5 Best Convertible Car Seats That Grows With Your Child in 2024
A convertible car seat is a flexible car seat option that can grow with your child. It can be configured forward or rear-facing and is often the next step after an infant car seat.
When it comes to choosing the right convertible car seat for your family, you’ll want to consider safety, comfort, ease of installation, and adaptability, among other things.
With so many factors to consider and so many car seats on the market, we’re here to help with a roundup of a few of our favorite contenders.
Best Overall: Orbit Baby G5 Toddler Car Seat
With the ability to dock in and out of a rotating base, the Orbit Baby G5 Toddler car seat offers unmatched flexibility.
One of the best things about infant car seats is their portability and integration into a travel system — a feature that’s typically lost when the transition is made to a convertible seat.
But Orbit Baby’s convertible car seat uses the exact same SmartHub rotating base as its infant seat, which means you can still dock your car seat on a stroller. (Just imagine the palpable envy as you glide by your fellow parent travelers trying to figure out how to lug a car seat and a 50 lb suitcase while chasing a toddler through the airport.)
Pros
- Rotates into position when installed rear facing to save on back strain
- Can be fully detached from its base and is compatible with all Orbit Baby strollers
Cons
- Its rear facing weight limit is 35 lbs, which is lower than some other convertible car seats
- Only available for purchase online or in certain Nordstrom stores
Most Comfortable Convertible Car Seat: Maxi Cosi Pria
With plush, state-of-the-art fabrics and built-in automatic fans for ventilation, the Maxi Cosi Pria earns a spot on our list as the most comfortable convertible car seat.
Pros
- Plush seat materials are also machine washable
- Offers 3 modes of use: rear-facing, forward-facing, and belt-positioning booster
Cons
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Larger than most convertible car seats and may not fit well in all vehicles
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Does not have a rotating base, like the Orbit Baby G5 toddler seat
Easiest to Install Convertible Car Seat: Nuna REVV
Offering 10 different recline positions and the ability to rotate into rear or forward facing position, the Nuna Revv is the easiest car seat to install on this list.
Pros
- Ten recline positions and one handed head support adjustment
- Integrated rebound bar doubles as a carry handle when switching cars
- Has a low weight limit for a convertible car seat, at just 40 lbs
- Cannot be undocked, which means you cannot transfer the seat to a stroller like the Orbit Baby G5 toddler car seats
Most Tech Savvy Convertible Car Seat: Cybex Sirona S
A Bluetooth-enabled chest clip (and corresponding mobile app) makes the Cybex Sirona S a great choice for the tech savvy consumer.
Pros- Bluetooth enabled chest clip sends mobile app alerts if a child unbuckles the chest clip, if the back seat becomes too warm or too cold, or if the driver unintentionally leaves the child behind
- Offers a one-handed swivel car seat for easy install
Cons
- Cannot be detached from its base, which means it can’t be transferred to a stroller like the Orbit Baby G5 Toddler Seat can be
- Limited recline options when rear-facing
Most Space Conscious Convertible Car Seat: Britax Poplar S
Britax’s Poplar S convertible car seat offers a streamlined design that takes up less space than many other options, making it a good choice for smaller vehicles or configurations with multiple car seats.
Pros- Its narrow profile (17 inches) makes it a good fit for smaller vehicles or configurations with multiple car seats
- It can accommodate rear-facing up to 50 lbs, which is higher than many similar car seats
- Doesn’t swivel or rotate positions for ease of install like the Orbit Baby G5 Toddler Seat does
- Cannot be detached from its base, which means it can’t be transferred to a stroller like the Orbit Baby G5 Toddler Seat can be
How To Choose a Convertible Car Seat
When choosing the right convertible car seat for you, you’ll want to take into account safety, fit, ease of installation, and adaptability.
Safety
Any car seat you choose should meet or exceed federal safety standards. Never buy a used car seat or continue using one after it’s been in a car crash. Also, be aware that car seats have an expiry date.
Fit
When talking about fit, there are two different applications. The first is how the car seat fits into your vehicle. Consider if you need to accommodate more than one seat or which seat the car seat will be positioned in.
You’ll also want to consider how your child fits into the car seat. What are the height and weight minimums and maximums?
Ease of Installation
The safest car seat in the world becomes wildly unsafe if it isn’t installed correctly. And the easier a car seat is to install, the more certain you can be that it’s installed correctly.
Look for features that simplify the installation process, and keep in mind that you can also have your installation checked by a certified car seat expert.
Adaptability
A convertible car seat can be a bit of an investment, so consider how the seat can grow with your child and family. Also consider its adaptability outside the car—can you use it on a plane? Can it still work with your travel system?
Conclusion: Which is the Best Convertible Car Seat?
From safety features to creature comforts, today’s convertible car seats have a lot to offer.
Take the time to research and choose the one that suits your needs and lifestyle best.
With their versatility, the right convertible car seat can serve your family for years.
For safety, comfort and luxury in a convertible car seat overall, you can't go wrong with the Orbit Baby G5 Toddler Car Seat
