I think we can all agree that rotating car seats have made life easier for parents; they’re true game changers. One of the models that quickly gained popularity and piqued my interest was the Evenflo Gold Revolve360.
So I decided it was time to install this car seat that rotates 360 degrees and see if there was more to it than that. Buckle up because I’m about to take you on a ride to show you everything there’s to know about this product so you can make an informed decision!
Sneak Peek at the Evenflo Revolve 360
Evenflo is a wholesome brand for baby gear; I previously wrote about one of their outstanding travel systems, a.k.a car seat strollers. I discovered they have a Gold product line that includes all of their premium products, and the Revolve 360 was one of them.
It’s a swivel seat that allows you to access your child much more easily than a regular seat would. This model also promises a long lifespan due to its durability and ability to switch between three modes based on your kid’s size. The list of features continues, but we’ll go over them in greater detail below.
In terms of price, I’d say it’s naturally more expensive than most of the standard car seats. Yet, when compared to other rotating seats on the market, it’s reasonably priced.
Pros
- Rotates 360 degrees for easier access to your child
- Has three modes: rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster, which help extend its lifespan
- Simple to use and install, with labels and indicators guiding you through each step
- Provides superior safety and comfort for your child
- Maintaining its cleanliness is a breeze
- Available in a variety of hues, such as black, blue, and pink
Cons
- A little pricey when compared to regular car seats
- Quite heavy and has a bulky structure
- Harness pads may be too large for newborns
- Some users complain that it takes longer to install than other models
Price
Click here.
Specifications
- Weight: 4 – 120 pounds
- Height: 17 – 57 inches
- Modes of Use: Rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster
- Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 25.9 x 21 inches
- Product Weight: 29.6 pounds
- Harness Type: 5-point harness
Key Features of Evenflo Revolve 360
It’s time to get a closer look at this Evenflo Gold invention and see what makes it special.
Rotation
Let’s start with one of the most hyped features, rotation. As simple as it sounds, it greatly facilitates getting the baby in and out of the car. All I had to do was lift one of the white rotation handles to turn the car seat to face the door.
By the way, they put two of these handles, one on each side of the car seat, which is a pretty thoughtful touch. Plus, you only need to lift one of them to swivel the seat. That made perfect sense because I wasn’t wearing a baby carrier and had only one hand to work with.
I must admit, strapping in my little one has never been easier. I didn’t have to fight my way through the car on a busy day to buckle him up. When it came time to unload, I rotated the car seat and carried him out easily without having to twist and turn.
I realized having a rotating car seat also comes in handy when driving a packed car. You see, it can be tricky to drop off passengers—who might be your other children—near the sidewalk when the car seat is on that side.
Normally, I’d get out of the vehicle and readjust the seat to allow passengers to exit safely. Now, I just swivel it or ask one of the passengers to do it, and they’ll have enough room to get out of the car.
Comfort
This car seat demonstrates Evenflo’s intention to achieve a maximum comfort level in its products for our children.
Car seats are supposed to have extra cushioning in certain places to ensure your child’s protection and comfort. This model has all of the vital parts padded, such as the straps, back support, and head pillow.
Besides, the seat pad is made of an extremely soft fabric that’ll be gentle on your child’s delicate skin.
Modes of Use
Moving on to the feature that contributes to the practicality and longevity of this product. You’ll have one car seat witnessing your child’s growth phases thanks to its ability to switch between three modes:
Rear-Facing
As you’re aware, babies under the age of one should always be seated rear-facing. The first mode of Revolve 360 is just for that. The manufacturer recommends this position for kids weighing 4 – 40 pounds and standing 17 – 40 inches tall.
I like how they included a foldable insert to ensure your newborn fits comfortably in the seat. When I used it, it did significantly improve how the harness fit.
However, I noticed that the harness pads are a little too big for newborns, and they can’t be removed; only their covers can be taken off.
Forward-Facing
When your child outgrows the backward-facing position and needs more legroom, the Revolve 360 will stick around.
The forward-facing mode is suitable for kids weighing 22 – 65 pounds and between the heights of 28 and 49 inches. Keep in mind that the child must be at least 2 years old.
My little ones were quite comfortable in the seat, and the headrest pad, as well as the harness, fit perfectly in this position. That said, the Revolve 360 is a little high in this mode, so you may need to help your toddler get in.
Booster
In the future, when your kiddo gets older but is still too young to wear a seatbelt, it’s time to activate the booster mode in Revolve 360! Its weight limit is 40 – 120 pounds and the height range is 44 – 57 inches.
It didn’t take long to convert the seat to booster mode. Besides, it was great that I didn’t have to completely remove the harness system, which would’ve meant the risk of losing it somewhere.
Instead, there are storage locations. The harness straps are simply tucked under the padding, and the crotch lock buckle is stored in a pocket under the leg rest pad.
Recline
If you’re tired of having to reinstall the seat every time you want to adjust the recline angle, you’ll appreciate this feature.
In case you’re wondering, it’s critical to recline the rear-facing seat at a specific angle. It should be slightly upright to protect the baby in the event of a crash but somewhat reclined to prevent his head from falling forward.
The Revolve 360 allows you to recline and extend the seat in four different positions by simply squeezing the recline handle located at the back of the shell. Not only that but there’s a recline level indicator that shows you the proper recline angle based on your child’s weight.
Safety
As you install this car seat, you’ll find several safety steps you must take to ensure it’s securely fastened. Moreover, Evenflo has strict protocols for testing the safety of its products in dangerous situations.
For example, this Gold Revolve360 car seat has undergone side impact testing, and the results meet all applicable federal safety standards. If you’re wondering, a side impact test simulates an accident where the vehicle with the child in the car seat is hit on the side by another car.
What’s more, this model features a 5-point harness that’s designed to securely strap your child into car seats. In a nutshell, the number indicates where the harness straps attach to the seat. There are two at the shoulders, two at the hips, and one at the crotch lock buckle.
The seat lock indicator is another safety feature I discovered in the Evenflo Revolve 360. Having a rotating car seat is great, but not knowing if it’s secure isn’t.
That’s why the manufacturers included a lock that turns green when the seat is properly secured and red when it isn’t. I must say the indicator makes it easy to check if we’re good to go.
Installation
I’m not a fan of complicated installation procedures. Fortunately, even though this Evenflo seat has multiple modes, it’s only installed once. It didn’t take long for me to install this seat. But, with a weight of 29.6 pounds, it wasn’t the lightest car seat to carry around.
I watched some videos and followed the directions in the owner’s manual, which were quite detailed. Plus, they made a storage pocket for it at the back of the seat, so you don’t lose the manual, and if you do, they printed a QR code for it under the leg rest.
There are two ways to install this swivel seat: Seat Belt and Tether or Lower Anchors and Tether (LATCH). Evenflo recommends the first method, so that’s what I went with. I’ll now go over the highlights of this process so you know what to expect.
I started by separating the car seat from its base so that I could secure the base in the vehicle. Then, I found the tether stored at the bottom of the seat, which is critical to use when installing the seat in a rear-facing or forward-facing position.
After that, I lifted the LockStrong arm, which is used for seat belt tensioning and is part of their Sure360 Safety Installation System. That is, to slide and buckle the seatbelt. When I lowered the LockStrong arm, it effectively applied enough tension to secure the seat belt to the base.
I tested the base by pulling it to ensure it was in place before proceeding to fasten the tether and install the car seat, which was a breeze.
Cleaning and Upkeep
If you don’t keep your car seats clean, things can get pretty messy real quick. That’s why I value low-maintenance seats like the Evenflo Gold one; I had no trouble maintaining its cleanliness.
I followed their instructions and cleaned the plastic parts with water mixed with mild soap, then dried them with a cloth. It was quick and didn’t take much time or effort, which added to the product’s convenience.
One of the useful tips I came across was to be careful when applying water to the shell so that you don’t remove the labels.
When it comes to cleaning soft goods, like harness covers, machine washing in cold water will do; just steer clear of abrasive cleaners.
Cupholders
Yes, the little things, like having cupholders in the car seat, do matter. I’m not saying they’re necessary, but they boost the versatility of seats.
Kids can keep their beverages in it rather than holding them all of the time, reducing the risk of spillage. I also noticed my children using them to store their snacks, toys, accessories, and much more! The good news is that these cups are removable and dishwasher-safe!
Summary
By now, you should have enough information to assess whether the Evenflo Revolve 360 is worth the investment. If you ask me, I’d say it most certainly is; it checks all the boxes for a practical, safe, and comfortable car seat.
Finally, make sure to visit their website to learn more about their lifetime warranty!
