On this list, you will learn about some excellent car seats that also have a relatively small footprint, like the Clek Foonf, Clek Fllo, and several others! It's really on-point with its style and comfort, and that alone might be worth the somewhat hefty price tag. It also only has 1 detachable cup holder rather than 2, and in our testing it was a bit narrow in the lower seating area for hefty kids. The only cons are that it's very big and heavy just like most of the front-runners this year, rear-facing is limited to 40 pounds, and the bucket seat is super cozy but can be more difficult to get babies into and out of (especially in smaller cars and with chunky monkeys!). That's a problem, and our reviews are here to help! While anti-rebound bars can be used as your child growsits OK if their legs are crossed or bent while riding rear-facingall anti-rebound bars will be removed once your child sits forward-facing. All-in-one seats transform from rear-facing seats to forward-facing ones, then ultimately to booster seats. In this post, we'll explore the best convertible car seats for 2023including the most populartoddler car seats, the best-rated convertible car seats, and top choices for using convertible car seats in specific situations, like with in a small car, with a tall toddler, when traveling and more. Interested? The RAVA has one of the widest recline ranges of any car seat, adjusting to 10 positions to help you find the best fit for your car and your child. It would look even better in an Alfa Romeo, but it definitely upgraded interior look of our Highlander! But it's not really built for that. Nuna Rava is more expensive, whereas Graco 4Ever comes as a cost-friendly variant. It weighs about 20 pounds, is just over 19" wide, and has a 10-year expiration. An all-in-one car seat is an upgrade of a convertible seat. If you don't drive a large car or SUV, and you have more than one child, you definitely need to consider the size of the convertible car seat. All convertible car seats have recline angles that are safe for rear-facing and forward-facing positions. A critical part of car seat safety is achieving a proper installation, and the 4Ever has super easy installation and adjustments, with modern InRight LATCH connectors, a no-rethread 5-point harness with quick shoulder and headrest height adjustment (10 heights), 6 recline positions, and belt lock-off. I have been researching for months the perfect convertible seat with a high rear-facing weight limit. Depending on which car seat models you choose, its often much more economical (and more eco-friendly) to purchase one more expensive all-in-one seat than it is to buy three or four separate seats over the course of 10 years. But there were also some exceptions: in our reviews of some more expensive and versatile Maxi Cosi seats, we found some adjustments and buckles to be super cumbersome and annoying. In our testing, we thought that the 5-pound minimum was a little ambitious of Britax given that the lowest harness height is a bit high for a preemie newborn's torso length. The three modes of use include rear-facing, forward-facing and high-back booster, and theres a no-rethread harness, a nice perk for this price point. If you are not using the top tether, the weight limit is 65 pounds! It's a top pick by our friends at Babylist and The Bump. The basic Extend2Fit model has two modes of use, and the basic 4Ever model has four modes. And while the WAYB Pico exceeds safety standards and is made with aerospace-grade aluminum, its minimalistic design makes it intended for travel, not everyday use. Third, the Max uses a magnetic slide-based chest clip rather than a typical squeeze clip (we actually didn't like this as much as the typical clip style). It doesnt have the deep recline rule like other versions of the seat does. The warranty on your convertible car seat is an important factor, considering your child will likely outgrow it around age 6and you may want to reuse it for siblings, too. If you're looking for something less expensive than these options, such as the Evenflo Symphony, check out our reviews of the best inexpensive convertible car seats! The EXEC features Aeroflex side impact protection system, in addition to foam within the shell, to provide impact protection during a crash. The Graco Milestone 3-in-1 is like the little brother of the Graco 4Ever 4-in-1. The fabric is soft, the cushioning is comfortable, and we loved that the base can fold up for storage or transport. The Chicco NextFit Zip comes in at a whopping 26 pounds, nearly the heaviest on our list; but remember, this is convertible so it will likely be staying in your car 99% of the time, unless you need to swap it between vehicles a lot. You know we love Britax convertible car seats, and the Advocate is the king of the Britax models, and there is so much to love! This means that they have been thoroughly tested and certified to meet stringent emissions standards for over 360 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and chemical emissions. Well, no extended rear-facing to 50 pounds like some of the front-runners, no steel-reinforced frame, and no anti-rebound bar when rear-facing. There isn't one definitive answerespecially because car seats should be evaluated not only for their crash protection features, but for their ease of use and installation. When buying a car seat, you should understand that car seats come in different categories. Most of the fanfare surrounding the One4Life is well justified given the features, comfort, installation ease, versatility, and safety. How much is it? We have two suggestions here. Of course, you will also want the car seat to fit your style (color, patterns) preferences, fit well in your vehicle, and meet your budget constraints. "Compact" isn't a word often used to describe convertible car seats. In fact, while the Graco 4Ever is a great car seat, we think there are even better options for your family. All-in-one seats can be used from birth until your child no longer needs a car seat, with weight limits as high as 120 pounds. Finally, we thought the side impact padding was substantial and the headrest was easy to adjust up and down, and we loved how high and low the headrest went, adjusting between 9 different positions. Speaking of comfort, we found the fabric and padding to be plush and high quality, and toddlers seemed very happy on long rides. Then it transitions to a front-facing toddler car seat, supporting toddlers and big kids from 22-65 pounds (and less than 49" tall). Cons. There are a lot of adjustments needed to the seat as your child grows. This change from the basic model often happens so manufacturers can provide a particular retailer with an exclusive model. And as with our other Chicco products, you can tell its a high quality, well made product. -Ashley. They have two color options: Cavier (black the one I tested) and Granite (dark gray). The TriRide is a fairly light seat, especially for an all-in-one, making it a good travel option. Graco then adds a descriptor such as Premier or Platinum to indicate additional features. Britax never compromises with safety features, and the Advocate is the cream of the crop. On the other hand, if all you want is something safe and not overly pricey, Graco is the perfect car seat for your child. The fabrics are top-notch and the softest and plushest on this list, and your baby will be thanking you for the level of superior comfort that NUNA has achieved. If you decide to buy the Nuna EXEC or Graco 4Ever DLX, you dont need any other car seat until your child grows to use your vehicles seatbelt. "I can confidently recommend the Graco 4Ever 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat as the best convertible car seat on the market. Theres one on each side to hold the straps back, making the process of taking your little one in and out of the car a lot more pleasant for everyone. We all know how important installation is for safety, and Diono makes proper installation and positioning a breeze with their SuperLATCH system, clear visual indicators, 12 headrest height adjustments, 2-in-1 head and body infant insert and newborn wedge, three crotch buckle positions, and the nifty adjustable bottom sides that angle in and out to accommodate growing thighs. The shoulder harness requires manual rethreading from the rear; while we realize this isn't as convenient as a quick-adjust harness, those do tend to "bind up" and become difficult to loosen or tighten. Consumer Reports agrees, ranking the RAVA among its top convertible car seats. The Diono Radian 3RXT comes in at just under 17" wide, making it perfect for small cars and even fitting three car seats in a row. Its weight range is on par with most other convertible car seats, though it can't stay rear-facing up to 50 pounds like some others. $263.99 $329.99. Breathable fabrics. Finally, we have a garage full of used car seats and have discovered that many of the Marathons have torn or ripped fabric covers, especially along the seams. The bottom line is that car seats are increasingly expected to last for a very long time, and it's therefore necessary for car seat manufacturers to use increasingly high quality parts. 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