for the most use out of the product as possible.
The Graco Grows4Me 4-in-1 Car Seat also has six different reclining positions to choose from, which will help your baby relax and fall asleep while on the road.
It offers more choices for comfort while traveling than the Scenera model, even for growing babies.
However, this premium option is not one of the lower-priced options like the Cosco models, so not all families will be able to afford it.
Also, this car seat is not lightweight and easy to carry on your own and is a bit heavy for traveling through the airport to get on a flight.
That said, the Graco Grows4Me 4-in-1 Car Seat can last longer than other choices because it can convert into a booster seat, which avoids the need to buy another car seat after your child outgrows it.
Conclusion
Comparing the Cosco Scenera NEXT Car Seat to others on the market can show you just how great this model truly is.
With the ability to adjust to your child’s changing height as they grow and the comfortable padding that comes with this seat, you can’t go wrong.
Also, because this option is one of the lower-priced choices that you can find, purchasing this car seat won’t cause you to blow your monthly budget on just one item.
Keeping your child safe and secure while in the car is important to any parent, and with the purchase of the Cosco Scenera NEXT Car Seat, you have all the features you need to ensure your child will be safe and comfortable during your next vacation or road trip adventure.