Graco Contender Slim vs Chicco NextFit Zip

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

Graco Contender Slim

5–65 lb

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Chicco NextFit Zip

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 Zip isn't listed narrow
the Chicco NextFit Zip lists extended rear-facing (a higher rear-facing weight limit, ~40-50 lb); the Graco Contender Slim doesn't

Published limits

Mode	Graco Contender Slim	Chicco NextFit Zip
Rear-facing	5–40 lb	5–40 lb
Forward-facing harness	20–65 lb	22–65 lb
Useful life	7 yrs from manufacture	8 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 (Graco Contender Slim Instruction Manual · Chicco NextFit Zip (03/2019)); “—” = 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

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

Graco Contender Slim

See price on Amazon

Chicco NextFit Zip

See price on Amazon

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FAQ

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

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

Which is right for my car and child, the Graco Contender Slim or the Chicco NextFit Zip?
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:

More convertible comparisons: Graco Contender Slim vs Graco Sequel 65 · Graco SlimFit3 LX vs Chicco NextFit Zip · Graco SlimFit3 LX vs Graco Sequel 65 · Chicco NextFit Zip vs Diono Radian 3R · all convertible seats · all comparisons