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Best Convertible Machine Seats, According to Our Customs of Millions of Moms

Medically Reviewed by Joyce Slaton, C.P.Southward.T.

Updated: December iii, 2021

What to Look selects products based on independent enquiry and suggestions from our community of millions of parents; learn more than about our review process. We may earn commissions from shopping links.

If the thought of shopping for a new car seat after simply a twelvemonth sounds expensive (or exhausting), yous might want to skip the infant car seat and look into buying a convertible automobile seat right away. Read on to run across if this determination makes sense for your family.

When should I buy a convertible automobile seat?

A convertible auto seat can modify to conform to your growing infant's needs. You can install it as a rear-facing car seat for your newborn through age two (or longer, if they haven't reached the height and weight limit), then turn information technology around when your toddler is big plenty to face forward. Brilliant, right?

There is a catch. To pack in all that flexibility, a convertible machine seat will be heavier and larger than an infant car seat. Many parents love the bucket-fashion infant seats that they can pop in and out of the base in the car with the baby still strapped in (especially when they're running belatedly!). With a convertible seat, you'll need to remove your babe each time. Withal, that lack of portability may be worth information technology to y'all for the value and convenience you go far return.

Why you might want a convertible machine seat vs. an infant car seat

Non sure if you should invest in an infant car seat or choose a convertible motorcar seat that tin be used for both newborns and bigger toddlers? A convertible auto seat might be right for your family if:

You own a car and park at your dwelling, and in general don't mind having a car seat that can't exist easily popped in and out of the vehicle.
Your baby tends to ride only in your automobile, versus, say, that of a grandparent or babysitter who drives him around regularly.
The long-term stroller y'all've chosen is suitable from nascence.
Yous dearest the idea of not needing to upgrade your car seat during the haze that is the first year of parenting.

Convertible machine seat safety tips

Micah Resnick, Grand.D., F.A.A.P., a board-certified pediatrician at Cincinnati Children'south Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a member of the What to Expect Medical Review board, offers the following guidelines for keeping your child rubber in the auto:

Whatever model you choose, practice car seat installation ahead of time, ideally when your 3rd trimester starts, or virtually the time you receive your TDaP booster shot. "This is fifty-fifty more of import than packing a hospital bag," Resnick says, calculation, "Although they accept go easier to install, the automobile seat tin stump even the most brilliant minds. Stay calm, practise and breathe. Don't accept shortcuts or settle for just okay."
Keep your child rear-facing until at to the lowest degree two years old, and ideally until they exceed the rear-facing height or weight limits of their seat.
You can keep your kid in the convertible seat front-facing until your child outgrows the summit or weight limits. Then information technology's time to move to a booster seat.
The National Highway Traffic Condom Administration recommends replacing machine seats later on moderate to severe crashes. If yous notice any damage to your seat or have questions subsequently a crash about whether yous can yet employ your car seat, contact your car seat'due south manufacturer.
Seats that accept not been in a crash can exist reused, but they do expire. Some take a printed expiration date — ordinarily on the manufacturer'south label or molded into the seat. Others will expire in a certain number of years. "In that instance, information technology'due south up to yous to bank check the kid seat manual and practise the math," Resnick says.

Types of convertible auto seats

Along with the basic fashion, which tin can exist used either rear- or forward-facing from infancy through the toddler or preschool years, you might also see these types of seats listed:

Three-in-one: These seats also include the selection to transform into a belt-positioning booster seat when your child is gear up.
Four-in-ane: This is substantially the same as the three-in-one, but you can also use information technology as a backless booster for an older child. Sometimes, these are chosen "all-in-ane car seats."

How to cull a convertible car seat

Any machine seat sold in the U.Southward. must meet authorities safety standards, merely there are a few features that might make certain models more convenient or comfortable for your niggling ane than others. Here are some questions to ask yourself earlier buying a convertible car seat:

How like shooting fish in a barrel is information technology to install? This handy chart from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rates the ease of use for diverse auto seats.
Are there features that make it easier to safely install the motorcar seat? Many car seats use a chimera or dial to show that the seat is in the correct position, while others accept ingenious features that make installation with LATCH or seat belts more straightforward.
How easy is it to clean? It'south ideal if the fabric tin be removed completely from the seat and popped into the washing machine. It's worth noting that some, just not all, machine washable car seat fabrics can go in the dryer.
How large is it? A narrower motorcar seat can be helpful if you have a small auto or will eventually need to go three children into your backseat. If you're planning to travel with your convertible car seat, you may want to choose one that weighs a scrap less.
What are the weight limits? Confirm the numbers for both rear- and forward-facing positions. Parents who like the idea of keeping their child rear-facing or but in a machine seat (versus a booster seat) for a longer period of time will appreciate higher limits. Likewise note that some convertible motorcar seats may have higher minimum weight limits, such as 12 or 14 pounds, meaning yous won't be able to use them correct subsequently your baby is born.
Any actress features? Many machine seats come with perks like headrest wings (helpful if your kid falls comatose in the car), magnetic chest clip buckles, cup holders and even extendable leg rests.

How we made our picks for the best convertible car Seats

After doing research and reading reviews from our What to Expect community members, we compiled a list of the best convertible machine seats using the following criteria:

Weight: Each car seat weighs less than 33 pounds; most are 25 pounds or lighter.
Elementary to use: They all have an overall ease of employ rating of three stars or higher from the NHTSA (and most take four stars).
Washable: These car seats have removable fabrics—and all but 1 can exist laundered in the washing motorcar.

Luckily, there are many great models to choose from. Hither, our meridian picks for the all-time convertible car seats.

Best Convertible Car Seat Overall

Graco 4Ever 4-in-ane Convertible Car Seat

Best Convertible Car Seats - Graco 4Ever DLX

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Pros: Easy to install, plush cloth feels cozy

Cons: Harness tin be difficult to tighten, straps can exist tricky to loosen when you're in a rush to go out of the car

Why Nosotros Love It

If you lot're looking for a convertible car seat that will last you many years, this car seat from Graco — a 2021 What to Expect Laurels winner — may be your all-time bet. As the name implies, this car seat is designed to requite you lot years of use — perhaps fifty-fifty up to your child's 10th birthday!

That'south thanks to the car seat's four-in-ane pattern. The seat can transform from a rear-facing auto seat (from four to 40 pounds) to a forrad-facing automobile seat (from 22 to 65 pounds), high-back booster seat (from 40 to 100 pounds) and backless booster seat (from 40 to 120 pounds). And while parents love the Graco 4Ever for its versatility, younger users volition adore this convertible car seat for its cup holders (one on each side for snacks and sippies).

Weight limit: 4 to twoscore pounds (rear-facing), 22 to 65 pounds (forward-facing), 40 to 100 pounds (high-dorsum belt-positioning booster), 40 to 120 pounds (backless belt-positioning booster) Summit limit: 57 inches

Weight: 23 pounds (without base)

Dimensions: 21.5 x 24 x 20 inches

Easiest Convertible Car Seat to Install

Britax Boulevard ClickTight Anti-Rebound Bar Convertible Car Seat

Best Convertible Car Seats - Britax Boulevard ClickTight Anti Rebound Convertible Car Seat

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Pros: Clicking audio gives you peace of mind that you lot've installed it correctly

Cons: Heavy, straps may go twisted in forwards-facing chugalug path

Why We Love Information technology

Whether you're taking a quick trip to the playground or embarking on an epic cross-country drive, the last thing y'all want is to be worried about your baby while y'all're behind the wheel. Parents honey the Britax Boulevard convertible car seat in part because its ClickTight system makes installation with your machine'due south seat belts super easy, with an aural "click" when the compartment's shut correctly — makes installation super like shooting fish in a barrel. It as well has 14 headrest positions, so you won't have to struggle with the dreaded rethreading when your child gets to the side by side level.

Weight limit: 5 to 40 pounds (rear-facing), 20 to 65 pounds (forward-facing)

Tiptop limit: 49 inches

Weight: 29.4 pounds

Dimensions: 18.5 ten 24 10 23.5 inches

About Foolproof Convertible Car Seat

Chicco NextFit Zippo Convertible Machine Seat

best convertible car seats

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Pros: Bubble indicator takes guesswork out of installation

Cons: High minimum weight limit (12 pounds) ways yous can't employ it from nascency

Why We Dearest It

Y'all're going to nail this whole parenting thing. But at that place will certainly be days when you lot're feeling off your game (hello, sleep deprivation!). Then you may appreciate having a foolproof convertible car seat like the Chicco NextFit Nothing. It'south similar to the Chicco NextFit Sport, simply for $50 more, the Naught boasts a lower rear-facing weight limit (5 pounds versus 12) and comes with functioning fabric (meaning the covers are goose egg off and machine washable for piece of cake cleaning). A bubble window tells you when you've installed the seat at the optimal bending, whether it's in a front- or rear-facing position. And a LATCH (that's manufacture-speak for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) tightener makes it a cinch to buckle in baby securely every fourth dimension.

Other features that will make everything easier over the years? The headrest, which has 9 height positions, and the nine recline position possibilities, which makes the seat fit better even in cars with express leg room.

Weight limit: 5 to 40 pounds (rear-facing), 22 to 65 pounds (forward-facing)

Height limit: 49 inches

Weight: 25 pounds

Dimensions: 19 ten 26 10 21 inches

Best Lower-Priced Convertible Car Seat

Cosco Scenera Side by side Convertible Auto Seat

best convertible car seat

Pros: More affordable than other convertible motorcar seats, extremely lightweight

Cons: Depression weight limit of twoscore pounds in the forrard-facing position, thin padding

Why We Dear It

In that location's a reason the Cosco Scenera NEXT is more affordable than others — there are few bells and whistles on this convertible automobile seat. While some parents mutter that information technology'due south a piffling tough to get a tight fit, others rave about the advantages the streamlined design provides. This convertible car seat is also a proficient choice if you're constantly moving the baby's car seat between cars or in and out of taxis, as it's so lightweight. With its lower price point, the Cosco Scenera NEXT is also an ideal back-up auto seat for grandparents' or nanny's car.

Weight limit: 5 to 40 pounds (rear-facing); 22 to forty pounds (forward-facing)

Height limit: 19 to xl inches (rear-facing); 29 to 43 inches (forward-facing)

Weight: x.4 pounds

Dimensions: xv.75 x 30.25 ten 17.63 inches

Most Splurgeworthy Convertible Car Seat

Nuna RAVA Convertible Automobile Seat

best convertible car seat

Pros: Stylish, comfortable fabric helps kids stay cool, made without flame-retardant chemicals

Cons: Heavy, more than expensive than other convertible car seats

Why We Dear It

You certainly don't accept to spend a lot on great baby gear, but if y'all're looking to splurge, the Nuna RAVA is a swell choice. Parents appreciate the clever blueprint: a g total of ten recline bending choices makes it easier to fit even in smaller back seats. Plus, the True tension arrangement makes installing the RAVA with your car'due south seat belts practically effortless. As your little ane grows, she'll benefit from adjustable leg room, x head support positions and a harness that doesn't need to be rethreaded. This is another seat that has a 50-pound limit for rear-facing kids.

Another perk petty fans adore? The built-in cup holder, which can be flipped up for sippy cup storage or folded down for more space on the side of the car seat.

Weight limit: v to l pounds (rear-facing); 25 to 65 pounds (frontward-facing)

Height limit: 49 inches or less (rear- and forwards-facing)

Weight: 27.2 pounds

Dimensions: nineteen x 25 10 xvi inches

Longest-Lasting Convertible Motorcar Seat

Maxi-Cosi Magellan

Best Convertible Car Seat - Maxi-Cosi Magellan

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Pros: Serious longevity, sleek and sophisticated look

Cons: Installation non the simplest, more than expensive than other machine seats

Why We Love Information technology

The Maxi-Cosi Magellan is an all-in-1 convertible car seat that fits newborns as tiny as 5 pounds and bigger kids up to 120 pounds. Information technology transitions from babe rear-facing to child front-facing and finally transforms into a booster seat for children up to 120 pounds. Translation? You won't just be using it on your trip home from the infirmary, y'all could be using this convertible car seat until your child'due south aged out of car seats altogether.

The Magellan is designed to be equally comfortable as possible for your child every step of the way. The headrest has fourteen positions, then it'southward always in the correct spot for your child's height. It also features not i merely 2 loving cup holders, so your niggling one can have a snack or toy within arm'south accomplish (meaning a smoother ride for everyone else in the car). Also skillful: Like all Maxi-Cosi auto seats and strollers, the Magellan has a mod, minimalist design that yous won't heed looking at for years to come.

Weight limit: v to xl pounds (rear-facing); 22 to 65 pounds (forward-facing); 40 to 120 pounds (booster seat)

Height limit: 40 inches or less (rear-facing); 29 to 49 inches (frontwards-facing); 43 to 57 inches (booster seat)

Weight: 25 pounds

Dimensions: 23 x 29 ten 22 inches

Best Convertible Motorcar Seat for Rear-Facing Toddlers

Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat

best convertible car seat

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Pros: Loftier weight limits for both superlative and weight in rear-facing position

Cons: No seatbelt lockoff devices, so you'll need to read your machine's transmission to figure out the seat belt installation process, harness tin exist tricky to tighten

Why Nosotros Love It

These days, rubber experts recommend keeping children facing backwards for longer, and the Graco Extend2Fit has a 50-pound weight limit for the rear-facing position (many comparable motorcar seats go up to xl pounds). Once yous flip the seat to the forward-facing position, it's safe to utilise all the mode upwards to 65 pounds. There'southward also a pull-out leg residual (called an extension console) for kids who are rear-facing to help continue them comfortable—this is particularly helpful if your child is tall for her age.

This convertible car seat has a no-rethread harness, which means that the straps can be adapted merely past raising or lowering the headrest (handy if you have a bigger or smaller kid occasionally borrowing the seat) and two congenital-in cup holders, perfect for drinks, snacks and toys.

Weight limit: 5 to l pounds (rear-facing); 22 to 65 pounds (forward-facing)

Superlative limit: Head must exist ane inch beneath handle (rear-facing); 49 inches or less (forrard-facing)

Weight: nineteen pounds

Dimensions: 22.1 10 19.ii x 25.ii inches

Micah Resnick, M.D., F.A.A.P., Pediatrician, Cincinnati Children'south Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, and Member of the What to Expect Medical Review Board.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Child Condom Seat Ease of Use Ratings.