Choosing the best car seat for your little one is a big decision.
Choosing the best convertible car seat is even more the important decision to make because well, this seat is going to be around for quite the time. Yes, this is one baby gear that will actually last for years, unlike others which baby will outgrow periodically. You want to make sure you make the right choice but with that many options available on the market, it can be a tad overwhelming especially when you’re a first-time parent.
Which is why we have come up with the following list of the top 8 best convertible car seats the market currently has to offer. They cover a good range of options ranging from the most lightweight to the easiest to install to the best size for small cars – you bet there will be one that suits your lifestyle and preferences.
What is the best convertible car seat for most families? Our top pick is the Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 – it has everything you’d expect a top-notch convertible car seat to have, all at a reasonable price point. For those with a smaller budget, the Safety 1st Grow and Go All-in-One is an excellent choice for the best value of money while the Graco Slimfit 3-in-1 is the absolute go-to if you’re looking for the best convertible car seat for small cars.
The Best Convertible Car Seats – A Quick Summary
In this article:
Our Top 8 Best Convertible Car Seats Reviews
BEST CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT OVERALL
Dimensions: 20 x 21.5 x 24 inches
Weight: 23 pounds
Rear-facing weight limit: 4 to 40 lbs.
Forward-facing weight limit: 22 to 65 lbs.; booster seat up to 120 lbs.
Height limit: 9 to 57 inches
- Easy to install
- 4-in-1 design works from birth up till big kid years
- Smaller minimum weight requirement suitable for preemies/smaller babies
- 10-position adjustable harness and headrest height
- Two attached cup holders
- Easy-to-remove and machine-washable cover for easy cleaning
- 6-position recline
- A bit of a tough fit in smaller cars
- Cover may be a bit tricky to put back afterwards
Why We Love It
There are many Graco car seats but the 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat is possibly the best Graco car seat out of all, so much so that it wins the “best convertible car seat overall” title here in Mommy Tea Room.
A 4-in-1, your newborn can start in the rear-facing mode (from 4 to 40 pounds) before switching to a forward-facing car seat (from 22 to 65 pounds), after which you can convert it into a high-back booster seat (from 40 to 100 pounds) and then as a backless booster seat (from 40 to 120 pounds). Essentially, just this one car seat will last you a good 10 years – you won’t need to get another car seat/booster or anything else for the car. And with a minimum requirement of only 4 pounds, it makes for the best convertible car seat for small babies or preemies.
The harness system allows you to adjust, in one motion with no rethreading, the height of the harness and headrest into 10 positions and the seat reclines in 6 positions to keep your child comfortable. Parents particularly love the one-second LATCH attachment (there is an audio click to ensure secure installation), otherwise, the integrated belt lock off is pretty straightforward for vehicle seat belt installation too.
Things To Take Note Of
VERDICT: If you’re looking for a convertible car seat that is the one and will last you many years, the Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat will be your best bet.
EASIEST-TO-INSTALL CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT
Dimensions: 20.5 x 19.5 x 25 inches
Weight: 30 pounds
Rear-facing weight limit: 5 to 50 lbs.
Forward-facing weight limit: 22 to 120 lbs.
Height limit: 63 inches
- Super easy to install
- 4-in-1 car seat gives 10 years of use
- Bigger height limitation (63”)
- Impressive safety features
- 15-position harness and headrest adjustment
- 9-position recline
- Dishwasher-safe cup holders
- Heavy
- On the higher end of the price spectrum
Why We Love It
The Britax One4Life ClickTight All-in-One Car Seat actually comes very close to being the best overall convertible car seat (it is, to many parents) but the smaller rear-facing weight limit of the Graco 4Ever DLX has won us over by a slight margin. The 4 lbs. recommendation of the latter means smaller babies or preemies can use it right from the start, but the Britax One4Life is every bit a standout favourite for several really impressive reasons.
Also a 4-in-1 convertible car seat, it can last 10 years of use right till your child is 120 lbs. or 63” tall, from rear-facing mode to booster car seat. Installation is easy and straightforward in 3 steps: Open, thread and buckle, click it closed. This patented ClickTight technology uses the vehicle’s seat belt and an effort-free belt tightening system so you can get a proper, secure install every time. And there is the audible “click” that gives instant peace of mind!
We’re most impressed with the safety features of this one here though. There is a high-strength steel frame, crumple zone and patented V-shaped tether all for the safety of your child, on top of a 2-layer side impact protection surrounding the head, neck and torso. Its harness and headrest adjustment as well as seat recline do triumph over the Graco 4Ever DLX – this one here offers 15 and 9 positions respectively each.
Things To Take Note Of
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT
Dimensions: 21.5 x 20.1 x 24.75 inches
Weight: 15.9 pounds
Rear-facing weight limit: 5 to 40 lbs.
Forward-facing weight limit: 22 to 65 lbs.
Height limit: 63 inches
- Lightweight
- Space-saving slim design
- Affordable price point
- Aircraft-approved for travels
- 8-position adjustable headrest
- No-rethread harness
- LATCH equipped
- Machine-washable seat cover
- Removable, dishwasher-safe cup holders
- Plush infant head and body inserts
- Doesn’t convert to a booster seat for the older years
Why We Love It
So, convertible car seats aren’t exactly known for being lightweight. With most hovering around 30 pounds on average, they certainly do pack a punch which is why the Graco Contender Slim Convertible Car Seat stands out with its less-than-16-pounds total weight.
Not only is it light, it also has a slimmer, optimized design that saves space in the back seat. The lightweight and compactness of it all make it easy to transfer from car to car so if you will be using the cab or rideshare quite often (and you don’t want to invest in an infant car seat), this could be your best bet. Aircraft-certified, you can even use it for your travels to keep baby safe while flying.
Despite the relatively affordable price point, it is not short of amazing features such as an 8-position adjustable headrest, no-rethread harness, infant head and body inserts and machine-washable seat cover. It even comes with a cup holder which can be removed and washed in the dishwasher, and the Graco ProtectPlus Engineered safety crash tests give peace of mind that your child is well protected in frontal, side, rear and rollover crashes.
Things To Take Note Of
BEST AFFORDABLE CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT
Dimensions: 31.75 x 19.25 x 28.75 inches
Weight: 18.56 pounds
Rear-facing weight limit: 5 to 40 lbs.
Forward-facing weight limit: 22 to 65 lbs.; booster seat up to 100 lbs.
Height limit: 19 to 40 inches (rear-facing); 29 to 52 inches (forward-facing)
- 3-in-1 at a great price
- Lighter than many similar all-in-ones
- Takes up less room in rear-facing position, giving more leg room in the front
- Convenient single-hand adjustable headrest and harness
- 2 removable, dishwasher-safe cupholders
- Easy-to-remove, machine-washable and dryer-safe seat pad
- Side impact protection
- Limited recline positions
- Slightly tricky to install
Why We Love It
Speaking of affordability, nothing beats the Safety 1st Grow and Go All-in-One Convertible Car Seat – at least not for a 3-in-1 that that gives you a good 10 years of use right from birth.
Like most of its expensive counterparts, it can be converted into a booster seat (a belt-positioning one) after the rear- and forward-facing days. The difference is that it has a smaller weight limitation at 100 pounds but at this price, we are not complaining. It also doesn’t share the weights of the more expensive models – under 20 pounds, it is considered lightweight for a convertible car seat of its kind.
We like how it takes up less room when placed rear-facing, giving 7 inches more leg room for parents in the front seat. We also like how there are harness holders to keep the harness in an open position so it’s easier to get baby in and out of the seat, and the Quickfit harness system lets you adjust the harness and headrest in one simple step.
It comes with quite the few extra features too such as 2 newborn pillows (for a snug fit), 2 removable, dishwasher-safe cup holders and a machine-washable seat pad (that snaps on and off easily, and is dryer safe as well!).
Things To Take Note Of
VERDICT: For families with a smaller budget who also want longevity with their car seats, you cannot go wrong with the Safety 1st Grow and Go All-in-One Convertible Car Seat.
BEST CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT FOR SMALL CARS
Dimensions: 21.5 x 19.9 x 25.5 inches
Weight: 19.5 pounds
Rear-facing weight limit: 5 to 40 lbs.
Forward-facing weight limit: 22 to 65 lbs.; booster seat up to 100 lbs
Height limit: 43 to 57 inches
- 10% slimmer to fit in small cars
- 3-in-1 design that grows with child
- Easy, one-second attachment with push-button InRight LATCH
- 10-position adjustable headrest
- Dual integrated unique rotating cup holders
- Excellent safety features with steel-reinforced frame
- Headrest and no-rethread harness can be adjusted together in one motion
- Machine-washable seat cover
- Integrated harness storage compartment
- Less reclining positions
Why We Love It
Graco’s slimmest seat, the Slimfit 3-in-1 Car Seat is specifically made for three across the back seat be it in rear, forward or booster configuration. Because of this, it is regarded as the best convertible car seat for small cars with its 10% slimmer profile than most other car seats.
Despite that, it still provides two cup holders for your little one in a clever design that rotates away to maintain the slim profile, saving valuable back seat space. If you’re ever dubious, know that Graco has tested the seat with kids of different ages in different seat modes to be sure that it fits three so really, you can rest assured that this is the best convertible car seat for three across.
As with any 3-in-1s, the seat grows with your child from rear to forward-facing before the 100-pound high-back booster kicks in eventually. Other features include a harness system that allows both headrest and no-rethread harness be adjusted together in one motion, 10-position headrest, machine-washable seat cover and one-second attachment InRight LATCH system.
Things To Take Note Of
Having said that, it only offers 4 reclining positions unlike its 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 or Contender Slim counterparts but that’s enough for an adequate adjustment for a growing child. It does have an integrated harness storage compartment though which is nice to have as it keep things less messy.
BEST CAR SEAT FOR TALLER KIDS
Dimensions: 21.5 x 19.9 x 23.5 inches
Weight: 19 pounds
Rear-facing weight limit: 4 to 50 lbs.
Forward-facing weight limit: 22 to 65 lbs.
Height limit: 49 inches
- Extended rear-facing use
- Affordable
- Great choice for smaller vehicles (but not three across)
- 10-position headrest
- 6-position recline
- Excellent safety features with steel-reinforced frame
- Headrest and no-rethread harness can be adjusted together in one motion
- Easy, one-second attachment with push-button InRight LATCH
- Integrated harness storage compartment
- Two integrated cup holders
- Bulky
Why We Love It
For those whose child is in the upper percentiles for height, you may want to consider getting the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat. This one here makes for a more comfortable ride for taller toddlers thanks to an extension panel that adjusts to provide up to 5 inches of additional legroom, a feature that you don’t see often in other models.
It is also one of the rare car seats that has a 50-pound maximum capacity in the rear-facing position (most convertible car seats have a limit of 40 lbs. capacity) so if you’d like your little one to sit rear-facing longer, this will be ideal. Like any Graco car seats, it has a no-rethread harness system that allows you to adjust the height of the headrest and harness in one motion.
Speaking of which, there are 10 height positions you can adjust for the headrest and we like how it has pockets to hold the harness out of the way so that getting baby in and out of the car seat is easier and fuss-free. It uses the one-second LATCH attachment so installation is pretty straightforward here, and you’ll be glad to know that it is relatively light and easy to clean. Oh, it is also on the affordable side, too.
Things To Take Note Of
VERDICT: The Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat is perfect for parents who want their child to ride rear-facing longer, or taller children who want a more comfortable ride.
BEST ROTATING CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT
Dimensions: 21 x 19.8 x 25.9 inches
Weight: 29.6 pounds
Rear-facing weight limit: 4 to 50 lbs.
Forward-facing weight limit: 22 to 65 lbs.
Height limit: 17 to 57 inches
- 360-degree swivelling seat for easy in and out
- 3 modes: rear- and forward-facing, booster
- Extended rear-facing use up to 50 lbs.
- Zip-on, ergonomic leg rest for growing legs
- On-the-go recline
- One-time installation for all modes of use
- Real-time unsafe conditions alert with SensorSafe technology
- Real-time online installation assistance
- Exceed federal safety standards
- Cup holders included
- Heavy
- Expensive
Why We Love It
Another convertible car seat with extended rear-facing use is the Evenflo Gold Revolve360 Extend All-In-One Rotational Convertible Car Seat but its signature definitely lies in its award-winning, innovative one-hand, 360-degree rotation seat that makes getting baby in and out of the car a breeze.
A relatively new feature in the car seat world (but definitely gaining momentum – all for good reasons), those of you have had to strap a child in a car seat before will know how challenging it can be to do that especially in rear-facing mode. The Revolve360 rotating seat makes it all so much easier and strain-free by letting you turn it at an angle towards the car door and eliminates the awkward reach.
We love how it doesn’t require any reinstalling when making the rear- to forward-facing switch, and it lasts till the toddler years with a booster seat. It comes with a zip-on ergonomic leg rest to add comfort for the growing legs and with this particular model (the other being the Quick Clean Cover version), you’ll get the Sensorsafe feature which provides real-time alerts to four potentially unsafe conditions from your child’s car seat (clip unbuckling, temperature alert, unattended child, and child seated too long).
Things To Take Note Of
VERDICT: The Evenflo Gold Revolve360 is ideal for parents looking for the best convertible car seat with all the bells and whistles. If you have a bad back, it’s worthy to give this a go, too. For more rotating car seat options, click here.
BEST CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT FOR TRAVEL
Dimensions: 30.1 x 22.6 x 16.1 inches
Weight: 12.07 pounds
Rear-facing weight limit: 5 to 40 lbs.
Forward-facing weight limit: 22 to 40 lbs.
Height limit: 43 inches
- Super affordable
- FAA-approved for plane travel
- Easy-to-remove, machine-washable and dryer-safe car seat pad
- Small weight limit
Why We Love It
When it comes to travelling, it’s all about lightweight and portability but… those two things and convertible car seats aren’t exactly the most perfect match (that’s the league of the infant car seats). That is, until we found the Cosco Onlook 2-in-1 Convertible Car Seat.
Weighing just slightly over 10 pounds, it is easily the most recommended convertible travel car seat that you’ll hear from parents again and again. FAA-approved for plane travel, you can just sling it over your shoulder as you walk through the terminals and it has 6 heights and 3 buckle locations for you to adjust from.
Inbuilt with side-impact protection in both rear- and forward-facing modes, it meets and exceeds federal and ASTM safety standards and comes with a one-year warranty. The seat pad is easy to remove and machine-washable (and dryer-safe!) which is of particular importance for a travel car seat like this because you’ll be doing quite the bit of cleaning here, given how it goes through planes and rideshares and whatnots.
Things To Take Note Of
It has a smaller weight limit (up to 40 pounds only) so your child will probably outgrow it rather quickly.
For its purpose though that is a car seat for travel, we don’t think that is much of an issue. It’s also a no-frills seat, so don’t expect luxurious fabric or lots of padding. It is, after all, a convertible car seat under $100.
How We Chose Our Best Convertible Car Seats (and the things you should look for)
As is the case with infant car seats, convertible car seats must also conform to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety standards so rest assured that the convertible model you chose has already met the necessary requirements.
With that out of the way, choosing the best convertible car seat all comes down to personal situation and preferences. For instance, the size of your car, certain features that are a priority, how often you’ll be switching cars etc. will be amongst the things to take into consideration. In choosing our best convertible car seats contenders above, here are the things we looked at when we do our evaluation:
1. Ease of Installation
2. Ease of Use (and Care)
3. Vehicle Fit
This is probably the very first aspect we’d advise parents to consider. How much space do you have in the backseat of your vehicle? Convertible car seats do NOT come in a universal size (or shape) so make sure you choose one that fits properly in your vehicle. Particularly, if you have a small car, or need to fit multiple car seats across the backseat.
One tip: the more recline positions a convertible car seat has, the better chance it is to fit in different type of vehicles.
4. Weight Limits
While most convertible car seats have pretty much the same weight limits (around 65 pounds in forward-facing position), they still do vary from model to model so make sure to confirm the numbers for both rear and forward-facing positions. If you plan to use yours well into the years, you may want to look for higher weight limits.There are also some which have higher minimum weight recommendations (e.g. 12 or 14 lbs.) so if you intend to use yours right after baby is born, you will want to stay away from these ones.
5. Price
We understand parents may have quite the different budget when it comes to baby gears so our selections are rather varied in that aspect, prioritizing convertible car seats that are less than $600 with most between the $200-$300 range. Know that the price doesn’t jeopardize the safety of a car seat in any way – the more expensive ones generally only have more features than a more affordable option (think cup holders, extendable leg rests and the likes).
Some Safety Features (and Terms) That You Should Know
There can be quite the long list of intimidating terminology you come across when shopping for the best convertible car seat, especially those surrounding safety features. Here are some of the most common ones, if they’re all still a blur to you:
1. LATCH
Stands for ‘Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children’, the LATCH system was developed to make it easier to correctly install child safety seats without using seat belts. Instead, it is secured by connecting the straps/connectors on the car seat to dedicated metal anchors in the vehicle (usually found in the seat crack and behind the back seat).
Both LATCH and seatbelt installation are equally safe when used correctly so there is no one that better than the other, but LATCH is not available in every seating position. Check your vehicle manual, and keep in mind the 65-pound weight limit of LATCH installations.
2. No-Rethread Harness
Other FAQs
- Typically designed with a carrying handle
- Can be easily clicked in and out of their base
- Often designed to attach to a compatible stroller
- Less expensive
- Bulkier and heavier
- Are not typically equipped with carrying handles
- Designed to stay in the car and is not travel-system compatible
- More expensive but offer longer-term value
- You want to use your car seat as part of a travel system;
- You will be moving the car seat across a few different cars – yours, your partner’s, grandparents’ etc.;
- You will be using rideshares/cabs quite often.
- Your car seat will only remain in one car mostly;
- You have a separate stroller in the boot that you don’t need to attach a car seat onto;
- You just want one car seat and do not plan to replace it for many years.
