The Best Convertible Car Seats of 2025

One of the most common questions we get from parents when they’re researching convertible car seats is around fit, especially since it’s nearly impossible to try out multiple car seats in your vehicle before you decide. Here’s what we recommend:

• Measure. This sounds obvious, but we can’t stress just how important this simple step is when you’re researching and comparing car seats. Before committing to a seat, look up the seat’s dimensions, then break out the measuring tape and spend a few minutes in your car. If you have a compact car, pay attention to the seat’s height and depth measurements. If fitting multiple car seats across your back seat is your concern, focus on the car seat’s width measurements. It’s not an exact science, but it’s a good starting point to get you a rough estimate of what fit might look like in your particular vehicle.

• Check if the car seat can touch the front seat. A convertible car seat’s front-to-back measurement and the angle required for a proper installation both can affect how a car seat fits into a back seat. A tall, deep seat with fewer recline options can cause an issue if you drive a smaller, more compact vehicle or if you’re tall and need space to push your front seat back. One way to solve this is to research if the particular brand of seat you’re interested in allows for a rear-facing car seat to touch the vehicle seat in front of it. Most manufacturers allow a car seat and a front seat to lightly touch, but some require an inch or two of clearance between the two. (And even within the manufacturers that do allow the seats to touch, there are very specific—and differing—guidelines brand by brand. Here are Graco’s guidelines, for example, versus Clek’s.) You can search and download a manufacturer’s car seat manual to check guidelines around this before you purchase.

• Pay attention to recline. Recline does more than just allow your child to ride comfortably in their seat; it also affects how a seat fits in the back seat once it’s installed. In general, a car seat with more recline options will fit a wider range of vehicles. But like all things with car seats, this isn’t always the case—so don’t use this as your only fit predictor.

The experts we spoke to recommend considering these safety features when choosing a convertible car seat:

• Alert systems: Some car seats have built-in sensors designed to warn the driver of an unsafe situation, such as if a child is accidentally left behind in the car. 

• Anti-rebound bar: A car seat will move toward the point of impact during a crash. An anti-rebound bar reduces the movement of the seat during a collision, halting the seat’s rebound and causing it to come to a stop sooner than it would have without the bar.

• Higher rear-facing height and weight limits: A growing body of research proves riding rear-facing is safer for babies and children than riding in a forward-facing car seat. If possible, always choose a convertible seat that has high rear-facing height and weight limits so you can extend the opportunity to rear-face as long as possible.

• Safety indicators: Some car seats come with built-in leveling systems and indicators to signal they’ve been correctly installed. 

• Side impact protection: “Enhanced side impact protection features can improve child safety in crashes from more directions,” explains Colella. All car seats manufactured after June 30, 2025, will be required to meet side impact performance regulations, but some models already have features built in that have been crash-tested for improved outcomes.

• Vehicle fit: Car seats range in size and shape, and so do vehicles and back seats. Be sure the convertible car seat you choose fits properly in your vehicle. 

There are also convenience features to think through when shopping for a convertible car seat. Here are the ones you should pay the most attention to:

• Convenience extras: Most parents use their convertible car seat for years—which means a lot of getting your kiddo into and out of whichever seat you choose. Think through ease-of-use features like cup holders, buckle holders, a no-rethread harness and cushioning when you’re comparing car seats. Also pay attention to how easy it is (or isn’t) to adjust the harness and clip and unclip the buckles.

• Ease of installation: Convertible car seats aren’t designed to be moved around frequently, so most parents buy one for each vehicle and only uninstall their seats if absolutely necessary. Regardless, a seat that’s easier to install will save you time and will increase the chance that the seat is installed correctly. Many car seats can be installed using either LATCH (available in cars made after 2002) or a vehicle’s seat belt. Just be sure you’re still within the weight limits of your car seat’s LATCH restrictions and remember to switch over to a seat belt install once you exceed them.

• Fabric: Besides looking for fabric that matches your style, consider its durability. Also consider if you prefer a car seat with removable, washable seat covers or if you’re okay with fabric that’s spot-clean only. If you’re conscious of chemical emissions, you may want to prioritize seats that are GREENGUARD Gold Certified.

• Longevity: Most convertible car seats will last until your child is at least four or five years old, but some, called all-in-one car seats, are designed to last almost a decade by converting from a rear-facing seat to a forward-facing seat and ultimately to a booster. There are pros and cons to these types of seats and no “right” choice—it’s all about figuring out what works best for your family.

A convertible car seat can be used with children of various sizes and can change from a rear-facing to a forward-facing seat. (The term “convertible” references this rear-to-forward switch.) A convertible seat starts in a rear-facing position for babies and toddlers and is then turned forward-facing as your child gets older. These seats can take you from day one through the preschool years and beyond. Some convertibles even turn into booster seats for school-age kids.

You’ll need a convertible car seat at some point—but it’s a personal preference as to when.

Some parents use a convertible car seat from day one. Others choose to use an infant car seat initially and then make the switch to a convertible car seat when their little one has reached the seat’s height or weight maximum, usually around their first birthday.

This is because convertible car seats aren’t nearly as portable as infant seats. Unlike infant car seats that are installed into a base and designed to click in and out of your car, convertible seats install directly into your vehicle using either the car’s LATCH system or seat belt and stay there.

There’s also fit to consider. “For most parents, an infant car seat is the right choice for a first car seat,” explains Taylor. “Not all convertible car seats offer the most snug fit or best recline for tiny newborns. There are a few that do, but far and away the newborn fit of an infant seat is more consistent,” she explains.

If you opt for a convertible car seat from day one and your little one frequently rides in more than one vehicle, we recommend purchasing a convertible seat for each car.

You’ll need a convertible car seat at some point—but it’s a personal preference as to when.

Some parents use a convertible car seat from day one. Others choose to use an infant car seat initially and then make the switch to a convertible car seat when their little one has reached the seat’s height or weight maximum, usually around their first birthday.

This is because convertible car seats aren’t nearly as portable as infant seats. Unlike infant car seats that are installed into a base and designed to click in and out of your car, convertible seats install directly into your vehicle using either the car’s LATCH system or seat belt and stay there.

There’s also fit to consider. “For most parents, an infant car seat is the right choice for a first car seat,” explains Taylor. “Not all convertible car seats offer the most snug fit or best recline for tiny newborns. There are a few that do, but far and away the newborn fit of an infant seat is more consistent,” she explains.

If you opt for a convertible car seat from day one and your little one frequently rides in more than one vehicle, we recommend purchasing a convertible seat for each car.

Many car seats call out “extended rear-facing” as a benefit of their particular seat. It’s a term you should understand as you shop for a convertible car seat.

“According to the AAP and NHTSA, it's safest for infants and toddlers to ride rear-facing in a car seat for as long as possible,” explains Colella. “This recommendation is based on data showing that rear-facing seats offer better protection in crashes for children from birth through 23 months of age, along with child development and biomechanics considerations.”

When used to describe a feature of a convertible car seat, extended rear-facing refers to a seat that allows a child to maximize the amount of time they can ride rear-facing by offering higher weight and height limits. Car seat experts, the AAP and the NHSTA all agree on the many benefits of extended rear-facing. Whenever possible, it’s recommended to keep your child rear-facing in their convertible car seat until they reach the top height or weight limit allowed by your seat’s manufacturer. But know that your child is safe as long as you use your seat according to the instructions, says Colella.

“Convertible and all-in-one car seats feature weight and height ranges that allow for either rear-facing or forward-facing use. These ranges are determined through extensive manufacturer testing and meet strict safety standards,” explains Colella. “A car seat might allow rear-facing from five to 40 pounds and forward-facing from 30 to 65 pounds, for example. This overlapping range accommodates variations in children's sizes, body proportions and developmental needs, and either mode is safe for that model when used according to manufacturer instructions.”

LATCH is a safety system designed to secure child car seats in vehicles. (LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children.) The system consists of two lower anchors and a top tether (a strap) that connect the child seat to the vehicle. The lower anchors are attached to the vehicle’s anchor points, usually located in the back seat, while the top tether is attached to a designated anchor point on the back of the vehicle’s seat.

LATCH provides an easier way to install a car seat compared to using a seat belt, and can sometimes help you get a more secure installation. But it’s not always the safer way. (The Car Seat Lady’s LATCH system explainer does a great deep dive into this if you want to learn why.) Using LATCH to install a car seat is also predicated on meeting certain weight limits. Once you exceed those limits, you’ll need to switch over to using your car’s seat belt for installation. Always be sure to consult your car seat manual and follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing and using your convertible car seat.