Graco Nautilus 65 and Contender 65 are two popular car seats introduced by Graco. They both can be used as forward-facing harness car seat for up to 65 lbs toddler. Which of them is the one that you should choose? To answer that question, we need to know the differences between those two car seats. In this article, we will talk about Graco Nautilus 65 and Graco Contender 65 then talk further about their differences. I’m sure you can decide which car seats is more suitable for your choice after reading this article.
Graco Nautilus 65 Introduction
Graco Nautilus 65
Graco Nautilus 65 comes as 3-in-1 harness booster car seat. It can be used in Forward-Facing Harness mode, High-Back booster car seat, and backless booster car seat. The forward-facing harness mode can be used for 22-65 lbs toddler, while High-back booster car seat can be used for 30-100 lbs kid. Finally We can use Graco Nautilus 65 as backless booster car seat for 40-100 lbs big kid. Graco Nautilus 65 is completed with Simply Safe Adjust harness system that can adjust the headrest and harness automatically with one hand. We can also find that Graco Nautilus 65 is also completed with 5-positions adjustable headrest and 3-positions recline that can help your child comfortable and properly fit as they grow. Graco Nautilus 65 comes with steel-reinforced frame that combined with EPS, energy absorbing foam. While steel-reinforced frame provides strength and durability, EPS energy absorbing foam provides effective impact energy management. We can also find cup holder on the right armrest of Graco Nautilus 65 to help your child easily access their favorite drink during the ride. It’s also easy to clean Graco Nautilus 65 since it comes with machine washable seat pad. You can check today’s price of Graco Nautilus 65 on Walmart.com here…
Graco Contender 65 Introduction
Graco Contender 65
Graco Contender 65 is 2-in-1 convertible car seat. It can be used as rear-facing car seat and forward-facing harness car seat. As rear-facing car seat, Graco Contender 65 is recommended to be used for 5-40 lbs infant, while as forward-facing harness car seat Graco Contender 65 can be used for 20-65 lbs toddler. Graco Contender 65 comes with Simply-Safe Harness system that can adjust the harness automatically with one-hand. We can also find 8-positions adjustable headrest that can accommodate your growing child to keep them comfortable and properly fit. Graco Contender 65 is also completed with EPS, energy absorbing foam for effective impact energy management. It’s easy to install Graco Contender 65 since it’s already latch equipped. Graco Contender 65 is already side impact tested and federal crash tested while it also meets or exceeds federal safety standard so that you can use it with peace of mind. Graco Contender 65 is completed with cup holder on its right armrest that give your child easy access to their favorite drink. We can also find that the car seat pad of Graco Contender 65 is machine washable so that you can easily clean it when it becomes dirty. You can check today’s price of Graco Contender 65 on Walmart.com here…
Specs & Features Table
Before We can talk more about the differences of Graco Nautilus 65 and Graco Contender 65, we need to know the specs and features of Graco Nautilus 65 and Contender 65. The specs and features of those two car seats can be found on the table below. I’m sure that you should be interested to take a look at it.
| Graco Nautilus 65 | Graco Contender 65 | |
| Brand | Graco | Graco |
| Car Seat Type | Harness Booster Car Seat | Convertible Car Seat |
| Car Seat Mode | 3-in-1 | 2-in-1 |
| Rear-Facing Weight Limit | NO | 5-40 lbs |
| Forward-Facing Harness Weight Limit | 22-65 lbs | 20-65 lbs |
| High-Back Booster Weight Limit | 30-100 lbs | NO |
| Backless Booster Weight Limit | 40-100 lbs | NO |
| Simply Safe Adjust Harness System | YES | YES |
| Recline Positions | 3 recline positions | 2 recline positions |
| Steel-reinforced frame | YES | NO |
| EPS, Energy Absorbing Foam | YES | YES |
| Energy-Absorbing Foam Liner | YES | YES |
| Latch Equipped | YES | YES |
| Adjustable Headrest positions | 5-Positions | 8-Positions |
| Side Impact Tested | YES | YES |
| Federal Crash Tested | YES | YES |
| Machine-washable seat cushion | YES | YES |
| Cup Holder | Single, Integrated | Single, Integrated |
| Price | Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)… | Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)… |
Graco Nautilus 65 and Contender 65 Differences
There are few differences between Graco Nautilus 65 and Graco Contender 65 that we can find from the table above. Do you want to know more about those differences? Let’s talk further about those differences together.
1. Car Seat Type
Graco Nautilus 65 comes as 3-in-1 harness booster car seat, while Graco Contender 65 comes as convertible car seat. While both of those two car seats can be used as forward-facing car seat, they are both intended as different car seat. Graco Nautilus 65 is intended to be used for forward-facing harness car seat then continued to booster car seat, while Graco Contender 65 can be used before the child can use forward-facing harness car seat as It can be used as rear-facing infant car seat.
2. Steel-reinforced frame
Graco Nautilus 65 comes with steel-reinforced frame that you can’t find in Graco Contender 65. With Steel-reinforced frame, you can get more durability in Graco Nautilus 65.
3. Adjustable Headrest and Recline Positions
We can find multiple headrest and recline positions on both of Graco Nautilus 65 and Contender 65. But they indeed come with different number of positions. Graco Nautilus 65 comes with 5 adjustable headrest positions and 3 recline positions, while Graco Contender 65 comes with 8 adjustable headrest positions and only 2 recline positions.
4. Price
Although you may find that sometime the price of Graco Nautilus 65 is similar to the price of Graco Contender 65 with some special discount, but normally Graco Nautilus 65 is offered at the higher price than Graco Contender 65. It’s a good idea to check the latest price of those two car seats before we can find their updated price difference.
Which One to Choose?
We have talked about Graco Nautilus 65 and Graco Contender 65 as well as their differences and We can find that Graco Nautilus 65 comes as harness booster car seat, while Graco Contender 65 comes as convertible car seat. It’s the main difference between those two car seats. So if your child have already passed their first 2 years and weighing more than 20 lbs then Graco Nautilus 65 is the choice that you should consider since you can use it as forward-facing harness car seat then continue to use it as High-Back Booster and Backless booster. Where’s recommended place to order one? You should Order Graco Nautilus 65 from Walmart.com here…
Graco Contender 65 comes as convertible car seat that can be used as rear-facing car seat for infant. So if your child is still less than 2 years or less than 22 lbs, then you should choose Graco Contender 65 as your car seat. You can purchase separate booster car seat such as Graco TurboBooster or Graco Affix later if your child have passed their forward-facing harness stage. Where should you order one? We recommend you to Order Graco Contender 65 from Walmart.com here…