The 10 Best Convertible Car Seats, Tested and Trusted by Parents

Lineup of car seats on ground next to side of sedan car — Parents / Russell Kilgore

As a mom and writer, I’ve had the chance to use and test four different convertible car seats over the past few years, and I’ll never use another type of car seat again. I love that they grow with your child from when they are rear-facing babies to forward-facing big kids, and sometimes even into their booster seat years. I was part of the team testing dozens of these seats, coincidentally during the period when my son officially went from rear-facing to forward-facing—a milestone I won’t forget! What we found out will help you choose the best convertible car seat for your child (and your car).

Throughout our testing period, we’ve had expert input from pediatricians, other medical experts, child passenger safety technicians (CPST), and dozens of parents. These car seats have been to our testing lab in Birmingham, Alabama, as well as in our staffers’ cars. For each car seat, we timed the installation process, made fit adjustments, changed recline positions, and tried to clean those inevitable stains and messes. We also evaluated how our kids seemed to feel about their seats. (We did not, however, do any crash testing; all of these seats already meet federal safety standards.)

The best convertible car seats feel secure, are easy to install and adjust as your child gets bigger, and give your child a comfortable and safe place to ride. They also should be worth your money, so if they cost more upfront, we want them to last several years, sometimes even from birth to the tween years.

Our Favorite Convertible Car Seats

Best Overall: Graco Turn2Me 3-in-1 Car Seat
Best Budget: Safety 1st Grow and Go All-in-One Convertible Car Seat
Best Slim Design: Diono Radian 3XRT SafePlus 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat
Best Installation: Graco 4Ever DLX Grow 4-in-1 Car Seat
Easiest to Clean: Chicco OneFit ClearTex All-in-One Convertible Car Seat
Best Basic: Britax Poplar 2-in-1 Convertible Car Seat
Best Luxury Look: Nuna Rava Convertible Car Seat
Best Durability: Graco Extend2Fit 2-in-1 Convertible Car Seat
Best for Large Vehicles Only: Babyark Convertible Car Seat
Best Adjustability: Maxi Cosi Pria All-in-One Convertible Car Seat

2-in-1? 5-in-1? Convertible Car Seats Positions Explained

There are two basic types of convertible car seats: a two-in-one, which offers rear-facing and forward-facing positions, and a three-in-one, which offers rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster seating positions. Rotating car seats, the newest entry into this category, are usually three-in-one, as well. These are the positions available for convertible car seats:

Rear-facing: The rear-facing position is described as the “best seat for your child” by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Every convertible car seat will have different weight and height limits for rear-facing position, which you should note before buying, especially if you want to keep your child in rear-facing mode as long as possible. “Most state laws instruct that children remain rear-facing until they reach 20 pounds,” explains Kelly Moriarty, a trauma injury prevention coordinator at Novant Health in Charlotte, North Carolina. “However, it is recommended to keep the child rear-facing until they reach 30 pounds.” This is because of the child’s neck control—rear-facing protects them better from neck injuries.
Forward-facing: Once your child maxes out of the weight limit for a rear-facing seat, you can switch them to forward-facing position. This position has a harness and tether to limit their movement during a crash, according to the NHTSA. Your child should remain in the car seat mode of their seat until they max out its height or weight limit.
Booster seats: When your child has reached the limits of their forward-facing seat, they can switch to a booster seat. The NHTSA recommends booster seats up until the age of 12, or until they max out of the weight limit for the seat (which is usually between 100 and 110 pounds). There are backless booster seats, which are basically a cushioned seat that positions your child correctly for the seat belt, and some of them can be secured with the LATCH system (more on that below). High-back booster seats include a back and sometimes shock-absorbing bolsters around the head and neck. Combination booster seats are high-back boosters with a removable harness for even more protection.

Best Overall: Graco Turn2Me 3-in-1 Rotating Convertible Car Seat

Buy on Amazon $400 Buy on Target $400 Buy on Walmart $400

Why We Like It

The Graco Turn2Me 3-in-1 car seat boasts a unique design, sturdy installation, and helpful features. This convertible car seat grows with your child from birth via three modes: rear-facing, forward-facing, and high-back booster. It also rotates 180 degrees, making it simple to get your child in and out of the car.

Installation and adjustments: Installing this rotating car seat is just as simple as turning it; press a button on either side of the seat and voilà. A special seat-belt locking mechanism for rear-facing installation creates an incredibly secure and sturdy feel. In forward-facing mode, you connect the tether strap to your vehicle’s proper location and thread the seat belt through the back of the car seat. A level indicator on both sides shows the correct positioning of the seat and offers an extra sense of security. We love the no-rethread five-point safety harness, which means you can adjust the height of the harness by moving the headrest to 10 different positions—using just one handle—instead of removing the harness to rethread it through the back.

Special features: A small and thoughtful feature we appreciate is the two strap holders on both sides of the seat, so you don’t have to dig underneath your child to find them. We also love the car seat’s spacious cupholders; we’ve never experienced any issues with our children’s cups (all various sizes) fitting into the holders. The cup holders are dishwasher safe, and the seat’s padding is machine washable—a priceless feature for the inevitable messes we’ve cleaned over the past year.

But Take Note

While you can only use the rotation feature in rear-facing mode, you’ll get plenty of use out of it. Children should ride rear-facing until they max out the car seat’s rear-facing limits, which can be several years. The Graco Turn2Me is sometimes tricky to rotate one-handed, especially when the seat is snug against the vehicle’s seat. We still prefer that slight hiccup over hitting our heads on the vehicle’s door to clip or unclip buckles. The price point is also on the higher side, but between the safety features, the rotation, and the overall comfort and quality of the seat, it’s worth the extra cost.

The Details:

Weight: 30 pounds
Dimensions: 20.75 x 19.13 x 24.4 inches
Rear-facing weight and height limits: 4-40 pounds
Forward-facing weight and height limits: 22-65 pounds; 49 inches

Parents
Parents
Parents

Best Budget: Safety 1st Grow and Go All-in-One Convertible Car Seat

Buy on Amazon $160 $130 Buy on Target $160 Buy on Walmart $160

Why We Like It

With a price point under $200, this affordable convertible car seat still has a durable and sturdy build with plenty of great features. It offers families three modes of use: rear-facing (5-40 pounds), forward-facing (22-65 pounds), and belt-positioning booster (40-100 pounds). If your child has this car seat from birth, they could be using it until its 10-year expiration date.

Installation and adjustments: Installation is straightforward and fast, taking only 30 seconds to complete without the manual or additional help (though we checked the manual afterward, just in case). Despite no color-coded leveling indicator, the Safety 1st Grow and Grow All-in-One Convertible Car Seat features a rear-facing line to show if the seat is level. Moreover, it felt solid and durable following its installation. The buckles are a breeze to use; they never catch or give us trouble. Thanks to the no-rethread harness, you can shift the headrest and harness up in one piece to accommodate growing kids. While the car seat’s three-position recline is more upright than other seats we tested, our kids had no complaints about comfort.

Special features: While not luxurious, the polyester fabric is soft, smooth, and easy to clean. The removable seat pad is machine washable and dryer safe. Plus, the integrated cup holders for drinks and snacks are removable for a thorough cleaning. We also like the seat’s harness holders to prevent kiddos from sitting on the buckles when climbing into their seats.

But Take Note

This Safety 1st car seat is a little big and may be better suited for a medium to larger car, mainly when installed in rear-facing mode. But we feel it’s a fantastic value between the durability and added features.

If you have a taller kid, we also recommend the Safety 1st Grow and Go Extend ‘n Ride, which is similar to this seat but has a footrest to provide additional rear-facing legroom, help kids sit more comfortably, and support dangling legs when forward-facing.

The Details:

Weight: 18.7 pounds
Dimensions: 19.25 x 31.75 x 28.75 inches
Rear-facing weight and height limits: 5-40 pounds; 19-40 inches
Forward-facing weight and height limits: 22-65 pounds; 29-52 inches

Parents
Parents
Parents

Best for Small Cars: Diono Radian 3RXT Convertible Car Seat With SafePlus

Buy on Amazon $260 $221 Buy on Target $350 Buy on Nordstrom $350

Why We Like It

Convertible car seats can be bulky and hefty, so if you’re working with a smaller car or trying to squeeze three seats into one row, the Diono Radian 3XRT is your solution. Thanks to the slim design, you won’t have any trouble finding a place for it in your vehicle or on a plane.

Installation and adjustments: The setup of this slim car seat isn’t as intuitive as others, especially when we installed it in a European vehicle, but we figured it out after watching instructional videos. We love that it works as a three-across car seat, meaning you can neatly fit three kiddos in the same row. We were also able to use it on a flight to Europe.

Special features: A unique feature that sets the Diono Radian 3XRT apart from other options on our list is its folding capability. The bottom of the seat folds flat into a travel-friendly size for more compact storage. As for the fabric, it’s soft, comfortable, and feels well-made. It faded after a year of use, but no other changes to its excellent quality. The cushions are machine washable, though we could easily wipe away small debris. The cup holder is also removable if you need to place the Diono Radian beside another car seat. This car seat has a strong and durable feel with plenty of safety features, like six layers of side impact protection and an anti-rebound bar for extended rear-facing use.

But Take Note

We installed the Diono car seat in a Subaru Outback and a smaller European vehicle, and the seat fit neatly without any issues. But again, the initial installation isn’t intuitive, so we recommend watching the company’s tutorial videos (and reading the manual) to ensure you’re doing it properly.

The Details:

Weight: 30.6 pounds
Dimensions: 28.5 x 17 x 11.5 inches
Rear-facing weight and height limits: 4-50 pounds (35 pounds with LATCH); 57 inches
Forward-facing weight and height limits: 22-65 pounds (40 pounds with LATCH); 57 inches
Booster weight and height limits: 40-120 pounds; 57 inches

Parents
Parents

Best Installation: Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 Car Seat

Buy on Amazon $300 Buy on Target $300 Buy on Walmart $299

Why We Like It

If you’ll be moving a car seat from vehicle to vehicle or transitioning from one mode of riding to another, the Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 won’t disappoint. It’s a dream to install, thanks to detailed instructions in the manual and on the car seat itself. And it’s the only car seat on our list that transitions into four modes of use instead of three: rear-facing harness, forward-facing harness, high-back booster, and backless booster.

Installation and adjustments: One of our editors loves this seat so much, she bought one for each of her two children and two vehicles. “We’ve had four of these car seats now and have transitioned two of them from rear-facing to forward-facing to a backless booster,” she says. Rear-facing installation and transitioning to forward-facing is a piece of cake, but we found it tricky to switch to a backless booster (you have to take the seat apart). Otherwise, the buckles are straightforward to use and secure, and we haven’t had any challenges adjusting the six-position recline and 10-position headrest during our year-plus testing period.

Special features: We appreciate how uncomplicated it is to remove the seat cover for machine washing. “The padding is great; neither of my kids has complained about being uncomfortable in either seat,” our editor says. Two cup holders are a handy feature kids love for snacks, drinks, or small toys. But what we appreciate most of all is the durability of this convertible car seat; it will last for years without sacrificing the trusted Graco quality.

But Take Note

The biggest trouble we had with the Graco 4Ever DLX was turning it into a backless booster. The car seat is slightly bulky and heavy, but it’s still a great value for how many ways you can use it over the years.

The Details:

Weight: 23 pounds
Dimensions: 20 x 21.5 x 24 inches
Rear-facing weight and height limits: 4-40 pounds
Forward-facing weight and height limits: 22-65 pounds; up to 49 inches
Booster weight and height limits: (High-back) 40-100 lbs; 43-57 inches; at least 4 years old; (Backless booster) 40-120 lb; 43-57 inches; at least 4 years old

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Easiest to Clean: Chicco OneFit ClearTex All-in-One Car Seat

Buy on Amazon $300 $239 Buy on Target $300 $240 Buy on Walmart $300

Why We Like It

An easy-to-clean car seat is just about priceless, which is why we love the Chicco OneFit ClearTex All-in-One Convertible Car Seat. It has an attractive and sleek look that makes it aesthetically pleasing, and it hasn’t lost its high-quality look and feel after cleaning it multiple times over the past year.

Installation and adjustments: Scanning a QR code on the car seat leads to instructions that are a breeze to follow, and the installation is straightforward. Threading the seat belt through the car seat felt a bit tedious, but that was the only inconvenience we encountered. Fortunately, adjusting the buckle and converting the seat from rear- to forward-facing are simple tasks. Indicators show whether the recline position is safe. Similar to the recline, the wide range of headrest adjustments make this car seat a comfortable option for your child.

Special features: One of the best features of Chicco’s ClearTex line is that the fabrics lack added toxic chemicals and are GreenGuard Gold, meaning the materials have met rigorous third-party chemical emissions standards and don’t contain any indoor air pollutants. The fabric is soft and comfortable, and we enjoy how easy it is to spot clean. It also stays quite clean despite kids eating in them often. We appreciate the detachable cup holders that make cleaning them more convenient, too.

But Take Note

Parts of the installation were a bit difficult. While it has a slim design, our tester found it a bit bulky in their compact car, especially when it was behind the driver’s seat. One way to make a little more space: The cup holders can fold in when not in use to maximize room on the sides.

The Details:

Weight: 25 pounds
Dimensions: 21.5 x 19 x 27 inches
Rear-facing weight and height limits: 5-40 pounds; up to 43 inches
Forward-facing weight and height limits: 25-65 pounds; up to 54 inches
Booster weight and height limits: 40-100 pounds; 38-57 inches

Parents
Parents
Parents

Best Basic: Britax Poplar 2-in-1 Convertible Car Seat

Britax Poplar Convertible Car Seat — Amazon

Buy on Amazon $300 Buy on Target $300

Why We Like It

Bells and whistles can be fun in a car seat, but sometimes the bare necessities are all you need. While the Britax Poplar has no standout features, it doesn’t compromise durability, safety, or ease of use.

Installation and adjustments: At the time of our initial testing, the Britax Poplar was not yet on the market. According to our editor, the installation process was tedious and difficult. We contacted Britax about our struggles, and they later told us they had changed a few details of the instructions for clarity. Once we figured out Britax’s “ClickTight” technology, or self-tensioning system, we cut down our initial installation time (22 minutes) in half. Bubble indicators on both sides of the seat confirm when it’s all done right. While the buckle itself is seamless to use, we found loosening the straps with a wiggling toddler fairly cumbersome. However, “once I hear the buckle click, I’m comforted in knowing my child is buckled in,” said our editor of the car seat’s durability.

Special features: Despite the Britax Poplar lacking bells and whistles, it does feature a 14-position headrest (many options on our list stop at 10) and six recline positions for comfort and a level ride. Both of those features are a breeze to maneuver with the press of a button. Two cup holders are optional, but you must use the cup holder inserts if you forego the holders. The fabric is also worth noting; it feels luxe and soft even after months of use, but we wish there were a little more padding in the back. Still, there are no signs of wear or tear despite one eight-hour road trip and daily use.

But Take Note

We’d change a few things about the Britax Poplar, like adding more padding to the seat and better installation instructions. Britax says the Poplar car seat has a space-saving design, but it measured nearly the same width as the Graco Extend2Fit. Otherwise, this is a solid, durable, and fantastic car seat for what it offers.

The Details:

Weight: Not listed
Dimensions: 20.5 x 17 x 23.5 inches
Rear-facing weight and height limits: 5-50 pounds; up to 49 inches
Forward-facing weight and height limits: 22-65 pounds; up to 49 inches
Booster weight and height limits: N/A

Parents
Parents / Hanna Watt
Parents / Hanna Watt
Parents
Parents

Best Luxury Look: Nuna Rava Convertible Car Seat

Buy on Nordstrom $550 Buy on Potterybarnkids.com $550

Why We Like It

The Nuna Rava is an attractive car seat from a brand synonymous with luxury baby gear, and it has several safety features to earn the loyalty of practical parents too. It’s also smaller than some options and fits comfortably in compact cars.

Installation and adjustments: While the Rava offers a lower anchor belt (LATCH) installation option, the brand actually recommends using a seat belt to secure the unit. The Nuna Rava installation is quick and simple, thanks to thorough instructions. Colored belt path indicators help you guide the belt through the seat to minimize installation errors. Unfortunately, you must reinstall the seat to adjust its recline. Still, the seat’s sturdiness and straightforward installation compensate for the minor inconvenience. Plus, the recline angle guides make finding the right position for your child a piece of cake.

Special features: Children will love the Nuna Rava’s memory foam cushion and 10-position recline to relax comfortably. Double cup holders secure drinks, snacks, and other goodies for the car ride, while buckle holders keep the straps back when getting your child in the seat. The cushions are flame-resistant and Greenguard Gold certified, so they’re certified for low chemical emissions. Our editor says the machine washable cushions still look great—even after a year of use and several washes.

But Take Note

The Nuna Rava Convertible Car Seat is costly but for a good reason. Nuna offers luxurious quality and covers most of its gear with a two-year warranty. It is worth noting that this Nuna car seat has extended rear-facing capabilities; kids up to 50 pounds can rear-face, and there’s a calf extender for additional legroom. However, our editor felt this feature didn’t add much room for their kiddo in this mode.

The Details:

Weight: 27.2 pounds
Dimensions: 16 x 19 x 25.2 inches
Rear-facing weight and height limits: 5-50 pounds with seat belt, 5-35 pounds with lower anchor belt; up to 49 inches
Forward-facing weight and height limits: 25-65 pounds with seat belt, 25-40 pounds with lower anchor belt; up to 49 inches

Parents
Parents
Parents

Sturdiest: Graco Extend2Fit 3-in-1 Car Seat

Buy on Amazon $200 Buy on Target $200 Buy on Walmart $200

Why We Like It

Durable and budget-friendly, the Graco Extend2Fit car seat is great for families who want a seat that can withstand life with kids. It offers extended rear-facing capabilities up to 50 pounds, with up to 5 inches of extra legroom, so kids don’t have to sacrifice comfort or safety as they grow. The Extend2Fit is also one of the most lightweight options on our list.

Installation and adjustments: There are two ways to install the Graco Extend2Fit: LATCH or with a seat belt. After setup, you can check the level indicator on the side of the seat to ensure a safe installation. The Graco car seat’s steel-reinforced frame feels sturdy, durable, and never rattles, even after months of use. Unfortunately, loosening the shoulder straps took some pulling, which can prove difficult for people with mobility issues. On the other hand, the buckle works well, and the headrest and harness adjust together with the click of a button. This car seat also offers multiple recline positions, which are uncomplicated to adjust.

Special features: We love the machine-washable fabric; it’s held up well after multiple washes and many car rides. Putting the removable seat cover back on is challenging because you must pull it to hook it properly. Still, removing stains required no effort (our washing machines did the work). Two cup holders store your child’s favorite snacks and drinks within arm’s reach.

But Take Note

The Graco Extend2Fit 2-in-1 doesn’t convert into a booster seat, so you’ll need to purchase one separately once your child reaches the forward-facing limits. You can instead opt for the Graco Extend2Fit 3-in-1, which does turn into a booster.

The Details:

Weight: 19 pounds
Dimensions: 21.5 x 19.5 x 23.5 inches
Rear-facing weight and height limits: 4-50 pounds; head must be 1 inch below handle
Forward-facing weight and height limits: 22-65 pounds; up to 49 inches

Parents
Parents

Best for Large Vehicles Only: Babyark Convertible Car Seat

babyark The Convertible Car Seat — babyark

Buy on Albeebaby.com $990

Why We Like It

This convertible car seat is large and in charge with all the bells and whistles you could possibly want. “Immediately out of the box, the Babyark is unlike any other car seat I’ve tried,” says one of our editors. And they’re right—the Babyark Convertible Car Seat looks like it’s from the future and has features parents will love, like app integration, hidden magnets for the straps, and more.

Installation and adjustments: Given the seat’s rigid LATCH connector, anti-rebound bar, and load leg (the metal pole that releases from the base for extra stability), we were impressed that the installation lasted 15 minutes on the first try. We were shocked by the app integration with step-by-step animations and an LED-light system on the rechargeable base to ensure a proper installation. Despite its high-tech design, the Babyark’s buckles, straps, and app are intuitive and uncomplicated.

Special features: In addition to proper installation alerts, the Babyark app also tells you when your child is unbuckled, buckled in safely, or left unattended in the seat. One design feature our editor also loved is the rigidness of the buckle strap between the legs; it wasn’t floppy, so we didn’t have to dig underneath our kids to find it. The smooth and soft fabric feels luxurious and shows no wear or tear. While the car seat lacks cup holders, it does include two hidden magnets to hold straps out of the way for kids to get in the seat effortlessly. The car seat also offers an 11-position headrest and adjustable recline, which you can maneuver even with a child in the seat.

But Take Note

We recommend this convertible car seat for large vehicles only. Babyark has a car compatibility list, but despite the fact that our editor’s 2015 Mazda 3 is on that list the seat is too large to fit in rear-facing mode behind the driver’s seat, and the load leg means it can’t go in the middle seat either. This is also the highest-priced car seat we tested, but you’re paying for many perks, like a unique carbon frame, secure installation, and more.

The Details:

Weight: 20 pounds (base); 27 pounds (seat)
Dimensions: 30 x 27.5 x 17 inches
Rear-facing weight and height limits: 4-55 pounds
Forward-facing weight and height limits: 26.5-65 pounds
Booster weight and height limits: N/A

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Parents
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Parents

Best Adjustability: Maxi Cosi Pria All-in-One Convertible Car Seat

Buy on Amazon $216 Buy on Target $270 Buy on Nordstrom $320 $256

Why We Like It

The Maxi-Cosi Pria is all about options with its three-position recline, five-position headrest, and other adjustable features. We love how the integrated headrest and harness system means no rethreading for a customized fit. Moreover, all adjustability features work seamlessly—a breath of fresh air for parents tired of fussing (and losing) battles with straps, buckles, and more.

Installation and adjustments: The initial installation of the car seat was confusing, so we watched YouTube videos for clarification, resulting in a five-minute installation. Securing the Maxi-Cosi Pria convertible car seat was the only tricky part of the installation, requiring extra strength to push hard on the base and pull on the belt at the same time. The car seat’s large size is a design feature to consider if you’re accommodating more than one child or have a smaller vehicle. However, we could still comfortably fit passengers on each side of the car seat in the back row. The buckles are easy to use, and all pieces click smoothly into each other.

Special features: The Maxi-Cosi Pria features soft fabric with ample padding for tiny tushes. According to the brand, all fabrics on the Pria are machine washable and dryer-safe, and the removable cup holders are dishwasher safe. We also love the harness holders to keep straps out of the way when placing your baby inside—one more convenience we think all seats should have now. Another point in this seat’s favor: It comes in 13 different, pleasing colors.

But Take Note

Installation can be a little complicated, especially if you don’t watch a video tutorial, and we felt that the seat wobbled slightly, even with a correct installation. We also recommend keeping in mind the size of the Maxi-Cosi Pria. It’s large, so check the seat’s specifications below before purchasing.

The Details:

Weight: 22 pounds
Dimensions: 34.49 x 20 x 30.47 inches
Rear-facing weight and height limits: 4-40 pounds; 19-40 inches
Forward-facing weight and height limits: 22-65 pounds; 29-49 inches
Booster weight and height limits: 40-100 pounds; 43-52 inches

Parents
Parents

Other Notable Convertible Car Seats

Graco 4Ever DLX SnugLock Grow 5-in-1 Car Seat: This Graco convertible car seat doesn’t transform into three or four modes of use but five. In addition to rear-facing, forward-facing, high-back booster, and backless booster, there’s a seat-belt trainer mode for early booster users. We love the bubble indicator that assures us of a correct installation, but it’s on one side of the seat. Moreover, you must uninstall the seat to adjust the six-position recline.
Cosco Scenera Next Convertible Car Seat: The budget-friendly cost and lightweight design of the Cosco Scenera Next are a dream. Its intuitive installation and seamless transportation through an airport were the cherry on top. Unfortunately, the car seat didn’t feel high quality and lacked special features, like headrest positions and adjustable recline.
Chicco NextFit Zip Convertible Car Seat: Quick installation, easy-to-use buckles, and a solid feel are just a few highlights of this Chicco car seat. It is large, so some kids find it challenging to get in by themselves and require their adult’s help.
Maxi-Cosi Magellan LiftFit All-in-One Convertible Car Seat: Installing this convertible car seat is scary fast (45 seconds with LATCH and 35 seconds with the seat belt). We preferred the LATCH because it made the car seat feel extra sturdy, but both were a breeze to do. Our least favorite feature of the car seat is the crotch buckle; it was super short, so we constantly had to dig underneath tushes to find it.
Wayb Pico Portable Car Seat: We are currently testing this car seat and will update this list as soon as we have feedback from our testers.

Our Testing Process

To help families choose the right car seat for their child, we’ve tested more than 20 convertible car seats (and counting!) at home and in our Birmingham, Alabama, lab. Most of these car seats have been with our editors and their kiddos for more than a year, while others for only a few months due to being new to the market. During testing, we looked at the following:

Ease of Installation: To test the difficulty of the installation process, we had testers set timers on their phones to see exactly how long it took them to install the seat properly. We had them try two installation methods, the LATCH system and the seat belt, while noting if extra help outside the instructional manual was needed. Testers also noted whether level readers were available and clear. We wiggled the car seats at the base once installed, ensuring they didn’t move more than one inch in each direction and adjusting them if necessary. If the car seats had a rotating function, we had testers use the function to see how easy it was, especially one-handed.
Durability: We looked for any signs of wear and tear over the car seat, including scratches to the frame, fabric, discoloration, pilling, and more.
Design: For design, we specifically wanted to know how the car seat worked in various vehicle types, like a 2021 GMC Terrain, a 2015 Mazda 3, a Toyota Highlander Extended, and more. We encouraged testers to examine the amount of space they had left in the backseat with their child, including whether other passengers could sit in the back or if they could add another car seat.
Ease of Use: Testers also had their children sit in and use the car seat. During this time, they noted what it felt like to get their child in and out of the car seat and how efficient the harness was. We wanted to know if adjustable features, like reclines and various headrest positions, were simple to maneuver.
Ease of Cleaning: Because kids are messy, we required our editors to clean the car seats at least once during testing. Editors wiped clean or washed cushions and covers according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and made notes of any wear or tear, if any, afterward.
Safety: Our testers made notes about special safety features, such as an integrated app, load leg, or side-impact protection. Because all car seats in the U.S. must comply with the same safety standards from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), we did not crash test them.

Our Experts

Before and after testing convertible car seats, we consulted a pediatrician and nationally recognized expert in child injury prevention and education. We also spoke with CPSTs, parents, and other medical experts for guidance on what to look for in convertible car seats. The experts we spoke with are:

Benjamin Hoffman, M.D., a pediatrician and nationally recognized child injury prevention and education expert
Petra Vybiralova Stanton, MSW, CPST, a safe kids supervisor at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in Florida
Kelly Moriarty, trauma injury prevention coordinator at Novant Health in Charlotte, North Carolina
Sarah Ross, RN, CPST, who assisted us with installing the car seats at our Alabama testing lab

Factors to Consider When Buying a Convertible Car Seat

“This may sound like a cliche, but the best seat is the one that fits your child, fits your car, and that you are going to use correctly every time,” says Vybiralova Stanton. Here are the main things to look at before your purchase:

Ease of Installation and Use

According to Dr. Hoffman, around 80% of parents or caregivers make serious errors when installing rear-facing and forward-facing car seats. That means you really want to find a convertible car seat that is easy to install and make adjustments to when needed. “Installation in the vehicle can either be done with the vehicle seat belt or with the lower anchors,” Dr. Hoffman says. “Either is acceptable.”

With the seat belt method, you thread the vehicle’s seat belt through the car seat’s belt path, which is what attaches the seat to the car. “The seat belt is pulled until it locks, as it would be if you hit the brakes hard and feel the seat belt pull tight,” Moriarty says. “You do this by pulling the seat belt all the way out and threading it back in. As you pull back, it should lock.”

The LATCH system, which stands for Lower Anchor and Tethers for Children, secures the car seat using the vehicle’s lower anchors and tethers instead of the seat belt. All car seats with a five-point harness are able to connect to a car using the LATCH system. “These generally have a weight limit, which is often set by the car seat manufacturer or the carmaker,” Moriarty explains. Check both manuals to see what that weight limit is.

Weight and Height Limits

Pay close attention to the weight and height limits for each position a convertible car seat offers, especially for the rear-facing position, since it’s considered the safest and is where you want your child to be for as long as possible. “One of the biggest mistakes we see parents making is turning their kids around earlier than they need to,” Dr. Hoffman says. “Every manufacturer allows kids to turn forward-facing when they hit 1 year and 22 pounds, at a minimum. But if convertible car seats all have rear-facing limits to at least 40 pounds, almost no child will hit 40 pounds before their second birthday. So, in essence, virtually every kid could ride rear-facing until at least their second birthday, and that’s our recommendation.”

Many convertible car seats offer rear-facing weight limits at 40 pounds, but some offer extended rear-facing weight limits up to 50 pounds. The height limit for rear-facing is generally between 40 and 49 inches. For forward-facing, most convertible seats have a limit of 65 pounds and a height limit of 49 inches. For booster seats, it’s generally between 100 and 110 pounds, with a height limit between 50 and 57 inches. All of these can vary.

Size and Weight of the Car Seat

Convertible car seats tend to be fairly large and bulky. That means you need to pay attention to their size to ensure they fit properly in your car, especially if you have a more compact car. Keep dimensions in mind and think about where the car seat is going to go in the car, as well as how the front passenger seats are usually adjusted. For example, if the driver is tall and needs their seat pretty far back, you may not be able to fit a large rear-facing convertible car seat behind the seat. Think about if you have other car seats that need to fit in the back as well.

And don’t assume any seat will fit in an SUV. “Some of the larger SUVs especially end up having smaller seats to accommodate the extra [cargo] room, but this leaves little space for larger car seats,” Moriarty says. Keep the weight of the seat in mind as well. If you need to remove and replace it or move it around, a heavy seat may be difficult for you to work with.

Cost

Some convertible car seats can be quite pricey, and the truth is, you don’t need to spend more to get better quality. Both Dr. Hoffman and Moriarity stress that all car seats have to meet the same safety requirements, so paying more does not mean you’re getting something better. You might be paying for convenient but unnecessary features, aesthetics, or even just the brand name. If that’s all important to you, and it works for your budget, that’s fine. But if you’re only concerned about safety, then don’t feel you have to spend a lot to get a safe seat.

How to Use a Convertible Car Seat Safely

It doesn’t matter what kind of convertible car seat you choose, if you don’t use it safely and correctly, it will not allow for the best possible protection during a crash. Remember that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping all infants and young children in a rear-facing seat as long as possible until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer. Keep these other safety requirements in mind:

Make sure it meets U.S. standards. It is possible to buy European car seats, but remember that their safety standards are different. In the U.S., Dr. Hoffman points out, all car seats must have a five-point harness and a chest clip. “That’s different from European seats, and we have seen in the past couple of years, people have inadvertently bought a seat that meets European standards but doesn’t meet American standards, and that’s not acceptable,” he says. If you’re unsure, he recommends going to the car seat manufacturer’s website and making sure it meets NHTSA safety requirements.

Read the manuals. It sounds obvious, but reading through the manuals of both your vehicle and your car seat thoroughly is extremely important. Every car is different, and every car seat will come with different recommendations and restrictions, so even if you’ve installed other car seats previously, read those instructions. “For instance, some cars don’t allow car seats installed with the LATCH system in the center of the backseat,” Moriarty notes. “This is very dependent on the make and model of the vehicle.”

Install the car seat correctly. “The safest car seat is the one that is installed correctly, so don’t worry about the bells and whistles of the accessories if you’re not able to install it to be safe for your child,” says Ross. After reading through the manual, keep the instructions in mind and refer to them as needed. A lot of car seat manufacturers also offer video tutorials you can watch if that’s easier for you. “When installing a car seat, you do want to have the seat snugly secured into the vehicle’s seat, and when you try to move the seat, it should not move more than an inch,” Moriarty says. “With a rear-facing seat, the base of the seat should not move more than an inch, but the top of the seat, where the baby’s head is, may move more than this, and that is OK. This helps to absorb shock. When pulling the seat belt tight or securing the LATCH, it is sometimes helpful to push down on the car seat with your weight, which helps to get the belt or LATCH as tight as possible in the car.”

Moriarty also notes that you never want the seat to touch the vehicle seat in front of it. So, if your seat is in rear-facing mode, be sure the front passenger seat does not touch the car seat. If it does, she says it can keep the seat from absorbing the shock of a crash and will not protect the baby.

Vybiralova Stanton stresses the importance of the top tether when you switch to forward-facing. “This feature is underutilized and should always be used in a forward-facing position,” she says. “It decreases the forward head movement by 4 to 6 inches in a crash.”

Register your car seat to keep it safe. The NHTSA strongly recommends registering your car seat once you install it. This signs you up for important recall notices so that you’ll receive necessary safety updates.

Make adjustments as needed. Once the seat is installed properly, adjustments will still need to be made as your child grows. This is why it’s important to pick a seat with a harness that is easy to use. Make sure you can fasten the harness tightly enough. “When properly used, the plastic piece of the harness should be over the chest bone, at armpit level,” Moriarty says. “It should be tight enough that you cannot fold the straps when pinched. Parents may think this is too tight, but this is what keeps your child in the seat during a crash. If this is not tight enough, it could slide open from the force of the crash, and the baby can come out of the seat.”

Avoid using any other accessories. You’ll see a lot of car seat accessories available for purchase, but Moriarty strongly advises against using anything that didn’t come with the car seat you bought. This includes additional padding, toys, attachments, and mirrors. “Sometimes other equipment, such as padding, can affect how securely the child fits into the seat,” she says. Remember that items around the seat, like mirrors or toys, can become projectiles in a crash.

Don’t let kids wear padded clothing, like winter coats, when in a car seat. “Thick padded clothing in a crash essentially compresses, and it’s like there’s nothing there,” Dr. Hoffman explains. “So, when it comes to buckling a child in, they should be wearing nothing more than maybe a thin layer of fleece.” He suggests putting a blanket over them if they’re cold.

Don’t buy used car seats. Yes, the used car seat on Facebook Marketplace might be significantly cheaper than the brand-new one you’ve been eyeing, but Dr. Hoffman doesn’t recommend buying it. “Car seats are designed to withstand a crash, so a car seat that has been in a significant crash should not be used subsequently,” he says. “If a parent or caregiver cannot be 100% certain about the history of the seat, they should not use it, which means they shouldn’t be buying seats at flea markets or consignment stores.” If you’re considering a used seat that you know has not been in a crash, he recommends checking that the seat is not expired.

Have a car seat expert check that the car seat is installed correctly. You can find one in your area at Cert.Safekids.org. “If you are unable to find a tech in your area, keep in mind that many agencies offer virtual car seat checks,” Vybiralova Stanton says. “Technicians who offer virtual car seat checks typically have a virtual option next to their name. Many manufacturers also have car technicians. You can reach out to them too.” Sometimes your local fire department may also have a technician on hand.

At What Age Should Your Child Use a Convertible Car Seat?

Your child can start using some convertible car seats in the rear-facing position from the day they are born, as many convertible car seats offer weight limits that start at just 4 pounds. The AAP recommends infants and toddlers use rear-facing seats until they reach the maximum height or weight requirement, then switch to forward-facing. The disadvantage of a convertible car seat versus an infant car seat is that you cannot remove a convertible car seat from the base and carry it around or use it in a stroller.

What Is the Safest Spot for a Convertible Car Seat?

The safest place for the convertible car seat is in the backseat, away from airbags. Moriarty has noted that convertible car seats should never touch the seat in front of them, so keep that in mind when installing. “The difference between a 6-foot, 5-inch parent and a 5-foot, 2-inch parent in the driver seat will impact that,” Dr. Hoffman says. “That may influence a parent’s decision about where to position the child’s car seat in the back.” Remember that the LATCH system also cannot always be used in the center backseat.

Who We Are

Jessica Booth is a freelance writer who covers parenting, shopping, wellness, entertainment, and wedding content. She has been freelance writing since 2017 and before that, worked as an editor at an online publication for seven years. She has written for sites such as Brides, People, Insider, Bustle, Romper, Refinery 29, Cosmopolitan, Delish, The Daily Beast, Reviewed, She Knows, Scary Mommy, The Knot, and What to Expect. She also has two young daughters and has already been through a few convertible car seats at this point.

Katrina Cossey is an Oklahoma-based commerce writer specializing in parenting, family, and pregnancy content. A devoted mom herself, Katrina has researched thousands of baby products, toys, gifts, and more and personally tested many of them to find the most reliable product recommendations for families. Before testing the Evenflo Revolve360 Extend and Graco Turn2Me, Katrina’s son rode in the Graco Extend2Fit 3-in-1 in one vehicle and the Graco Slimfit 3-in-1 in their family’s second car. Katrina’s favorite car seat? The Graco Turn2Me for its rotating feature, unique and sturdy installation, and spacious cup holders.