Graco

Graco is one of the largest stroller brands in the US and sold in mass market stores like Walmart and Target, as well as online on Amazon.

The company was founded in 1942 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Russell Gray and Robert Cone. The name Graco comes from the first few letters of both of their last names.

The company was orignially called Graco Metal Products and it produced machine and car parts for local businesses.

In the 1950s, Graco started to focus on producing baby products. In 1955, the company introduced the world's first wind-up infant swing, which was a huge success in the midst of the post World War II baby boom.

The 1960's and 70's, Graco added high chairs, playpens and other baby gear. The company also launched a series of car seats and strollers.

In 1998, Graco was acquired by Rubbermaid, which had earlier purchased Graco rival Century. In the mid 90's, Century had released the first travel system the combined an infant car seat and stroller. Rubbermaid merged Century and Graco's baby gear lines under the Graco line, phasing out the Century name (until reviving it in the early 2020's).

During the past two decades, Graco has expanded its stroller lines by aquuring other brands, most notably Baby Jogger for $210 million in 2014. The company also bought the Japanese stroller brand Aprica in 2008, although that brand is dormant as of this writing.

Meanwhile, parent Rubbermaid was acquired by Newell Company in 1999. In 2016, Newell acquired Jarden and changed the name of the company to Newell Brands.

Flagship Model: Graco Modes

Graco makes a large number of strollers—52 active models as of this writing. The strollers are divided into travel systems, lightweight strollers, double strollers, wagons, jogging strollers and full-size strollers.

Graco's stroller line revolves around major platforms (the modular Modes stroller line, for example)—then small changes are made to models as exclusives for various retailers.

Confusingly, Graco will use the same name (Modes) across different stroller types. For example, the Modes started as a full-size stroller but later Graco introduced a Modes jogger and Modes stroller wagon. The Modes line current has 31 different models.

Given its best-seller status on sites like Amazon, the Graco Modes Pramette Travel System is currently the flagship Graco model.

Sold as a stroller plus car seat (Graco SnugRide 35), this model features a seat that turns into a lay-flat bassinet for infants (the Infant Pramette) that faces the parent. Then the seat can be turned around for older toddlers, facing out.

The Graco Modes Pramette Travel System also features a child's tray with cup holders, height-adjustable handle and large storage basket, which is a hallmark of most Graco strollers. The seat also removes so it can be used soley with an infant car seat.

As a modular stroller, the Graco Modes Pramette Travel System functions much the same way as the high-end UPPAbaby Vista, albeit at about a third of the price. The basic wheels and suspension, however, are one compromise at this price point—most parents argue that the UPPAbaby Vista and the like are easier to push and steer.

Less expensive versions of this stroller (such as the Modes Element DLX Travel System) omit the lay-flat bassinet mode, although they still accomodate an infant car seat.

Double Strollers: Graco Ready2Grow, Graco DuoGlider

Graco's other major stroller category are double strollers in a tandem (front/back) configuration. These strollers are designed to carry a baby and slightly older child (toddler).

The Graco Ready2Grow is a hybrid model that allows four configurations: two stroller seats, a seat plus standing-platform, two infant car seats (not included) and a seat plus jump seat in back for the older child. The weight limit is 50 lbs in the front seat and 40 lbs in the rear seat (when using the rear seat for a younger child).

Here is what the various configurations look like:

Graco Ready2Grow LX 2.0 configurations

The Graco DuoGlider Double Stroller is a traditional front/back tandem stroller which can accept 2 infant car seats (Graco SnugRide).

Graco’s claim to fame in this niche is “stadium seating,” where the rear seat is elevated. Of course, you get all the standard features: huge storage baskets, removable canopies, etc. Cool feature: The DuoGlider holds two Graco infant car seats.

Jogging Stroller: FastAction Jogger LX, Graco Modes Jogger 2.0

The FastAction Jogger is Graco's primary entry here. It features all the hallmarks of a Graco stroller (large storage basket, parent tray, multi-position reclining seat)—the twist here are air-filled wheels and a front tire that can swivel or lock in place.

The "FastAction" part of the moniker refers to a quick, one-hand fold mechanism that folds the stroller on itself. As with most Graco strollers, you can use an infant car seat (not included) with this model.

The Graco Modes Jogger 2.0 travel system pairs a modular stroller with a Graco infant seat. Like other Modes strollers, it can be configured in various ways with just an infant seat and with the stroller seat facing in or out. The Modes Jogger has a simple fold activated by twisting the handle.

Stroller Wagon: Modes Adventure Stroller

Graco was a bit late to the stroller wagon stroller, debuting the Modes Adventure Wagon in spring 2022, about two years after rival Evenflo shook up the market with the Pivot Expire All-Terrain Stroller Wagon.

The Modes Adventure Stroller features two large canopies that can enclose the entire wagon and the ability to attach infant car seats (sold separately).

Like most Graco strollers, you also get a child snack tray and compact fold, as well as a footwell for larger toddlers. The stroller's handle can face both forward and rear, so the wagon can be pushed or pulled. The tires on the Graco Modes Adventure feature suspension and an all-rubber (not air-filled) design.

The Modes wagon is priced above entry-level wagons by Evenflo and Baby Trend, but below premium models like Veer and Keenz.

Safety Recalls

In 2014, Graco recalled 4.7. million strollers because "the folding hinge on the sides of the stroller can pinch a child's finger, posing a laceration or amputation hazard." The CPSC reported "Graco has received 11 reports of finger injuries including six reports of fingertip amputation, four reports of partial-fingertip amputation and one finger laceration."

In 2010, Graco recalled 2 million Quattro and MetroLite strollers due to a risk of "entrapment and strangulation." The government reported "CPSC and Graco have received four reports of infant strangulations that occurred in these strollers between 2003 and 2005. In addition, CPSC is aware of five reports of infants becoming entrapped, resulting in cuts and bruises, and one report of an infant having difficulty breathing."

Do Graco Strollers Have Flame Retardants?

In 2017, the Ecology Center tested 15 car seats including two models by Graco. Graco's seats were "found to contain toxic halogenated flame retardants," said the report.. While this group did not test stroller fabric, many of Graco's strollers are bundled with infant car seats that may contain these chemicals.

Unlike other brands that sell car seats, Graco does not offer fabrics that are free of chemical flame retardants.

Confusing, the amount of flame retardants in infant seats seem to very even within a manufacturer's line. A 2011 study reported by CBS News found some modles of the Graco SnugRide were judged best in testing . . . and others with the same model name (but different fabric) were worst.

Do Graco Strollers have rubber wheels?

Graco has a wide variety of wheels on its stroller line. Less expensive models have plastic wheels, while some joggers feature air-filled tires. The Graco stroller wagon has "all-terrain rubber tires"—this is rubber tread over a foam core.

Do Graco Strollers Expire?

According to the company, the answer is no. "Strollers do not have expiration dates; however, the car seat included in a travel system does expire," says Graco.