Evenflo Big Kid/Amp Review

Evenflo Big Kid head rest adjustment

All models adjust easily by squeezing the handle on the back of the top of the headrest. The tallest of the six headrest positions is approximately 18.5″. You can use the back until the child’s shoulders go over the belt guide in the highest adjusted position. The seat converts to backless mode and is sold separately as a backless booster.

The Big Kid/Amp only require a vehicle headrest behind them when used in backless mode. The seat can be used backless until the upper weight limit, 57″, or the tops of the child’s ears are over the seat back or headrest. The seat does come with a seatbelt adjuster as well to help obtain proper fit when used in backless mode.

Evenflo Big Kid Amp: 5 years, 7 months old, 48 pounds, 46 inches tall

This model is 5 years old.  She’s barely at the minimum age and maturity level to ride in a booster.  The Amp fits her well — the shoulder belt lies across the middle of her shoulder and the lap belt fits across the tops of her thighs.  She was able to buckle herself in without too much trouble.

Evenflo Big Kid 9 years old, 58 pounds, 51 inches tall

This model is 9 years old.  She’s at the top of the height limit in high back mode but still has a bit of room to grow.

Evenflo Big Kid, backless- Chloe, 6 yrs., 46 pounds., 48 inches

This 6 year old Huggable Images doll is 48 inches and 46 pounds.  The Evenflo Amp fits her well. The Amp does come with a seat belt adjuster guide, but even without using it, seat belt offers a proper fit.

Evenflo Amp backless mode 8 years old

Our 8 year old model weighs 53 pounds and is 49 inches tall.  The Amp offers him the same excellent belt fit that we see on our other models.  This type of consistent belt fit makes the Amp an excellent option!

Dangerous booster use while sleeping in an Evenflo Big Kid

Body slump while sleeping was the biggest downfall of this seat for our 6 year old car sleeper. This is clearly unsafe and improper use. She was able to sit and sleep properly when a forward facing car seat was next to her, but when it was replaced with a rear facing car seat, this started to happen. She had to use a different booster seat with more support for her head and torso to keep her upright when she fell asleep.

Evenflo RightFit, Diono RadianRXT, Evenflo Big Kid

The Evenflo Big Kid/Amp worked great in three car seats across situations with quite a few different seats in our Town and Country minivan. The Amp didn’t have the vehicle seat belt retraction issues that seem to plague the Town and Country’s third row. The belt retracted smoothly and maintained its position flat against the child’s chest.

This is the Evenflo RightFit, Diono RadianXT, and Evenflo Big Kid LX in the third row of a 2007 Town and Country.

Evenflo Big Kid/Amp expiration sticker and manual storage

Expiration  The Evenflo Big Kid/Amp has a 6 year expiration. If you turn the booster over, you will see the sticker containing the date of manufacture, model name, and expiration date, as well as the manual storage area.

Manual Storage  The manual is stored on the bottom of the seat as shown in the picture to the left. This is helpful as you will always have the manual available when needed.

FAA Approval  This seat is not FAA approved, but because of it’s more compact size, it would work well as a carry on for the child to use at their final destination.