9 Convertible Car Seats for Your Growing Little One

Editor's Note: We reviewed this content on 10 January, 2023 to ensure accuracy of pricing and to reexamine content.

We all want our kids to be as safe and as comfortable as possible when they're riding in our cars and trucks — and choosing the right car seat plays a big role in that. But with so many options on the market, deciding on the right one that checks all of the boxes for your needs can be a tough decision.

While the car seat market is vast, one of the best options out there remains the convertible car seat. But why are they so great, and where do you even begin to figure out which one is best for your family? Don't worry — I'm here to help.

Best Convertible Car Seats

What to Consider

Convertible car seats have the longest duration of use of all of the car seats available on the market, which makes them an instant winner in our book. Most of them can be used from birth, and many go all the way up to booster size, which is 50 or 65 pounds or about 10 years old. However, unlike infant car seats, convertible car seats are not transportable because they click directly into your car's latch system (as opposed to a base.) Translation? You can't easily take the seat out of the car to transport it with your child in it. For that reason, many parents choose to start with an infant car seat and switch to a convertible car seat when their baby is around 8 to 12 months old.

The main things you'll need to consider are materials, weight and height limits, how it fits in your car, and what safety indicators they are equipped with.

➥ Materials

Convertible car seats can cost up to $600 or more, so understanding what you're dropping all those dollars on is key. Not only do the materials determine the price of the car seat, but they can also help make the car seat safer. Steel-reinforced rolling cages with extra cushioning and high-density foam may perform better in the event of a collision, but you do pay for it.

As for the seats themselves, there's a wide range of materials used on the covers. Some are machine-washable, like the Cybex Sirona S 360 Rotational Convertible Car Seat and the Chicco NextFit Max Zip Air Convertible Car Seat, and some are not. This can be a deal-breaker for families who want that ease of cleaning, especially if your little one is prone to car sickness (or refuses to leave the house without at least three different snacks.)

➥ Weight and Height Limits

Rear-facing and forward-facing height and weight limits vary greatly. Some can be used all the way to elementary school, while others are good only for the first four years or so. Most convertible car seats come with inserts that are needed for younger babies, which get removed as your child grows. So if you're planning on using this seat for more than one child, remember where you put those inserts (and don't say we didn't warn you!)

➥ How it Fits in Your Car

If you have more than one car seat in your car or have limited space between your back seat and your front seat, knowing how big a car seat will be is pretty important. Some of the convertible car seats are pretty bulky and even have an extended length for rear-facing. If your car is considered “compact,” this might not be an ideal fit for you.

➥ Safety Indicators

Some car seats are equipped with safety indicators to let you know if it's installed properly, like a leveling system or bubble indicator, a feature available on the Britax Advocate ClickTight Convertible Car Seat. Having your car seat leveled properly is one of the harder things to accomplish in a car seat, which makes these indicators a big help. They also give you peace of mind as a parent, knowing that your child's car seat is as safe as it can possibly be.

How We Chose

I did a deep dive into the research of both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Consumer Reports to learn which car seats are rated the highest for collision protection, ease of use, and ease of installation. I personally have either tried and tested out every car seat on this list or have spoken to parents who use the seats in their everyday lives with their children.

I've also read countless reviews, and compared prices — plus, I examined materials, shipping times, sizes, and safety indicators available — all in an effort to determine the very best car seats in a wide range of prices and sizes. Learn more about the best convertible car seats below.