The Best Convertible Car Seats (Review) in 2023 | Autance

If you have young children, you will obviously want to do everything that you can to make sure that they are safe in the car with you. And one of the products which you should consider investing in the best convertible car seat. If you have never seen one before, this is the kind of seat which you can use rear-facing when your child is an infant, before switching to a forward-facing style as they get older.

Before you go racing off to buy one of these products, it is worth knowing a little bit more about what you are investing in. We have chosen 10 possible options for you to consider, and here is a little bit more information about each of them.

The Best Convertible Car Seat

Best Convertible Car Seat Buying Guide

What is a Convertible Car Seat?

Before you choose to invest in the best toddler car seat, it makes sense that you have a better idea what one actually is in the first place! Obviously, you will have an idea about what a child car seat is, but this one adjusts into two or more different positions. First of all, you can use it in rear-facing mode when your baby is an infant. When your kid starts to get bigger, you can switch it to the forward-facing toddler car seat mode.

Most either have two different belt-routing systems or a LATCH belt. Some of the above models which we have discussed adjust into one or two further positions, converting to a booster seat so your child can keep on using it until they no longer need a car seat.

What to Consider When Buying a Convertible Car Seat

Before you click that button to buy your convertible car seat, it is worth taking a step back to make a few crucial considerations, as well as looking at the convertible car seat reviews. After all, you want to end up with a product that you are happy with, and not one which you have to return.

• Vehicle Compatibility

The last thing that you want is to purchase your shiny new car seat, only to find that it is not compatible with your vehicle. Older cars are likely to not have the LATCH (Lower Anchors & Tethers for Children) system, so you should check if the seat only attaches in this way or it needs something else. Also, you should properly check the dimensions of your car interior. This is where a bit of measuring will go a long way. Compare your vehicle dimensions with the car seat dimensions. If you are in doubt, you should get in contact with the manufacturer for confirmation about compatibility with your specific vehicle make and model.

• Safety

Obviously, one of the most crucial considerations to make is that you buy the safest convertible car seat. So, check to see what sort of safety features are included to look after your child’s life. Also, it is worth looking at the specific tests which have been undertaken in more detail, as well as checking the convertible car seat safety ratings. This way, you will have peace of mind that the product you have bought is the right one.

• Compare with Your Lifestyle

The lifestyle you lead is also going to have an impact in your decision-making process. For example, if you switch between different cars all the time, you are going to want one which is easy to take out and install from one vehicle to the next. On the other hand, if your child travels in the same car with you all the time, you may well be comfortable with a car seat which is more complex and stable in its installation. If you plan on passing down the car seat from one child to the next, you will want to choose one which stands the test of time.

• Know Your Child’s Size

You will know only too well that your child is growing every day and it can be very difficult to keep up with their height and weight. But convertible car seats come with these guidelines, and it is important that you have these measurements in mind. Sure, a convertible car seat has the natural advantage of being suitable for children who are all sorts of sizes, but you will still want to know whether they will be in a forward or rear-facing position, and a rough estimate of when you will need to make the switch.

• Understand the Installation Basics

A lot of child seats are not installed properly, which is a scary fact if you are unlucky enough to get into a car accident. So, it is worth looking how easy the seat is to install. If there are some online videos, it is worth giving these a watch as well. A properly installed car seat should not wiggle around too much. As for the harness straps, they should be at or below the baby’s shoulders, while chest clips should be positioned at armpit level. So, another feature which is worth examining in more detail is the adjustability of the straps and how well you are going to be able to secure your child.

• Convenience

One of the main drawbacks of convertible car seats is that they do not offer the same level of portability as some of the other options on the market. So, you need to look what other features are going to up the convenience factor of investing in a seat such as this one. For example, you should check how easy the seat is to install and convert into the different positions. A lot of advancements have been made over recent years in this area. Also, you should look at the parts can be washed in the machine, which again makes the task of maintenance just a little bit more straightforward.

• Comfort

While your child is in the car seat, you want them to be as comfortable as possible. Not only is this great for them, but it will also make your drive easier as they won’t be fussing all the time! So, check for the pillows, cushions, padding, and other comfort features which promise a cozier ride. Some of the car seats above also offer increased adjustments for greater leg room, neck support etc.

Why You Should Buy a Convertible Car Seat

There are a number of benefits which convertible car seats offer ahead of other car seating options for kids. Here are just a few of them which could help you make your mind up.

• Higher Weight Rating

Convertible car seats need to meet the federal safety requirements of other car seats, so you can rest assured that they have been tested to offer protection to your child in the event of an accident. Of course, you should always make sure that they fit comfortably within the specified weight and height limits which the manufacturer provides. Also, you should follow the instructions closely to ensure that it is properly installed in your vehicle. Generally, they offer a higher weight rating, so your child can stay in the rear-facing position for a longer period of time. Research has shown that this is a safer position for young children to be in, and it provides them with additional protection in the event of an accident.

• Years of Usage

One of the major advantages of convertible car seats is that you won’t have to keep buying new ones as your child grows. The rear-facing position is suitable for when they are infants, while the front-facing system is designed to accommodate toddlers. There are even some which promise up to 10 years of usage, so it will end up being the only car seat that you will ever need. Always check the product description closely to determine how long the seat can be used for.

• Familiarity

Following on from the previous points, since you won’t always be changing your child’s car seat all the time, you will start to develop a sense of familiarity with it. This means that you won’t have to keep learning how to make the adjustments, how to secure your child etc. This sense of familiarity is also important for kids too. They will feel comfortable when they know where they will be riding year after year, and you won’t have to go through any potential upset which occurs through the switching of car  seats.

• Budget Friendly

Since a convertible car seat is designed for long-term usage, you don’t have to worry about continually buying a new one as your child grows up. In fact, some of the above products make the promise to be the only car seat that you will ever need. So, if you are on a tight budget, a convertible car seat could prove to be the better option than some of the other similar choices out there.

How To Clean a Convertible Car Seat

We all know that kids can be messy. Making sure that your child’s convertible car seat is properly cleaned is an important task. Dirt, debris, and other harmful bacteria can start to accumulate – especially if your child is eating and drinking while using the seat. So, here are a few cleaning tips that you can follow.

Take the Seat Out of the Car

First up, you should remove the seat from your car entirely. Most convertible car seats are easy to unclip, so this shouldn’t pose too much of a challenge. A lot of dirt and debris can gather underneath the car seat, as well as in the seat itself.

Check for Machine Washable Parts

Many of the convertible car seats that we have discussed above have certain parts which can be thrown in the washing machine. These are usually detachable and clearly marked, so make sure that you only put in the parts which are suitable for machine washing as you don’t want to risk causing any damage. Also, you should check what sort of cycle they are suitable on, and whether you can put them in the dryer or if you can hang them out to air dry.

Vacuum Up Crumbs

To get rid of the larger dirt particles, you can simply use a vacuum cleaner to suck them up. It is easier if you use one which comes with handheld attachments as this will really allow you to get into all the creases and crevices where crumbs could be hiding. Don’t forget to hoover your car as well, especially if your child has been eating in this spot.

Use a Gentle Bristled Brush for Scrubbing

As for the main part of the car seat, you can use a gentle bristled brush and some laundry detergent to give it a good scrubbing all over. An easy place to do this task is in your bathtub as you have access to water, and you can simply wash away the dirt and debris which you clean off. Check for creases in the cover to make sure that there isn’t anything trapped inside. To do a thorough job, you are going to need to take care of all the straps, harnesses, and anywhere else which is easy to overlook.

Drying

After a proper cleaning session, your car seat is bound to get wet, so you need to choose the best spot to dry it in. You should try to choose an area which is well-ventilated. Otherwise, it is very easy for mold and mildew to accumulate. Since this is a big, chunky item, it is likely to take a long time to dry, so you are better off starting the task of cleaning in the morning and giving yourself a whole day for it to properly dry.

Best Convertible Car Seat FAQ:

Our Top Pick

Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat

Suitable for children weighing between four and 65 lb, this Graco car seat is our pick of the bunch. The four-position extension panel allows for an additional five inches of leg room, which is ideal for a quickly growing child.

To keep your child comfortable, there is a 6-position recline feature and a 10-point headrest which is easily adjustable. You can adjust the harness and the headrest in a single motion. The LATCH system allows for straightforward installation.

For us, it ticks all the boxes, which is why it comes firmly at the top of our list.

Sources:

1. How Child Car Seats Work – HowStuffWorks
2. New Help for Parents to Protect Kids on the Move: The Ultimate Car Seat Guide – HuffPost