Chicco NextFit Max vs Graco Contender Slim

Both are convertible car seats — here are their published manufacturer specs side by side.

This compares published manufacturer specs — not safety or fit advice. The seat's manual, your vehicle's manual, NHTSA's tools and a certified CPST are the fit-and-safety authority; always check them before installing.

Spec	Chicco NextFit Max	Graco Contender Slim
Stage	Convertible	Convertible
Narrow (3-across)	–	✓
Extended rear-facing	✓	–
FAA-approved	✓	✓
Lightweight / travel	–	–

Chicco NextFit Max

4–65 lb

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Graco Contender Slim

5–65 lb

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As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Weight ranges are the manufacturer's published limits across all modes.

How they differ

the Graco Contender Slim is listed narrow (roughly ≤17″) for fitting three across a back seat; the Chicco NextFit Max isn't listed narrow
the Chicco NextFit Max lists extended rear-facing (a higher rear-facing weight limit, ~40-50 lb); the Graco Contender Slim doesn't

Published limits

Mode	Chicco NextFit Max	Graco Contender Slim
Rear-facing	4–50 lb	5–40 lb
Forward-facing harness	22–65 lb	20–65 lb
Useful life	8 yrs from manufacture	7 yrs from manufacture

Graco Contender Slim: Rear-facing: 5–40 lb (printed weight limit; height limit not confirmed this pass). Forward-facing: 20–65 lb (printed weight limit; height limit not confirmed this pass).

Printed verbatim in the manufacturer's manual (Chicco NextFit Max (07/2020) · Graco Contender Slim Instruction Manual); “—” = not published for that mode, “not yet sourced” = we haven't read that manual yet, not that the seat has no limit. How we source these →

Recall record

Chicco — 2 on NHTSA's record · Graco — 17 on NHTSA's record.

That is the record of the brand — not a verdict on these models. A recall names specific models and manufacture-date ranges, and a seat missing from the record is not "recall-free": check nhtsa.gov/recalls with the model and date of manufacture on your seat's label. Source: NHTSA, retrieved 2026-09-05.

Where to buy

Chicco NextFit Max

See price on Amazon

Graco Contender Slim

See price on Amazon

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FAQ

What's the difference between the Chicco NextFit Max and the Graco Contender Slim?
The Chicco NextFit Max is extended rear-facing, FAA-approved for aircraft; the Graco Contender Slim is narrow for 3-across, FAA-approved for aircraft. Both are convertible car seats.

Which fits three across, the Chicco NextFit Max or the Graco Contender Slim?
The Graco Contender Slim is listed narrow (~≤17″) for 3-across; the Chicco NextFit Max isn't. Three-across fit still depends on your exact vehicle — confirm before buying.

Which is right for my car and child, the Chicco NextFit Max or the Graco Contender Slim?
That depends on your specific vehicle and child — this page compares published manufacturer specs only, not fit or safety. Check the seat manual, your vehicle manual, NHTSA's car-seat finder and ideally a certified CPST before deciding.

Citing these specs? Go ahead — published manufacturer data, last verified 2026-06-11. Copy a ready-made reference:

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