7 Best Convertible Car Seats, Tested by Experts
Any of these versatile convertible car seats will provide a safe, comfortable ride for your child.
Tested by Rachel Rothman
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A new baby requires a long list of products to keep them healthy, happy and safe. They can add up, especially when your little one is going through diapers and wipes hourly and outgrowing clothes every few months. Anywhere you can save is a win in our books. When it comes to car seats, nabbing a convertible version means your baby can use the same one from infancy through childhood, since it transitions from rear-facing to forward-facing; some even turn into a booster.
Still, many families choose to begin with an infant car seat that can easily snap out of the car and be toted around. Convertible car seats tend to be more of a permanent fixture in a family vehicle. They can't clip into a stroller and turn into a travel system. Parents who start with an infant car seat replace it with a convertible car seat when their baby has outgrown the infant version. No matter which type of car seat you have, your child will likely ride rear-facing until at least age 2, and can stay rear-facing in many convertible car seats through age 3.
The parenting and product experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have tested 20 convertible car seats in the past six years to find the best ones, evaluating safety, company customer service, ease of installation, recline ability and harness adjustments. We conduct our tests in vehicles of various sizes in every configuration detailed in the instruction manuals. Our final picks are based on Lab tests, performance with consumer testers, category expertise and real-life consumer feedback.
Our top picks:
Just starting your baby registry? Our pros test all the must-haves for babies, toddlers and kids, from the best convertible cribs to top baby monitors to hot new toys and everything in between. We even rank the best family cars if your growing family needs a new set of wheels.
Graco Slimfit
Pros
- Slimmer than other options — we tested!
- Transforms from rear-facing to forward-facing to booster
- More than 43K five-star Amazon reviews
Cons
- Some children won't appreciate the snugness
- Harness straps tend to twist
Maximize backseat space with this ultra-slim, all-in-one pick which has nearly 39K five-star reviews on Amazon. Many families like it because it fits well in a small sedan or opt for three of these to sit three kids in a row. Use it rear-facing for an infant, forward-facing for a toddler and then turn it into a high-back booster for your big kid up to 100 pounds. In our evaluations, we found the no-rethread harness and 10-position headrest to be extremely easy to make adjustments to, and loved that it reclined to four positions to find a more comfortable angle for your child. In fact, we gave it one of our Parenting Awards.
Our experts also love how easy it is to install this seat, thanks to a clever belting system and one-click LATCH system. But our freelance editor Yolanda Wikiel noted as her preschooler hit age 4, "this feels small in general and might be better if your kid is petite." She's not a huge fan of the harness straps, which she says tend to get twisted and tangled. On the plus side, the padding can come off and you can run it through the washing machine on cold, then air-dry it.
| Dimensions | 20.7" x 16.7" x 24.5" |
| Rear-facing limit | 5 to 40 lbs (no height limit) |
| Front-facing limit | 22 to 65 lbs |
| Booster limit | 40 to 100 lbs or 57" (whichever comes first) |
| Car seat weight | 19.5 lbs |
Cosco Scenera NEXT
Pros
- Great low price
- Slimmest and most lightweight on our list
- Certified for airline use
Cons
- Only approved for children up to 40 lbs
Our tests showed this to be an easy-to-install convertible car seat at an amazingly low price. This one is certified for airline use, and as the most narrow (less than 16 inches wide) and the most lightweight seat on our list, we can see it being good for carrying onto a plane for use on a standard seat, which is usually 17 inches wide. That said, as your baby grows, you will need to rethread the harness on the Scenera NEXT to keep it fitting correctly, and there is a limited amount of recline with this seat. What's more, it only works up to 40 pounds, so you'll need to invest in a booster later.
When it comes to keeping up with inevitable crumbs and sticky baby fingers, you'll find that cleanup is a breeze, thanks to removable machine-washable seat pads and a removable dishwasher-safe cup holder.
| Dimensions | 17.6" x 15.7" x 30.3" |
| Rear-facing limit | 5 to 40 lbs or 40" (whichever comes first) |
| Front-facing limit | 22 to 40 lbs or 43" (whichever comes first) |
| Booster limit | N/A |
| Car seat weight | 7 lbs |
UPPAbaby Knox
Pros
- Designed especially for ages 1 to 6
- SmartSecure System changes colors when properly installed
- Side-impact pods help absorb crash forces
Cons
- Not suitable for newborns
- Very tall, heavy convertible car seat
Knowing that so many parents start with an infant car seat, UPPAbaby has gone ahead and designed the Knox with ages 1 to 6 in mind. It does start rear-facing, with an additional insert for babies from 14 to 25 pounds, and can remain that way up to 45 pounds. Then it can be turned forward-facing with its five-point harness until 65 pounds. This seat does not become a big-kid booster; it's simply optimized for those prime little-kid years.
During testing, our pros found that installation requires a bit more attention to the instructions, and it can be tough for small parents to maneuver it into place given that it's the tallest car seat on our list (32.5 inches tall). Even so, it fits well in a range of vehicle sizes and the brand’s SmartSecure System offers a great visual to confirm a secure fit since the colors change from red to green when when the seat is correctly installed. Features include a multi-directional tether to reduce seat rotation, a no-rethread harness, eight-position headrest and four-position recline. While it's definitely on the bulkier side, we do feel that additional features, such as the side-impact pods that aid in crash absorption, make it an exceptionally safe option.
| Dimensions | 23.75" x 18.75" x 32.5" |
| Rear-facing limit | 14 to 45 lbs (use the included infant insert for 14 to 25 lbs) |
| Front-facing limit | 25 to 65 lbs or 49" (whichever comes first) |
| Booster limit | N/A |
| Car seat weight | 32.5 lbs |
Maxi-Cosi Pria All-in-1
Pros
- Booster fits kids up to 52" tall
- Good value
- Comes in 11 color options
Cons
- Only three recline positions
Ideal for bigger kids and fast growers, this Maxi-Cosi model is approved for children up to 100 pounds and 52 inches tall, offering a more generous height range than many convertible car seats on the market. (Only our best overall choice on this list has it beat in that department.) That also means it's a tall seat, so some testers have noted it's better for an SUV rather than a sedan. You can switch it from its rear-facing configuration to a forward-facing mode and eventually make it a belt-positioning booster.
Our testers appreciated the practical features of this seat, including the removable, washable seat cover and integrated cup holder. It also comes in 11 gorgeous colors, like this purple or a coral shade. Not to mention, it costs a little less than most of the other choices on this list. There are only three recline positions and five headrest heights, but the brand's QuickFit system makes it practically effortless to pick the correct position for your child.
| Dimensions | 34.5" x 20" x 30.5" |
| Rear-facing limit | 4 to 40 lbs or 40" (whichever comes first) |
| Front-facing limit | 22 to 65 lbs |
| Booster limit | 40 to 100 lbs or 52" (whichever comes first) |
| Car seat weight | 22 lbs |
Pros
- Washable, zip-off seat padding
- Breathable fabric designed for comfort and ventilation
- Rear-facing to 50 lbs
Cons
- A bit larger than other options
Chicco offers straightforward installation via LATCH or your vehicle’s seat belt with nine recline positions as well as nine headrest positions to help achieve the best angle for your baby. Its SuperCinch tightener secures the car seat in your vehicle using less effort by easily multiplying your force. A mesh-fabric backrest makes the seat soft and pillowy for your child's comfort while adding additional ventilation; it's a great seat if you live in a hot climate and are concerned about keeping your child cool.
Our pros particularly loved the washable, zip-off seat padding that can go in the washing machine. Combined with the dishwasher-safe cup holder, this car seat is ideal for germaphobes (we say that with love) or anyone who appreciates keeping their backseat neat. If you want to travel with this, Chicco sells a popular, wheeled car seat travel bag.
| Dimensions | 22.75" x 19" x 29.2" |
| Rear-facing limit | 4- to 50 lbs or 43" (whichever comes first) |
| Forward-facing limit | 22 to 65 lbs or 49" (whichever comes first) |
| Booster limit | N/A |
| Car seat weight | 26.7 lbs |
Clek Foonf Convertible Car Seat
Pros
- Durable build
- Children can ride rear-facing to 50 lbs
- Recycling program for car seats near expiration date
Cons
- Rethread harness requires manual harness adjustments
- Heaviest car seat on our list
With a steel and magnesium substructure, Clek boasts that its model is “built like a tank.” The Foonf is easy to install with a rigid LATCH and has an array of safety features including an anti-rebound bar in the rear-facing position and advanced side-impact protection. Your little one can remain rear-facing through the preschool years, making it one of the safest convertible car seats on the market. It also offers three recline options and fabric that's Greenguard Certified.
"This is definitely durable. My younger child is still in this at age 5," says Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Executive Director Lexie Sachs, a mom of two. "Per her, it's not comfortable for long car rides. But my older one never complained. It's also very heavy, but I feel that's a fair trade-off for the safety." Though it weighs 38 pounds, it's not wide; this fits in many sedans and in many backseats, you can even line up three Foonfs across. It has a rethread harness, meaning you must manually adjust the seat belt harness as your baby grows. If you use this from infancy, purchase the infant insert, sold separately. Notably, Clek has a recycling program for car seats nearing their expiration.
| Dimensions | 17.5" x 16.9" x 28" |
| Rear-facing limit | 5 to 50 lbs or 43" (whichever comes first) |
| Front-facing limit | 22 to 65 lbs or 49" (whichever comes first) |
| Booster limit | N/A |
| Car seat weight | 38 pounds |
Baby Jogger City Turn
Pros
- 180-degree swivel for easy loading and unloading
- Lots of padding makes this very comfortable
- Extended rear-facing capability
Cons
- No longer swivels once you face it forward
Avoid throwing your back out trying to get a baby in a rear-facing car seat with this rotating option. Easily swivel the seat to face the car door so you can slip baby in and buckle them up without having to contort yourself. When rotated, it brings your little one about 10 inches closer to you, too. In testing, we agreed the 180-degree rotation makes loading and unloading easier and we appreciated the no-rethread harness and plush padding that made it exceptionally comfortable for little ones.
Note that you can't use the swivel option for the forward-facing setup. But this has a 10-position headrest and five-position recline so you can customize the fit, though we found the recline a little bit awkward to use. Due to its swivel base, this seat is large and doesn't fit in all vehicles, so if you have a small car, consider the seat's dimensions.
| Dimensions | 21.75" x 19" x 23.5" |
| Rear-facing limit | 4 to 50 lbs or 49" (whichever comes first) |
| Front-facing limit | 22 to 65 lbs or 49" (whichever comes first) |
| Booster limit | N/A |
| Car seat weight | 28 lbs |
How we test convertible car seats
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we review a car seat's safety compliance, ease of use (adjusting the harness, reclining the seat), standout features, ease of cleaning and the manufacturer's customer service. We test out the car seats in vehicles of varying sizes and with our own consumer testers who have children at every age and stage so we can get real-life feedback. In the past six years, we've tested 20 convertible car seats.
What to look for when shopping for a convertible car seat
✔️ Weight and height limits: Every convertible car seat will have height and weight limits for rear-facing, forward-facing and, if applicable, booster configurations. Always be sure your car seat is set up according to your child's current height and weight.
✔️ Vehicle size: Measure the available space in your vehicle's backseat before buying a convertible car seat. It's also good to note the store's return policy before purchase, just in case the size doesn't work out.
✔️ Installation helpers: 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 straps, connectors and hooks on both the car seat and in your vehicle for safe connectivity. If your vehicle is not compatible with LATCH, then you'll likely install your car seat using your vehicle's seat belt. Many brands now have installation videos on YouTube so you can check your work. To get peace of mind that you've gotten the proper installation, visit a car seat safety-check location near you.
✔️ Adjustments for safety, comfort and fit: Since a convertible car seat can hold your child from newborn to big kid, look for one that can grow with them with a multi-position headrest and several recline options. A no-rethread harness will allow you to easily make seat adjustments without requiring you to reconfigure the seat belt.
✔️ Ease of cleaning: Convertible car seats are meant to last for years, so finding one that's easy to clean can save a lot of hassle. Keep it simple by seeking out models with removable, machine-washable seat padding and covers.
✔️ Expiration: All convertible car seats are stamped with an expiration date because the materials can get worn down over time. If you are planning on using the same seat for many years or for multiple children, take note of the recommended usage. Never use an expired car seat.
On a related note, it's important to remember that if your car seat is involved in even a minor accident, the materials, such as the foam protection, can compress and they will not snap back into place. So if your convertible car seat has protected your child in an accident, be thankful, then invest in a new car seat that will be able to provide the same level of protection in the future.
Understanding the different kinds of car seats
Use this guide from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to input your child's age, weight and height and it will offer recommendations on the type of seat that is best suited for your kid. This illustration from NHTSA is a simple view of four basic forms of child passenger safety equipment: an infant car seat, a convertible car seat, a backless booster that helps you position the car's seat belt correctly on an older child before they're big enough to use the belt alone. We input a child age 3, three feet tall and weighing 35 pounds, and it recommends a forward-facing car seat.
• Infant car seats only work rear-facing. They feature a handle so you can snap the seat out of its base and carry your child around in the seat. In many cases, you can even snap the seat onto a stroller and move your baby around that way. An infant car seat is all about convenience in the first year of your baby's life, though most are now built to hold your child rear-facing into the toddler years and past age 2. The parent experts at the GH Institute all started off each of their own babies in an infant car seat.
• Convertible car seats convert from rear-facing to forward-facing. It's possible to save money and forgo the nice feature of being able to easily carry your baby around in their car seat if you start with your newborn in a convertible car seat. Follow the manufacturer instructions carefully when installing it in the rear-facing, full-recline position for an infant. The parents at the GH Institute all moved on to a convertible car seat when each of their children reached the toddler years. A child age 1 or 2 is often too heavy to carry around in an infant seat, so at that point it makes sense to install a convertible car seat meant to stay in the vehicle. A convertible car seat should be installed rear-facing as long as possible for safety, but ideally past age 2. Then this type of seat can face forward and hold a child in the five-point car-seat harness usually up to 65 pounds and the early school years. It's possible to keep many children in their convertible car seat until age 8 or 9, but most state car seat laws only regulate children through age 7. (Find your state's law regarding how your child should be buckled up.) Also pay attention to the height limit when deciding how long to keep your child in the five-point harness.
• Booster car seats literally boost a child up a few inches so that the car's seat belt is positioned properly in order to offer full protection. Many convertible car seats are now "all-in-ones" that become a booster car seat when you take off the five-point harness and begin using the car's seat belt; follow the manufacturer's directions for exactly how to use a convertible car seat in booster mode. If your convertible car seat does not have booster mode, you'll want either a high-back booster (it has a back and sides, which lets your big kid more easily rest their head and provides some side-impact protection) or a backless booster (as shown in this illustration). Booster seats might come with a variety of features such as big-kid armrests, cupholders and storage. NHTSA asks you to keep your child buckled in the backseat until they're age 13 and in some states, that's a law.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
The Good Housekeeping Institute provides expert reviews and advice on everything a parent needs from maternity leggings to high chairs and on to kids' tablets.
For more than 15 years, Rachel Rothman, the Chief Technologist & 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. Rothman vetted all of the products above. She leads our efforts in both the auto space and most juvenile products, including car seats. Plus, as a mom to three kids under age 6, she's personally used many of the kids' products we recommend.
In her role as Parenting & Pets Reviews Analyst, Jamie Spain brings years of experience to the Institute, having reviewed a variety of parenting products for Good Housekeeping from tricycles to toy organizers.
This latest update was helmed by Contributing Writer Jessica Hartshorn who has covered car-seat innovations for decades, including at American Baby magazine and Parents magazine.
Jessica (she/her) is a freelance writer with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home and parenting products. A mom of two teens and two cats, her previous work can be seen in American Baby and Parents.
Jamie (she/her) is the former parenting and pets reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has also worked a BuzzFeed and People. She's a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and psychology and a master’s degree in journalism.
Rachel Rothman was the chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 15 years, overseeing testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also managed GH's research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems.
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