In-depth reviews guided by a Pediatrician

Evenflo Spectrum Review

Inexpensive, easy to use booster that is comfy, light, and great for most families
Editors' Choice Award
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Price:   $60 List
Pros:  Inexpensive, comfortable, easy to use, light
Cons:  Wider, doesn't LATCH
Manufacturer:   Evenflo
By Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz  ⋅  Oct 18, 2017
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69
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#2 of 9
  • Crash Test - 35% 6
  • Ease Of Use - 30% 8
  • Weight/Size - 15% 5
  • Comfort - 10% 9
  • Quality - 10% 7

The Skinny

The Evenflo Spectrum is an impressive booster that is straightforward and super easy to use. It earned the top results for the head sensor in our crash testing. It has soft fabric, a deep headrest, and riders say it is the coziest in the group. The Spectrum is one of the lightest high-backed options, and it can convert to a backless booster. This may not be the best option if you want a LATCH connection or you need to fit more than two car seats/boosters in your back seat as it is one of the widest we tested. But, if those aren't issues for you, we think most families will love this inexpensive booster and think you get more than you pay for with better performance and quality than much of the competition.

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Our Analysis and Test Results

In 1920, Evenflo began creating products related to baby feeding. Feeding nipples were the main product until 1935 when they started marketing nurser equipment featuring the first nipple that stayed on the bottle with a cap. In 1947, Evenflo expanded to glass baby bottles, and in 1960, Evenflo began marketing 12 nursing kits, with an assortment of sterilizers, bottles, nipples, and other accessories. In 1995, Evenflo as we know it was created from a merger of Evenflo Juvenile Products and Evenflo Juvenile Furniture Company. Evenflo creates bottles, car seats, strollers, homes goods, and more. The Evenflo Company is still headquartered in Ohio and is a subsidiary of Goodbaby International Holdings Limited.

Performance Comparison



The Spectrum has a unique headrest with an outside crumple air zone to add protection in the event of a side-impact collision. While difficult to say how effective this feature is we do appreciate any feature designed for safety.
The Spectrum has a unique headrest with an outside crumple air zone to add protection in the event of a side-impact collision. While difficult to say how effective this feature is, we do appreciate any feature designed for safety.

Crash Test


The Evenflo has better than average crash test results. All of the boosters in this review meet or exceed federal minimum safety standards and are, therefore, considered safe. However, some performed better than others which indicates an additional margin of potential safety.


The Evenflo is a mixed bag when it comes to crash test results. The data for the head (HIC) sensor is the best in the group, while the data for the chest (g) sensor is one of the worst.

The Spectrum has the most impressive crash test results for the head sensor with a result of 456.
The Spectrum has the most impressive crash test results for the head sensor with a result of 456.

The Spectrum earned the top score for the HIC sensor with a result of only 456. The maximum allowed is 1000 and lower numbers indicate better results. Several of the competition had data over 600.

This graph shows a comparison of the HIC crash data for the Evenflo and the Peg Perego Viaggio Flex which had the best results in the group.
This graph shows a comparison of the HIC crash data for the Evenflo and the Peg Perego Viaggio Flex which had the best results in the group.

The Spectrum earned the worst chest results in our tests with a 48 where the maximum allowed is 60 and lower numbers are better. While significantly below the max, it isn't as good as the best result of 39. However, it is still well below the maximum allowed which is what you should keep in mind.

Buckling in is no problem for little ones in the Spectrum.
Buckling in is no problem for little ones in the Spectrum.

Ease of Use


The Evenflo is one of the easiest options to use.


The Evenflo is a simple no-nonsense booster which makes it very easy to use. Children had no problem buckling themselves in without assistance.

The headrest on the Spectrum is easy to adjust from the front or back.
A storage tray pulls out from the side of the Spectrum seat bottom and it may hold smaller bottles of cups.

The headrest adjusts with the pull of the handle on the back (above left) and moves the belt strap retainer with it. This can be done from the front and with a child in the seat if necessary. There is a pull-out cup holder/tray on the side of the seat bottom (above right).

The Spectrum may be good for carpooling with the back removed so it is easier to move from car to car.
The belt retainer on the Spectrum may require some adult assistance to position correctly but little ones should be able to manage it with practice.

The Evenflo can be used as a backless booster (above left) which utilizes the belt position retainer (above right) that attaches with a strap to the bottom of the booster. The retainer is easy to use, but little ones may need help threading it when you set it up.

The Spectrum can be used without the back and will weigh even less than the already impressive low weight for the backed version.
The Spectrum is the second lightest high backed booster we tested but it is also one of the widest options in the group.

Weight and Size


The Evenflo is one of the lightest products in the group but it is relatively wide.


The Evenflo is the second lightest high back option in the review with a weight of 11.6 lbs. Given that most of the seats weigh over 14 lbs and some over 20, it is easy to see how this booster will be easier to carry. Unfortunately, the wider seat bottom prevents it from earning top marks in this metric. With a width of 19.8 inches, it is the second widest we tested. This makes it harder to move from car to car and near impossible to fit 3 car seats across in the back seat. This booster can also be used backless which will be good for travel, storing, or moving, but the width will still be an issue if you have more than two children in car seats.

It is easy to see that the depth and width of the Spectrum headrest would be supportive for napping and help avoid the dreaded floppy head.
It is easy to see that the depth and width of the Spectrum headrest would be supportive for napping and help avoid the dreaded floppy head.

Comfort


The Evenflo was ranked one of the most comfortable options from our tot testers.


Little testers liked the roominess of this seat remarking on both the softness of the fabric and the cushiness of the seat. They felt it would be one of the best for napping and our impression agrees with their assessment. The padding is thick but not firm and the fabric is smooth and very skin-friendly. The headrest is nice and deep and the shape supports little heads and necks while sleeping.

The Evenflo earned an impressive score for quality given that it has the lowest price in the group.
The Evenflo earned an impressive score for quality given that it has the lowest price in the group.

Quality


The Evenflo offers better than average quality in this competition.


This score is impressive for the low price and we thought the booster did a good job keeping up with the more expensive competition. The padding is only average, but the fabric is soft, easy to clean, and tight-fitting to the frame. The shell is flimsy feeling, which we have seen in all Evenflo car seats, but it does feel like it will last over time when used as intended. The overall fit and finish are thoughtful yet simple.

Manufacturer Video



— Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz