We’ve been using the Cosco Scenera Next as our travel car seat for the past 6 years. Read on to find out what we love about it and what I really wish they would change!
Safety and ease of use of our travel car seat
The FAA (federal aviation administration) approves car seats for use on airplanes, but you obviously also want something safe in motor vehicles too. We wanted a lightweight car seat that would be easy to carry through the airport. When you’re carrying luggage, pushing a stroller, and dealing with a diaper bag too, the last thing you want to worry about is a heavy car seat!
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The best option we found for an FAA-approved seat was the Cosco Scenera Next (currently $59 at Walmart), which is an affordable rear-facing seat for a car. It can also be used for forward-facing kids: It’s convertible. It’s super light weight (at only 10 lbs) and approved for airplane use. But it’s not all perfect…
Pros of the Cosco Scenera Next travel car seat
- Light weight (weighs just 10 lbs) which makes this very portable
- FAA approved
- LATCH system for car travel
- Affordable at $50-65 depending on when and where you buy it
- Check the current price on Amazon (also available at Walmart)
- Five-point harness
- Not just for travel- good option for everyday use because it meets safety standards for the American Academy of Pediatrics
- Can be used rear facing or forward facing
- Can be used for children 5-40 lbs and up to 43″ tall
If your child is too big for this seat but still needs a booster, definitely check out my review of this travel booster seat. We bring it everywhere with us and recently got a second one for our two older kids!
Cons of this car seat
- Not comfortable for taller kids
- Weight limit of 40lbs for forward-facing car seat and 40lbs for rear-facing mode
- Doesn’t click into any strollers without an add-on attachment
- No cup holders or snack tray attachment
- After a couple years of use the front buckle at the chest doesn’t connect as tightly as it used to
- Doesn’t fit in the overhead bin if you decide not to use it once you’re on the flight
The same brand makes a seat for kids bigger than 40lbs and 43 inches tall who still need a 5-point harness but are forward facing only. Cosco also makes a backless booster car seat for older kids.
If you’re looking for a more streamlined option with no budget, check out the Wayb Pico, a great little car seat invention that works for toddlers and fits into a backpack.
What I like about the Cosco Scenera Next
It’s rare to find a car seat that is less than $100, so to have one that is affordable and lightweight too is really useful for a parent who wants to travel! I know that the Doona stroller/car seat combination is really popular, but not everyone wants to spend that much.
If you already have a solid everyday car seat (like we do), this travel-only car seat works really well. We also started using it in our second car or in grandma’s car for occasional trips when we still need a car seat available. (If you’ve ever moved one of the big bulky car seats, you know how much of a pain that can be.)
Cosco Scenera Next on an airplane
The padding on the back of the car seat is pretty thin, so when you install it on an airplane the buckle hits right where your child’s back is. It’s not super comfortable but if you can shove a blanket in there it makes it slightly better. We found this out on a long-haul flight which definitely wasn’t ideal.
Note: If you’re traveling with a car seat, typically the car seat needs to be in the window seat so that in case of emergency everyone can safely get out of the row.
What I really wish they would change on the Cosco Scenera Next
For us, travel with a car seat has been a lot easier on our kids because it’s a position they’re used to being in (vs in an adult sized airplane seat) and they sleep easier. But the buckle issue I mentioned above wasn’t something we were anticipating, and I was nervous it was going to bother him the whole flight. It actually didn’t once we got a blanket positioned in there just right.
Is it easy to install the Cosco Scenera Next?
It depends where you’re installing it, because it uses either the LATCH system (clips that clip into hooks in a car) or you’ll use the seat belt through the back of it. I’d definitely practice this before you leave for your destination, because it took me a couple of tries to get it right the first time I used a seatbelt to secure a car seat. Keep in mind, the LATCH system isn’t in every single car, and especially hard to find if you’re relying on taxis or other vehicles outside of the US.
Overall thoughts on the Cosco Scenera Next as a travel car seat
Overall, we really like this car seat for traveling. It’s so light to carry through the airport, it’s safe, and it’s fairly easy to install. Don’t forget to get yourself a travel backpack to carry this through the airport easily.
If you frequently travel (or want to!), here are some other favorite travel items:
Travel Sound Machine Hatch Rest Go vs. SlumberPod SlumberCalm
Is the SlumberPod Worth Buying? My Honest Thoughts (You Might Be Surprised)
What to Pack for a Long Flight with Kids
Mom Hacks for Traveling with A Baby
The Best Compact Travel Booster Seat for Kids You Probably Don’t Know About (Mifold Review)
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