Best Convertible Car Seats For Your Babies

Have you heard of parents who avoid going out in public until their baby reaches a particular milestone?

Best Convertible Car Seat 

They are not as sporadic as you think. However, it is only understandable during the first two or three months since the infant’s arrival because their body parts – especially the child’s head and back – are still very fragile. You cannot risk the baby’s welfare at this point for the sake of family bonding.

In case the child starts to crawl or eat soft food already, you may want to stop limiting yourself when it comes to the places you can visit with your baby. If their comfort while traveling is your concern, you can undoubtedly find the best convertible seat that meets your budget. Having one attached using your vehicle’s seat belt or a LATCH can make your little one safe while traveling. There are popular manufacturers like Graco, Chicco, and Evenflo that offer affordable convertible car seat products that have great safety features and can be used either in big or small vehicles.

Most car seats can be used in a rear-facing position and can be shifted to forward-facing mode once your baby has reached the recommended weight limit. This will prevent you from getting a new one or keeping multiple car seats as your baby grows bigger, thus making it a practical option. In terms of position, they say that a child rear-facing in the back seat (never place it in the front seat) while in the vehicle is the safest position for babies. Keep your baby in an extended rear-facing use for as long as you can and do not use the seat forward-facing before the recommended age so as not to endanger your baby’s life. Your baby may also need belt-positioning booster seats normally between the ages of 8 and 10.

There are different car seats out there, so parents have different views on what the top choices are for them when buying a new seat. It can be overwhelming to select and finally decide what to buy. What are the brands offering the best in the market? Are all options sold with the same safety features? Can they fit into small vehicles, and when would your baby need a backless booster seat? How do you get a properly installed carseat using a forward-facing belt path? Are rear-facing seats better than forward-facing types? When can you put your baby in a rear-facing vs forward-facing position? When is a high-back booster seat used? These are some of the questions that will be answered as you read this article.

Let us share the top convertible car seats that have been on the market since 2016. But before you continue, keep in mind that the best baby car seats do not have to be the most expensive ones. There are affordable seat models made by popular brands, so take time to assess them carefully. As long as they can be installed correctly into your vehicle seat using the seat belt or LATCH safely and securely and you position the baby correctly either rear-facing or forward-facing considering the baby’s age, weight, and seat’s height, you and your baby should be good.

Seek help from experts for the seat belt installation for your baby’s carseats correctly in the rear-facing or forward position. Aside from safety, comfort is a priority for most car seat manufacturers like the ones listed below that are equipped with a no-rethread harness, which allows the harness and headrest to get adjusted jointly in one motion.

Disney Apt 40RF

There’s a long list that can be used in a rear-facing seat or forward position. But based on the reviews that we have seen, many have fallen head over heels for the Disney Baby car seat Apt 40RF. Perhaps it’s because your child can use it right after birth and can stay in a rear-facing mode in the back or center seat using the vehicle’s seat belt up to when your child has reached the weight limit of 40 pounds and 40 inches in height and use it as forward facing later on. It’s said that a child rear-facing in the back seat during travel is the safest position for babies.

Thus, it is recommended to install the car seats at the back in an extended rear-facing position. Infant seats must never be placed in the front seat for safety reasons. Starting at 43 inches, you can use the carrier as a forward-facing car seat.

Additionally, these seats come with a five-point harness and side impact protection, which keep the baby from danger even if a mishap occurs on the road. It also comes with the following functions and features.

• This best convertible car seat can be used as a rear-facing or in a forward-facing position.
• Rear-facing position is recommended for babies 5-40 pounds – babies must remain rear-facing in the back seat until they have reached the weight limit and height restriction; keep them in an extended rear-facing position for as long as possible until they have reached the age, weight, and height requirements
• Forward-facing for toddlers 22-40 pounds weight limit; for the safety of your baby, make sure not to put your baby in a forward-facing position until they have outgrown the rear-facing stage.
• This one is equipped with a side Impact Protection that will protect your baby during an impact; for safety reasons, keep your baby in an extended rear-facing position until after 2 years old.
• This best convertible car seat comes with two removable cup holders.
• It has harness straps with a five-point adjustment design and up-front harness adjustment.
• This carrier is equipped with a rigid LATCH system which makes shifting from rear-facing to forward position easier. Car seats without it are installed using the seat belt. Note that the seat belt install process is more complicated than LATCH system; regardless of what process you use, follow the proper instructions to install your baby car seats either in a rear-facing or forward position.

Cosco Scenera DLX 

Aside from making booster seat products, Cosco also offers some of the best convertible seats to its customers. In fact, its Cosco Scenera DLX convertible car seat made it to the top list. It has a minimalistic vibe that appeals to parents who don’t want their kids to grow up knowing flashy stuff. The seat practically looks like a regular part of a vehicle’s interior, although there is a five-point buckle on its front. If the toddler gets thirsty, the mom and dad can put a sippy cup or bottle on the side holder. The features as shown below are great additions that can make one say that this is indeed perfect for them.

• This best convertible car seat can be used rear-facing or forward-facing. (It is recommended to keep your baby rear-facing and not put your baby in a forward-facing position until the weight and height requirements have not been met as experts say that being in an extended rear-facing position is safer while forward-facing can endanger your baby’s life if done before 2 years old).
• This infant seat is equipped with side impact protection; it is integrated into its adjustable headrest and is common in other seats.
• Cosco comes with harness straps in a five-point adjustment design that can be adjusted from the front side.
• Harness straps are adjustable up to 5 height selections and 3 buckle options to ensure you can tighten it properly depending on your baby’s weight and height.
• You can fit 3 of these seats at the back, which is ideal for smaller cars.
• This car seat has been certified for airplane use.
• Cosco’s best lightweight convertible car seat has a compact design.
• For easy cleaning, this carrier comes with a machine washable seat pad and seat cover in various colors and designs; also has cup holders for your baby’s favorite drinks.
• Comes with a LATCH system for easy rear-facing installation; this makes shifting from rear-facing to forward position easier; car seats without this feature are installed using the car’s seat belt; the seat belt install process is more complicated than LATCH system; read the car seat manual carefully for the proper installation as well for latch weight limits of your baby car seats.

Britax Allegiance 

Britax’s Allegiance convertible car seat journey is among the best options 2016 has to offer due to its ability to adjust as your child grows up depending on the weight limits set by the maker. This means that you do not need to buy multiple car seats for many years. It also has a ten-position harness allowing you to extend the straps in ten different ways. The buckling process won’t take forever, thanks to its built-in lock-offs. For added safety, the brand has a patent for SafeCell Impact Protection, so there’s no need to worry about your baby during a – knock-on-wood – collision. Indeed, this could be your best choice to invest in.

In Canada, Britax Allegiance car seats require an anti-rebound bar to be installed in a rear-facing position. Also, Britax car seats are made with an energy-absorbing foam positioned in the shells and along the head section for protection. An energy-absorbing foam adds to its safety features as it is expected to absorb the impact of a car crash, thus preventing your child from getting injured. In short, this energy-absorbing foam will increase your baby’s survival in case of a crash. But to maximize this feature, the baby must be in the right position in the vehicle.

If your baby is not rear-facing but positioned forward-facing at an early stage, then your baby might get injured in case of a collision as forward-facing is only recommended for babies after 2 years old or once they reach the weight and height requirements. Until then, babies must be in an extended rear-facing position for safety.

• This best convertible car seat can be used in a rear-facing mode or can be a forward-facing seat depending on the weight limit as recommended by the manufacturer.
• The side impact protection for the head, neck, and torso of this seat makes it a perfect choice for safe infant seats.
• Most Britax seats are now equipped with an easy seat belt tight lock-off and unlock feature.
• This seat is made with SafeCell technology; in case of a collision, this SafeCell feature removes the impact away from the baby by absorbing it.
• This infant seat has a steel frame for durability and a more steady seat structure; for safety, make sure to observe the weight limits set by the manufacturer.
• Britax seats have a patented v-shaped tether design which minimizes forward movements in case of a crash.
• Comes with a no-rethread harness – a 10-position harness and an adjustable headrest, which allows more flexibility as the baby grows; other brands only have a 5-position harness.
• This infant seat can be in 3 reclined positions allowing you to adjust it most comfortably.
• Comes with seat pads, cup holders, and cushions for added comfort.
• Britax also comes with an easy-to-read level indicator for correct installation.
• It is designed with a LATCH system for easier installation, which makes shifting from rear-facing to forward position easier; baby car seats without this feature are installed using the seat belt; the seat belt install process is more complicated than the LATCH system; proper installation of your baby car seat either in a rear-facing or forward position is important to ensure your baby’s safety.

• Easy cleaning – comes with a removable seat cover.

Safety 1ˢᵗ Grow And Go 

This 3-in-1 Safety 1st Grow and Go convertible car seat may not be in the reviews of 2016, yet it is considered one of the good car seats for babies. Depending on your preference, it could actually be a good car seat for your baby, which you can use either in a read-racing or forward-facing position as your baby grows. The product merely came out a year or two after that, so it is a brand-new design. You probably can tell by how innovative the car seat parts look. The thick side foam ensures that your child’s head stays protected all the time. The latch straps of the five-point harness are padded, so they won’t irritate even a fussy kid.

More importantly, you can use it until the kid reaches the weight limits provided by the manufacturer or 100 pounds, which means that you do not have to buy a new car seat or have multiple car seats as your baby grows, making it a practical car seat to buy. Although this specific model does not come with an anti-rebound bar, other Safety 1st convertible car seat products are equipped with an anti-rebound bar as one of their safety features. Moreover, the Grow and Go model comes with a no-rethread harness feature. The no-rethread harness position is recommended for a child at least 11 inches.

Also, this car seat is guaranteed safe as it has met and exceeded the Federal Safety Standards, which most Safety 1st car seats are proud of. Indeed, it is one of the good car seats. These safety standards though will go to waste if you will not install your car seat correctly or put your baby in a forward-facing position prematurely instead of in a rear-facing position. Keep in mind that the recommendation is to keep your baby in a rear-facing position and not put your newborn in a forward-facing position, at least not until the baby is more than 2 years old or once your little one has reached the weight and height recommendation. This is because babies are better protected in a rear-facing position in case of a collision.

• This best convertible car seat can be used by your baby from the rear-facing mode to forward-facing mode and as a booster seat. Babies are safe to stay rear-facing until they have exceeded the required weight limit.
• To be in an extended rear-facing position is recommended for babies from 5 to 40 pounds weight limit.
• The forward-facing seat is for a 22 to 65-pound weight limit; the weight requirements are very important – do not shift to forward-facing until the baby has not reached the weight recommended by the maker.
• A booster seat using the vehicle’s seat belt is recommended for weight limits of 40 to 100 pounds.
• This in-one car seat has side impact protection; this will give your baby protection either during the rear-facing or forward-facing stage.
• This all-in-one seat is also convenient to use as it will allow you to get your baby in and out of the infant seat regardless of whether the baby is in a rear-facing or forward position.
• Removable baby inserts such as baby pillows and cushions for added comfort can be used with this all-in-one seat.
• This infant seat is easily adjustable as it is equipped with Quick Fit Harness; it also comes with a no-rethread harness – the lowest position for a no-rethread harness is 10 inches.
• Safety 1st convertible car seats allow 3 recline positions both for rear-facing and forward position.
• This seat comes with a removable seat pad and seat covers for easy cleaning.
• It has a space-saving design; it gives you a bigger legroom of about 7 inches.

Graco 4-In-1 

Making it to the list of best car seats is the Graco 4-in-1 convertible car seat with a little upgrade from its previous model of car seat. It is a 4-in-1 item or simply an all-in-one seat, which entails that your offspring may be able to use it from the day they arrive up to when the child enters elementary school while taking into consideration the body weight limit set by the manufacturer. The seat can undoubtedly last that long because of its steel frame and shock-absorbing foam.

Apart from that, it has already gone through and passed side-impact and crash testing results that follow the US safety standards; that’s why you can be confident that your little one can survive any vehicular accident. This also comes with an anti-rebound bar which provides additional support to the car seat and will prevent it from moving while in the car. This is good as the car seat safety feature is what parents value as they look for a good car seat. Note that Graco also comes with a SlimFit model, which is good for smaller cars.

• Like other car seat products, this can be used in a rear-facing and forward-facing position; babies should not be in a forward-facing position until they have reached the recommended weight and height requirements as forward-facing will not provide the same protection as rear-facing in case of a car crash.
• Graco seats are equipped with an easy vehicle belt lock-off feature for easy installation using the vehicle’s seat belt.
• Graco is also known for passing crash tests and exceeding the US standard FMVSS 213.
• Graco is also known for having convertible car seats that have been upgraded to include a quick Remove cover, an easy lock-off for easy installation, and a rubberized harness with harness holders. These harness holders hold the harness when not in use.
• This best convertible car seat also comes with a no-rethread harness.
• Graco provides easy installation through its LATCH system, which makes shifting from rear-facing to forward position easier; without this, a baby car seat will have to be installed using the seat belt.
• This best convertible car seat is equipped with an anti-rebound bar – this is a metal that stands on the floor of the vehicle giving the car seat additional support while connected to the car seat.
• This in-one car seat also comes with cup holders allowing your baby to bring his or her favorite drink while traveling either in a rear-facing or forward position.
• This carrier is designed for multiple recline positions either for rear-facing or forward-facing.

Summary

The best convertible car seat is not something that we can specifically recommend to you. Your needs for a car seat may be different from ours. You may want to use your vehicle seat belt over a LATCH system or you need one that is ideal for smaller cars. You probably want cup holders, and an anti-rebound bar, or are looking for a side panel that has a specific thickness. Your budget also plays an important role.

Whatever your preferences are, the ultimate goal is to get a safe car seat for your little one. This depends on the age, height, and weight limits set by the manufacturer. At ages 8 to 10 years old, for example, your little one may need a belt-positioning booster seat to be safely seated while in the car. In the end, the car seat that you decide to buy should ideally be used for many years for your child to ride rear-facing and forward-facing stages, hence preventing you from buying multiple car seats.

We know that it is not easy, so hopefully, the list of good car seat products above should serve as an excellent guide when you go to the department store, see many seats, and look for a high-quality product. You can also visit other product review pages and blogs about car seats like the Car Seat Lady blog to learn more about baby car seat products.  Good luck!

Best Convertible Car Seat FAQs

What’s The Best In Comfort Convertible Car Seat?

What Car Seat Has The Best Safety Rating?

If you are searching for a convertible car seat with the highest car seat safety rating, the Britax Clicktight seat infant seat is a fantastic alternative. This infant car seat provides several features that make it a safe option for your child, including a steel frame, energy-absorbing foam, and an adjustable backrest. The Boulevard ClickTight seat also has been evaluated for its safety features in several disaster scenarios and is recommended for usage with youngsters from 5 to 40 pounds.

Is Graco Carseat One Of The Best Brands?

Graco is a well-known name in the infant goods industry. Due to the obvious high quality and safety of its goods, Graco has earned the confidence of a lot of parents. Graco has been in business for a considerable amount of time and has earned a stellar reputation. Strollers, infant car seats, and high chairs manufactured by Graco are among the company’s most sought-after items. Many parents have expressed their satisfaction with the longevity and sturdiness of Graco’s products. They also have the best car seat model that is much narrower than other car seats, allowing even three car seats to fit in small cars. Whether you have a big or compact car, Graco is an excellent choice if you are interested in purchasing reliable baby items and convertible seats of a high standard of quality.

What Age To Switch To Best Convertible Car Seat?

Once your kid reaches the age of 4, the majority of automotive safety specialists recommend that you upgrade to a car seat that has a convertible model. On the other hand, some parents choose to do this at an earlier age, while others hold off till their kid is a little bit older. In the end, the selection will be determined by the specific requirements and preferences of your kid. Your child may need a backless booster seat to elevate the position, as required. Before making the change, you should discuss it with your kid’s physician if you have any worries about the health or safety of your child. In addition, before the installation, make sure to read the instructions very carefully to guarantee a correct and risk-free fit.

What’s The Best Seat In Terms Of Longevity?

If you are planning on using the same seat that will serve your children well for many years, you should look into purchasing the Graco 4Ever 4-in-1 Car Seat. Your children will benefit enormously from this seat. This device, which has three additional functions added to it, may extend the life of a single-car seat by 10 years, making it feasible to use the seat for a total of twenty years. The 4Ever car seat that you are familiar with and love now comes with a Rapid Remove cover, an integrated seat belt tight lock-off for simple installation, and leatherette fuss-free harness storing to assist you in putting and taking your child in and out of the seat. These features are designed to make the process of putting and taking your child in and out of the seat easier.

How Many Years Is A Graco Extend2fit Good For?

After the date of production, the Graco Extend2Fit convertible car seat usually lasts for ten years. To provide safety based on crash test requirements and the lifetime of the materials, it’s crucial to remember that most convertible car seats have an expiration date, which you can find on the seat itself or in the manual to ensure safety based on crash test data and standards and materials’ longevity.

Is It Better To Get This Type Of Carseat?

Getting a convertible car seat can be beneficial because it grows with your child from infancy to toddlerhood, potentially up to when they are ready for booster seats. These seats often come with easy seat belt installation and lower anchors, making them a practical choice for long-term use. Moreover, all-in-one seats often include convertible car seats that can transition from rear-facing to forward-facing and finally to a booster seat.

What Are The Cons Of Convertible Car Chair?

The cons of convertible car seats include their larger size, which can be cumbersome to move between vehicles and may not fit as easily in smaller cars. They also lack the portability of infant car seats, meaning they do not usually click in and out of a base or stroller system. Additionally, initially adjusting the seat belt installations may not be as easy as with most infant car seats.

Why Is It Called A Convertible Car Seat?

It is called a convertible car seat because it can go from an infant’s rear-facing seat to a toddler’s forward-facing seat and occasionally even a booster seat for older kids. Because of its adaptability and crash test results, it is a well-liked option for parents searching for a long-term safety solution for their child’s car travels.

Can I Put My 6-Month-Old In A Convertible Car Seat?

Yes, you can put a 6-month-old in a convertible car seat as long as the seat is appropriate for the child’s weight and height and is properly installed. Most convertible car seats have an impressive seat with multiple recline positions and an infant insert to provide support for younger babies, which can be removed as they grow.

Can You Use A Convertible Car Seat On An Airplane?

Last Updated on April 11, 2023 by Rejie Salazar