Two of Evenflo’s most popular car seats are the Chase and the Maestro.
With only a couple of defining differences, the seats are so similar you can easily see they stem from the same family. The chairs could honestly be mistaken as twins!
Despite those similarities, a few differences and a few issues warrant a review of the two seats.
The Evenflo Maestro wins over the Evenflo Chase though, because for only a few more dollars, the seat lasts for an extra ten pounds with minimal other differences.
Evenflo Chase Specifications
- 2-in-1 Combo Booster Seat
- Forward Facing
- For Weights of 22-110 lbs
- Turns Into a Booster Seat
- In Harness 22-40 lbs and Height of 28-50 Inches
- In Belt-Position 40-110 lbs and Height of 43.3-57 Inches
- Ages 2 Up in Harness and 4 Up in Seat-Belt
- Side Impact and Structural Integrity Design
- Integrated Cup Holders
- Works for Multiple Seats in the Back Seat
- Machine Washable Seat Pad
- Four Harness Positions
- Two Crotch Buckle Positions
- Removable Head Pillow
- Lightweight
- 5-Point Harness
- 18 Inches wide
- FAA Approved for Airplane Use
- Expiration – 6 Years
Take a closer look at the Chase Seat Here.
Evenflo Maestro Specifications
- 2-in-1 Combo Booster Seat
- Forward Facing
- For Weights of 22-110 lbs
- Turns Into a Booster Seat
- In Harness 22-50 lbs and Height of 28-50 Inches
- In Belt-Position 40-110 lbs and Height of 43.3-57 Inches
- Ages 2 Up in Harness and 4 Up in Seat-Belt
- Side Impact and Structural Integrity Design
- Integrated Cup Holders
- Works for Multiple Seats in the Back Seat
- Machine Washable Seat Pad
- Four Harness Positions
- Two Crotch Buckle Positions
- Removable Head Pillow
- Lightweight
- Auto-Adjust Bet Path for Correct Shoulder Height
- Exceeds Safety Standards
- Test for Temperature Safety
- Storage for Harness
- 17 Inch Wide Base for More Than One Seat in the Back Seat
- FAA Approved for Airplanes
- 5-Point Harness
- Expiration – 6 Years
Read more information about the Maestro Seat here.
Comparison of the Evenflo Chase vs. Maestro Car Seats
While both car seats are very similar a few difference should be noted. Take a look at a full comparison of both seats.
Price
The price difference depends on where you buy the store and the difference can be dramatic but shouldn’t be majorly different. The two seats are extremely similar and the price should reflect the similarity. With so few differences, the price should be similar with just a small jump in price for the Maestro with a small jump in the weight department.
If you find a significant jump in price, you may want to consider looking at a different store. Even on Evenflo’s website, the prices practically match.
Both seats are reasonably priced and on the lower end of expensive compared to other similar seats by other brands. As a matter of fact, the price is so nice, you can afford two of either for a second car, a nanny, or grandma.
Cupholders
Both booster seats offer dual cup holders, although not the same style. The holders are one of the few but defining differences and the reason the Maestro cost a hair more.
The Chase offers hard shell cup holders on either side for easy reach and convenience for your little one.
The Maestro does as well, but the front is open with a little bit of elastic to allow for oddly shaped drinks, snacks, or other items you may want to store in the holders. Although, the sport model of the Maestro has the typical hard shell holders but sitting down a little lower than the on the Chase.
Weight and Height
Now it’s time for the only real difference between the two seats. When in harness mode, the Maestro goes up to 50 pounds while the Chase only goes up to 40 pounds before moving to the seat-belt mode.
What’s the big deal about the harness mode? The harness mode is much safer and keeps your child from moving around for longer. Especially for parents with larger children or taller children who want to keep them safer longer, the Maestro wins hands down.
Some families with smaller or thinner children may not need the Maestro. However, the price difference is so inconsequential, the Chase seems unnecessary in comparison to the modest differences. The weight may be a game changer for many families.
Both seats offer four shoulder positions for height. They both also offer two crotch buckle positions to keep your child snug and safe in their seat. Also, both seats use the LATCH system as it is mandatory and safer for children.
The Maestro is one inch wider at 18 inches than the Chase. This means if you need to fit three across you may want to consider the Chase depending on which vehicle you own. The Maestro would work great with a car with three rows of seats. Even at 18 inches though, you may still be able to fit three Maestro’s in the back seat of some roomy cars like an SUV or even a big sedan.
Finally, the Maestro measures 18.45 in width by 29 inches in height, and 18.44 inches deep. The Chase is so similar it’s almost not worth mentioning at 18.45 inches in width, 29.5 inches in height, and 18 inches deep.
Both seats weigh around nine pounds and are ultra-portable except for their bulky nature.
Rear and Forward Facing
Both of these seats are forward facing only. Neither seat was built to work in rear-facing mode. These seats work only as highback boosters. The backs do not come off to allow either seat to transition into a booster only seat.
If you want a seat that changes into a backless booster seat, try one of the best boosters from our list.
Appearance and Comfort
Both seats look fairly similar.
The Maestro does appear to work out more as it appears to have abs. Not all car seats go to the gym, so if you are health conscious, you may want to try out this bad boy. Otherwise, both seats offer mostly black exteriors with bits of flashy colors for a little pizzazz.
Neither seat offers a whole lot of color options. The Maestro offers three color schemes all focusing on black while the Chase offers five also focusing on black. Not every vendor offers all the color options and finding the one you want may prove difficult if you are color picky.
Even switching to sport or XL models you are still getting a black seat with little pops of color but mostly gray and black. As expected, the frame of the seats is also boring black.
Why don’t car seats come in fun or flashy colors? Or at least in brown variations to blend in better with tan interior cars…
Back to these seats, both the Chase and Maestro do offer rounded lines to keep the padding from bunching up which leads to my next point, comfort.
Both seats come smothered in cushions and neck rests to keep children comfortable even for long car rides to grandmas. The straps on both do skimp on the harness covers so you may want to purchase some harness covers. Otherwise, use the pull tab and adjust the belt buckle position easily.
Finally, the sides pull out on both seats to offer a little protection for children who tend to fall asleep easily and roll to one side. Keep in mind, the tops of your child’s ears should be at or below the top of the child restraint headrest.
Other Factors
Both seats can go on the plane with you. Yeah! Do note though, the Chase is a little bit smaller and may be easier to take on the plane.
Either way, you may want to purchase a Car Seat Cart to make moving through the airport easier. This Carrying Strap will let you strap the car seat to your wheeled bag to free up a hand. And the Munchin Brica Car Seat Cover is a full travel bag with wheels made especially for traveling with car seats.
As for safety, both seats exceed the minimum requirements. The Maestro exceeds the standards by double! Your children are definitely as safe as possible in Evenflo’s car seats. Both car seats come equipped with LATCH to ensure car seats stay securely
Installation
Both car seats install the same way. Evenflo doesn’t offer any videos on how to install the Chase because it’s the same way as its sibling seat the Maestro.
Either way. The instructions are super easy. As always, read the instruction manual and the stickers on the car seat before installing.
Also, remember to never place your child in the front seat of the car with an active airbag as airbags can harm children and are designed for adults. Children are always safer in the back seat of a car. Remember to use your belt locking clip if your seat belts do not auto lock.
Both seats lock in the back behind the seat with your car’s seat belt. Make sure the seat does not move more than one inch. Next, you attach the latch system to ensure the seat stays in place. If using the belt instead of the harness make sure to use the guides for the shoulder to ensure the belt will protect your child.
Finally, make sure you know how to properly use the harness seat belt effectively. Improper use of a seat belt can harm a child and can reduce the effectiveness of a car seat. The video below also shows how to properly use the harness for safety.
Issues
The Maestro and the Chase include a few issues as happens with all car seats.
The first issue, at least in comparison to the Maestro, only works up to 40 pounds in the harness position instead of 50 pounds.
Also, the Chase cup holders come off easily, especially when you do not want them to come off.
The headrest also tends to come off as well.
Buckling the seat into the belt in the harness position may challenge you, too.
On the other side, the Maestro bottom fabric tends to slip off which will frustrate both parents and children. The strap can loosen and not stay in the correct spot even with the shoulder harness for belt-positioning.
Here are the shared problems with the two seats from the same brand.
The thin width of both seats can cause discomfort for larger children. Neither seats recline and sit upright which is not comfortable for a lot of children. Especially for kids who tend to sleep in the car often.
Also, the headrest on both don’t adjust up, it is what it is as. As I said earlier, neither seat has a harness cover for the seat belts.
Final Thoughts
Whether you choose the Evenflo Maestro or the Evenflo Chase your child will be safe and you can fit more than one seat across the back of your car.
However, the Maestro can hold ten pounds more in the harness position for just a few dollars more than the Chase. Also, the seat of the Maestro sits a little deeper which offers more room for comfort. With the minimalist price of both seats, why not pick the seat that will last longer in the safer harness position?
