Some baby items are outgrown in a matter of weeks: the bouncer you never ended up using, the never-worn outfits in the size your baby skipped.
But a convertible car seat is one of the longest-lasting products your child will use—starting rear-facing from around her first birthday (or from birth, if you forgo an infant car seat) until she reaches the forward-facing height and weight limits around age 6.
You’ll want a convertible car seat with top safety technology, of course, but also longevity and features that make your busy life just a little bit easier.
In this post, we’ll explore the best convertible car seats—including the most popular toddler car seats, the best-rated convertible car seats, and top choices for using convertible car seats in specific situations, like with in a small car, with a tall toddler, when traveling and more.
Best Convertible Car Seats
First, let’s take a look at Strolleria’s top convertible car seats and what makes them best sellers, including their safety technology, innovative features, warranty coverage and more.
Best for small cars: Britax Poplar S
A Britax slogan helps summarize why its seats are so popular: “If you can buckle a seatbelt, you can install our car seats,” the company says. With ClickTight installation, twist a dial to open the bottom of the seat, thread and buckle the seatbelt, then close the seat—click, and it’s tight.
Britax Poplar S includes a ReboundReduce stability bar that minimizes movement when the seat’s rear-facing. Even though it’s slim on the outside, inside is a 17-inch SpaceSaver tech, letting you potentially fit 3-across without skimping on Britax safety. And if you’re cruising in a compact car, the Poplar S is also small front-to-back. Carbon steel frame and belt paths mean it’s solid as a rock. The fabrics are naturally flame-retardant, and you can toss them in the wash stress-free.
- Weighs: 28 lbs
- Rear-facing: 5–50 lbs, max 49″
- Forward-facing: 22–65 lbs, max 49″
- Recline positions: 6
- Headrest positions: 14
- Crotch strap positions: 3
- Number of cupholders: 2
- Expiration: 10 years
- Warranty: 1 year
Most unique safety features: Clek Foonf
Our vehicles protect us in a collision by getting crushed on purpose, with crumple zones that compress in a controlled pattern to absorb energy from a crash. Some convertible car seats, like the Clek Foonf, incorporate the same type of technology to reduce crash forces impacting your child.
Founded in Canada by automotive-industry veterans, Clek makes car seats that are made of steel, from the frame to the headrest, with aluminum honeycomb zones that crumple in a crash.
In rear-facing mode, the Clek Foonf includes a steel anti-rebound bar to prevent movement and rotation in a collision. When used forward-facing, the Foonf is the only convertible car seat in the U.S. with rigid LATCH—connectors that are made of steel for the strongest and quickest installation.
- Weighs: 38 lbs
- Rear-facing: 14–50 lbs (from 5 lbs with use of Infant Thingy), max 43″
- Forward-facing: 22–65 lbs, max 49″
- Recline positions: 3
- Headrest positions: 10
- Crotch strap positions: 2
- Number of cupholders: 2 (Drink Thingy sold separately)
- Expiration: 9 years
- Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty
Best advanced safety tech: Babyark
If Apple designed a car seat, this might be it. The Babyark combines clean, modern aesthetics with cutting-edge safety engineering, delivering serious protection without compromising on style—or your sanity.
Inspired by military-grade technology and crash-tested well beyond federal standards, the Babyark is built around a carbon fiber-reinforced frame, energy-absorbing coils, and a sturdy wraparound shell. It also includes a load leg and anti-rebound bar for extra stability in a collision, offering advanced safety features usually reserved for high-end vehicles.
And because real life with a toddler is anything but tidy, the seat features premium, naturally flame-resistant fabrics that are free from added flame retardants, PFAS, and other harsh chemicals. The zip-off cover makes cleanup easy peasy—so when snacks explode or sippy cups leak (again), you’re not stuck spot-cleaning for hours.
- Weighs: 45 lbs
- Rear-facing: 4–50 lbs
- Forward-facing: 26.5–65 lbs
- Recline positions: 9
- Headrest positions: 11
- Crotch strap positions: 1
- Number of cupholders: 2 (sold separately)
- Expiration: No expiration date
- Warranty: 3 years
Best warranty: UPPAbaby Rove
The Rove might be one of the newer convertible seats on the market, but this puppy is built to last. Covered by UPPAbaby’s lifetime warranty (when registered within 3 months of purchase), the Rove offers peace of mind that lasts well beyond the toddler years.
The QuickGuard system features spring-loaded lock-off doors that make threading and tightening the belt path fast and foolproof, while the SmartSecure indicator changes from red to green to confirm it’s locked in safely. Whether you’re using LATCH or the seatbelt, installation is practically frustration-free—and repositioning the seat later doesn’t require a full afternoon or a second pair of hands.
The seat’s PureTech merino wool cover is breathable, hypoallergenic, and naturally flame-resistant without added chemicals. It’s GREENGUARD Gold certified and designed for real life, with a zip-off cover that’s much easier to wash. Add in the smooth no-rethread harness, a generous recline range, and a lighter-than-average frame (just over 25 pounds), and the Rove checks a lot of boxes for families who want longevity, comfort, and confidence in their gear.
- Weighs: 25.2 lbs
- Rear-facing: 14–50 lbs, max 49″
- Forward-facing: 30–65 lbs, max 49″
- Recline positions: 5
- Headrest positions: 9
- Crotch strap positions: 3
- Number of cupholders: 1
- Expiration: 10 years
- Warranty: Lifetime
- GREENGUARD Gold Certified
Best for premium features: Römer Veni
The Römer Veni brings serious quiet luxury cred to the car seat world—refined, well-crafted, and gloriously low on gimmicks. Designed in Germany and tailored for the U.S., it pairs elegant styling with smart, user-friendly details that make everyday parenting look a little more put-together.
One of its standout features is the Seawool fabric: a soft, eco-conscious blend made from recycled polyester and oyster shells that’s breathable, moisture-wicking, and gentle on sensitive skin. Beyond the textiles, the Veni is full of thoughtful engineering choices. Magnetic buckle holders make getting in and out a little easier, and the whisper-quiet harness adjustment system won’t wake a sleeping toddler during post-nap buckle-ins. It’s easy to install with built-in seatbelt lockoffs, and the anti-rebound bar adds rear-facing stability before tucking away neatly when forward-facing.
- Weighs: 28 lbs
- Rear-facing: 5–50 lbs, max 49″
- Forward-facing: 22–65 lbs, max 49″
- Recline positions: 6
- Headrest positions: 10
- Crotch strap positions: 3
- Number of cupholders: 2
- Expiration: 10 years
- Warranty: 1 year
Best rotating convertible car seat: Joie Chili Spin 360
If you’ve ever found yourself awkwardly crouched in a car doorway, wrangling a squirmy toddler into their seat, the Joie Chili Spin 360 might be your new BFF. This full-featured swivel seat rotates a full 360º, so you can buckle your kiddo in while they’re facing you—then spin them into position with a quick click. No acrobatics required.
Despite the budget-friendly price tag, the Chili Spin is still jam-packed with thoughtful design details. The spin mechanism is smooth and intuitive, with easy-to-reach activators on both sides. It works in both rear- and forward-facing modes and fits surprisingly well in compact cars (yes, even at max recline).
Installation is straightforward whether you’re using LATCH or the seatbelt, thanks to the LockTight tensioning system and built-in belt lock-off. The seat also includes an anti-rebound bar for added stability, generous recline options, and a no-rethread harness that adjusts with the headrest in one smooth motion.
- Weighs: 26.6 lbs
- Rear-facing: 4–40 lbs, max 43″
- Forward-facing: 30–65 lbs, max 49″
- Recline positions: 4
- Headrest positions: 10
- Crotch strap positions: 2
- Number of cupholders: 2
- Expiration: 10 years
- Warranty: 1 year
Safest Convertible Car Seats
Any car seat you choose is safe, as all products sold in the United States meet strict federal safety standards.
But what’s the safest convertible car seat on the market?
There isn’t one definitive answer—especially because car seats should be evaluated not only for their crash protection features, but for their ease of use and installation. It doesn’t matter how well a car seat performs in a simulated crash test if parents struggle to use it properly in real life.
These three sources provide insight into which convertible car seats are safest because they’re both protective and easy to use. Note that some newer models mentioned in this post have not yet been rated.
Best Convertible Car Seat Ratings: NHTSA
The U.S. government doesn’t rank car seats according to their crash performance, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does offer ease-of-use ratings for car seats. Ease of use is a safety feature in itself, as many car seats are installed incorrectly, negating their safety features.
The NHTSA ratings use a five-star scale to evaluate the ease of installing and seating the child in the car seat, as well as the clarity of the product manual and labels.
Not all models have been rated, but here’s a sampling of NHTSA ratings for popular convertible car seats.
- Britax Boulevard ClickTight: 4 stars rear-facing; 5 stars forward-facing
- Britax Advocate ClickTight: 4 stars rear-facing; 5 stars forward-facing
- Clek Fllo: 3 stars rear-facing and forward-facing
- Clek Foonf: 2 stars rear-facing; 3 stars forward-facing
- Maxi-Cosi Pria 85: 3 stars rear-facing and forward-facing
- Nuna RAVA: 4 stars rear-facing and forward-facing
- Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP 5-70: 4 stars rear-facing and forward-facing
Best Convertible Car Seat Ratings: Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports uses a “good, better, best” system to rate car seats for crash protection, but that’s not the only factor in their rankings. The organization uses a 100-point scale to evaluate car seats on crash protection, ease of use and the seat’s fit to LATCH and seatbelt in both rear-facing and forward-facing modes.
Consumer Reports ranks these as the top five best convertible car seats:
- Britax Boulevard ClickTight (score of 85)
- Britax Advocate ClickTight (score of 85)
- Britax Marathon ClickTight (score of 85)
- Nuna RAVA(score of 82)
- Chicco NextFit Zip (score of 82)
Best Convertible Car Seat Ratings: Baby Gear Lab
Founded by a pediatrician, Baby Gear Lab brings a scientific approach to testing products like convertible car seats. Independent crash testing accounts for 35 percent of the organization’s rankings, as do ease-of-install evaluations. Rounding out the rankings are factors like comfort, quality and size.
According to Baby Gear Lab, these are the top five convertible car seats:
- Nuna RAVA
- Graco 4ever DLX
- Cybex Sirona S
- Graco Extend2Fit 3 in 1
- Graco Slimfit 3-in-1
Best Convertible Car Seats for 3-Across
“Compact” isn’t a word often used to describe convertible car seats. Large enough to protect a 65-pound child, they’re bulky by nature, which can make them challenging to fit in a small car.
Clek makes some of the most compact convertible car seats on the market: While other models practically resemble a La-Z-Boy, Clek seats are tailored like the seats in our vehicles. The Clek Foonf and Fllo are 17 inches wide—or 1-3 inches more narrow than other car seats, and typically narrow enough to fit three across your backseat. The Fllo is smaller than the Foonf, sitting 1.5 inches lower.
Best Convertible Car Seats that Recline
All convertible car seats have recline angles that are safe for rear-facing and forward-facing positions. But some have a greater range of recline than others—which can help to soothe a fussy baby, add comfort during naps, or better fit the car seat in your vehicle.
Here’s a look at convertible car seats ranked by the total number of recline positions they offer.
- Nuna RAVA: 10 positions
- Nuna REVV: 10 positions
- Britax One4Life: 9 positions
- Babyark: 9 positions
- Nuna EXEC: 8 positions
- Britax Poplar / Poplar S: 6 positions
- Römer Veni: 6 positions
- UPPAbaby Rove: 5 positions
- Maxi-Cosi Emme 360: 5 positions
- Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 Max: 4 positions
- Joie Chili Spin 360: 4
- Clek Foonf: 3 positions
- Maxi-Cosi Pria All-in-1: 3 positions
- Clek Fllo: 1 position
- Agio/Peg Perego Kinetic: 1 position
- Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 5-65: 1 position
Best Convertible Car Seats with the Longest Rear-Facing Use
Research makes it clear what kind of convertible car seats are safest: those that are rear-facing.
A rear-facing car seat better supports a child’s head and neck, distributing crash forces across their entire torso. In a forward-facing position, the child is supported by the harness, but their head can fall forward in a collision, causing serious injury.
That’s why the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids sit rear-facing until they reach the height and weight limits of their car seat—ideally, until they’re about 4 years old, but at least until their second birthday. Some states, like California and New Jersey, require rear-facing seats for children younger than 2.
Most convertible car seats have a rear-facing weight limit around 40 pounds, and most have the same height limit of 49.” Some car seats allow for extended rear-facing use with a weight limit as high as 50 pounds—which most kids won’t reach until after age 4.
The convertible car seats with the longest rear-facing weight limits are:
Best Convertible Car Seats With Anti-Rebound Bars
Anti-rebound bars can inhibit the movement of your car seat in a crash, preventing it from rotating and rebounding against the vehicle seat.
The anti-rebound bar, typically made of steel, extends from the end of the car seat and rests against the back of the vehicle seat. Several car seat manufacturers assert that an anti-rebound bar provides an extra measure of safety, although the federal government doesn’t have standards to confirm the effectiveness of the device.
Anti-rebound bars can detach from the seat—although some manufacturers, like Clek, say they are required for safe use of the rear-facing car seat. While anti-rebound bars can be used as your child grows—it’s OK if their legs are crossed or bent while riding rear-facing—all anti-rebound bars will be removed once your child sits forward-facing.
The best convertible car seats with anti-rebound bars include:
Best Convertible Car Seats Without Flame Retardants
Concerned about the potential health risks of chemicals, some parents are looking for convertible car seats that are free of flame retardants.
All car seats are fire-resistant, but some protect your child by using natural materials instead of chemicals.
Clek and UPPAbaby are among the few manufacturers that use merino wool in select models of their convertible car seats. In addition to being fire-resistant, merino wool is soft, hypoallergenic and helps regulate your child’s body temperature, keeping kids cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
The Römer Veni uses a Seawool fabric that is naturally fire-resistant, while the UPPAbaby Rove has PureTech fabrics that are naturally flame retardant free.The Britax Poplar S uses their SafeWash Performance Fabrics, which is a proprietary fabric that’s easy to wash and free of chemicals.
In addition to its merino wool colors, Mammoth and Full Moon, all other colors of the Clek Foonf and Fllo are free of chlorinated and brominated flame retardant chemicals.
The best flame-retardant-free convertible car seats are:
FAQs About Toddler Car Seats
What’s the safest toddler car seat?
Every car seat sold in the U.S. meets the same federal safety standards set by the NHTSA. So the “safest” seat is the one that fits your child, installs securely in your car, and is easy to use correctly every time. Bonus features—like anti-rebound bars, steel frames, or side-impact pods—can offer extra protection, but they don’t matter if the seat isn’t used properly. The best car seat is the one that works for your family, your car, and your day-to-day routine.
Can my toddler stay rear-facing past age 2?
Yes—and it’s actually encouraged. The AAP recommends keeping children rear-facing until they hit the maximum height or weight limit of their car seat (which could be up to 50 lbs on some models). Rear-facing offers the best protection in a crash, especially for the head, neck, and spine. If your child still fits, there’s no need to rush the switch.
When should I switch to a booster seat?
Your kiddo should stay in a forward-facing seat with a 5-point harness for as long as possible—often until age 5 or 6. You’ll know it’s time to transition when they’ve outgrown their harnessed seat by height or weight and can sit correctly in a booster for the whole ride without slouching or wiggling out of position. Until then, stick with a harnessed seat—it’s usually the safer bet.
Is it safe to buy a used toddler car seat?
It’s usually not recommended. Car seats have expiration dates and should never be used after a crash, even a minor one. Unless you know the full history of the seat (and can confirm it’s never been recalled, damaged, or expired), it’s safest to buy new. At Strolleria, every car seat we sell is brand-new and meets the latest safety standards.
How long can I use a convertible car seat?
Most convertible car seats can be used from toddlerhood through preschool and beyond—as long as your child stays within the height and weight limits, and the seat hasn’t expired (usually 6–10 years from the manufacture date). You’ll find the expiration printed on the seat label or in the manual. When in doubt, always go by the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Where’s the safest spot in the car for a toddler seat?
The center of the back seat is often considered safest, since it’s furthest from any impact zones. But the real key is installing the seat correctly. If the center doesn’t give you a tight, secure fit—or doesn’t have the right anchors—one of the side positions is just fine. Rear-facing in any back seat spot is safest for toddlers.
Can I use a convertible car seat with a stroller?
Nope—convertible car seats are designed to stay installed in your car. They don’t click in and out like infant seats and aren’t compatible with stroller frames. If you’re skipping the infant seat, just know you’ll need to carry your baby separately and can’t use the car seat for on-the-go naps or quick transfers.
Questions?
Strolleria is dedicated to making the baby gear buying experience less overwhelming for parents. If you have more questions about the best convertible car seats, feel free to contact us at cs@strolleria.com.
