Best Convertible Car Seats of 2025, Tested & Reviewed

From newborns to big kids, these car seats offer versatility for growing children.

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  By: Tali Ditye, Ph.D., Co-founder

  Updated: March 2, 2025

Mommyhood101 independently tests and curates baby gear to help you make informed decisions. If you buy products through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

When your baby is ready to transition from rear-facing to forward-facing, a convertible car seat makes it easy and convenient, helping you save time and money.

We've been reviewing convertible car seats for over 10 years, and if we made our own convertible car seat, here is what it would look like:

✔️  Rear-facing to 50 pounds.
✔️  Height limit at least 49" tall.
✔️  Adjustable harness & headrest.
✔️  No rethreading required.
✔️  Quick-release LATCH.
✔️  Seat belt lock-offs.
✔️  Side impact protection.
✔️  Steel-reinforced frame.
✔️  EPS energy-absorbing foam.
✔️  Crash crumple zones.
✔️  Anti-rebound bar or load leg.
✔️  Excellent crash test ratings.
✔️  Removable infant positioner.
✔️  Machine washable cover.
✔️  No flame retardants.
✔️  Breathable fabrics.
✔️  Narrow and lightweight.
✔️  Intuitive & easy installation.
✔️  Cup holder(s).

Of course, you will also want the car seat to fit your style (color, patterns) preferences, fit well in your vehicle, and meet your budget constraints. That's a lot to ask, and very few convertible car seats meet the needs of picky parents!

Full disclosure: Some of these car seats, including the Safety 1st, Baby Jogger, Maxi Cosi, Diono 3QX, and Graco models, were sent to us as free test samples by the manufacturer.

Below we summarize the top 5 models we've tested, followed by comprehensive reviews of over a dozen options.

The Top 5 Best Convertible Car Seats of 2025!

#1. Britax One4Life	★★★★★★★★★★ (10/10)	Our favorite premium all-in-one convertible car seat with ClickTight installation, SafeCell impact protection, and a 10-year lifespan. Rear-facing up to 50 lbs and transitions to a booster up to 120 lbs.
#2. Graco Extend2Fit	★★★★★★★★★★ (10/10)	Supports extended rear-facing up to 50 lbs with an innovative leg extension panel for extra comfort. Includes TrueShield side-impact protection and a no-rethread harness for easy adjustments.
#3. Chicco NextFit Zip	★★★★★★★★★★ (10/10)	Offers a machine-washable zip-off cover, SuperCinch LATCH installation, and excellent side-impact protection. A top choice for convenience and safety.
#4. Nuna RAVA	★★★★★★★★★☆ (9/10)	A luxury car seat with True Tension installation, no flame retardants, and extended rear-facing up to 50 lbs. However, it does not convert to a booster seat, limiting its long-term use.
#5. Diono Radian 3QX	★★★★★★★★★☆ (9/10)	A slim, all-in-one seat with a steel-reinforced frame, anti-rebound bar, and SafeStop harness technology. However, manual harness rethreading can be inconvenient for some parents.

In-Depth Reviews of the Best Convertible Car Seats

Summaries aren't enough? Below we provide comprehensive summaries of our hands-on reviews with each car seat.

1. Britax One4Life All-in-One Convertible Car Seat

The One4Life is one of the newest additions to the Britax line-up of excellent car seats. Offering superior versatility and features and competing directly with the Graco Extend2Fit and other all-in-one convertible car seats, it's quickly winning over hearts and minds. The One4Life is the most versatile car seat offered by Britax, supporting kids from 5 to 120 pounds. It starts as a rear-facing infant car seat with an infant insert, supporting infants from 5-50 pounds (or until the top of their head is less than 1" from the top of the headrest). Then it transitions to a front-facing toddler car seat, supporting toddlers and big kids from 22-65 pounds (and less than 49" tall). Finally, the One4Life transitions to a high back belt-positioning booster mode, supporting kids from 40 to 120 pounds. This impressive versatility makes it a truly all-in-one car seat, taking advantage of a 10-year expiration date to support your child from newborn to the end of their first decade. In our testing, we thought that most of the fanfare surrounding the One4Life is well justified given the features, comfort, installation ease, versatility, and safety. We first got our hands on the One4Life at a baby show a couple years ago, and then more recently we got our hands on it for a hands-on review. We were very impressed with the quality of this car seat. It feels like a tank - heavy, large, and thick padding and high-quality plastics all around. And when we say it's a tank, we're not kidding: it's 30 pounds and nearly 20" wide!

When it comes to safety features, the weight and bulk pay off in spades: For safety features, you get a steel-reinforced frame, EPS energy-absorbing foam, SafeCell impact-absorbing technology, ClickTight installation, and two beefy layers of side-impact protection. Britax also recently added an anti-rebound bar option for rear-facing installations, which we love! Installing the One4Life was a breeze using the awesome ClickTight system that allows you to lift up the front of the seat and follow clearly labeled belt paths (the blue stickers indicate rear-facing information, and the green indicates forward-facing information). This is one of the best aspects of Britax seats because it increases the chances that parents will properly install the car seat - and a properly installed car seat is one of the best safety "features" that money can buy. Features abound in the One4Life with a 9-position recline, 15-position quick-adjust headrest and harness height, 2 removable cupholders that are dishwasher safe, a removable cover, harness holder slots, and a flip-forward crotch buckle pad, modern quick-connect LATCH connectors, and a cool harness storage compartment when the seat transitions to belt-positioning booster mode. So what didn't we like? It's a large car seat: wide, heavy, and safe. It's not ideal for compact cars, fitting three car seats in a row, lugging through an airport, or moving frequently between vehicles. It's simply not designed for that. Looking for a slimmmer version? Check out our Britax One4Life Slim review here! Overall, we love this new addition to the growing family of all-in-one convertible car seats, and think it's very worthy of this spot in our list! Who else loves the Britax One4Life? Our friends at Babylist consider it a top pick! Interested? You can check out the Britax One4Life all-in-one convertible car seat here!

2. Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat

Still the best after all these years, the Graco Extend2Fit is hard to beat with its superior features, versatility, comfort, safety, and ease of use. It truly stands out against the crowd for several primary reasons. First and foremost, it supports rear-facing all the way up to 50 pounds and has a really large overall weight range, going all the way down to 4 pounds (making it a great option for preemies), and up to 65 pounds. It also has a sturdy steel-reinforced frame, a no-rethread harness, adjustable recline and headrest height, hefty side impact protection, EPS energy-absorbing foam, superior crash test performance, two cup holders, and the easy-to-use EZ-Tight LATCH system. This Graco Extend2Fit convertible car seat begins as a rear-facing seat for infants, supporting babies as little as 4 pounds with the included infant insert. In line with current safety recommendations to extend rear-facing for as long as possible, the Extend2Fit supports rear-facing all the way up to 50 pounds (or until your toddler's head is less than 1" below the grey headrest adjustment handle) using an innovative extension panel that pulls out on the front, extending leg room up to 5 inches!

In our testing, we could fit kids up to nearly 3 years old rear-facing. If they're taller, they'll likely reach the height limit before that time, but most toddlers will be able to stay comfortably rear-facing for at least 2 years in this seat. Speaking of comfort, we found the fabric and padding to be plush and high quality, and toddlers seemed very happy on long rides. Installation was a breeze with the LATCH system but a bit more involved when using the vehicle's seat belt. Once installed, we need to mention that the extension panel makes the Extend2Fit stick out quite a bit from the back seat. For a smaller car or taller front seat occupants, this can make things challenging, causing it to press up against the back of a front seat. This won't be an issue with a full-size car or SUV, but it's worth pointing out if you wouldn't be comfortable sliding your seat forward a bit more than usual. Given the increased safety offered by extended rear-facing, we think this is worth the inconvenience. As always, read the owner's manual because there are some specifics about recline positions for different weight ranges that are worth knowing. Cons? It doesn't transition to a belt-positioning high back booster, so it's not an all-in-one car seat (though Graco does sell a pricey Extend2Fit all-in-one model), and there is no anti-rebound bar offered in the U.S. Overall, we found this Graco Extend2Fit to be the best overall car seat on the market, with super versatility, comfort, reliability, ruggedness, ease of use, superior crash testing performance, and safety. And we're not the only ones, it's also a top pick by our friends at Babylist, The Bump, WhatToExpect, Babygearlab, and The Wirecutter. Impressed? You can check out the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat here.

3. Chicco NextFit Zip Convertible Car Seat

The Chicco NextFit Zip supports newborn babies as small as 5 pounds using the infant insert (use the insert from 5-11 pounds), and up to 40 pounds in rear-facing mode. Transitioning to front-facing mode, the NextFit can support toddlers and big kids from 22 up to 65 pounds (or up to 49" tall). The Chicco NextFit Zip is always a crowd favorite and for several good reasons. One is convenience: it uses a zip-off machine-washable cover that makes cleaning a breeze. It also uses an easy-to-use and innovative LATCH system to make for easy installations and is overall easy to use in terms of adjustments and fit. And it's super comfy with its bucket-seat style and soft breathable fabric. It also offers a nice wide adjustment range, and some great safety features including side-impact protection, a steel-reinforced frame, and EPS energy-absorbing foam. Its weight range is on par with most other convertible car seats, though it can't stay rear-facing up to 50 pounds like some others. In our testing, we loved the easy-to-read recline indicators with their intuitive numbered system (from 1 to 9) for rear- and front-facing modes. They also included bubble levels to make sure you have things positioned appropriately. Second, the Zip-off washable cover was brilliant, we were really impressed with how easy it was to remove the cover and throw it into the wash. It was also easy to get back on. In our opinion, the Zip feature is worth every penny, and you will realize why the first time you have vomiting or a diaper explosion! Third, we loved how the lower straps of the harness automatically flared outward when unbuckled, to make it easier to slide your baby in and out. Fourth, the Super Cinch LATCH system made life much easier when attaching the seat; of course, it also can be attached using the vehicle seat belts, but the Super Cinch system takes the guesswork and struggles out of getting a good LATCH connection.

Finally, we thought the side impact padding was substantial and the headrest was easy to adjust up and down, and we loved how high and low the headrest went, adjusting between 9 different positions. The steel-reinforced frame and EPS energy-absorbing foam give us confidence in the event of a crash, though for this price we hope Chicco will add an anti-rebound bar soon. The only cons are that it's very big and heavy just like most of the front-runners this year, rear-facing is limited to 40 pounds, and the bucket seat is super cozy but can be more difficult to get babies into and out of (especially in smaller cars and with chunky monkeys!). The Chicco NextFit Zip comes in at a whopping 26 pounds, nearly the heaviest on our list; but remember, this is convertible so it will likely be staying in your car 99% of the time unless you need to swap it between vehicles a lot. Note there are a couple of other versions of the NextFit, including the NextFit Sport and NextFit Air. The NextFit Sport is the least expensive but does not have an infant insert or support infants under 12 pounds, and the NextFit Air is the most expensive with its 3D AirMesh lumbar area to promote airflow. Who else loves the Chicco NextFit? It's a top pick by our friends at Babylist, The Bump, and WhatToExpect. Impressed? You can check out the Chicco NextFit Zip here.

4. Nuna RAVA Convertible Car Seat

The Nuna RAVA supports children rear-facing from 5 pounds (using the infant insert designed for 5-11 pounds) up to 50 pounds, and front-facing from 22 to 65 pounds. Maximum child height is 49". Like the Extend2Fit, the Nuna RAVA uses an awesome little calf support panel on the front of the seat to extend rear-facing leg room for taller toddlers. Nuna makes super comfortable and very high-quality car seats, and the RAVA is no exception. Yes, it's expensive, but you get a lot for the price. For safety, the Nuna RAVA supports rear-facing all the way up to 50 pounds, uses True Tension (just like ClickTight) lock-off technology, premium and easy-to-use LATCH connectors, impressive side-impact protection including flip-out side impact protection (SIP) pods, a steel-reinforced frame, and EPS energy-absorbing foam. In addition to the safety, it's also a premium seat in terms of its styling and super premium fit and finish, has a machine-washable cover, easy adjustments, and a no-rethread harness, and we found the adjustments easy to use. The 10 recline positions and 10 headrest/harness heights are unmatched, and the crotch buckle is adjustable without rethreading! It looks, feels, and acts like a truly premium car seat. The fabrics are top-notch and the softest and plushest on this list, and your baby will be thanking you for the level of superior comfort that NUNA has achieved. Note that most of the Nuna Rava seats are flame retardant-free, meaning that they do not include any of the harsh chemical sprays that many seats use, which is great for parents looking for a more natural alternative.

Installation was very confidence-inspiring; we won't say it's easy the first time, but once you read the manual and watch a demo video, you'll realize just how awesome it is. It does come with the premium quality (push-button) LATCH lower anchor connectors, but NUNA is very adamant (with tons of bright stickers to tell you so) that they want to you use the vehicle's lap and shoulder belt for installation. Why? With all the confusion about when to switch from lower anchors to the vehicle's seat belt, NUNA wanted to simplify and keep their customers confident and safe. Like most of the car seats on this list, it's very heavy and large, and also pretty wide (about 19"). It also has no booster mode and a somewhat awkward cup holder. Other than that, this car seat truly has it all, with premium fabrics, premium safety, and convenience features, but also a premium price tag. If the price tag doesn't scare you away, we highly recommend the RAVA for discerning parents who want a high-quality, comfortable, and beautiful car seat. Who else loves the RAVA? It's a top pick by our friends at Babygearlab, Babylist, and WhatToExpect. Impressed? You can check out the Nuna Rava here.

5. Diono Radian 3QX Convertible Car Seat

The 3Q series is the newest addition to Diono's line-up of high-quality and versatile car seats with an excellent safety record, versatility, comfort, and features. Diono is world-renowned for its narrow car seat profiles that make it possible to fit three car seats in a row, including the original Radian 3R and this new Radian 3QX and 3QXT. Just like the original Radian 3R, this new Q series comes in at a super slim 17" wide while including a hefty steel-reinforced frame, excellent side impact protection, energy-absorbing Safe Stop harness technology, and a steel anti-rebound bar for added rear-facing protection. In addition, the Radian 3QX added a newly designed SAFE+ infant insert that can be used with infants as little as 4 pounds, and a much greater headrest adjustment range (12 positions and 22% more range) than the original Radian models (to fit taller kiddos!). Because a proper installation is the most important safety "feature" of any car seat, Diono put a lot of thought into making installation intuitive and effective, including easy-to-use visual indicators, adjustable crotch buckle positions, one-handed headrest adjustment, an amazingly posh infant insert, and harness buckles that are smooth and easy to operate. The new Radian 3Q series can support infants as small as 4 pounds, extend rear-facing use up to 50 pounds, serve as a forward-facing car seat with a harness up to 65 pounds, and as a belt-positioning high-back booster up to 120 pounds. That's class-leading range!

In our testing, our immediate impressions were about bulk and weight. This is a big (tall, not wide!) and very sturdy car seat that feels extremely high quality and has a great fit and finish. It feels like it would do an excellent job protecting your little one in an accident, and we can't say that about all of the car seats we test! The fabric is soft, the cushioning is comfortable, and we loved that the base can fold up for storage or transport. We installed it with minimal difficulty and we appreciated the vast adjustments. The shoulder harness requires manual rethreading from the rear; while we realize this isn't as convenient as a quick-adjust harness, those do tend to "bind up" and become difficult to loosen or tighten. You'll likely only need to adjust the harness height once or twice in the first year, and then likely only about once every year or two as your child grows. In the rear-facing position, you don't even need to uninstall the seat to rethread. After we installed the 3QX in the rear-facing position, the new infant insert was incredibly comfortable and supportive! When you remove the infant insert, the seating area is surprisingly deep (about 13"). This is great because even when your child's legs get longer, there is still room for them in the rear-facing position. The harness tightens and loosens smoothly, and the rear-facing angles are great for infants and toddlers alike. As a true 5-in-one car seat, the Radian 3QX is comfortable and versatile in both rear- and front-facing positions. We love the soft seat pillow, and the small amount of space this seat occupies while front-facing is really impressive. Were we able to fit 3 in a row? Yes! Even in our 2021 RAV4 and our 2015 MDX, we could configure 3 in a row, just like with the original 3R series. Overall, we think the new Q series Radian car seats are a fantastic addition to the Diono family, and we are happy to have a chance to try them out. Note that the 3QXT adds another infant protection insert and more side impact support, and the 3QXT+ adds adjustable leg support for added front-facing comfort. Cons? With smaller vehicles, the car seat might be a bit tall in rear-facing infant mode; we suggest at least a mid-size car or SUV with the Radian models in rear-facing position (or short adults who don't mind having their seats slide forward!). Also, while manual rethreading harnesses have some advantages, we still prefer the quick-adjust style. Not deal breakers, but worth mentioning! Overall, we think the new Radian 3Q series is perfect for families who want a true 5-in-one car seat (from preemies to 10-year-olds!) without compromising on safety, quality, or comfort, and keeping a slim enough profile to fit up to two additional car seats in the same row. Interested? You can check out the Diono Radian 3QX all-in-one convertible car seat here and use the coupon code DIONOGIVE20 for 20% off your order!

6. Clek Foonf Convertible Car Seat 

The Clek Foonf has both style and substance, supporting infants in rear-facing mode from 14-50 pounds (25-43" tall), but it can be used from birth with a separate infant insert (called the "infant thingy"). Once you transition to forward-facing, the Foonf supports children from 22-65 pounds (30-49" tall). Clek likes to say the Foonf is built like a tank, and we can't agree more! Coming in at a hefty 33 pounds, the Clek Foonf sports crumple zones, a steel-reinforced frame, and a steel anti-rebound bar. Those alone probably add about 10 pounds to this seat! Despite the weight, you won't notice much bulk: the Clek Foonf is sleek, narrow, and stylish. At under 17" wide (16.9" to be precise), this is one of the narrowest convertible car seats on the market, making it perfect for smaller cars and fitting three car seats in a row. But don't let that small stance and cute styling fool you, the Foonf has some serious capability! Features include push-button rigid LATCH connectors, three recline settings (across a nice wide range), an adjustable headrest that doubles as side impact protection, shoulder, and torso side impact wings, energy-absorbing EPP foam, and amazing fabric. Let's talk about that fabric: the Foonf uses Greenguard GOLD-certified fabrics (C-Zero Plus Performance Collection) that are free of nasty flame retardants, super soft and durable, and very high quality. Our initial impressions of the Foonf were that it was indeed built like a tank, heavy, stylish, very high quality, and inspires confidence with its safety and durability.

Installation is a breeze with the LATCH connectors or vehicle seat belts, and adjustments were easy. Just read the manual and watch videos (here's a great one) to help with adjustments. The buckles are easy to use, the recline is straightforward (though limited in slots), and the headrest height is easy to adjust. We had to work a little harder here to rethread the harness from the back, which was a little unfortunate (note that the harness slots range from 8" to 17" in height). Our test toddlers found the seat to be super comfortable, and we liked how they could peek out over the side impact wings without too much effort, making the seat feel less claustrophobic than some options (like the Chicco). Made in Canada, the safety, eco-friendly materials, and style all inspire confidence whenever we use this car seat; and that's hard to find, and might be worth paying for. Some cons worth mentioning. First, it has a high weight minimum for rear-facing (14 pounds) unless you purchase the infant-thingy. And that brings us to the second issue, which is that there are a lot of accessories to purchase separately, including a cup holder (the "drink thingy"). Finally, the cover is not machine washable because you will remove the coatings that give it superior water-repellant, anti-odor, and anti-bacterial properties. Instead, you need to wipe it down for cleaning, which makes sense. Who else loves the Clek Foonf? It's a top pick by our friends at WhatToExpect, Babygearlab, and Babylist. Impressed? You can check out the Clek Foonf here.

7. Baby Jogger City Turn Convertible Car Seat

Over the past couple of years, rotating car seats have gotten a ton of attention. And for good reason: the ability to rotate the seat towards the door makes it much easier to get your child in and out of the car seat. The Baby Jogger City Turn offers rotation in an extremely high-quality and luxurious car seat with tons of features and capabilities. In addition to the ability to rotate your child 90 degrees in either direction, the City Turn also offers superior safety, comfort, and convenience. For safety, it includes the RAPIDLOCK belt-tensioning installation process, belt or LATCH installation, crash safety testing, side impact protection, steel-reinforced frame, belt lock-offs, and multiple (recline, headrest, buckle position) adjustments to achieve a safe fit. For comfort, it uses a soft dry-wicking fabric, multiple layers of cozy cushions, a removable infant insert (preemie support down to 4 pounds), and plush shoulder harness and crotch buckle pads. For convenience, the smooth one-handed rotation feature brings your child about 10" closer to you, the recline and no-rethread headrest height adjustments are easy to use and cover a wide range, the cover can be removed and machine washed, and the seat is TSA certified for air travel. Couple all that with a wide weight (4-50 pounds rear-facing, 22-65 pounds front-facing) range and a 10-year expiration, and you have a car seat that could last your family through several children!

We got our hands on the City Turn late last year for testing, and you can read our full Baby Jogger City Turn review here. Overall, we were very impressed with the quality and style, the ease of installation and adjustment, the comfort levels, and the smooth rotation that can be done one-handed. The City Turn is on par with the Nuna RAVA for overall quality, which is saying a lot! The only limitations we encountered were two-fold: first, the rotation feature only works in rear-facing mode, and second, it does not convert to a belt-positioning booster. Neither of these limitations is unique to the City Turn, and we thought they were very minor. Overall, we love the City Turn and think it is the best rotating car seat we've tested! Impressed? You can check out the Baby Jogger City Turn here.

8. Graco 4Ever 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat

The Graco 4Ever offers amazing 4in1 versatility, supporting children from 4 to 120 pounds. This begins as a rear-facing infant seat (4 to 40 pounds, under 49" tall), then transitioning to a front-facing harness toddler seat (22 to 65 pounds, under 49" tall), a front-facing belt-positioning booster (40 to 100 pounds, 43-57" tall), then finally to a bottom-only booster (40 to 120 pounds, 43-57" tall). That weight and height range offers some serious versatility, truly supporting your child from birth up to about 10 years old! For safety, it includes side-impact protection, a steel-reinforced frame, EPS energy-absorbing foam, and great crash-test performance. A critical part of car seat safety is achieving a proper installation, and the 4Ever has super easy installation and adjustments, with modern InRight LATCH connectors, a no-rethread 5-point harness with quick shoulder and headrest height adjustment (10 heights), 6 recline positions, and belt lock-off. In addition to these safety and installation features, it also has the convenience features you've come to expect in a $250 car seat: two cup holders, removable infant insert, a rapid remove washable cover, and harness storage to keep the harness out of the way while getting your baby in and out. In our testing, our first impression was this this car seat was truly huge and heavy! Installation was a little cumbersome given the sheer mass of this car seat, but adjustments themselves were pretty easy.

The top handle was easy to use for adjusting the harness and headrest height, the recline handle is conveniently located up front and easy to use, the color-coded recline settings and built-in level were nice touches, and the two buckles were easy to open and close. After transitioning the Graco 4Ever between its various modes, we came to realize that it truly is a Jack of all trades, but perhaps also a master of none. As a rear-facing infant car seat, it's excessively large and cumbersome and isn't likely to fit into smaller vehicles. And as a front-facing belt-positioning booster it starts to see a little narrow in the seat and torso for bigger kids. Also, after using the car seat for a few months, some of the adjustments got a little stiff and harder to use. The fabric and padding are comfortable, but not to the level of the Nuna RAVA. We did like the cup holders and thought the overall versatility offered by the 4Ever (and its 10-year expiration to make that possible) was really impressive and likely worth the cost. Note that rear-facing does support up to 40 pounds, but if you're looking to go up to 50 pounds then you might want to check out the Graco 4Ever Extend2Fit, which adds the 5" extension panel to add more leg room and rear-facing support. Overall, we think you really can't go wrong with this safe, sturdy, well-made, and ridiculously versatile Graco 4Ever, and it is very deserving of this spot on our list. Who else loves the 4Ever? It's also a top pick by our friends at Babylist and WhatToExpect. Impressed? You can check out the Graco 4Ever 4in1 car seat here.

9. Diono Radian 3RXT All-in-One Convertible Car Seat

The narrow Diono Radian 3RXT was recently updated with some more substantial safety features. The new Radian 3RXT supports children from 5 to 50 pounds rear-facing, using the removable infant insert. It then transitions to a front-facing toddler seat to support from 22-65 pounds, and finally to a high back belt-positioning booster to support from 40-120 pounds (up to 57" tall). Like the Graco 4Ever, this car seat can support your baby from birth until they are ready to leave a car seat entirely (the 10-year expiration makes that dream a reality)! What makes the Diono Radian 3RXT truly unique is they are perfect for fitting three car seats in a row, with a super narrow (17" wide) stature. But the benefits don't stop there, the 3RXT also has excellent safety and convenience features. For safety, it has a steel-reinforced frame, EPS energy-absorbing foam, side-impact protection, and the Diono energy-absorbing Safe Stop harness technology. We all know how important installation is for safety, and Diono makes proper installation and positioning a breeze with their SuperLATCH system, clear visual indicators, 12 headrest height adjustments, 2-in-1 head and body infant insert and newborn wedge, three crotch buckle positions, and the nifty adjustable bottom sides that angle in and out to accommodate growing thighs.

The only thing that the 3RXT is missing in the installation and adjustment department is a no-rethread harness: the harness will need to be manually rethreaded as your child grows, to move it between the five height positions. Outside of that little nuisance, in our testing we found that this car seat has really high-quality fit and finish everywhere, easy adjustments, an easy-to-remove and machine washable cover, a great detachable cup-holder, and an easy-fold capability for transport (it's also approved for air travel). The fabric is soft and breathable, and the styling is simple and sophisticated. Yes, it's expensive, coming in at about $300. And it's ridiculously heavy at 30 pounds, and we totally prefer a no-rethread harness system. But it's truly a very high quality, safe, reliable, durable, super narrow, and comfortable seat that accommodates not only extended rear-facing but also a wide range of baby shapes and sizes. Who else loves the Radian 3RXT? It's a top pick by our friends at Babylist and The Bump. Impressed? you can check out the new Diono Radian 3RXT here!

Honorable Mention Car Seats:

Our Review of the Cybex Sirona M SensorSafe Convertible Car Seat
Our Review of the Evenflo Everystage DLX All-in-one Convertible Car Seat
Our Review of the Baby Jogger City View Convertible Car Seat

Recently removed from this list: Diono Rainier has been discontinued. Britax Advocate has been discontinued. Britax Boulevard has been discontinued.

Other Graco Convertible Car Seat Models to Consider

• Graco MySize 65: The MySize 65 is basically the same as the Graco Size4Me. It has a nice low weight minimum of 4 pounds, making it a great option for preemies, but it only goes up to 65 pounds. Doesn't feel as sturdy as others, no steel-reinforced frame, but does have EPS energy-absorbing foam. The harness was difficult to tighten, the lower buckle was too big for chubby thighs, and the chest buckle was hard to unbuckle at times.
• Graco Size4Me 65: As we said above, the Size4Me is basically the Graco MySize 65. It is also similar to the Graco Contender but with a rapid removal cover, premium LATCH connectors, thicker cushioning and infant insert. We review the Contender in our budget car seat list.
• Graco MyRide 65: Here is a great inexpensive convertible option (about $85), and we do a full review of the Graco MyRide in our best budget convertible car seats list.

The Diono Model Numbering System:

Diono makes a truly amazing line of convertible car seats, but the model numbers and letters are a little confusing. Here's what they mean: the 2 or 3 is simply the version, with the Radian being on its 3rd version (e.g., the 3RXT), and the Rainier being on its 2nd version (e.g., the 2AXT). The next things to consider are the letters: you can ignore the R and A, and focus on the X and T. The X indicates that it includes an infant positioner, and the T indicates that it includes an adjustable headrest. So to get all that a Diono car seat has to offer, you're looking for the XT versions (e.g., the Radian 3RXT or Rainier 2AXT).

Additional Safety Guidance

In addition to the safety benefits of rear-facing, some additional convertible car seat safety guidance includes:

• Install the car seat in the center rear seat, which can reduce injury risk by 43% relative to rear outboard positions (see the research here).
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for all aspects of installation, adjustments, maintenance, and care.
• Visit a safety event, fire station, or local child passenger safety (CPS) technician to get your installation checked for safety. You can find one here.
• When rear-facing, the shoulder straps should be at the same height or lower than the top of your child's shoulders. See more information and details here.
• When front-facing, the shoulder straps should be at the same height or higher than the top of your child's shoulders.
• In any configuration, the top of your child's head should be at least 1" lower than the top edge of the car seat's shell. Check the owner's manual for any deviation from this guidance.

Remember, safety first! If you are ever uncertain about any installation steps, adjustments, or transitions, contact a CPS technician (see link above).

Factors to Consider when Picking a Convertible Car Seat:

Our hands-on testing and focus groups resulted in some outstanding convertible car seats for you to consider. The overall best and safest convertible car seats include options from Clek, Britax, Graco, Chicco, Maxi Cosi, Nuna, Peg Perego and Diono. Even with our selections, we realize that finding the perfect car seat isn't a simple task, and there is a daunting range of factors you can consider. Here are the most important factors we consider when conducting our reviews!

Car Seat Ease of Use Ratings

This is one of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a convertible car seat. The last thing you want to do is drop several hundred dollars and find yourself dealing with a frustrating installation process, annoying adjustments, cumbersome buckles, or a cover that isn't removable or washable! Even the most comfortable and safest convertible car seat will render itself super annoying if you end up cursing it every time you use it!

In our hands-on testing, we consider how all of the individual components work, and how they work together. We're looking for an install that's intuitive and won't pinch fingers or stress your arms, adjustments that are smooth and extensive, buckles and straps that are not only easy to secure but also easy to unbuckle in a hurry, and covers that are removable and machine washable. In general, we found that the more expensive car seats are the ones that are also generally more user-friendly. But there were also some exceptions: in our reviews of some more expensive and versatile Maxi Cosi seats, we found some adjustments and buckles to be super cumbersome and annoying. We consider all of these factors when pulling together our final ratings.

Car Seat Reliability Ratings

Convertible car seats are getting increasingly versatile and make claims of lasting for up to 10 years with some models, like the Maxi Cosi Magellan 5-in-1 or the Graco 4Ever. But if you're expecting to use a car seat from newborn to double-digits, you better be sure that it can withstand the test of time. We have plenty of old car seats in our garage that we've tested and within a few years, they have splitting fabric seams, sticky buckles, broken harness buckles, restricted or stuck adjustments, and more. Don't worry, those car seats didn't make it onto this list!

The bottom line is that car seats are increasingly expected to last for a very long time, and it's therefore necessary for car seat manufacturers to use increasingly high-quality parts. Is that always the case? Nope. In their quest to hit every portion of the car seat market, the companies don't always think about long-term reliability for when parents actually attempt to use the seats for 8-10 years. We update all of our reviews as we gain experience with long-term testing. We think that's important because some convertible car seats are outstanding out-of-the-box and then don't stand the test of time.

Car Seat Versatility

Like we mentioned above when talking about car seat reliability, car seat companies are trying to make a single convertible seat that will appeal to every aspect of the car seat market: newborn, infant, toddler, big kids, and all the way up to tweens. That means some of the convertible car seats can support babies as little as 4 pounds, making them a great option for premature babies; but it also means that same car seat can convert to up to 4 other configurations and show some serious versatility while your baby, toddler, and big kid grows up.

We have been testing car seats for over 10 years and in our opinion, we think it's best to begin with a dedicated infant car seat (see our car seat buying guide for some great reasons why) and use it until your baby grows out of it (usually at about 35 pounds). That will make your life much easier during the infant years, allowing you to snap an infant car seat in-and-out of the base and your stroller. Then, switch to a rear-facing convertible car seat, which will eventually transition to front-facing, then to a booster (belt-positioning, and sometimes even bottom-only).

Of course, this is the more expensive option since it involves purchasing two separate car seats, but it will pay dividends in convenience and your and your baby's comfort. If you're on a tight budget, then a 4-in-1 or 5-in-1 convertible car seat might be a good option for you. In our testing, we consider the challenge of choosing car seats that have high versatility without breaking the bank, and without compromising on comfort or suitability any single stage of development.

Cost for the Best Baby and Toddler Car Seats?

You have probably realized by now that convertible car seats vary widely in quality, style, and price. Some convertible car seats sell for about $100 (see our reviews of cheap convertible car seats here), most in the $200-250 range, and then some others for $250 upwards to $500. In our experience, you can get a truly fantastic convertible car seat for about $200, and it's only really worth increasing above that point if the car seat offers additional safety or convenience features that aren't offered at the lower price point. We do not suggest forking over $300-400 simply to get the more stylish or popular car seat of the year - many of those seats look amazing but aren't always great for ventilation or cooling, or ease of use. In our reviews, we consider these trade-offs when ranking the contenders.

Varied Baby Weight and Height

Many parents make the transition to forward-facing too early. According to the NHTSA and AAP, the safest way for your child to ride in a car seat is rear-facing until they reach the car seat manufacturer's weight or height limits, usually around 2 years old.

That said, many convertible car seats will extend the time your little one can remain rear-facing, sometimes up to 50 pounds; research shows that prolonged rear-facing reduces the risk of injury or death in the event of an accident.

Convertible car seats vary widely in weight and height ranges. Some popular models like the Maxi Cosi Pria are basically designed for toddlers and up, whereas others like the 4Ever are designed for newborns and up. Some also have very high weight and height ranges but in reality, they have narrow proportions that aren't well suited for chunky monkeys, or a headrest that doesn't rise up high enough for taller kids. In other words, car seats sometimes offer high height and weight limits that aren't very realistic given the actual dimensions of the seating surfaces and the versatility of the adjustments. In our testing, we try our best to test out the car seats on shorter, taller, skinnier, and chunkier kiddos to make sure we're getting a good representation of how the seat does at supporting its claimed range. In this manner, we try to go beyond simply stating the specifications of the seats, to providing you with feedback from real-world use.

Safety and Crash Test Results

All convertible car seats sold in the United States are safe. That's because they all have to meet the strict federal NHTSA safety standards and requirements, which include passing stringent crash tests and build requirements. Of course, some car seats exceed those requirements by adding additional safety features. The top 10 convertible car seats have some great examples of that. This includes multi-layer upper and lower side-impact protection, steel-reinforced frames, lower and upper energy-absorbing foam and crumple zones, anti-rebound bars, and load legs. At a minimum, these additional safety features will provide some extra security during a crash, helping to absorb some of the harsh forces involved when a vehicle impacts another object from the front, side, or rear.

For instance, an anti-rebound bar and load leg can reduce dramatic rotational forces during a collision by up to 50%. Is that worth an extra $100 or so? We'll let you be the judge, but in or opinion it's worth the peace of mind. Most CPST technicians will note that even more important than all these safety features is that you are performing the installation safely and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. This includes appropriate installation angles, thresholds for the amount of play (wiggle-room) in a seat, the distance from the front seat when rear-facing, how to recline beyond car seat adjustment ranges to compensate for a pitched vehicle seat, when to switch from LATCH to vehicle belt, vehicle belt routing, appropriate crotch and shoulder belt positions for your baby's size, and how to use tethers correctly. If you are at all concerned about a proper installation, most local police or fire departments have a CPST technician who can help make sure car seats are properly installed. Finally, always check car seat expiration dates to make sure you're in the clear.

Car Size to Fit Convertible Car Seats

If you don't drive a large car or SUV, and you have more than one child, you definitely need to consider the size of the convertible car seat. This includes both the width and height of the seat. Width is important when you're trying to squeeze multiple car seats into the back seat of your car, and height is important when the convertible car seat is rear-facing (since it will likely come in contact with the back of the driver's or passenger's seat). Modern convertible car seats are getting larger and larger, with bigger side-impact protection, thicker cushioning, taller backs, and accessories like cup holders that often stick out a couple inches on the side and/or front of the car seat. Technically speaking, this is a good thing - car seats are also getting safer, more comfortable, and more versatile. But it also makes squeezing car seats into little cars a bigger issue for some families. We have two suggestions here. First, do the measurements. It only takes a few minutes to grab a measuring tape and figure out what your space constraints are, and compare these with the car seat's specifications. Second, check out our list of the narrowest car seats of the year! On this list, you will learn about some excellent car seats that also have a relatively small footprint, like the Clek Foonf, Clek Fllo, and several others!

Conclusions

Our Hands-on Car Seat Tests and Ratings

Over 8 million convertible seats were sold last year alone, but according to our research, only about half of new parents are happy with their purchase decision! That's a problem, and our reviews are here to help! Three times a year we pull together parents and kids to test the best new models we can find, installing them in different vehicles, putting in infants, toddlers, and big kids, and testing out all of the key features. We try them out as a rear-facing infant and toddler car seat, a forward-facing car seat and if possible for the model, as a booster seat.

During our hands-on testing, we spill milk and juice on them, test their stability during erratic driving, measure head-flops during naps, research crash test ratings, test all of the features and adjustments, and solicit honest opinions from parents who have owned and used the convertible car seats for at least 6 months. We also read all of the published safety and crash test results available from Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) ease of use ratings.

To learn more about what we consider in our reviews and testing, and learn about what model might be best for your family, check out our complete car seat buying guide. Ideally, the seat you choose will be the best for your infant, the best toddler car seat, a great big kid seat, and an awesome booster. But, most 4-in-1 car seats are a jack-of-all-trades and master of none, so you might be better off picking out one of the best infant car seats separately and then graduating to a convertible car seat around 2-3 years of age. Some are tempted to transition their toddler front-facing earlier around the 15-month timeframe, but the American Academy of Pediatrics makes very strong safety statements about how children should remain rear-facing until at least their 2nd birthday or until they reach one of the car seat manufacturer's height or weight limits. If you're looking for something less expensive than these options, such as the Evenflo Symphony, check out our reviews of the best inexpensive convertible car seats!

As always, if you have any questions or need personalized advice, visit our facebook page and send us a message!

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Car Seats and our Test Results

What convertible car seat is best for small cars? The Diono Radian 3RXT comes in at just under 17" wide, making it perfect for small cars and even fitting three car seats in a row.

Which convertible car seat is easiest to install? The Britax One4Life uses the amazing ClickTight system, making installations super easy.

Can I use a convertible car seat for a newborn? Yes, a convertible car seat can be positioned rear-facing, just make sure your newborn is at or above the minimum height and weight for the convertible car seat.

What is a convertible car seat? A convertible car seat can be installed in a rear-facing position, and then be converted to a front-facing position; some all-in-one models also convert to a belt-positioning booster, and even a bottom-only booster.

When should I switch to a convertible car seat? As long as your baby is larger than the minimum height and weight requirements, you can switch to a convertible car seat whenever you'd like. But according to the AAP, only switch the car seat to front-facing once your baby grows out of the car seat's rear-facing height or weight limit.

Which convertible car seat is the safest? In addition to a steel frame, energy-absorbing foam, and side-impact protection, the safest car seats also use an anti-rebound bar, like the Britax Advocate ARB.

Which Graco convertible car seat is the best? The Graco 4Ever Extend2Fit combines the best convertible car seat with the most versatile model into one truly fantastic all-in-one car seat.

Can I take a convertible car seat on an airplane? All of the best-rated convertible car seats on our list are FAA-approved for air travel, and therefore can be taken on an airplane in most cases. Be sure to check with your airline carrier before assuming the seat can be brought onboard the aircraft.