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The Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat might be the only car seat you’ll ever need for your kids. This car seat will grow with your children and will last to experience the transition from car to booster until they reach copilot status!
The Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat is an affordable car seat (under $100) suitable for large families as 3 of them can be installed on a car’s back seat. Being lightweight with good safety rating, it is suitable for air travel but not recommended for a long trip due to the lack of proper cushion for comfort.
Quick Specification:
- Car seat is forward facing only
- FAA approved in car seat mode
- Car seat capacity: 30-65 pounds (no infant) and 32-49 inches tall
- Booster seat capacity: 40-100 pounds and 43-52 inches tall
Let’s take a moment to explore the Pros and Cons of the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car Seat to determine if it’s the right purchase for your family.
Pros
- Under $100, affordable compared to other car seats.
- Designed for large families, 3 car seats can be installed in most vehicles.
- Lightweight of only 11.5 pounds.
- Has a removable cup that is dishwasher safe.
- Meets Federal Safety Standards for baby carriers.
- IIHS ‘Best Bet’ rating for use in booster mode.
- Car and booster seats have a 5-point safety harness type.
- Easy to clean. Removable fabric can be washed in the washing machine & machine dried.
- Large capacity of weight and height.
- 3 color ranges to choose from.
- Cosco provides plenty of help online for installing, removing and disassembling instructions.
- Practical for airport traveling since it’s lightweight and slim.
- Has shoulder height adjustment.
- Has storage space inside the booster seat
- The fabric and body of the baby carrier are flame retardant.
Cons
- Not for infants under 30 pounds.
- Booster mode is only applicable in a car, not a plane.
- Not enough cushion in the seat.
- Not reclinable.
- It sways considerably.
- The headrest is hard and uncomfortable.
- Not designed for long trips.
In-Depth Review
Now that we have explored the pros and cons, let’s look at the features that make the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Car Seat and Booster Seat a competitive option on the market, and uncover the reasons why it falls short in some areas.
We’ve broken down the review into seven sections; safety, airplane, practicality, measurements, cleaning, comfort, and extra.
1. Safety
As far as safety The Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Car Seat and Booster Seat meet federal and state safety standards regarding the use of flame retardants. This means that flame retardants are used to meet stringent regulatory flammability requirements designed to protect a child in the event of an emergency.
The NHTSA recommends that children board a car in a forward-facing car seat with a 5-point harness until the child reaches the maximum height or weight allowed for the seat. At that time, the child may graduate with a belt-positioning device.
In addition to the safety features, The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has awarded “BEST BET” status to the booster seats. Best Bet means the seats provide a good harness fit for an average 4 to 8-year-old children in almost any car, minivan, or SUV.
IIHS testing evaluates two aspects of safety in a crash. The first is crashworthiness, which is how well a vehicle protects its occupants in a crash, and crash avoidance. The second is crash mitigation and the technology that can prevent an accident or lessen its severity.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Federal law requires that “soft infant and toddler carriers comply with the soft infant and toddler carrier standard and with additional requirements, including those of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA).” The Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Booster meets federal safety standards (FMVSS 213).
One of the main complaints from families though, was that the tether or anchor that keeps the baby carrier from swaying while driving is not sturdy enough, causing the baby carrier to shift considerably.
2. Usage in an Airplane
As far as airplane safety, The Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car Seat is FAA approved as a car seat in flight. It is aircraft approved and has a sticker of approval on the shell of the seat to confirm.
The FAA certification sticker is for the car seat only, not the booster seat. Therefore the baby carrier must be in car seat mode when installed in an airplane.
The baby carrier is a good investment for people traveling by plane or if they need to be on the road. The Finale DX 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat is a convenient, lightweight addition to travel luggage.
3. Practicality
Cosco is one step ahead of the game by offering a variety of online videos on the installation, the transformation from car seat to booster seat, cleaning tips, and more. Plus, the user manual is straightforward and easy to understand. If you need additional support, you can call Cosco’s customer service.
Another great feature is the design of the baby carriers. Because of how narrow the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car Seat is, it can fit 3 across the passenger seats of a regular SUV, minivan, or car.
The Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car Seat has storage space for when the car seat transforms into a booster seat, and you need space to store the buckles and belts. This is a convenient way to keep all the parts together for the future.
Families claim that the baby carrier keeps up with their children’s growth. The Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car Seat has a shoulder height adjustment feature that gives you a good indication of your children’s development from a car seat to a booster seat.
Additionally, the car seat transforms into a booster seat as your kids grow older and graduate from car seat to booster seat to copilots.
The Finale DX 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat is praised for its practicality and affordability. Currently, it sells for $69.99 on Amazon and $79.99 on the manufacturer’s website. Considering most car seats and booster seats cost between $100 and $300, this is an affordable option for growing families.
4. Measurements
The Finale DX 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat is designed for children between 32 and 49 inches tall. Anything below or above that does not meet National Highway Traffic Safety Administration safety standards for child safety seats. If you do not know what size booster seat your child needs, you can check with the NHTSA for the dimensions of the perfect booster seat for your child.
The booster seat is suitable for children between 40-100 pounds and has a height of 43-52 inches. As a standard forward-facing car seat, the car seat can be used for children weighing 30-65 pounds and 32-49 inches tall.
Keep in mind that the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Car Seat and Booster Seat is not made for infants or children under 30 pounds for safety reasons.
5. Cleaning
Parents praise the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car Seat for how easy it is to clean after an accident or a mess. The fabric is easy to remove in order to wipe down the carrier body, and assemble it again.
The Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car Seat is machine washable and can be dried in the drying machine, perfect for tackling messes and having it ready for use again.
The cup holder is removable, dishwasher safe, and can be repositioned to either side to better fit the car or airplane.
6. Extra
Although this is more of a plus for you rather than your babies, the baby carrier comes in three colors; dusk, sweet berry, and sport blue.
A remark that the manufacturer likes to emphasize is that the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car Seat is proudly made by Cosco in Columbus, Indiana, with American families in mind.
7. Comfort
Because practicality was mostly in mind than comfort, the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car Seat is not the most comfortable car seat in the industry.
The fabric is soft on the seat and the cushion has a thin memory foam cushion but it doesn’t provide enough support on the seat, making it uncomfortable for kids going on long car rides or harsh terrain.
Users also claim that the headrest lacks proper cushion and makes it uncomfortable for kids to rest their heads properly.
Another downside to the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car is that the booster seat is not reclinable, making kids uncomfortable after a long ride.
FAQs
Before we start with the first question, if you think this car seat is not what you need then you can check our list of recommendations for the best travel car seats.
How to install the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car Seat?
The owner’s manual for the baby carrier gives you all the information you need to install the baby carrier properly. However, Cosco has also created a video that shows how to install the baby carrier step by step.
How to convert the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car Seat to booster?
The owner’s manual for the baby carrier gives you all the information you need to convert the car seat to a booster seat. However, Cosco has also created a video that shows how to convert the car seat to a booster seat.
Does the installation require a “tether” that connects the top of the car seat to the top of the back seat of your vehicle?
As described in the owner’s manual, you must always attach, adjust, and secure the top anchor strap (tether strap) when installing the child seat forward-facing.
Does this seat have the highest possible safety rating?
The Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car Seat meets federal safety standards (FMVSS 213) and has also been rated “Best Bet” by IIHS for use in booster mode.
Does the tether strap work in European cars?
The Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car Seathas not been tested for European transportation laws.
What is the return period if the product does not work?
Amazon has a 90-day return policy. The Cosco website has a customer service line where you can call to arrange a return or address the issue at the store.
Does the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car Seat have side impact protection?
The Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car Seat is tested for the front, rear, side, and impact and rollover protection.
Where can you buy an additional cup holder?
You can purchase an additional holder through Amazon or Cosco.
How long are the crotch/bottom straps?
The Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car Seat has a 4.38-inch crotch strap.
Does this booster seat recline?
The Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car Seat does not recline, not even with the car seat.
Does it fit in a suitcase?
The dimensions are 18.25″ W x 28.25″ H x 21.5″ D. Find a suitcase surpassing the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car Seat’s dimensions.
Will this fit in the overhead compartments of an airplane?
The dimensions are 18.25″ W x 28.25″ H x 21.5″ D; there is no guarantee it will fit in overhead compartments on airplanes because all aircraft are different.
Will this car seat fit in a regular car like a Honda?
Yes, it will fit because the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car Seat is slim compared to regular baby carriers.
Does the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car Seat fit a standard economy seat on an airplane?
Yes. The car seat is narrow, the armrests extend only a short distance, and the cup holder can be easily removed. The baby carrier must be in car seat mode, not booster seat mode.
Can the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car Seat be used on a plane as a booster seat?
The Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car Seat should only be used as a car seat on an aircraft. It is not approved for aircraft use as a booster seat.
How much legroom will this leave on a plane?
The Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car Seat is approximately 18.25″ W x 28.25″ H x 21.5″ D. The leg space will depend on the aircraft and boarding status.
What is the expiration period for the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car Seat?
The car seat has a 10-year lifespan from the manufacturer’s date.
Can this car seat be installed with an over-the-shoulder seat belt?
The Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car Seat can be installed with the vehicle seat belt when using the harness. In addition, the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car Seat can be used as a regular belt-positioning booster seat.
Can you remove the harness without having to permanently remove or alter the product?
Yes, the harness can be removed from the car seat to convert it into a 5-point harness without being permanently removed.
The Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car Seat is a safe, practical, and affordable car seat for everyday life.
