Choosing the best convertible car seat is of paramount importance because it is going to be a part of your family through multiple stages of your children’s life. With the majority of families spending a significant amount of time in cars, it is imperative to have a convertible car seat that is comfortable for kids and ensure their safety at the same time. If you are eager to know about the best convertible car seat reviews consumer reports, then I have done the legwork for you. Therefore, you just have to select from five convertible car seats I reviewed in the next section.
Reviews Of 5 Best Convertible Car Seats
1. Britax Marathon ClickTight Convertible Car Seat
Everything is perfect about this convertible car seat. You can install it easily; let it be in a forward position or rear-facing position. Moreover, it has got a no-rethread harness and an anti-rebound bar, which will ensure the safety of the passenger sitting on the convertible car seat. The reason why installation of this car seat is so simple is due to the fact that it has got a unique seatbelt threading system along with a conspicuous indicator that shows if the car seat is properly installed or not. This guarantees no fault in the installation of the car seat no matter what.
The inclusion of ‘No-rethread’ harness is going to ensure that you don’t have to rethread the whole belt with the growth of your child. Your child won’t feel tired or uncomfortable sitting on this convertible car seat due to its comfortable design and padding. In case, there are stains or dirt on the seat, you can clean that up using the minimum amount of retardant chemicals. The seat is just 18.5 inches wide, which makes it one of the easiest convertible car seats to fit in a car.
2. Britax Boulevard ClickTight Convertible Car Seat
This is another convertible car seat coming straight from the house of Britax. Therefore, one thing is going to be sure in this convertible car seat, i.e., safety. Britax doesn’t compromise on the safety, which is why the company is able to sell so many car seats. The premium quality seat comes at a premium price as well, but you will be using this seat until your child is all grown up to be seated on the booster seat.
This Euro-styled seat from Britax is equipped with ClickTight technology, which makes the installation a breeze. I really like the absence of seat belt lockoffs in this seat. Instead of that, ClickTight serves the purpose by closing down over the seat belt to lock it in place. While there are many exciting features available in this incredible convertible car seat, but if you would ask me as to which are the most amazing features of the product, then those are; deep side impact protection, which protects the passenger in case some other vehicle hits your car side on.
That protection has a lot to do with the steel-reinforced frame of the car seat. The inclusion of versa-tether reduces the impact of sudden brakes and collisions. Other features include no-rethread harness, 14-position harness, 7 recline positions, 2 buckle/crotch positions, and EZ buckle system.
3. Graco 4Ever 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat
This is among the most popular choice among parents for their babies until they are eligible for booster-free seats. This car seat can easily accommodate a baby weighing at least 4 lbs to a maximum of 40 lbs. Although there are many features available in this seat, the one that really stands out among the rest convertible car seats is its ability to be used as a forward-facing seat, rear-facing car seat, high-back, and backless booster. No other convertible car seat offers all four options, which is why 4Ever convertible car seat is so unique.
When it comes to adjusting harness and headrest, then that can be done quite easily by a single push or pull. The seat is equipped with ‘LATCH installation system’, which eliminates the chances of installing the seat in a wrong way. The absence of seatbelt lock-offs may force some people to consider their decision of buying this convertible car seat.
You don’t have to take your child out of the car in case you want to change the position of the seat to forward-facing to the high-back booster. Moreover, you can easily store the latch tethers, harness and user manual in the pocket given within the car seat.
4. Evenflo Symphony Elite All-In-One Convertible Car Seat
If you are looking for a convertible car seat that is perfect in all crucial parameters on which a convertible car seat is tested, then Evenflo Symphony Elite is the one. From the safety of your child to being a forward-facing car seat and a harnessed booster, this car seat is going to do it all.
Moreover, you will have no issues installing this seat, plus you don’t you have to tighten the seatbelt around the car seat manually, as it comprises of an automated retracting ‘Sure-Latch’ system. When it comes adjusting the harness, then that can also be done without undergoing rethreading it.
You can easily keep the milk bottle or any cup in the cup holders that come along in the convertible car seat. If you are worried about the buckle getting hot due to that hot cup you have placed in the cup holder, then you can cover the buckle with the sleeve that also comes along with the car seat. To adjust the straps of the car seat easily, you can take help of shoulder strap indicators. The only shortcoming of the product is the absence of seatbelt lock-offs, so if that is not a high-priority feature for you, then this is a good option worth considering.
5. Safety 1st Grow and Go 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat
This is a slim convertible car seat, which is just 19 inches wide. The sleek look of the car seat allows your kids to ride forward-facing, rear facing or using the seat as a high-back booster. The weight of the baby should be between 5-40 lbs when using rear facing, whereas, in forward-facing, the weight can be between 22-65lbs. If using a high-back booster position, then the weight of the child should be between 40-100 lbs.
While it is easy to use the car seat front-facing position, but the same can’t be said for the rear-facing position, as you will have to use a rolled towel at the base to adjust the recline. The convertible car seat incorporates a ‘Grow & Go’s harness system’, which makes adjusting the harness a breeze, plus you don’t have to rethread for older kids.
However, you will have to perform several steps in case you are adjusting for infants. The car seat also incorporates an easily adjustable headrest along with a side impact protection, which further boosts the safety of the passenger. Cleaning this car seat is as easy as it gets because you can take the cover off easily and put it in the washing machine. Harness need not be removed in order to wash the seat.
What Is A Convertible Car Seat?
It is a special seat that you can install in your car to ensure the safety of kids during the commute. By installing this seat, you can convert from rear-facing seat to forward-facing seat for your little one. These days, many convertible car seats can convert to a high-back booster as well. These seats come with a user manual that helps users with the installation process.
Usually, these seats are made for children weighing between 4 lbs to 100 lbs, but this figure is variable depending upon which brand you opt for and then, which particular chair of that brand. You will also find convertible car seats equipped with a host of features, which you can find in the reviews section above. One important thing that you need to keep in mind is that convertible car seats are not combination seats, so don’t get confused between both products.
How To Select The Best Convertible Car Seat?
Let me be very clear, it is not that easy to select the best convertible car seat, as there are a number of factors to take into consideration, which are as below:
- Easy Installation: Using a convertible car seat that is not properly installed will not protect your child for sure. To ensure proper installation, you need to buy only that car seat that comes with ‘Fail-Safe Installation’ System.
- Safety: Buying a convertible car seat that meets safety guidelines is the minimum requirement in my opinion. I would suggest you to buy the convertible car seat that exceeds safety guidelines because, after all, it is about the safety of your most precious possession, i.e., your child. You must register your seat with the manufacturer in order to be notified about ‘fix it’ kits that are offered by the company.
- Easy Adjustment: The trickiest part in any convertible car seat installation is an adjustment of the harness, so you need to choose a car seat in which the harness can be easily adjusted. Check if you are able to pinch the harness of the convertible car seat between your two fingers when your baby is strapped to the seat. If not, then the harness has been adjusted properly.
- Side Impact Protection: Although it has become a common feature, you must check this feature in the list of features before buying the convertible car seat.
- LATCH: It stands for ‘Lower Anchors & Tethers For Children’ and the only function of it is to make the seat installation as easy as possible. It doesn’t matter if your car is LATCH equipped, your convertible car seat must be.
- Expiration: Check the expiration date that is given by the company on the convertible car seat. If it is less than 10 years, then move onto the next options because 10 years of functioning is a norm these days, so don’t choose any convertible car seat that expires in 7-8 years.
Summing Up
To be able to find the best convertible car seat is a big achievement because then, you can at least be sure that you’ve got the best product to ensure the safety of your child. You can go through the reviews of the five best convertible car seat consumer reports in order to identify the best product according to your vehicle and other requirements.
With a number of convertible car seat brands available on the market, it would have been confusing for you, but now, you just have to choose from five products, which is a lot easier. So, get the best convertible car seat to ensure the safety of those who matter the most in your life.
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