Diono Radian RXT Diono Radian R120
The Diono Radian RXT and Diono Radian R120 car seats have been on the US market for many years now and they continue to be very popular premium convertible car seats amongst both parents and car seat safety technicians.
Although they are considered to be convertible car seats that are suitable for use from birth, they can also be used as harness-to-booster seats, and then finally as traditional high-backed booster seats. So, one of these seats could be the only seat that you need to buy in order to take your child all the way from birth to the time when they no longer need to use a child car seat at all.
Although they are not the cheapest options, when you consider just how versatile they are and how long they could last, one of the Diono Radian seats could prove to be a very good investment and save you a lot of money in the long run. Many parents choose to buy an infant seat, and then a convertible seat, and then a booster seat. The Diono Radian RXT and Radian R120 seats can help you to avoid the cost of buying 3 separate seats.
The best thing about the Diono Radian seats is that they are not only versatile, but they are also regarded as being premium high quality seats as well. So, you can avoid the massive costs of buying 3 separate car seats without having to compromise on safety and convenience features.
The Radian RXT and Radian R120 seats are almost identical to each other, but there is one big difference for you to consider before deciding which one to buy for your child.
So, what are the important similarities and the single difference between the Diono Radian RXT and Diono Radian R120 car seats?
Radian RXT vs Radian R120 – At a Glance
| Feature | Radian RXT | Radian R120 |
|---|---|---|
| Full Price | $359.99 | $319.99 |
| Rear-Facing Weight | 5 - 45 lbs | 5 - 45 lbs |
| Rear-Facing Height | 44" (see below) | 44" (see below) |
| Forwards-Facing Weight (Harness) | 20 - 80 lbs | 20 - 80 lbs |
| Forwards-Facing Height (Harness) | up to 57" (see below) | up to 57" (see below) |
| Forwards-Facing Weight (Booster) | 50 - 120 lbs | 50 - 120 lbs |
| Forwards-Facing Height (Booster) | up to 57" (see below) | up to 57" (see below) |
| Steel Reinforced Frame | Yes | Yes |
| Energy-absorbing Harness | Yes | Yes |
| LATCH Installation | SuperLATCH | SuperLATCH |
| Adjustable Headrest | Yes | No |
| Infant Insert | Yes | Yes |
| Top Tether | Yes (FF & RF) | Yes (FF & RF) |
| Seat Expiration | 10 years | 10 years |
| FAA Approved for Flights | Yes | Yes |
| Best Price | Check Latest Price | Check Latest Price |
Radian RXT vs Radian R120 – The Similarities
1. Child Height & Weight Limits
The Diono Radian RXT and Radian R120 seats both have very generous child height and weight limits.
Although you should always double-check the User Manual prior to use, at the time of writing this comparison review both seats come with the following height and weight limits …
- Rear-facing: 5 – 45 lbs & 44″ (plus top of child’s head at least 1.5 inches from top of seat)
- Forwards-facing in harness: 20 to 80 lbs & 57 inches or top of ears above top of seat
- Forwards-facing using seatbelt: 80 to 120 lbs & 57 inches or top of ears above top of seat
Whilst the height limits on the Radian R100 version are exactly the same as the other 2 seats, the weight limits are significantly lower.
For this reason, I highly recommend the R120 and RXT seats over and above the Radian R100 seat if you don’t want to have to buy another traditional booster seat further down the line.
2. Seat Width
One of the most distinctive features of the Diono Radian series of child car seats is that they measure just 17 inches across at their widest point. This makes them the narrowest convertible / booster seats on the US market and means that they are capable of fitting inside most standard sized family vehicles 3 in a row!
So, if you have (or intend to have) a large family the narrow width of these seats can make a massive difference and possibly help you to avoid the need to buy a larger vehicle with 3 rows of seating just so that you can fit all of the child seats inside.
3. Infant Head & Body Support Cushions
The Radian RXT and the Radian R120 both come with full head and body infant support cushions to help you to ensure a nice snug fit whilst your baby is very small.
4. Steel Frame and Aluminium Reinforced Sides
You can’t actually see this feature because it is hidden away inside the frame of the seat itself.
Not all child car seats come with a steel frame and metal reinforced sides and so this is a nice extra premium safety feature.
The steel frame brings added strength and stability to the seats in the event of a collision.
5. EPS Foam & Side Impact Protection
In addition to the metal sub-structure, both seats have the same energy-absorbing EPS foam and side impact protection features.
The Diono Radian RXT seat comes with one extra side impact protection feature that it explained below.
6. IIHS “Best Bet” Evaluations!
Both the Diono Radian RXT and Radian R120 seats have received “Best Best” evaluations from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The IIHS defines a “Best Bet” booster seat as one that provides a good belt fit for typical 4 to 8 year olds in almost any car, minivan or SUV.
So, with the Diono Radian series of seats you can be confident that you shouldn’t experience any fitting problems as your child grows.
7. Other Shared Features
The Diono Radian RXT and Radian R120 seats also shared the following features that don’t require any further explanation:
- SuperLATCH Installation
- SafeStop Energy-absorbing Harness
- Rear-facing Tether Capability
- NCAP crash tested
- Expandable sides and long seat bottom for proper leg support
- Sits low on vehicle seat to make loading easier and improve safety performance
- Angled cup holder keeps drinks upright and reachable
- Rubber bottom grips for no-slip installation
- Machine washable seat cover
- FAA approved for aircraft use
- Folds flat for easy carriage and storage
- 10 year product life
Radian RXT vs Radian R120 – The Single Difference
The only difference between the Diono Radian RXT and Diono Radian R120 seats is that only the RXT version comes with a 12-position adjustable headrest.
You can see the difference in the head area of these 2 seats in the images (above and below).
The adjustable headrest that comes with the Diono Radian RXT seat adds an extra layer of side impact protection and also provides a very convenient place for your child to rest their head on long journeys if they fall asleep.
Since you can often buy the Diono Radian RXT online at only a few dollars more than the Diono Radian R120 seat, I would definitely pay the extra for this added safety and convenience feature.
Find more close-up images of the Diono Radian seats here.
Radian RXT vs Radian R120 – Video Reviews
There is no point in showing you a separate video review of the Diono Radian R120 seat since it is exactly the same as the Diono Radian RXT apart from the adjustable headrest.
So, here is a video review of the Diono Radian RXT seat …
Radian RXT vs Radian R120 – My Verdict
I strongly recommend the Diono Radian RXT over the Diono Radian R120.
For a few extra dollars (if you buy online), you can get the added safety and convenience of the adjustable headrest and a far better choice of fabric color options.
Check Price of the Radian RXT.
Check Price of the Radian R120.
Find Diono Radian Seats in Canada
Find the Latest Canadian Prices and User Reviews.
Safety Information
After purchasing any child car seat, you should always read the User Manual thoroughly before using it. It is also advisable to visit your local Fire Department or NHTSA Child Car Seat Inspection Centre to ensure that the seat is definitely suitable for your child’s specific requirements and that you have installed it correctly. These services are usually provided free of charge.
You can find your nearest NHTSA Centre here.
Get in Touch
If you have any comments to share or questions to ask about my Diono Radian RXT vs Radian R120 comparison review, please leave a comment in the box below.
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