Convertible car seats are designed to grow with your child. Once your baby outgrows their infant seat’s height and weight limits, usually around 30 inches or 30 pounds, they will be ready to transition to a larger, five-point safety harness seat, typically between 6 months and 2 years of age. Initially, the baby or toddler will use the convertible seat rear-facing and eventually switch to forward-facing as they grow. Using convertible seats can be overwhelming due to their various installation modes, multiple seat belt paths, and safety tethers. Therefore, we have identified the models that are the easiest and safest to install and use. Additionally, we have included numerous helpful tips on navigating the road ahead regardless of the seat you choose.
Our pick
The Graco Extend2Fit Convertible does an excellent job of keeping your child rear-facing for a longer period and is easy to install and use.
The Graco Extend2Fit Convertible offers easy installation, considerate features, and great value for the price. Most importantly, this seat excels at keeping children comfortable while riding rear-facing, the safest position for a young child, for as long as possible. The Extend2Fit Convertible addresses the issue of large toddlers and preschoolers feeling squashed while rear-facing by incorporating an extension panel that provides 5 inches of extra legroom. Kids can continue rear-facing in the Extend2Fit Convertible until they reach 50 pounds, the highest capacity among the seats we tested. The seat can be installed quickly and intuitively, particularly when using LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children), which allows you to attach a pair of metal hooks on the seat to anchors built into the car. The Extend2Fit Convertible’s LATCH install system can be used for children weighing up to 45 pounds, the highest LATCH weight limit among the seats we tested. Additionally, the seat is lightweight and equipped with a no-rethread harness, eliminating the need to disassemble the seat to adjust the straps as the child grows. Although the fabric is not as stain-resistant as desired, opting for a darker color can mitigate this concern. The cover is also machine washable.
Seat weight: 19 pounds
Seat dimensions: 18.5 inches wide by 23.7 inches tall (with the headrest in its lowest position)
Rear-facing weight and height range: 4 to 50 pounds; head must be at least 1 inch below the headrest’s handle
Forward-facing weight and height range: 22 to 65 pounds; up to 49 inches tall (the top of the child’s ears must also be below the top of the headrest)
Runner-up
The Britax Boulevard ClickTight is a stylish and user-friendly seat that stands out for its incredibly easy installation. It features Britax’s innovative ClickTight installation system: You thread the vehicle’s seat belt through a path beneath the Boulevard’s seat cushion and close the seat cushion, and then a built-in mechanism tightens everything securely into place—no grunting, sweating, or swearing required. (You can also use LATCH to install the Boulevard, but Britax recommends the seat belt method, and we agree.) Like our top pick, the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible, the Boulevard has a no-rethread harness that makes ongoing strap adjustments hassle-free. But like the majority of convertible seats out there, this seat can only be used in the rear-facing position for kids weighing up to 40 pounds (10 pounds less than with our top pick). And in our experience, the Boulevard doesn’t provide much legroom in rear-facing mode, so it may encourage caregivers to turn their kids forward-facing sooner than experts recommend. If keeping your child rear-facing for as long as possible is the number-one priority, then we think you’d be better served by our other picks. However, if a fast and convenient install matters most, then the Boulevard is your best bet.
The Britax Boulevard ClickTight is a stylish and user-friendly seat with incredibly easy installation. It features a innovative ClickTight installation system by Britax, allowing for easy and secure installation without the need for strenuous efforts. Additionally, the seat is equipped with a no-rethread harness, similar to our top pick, the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible, facilitating hassle-free strap adjustments. However, like most convertible seats, this seat can only be used in the rear-facing position for children weighing up to 40 pounds, 10 pounds less than our top pick. The Boulevard may not provide ample legroom in rear-facing mode, potentially leading caregivers to switch their kids to forward-facing earlier than recommended by experts. If prioritizing extended rear-facing is essential, we recommend considering other options. However, if quick and convenient installation is your primary concern, then the Boulevard is an ideal choice.
Seat weight: 29.4 pounds
Seat dimensions: 18.5 inches wide by 23.5 inches tall (with the headrest in its lowest position)
Rear-facing weight and height range: 5 to 40 pounds; head must be at least 1 inch below the top of the headrest
Forward-facing weight and height range: 20 to 65 pounds; up to 49 inches (the top of the child’s ears must also be below the top of the headrest)
