Best Convertible Car Seat

What We Like

• Keeps kids comfortable rear-facing up to 50 lbs.
• High weight limit for LATCH
• Excellent crash test results

What We Dislike

• Belt is tough to install
• Too wide to easily fit 3 across

The Graco Extend2Fit is topping various car seat lists and has over 59,000 five-star ratings on Amazon. After reviewing it, we converted to this car seat (see what we did there?). The Graco Extend2Fit supports up to 50 pounds rear-facing and offers up to an extra 5 inches of legroom with an adjustable extension panel. This means kids can sit comfortably in a rear-facing position longer, which is best for car safety. The Extend2Fit uses LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) up to 45 pounds, higher than the competition. We also love that the seat pad is machine-washable.

Safety is the ultimate factor in choosing a car seat. The Extend2Fit has excellent crash test results, and some parents shared real-world stories of high performance, too. One reviewer wrote that she was in a crash that totaled her car, but fortunately, her baby daughter “was laughing and playing in the back seat like nothing happened.” We wish safe travels for every family, but it’s good to know this family was prepared when an accident did occur.

At 19.5 inches wide, the Extend2Fit is tough to install, and it doesn’t fit three seats across very well (or provide enough room for a back seat adult to squeeze between the seats). Nonetheless, the safety performance and comfort make up for these drawbacks, which is why this seat tops our list.

Dimensions (LxWxH): 21.5 x 19.5 x 23.5 in.

Weight: 19 lbs.

What We Like

• Inexpensive
• High crash test scores, including side-impact tests
• Easy one-hand buckle

What We Dislike

• Straps twist easily
• Thin padding
• Worst for installation

You’ve heard that “you get what you pay for,” but fortunately, in this case, you can get top marks for safety on a bare-bones budget. The Evenflo Tribute LX is only $79.99 but offers some of the best crash test scores, including side-impact, in its class. It’s lightweight, and the buckle is easy to pop open with one hand.

Complaints about car seat installation are fairly common, but this model had especially challenging installation and belt threading. Some parents needed a rolled towel to get the car seat installed securely. The Tribute LX also scored poorly for comfort. It’s a minimalist, budget car seat model with one job — to keep your child safe in a crash, and its strong performance at that job for a low price makes it our value pick.

Dimensions (LxWxH): 18 x 17 x 25 in.

Weight: 11.7 lbs.

What We Like

• 11.5 lbs.
• Machine-washable cover
• More comfortable than competition

What We Dislike

• About 1 lb. heavier than main lightweight competitor
• Buckles can pinch
• Difficult to install

Hauling travel and baby gear is cumbersome, so a lightweight car seat can make a difference for smooth travel. The Evenflo Sonus 65 isn’t the lightest or cheapest convertible car seat available, but we’re happy to accept an extra pound of weight for added comfort. The Sonus 65 has a more comfortably padded seat than the Cosco Scenera NEXT. We like the spacious seat, built-in ventilation, and easy-to-remove (and clean) cup holders. The Sonus 65 is FAA approved for plane travel and can fit three across.

Some drawbacks include complex installation, and some parents said it was difficult to work the buckle, which made it easy to pinch their baby’s legs. The Evenflo Sonus 65 doesn’t come with many bells and whistles, but it’s a compact and fairly inexpensive choice that can be especially useful as a backup seat for travel.

Dimensions (LxWxH): 15.5 x 18.5 x 26 in.

Weight: 11.5 lbs.

What We Like

• Booster accommodates children up to 120 lbs.
• Fits 3 seats across
• Machine-washable cover

What We Dislike

• Difficult to install
• Tall seats can push against driver's seat when rear-facing
• Have to rethread harness

Children are safest in a car seat or booster seat until they are big enough to sit safely without one, often around 60 to 80 pounds. Sometimes, parents may need a seat that can offer restraint and support for a higher weight limit. The Diono Radian 3R 3-in-1 can accommodate children up to 120 pounds. It’s easy to clean and can fit seats three across (parents say this is easier when one seat is rear-facing). This seat may be a particularly beneficial option for parents whose children are heavier or need to use a car seat for a long time.

The biggest drawback is that when the seat is rear-facing, the tall back can push against the driver’s seat. Taller parents may have trouble balancing their own need for legroom with the room the car seat takes up behind them. Parents also said this seat is especially challenging to install, and they didn’t like having to rethread the harness to adjust the fit.

Dimensions (LxWxH): 16 x 17 x 28.5 in.

Weight: 25.9 lbs.

What We Like

• Easy installation
• Comfortable seat
• No-rethread harness

What We Dislike

• Heavy
• Expensive

Installation woes are a common complaint when it comes to car seats. It’s a breath of fresh air to see a car seat make easy, safe installation a priority. The Britax Boulevard ClickTight is extremely quick to install, either rear-facing or forward. The LATCH hooks and seat belt installation are easy and intuitive, and parents say the car seat doesn’t budge once it’s clicked into place.

The Britax Boulevard ClickTight also has more premium, comfortable seat cushioning than many competitors, including other Britax models. This is the model to beat if you plan to move the seats between cars often and want to give your baby an exceptionally comfortable ride.

Among the downsides, the Britax Boulevard ClickTight is heavy and expensive. The Britax Boulevard also has lower crash performance results than some models. It still meets or exceeds federal safety guidelines and is considered a safe seat; however, proper installation is pivotal in ensuring car seats perform the way they should in a crash. As a result, this option is great for parents who struggle with installation and want to ensure the seat is set up as safely as possible.

Dimensions (LxWxH): 23 x 18.5 x 23.5 in.

Weight: 29.4 lbs.

What We Like

• Large UPF 50+ canopy
• Comfortable seating
• 100 lbs. forward-facing capacity

What We Dislike

• Spot clean only
• Buckle is complicated
• Low rear-facing weight limit of 40 lbs.

Many car seats focus on cushioning to maximize infant comfort, but not as many consider sun protection. The Baby Trend Cover Me offers a sizable UV-protective canopy that stands out from the crowd. It’s easy for a child to reach the flip-out panels to get extra sun-blocking coverage mid-drive. This is a solid choice for parents commuting at that time of day when sunbeams pierce directly through the windows.

The Baby Trend Cover Me also features one of the highest weight limits in its class for forward-facing, making this an excellent choice for parents hoping to use the seat long term. Parents praise the luxe feel and cushioned straps as well as the canopy.

While the Cover Me has a high weight limit for forward-facing, it has one of the lowest weight limits for rear-facing, at only 40 pounds. Parents of younger babies said there was less head support than they’d like for an infant. The Baby Trend Cover Me is not machine-washable, so you’ll have to spot clean, which is frustrating considering so many other models offer more convenient cleaning.

Dimensions (LxWxH): 17 x 20 x 33 in.

Weight: 16.3 lbs.

What We Like

• Greenguard Gold Certified
• Great crash test results
• Premium, luxury quality

What We Dislike

• Heavy
• Expensive

The Nuna RAVA is a luxury convertible car seat that strikes an outstanding balance between safety, environmental consideration, high-quality comfort, and ease of use. The seat meets Greenguard Gold certification requirements, one of the best standards in the industry for low chemical emissions. The fabric is bamboo polyester, a more sustainable textile than some options.

In terms of daily use, parents love the Nuna RAVA’s easy installation and high-quality comfort. The Nuna RAVA also earned impressive crash test ratings via BabyGearLab.

The main drawback of this model is its price. The luxury feel and high performance come with a hefty price tag that may make this car seat out of reach for some families. At just over 27 pounds, this is one of the heavier convertible car seats on our list, so this may not be the perfect option for travel.

Dimensions (LxWxH): 16 x 19 x 25.2 to 31 in.

Weight: 27.2 lbs.

What We Like

• Meets Greenguard Gold environmental certifications
• Very easy installation
• Narrow width great for 3 side-by-side seats

What We Dislike

• Heaviest on our list
• Expensive
• Not suitable for newborns

Keeping kids in a car seat as long as possible is recommended for safety, but space can become a challenge if you have a large family. The Clek Foonf is narrow enough (only 17 inches wide) to fit three in a row in most cars, and it also has a straightforward installation process.

If you’re looking for a car seat that’s built like a tank, look no further. The Clek Foonf is designed to look and feel like a smaller version of a full-size car seat. A solid metal skeleton, aluminum honeycomb crumple technology for impact absorption, and energy-absorbing foam all contribute to a super-sturdy seat. You can also add the anti-rebound bar for an extra layer of protection.

“Built like a tank” comes with the predictable downside that this car seat is extremely heavy, clocking in up to 38 pounds. It’s expensive, and you’ll need an extra car seat for newborns. The minimum weight for rear-facing is 14 pounds, and babies must be able to sit upright on their own. The fabric is also spot clean only.

Dimensions (LxWxH): 17.5 x 16.9 x 28 in.

Weight: 38 lbs.

What We Like

• Machine-washable and dishwasher safe
• 9-position headrest
• Mesh backrest for enhanced airflow

What We Dislike

• Release button is hidden underneath fabric
• On the pricier side

A mid-trip blowout or carsickness episode can be a hassle. The Chicco NextFit Max Zip Air has some of the best features on the market to make cleaning easy. The cover zips off and is machine-washable. You can throw the cup holder in the dishwasher (no more scrubbing out the gunk with baby wipes).

We love that the NextFit Max Zip Air offers a mesh backrest for extra airflow on hot days and 25% more legroom than other NextFit models, better for keeping kids rear-facing longer (up to 50 pounds).

Frankly, it was difficult finding reviews with negative things to say. One reviewer mentioned the NextFit Max Zip Air was a tight fit when rear-facing, and several parents said it was frustrating to have the harness release button hidden under the fabric.

Dimensions (LxWxH): 22.75 x 19 x 29.2 in.

Weight: 26.7 lbs.

What We Like

• Height-adjustable side-impact protection with 10 positions
• Easy installation
• Includes specially shaped newborn insert

What We Dislike

• No cup holder
• Pricey
• Leatherette details crack in machine washing

Convertible car seats are a great option to use as your child grows, but sometimes that means infant considerations take a back seat. The Primo Viaggio does an excellent job accommodating the littlest riders. The steel backplate minimizes flexing in a crash, and the seat uses energy-absorbing foam as a shock-absorbing feature. The seat comes with a newborn insert to support their neck, spine, and bottom. And the side-impact protection is height adjustable to 10 positions, even with your child in the seat.

Parents praise the Primo Viaggio for being compact, easy to clean, and easy to install. Some drawbacks are that the seat lacks a cup holder, and some parents noticed cracking in leatherette details after a machine wash.

Dimensions (LxWxH): 18.7 x 21.2 x 26 in.

Weight: 21 lbs.