Tested: The Best Convertible Car Seats, as Chosen by Experts

The knowledgeable folks at Good Housekeeping have released their top convertible car-seat picks for 2022. From infant through booster, here's what to look for in a car seat that will last for years.

• The Best Convertible Car Seats for 2022
• What Is a Convertible Car Seat?
• Height and weight limits
• Installation efforts
• Vehicle size
• Ease of cleaning
• Seat adjustments
• Expiration date
• Q: What is a convertible car seat?
• Q: What age is good for a convertible car seat?
• Q: What are the advantages of a convertible car seat?
• Q: What are the laws about child car seats?

When it comes to child car seats, the choices for parents are overwhelming. There are a zillion brands, types, styles, and deals to be found, but which one is right for you, your family, and your vehicle? To find out, we recently turned to the bona fide experts at rating and reviewing products and gear for the home and family: our colleagues at Good Housekeeping. You can see the results of GH’s 2022 Best Car Seats update here.

For its 2022 car-seat update, the Good Housekeeping Institute(GHI) tallied its results, and in addition to the best overall child car seats, they broke their findings down into various categories. Here are their choices for the best convertible child car seats.

The Best Convertible Car Seats for 2022

• BEST OVERALL CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT Graco SlimFit3 LX 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat $280 AT AMAZON Read More $280 AT AMAZON
• BEST VALUE CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT Cosco Scenera NEXT Convertible Car Seat $60 AT WALMART Read More $60 AT WALMART
• BEST DURABLE CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT Britax Boulevard ClickTight Anti-Rebound-Bar Convertible Car Seat $380 AT AMAZON Read More $380 AT AMAZON
• BEST CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT FOR SWITCHING CARS UPPAbaby Knox Convertible Car Seat $350 AT AMAZON Read More $350 AT AMAZON
• BEST 3-IN-1 CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT Maxi-Cosi Pria All-in-1 Convertible Car Seat $300 AT AMAZON Read More $300 AT AMAZON
• EASIEST TO CLEAN CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT Chicco NextFit Max Zip Air Convertible Car Seat $345 AT AMAZON Read More $345 AT AMAZON
• BEST-MADE CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT Clek Foonf Convertible Car Seat $580 AT AMAZON Read More $580 AT AMAZON
• BEST SMART CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT Cybex Sirona S with Convertible Car Seat $550 AT AMAZON Read More $550 AT AMAZON
• BEST LUXURY CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT Nuna RAVA Flame-Retardant-Free Convertible Car Seat $550 AT NORDSTROM Read More $550 AT NORDSTROM
• BEST ROTATING CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT Baby Jogger City Turn Rotating Convertible Car Seat $550 AT AMAZON Read More $550 AT AMAZON

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What Is a Convertible Car Seat?

A convertible car seat “grows” with your child, from a rear-facing infant car seat for babies to a forward-facing one that’s suitable for toddlers all the way up until your child needs nothing more than a booster. The main appeal of convertible car seats is, obviously, that parents may never need to buy another one: A convertible one can (read: should) last for years, saving you money and adding a small touch of convenience to the lives of already-frazzled parents.

To find the best child car seats, we turned to our colleagues at Good Housekeeping and asked them to share the results of their hands-on testing with us—and we’re glad we did. The GHI lab takes up an entire floor of Hearst Tower in Midtown Manhattan. It’s a remarkable facility, with test kitchens, test bedrooms, test patios, and even a test garage. With dozens of experts, scientists, and testers on staff, the GHI gets its hands on hundreds, if not thousands, of new products and gear every year and puts them through its vaunted wringer. And, of course, manufacturers hope their products come away with the GHI’s coveted Seal of Approval.

Which convertible child car seat is the best? If you’re in the market for a new car seat, first of all, mazel tov! Second, when looking for reliable advice on car seats you can trust the only company that’s been testing products for home and family for over 100 years: Good Housekeeping.

BEST OVERALL CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT Graco SlimFit3 LX 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat

Amazon

$280 AT AMAZON

The updated design of GHI’s expert-favorite car seat is even narrower than the original Graco SlimFit. An easy-to-install option at a comparatively modest price point, the SlimFit3 LX 3-in-1 is meant to take your child from birth all the way through big-kid status with convenient features such as a 10-position headrest, four-position recline, and no-rethread harness. Not only can you maximize the back-seat space with this ultra-slim (just 16.7 inches) all-in-one pick, but it does keep up with your little one from infancy to childhood.

Unlike other convertible car seats, this all-in-one model transforms from infant car seat all the way up to a booster, giving it a total weight range from five to 100 pounds. The GHI experts loved how easy it is to install, and parent testers lauded the no-rethread harness system that makes adjustments a cinch. Plus, rotating cupholders make this already-slim design even more compact, helping to save space in tight back seats. No need to worry about squeezing three kiddos in most back seats since you can fit this car seat three across in any configuration (front or rear facing).

Spec Sheet

BEST VALUE CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT Cosco Scenera NEXT Convertible Car Seat

Amazon

$60 AT WALMART

The Scenera NEXT by Cosco is everything you need in a convertible car seat with a much smaller price tag. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the luxury picks but still features a five-point harness and built-in side-impact protection; it is also airline certified.

During testing, this slim, lightweight pick proved to be easy to install thanks to its LATCH compatibility. Plus, it comes in a variety of colors and designs.

When it comes to keeping up with crumbs and sticky baby fingers, cleanup is a breeze thanks to removable, machine-washable seat pads and a removable dishwasher-safe cupholder. And the price cannot be beat. This seat does, however, have a smaller weight range compared to other options.

spec sheet

BEST DURABLE CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT Britax Boulevard ClickTight Anti-Rebound-Bar Convertible Car Seat

The Boulevard has highly adjustable positioning with a seven-position recline, 14-position harness, and two-position buckle with a no-rethread design, making it simple to maintain the perfect fit as your child grows. The padded anti-rebound bar helps stabilize the car seat while in a rear-facing configuration to make your little one as safe as possible. It’s available in a variety of colors and designs.

The GHI lab experts loved that the ClickTight installation system makes it easy to know when the seat is tightened correctly. Although it’s on the heavier and bulkier side—which can make it a bit more difficult for use in smaller cars or for those who want to switch the car seat between a few vehicles—Good Housekeeping found this pick to be very durable.

spec sheet

BEST CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT FOR SWITCHING CARS UPPAbaby Knox Convertible Car Seat

Amazon

$350 AT AMAZON

In road tests, GHI pros found that even though installation is more complicated than with others, this UPPAbaby fits well in a range of vehicle sizes, and its SmartSecure System offers a great visual to confirm a secure fit. It boasts premium construction and features include a multi-directional tether to reduce seat rotation, a no-re-thread harness, eight-position headrest, and four-position recline.

It’s definitely on the heavier and bulkier side (it’s the second heaviest seat in this roundup), but the multi-directional tether to reduce seat rotation and side impact pods that help crash absorption make it an exceptionally safe option. The removable cupholder can be added to either side of the seat.

It’s worth noting that, with a minimum weight of 14 pounds, this seat is not suited for newborns.

spec sheet

BEST 3-IN-1 CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT Maxi-Cosi Pria All-in-1 Convertible Car Seat

Amazon

$300 AT AMAZON

Ideal for bigger kids and fast growers, the Pria is approved for children up to 100 pounds and 52 inches tall—a more generous height and weight range than most convertible car seats. From newborns to older kids, this car seat does it all, seamlessly switching between a rear-facing configuration to a forward-facing one and eventually a booster once your little ones start growing up. Unlike some other options, this could be the only seat your kids will need until they can sit in the car on their own.

The Good Housekeeping experts appreciated the practical features of this seat, including the removable, washable seat cover and integrated cupholder. Plus, it can easily be adapted to your kid’s many growth spurts with its three-position recline, five headrest heights, and QuickFit shoulder harness that will automatically correct the harness or headrest height to that of your child.

spec sheet

EASIEST TO CLEAN CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT Chicco NextFit Max Zip Air Convertible Car Seat

Amazon

$345 AT AMAZON

This Chicco seat offers easy installation and a nine-position recline, as well as a nine-position headrest adjustment. The 3-D AirMesh backrest makes the seat soft and pillowy for your child’s comfort while adding additional ventilation. Use the removable newborn positioner to protect the head and neck of your littlest ones and simply detach it from the seat once they start to grow. The SuperCinch system easily secures the seat using less muscle.

GHI experts particularly loved the washable zip-off seat paddingthat makes it easy to pick up after snack time or a little accident. Combined with the dishwasher-safe cupholders, this car seat is ideal for picking up after your little one without having to spend hours spot-treating or hand-washing.

spec sheet

BEST-MADE CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT Clek Foonf Convertible Car Seat

Amazon

$580 AT AMAZON

With a steel-and-magnesium structure, Clek boasts that this model is “built like a tank.” While rather heavy, the Foonf is easy to install with rigid LATCH connectors and has an array of safety features including an anti-rebound bar and advanced side-impact protection. The extended rear-facing seating up to 50 pounds means your little one can remain rear-facing well through toddlerhood, making it one of the safest convertible car seats on the market. It also offers three smooth recline options and is narrow enough to fit three in a row for big families or playdates.

This car seat is pricey at nearly $600, and use from infancy requires purchasing the infant insert, sold separately. It also has a rethread harness, meaning you must manually adjust the seatbelt harness as your baby grows. Notably, Clek has a recycling program for car seats nearing their expiration.

spec sheet

BEST SMART CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT Cybex Sirona S with Convertible Car Seat

Amazon

$550 AT AMAZON

We’ve got smart cars and smartphones, so why not a smart car seat? The Sirona S is equipped with SensorSafe, a standout feature for the GHI pros. SensorSafe is built into the chest clip andsends safety alerts to your phone if your child unclips their seatbelt, is left in the car alone, or a number of other unsafe situations arise.

If that isn’t enough, 360-degree rotation makes it easy to get your child in and out of this car seat and not injure your back. This seat has a 12-position recline and an anti-rebound design and features a “load leg” for added stability. While it’s a bit on the larger side and is more expensive than some of the other options, the added safety benefits and ease of rotating the seat make it a standout pick.

spec sheet

BEST LUXURY CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT Nuna RAVA Flame-Retardant-Free Convertible Car Seat

Nordstrom

$550 AT NORDSTROM

The price on the Nuna Rava is a bit steep at first glance, but this sleek pick has a lot going for it. Aside from its stylish look, its high rear-facing weight limit of up to 50 poundsmakes it an automatic standout and particularly safe pick when it comes to convertible car seats. It’s also made without harmful fire-retardant chemicals. The adjustable footrest gives your kid some added leg support, while the 10-position recline and 10-position headrest let you dial in the size.

GHI lab experts found this car seat particularly easy to install. The no-rethread harness allows the seat to grow with your baby, and the colored belt-path indicators leave little room for error. And for a classy finishing touch, it comes with retractable cupholders.

spec sheet

BEST ROTATING CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT Baby Jogger City Turn Rotating Convertible Car Seat

Amazon

$550 AT AMAZON

GHI testers loved how much easier it made loading and unloading baby from the car byeasily swiveling this seat 180 degrees. When rotated out to help load your child inside, it brings your little one 10 inches closer to make it even easier to do up those buckles. They also appreciated the no-rethread harness and plush padding. Once swiveled into rear-facing mode (you shouldn’t use the swivel option for the forward-facing setup), the seat makes an audible clicking sound so you know that it is safely secured. With a 10-position headrest, five-position recline, and soft padding, your baby will have one of the comfiest rides of their life in this seat.

Due to its swivel base, this seat is rather large and doesn’t fit in all vehicles. If you have a smaller car, pay attention to the seat’s dimensions to make sure it will fit in the back seat.

What to Look For in a Convertible Car Seat

Height and weight limits

Every convertible car seat will have height and weight limits for kids in all configurations: rear-facing, forward-facing, and, if applicable, booster. Good Housekeeping recommends you be sure your car seat is set up according to your child’s current height and weight and that you maintain each configuration until your child reaches the upper limit of either the seat’s height or weight limit.

Installation efforts

Installing a car seat correctly is crucial for safety purposes, but it can take a lot of strength to properly secure a seat. Many seats are compatible with LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children), an easy-to-use system of attachment points in your vehicle that the car seat attaches to. If your vehicle is not compatible with LATCH, then you’ll likely install your car seat using your vehicle’s seatbelt. The GHI suggests hiring a professional if you need help.

Vehicle size

The folks at Good Housekeeping have seen a lot of returned car seats, simply because they won’t fit in some back seats. They recommend you measure the available space in your vehicle’s back seat before deciding which car seat to buy. Also, note the retailer’s return policy before purchase, just in case the size doesn’t work out.

Ease of cleaning

Convertible car seats are meant to last for many years, so finding one that’s easy to clean can save a lot of hassle. The GHI recommends looking for models with removable, machine-washable seat padding and covers.

Seat adjustments

Since a convertible car seat can see your child from newborn to big kid, look for one that can “grow” with them with multi-position headrest and recline options, Good Housekeeping says. A no-rethread harness will allow you to easily make seat adjustments without requiring you to reconfigure the seatbelt.

Expiration date

Over time, the materials in a car seat can compress or get worn down, so all convertible car seats are stamped with an expiration date. Plus, newer test standards are introduced over time to help ensure better safety. If you are planning on using the same seat for many years or for multiple children, take note of the recommended usage. The GHI is clear on this point: Never use an expired car seat or one that’s been in an accident. If you’re ever unsure about any car seat or its operation, construction, or safety, the GHI says you should assume the worst and replace it.

FAQs about Convertible Car Seats

Q: What is a convertible car seat?

A: No, it’s not a car seat for convertibles. Rather, convertible car seats are intended to “grow” with your child, from infancy through big-kid status. With the right convertible, parents could theoretically use one car seat for as long as their child needs one.

Q: What age is good for a convertible car seat?

A: Parents using an infant seat generally switch their kids to a convertible car seat anywhere between nine months and two years old, depending on their child’s size. But they can opt to do so sooner, even from infancy, as long as the convertible seat is rated safe for their child’s height and weight.

Q: What are the advantages of a convertible car seat?

A: Financial, convenience, and ease of use. Not only can one seat last for about the entire duration of childhood, saving parents the expense of trading up every couple of years, a convertible car seat can be easily moved from car to car, allowing flexibility. Or parents can set it up in one vehicle and forget it—sometimes for years, depending on the size/growth of their child.

Q: What are the laws about child car seats?

A: Use of child car seats is a federal law; each state or territory, however, has its own set of laws and guidelines. You can check out a state-by-state breakdown here.

Why Trust Us

The Hearst Autos Gear Team relies on decades of expertise and knowledge in the automotive and gear space to help readers make informed purchasing choices. We won’t tell you to buy something if we wouldn’t buy it ourselves, and we’ll never claim to have used or tested something if we haven’t gotten our own hands on it. That’s why, for this article, we reached out to Good Housekeeping.

The Good Housekeeping Institute provides expert reviews and advice on everything a parent needs, including car seats. For more than 15 years, Rachel Rothman, the chief technologist and director of engineering at the institute, has put her training in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics to work by researching, testing, and writing about parenting products. She leads GH efforts in both the auto space and most products for juveniles, including car seats, and was instrumental in testing and evaluating more than 100 car seats for GH’s 2022 Best Car Seats update.

As a father of two, Hearst Autos senior commerce editor Jon Langston knows a thing or three about child car seats. He’s been writing about and reviewing cars, motorcycles, and their respective gear and products since 2004.

From: Car and Driver

Keyword: Tested: The Best Convertible Car Seats, as Chosen by Experts