Absolutely the Best Convertible Car Seats for Your Little Ones

#1. Graco Extend2Fit 3 In 1 Car Seat - Top Pick Convertible Car Seat

You might be wondering what makes this convertible car seat so unique that it has more than twenty thousand customer ratings with 90% positive reviews on Amazon.

Well, first of all, it comes from one of the most reliable and popular car seat brands, known for its durability and high quality - Graco.

I find it essential to mention that this convertible car seat complies with all federal requirements and can be used on aircraft.

You will learn to appreciate these privileges the first time you decide to travel with your little one and realize how strict are the car seat laws in other countries.

Buying this car seat is an excellent investment.

It features a three-in-one design, incorporating a rear facing car seat (kids from four to fifty pounds), forward facing seat for toddlers (kids from twenty-two to sixty-five pounds), and a high-back booster seat (for kids from thirty to one hundred pounds).

Since kids are the safest in the rear facing position, this convertible seat has a four-position extension panel to provide five inches of additional leg space for your kid in a rear facing position.

Moreover, it reclines in six positions, while the headrest can be adjusted between ten different positions.

What is more, the adjustment takes no more than seconds thanks to the Simply Safe Adjust Harness System, specially designed to enable harness and headrest adjustment in one motion.

Graco Extend2Fit 3 In 1 Car Seat passed rigorous crash testing and temperature resistance to ensure your child is always perfectly safe in this convertible seat, no matter the circumstances.

Bear in mind that all Graco seats are designed to be practical and dependable so that you can focus on your child instead of on the installment.

#2. Graco 4Ever DLX 4 in 1 Car Seat - The Best Convertible Car Seat For All Stages

Another car seat from Graco found its way to our list! What can we do? They're honestly the best!

Yet, one superpower makes this seat genuinely unique on the car seat market. It follows all the stages in a kid's growth.

As crazy as it sounds, this seat is all you'll need until your child is old enough to use a safety belt.

This 4Ever DLX 4 in 1 car seat features a four-in-one design transforming from a rear facing harness infant seat (for kids from five to forty pounds) to forward facing harness seat (for kids from 22 to 65 pounds), high back belt booster seat (from 40 pounds to 100 pounds) and a backless booster (from 40 pounds to 120 pounds).

Importantly, this car seat is also federally approved and safe for use on the aircraft.

Like other Graco convertible car seats, it is Protect Plus certified, which means that it protects the child in case of frontal, side, or rollover crashes.

This seat's exclusive feature is the InRight Latch attachment that provides a super-easy extension in a second, including an audio click cue to ensure you really attached it.

Additionally, it has an integrated belt lock-off for more convenience in safety belt attachment.

You might be wondering how does this seat follow your child's growth?

Well, it has six reclining positions, ten different headrest positions, and a SimplySafeAdjust harness system to enable effortless adjustment, so your child is always super comfy and protected.

Also, the seat cover can be removed and washed in the washing machine, so that your Graco seat remains clean and safe for use in years.

It is honestly functional, more than 6000 satisfied parents on Amazon can confirm!

#3. Cosco Onlook 2-in-1 - Best Travel-Friendly Car Seat

Next up, we have the Cosco OnLook convertible car seat.

When traveling with kiddos, it can often be a challenge getting the luggage to fit in the trunk, let alone having to worry about the bulky car seat you have to drag along.

For travels and adventures, it's best to have a spare car seat that is both lightweight and easy to install. I wonder where you can find something like that?!

Luckily, the Cosco offers a perfect convertible car seat for all travels! This convertible car seat weighs only 12 pounds, offering a fantastic lightweight travel alternative!

One of the best things about this Cosco convertible car seat is that it offers a highly adjustable harness.

Many convertible car seats are designed to grow with your kids. Therefore you will need all the adjustability possible.

The Cosco car seat includes six heights in the harness and up to three buckle locations.

With that in mind, the five-point harness will keep your little one safe and offer a comfortable fit!

Since we mentioned safety, it's important to note that Cosco made sure there is side impact protection in the rear-facing position and the forward-facing one.

Along with the side impact protection, the car seat is lined with plush fabric that keeps your kiddo comfy throughout the long travels.

Other than that, Cosco sadly does not feature any more luxurious features like other competitors.

However, it does offer the benefit of easy cleaning. The cover on the convertible car seat can be easily removed and machine-washed on a gentle cycle.

Additionally, the Cosco OnLook car seat is FAA approved, so your kid can enjoy its first airplane ride in the world's best travel seat!

#4. Safety 1st Grow and Go - The Best Compact Convertible Car Seat

Now we proceed to another three-in-one convertible car seat, Amazon's choice, coming from Safety 1st with more than eleven thousand positive customer ratings.

This incredible seat is available in two designs, original and Disney baby, giving you the freedom to choose between a subtle traditional look and fun design your kid will love.

First things first, this convertible car seat is FAA-approved and meets the federal standard, which means you can use it in traffic perfectly safely, and on aircraft when used with the internal harness. You cannot use it on an airplane as a booster seat.

The seat follows three stages in kid's growth, accommodating infants from 5 to 40 pounds in a rear facing position, toddlers from 22 to 65 pounds in a forward facing mode, and kids from 40 to 100 pounds as a belt-positioning booster.

Furthermore, this car seat's Grow and Go system includes a side impact protection keeping your child protected with special baby pillows for additional comfort.

Also, the Grow and Go system allows seven inches of extra space to parents in the front when placed in a rear facing mode.

One extra convenient feature is the harness holders, making it super-easy to fit your kid in the seat every time.

Also, QuickFit Harness allows the adjustments of the seat and headrest in one motion. The seat reclines in three positions.

When it comes to hygiene, you can take off the seat pads easily and wash them in the washing machine to keep your child's driving home clean and germs-free.

Additionally, for extra convenience, the manufacturer integrated two cup holders so that your little one can have his/her favorite beverage on disposal at all times.

#5. Evenflo EveryStage DLX All-in-One - The Most Affordable High-Quality All Stages Convertible Car Seat

Here we have another trusted manufacturer, present on the market for more than 100 years, often chosen by parents who care about their baby equipment quality.

The seat we reviewed is one all-stages model that features quite a reasonable price when compared to Graco all-in-one, but let's see how good it is.

Like the Graco all-in-one seat, this Evenflo convertible car seat follows the child's growth, accommodating children from 4 pounds up to 120 pounds.

Also, the seat is specially designed to accommodate a kid in a rear facing mode longer, up to two years and 50 pounds, without having to extend it, which parents sitting in the front will love.

The innovative EasyClick system enables three times tighter installation, wiggle-free, and rock-solid using unique ratchets.

Also, a specific in-seat reclining feature that follows your child's physique minimizes the head slump and opens his/her airways.

Evenflo EveryStage DLX All-in-One does not feature a rethread harness, but a unique system that allows easy adjustments of the harness fit.

For additional convenience and prolonged cleanliness, you can take off the seat pads and wash them in the washing machine and, as well as two cup holders that can be washed in a dishwasher.

The seat features only high-quality materials and a scientifically engineered design.

As for the safety, Evenflo tests their seats to exceed the federal standards, providing thus incomparable security in crushes. It is FAA-approved, so you can use it in the airplane with a five-point harness.

Now, this seat is about 40 dollars cheaper than the Graco all-stages model, yet I can't notice any disadvantages when comparing these two.

The only additional feature that the Graco model has is the backless booster mode, yet the weight limit is the same.

Britax is another leading car seat manufacturer, yet it sort of lost the customers' trust after its massive recall of the rear facing infant car seat in 2017.

However, recalls are pretty standard, and if one car seat is recalled, it does not mean that other models are faulty.

This convertible car seat, for example, meets all the federal standards perfectly and can be used on aircraft.

Namely, the Britax Marathon is the combination of the rear facing infant car seat, built to accommodate children from 5 to 40 pounds, and a forward facing toddler seat for children 20- 65 pounds in weight.

Parents are mostly concerned about the installation.

Hence, I guess you'll be excited to know that this convertible car seat features a unique patented ClickTight system that makes the installation a piece of cake.

Furthermore, it does not have a rethread harness.

On the contrary, the harness features fourteen positions with two buckle positions so that you can perfectly accommodate your children as they grow.

Plus, the seat reclines in seven positions to ensure the ultimate comfort for your little one.

As for safety, the side impact protection guards your child's torso, neck, and head, while the SafeCell technology absorbs the energy in a crash.

Additionally, the steel frame and V-shaped tether limit the movement in an accident keeping the structure stable.

Finally, the seat cover can be removed and washed so that you always keep your child's car surroundings perfectly clean and germless. That's what we care for, right?

The price is entirely in the range of the Graco products, but in the case of car seats, the more expensive, the better.

I believe that every parent has heard of Chicco; their baby equipment is sold worldwide and keeps its supremacy on the market list.

Why? Well, the quality of their products is at the highest level, while innovative technology makes them honestly functional and safe.

The car seat we will talk about is the best convertible car seat from Chicco, Chicco NextFit Zip Convertible.

It features two different modes, a rear facing infant car seat for kids from 4 to 40 pounds in weight and a forward facing toddler seat with a weight limit from 22 to 65 pounds.

What makes this model unique on the market is the breathable, high-quality material with a double guard, LockSure belt system, and nine reclining positions.

Namely, NextZip padding is soft and comfortable, enabling the air ventilation to better convenience your little one and heat regulation.

Moreover, a unique SuperCinch Tightener makes the installments super comfortable and genuinely tight for maximum protection during bumpy drives.

Additionally, with a unique belt lock system, you simply slide and lock the belt without any hassle.

The safety system consists of a reinforced steel frame, duo guard with a deep ridged shell, and the energy absorbing EPS foam. You will easily fit your child in the system because you can adjust the headrest among nine different reclines.

Plus, it does not have a rethread harness and quickly transforms from a rear facing to the forward facing seat.

A cup holder that is also included can be washed in the dishwasher and proves perfectly safe for use, toxin-free, and functional.

At last, the seats meet the federal standard and can be used on an airplane safely.

#8. Maxi-Cosi Pria All-in-1 Convertible Car Seat - Best Grow-with-me Car Seat

The Maxi-Cosi Pria convertible car seat is the only model you need until your kiddo is ready for a backless booster.

It has three different positions-rear-faced, forward-faced, and a highback booster. It's one of the most reliable car seat models you can get for this kind of price.

Let's start with the rear-facing position.

I love the fact that this car seat suits babies from 4 to 40 pounds! By that, you get to use an extended rear-facing position that is much safer than a sudden transition to forward-facing.

However, I would only recommend this car seat if you have a bigger vehicle.

When the Maxi-Cosi is rear-faced, it takes quite a bit of space. Plus, the three-position recline will make it almost impossible for other passengers to fit in the back seat.

It's also questionable whether it will fit a cab or an Uber, so consider that. If you need a small and compact convertible car seat, I recommend you give Safety 1st Grow and Go All-in-One Car Seat ago.

As you know, kids grow right in front of your eyes, and before you know it, they can't fit in the car seat anymore. But, with the adjustable features that Maxi-Cosi Pria offers, your kiddo will always have a comfortable fit.

The car seat offers three bottom buckles and a Quick-Fit harness system that grows along with the kid.

The maximum weight limit of this convertible car seat is 100 pounds.

You will need to use a seat belt as a restraining device in the highback booster seat position. I found it handy to put the 5-point harness behind the seat pad and not have it in your way.

#9. Diono Radian 3R All-in-One Convertible Car Seat - Best for Three Across Installations

This is another excellent car seat if you want an extended rear-facing position!

It has a weight limit of 4-40 lbs in the rear face, while the highest limit in the high back booster is 100 pounds. This means this car seat can be in your use for at least ten years!

I did a few Diono reviews a while back, and parents often ask me what I value the most about their car seats?

Of course, the first that comes to mind is convenience!

Not only are their car seats made to be safe and comfortable for babies and toddlers, but they are parent-friendly as well.

For instance, you can use this Diono Radian 3R car seat for three-across installations as well as carpooling.

The slim and narrow design is perfect for smaller vehicles. Plus, the weight is manageable and is not over-the-top like some other convertible car seats.

Unfortunately, not every car seat is perfect, so Diono takes a hit due to the lack of infant inserts and cup holders. Luckily, you can always purchase these accessories separately if you find them essential.

Luxurious European-style seat designs inspire Diono convertible car seats. This is why you get to see how plush the padding is as well as the sleek materials.

Along with the soft memory foam, the seat is also lined with energy-absorbing foam that adds to the overall safety.

Lastly, the Diono 3R car seat is FAA approved, so you can safely use this car seat in air travel.

Plus, it folds into a flat position, so it's great for saving you every little bit of precious space.

The Cybex Sirona S has got to be my favorite convertible car seat when it comes to safety! Its parent-friendly design will make you love it even more, but wait till you hear what it has to offer.

Firstly, I need to tell you a few key features of the Sensor Safe technology.

It's the most significant selling point of this car seat that puts the S in safety! So, Sensor Safe is a device you click on the car seat and connect via Bluetooth on your smartphone.

From there, the device will notify you whether the kiddo has been sitting for too long, the environment's temperature and if the kid is left unattended in the car.

If your kid is known for being handy with the buckle and opening it in every given situation, the Sensor Safe alarm will save the day! It makes it harder for them to unbuckle themselves and notifies you if they do.

I know what you are thinking, this kind of car seat could not possibly be affordable?

I hate to break it to you, but the price tag is a bit high. But, if you have an unlimited budget, then go for it! It's a car seat that will pay off every penny.

That's not where the fantastic features stop.

As this is a convertible car seat, I should also mention the 360-degree technology. It makes the transition from rear-faced to forward-faced extremely easy!

I also was surprised when I saw that Cybex Sirona was designed to grow with your child. It has incredible features such as 12-position headrest adjustments and a no-rethreading harness.

So, what do you think? Worth the splurge or not?

#11. Clek Foonf Convertible Car Seat - The Best High-end Convertible Car Seat

I like to think that both Clek and Cybex Sirona S are pretty similar.

Don't get me wrong, the design could not be more different, but the general idea of child passenger safety design is present.

You might have or not have heard about the Clek car seat, but you have to check out this model! It's one of the best convertible car seats they offer and includes utter safety features.

For starters, the car seat is super sturdy and built from a magnesium steel frame. Inside of the frame, there are crumple zones.

The first thing you should know about Clek car seats is that all of them are built from fabric free from halogenated flame retardants.

The car seat is made from Merino wool which offers a super comfortable feel to the baby's skin. Plus, it's gentle to the skin and won't cause any irritations.

In addition, the car seat includes several recline options, but the mechanism for doing so is incredible! It offers a smooth recline, so you don't wake the sleeping baby while trying to find the best position.

The Clek Foonf convertible seat fits two positions-rear-faced and forward-faced. The ultimate weight limit in the first position is from 14 to 50 lbs, while the second position is suitable for children between 22 to 65 lbs.

What makes this convertible car seat suitable for most cars is its narrow design. It's only 17 inches wide, so it even fits three across installations.

However, you cannot use the Floof with infants unless you purchase the infant insert separately.

On the other hand, the rear-facing position is suitable for extended use, so getting an infant insert may just as well be a good choice.

#12. Baby Trend Cover Me 4 in 1 Convertible Car Seat - Best for Carpool

I have to admit, the Baby Trend Cover Me convertible car seat shares one of the most spectacular designs! It’s the only car seat you will need from infancy to preschool age.

Firstly, the convertible car seat has a great weight range from 4 to 100 pounds and up to four positions.

Therefore, you can use the infant rear-facing mode, rear-facing for toddlers, forward-facing, and highback booster.

All of the positions are super easy to switch between and require little to no effort at all! You can probably see what is the most unique part of the car seat.

This convertible car seat includes a canopy. But, it’s not just any type of canopy you would usually see in car seats.

The Baby Trend canopy consists of a built-in track, therefore it’s easy to remove it as well as adjust it.

It also includes flip-out visitors that are great for providing the needed shade. It’s relatively thick as it is made from premium materials.

By including the UPF 50, the canopy works extraordinarily well in protecting your child from dangerous UV rays that peek through in the car.

In order to make sure the car seat grows with your kid, the Baby Trend convertible seat includes a few adjustable features worth mentioning.

For instance, it features three-position adjustments for recline that allow our kids to have the most comfortable ride.

With the help of the integrated flip foot, you can achieve dual adjustments and find the perfect angle for the car seat.

If you have multiple kids or are in charge of carpool, you will be glad to know that this Baby Trend car seat is suitable for three cross installations. It’s just the right width for the perfect installment!

PRO TIP

What if your car is small and doesn't have enough space for larger-sized car seats?

Read the detailed article below to find the convertible seat for small car that suits you best.

1. Make Sure Your Car Seat Follows All the Stages of Growth Your Baby Goes Through

The best car seats follow all the stages in your child’s growth. What does this mean? 

Well, if you're buying a convertible car seat, make sure it can be used in a rear facing, forward facing, and booster seat mode.

In this way, one car seat will be all you'll need for your baby.

2. Check the Weight Limits

The best convertible car seat has an honestly wide weight limit.

This is important because you want to accommodate your baby as soon as it gets out of the hospital to the point when he/she can use a safety belt.

Therefore, your convertible car seat should support your child in a rear facing mode from at least 4 pounds to somewhere around 50 pounds, and in booster mode until 120 pounds.

3. Make Sure Your Car Seat is Federally Approved and FAA-approved

Your car seat will be useless if it does not meet the federal standards.

It is also a handy addition if you can use it on aircraft, as the recommendations say it is best to keep a baby in a rear-facing car seat during the flight.

Therefore, the best convertible car seat is FAA-approved and meets the ASTM and JPMA standards.

4. Check the Safety Measures

The reason why you should use the best car seats is the fact that they protect your child in crashes.

So, when you're choosing the best car seats, check if they passed the crash tests if they have impact protection and energy-absorbing foam.

5. Additional Features

Innovative technology always comes handy, mainly when it includes easy installment, harness holders, LATCH system, no-rethreading harness, adjustable backrest and headrest, and many new additions that will make your life easier.

So always opt for advanced options.

6. The Price

I know that many families are on a tight budget, yet you really should not save on baby equipment.

Options below $100 are questionably reliable and usually include only two modes, rear facing and forward facing.

Hence, you can always apply for the BuckleUp program, where they can provide you with a reliable car seat.