5 Best All-in-One Car Seats, Tested by Experts and Parents
These extended-use convertible car seats are good from birth through age 10.
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For years parents have purchased a rear-facing infant car seat for their baby, then a convertible car seat for toddlerhood and preschool. ("Convertible" because it starts rear-facing and then can be turned forward-facing.) For elementary school years there are booster car seats that either use a harness or the car's seat belt.
This three-seat plan remains totally fine, with each seat serving its purpose. But we're seeing an increased interest in all-in-one car seats. An all-in-one is built to serve your child from the day they ride home from the hospital until the day they graduate to an adult seat belt. It's an extended-use convertible car seat, able to be a booster seat, too.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute we've tested a dozen all-in-one car seats over the past 10 years, both in our Labs and in cars with real families. You'll see several of our favorites already listed in some of our other car seat guides, including our roundup of the best car seats you can buy. But we've now seen enough data to feel that the all-in-one category merits a separate list of its own. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lists all-in-one car seats as a category available to kids of any age, and the American Academy of Pediatrics lists all-in-ones as their own car-seat category as well.
The biggest advantage to buying an all-in-one car seat is money saved. It's also a greener choice when you can use less gear, buying just one long-lasting car seat. The disadvantage is that these are large seats and once installed, an all-in-one should primarily stay in your car. You can't lift one of these out and carry your infant around in it like you can with an infant car seat. For that reason you might decide to start with an infant car seat anyway, perhaps as part of a car seat/stroller combo. If you go that route, consider one of these all-in-ones instead of a convertible car seat, so you can skip buying a booster later.
Pros
- Easy to install in all confirgurations
- Nine recline positions
- Extended rear-facing until 50 lbs or 49" tall, for safety
- Booster fits up to 63" tall, longer than any other on our list
- Good fit for many cars, even small cars
Cons
- Heavy seat (you won't want to move it car-to-car often)
Easy installation is a hallmark of the Britax line. Its ClickTight system, which you access by lifting up the seat pad, lets you thread your car's seat belt easily through the center of the seat and then secure it in place. (See One4Life installation videos on the Britax YouTube channel.)
The One4Life can start rear-facing with a nearly flat recline. There are nine recline positions available with the touch of a button, so you can slowly position your baby more upright as they grow. We like that this offers extended rear-facing until your child reaches 50 pounds or 49 inches tall, since rear-facing is the safest position, per the AAP. (The Car Seat Lady does a deep dive into the physics of why rear-facing is safer, if you're curious.)
When it's time to turn the One4Life forward, continue to use the five-point harness for maximum safety until your child weighs 65 pounds. You also must use the seat's tether strap in the forward-facing position. For your big kid you can pull up the headrest and remove the harness for its final configuration as a high-back booster. It can hold a child up to 120 pounds or 63 inches tall. (Yes, that is 5'3" and 120 pounds, the size of some adults — your preteen will ask to get out of this long before they have to!)
"My son stayed comfortably rear-facing in this past his third birthday," said one GH tester. Almost ninety percent of the seat's Amazon ratings are five-star reviews, and this seat is also our top pick for best overall convertible car seat. Some online reviewers complain about the seat's 30-pound weight and we agree, this is a heavy choice. But its size — 20.5" x 19.5" footprint and 25 inches tall — makes this a good fit for many cars.
| Dimensions | 20.5" x 19.5" x 25" |
| Rear-facing range | 5 to 50 lbs, or 49" tall (whichever comes first) |
| Forward-facing range | 22 to 65 lbs |
| Booster range | 40 to 120 lbs or 63" (whichever comes first) |
| Car seat weight | 30 lbs |
| Recline positions | 9 |
Pros
- Under $200
- Slim seat (you can fit three across a backseat)
- Folds for travel and is FAA-approved
- Extended rear-facing weight limit of 50 lbs
- Comes in fun colors
Cons
- Lacks comforts such as arm rests, cupholders and recline
- Might be a tight fit in small cars while rear-facing
There are no arm rests on the Radian 3R, and it doesn't come with cupholders either (they're sold separately). But what this Diono all-in-one does have is an under-$200 price, which means if you use this for its full 10 years you'll pay just $20 a year for your child's car seat, or less than $2 a month. While it comes in the standard black and gray, we get a kick out of the fun Diono colors like bright pink, blue and red.
This is a slim seat (think airplane seat width) with a tall back. You can fit three of these forward-facing car seats across the backseat in many sedans. Reviews are mixed for how it fits in small cars; installed in its rear-facing position, the tall back might bump against the front passenger seat. Like the Britax this features extended rear-facing up to 50 pounds.
A big pro: This all-in-one folds up for easy travel (and it is FAA-approved). However, it doesn't include the creature comforts of other seats. Even beyond the lack of armrests and cupholders, there's no infant insert, no way to recline the seat (you can reinstall it, but can't dip your child back easily), and the memory foam fabric is not as thick as that on some other brands.
If you mostly take short trips around town, this seat can suit you. But if you take some long road trips, you might want something cushier (and costlier). If your child is already over 40 pounds and you're just looking for a quality booster seat, you'll pay a little less for the Diono Monterey 2XT, which we named the best overall booster seat.
| Dimensions | 16.1" x 16.9" x 28.4" |
| Rear-facing range | 5 to 50 lbs |
| Forward-facing range | 22 to 65 lbs |
| Booster range | 40 to 120 lbs or 57" (whichever comes first) |
| Car seat weight | 23.4 lbs |
| Recline positions | None |
Graco 4Ever DLX
Pros
- Lightest weight all-in-one on our list
- Certified for use on planes
- Back detaches so this can become a backless booster
- More than 3,600 five-star reviews on Walmart
Cons
- Only rear-facing to 40 lbs
We've previously named this the most portable all-in-one car seat for its (relative) light weight, and it's certified for use in an aircraft. Like other all-in-ones the Graco 4Ever DLX starts rear-facing and reclines nearly flat for an infant. Next, it's a rear-facing car seat (for up to 40 pounds, less than the Britax or the Diono) and then a forward-facing seat in a more upright position — there are six possible recline options. During grade school you can use this as a highback booster seat.
In its unique fourth configuration, this seat can be detached from the back and used as a backless booster that's less babyish for preteens who are not yet 4'9" (57 inches tall), the suggested threshold for using car seat belts without a boost. We like that it can have big-kid appeal, increasing your chances of a child up to age 12 staying happy while complying to car seat safety best practices. The 4Ever has more than 3,600 five-star reviews on Walmart.
If you need to fit three convertible car seats across your backseat, check out the Graco SlimFit3 LX which we named the best car seat for small cars. It weighs a little less than 20 pounds, so it's also great for travel, though it can hold a big kid only to 100 pounds, unlike the DLX which goes up to 120 pounds. The Graco Extend2Fit is another popular convertible car seat — we like that it offers extended rear-facing, but as a booster seat it also only holds up to 100 pounds and does not offer a backless mode.
| Dimensions | 20" x 21.5" x 24" |
| Rear-facing range | 4 to 40 lbs |
| Forward-facing range | 22 to 65 lbs, or 49" tall (whichever comes first) |
| Booster range | 40 to 120 lbs or 57" and (whichever comes first) for either highback, or backless version. |
| Car seat weight | 22.75 lbs |
| Recline positions | 6 |
Chicco OneFit
Pros
- Cushiony fabric that's Greenguard-Gold certified
- Users praise this one's comfort for long car rides
- Cupholders off the sides for a roomier seat
- LATCH tighteners help you get a snug installation
Cons
- Lower weight limit than the others at 100 lbs
Our Lab experts are continually impressed by the fabric quality of Chicco car seats. The brand's KeyFit 35 is our choice for the best overall infant car seat. Like that rear-facing-only seat, the Chicco OneFit uses Greenguard Gold-certified fabric and foam, which means those materials have been independently reviewed for low chemical emissions.
The fabrics are plump and cushiony, too. A look through the user reviews shows a lot of customers mentioning their kids being cozy and comfortable on long rides. The cupholders hang off the side to give a child a little more seat space, and can flatten if you need to fit a passenger next to the seat (Chicco calls them CupFolders).
The OneFit can start as a rear-facing baby seat (only up to 40 pounds), move to a forward-facing harness seat and can be used as a highback booster with the car's seat belt up to 100 pounds. The others on this list all go to 120 pounds. Your child might hit the 57 inches required to move to an adult seat belt before they go over 100 pounds, but if not, it's possible that you'd get stuck looking for an inexpensive backless booster after this seat.
For parental ease of use we like Chicco's LATCH connectors which use their own "SuperCinch" tightener to make it easy to get a tight installation. There's a bubble indicator to help you get it to the right level and nine possible recline positions. Also the brand has a YouTube playlist of OneFit videos to walk you through installing this with LATCH, installing with a seat belt, washing the fabric and more.
| Dimensions | 30.5" x 19" x 27" |
| Rear-facing range | 5 to 40 lbs |
| Forward-facing range | 22 to 65 lbs |
| Booster range | 40 to 100 lbs or 57" and (whichever comes first) |
| Car seat weight | 25 lbs |
| Recline positions | 9 |
Evenflo Revolve360
Pros
- The seat turns for easy loading and unloading
- Install the base just once (no reinstallations necessary)
- Can stay rear-facing until your child is 50 lbs
- Comfy leg rest
Cons
- Heavy, not meant for taking on travels, best kept in a car
Rotational car seats are fairly new — the idea is you can turn your child to face you for an easier time loading them in and taking them out, which can simplify daily life. "I'm tallish and my husband is very tall (6'5") so the ease of getting our toddler in and out of this car seat is extremely helpful," one tester told us. Another huge difference (and advantage) of this seat is that the base and seat are separate pieces. You install the base only once. When it's time to turn your child forward-facing it's just a matter of rotating the seat around, not starting installation over from scratch.
This a heavy car seat, not meant for taking on a plane or frequently moving car-to-car. "It's fairly bulky. We have a Subaru Forrester which is a good-sized SUV and you still have to pull the passenger seat up to fit this seat in place, so I can imagine this might not fit a smaller vehicle," our tester said.
The Revolve360 is another seat that offers extended rear-facing until your child reaches 50 pounds. There's also an extra-long and comfy leg rest on this seat. But because this car seat is on the newer side, it does not have as many reviews as the other seats on this list. Some of the online reviews we do see mention frustrations with some of the straps, with them either being either too short for some children or easily twisted.
| Dimensions | 21" x 19.8" x 25.9" |
| Rear-facing range | 4 to 50 lbs |
| Forward-facing range | 22 to 65 lbs |
| Booster range | 40 to 120 lbs or 57" (whichever comes first) |
| Car seat weight | 31 lbs |
| Recline positions | 4 |
How we test car seats
When the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute assess car seats, we review safety compliance, ease of use and best-in-class features.
Our Lab pros and additional consumer experts install each car seat in vehicles of varying sizes and with children at different ages and stages. We consider how easy the installation is, how easy the car seat is to adjust to the proper angle, how simple the harnesses and buckles are and also take into account how easy it is to clean the fabric.
In the past decade, we've looked at a dozen all-in-one car seats and taken our time evaluating how they perform as a child moves from one car seat stage to another. We've also polled parents who use the seats and examined each seat's online reviews.
What to look for when shopping for the best all-in-one car seat
✔️ Size: The best car seat for you is one that fits in your car's backseat. Wouldn't it be amazing if car manufacturers and car seat brands got together and listed which car seats best fit each car? Unfortunately, that has not yet happened.
Look at a car seat's measurements, compare them to your backseat measurements and check online reviews to see if anyone mentions using the car seat in the same vehicle make and model that you own. Ultimately you'll need to try a car seat in your car. Hold on to all receipts in case you have to make a return. The seats we list are ones that we feel fit fairly well in most vehicles, but you can also get your car seat installation checked by a professional.
✔️ Your child's age and stage: All-in-one car seats are built to go from birth to age 10 or older. We also like them as upgraded convertible car seats — we have testers and Lab experts who use an infant car seat for a few years and then move to an all-in-one. But if your child is already in a convertible car seat and older than age 4, you may as well just buy a booster car seat next as you'll have already missed nearly half the life of an all-in-one.
✔️ How it fits your intended use: Some of these all-in-one car seats include features that make them great for traveling, even by plane. Others are best kept in one primary vehicle. If you're a frequent-flying family, we'd recommend getting something that will be easy to take through an airport. Or you can consider owning two car seats: one for your primary car and one for trips.
✔️ Price: All-in-one car seats range in price from about $130 to $750. Our five favorites are all mid-priced car seats that we feel are good values from trusted brands.
Are all-in-one car seats safe?
When installed and used correctly an all-in-one car seat is a safe choice. Follow instructions in the car seat manual to be sure you have the seat set up for the age, weight and height of your child. Buckle your child in every time.
Every all-in-one car seat on the market has had to meet U.S. federal safety standards. That said, if you see a car seat offered online that seems to be at a mysteriously low price, that should raise a red flag that you might be looking at a counterfeit car seat. These knockoffs are usually offered by third-party sellers on otherwise reputable websites. Stick to buying directly from major retailers.
Our parenting experts always recommend buying a new car seat. Like a bike helmet, once a car seat has done its job in an accident the materials are compromised and the car seat needs to be disposed of and replaced. That's why we recommend always buying new to start, so you know the safety materials are intact.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urge families to buckle all children 12 and under in a car seat, booster or seat belt in the backseat. If you have just one child, sit them in the middle of the backseat, typically the safest position in the vehicle.
How to install an all-in-one car seat for maximum safety
It's critical that you install your all-in-one car seat for the age, stage, weight and height for your child. Read the instruction manual for the car seat and check out the brand's installation videos on YouTube. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website is also helpful. There are NHTSA guides to:
✔️ Correctly installing an all-in-one car seat rear-facing for an infant or toddler, using either the car's seat belt or the LATCH system. This page also had advice for how to secure your baby in the seat with the harness straps over your child’s shoulders and lying flat, and the chest clip at armpit level.
✔️ Properly installing an all-in-one car seat forward-facing for a preschooler, either using the car's seat belt with the seat's tether or the LATCH system and tether. Kids and parents might feel anxious about graduating to a booster, but car seat harnesses are safe up to 65 pounds.
✔️ Finally, installing an all-in-one car seat as a booster for a school-age child. This includes information on how a car's seat belt should fit your child: shoulder belt resting across the chest and lap belt snugly across your child’s upper thighs, not across their belly.
✔️ Install your car seat on level ground, which might mean driving your car to a flat parking spot if your driveway or street is on a slope. This ensures that the leveling aids are accurate.
✔️ Don't buckle kids in car seats while they're wearing bulky coats. The clothing can compress in a crash and the child may come loose from the harness. Buckle them in while they're in regular clothes and then drape a blanket or coat over their legs.
Is an all-in-one car seat worth it?
We think so — the price is about equal to a convertible car seat, and yet an all-in-one works as a booster seat, too. However some convertible car seats do hold up to 100 pounds, which may be all that you need. Ultimately what's best for you is what fits your car, your child and your lifestyle.
Safe practices for use with any car seat
✔️ Register your car seat with the manufacturer to get updates about recalls. You can also sign up on the NHTSA recall alerts page.
✔️ Adhere to state laws. They vary. Florida and Alabama, for instance, only have child-restraint laws for children 5 and under, but the majority of states have laws for children up to age 7 or 8.
✔️ NHTSA recommends that children ride in a booster until they are at least 8 years old, unless they are already taller than 4'9". Children under 4'9” are too small to ride safely with only a car seat belt. Note that you can keep a child under 4'9” on a booster well into the preteen years — age 8 is simply a minimum.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have been reviewing and recommending consumer products for more than one hundred years. They take special care to recommend products for children based on rigorous safety standards, including baby gear such as the best swaddle blankets and kid products such as the best toys.
Contributing writer Jessica Hartshorn has been testing and writing about baby products for 25 years, previously at Parents magazine and American Baby magazine. She's appeared on the TODAY Show and continues to serve as a judge for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) Innovation Awards.
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.
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