Best Convertible Car Seat – Buyer’s Guide 2021

If you are looking for detailed convertible car seat reviews, you can click here to skip the intro.

When you think of transporting your child in a car, safety comes first to mind. Would you agree? Life is short, and it is wise not to take safety for granted. Adults can use the safety belts that come with the car, but for the young ones, they require more compact and safe means. This calls for the best convertible car seat to provide you with confidence that your little treasure is strapped in safely.

For starters let’s identify what is a convertible car seat? It is a seat that converts either in a rear-facing direction suitable for infants (starting at 10 months) and small toddlers, or front-facing direction for children two-years-old and above. A convertible car seat typically comes with an adjustable head rest, recline/tilt, harness and crotch buckle, so it can grow with your child.

Best Convertible Car Seat 2021

We found the best convertible car seat that suits all parents with different preferences as well as the budget on their hand. Check the table below for the comparisons between the ten products that were chosen for our convertible car seat reviews.

1. Britax Boulevard G4.1 – Safest Convertible Car Seat

If you’re looking for the safest convertible car seat, then the Britax G4.1 is what you need for your baby. Britax, the original manufacturer of convertible car seats, is known for producing quality products that offer maximum protection for your child.

This car seat can be adjusted to a rear-facing or forward-facing position. When in rear-facing mode, the seat can comfortably hold a baby’s weight up to 40 lbs, while the forward facing can carry a weight of 20-65 lbs. And that’s one more reason why you need the Britax G4.1 since you can use it for quite some time as your kid grows. You won’t need to purchase a different model when your kid surpasses 40 lbs in weight. You can simply change it to forward-facing mode that has a maximum capacity of 65 lbs.

Well, that’s not the only fact as to why the Britax G4.1 is the safest car seat. The company integrated the latest safety technology to this model to meet all the governmental standards. Also, its smart design ensures that you’ll install it in a few minutes or less with no hassles.

The Britax G4.1 is the car seat to use for your child from a young age to about a year old. With a minimum of 4 lbs, this car seat can be used for newborns as compared to other models that have a minimum weight of about 5 lbs. However, we recommend using a dedicated infant car seat until your baby is 10-12 months old, and only then transition to a convertible one.

2. Graco 4Ever 4-in-1 – Most Durable Convertible Car Seat

The Graco 4Ever is included in our convertible car seat reviews due to its supreme durability. It’s the type of car seat that you buy once, install, and you’re done. It will serve you for many years. It’s a seat that will work for newborns to big kids of about two years of age.

It a 4-in-1 car seat that can be used in a rear-facing position, forward facing position, and a booster seat that comes with backless belt-positioning as well as high back belt-positioning.

In rear-facing mode the seat holds 4-40 lbs and forward-facing holds 20-65 lbs. The booster seats hold 30-100 lbs when in high belt-positioning and hold 40-120 lbs when in backless belt-positioning. Additionally, why we think the Graco 4Ever will give your child many years of service is the fact that it has a premium LATCH system with a 1-second LATCH attachment.

The Graco 4Ever comes with a steel frame for maximum protection, excellent harness system, and energy absorbing paddings. Besides giving you many years of service, this car seat meets all the latest safety standards. The Adjust Harness System enables you to regulate the headrest as well as the height with one motion. The 10-position headrest ensures your child is properly secured and fits comfortably in the seat. It has two cup holders for drinks and snacks.

3. Chicco NextFit Zip – Easy Installation and Cleaning

The Chicco NextFit Zip is one of the best convertible car seats present on the market today. It can comfortably accommodate babies between 5 and 65 lbs. The seat is loaded with safety features which ensure your child is always traveling safely.

This car seat can be adjusted to a rear-facing or forward-facing positions. The rear-facing can comfortably hold babies who are 5 to 40 lbs, while the forward facing can carry a weight of 20-65 lbs. It comes with a 6-position headrest for easy harness adjustments. Also, the LATCH system ensures that it keeps your child safe during a collision.

It comes with a 9-point leveling as well as the LATCH that is super clinched to secure your child properly. Another feature that adds to its safety capabilities is the Force Multiplying technology. This technology ensures that you comfortably fit the car seat with less effort. With all these features, the Chicco NextFit Zip is the safest convertible car seat to purchase for your child. It won’t let you down and offers more than you might have asked for.

4. Evenflo Tribute LX – Best Budget Friendly Convertible Car Seat

Another model on our list of convertible car seat reviews is the Evenflo Tribute LX. Besides this being a well-built car seat, this one is also the cheapest on our list.

With a price below $100, and it’s the best convertible car seat to get for your child if you’re on a tight budget. The fact that it’s cheap doesn’t mean that it does not meet all the safety standards.

The Tribute LX features 5-point harness adjustment, 2 crotch positions, and 4 shoulder harness positions. It also includes buckle and harness covers, fabric shell cover, and a seat pad that is machine washable which makes it an economical convertible seat that is easy to install and clean. With this model, you don’t need to dig deep into your pockets, and yet your child will be always safe.

The seat can be used in rear-facing mode for children weighing between 4 to 40 lbs and forward-facing for those weighting between 22 to 40 pounds. It’s a narrow seat with a width of 18 inches and 25 inches in height. It has a side cup holder and comes with a body pillow for your child’s maximum comfort and safety.

The seat is made in the USA. Due to its light weight, it can also be used on an airplane. For flight regulations, it has been approved by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration).

5. Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 – Premium Convertible Car Seat

The Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 is a very spacious premium quality car seat which provides maximum comfort and impact protection.

As with the other models, this car seat can be adjusted to a rear-facing or forward-facing position. The rear-facing can comfortably hold babies between 14 and 40 lbs, while the forward facing can carry a weight of 22-85 lbs.

While Pria 85 may not be suitable for newborns, it is very roomy and will offer a comfortable ride for the big kids.

The quality of the Pria 85 is premium and made from a self-wicking fabric material. Thus it can keep your child dry as well as comfortable. The removable washing machine friendly seat pad and harness covers make it easy to clean the car seat.

It’s the latest generation seat that can fit in most modern cars with no aggravations. The Air Protect cushion system not only provides for a comfortable head rest but safeguards your child’s head in a side impact crash.

6. Diono Radian RXT – Best All-in-One Convertible Car Seat

Another great convertible car seat that can suit all your preferences. Diono Radian RXT allows you to fit 3 cars seats across the back seat of a mi-sized car comfortably. You can use it from birth and convert it to a booster as your kid grows bigger.

The Diono RXT is a money saver and best buy since it gives you up to 10 years of service. You can convert it to booster, forward-facing, and rear-facing positions. Thus you don’t need to buy another car seat as your child grows and it is guaranteed to be one of the safest convertible car seats available on the market.

The rear-facing position can comfortably hold babies who are 5 to 45 lbs, while the forward facing mode can carry a weight of 20-65 lbs, and lastly, the booster can fit children between 80- 120 lbs. For a newborn, to start with a regular infant car seat and then graduate to this one since it has a minimum weight requirement of 5 lbs. Once you start using it, you won’t need to buy another convertible car seat for a few years.

Other features included in this model are Safe Stop harness system, energy absorbing EPS foam, and infant body support pillow for additional comfort and safety.

7. Safety 1st Omega Elite – Comfortable and Budget-Friendly

Omega Elite is for people who are looking for a good quality car seat without the bells and whistles. This model is sold just above $100 with a few color upgrades. The seats can be easily adjusted as your child grows. When installed in your car, the seat will provide plenty of room for your passengers to extend their legs. It is easy to get your child in an out of the seat, since the harness holders keep it in an open position.

This car seat can be adjusted to a rear-facing, forward-facing position, and has a belt-positioning booster. The rear-facing can comfortably hold babies who are 5 to 35 lbs, while the forward facing can hold a weight between 22-50 lbs, and lastly, the booster can hold a child whose weight is between 40 -100 pounds. Overall, this model can comfortably accommodate a child whose height is between 19–52 inches and a weight between 5 lbs to 100 lbs. It’s a cheap car seat that will keep you going for years without having to purchase a new one.

8. Disney APT Minnie – Cute and Cheap

Are you tight on budget and looking for an attractive car seat for your child? If so, look no further than Disney APT Minnie occupying 8th spot on our convertible car seat reviews list. This car seat is offered under $100 and looks very cute.

By purchasing the Disney APT Minnie, you’ll have saved more money that you can use for other things in your budget. There are car seats that call for a whopping over $300, and this model is the ideal solution for parents looking to spend less on a convertible car seats and care about aesthetics.

This car seat can be adjusted to a rear-facing or forward-facing position. The rear-facing can comfortably hold babies who are 5 to 40 lbs, while the forward facing can carry a weight of 22-40 lbs. Also, it has a 5-point harness, has 2 cup holders on each side, and comes with 3 locations for the buckle.

The Disney APT Minnie is very lightweight with a weight of about 9.30 lbs and thus can comfortably fit in most cars. The price tag of this model should not be a warning sign because it meets all standards of ASTM and is certified by the JPMA. In other words, it meets all child safety standards that a safest convertible car seat should possess.

9. Graco My Ride 65 LX – Best Bang for Your Buck

On our list of convertible car seat reviews, we’ve already looked at another model from Graco – Graco 4Ever 4-in-1, which is a bit pricy. The company produces child car seats that come loaded with great features, and if you can’t meet the price of its high-end models, then you can opt for the Graco My Ride 65 LX.

This car seat can be adjusted to a rear-facing or forward-facing position. The rear-facing can comfortably hold babies who are 5 to 40 lbs, while the forward facing can carry a weight of 20-65 lbs. Besides, the top harness has about 17 inches in height, and this makes it one of tallest convertible car seats available on the market today. It provides some legroom for taller kids.

As you can see the Graco My Ride has almost the same features as those other models that are priced above $200. Also, when it comes to cleaning, this models covers are removable and machine washable.

10. Britax Pinnacle G1.1 – Great Safety Features

If money is of no issue, and you only care about comfort and safety of your child, then Britax Pinnacle G1.1 is a great model to purchase. We have another model from Britax on our list of convertible seat reviews, the Britax Boulevard G4.1 which is somewhat less expensive compared to the Britax G1.1 which I offered for over $300.

Both of the Britax models on our list of reviews offer significant protection for your child and come with many great safety features. Britax G1.1 offers three layers of protection to shield your child from side impacts: the deep energy-absorbing shell, foam-lined headrest, and side cushions.

This model works best as a belt-positioning booster for children who are 40 to 120 lbs and harness child seat with a weight of 25 to 90 lbs. It has 9-position harness, 2-position buckles, and Quick Adjust that works well as your child grows. There is a cup holder on this car seat as well as storage. This model is the best convertible car seat for you but be sure to dig deep into your pockets.

The Pinnace G1.1 is one of a kind car seat from Britax that offers top-level of security for your child at all times especially during a crash. In addition to its safety features, the Pinnacle G1.1 has a deep protective shell which absorbs any energy from a collision and acts as the ultimate shield to protect your child. The headrest has a shock absorbing mechanism, and thus your child’s head or neck remains intact and free from injuries from the crash. It also comes with an external cushion that diverts energy away from the passenger (child) thus playing a defensive role during an accident.

Convertible Car Seat Buyer’s Guide

Now, you’re equipped with the best knowledge about 10 different convertible car seats and their descriptions, pros, and cons of each model respectively. Before you go ahead and buy any product, there are some things that you need to consider first. Here we will take you through some factors to check before your reach checkout.

Why Do You Need a Convertible Car Seat?

As a parent, I bet your priority is child’s safety off and on the road. It doesn’t matter whether it’s on the playground, at home, at school, or even when driving. It’s a responsibility that goes beyond many generations that we need to protect our children. With that much said, as we drive, the most popular way we can protect our kids from the unexpected situations such as crashes or collisions is to make sure they are on the safest convertible car seat.

Here are some of the reasons as to why you need a convertible car seat for your child.

It offers maximum protection. Once your child reaches a certain age, you need to convert from an infant car seat (if you already have one) to a convertible car seat because it provides additional protection. Reports suggest that by changing your baby to a rear-facing has lots of safety advantages arising from head as well as neck protection in the case of a crash. Prioritize your child’s safety first and get a convertible car seat.

You’ll need one anyway. You need to keep your child rear-facing until two years of age. And if you want to travel with your child, you’ll have to buy a convertible car seat for him/her. Reports from child’s safety experts advocate for parents to get a convertible car seat for children between 1-2 years.

Height matters. As we have noticed, rear-facing and infant seats call for a lower weight limit of between 5-40 lbs. The more your child grows –at about 2-3 years of age, you’ll find that they can’t comfortably fit in either the rear-facing position or on the infant seats and you need to get a convertible car seat. Other times, even before reaching the weight limits your child may grow fast in height-wise and won’t fit in an infant car seat. And you’ll need to place your child on the safest convertible car seat for maximum protection.

Best for kids. Overall, a convertible car seat provides some additional protection to your child as compared to an infant seat. If you want to avoid head injuries to your kid during collisions or crashes when driving, then you need a convertible car seat for children above 1 years.

Switch now. If you notice your child has grown over the weight limit or the height limit of an infant seat you need to transitions to a convertible car seat. You can check our convertible car seat reviews to see which models will suit all your preferences.

What Are the Features to Look for in The Best Convertible Car Seat?

Don’t buy a convertible car seat without considering the factors below. They include:

Weight and Height Limits. Make sure to check each model to ascertain whether it has appropriate weight and height limit that you need for your child. Don’t buy a convertible car seat that cannot accommodate your child’s height and weight now, and some years to come.

Having Proper Support. It’s an important feature, especially for growing kids. You need to get the safest convertible car seat for your child that provides maximum support to the head during accidents.

Having Appropriate Protection. You can check different protections options for convertible car seat and get one that offers significant protection. That is a car seat that comes with a helmet as well as a seat belt.

Changing Position Option. Only buy those models that have the option of changing from a rear-facing to forward-facing.

Having 5-Point Harness. Top seats have 5-point harnesses which ensure that your child remains safe from a young age.

Ease of Use and Cleaning. Go for a convertible car seat that has easy installation, or you may be required to call a technician every time you want to install it. Also, a car seat that has removable covers and machine washable should be a priority to consider.

Conclusion

Hopefully after reading our detailed convertible car seat reviews it will be much easier to select the optimal model for you and one that suits all your needs and preferences. There are those that call for a higher price and will give more protection. Also, you’ll find some models that are budget friendly if you’re looking for cheaper solutions for effectively protecting your child.

From the review above, you can check the descriptions of a particular convertible car seat with its Pros and Cons. And you can choose the best convertible car seat for your child’s safety and protection.

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