Top 9 Convertible Car SeatsA convertible car seat can be used both rear-facing for infants and forward-facing for babies at least one year of age and 20 pounds. Weight ranges vary on these seats, so consider the height and weight of your child before purchasing a car seat. All car seats sold in the U.S. meet minimum safety standards, but these seats consistently earn rave reviews from car seat experts and parents alike. The Britax Boulevard car seat rear-faces from 5-33 lbs. and forward-faces to 65 lbs., so your baby gets plenty of use from this car seat. The Boulevard has height-adjustable side impact protection, something lacking in other convertible seats, and the infant pad provides a better fit for small babies over other car seats. The non-twisting straps, plush but washable cover, built-in lockoffs and top tether for rear- and forward-facing make the Boulevard an all-around winner. $250-300. The Britax Marathon is an expensive car seat, but many parents say this car seat is well worth the cost. Higher weight limits mean larger babies may not outgrow this seat quickly. The Marathon features EPS foam, built-in locking clips, front- and rear-facing tether, a cushy padded seat and an easy adjustment mechanism for the twist-free straps. This car seat can be used forward-facing up to 65 pounds. Retails for $200-$250. Fisher Price's Safe Voyage car seat provides the higher weight limits and ease-of-use features of more expensive car seats, but costs well under $200. The deeper sides provide a bit more side impact protection than some other car seats, and the front-access harness adjuster is very easy to use. Twist-free straps and a 55 lb. forward-facing weight limit make this seat a great buy (rear-facing limit is 33 lbs). $150-180. The Britax Roundabout car seat also features EPS foam and twist-free straps, as well as front- and rear-facing tethers and built-in locking clips. The harness adjustment on this car seat is consistently called one of the easiest to operate by parents and car seat safety experts. While most car seats only have the top harness slot reinforced for forward-facing toddlers, the Roundabout's slots are all reinforced. Retails for $160-$200. The fairly new Radian car seat has a nice weight-limit and the ability to be tethered rear- and forward-facing. The narrow base makes it easier to fit several car seats in your vehicle, but the Radian car seat still has plenty of comfort for your baby thanks to a roomy seat space and forward-facing recline option. This car seat folds for travel outside the car. Rear-faces 5-33 lbs., forward-faces to 65 lbs. About $200. The Evenflo Triumph Advance has some of the same nice features, like EPS foam, as more expensive models, but at a budget-friendly price. The Advance version of this seat is new, and has a rear-facing limit of 35 lbs., and a forward-facing limit of 50 lbs. The shell of this car seat is taller than some other convertible seats, which should mean that most kids will get a few months extra use out of it. Evenflo has made the harness height adjustments much easier with this model, too. For budget-conscious families, this is a great seat that allows extended rear-facing and harnessing for about $130. One of the most economical car seats available, the Cosco Scenera doesn't offer bells and whistles, but it will protect your baby in the car. The five-point harness model offers simple harness adjustments and a removable seat cover for easy cleaning. As on many inexpensive car seats, the harness straps may twist a lot, and should be smoothed with each use to keep baby safe. Note: Cosco sells an overhead shield Scenera - I recommend buying only the 5-point harness models. Retails for $50-$65. The Decathlon is a scaled-up version of the popular Marathon car seat. Additions include a toddler head pillow, infant pad, 3 lower-buckle positions and a push-button harness adjuster vs. the Marathon's metal flap adjuster. If you plan to use this car seat from your baby's birth, skipping the infant seat, the Decathlon is a good choice, due to the infant pillow, which provides a better fit for tiny babies. Rear-faces 5-33 lbs., forward-faces to 65 lbs. $220-290. The Graco ComfortSport is a great basic car seat that's available in several levels of padding and extras like snack/drink cups. Twisted harness straps can be a problem, but parents can smooth the straps each time to lessen the problem. In some vehicles, it may be difficult to reach the harness adjustment strap when the car seat is rear-facing. Note: Graco sells a ComfortSport model with an overhead shield - my recommendation is to stick with the 5-point harness models. Retails for $70-$120. Visit the Baby Products forum and share your own favorite car seat or discuss the car seats I've chosen as my top picks. Car seat choices are tough to make, so be sure to visit the forum and ask questions if you're not sure which car seat is right for you and your baby. | 
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