Best Convertible Car Seats

Convertible Car Seats Buying Guide

What Is a Convertible Car Seat?

A convertible car seat is used either from birth or when the child outgrows an infant car seat, and can be used in either rear-facing or forward facing positions. Convertible seats are generally heavier than infant car seats and are typically installed and kept in the car rather than clicked into and out of a base that stays in the car. They are not designed to be carried or snapped into a stroller.

Why Buy a Convertible Car Seat?

It is more economical to buy a convertible car seat instead of starting with an infant car seat and then transitioning to a convertible. The lack of portability may be worth it for the value you get in return. More importantly, a leading independent consumer organization reported that their testing showed that for infants around age 1 convertible seats provide some additional protection over an infant seat in protecting a child’s head.

Which Convertible Seat Should I Buy?

The safest and best convertible car seat is the one that will install correctly and securely in the vehicle, that fits the child’s weight and height, and can be used properly every time. The car seat must work for BOTH the care giver and the child.

For convertible car seats, we only have two recommendations (we have 3 recommendations for both infant and booster seats): a best overall pick and a value pick. There are cheaper seats on the market but for safety, installation, fit and features you can’t go wrong with either the Britax or Graco seat. If you are on a tight budget or just need a second seat, take a look at the Evenflo Tribute LX. We didn’t include it as a recommendation mainly because of its lower quality, but it did score well in crash testing and is one of the least expensive seats on the market.

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