The juvenile products of Evenflo have always been held in high regard by the parents, and for a reason. Ever since we’ve been writing these reviews, we haven’t encountered a single bad baby-related product made by this company.
This is precisely why we’re pleased to take an in-depth look at their new booster car seat, called the Big Kid AMP. It’s an attractive, affordable model, and one that you can easily convert to the backless position when the need arises. Of course, that’s not the only good thing about it – let’s check out the other ones!
Specifications:
- Car Seat Type – Booster Car Seat
- Weight – 8.2 pounds
- Shipping Weight – 8.5 pounds
- Weight Recommendation – 40-110 pounds
- Dimensions – 16.5″ x 19″ x 33″
- Orientation– Forward-facing
Features of Evenflo Big Kid AMP
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The Design
No matter which of the four colors you choose, you’ll end up with one of the best looking booster seats on the market. The design of this model deserves only words of praise – it’s undoubtedly one of the best we’ve seen so far.
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Ease of Conversion
Like we mentioned in the intro of this article, this is a convertible car seat. This means that you will be able to use it in two separate modes – as a high-back booster, and as a backless seat. It is, actually, two different seats in one package!
Adjusting this model is an easily done task, and one can perform it by using the handle that’s situated on the back of it. There are six different headrest positions here, with the tallest of them being at 18.5″ of height. Your kid will be able to use the back part until his shoulders start reaching over the belt guide, after which you will have to convert to model to its backless mode. This mode can be used until the kid reaches the height/weight limit (the easiest way to notice this is to check if the tops of the child’s ears are reaching over the headrest).
We liked the presence of a seatbelt adjuster, which can come in very handy when obtaining a correct fit for the kid.
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The Comfort
As it comes with an energy-absorbing foam liner, this model is not only safe but also extremely comfortable. Pleasant rides are guaranteed, and if your child is very active and often makes a mess, you’ll be pleased to know that the seating pad is machine-washable. This removes the hassle of washing it by the hand and makes keeping this model clean a breeze.
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Two Cup-holder Units
If you’re a parent of an excessively thirsty toddler, this model is the right choice for you. It comes with two cup holders, allowing your kid to always have a favorite drink by his side. These pockets are quite deep and should prevent spilling, but even if spilling occurs you can simply wash the booster’s pad in the washing machine like we previously mentioned.
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Manual Storage & The Price
The manual can be stored on the booster’s bottom side, which is quite helpful as it means that the instructions will always be by your side. One thing we have to mention is the seat’s price – it is very affordable, as this is one of the most inexpensive products of this type on the market right now.
Ease of Installation
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High-Back Mode
During our testing period, we found that the body slump during sleeping is one of the biggest downfalls of this model. The six-year-old Anna, daughter of one of our workers, was fine in the forward-seating position, but when we switched it to the rear-facing position, falling asleep turned out to be quite dangerous, as there wasn’t enough support for the girl’s head. Something needs to keep the kid upright if he or she falls asleep, and we really hope that Evenflo will manage to fix this in the next revision of the model.
The Evenflo Big Kid AMP can fit on your car’s back seat with other three booster seats quite nicely, which is great news for parents of multiple toddlers. And since it’s inexpensive, such parents will be able to buy two or three of these seats without spending too much money.
Unlike some other models that we have tested, the Big Kid AMP had no belt retraction issues, which certainly deserves words of praise. The belt retracted in a very smooth way and had managed to maintain a firm position against the kid’s chest.
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Backless Mode
Since Anna had to leave with her mother, we had to use a doll to test out this seat’s backless mode. We used a doll that’s 47 pounds in weight and 48 inches in height – it fit nicely into the seat. This model comes with a convenient belt adjuster guide, but it’s good to know that the seat will provide a proper fit even if you don’t use it.
What’s wrong with the product?
- The Lack of Lower Anchors
Unfortunately, this car seat doesn’t sport lower anchors, which makes installing it and giving the child a secure fit a bit more complicated. This is probably due to the model’s low price, but we still consider it as an important flaw.
- There’s Not Enough Torso and Head Support
Like we already mentioned, it can be quite dangerous for your kid to fall asleep in this seat. There’s not enough head and torso support to keep the toddler upright, so you’ll have to use towels and clothes to achieve a proper position.
Conclusion
Even though it’s quite inexpensive, the Evenflo Big Kid AMP is still a high-quality booster seat that’s worth buying. It is not flawless – but its excellent design, ease of conversion, machine-washable pad, and six headrest positions make it a budget-friendly option worth considering for purchase.
