The Best Convertible Car Seat

Buying Guide

Maybe your baby has outgrown his or her infant car seat. Or perhaps you don’t like the idea of having to buy several different types of seats or boosters. Either way, it feels like the time to consider purchasing a convertible car seat.

All children ages 8 and younger — depending on their height and weight — are generally required by law to use some form of car seat or booster. You are probably familiar with the infant car seat, also called the bucket or pumpkin seat. It’s a rear-facing seat that is detachable and clicks into a base that stays in the car. Infant car seats typically have a carrying handle, may have an adjustable shade and can usually be used with a stroller.

It is hard to beat the convenience factor of the infant car seat for taking a sleeping baby in and out of the car easily — and for transporting them in general.  But they are generally only considered safe until your child is 35 to 40 pounds at most. Hence, the convertible car seat, which typically starts as a rear-facing car seat up to around 40 pounds, and in some cases, can then convert to a front-facing toddler seat and, later, to a booster seat around 120 pounds. Just remember, convertible car seats are bulkier, heavier and are typically meant to remain in the car. This means you will need to consider having a separate stroller or baby carrier when your child is young.

Convertible car seats attach to the car using either a LATCH (lower anchors and tethers for children) system, which is part of your car, a seatbelt or a combination of the two. Some models have easy-to-use latch connectors to make installation a breeze.

From a safety perspective, each convertible car seat uses different materials and construction to bolster safety. The Graco SlimFit 3-In-1 Convertible Car Seat features a steel-reinforced frame. Convertible car seats also typically have a 5-point harness system that can be adjusted in various ways as your child grows.

Most importantly, convertible car seats allow kids to be rear-facing for longer and can accommodate children of various sizes. The National Highway Traffic Saftey Administration advises keeping a child rear-facing and in a car seat in general as long as possible, based on height and weight requirements for the seat. Car seats like the Graco Extend2Fit, for example, are being built to allow rear-facing for up to 50 pounds and include an extendable panel that provides more leg room. This combination of safety and maximized comfort is truly only available with convertible car seats.

Cost is an obvious final deciding factor for purchasing a convertible car seat. Instead of purchasing three or even four separate car seats and a booster, you are able to use one unit throughout childhood. This also lessens the impact on the environment since car seats expire and are only partially recyclable. While convertible car seats can be on the pricey side, you will hopefully only be shelling out money for them once or twice, depending on whether you have multiple drivers or caregivers.

• You will need a car seat starting on the first day you drive your bundle of joy home. All 50 states have laws requiring the use of a car seat until your child is at least 7 years old. Also, most states require the use of a booster seat until your child is a certain weight and height (usually between the age of 8 and 10). Since you will need some form of car seat or booster for a large portion of your son or daughter’s childhood, it’s not a bad idea to consider convertible car seats since they last longer.
• Anyone who has seen how gross a car seat can get knows how important it is to take into account how easy it is to clean. Many car seats come fitted with covers that you can’t remove and can only spot clean. Ideally, all fabric should be able to be removed for cleaning. Better yet, look for machine washable covers.
• It may seem minor, but when buying a car seat, consider whether or not a cup holder is important to you. Sometimes it’s better to have at least one so you aren’t distracted by handing your child water or a snack while driving. On the other hand, you may want to keep food and drink away from the seat. The Graco SlimFit 3-In-1 Convertible Car Seat and Graco Extend2Fit car seats both have two cup holders.
• Lugging a car seat around is no fun for anyone. If you plan to switch your car seat between cars a lot or will be taking it with you while traveling frequently, you’ll want to consider the overall weight. For instance, some seats weigh in at 25 pounds, while others are only 18 pounds.
• Even if you think you’re an old pro at installing a car seat, it may be worth getting it checked out after the first time you do it. Car seat designs change from year to year and each model can be a little different. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers locations where you can have your car seat and installation expertly inspected.
• The straps of a car seat should always be snug, even if your child protests. You should only be able to fit one finger between the strap and your child’s shoulder and you should not be able to pinch any excess harness fabric between your fingers. Also make sure not to put your child in a car seat wearing a bulky coat, which could require you to make the straps looser than is safe.
• In addition to the straps being too loose, another common mistake many parents make is placing the chest clip — sometimes called the retainer clip — too low or too high, which is actually a pretty serious safety concern. If it’s placed too high, it could cause choking or a neck injury. When placed too low, your child could be ejected from the seat in the event of an accident. The ideal placement of the clip is the middle of the sternum, lined up with the top of the child’s armpits. It’s worth reminding grandparents or other caregivers of this placement as well.
• According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a car seat should be installed facing the rear until your child turns 4 or outgrows the seat (based on the individual seat’s safety requirements for height and weight). Even if your child’s legs look cramped, they are still safer facing backward. The Graco Extend2Fit car seat is designed with rear-facing placement in mind and offers a little more space for taller kids.
• It’s important that you use the LATCH system (lower anchors and tethers for children) in your car that your car seat is designed to work with. All cars manufactured after 2003 are required by the U.S. government to have at least two seats with lower anchors — usually positioned near the seat belts — and three spots with tether anchors, typically behind the headrests or seats. Even if your car seat model uses a seatbelt rather than the lower anchors, you should still use the tether when the car seat is front-facing.
• Consider including “in case of emergency” information on your car seat for EMTs or other first responders. In the event that a parent or caregiver is injured or can’t talk, having the child’s name, contact information, allergies, medical conditions and pediatrician listed on the car seat can be a lifesaver. Simply attach a luggage tag with the necessary details or tape a note card securely to the seat in an easy-to-find area.