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Evenflo Tribute LX Review: Is It Really The Best Bang for Your Buck?

Tribute Convertible Car Seat
/ by / in Categories Car Seats

If you’re looking for a high quality car seat that can be purchased on a tight budget, you’ve probably heard of the Evenflo tribute.

Let’s review the safety, ease of use, and comfort features of this seat to see if it really qualifies as the best bang for your buck.

But first:

Click Here to Check Today’s Price of the Evenflo Tribute LX on Amazon

Main Features

The Evenflo Tribute LX has a lot of qualities that you are looking for in a car seat. It has good safety ratings for one. That should be at the top of your list, by the way! You should always get the safest convertible car seat for your budget.

But safety isn’t the only thing the Evenflo Tribute LX has to offer.

It also is easy. I don’t know about you, but the easier things are- the better, once kids enter the picture. The Tribute LX is easy to install, easy to uninstall, easy to clean, and easy to lift. Parenting is no easy feat. Making things as simple as possible is the best way to go.

The Evenflo Tribute LX is perfect for traveling or if you have multiple vehicles. This goes along with easy install and uninstall. The Tribute LX can be transferred vehicle to vehicle without sweating and forming a few choice words.

Overall, the Evenflo Tribute LX  is a simple, straightforward, and quality seat that won’t empty your pockets.

Pros and Cons

PROS:

  • Lightweight
  • Fits 3 across
  • Easy to install/uninstall
  • Ideal for travel
  • Convertible seat
  • Easy to clean
  • Side impact tested
  • Great price

CONS:

  • Issues with staying secure facing forward
  • Not ideal for international travel
  • Straps rub if you don’t buy (not included) harness covers

Safety Review and Crash Test Results

Safety seems to be the #1 focus with the Evenflo Tribute LX. It claims to have 2x the safety standards than the Federal regulations. That’s pretty incredible! It’s also backed by many reviewers saying it helped save their child from injury during accidents.

Boasting side impact tested and a 5 point harness just put icing on the cake for a safe and reliable car seat. Even though the price is almost half (if not even less) than other car seats with this safety standard, it plays hardball and stays in the high safety tested game.

Have There Been Any Recalls?

I searched high and low and could not find any recalls on this particular model. I think it’s good to note here you should always stay up to date on recalls. Register your car seat as soon as it gets in so that you are notified immediately. It can be the difference between a bruise and death.

Weight, Dimensions, and Weight Limits

The Evenflo Tribute LX weighs in at just a little over 9 pounds. It’s dimensions are as follows: 18.5” wide, 25.5” high, and 22” deep/length.

Rear-Facing Weight Limits

The Tribute LX allows for extended rear-facing time which is what all parents should be looking for in a car seat. It’s weight range for rear-facing is 5 to 40 pounds. It’s height range goes from 19 to 37 inches. That’s a nice long range so that you can keep your child rear-facing well over 2 years old. (At least in most cases)

Forward-Facing Weight Limits

The Evenflo Tribute LX has another large range for forward-facing capability. I like this because I often see a jump from forward-facing to booster seat TOO soon. The Tribute LX has a weight range of 22 to 40 pounds. The height range is from 28 to 40 inches.

How Does It Compare to Other Car Seats

While I think the Evenflo Tribute LX is an excellent choice in car seat, there are other car seats out there. It is important to compare and contrast them to make sure that you get the best car seat for you and your little one. Let’s walk through some comparable seats and see what the differences are.

Evenflo Tribute LX vs Evenflo Triumph

Evenflo Tribute LX

  • Max Weight Capacity 40 pounds
  • 4 Point Harness
  • 1 Recline Position
  • Single Cup Holder
  • Machine Washable
  • 2-in-1 (Forward and Rear Facing)
  • LATCH System

Evenflo Triumph

  • Max Weight Capacity 65 pounds
  • Infinite Slide Harness
  • 3 Recline Positions
  • Dual Attach Cup Holder
  • Machine Washable
  • 2-in-1 (Forward and Rear Facing)
  • LATCH System

Evenflo Tribute LX vs Sport

Evenflo Tribute LX

  • Max Capacity 40 pounds
  • 18.5 inches wide
  • Do not need extra towel or pool noodle
  • Easy Install for both seatbelt and LATCH system
  • More Expensive
  • Easily Removable Headrest

Evenflo Sport

  • Max Capacity 40 pounds
  • 18.5 inches wide
  • NEED extra towel or pool noodle for install
  • Easy Install for seatbelt
  • Challenging LATCH install
  • Less Expensive

Evenflo Tribute LX vs Sonus

Evenflo Tribute LX

  • Max Weight 40 pounds
  • 4 Shoulder Harness Position
  • Single Cupholder
  • Convertible Car Seat
  • Less Expensive
  • Side Impact Tested
  • LATCH Capability

Evenflo Sonus

  • Max Weight 50 pounds
  • Airflow Ventilation System
  • Rollover Tested
  • 5 Shoulder Harness Position
  • Dual Cupholder
  • Convertible Car Seat
  • More Expensive
  • Side Impact Tested
  • LATCH Capability

Evenflo Tribute LX vs Sureride DLX

Evenflo Tribute LX

  • Convertible Car Seat
  • 5-40 pound rear facing capacity
  • Side impact tested
  • Plush head pillow
  • Cup holder
  • 22-40 pound front facing capacity
  • 4 Shoulder strap positions
  • Less expensive

Evenflo Sureride DLX

  • Convertible Car Seat
  • 5-40 pound rear facing capacity
  • Side impact tested
  • Plush head pillow
  • Cup holder
  • 22-65 pound front facing capacity
  • 6 Shoulder strap positions
  • More expensive

Evenflo Tribute LX vs Cosco Scenera Next

Evenflo Tribute LX

  • Weighs 9.1 pounds
  • 5-40 pound weight capacity
  • Reclines
  • Better materials
  • Shoulder harness
  • Better Reviews

Cosco Scenera Next

  • More color and pattern options
  • Weighs 6 pounds
  • 5-40 pound weight capacity
  • Rigid
  • Thinner fabric and cushion
  • Straps get tangled

How to Install the Evenflo Tribute LX Front Facing

Always refer to the instruction manual that comes with your car seat.

USING LATCH SYSTEM

  • The harness straps must be in one of the top three strap slots.
  • Make sure the straps are above shoulder height.
  • Put the car seat in the vehicle forward facing.
  • Push the lower anchor connector strap through its route.
  • Hook through the forward-facing belt strap.
  • Find your lower anchor bars in your vehicle.
  • Attach the right hook to the right anchor bar and the left hook to the left anchor bar.
  • Double check that your anchors are secure by pulling on them with much effort.
  • Use your body weight to push the car seat into the vehicle seat.
  • Pull on the lower anchor connector strap and pull tight.
  • Double check that your car seat does not wiggle when trying to move it forward and back as well as side to side.
  • Connect the tether strap behind the vehicle seat.
  • Pull the strap tight.

USING SEAT BELT

  • The harness straps must be in one of the top three strap slots.
  • Make sure the straps are above shoulder height.
  • Put the car seat in the vehicle forward facing.
  • Push the seat belt through the forward-facing belt path.
  • Fasten the vehicle seat belt.
  • Use a locking clip if necessary.
  • Make sure the seat belt is as tight as possible.
  • Use all of your body weight to push the car seat into the vehicle seat.
  • Tighten the seat belt as tight as it will go.
  • Double check that your car seat does not wiggle when trying to move it forward and back as well as side to side.
  • Connect the tether strap behind the vehicle seat.
  • Pull the strap tight.

How to Install the Evenflo Tribute LX Rear Facing

Always refer to the instruction manual that comes with your car seat.

USING LATCH SYSTEM

  • Adjust the car seat to recline position.
  • Put the car seat into the vehicle rear facing.
  • Make sure the harness straps are in one of the bottom 3 harness slots.
  • Double check the harness straps are positioned at or below shoulder level.
  • Pull the seat pad off of the front part of the car seat.
  • Route the lower anchor connector strap and hook through the rear-facing belt paths.
  • Adjust crotch strap to best position for your child.
  • If crotch strap is in front position: route the lower anchor connector strap behind the crotch strap.
  • If crotch strap is in the back position: route the lower anchor connector strap in front of the crotch strap.
  • Locate the lower anchor bars in your vehicle.
  • Attach the right hook to the right anchor bar and the left hook to the left anchor bar.
  • Make sure that they are latched securely to the anchor bars by pulling hard.
  • Use all of your body weight to push the car seat into the vehicle seat.
  • Pull tight on the lower anchor connector assembly strap.
  • Double check that the car seat doesn’t move while wiggling front to back or side to side.

USING SEAT BELT

  • Adjust the car seat to recline position.
  • Put the car seat into the vehicle rear facing.
  • Make sure the harness straps are in one of the bottom 3 harness slots.
  • Double check the harness straps are positioned at or below shoulder level.
  • Pull the seat pad off of the front part of the car seat.
  • Route the vehicle seat belt through the rear-facing belt path.
  • Continue to route through the opposite opening of the car seat.
  • Fasten the seat belt.
  • Adjust crotch strap to best position for your child.
  • If crotch strap is in front position: route the seat belt behind the crotch strap.
  • If crotch strap is in the back position: route the seat belt in front of the crotch strap.
  • Install locking clip if necessary.
  • Put all of your weight onto the car seat and pull the seat belt as tight as it will go.
  • Double check that the car seat doesn’t move while wiggling front to back or side to side.

Is it FAA Approved?

Yes, the Evenflo Tribute LX is FAA approved. In fact, that’s one of the many reasons people love this car seat so much. It’s really lightweight so it is ideal to be a car seat you take with you on flights. 9.1 pounds is a hell of a lot easier to carry around than a 26 pound car seat. Your biceps will thank you.

It’s also wise to notice that because the Evenflo Tribute LX is an inexpensive car seat choice, you can buy one just for travel. Many customers have decided to do this and keep their heavy duty car seat in their vehicle.

Airplane Installation

Always refer to the instruction manual that comes with your car seat.

Rear-Facing Installation

  • Make sure the airplane seat is in a fully upright position.
  • Adjust the car seat to a recline position.
  • Place the car seat in a rear facing position into the airplane seat.
  • Make sure the harness straps are in one of the bottom 3 harness slots.
  • Double check the harness straps are positioned at or below shoulder level.
  • Pull the seat pad off of the front part of the car seat.
  • Route the airplane seat belt through the rear-facing belt path.
  • Continue to route through the opposite opening of the car seat.
  • Adjust crotch strap to best position for your child.
  • If crotch strap is in front position: route the airplane seat belt behind the crotch strap.
  • If crotch strap is in the back position: route the airplane seat belt in front of the crotch strap.
  • Fasten the airplane seat belt.
  • Make sure the airplane seat belt is as tight as possible.
  • Route the extra seat belt back through the rear-facing belt path.
  • Use all of your body weight to push the car seat into the airplane seat.
  • Pull on the excess seat belt strap to tighten.
  • Double check that the car seat doesn’t move while wiggling front to back or side to side.

Forward-Facing Installation

  • Adjust the car seat to its upright position.
  • Make sure the airplane seat is completely upright.
  • Place the car seat on the airplane seat forward facing.
  • Route the airplane seat belt through the forward facing belt path.
  • Pull through the opposite side of the car seat.
  • Fasten the airplane seat belt.
  • Make sure the seat belt is tight.
  • Pull the excess seat belt back through the forward facing belt path.
  • Use all of your body weight to push the car seat into the airplane seat.
  • Pull the excess belt strap to tighten.
  • Double check that the car seat doesn’t move while wiggling front to back or side to side.

What Colors and Fabrics Does the Evenflo Tribute Come In?

The Evenflo Tribute LX has a nice variety of colors and fabrics to choose from. I think this is a great attribute because you can match it to your child’s personality or your car interior.

The Evenflo Tribute LX comes in: Neptune (light blue and black), Pink Mums (flower pattern with a pink background), Saturn (grey print and black), Azure Coast (teal and black), Pink Ice (light pink and black), and Abigail (dark pink and black).

The Bottom Line

The Evenflo Tribute LX car seat is a really great car seat option if you are on the go. Convenience is a huge factor with this seat. It’s lightweight enough to bring it on the airplane. The Tribute LX is also easy to install and uninstall out of multiple vehicles. On top of all of that, it’s safety standards are top notch. If you have a small budget or plan on traveling often, the Evenflo Tribute LX is for you.

Click Here to Check Today’s Price of the Evenflo Tribute LX on Amazon

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