In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Graco SimpleSwitch Review

An affordable sturdy option that will get the job done
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Graco SimpleSwitch Review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $90 List
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Manufacturer:   Graco
By Juliet Spurrier, MD and Lindsay Selig  ⋅  Jun 20, 2018
49
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Ease of Use - 30% 4.0
  • Ease of Cleaning - 25% 6.0
  • Quality - 25% 5.0
  • Ease of Set Up - 10% 5.0
  • Footprint/ Portability - 10% 4.0

Our Verdict

The Graco SimpleSwitch is a functional and long-lasting high chair that can be used up to 60 lbs. We were super pleased with the combination of durability and low cost that the SimpleSwitch offers, making it our Best Value Award winner. It is true to its name, featuring the ability to switch from high chair to booster by simply removing the legs. The easy-to-use 3-position recline and the ability to clean without too much extra elbow grease helped this chair to surpass the competition regarding value.
REASONS TO BUY
Easy clean-up
Inexpensive
Reclines
2-in-1 booster
Durable
REASONS TO AVOID
Tray does not lay flat
Does not fold
Tray can be tricky

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Graco brand has been synonymous with baby gear for decades. Originally a machine and car part manufacturer, the company is currently based out of Atlanta, Georgia, and switched its focus to baby gear in 1955. Today Graco offers one of the largest selections of baby products out there and is many parents' first choice when it comes to their children.

Performance Comparison



graco simpleswitch - we like the simplicity of the design and ease of use of the...
We like the simplicity of the design and ease of use of the SimpleSwitch.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


We were pleased with the performance of the Graco chair during our testing. Although it may lack some fancy features, such as height adjustment and a modern look, we appreciate how uncomplicated the chair is to use. The recline position can be adjusted by just pulling a lever on the back of the seat, and the harness is easy to adjust on the fly, even with a squirmy baby. When a baby is ready for a booster seat, the harness converts easily from a 5-point to a 3-point harness for use with older children. The buckle features a one-handed release to make life just a little easier.

The recline lever for the SimpleSwitch is located on the back of the...
The recline lever for the SimpleSwitch is located on the back of the seat and is easy to operate.
The 5-point harness is easy to operate one-handed, but it has lots...
The 5-point harness is easy to operate one-handed, but it has lots of small cracks that may collect food over time.

This seat is also highly versatile thanks to its ability to convert into a booster seat. This conversion can be done by first removing the legs and then sliding a release to let out the chair straps. The buttons on either side of the chair used to release the legs are finger-friendly, and we were never worried about any pinching. We really appreciate the fact that the straps are stored within the seat and are ready to use when needed, which eliminates any worry of losing them or having them flop around freely while using the seat in high chair mode.

graco simpleswitch - buttons on either side of the chair release the legs.
Buttons on either side of the chair release the legs.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

While we have few complaints about the SimpleSwitch, the majority of them stem from the tray. It can be a bit tricky to get on and off the chair. It was not intuitive the first time we tried to use it, and we had to take a second look at the instructions to figure it out. The Graco emblem on the front of the chair is the release button, and it requires a decent amount of pressure to release the latch mechanism, so much so that we recommend using the heel of your hand rather than a thumb.

graco simpleswitch - using your thumb to remove the tray can be difficult. use the heel...
Using your thumb to remove the tray can be difficult. Use the heel of your hand instead.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

It is also important to note that the crotch restraint connects to the tray rather than the seat. This design can come in handy when growing with your baby, but it also comes with a slew of negatives. The restraint is going to prevent you from placing the tray flat on a table unless it has been completely cleared off. The incline would be enough to make berries, peas, and the like roll off quickly. While this is not necessarily a deal-breaker, it is something to consider since we know that little ones don't always make it through a full meal before needing to leave their seats. Lastly, it is essential to ensure you correctly adjust the straps and keep them snug to your baby since you will lose the additional safety measure a built-in crotch restraint would provide.

graco simpleswitch - the crotch restraint is attached to the tray instead of the chair.
The crotch restraint is attached to the tray instead of the chair.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Cleaning


The tray on the SimpleSwitch is effortless to wipe clean with no sneaky places to attract unwanted crud. The crotch restraint is attached to the tray rather than the seat, which makes the tray large enough that it will not fit into the dishwasher comfortably. Although this is not a big deal as we recommend handwashing to avoid any possible chemical leeching, it is something to note.

The extra large tray is a feature we appreciate for its ability to...
The extra large tray is a feature we appreciate for its ability to contain baby's mess.
If any food makes it past the tray, the seat cover can be removed...
If any food makes it past the tray, the seat cover can be removed and is machine washable.

You can remove the fabric cover by unhooking a few clips and then slipping it off the chair for cleaning. It can be machine washed but should be left to drip dry, so if you plan on washing it, be sure to leave enough time in between meals to allow it to dry completely. The cover is one solid piece of fabric, and so should catch most everything that gets past the tray, but if anything happens to make it down to the base of the seat, it can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.

Quality


The SimpleSwitch is average when it comes to quality. It does not feature a modern, innovative design or cool fabric. It is simply a high chair, and it looks and feels about how you would expect a traditional high chair to look and feel. The tray is notably large, and we felt it would catch most anything baby could throw at it.

graco simpleswitch - although the fabrics and materials may not be as nice as on some...
Although the fabrics and materials may not be as nice as on some other chairs tested, baby didn't complain.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Perhaps the thing we appreciate the most about this chair is how durable it is. All the parts seem sturdy enough to withstand daily use through multiple children. It may not be the most stylish chair on the market, but its simple and sturdy construction means that it can outlast many other chairs at a fraction of the cost.

Ease of Set Up


Setting up the SimpleSwitch requires an average amount of steps compared to other chairs in this review. With the help of the instruction manual, it took us less than 5 minutes to set up completely. The directions are simple to follow, utilizing both words and pictures to guide you through the process. There are two pins used to secure the back of the seat to the bottom. These took a small amount of finagling to figure out, but we finished in a matter of minutes. If you are struggling with any part of set up, Graco has a helpful video that clearly shows and explains the process.

Footprint and Portability


Footprint and portability refer to the amount of space the chair will take up in your kitchen and how easily you can move it around your home. The SimpleSwitch has a larger than average footprint, measuring 669.8 square inches. However, it is fairly light at only 16.3 lbs, so it is still easy to move around.

graco simpleswitch - while the chair is light and relatively easy to move around the...
While the chair is light and relatively easy to move around the kitchen, the legs stick out at a decent angle creating a larger footprint.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

While the chair itself is not very large, the legs do stick out at an angle to provide stability, making the footprint larger. Unfortunately, this chair does not fold down at all. If you need to store it temporarily, you can remove the legs.

Manufacturer Video



Juliet Spurrier, MD and Lindsay Selig
 

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