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The 5 Best Convertible Car Seats 2023: Crash Tested
We crash-tested convertible seats from Britax, Nuna, Chicco, Graco and others to determine which will keep your child comfortable and safe for years
We contracted with the same crash test facility used by NHTSA to test the seats in this review. Here is the Clek Foonf getting ready for its crash test, complete with crash test dummy.
To help you pick the best convertible car seat, BabyGearLab spends tens of thousands of dollars crash testing car seats at the same certified testing lab the US Government uses for its safety certification testing. In this update, we bought and crash-tested the top 17 convertible seats available today to find the best. We conduct side-by-side tests of each convertible car seat over several months to determine the best in metrics like crash test performance, installation, ease of use, quality, and more. We collect the details you need to choose the right car seat for your needs and your wallet. We purchase two of each car seat we review, one for crash testing and one for in-house testing, so you can trust that our results are unbiased and honest.
We've tested more than 60 car seats, including 31 convertible seats. If you are not sure which kind of car seat is right for you, check out our Best Car Seats Review to get the skinny. Ready for something suitable for bigger kids? Look at our best booster seat review for the next stage in safety car seats.
Editor's Note: This convertible car seat review was updated on January 20, 2023, with the removal of the previous Best Value winner, the Evenflo Tribute, as it has been discontinued. Also, Britax changed the name of the Emblem and Allegiance to include the "3-Stage" moniker.
The Graco Extend2Fit earned the highest result in the group for crash test analysis with a combined head and chest sensor result that beats the competition. This Graco also has excellent results for LATCH installation, which can translate to better safety as studies indicate that many real-world injuries are related to errors concerning installation. These combined results mean that Extend2Fit can potentially provide an additional margin of protection over the competition in this review. This information makes it an excellent option for those who want top safety indicators. The Extend2Fit can also potentially stay rear-facing for longer than most of the competition (up to 50 lbs), creating an excellent combination of features that potentially translates to a safer riding experience.
The Graco Extend2Fit didn't offer the highest quality compared to the competition; it lacked the same level of comfort provided by competitors in its price range. However, the Graco Extend2Fit is an excellent option for anyone who wants the best crash test results and finds value in the safety potential of a rear-facing seat.
Installing the Extend2Fit using the LATCH method isn't difficult, but the one-sided tightening strap made it more difficult to secure the seat than competition with center straps or self-ratcheting features.
The Britax Emblem is a quality convertible product with easy-to-use, non-rethread shoulder strap adjustment, a push-button LATCH, and better comfort padding and fabric. This option has impressive crash test results that indicate a higher potential margin of safety. It is also easier to use than most of the competition. The Emblem's overall look and feel are better than much of the competition, and its self-contained design translates to easy to clean and sharp looking.
The Britax Emblem has a manual LATCH strap, unlike the popular ClickTight models. This design means it requires increased effort to install by comparison. However, this shouldn't be a deal-breaker unless you have limitations that prevent strap pulling. We believe the Emblem is an impressive contender, sporting better crash test results with a reasonable price that includes easy-to-use features and a nice look and feel. Overall, the Emblem is an excellent choice and one we'd recommend to a friend.
In our tests, the Britax Boulevard ClickTight ARB earned one of the highest overall results with perfect LATCH and belt installation scores, creating a virtually foolproof convertible car seat anyone can install. As a result of the innovative ClickTight and strap tightening system, this Britax practically installs itself with only a little help from you. We love the non-rethread harness height adjustment with ten levels, seamless soft fabric, a closed outer shell, and three layers of padding for comfort.
This convertible seat is not the best for families on a tight budget. It also isn't your top contender if you want the absolute best crash test results, as its performance results were only about average. However, the Boulevard provides impressive performance in most test areas, making it a potential option if your budget is bigger. Given that some injuries result from an incorrectly installed car seat, this Britax is a contender for parents concerned with proper installation, thanks to the stupendously easy ClickTight installation design.
The Britax Boulevard ClickTight convertible car seat earned a top overall score thanks in part to its ease of installation scores. Rear facing seat belt installation of the Boulevard is easy to achieve with the ClickTight system.
The Clek Foonf is a steel frame convertible car seat that earns top results for LATCH installation and has innovative forward-facing rigid LATCH anchors. The Foonf is relatively easy to install using the vehicle belt, offering impressive comfort and quality in its design. This seat has a detachable angle booster, an anti-rebound bar, and an adjustable headrest, making it a convertible seat parents and little ones love.
The Foonf is a little spendy, so those with a tighter budget will need to plan or consider other seats. The seat is also a beast; we don't think you'll want to move it very often or use it for travel. Despite these minor flaws, the Foonf is impressive and includes impressive safety features. This convertible seat is a unique choice that we believe many families will love. It is the one our founder and Mom-in-Chief, Dr. Juliet Spurrier, used. Dr. Spurrier's kids loved it, and she likes the quality and ease of use.
The Clek Foonf has the highest weight limit for rear facing installation out of all the car seats we tested. This means baby can stay rear facing up to 40 pounds. Rear facing installation is the safest riding position for baby no matter what their age and it is recommended that baby stay rear facing as long as the seat indicates it is safe to do so.
The Nuna RAVA is a very high-end convertible car seat with deep comfort padding, super soft fabric, and a sleek look with quality construction and impressive attention to detail. The Nuna offers top performance for comfort and quality and is easy to install, no matter which option you prefer. We like that it is easy to use and the better-than-average crash test analysis indicates a potential margin of safety over the average seat in this review.
The Nuna is relatively expensive, making it a possible no-go if your budget is limited. It is also heavy, so it isn't the best choice for traveling or carpooling, as we believe most parents won't want to carry it for very long. Overall, the Nuna is a quality seat with impressive scores in most metrics, and for families where budget is less of a concern and quality is number one, the Nuna is one for your list of contenders.
The Nuna is easy to install using LATCH in the forward facing position. Parents should familiarize themselves with the user manual as your installation options can change as your child grows.
The Britax Allegiance is an affordable convertible choice that provides quality for a reasonable price. The Allegiance has the second-highest score for crash test results, with one of the group's best head sensor results. It offers easy LATCH installation, creating a seat with a potential added margin of safety compared to the competition in this review. This seat is also easy to use, so it is an excellent product for a straightforward and safe convertible seat.
With a 7 of 10, the Allegiance is somewhat harder to install using the vehicle belt than some competition. It isn't challenging, but it requires additional attention to detail. It also isn't the most comfortable, with less padding and an unbolstered headrest. In our opinion, despite these concerns, the Allegiance is a seat we believe parents will love for everything it offers and its wallet-friendly price. The Allegiance failed to win an award because of its similarities to the Britax Emblem and the slight price difference. However, we feel it deserves a nod and is a worthwhile option to save you money.
LATCH installation is both easier and feels slightly more stable than using the vehicle belt. Especially in the rear-facing configuration.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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We are not big fans of a one-and-done approach to car seats and think an infant car seat should be used until your little one either grows out of it or ages out according to manufacturer directions.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Why You Should Trust Us
We take convertible car seat testing very seriously because the stakes are so high. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that "car crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13."
Our testing process begins with buying two units of each car seat. We send one to the same certified crash testing lab used by NHTSA for compliance testing, and we share the detailed crash testing results with you to help you make an informed decision. Then we buy a second unit of each car seat to put through our rigorous hands-on testing process. The combination of certified crash testing and hands-on testing allows us to evaluate car seat performance from a safety and daily use perspective.
The chart above shows a comparison between the Sirona S and the top-scoring seat for chest clip, the Clek Foonf.
Credit: MGA, BabyGearLab Staff
Our in-house convertible car seat test protocol development was led by Certified Passenger Safety Technician, Bob Wofford. Bob assesses proper seat installation for the highest level of safety. We also consulted with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) experts about their protocol and crash test results. Last but not least, we consulted and contracted with MGA Research, the same national testing facility that has the compliance contract for FMVSS 213 assessing the safety of car seat in the US. Our panel of experts also includes Dr. Juliet Spurrier, a Board-Certified Pediatrician, mother, and founder of BabyGearLab with a background in urgent pediatric care.
Our convertible car seat testing is divided across six rating metrics:
Crash Tests (35% of overall score weighting)
Ease Of Installation - LATCH (20% weighting)
Ease Of Installation - Vehicle Belt (15% weighting)
Ease Of Use tests (15% weighting)
Comfort/Quality tests (10% weighting)
Weight/Size tests (5% weighting)
Over the last several years, we've purchased more than 18 convertible car seats (two of each, actually). Our testing methods include buying two safety seats for each model, one for crash testing and one for in-house lab testing and real-world use. We conduct a multi-point performance analysis to score and rank crash test results and other functional metrics like the ease of use and installation. We've installed more car seats than anyone on the planet with testing that includes three testers installing the best car seats in three different vehicles across all categories: convertible, boosters, and infant seats.
The convertible car seats are subjected to more than 39 individual tests to evaluate their performance. The most important rating is the crash test analysis score based on the crash test results from MGA, which corresponds to 35% of the overall score. We use the head and chest sensor data recorded by the crash test dummies in each seat to reach conclusions for this metric. Our reviews also rely on intense product research and observations from multiple testers to compare each product side-by-side with the competition.
We suggest you keep your baby in a best infant car seat until they are 9-12 months old or as their height starts to push the infant seat's maximum length (always follow the manufacturer's limitations of your infant seat to guide you). You should check weight capacity, too, but more often than not, the height limit will force the switch to a convertible seat.
If you are looking for a convertible car seat, then your baby is at the age range where many parents are also thinking about choosing the best baby backpack carrier to make it easier to walk long distances. If you live in a bike-friendly town, then a bike trailer can be a fabulous addition for you and your baby. Other products that might be relevant for you now or soon include overnight diapers, a top-ranked portable high chair, and a travel crib.
Rear-Facing Until at Least Age 2
Experts agree that children should remain rear-facing until at least two years old. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and NHTSA recommendkeeping your baby rear-facing as long as your chosen car seat allows, and at least until age 2. The Clek Foonf and the Graco Extend2Fit can remain rear-facing until the passenger weighs 50 lbs. So, no matter how tempted you are to turn your little one around, we encourage you not to, so you can retain the potential safety bump facing backward offers.
Value
This group has budget-friendly options with winners and lower-priced seats to meet your needs and safety goals. With several award-winning seats offering reasonable prices and better-than-average crash results, you can find a convertible car seat with a potential additional margin of protection without draining the bank. The Britax Allegiance earned an 8 for crash test results and is among the least expensive in this review. The Graco Extend2Fit also has a reasonable price, the highest crash-test result analysis in the group, and can stay rear-facing longer (a potential safety +). The Britax Emblem is also a good value. While it does cost a little more than those already mentioned, it is still less spendy than the average car seat in our tests and is one of the higher-ranking selections.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Crash Test Performance
BabyGearLab contracts with the same crash test facility that the NHTSA uses to perform our convertible seat crash tests. We purchase two of each seat and send one to MGA, where we pay for them to complete crash tests. MGA test the seats using the same protocol that NHTSA uses based on the FMVSS 213 safety standard.
After receiving the crash test data we commission, we perform a detailed analysis of the sensor data from each car seat's crash dummy to determine how they compare to the competition and the federal standard.
More Money Doesn't Equal Safer
While you might think that a more expensive seat will be safer, this isn't necessarily true, according to our test results. An example is the Britax ClickTight seats that provide easy installation features with higher prices but didn't perform as well during repeated crash testing as some of the other contenders. The cheaper Britax Emblem and Britax Allegiance have better crash test sensor results than the ClickTight car seats proving that price isn't indicative of potential safety. Another example is the Graco Extend2Fit with the best-combined sensor results and a list price significantly lower than the ClickTight options.
So, what is the most critical information from crash impact tests when analyzing results?
The risk of head injury related to the HIC result
The risk of chest injury related to the chest clip (g clip) result
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
This chart includes the % below the maximum allowed HIC result of each seat we tested in this review. The further below the Federal HIC maximum of 1000 indicates a better result, so a taller bar indicates potentially better protection.
Above, we compare the individual HIC result for each product we tested. This chart helps show the differences between the products and their results. A lower number is better.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
The above image shows the percentage below the federal maximum Chest (G) Clip result (60) achieved by the seats we tested in this review. Taller bars indicate better results and a potentially higher margin of protection. Below we compare the chest clip results of each seat, so you can see how your preferred convertible car seat compares to the competition. A lower number is preferred.
Where do we get our crash test data?
We pay MGA to perform crash tests on each seat in our review. We purchase and send the seats directly to MGA, and they supply us with the sensor data after testing is complete. We do not use data from other companies, such as Consumer Reports, as they perform their tests, and any information they divulge would not allow for a side-by-side comparison of test results. Occasionally, we use test data supplied by NHTSA to supplement our tests. NHTSA also uses the MGA testing facility, and we utilize the same testing process as NHTSA to make an apples-to-apples comparison.
An analysis of auto crash injuries for children shows that head and chest injuries are the two most significant risks of fatal or severe injuries.
All of the Products We Tested Provide a Basic, Safe Level of Protection
All of the convertible car seats we test passed the federal minimum safety standards. Therefore, every seat has at least the basic level of crash safety protection required by US Federal law. Our primary focus for crash test scores is identifying seats whose crash test performance exceeds the Federal requirements by a wide margin. These car seats can be considered as providing an additional level of protection based on the data from their crash test sensors.
The rear facing Clek Foonf has a recline adjustment attachment and a anti-rebound bar, as well as an under the seat belt pathway that includes a belt lock off. It is the most innovative seat in the review and includes a rigid forward facing LATCH system.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Additional Safety Features
Some seats have additional features that manufacturers claim will improve the seat's safety; we did not consider these features or claims in our crash test score analysis. Because manufacturers do not publish comparison test data to analyze, it is impossible to determine their efficacy. We understand parents are curious about side impact protection (SIP) or an anti-rebound bar (ARB). Still, we encourage you to proceed with caution when deciding basedsolely on these features. There is no way to tell what each manufacturer means when they use terminology that lacks an agreed-upon meaning (like SIP). This lack of information makes it impossible to compare seats with similar-sounding claims, especially without a universally agreed-upon language to describe what the claims genuinely mean.
We can confirm that our crash test results indicate that anti-rebound bars often, but not always, improve the crash test dummy sensors results compared to not using the anti-rebound bar. We like them as a safety feature, but we feel actual crash testing data is more critical than stated features or claims.
Safety Reminder
How well a seat performs in a crash test environment means little if you don't install the seat according to the manufacturer's instructions. Poor installation or a poorly fitted harness can potentially result in injury or death in an accident.
We rated each seat compared to the competition using a 1-10 scoring system using crash test report analysis. The scoring helps quantify the products that offer an additional margin of protection, in our opinion, over and above the basic level of protection found in all seats.
The Graco Extend2Fit earned our best crash test rating with 9 of 10, thanks to excellent Chest Clip (g) and HIC scores. The Nuna Rava has similar sensor results earning an 8 out of 10. While neither have the best score for either sensor, they have the best combined scores for Chest and HIC results. The Britax Allegiance has the best (lowest) HIC result for the group, with a slightly better than average result for the Chest Clip; these results help it earn the group's second-best score with an 8. The Britax Emblem also earned an 8. The Clek Foonf has the best Chest Clip score in the group, but its HIC result is below average, which results in a crash-test score of 7.
The LATCH system of installation was designed to help parents install car seats safely every time. In general, it is considered the quickest easiest method of car seat installation
The Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) installation method should make it easier to correctly install car seats with fewer opportunities to make mistakes. For this reason, we recommend using the LATCH method whenever possible to increase the chances of installing a seat correctly. Nearly all convertible car seats have the LATCH connectors, and most vehicles manufactured after September 1, 2002, offer the anchors on the left and right sides of the back seat. So, the good news is you should be able to utilize the LATCH method until your child outgrows the LATCH connectors' weight limit (please see your safety seat user manual).
Our tests determined that some seats are easier to install using LATCH instead of the vehicle belt. However, surprisingly, about a third of the options are easier to install using the vehicle belt not the LATCH. The main problem? Some testers struggle to tighten the LATCH straps to secure the convertible car seat to the vehicle properly.
The Clek is the only seat in this review to offer a rigid LATCH system that makes installation very easy with no straps to tighten
The LATCH clips on the Boulevard are the simpler version that is somewhat harder to remove than the push button type that mimics a seatbelt.
The Clek Foonf (above left) uses a rigid LATCH connection for forward-facing installation. It is effortless and requires NO strap tightening. You push the rigid LATCH connectors onto the anchors, and that's it! The Clek Foonf ties with the Britax Boulevard ClickTight ARB for the highest LATCH installation score, as both products do not need manual strap tightening. The Britax Boulevard connectors (above right) are a clip style of LATCH that we feel is more challenging; the clip itself is harder to remove and requires twisting to remove them.
The LATCH connectors on the Emblem have a one sides tightening strap which in our experience takes more strength to use than some of the unique LATCH straps with center connectors or self-ratcheting features.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Our favorite seat LATCH installation is the Clek because of the forward-facing rigid LATCH installation. The Britax Boulevard ClickTight ARB is also super easy, while the Britax Emblem (above) and Allegiance, and the Chicco NextFit and NextFit Zip are almost as straightforward. The Chicco NextFit has a unique LATCH design with a 2-step strap tightening system that is very easy to tighten, requiring no extreme strength.
Center Seat Issues
The safest spot to install your car seat is in the center of the vehicle's rear seat — studies of injury data show a 43% lower risk of injury if the car seat is in the center of the back seat. Combine this information with the knowledge that LATCH connectors should be the easiest and safest way to install a car seat. What's the problem? Most vehicles do not offer LATCH anchors in the center location. Even if the inner LATCH anchors from the side positions are close enough, most vehicle and seat manuals do not allow the use of these LATCH anchors for the center position installation.
What is the best alternative if your vehicle doesn't allow the LATCH method in the center? Should you use the center seat with a vehicle belt or the LATCH system on a side seat? One of the most critical aspects of seat installation is ensuring the car seat is securely and tightly anchored to the vehicle.
The questions on center seat installation include:
Should you install the seat with the vehicle belt?
Is the seat as secure when anchored to the center seat with a vehicle belt as it is in the side position using LATCH?
Using the vehicle belt to install a car seat is a perfectly safe and acceptable installation method (and potentially the only possibility for center seats), assuming you can ensure that the installation is secure and tight. Use the center seat if you can get a tight fit (and we did with many seats in our tests). However, if obtaining a secure fit in the center seat is challenging, you should move your safety seat to the side seat location. It is far more critical that the car seat installation is correct than the installed seat's actual location. If you have two children, you may not have a choice as many cars don't have enough room for a side and center installation simultaneously, and/or little ones often fight if they can reach each other. Suppose your vehicle doesn't offer LATCH anchors for the center seat, but you prefer center seat installation. In that case, our tests on ease of installation with a vehicle belt can help you identify the easier options to install using the vehicle belt. Also, you can locate an installation professional for assistance using the vehicle belt if you feel unsure.
This Chicco NextFit has what the manufacturer calls "SuperCinch", which is an alternative style of strap that uses a pulley type system that makes tightening the LATCH straps far easier than ordinary straps
Credit: Abriah Wofford
LATCH Straps
The LATCH connectors and anchors are only part of the LATCH equation. The ease of tightening and loosening the strap is also something to consider. As previously noted, the Clek Foonf doesn't have straps for forward-facing installation, and the Chicco NextFitand Chicco NextFit Zip have the "SuperCinch" method with a 2-step tightening system engineered to do the hard work for you.
We preferred options that didn't require extreme strength or body weight to tighten the strap or struggle for a secure attachment.
The forward-facing installation of the Clek Foonf for kids over 2 years old using the vehicle belt is very secure feeling and easy to accomplish.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Install — Vehicle Belt
No matter how or where you hope to install your new car seat, you must install it using the vehicle belt at some point, as LATCH connectors have weight restrictions that most children will outgrow. Also, many center seats don't have LATCH anchors, even though it is the safest location for seat installation. Most LATCH use weight limits are about 40 - 50 lbs of child weight before the seat requires installation using the vehicle belt only. Given that many of the products have a weight limit of 50-80 lbs, it is clear that most children will utilize the vehicle belt at some point.
Don't despair! We will tell you which seats are the easiest to install using the vehicle belt and provide information on the correct installation or where to get help if you are unsure or if something doesn't seem right.
Using the belt lock-off/tensioner on the Sirona S isn't difficult but it is a two-step process.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Benefit of the Seat Belt Lock-Off
Some seats are easier to install using a seat belt than competitors, and most of these seats have a trick by way of a belt lock-off located on the seat. This feature is so helpful, it is a game-changer for installing seats with a vehicle belt, and we believe you'll feel significantly more comfortable installing a seat using the belt if it has one of these nifty lock-offs.
In this review, several seats have a belt lock-off located on the seat, all with forward and rear-facing lock-offs. Interestingly, all of these seats ranked near the top and have the highest installation scores using a vehicle belt. Only the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Convertible scored as well without the help of an onboard lock-off. The Britax ClickTight car seats don't have traditional lock-offs, but the pressure of the seat bottom closure acts as a lock-off and prevents the car seat from sliding back and forth on the vehicle belt, something we often see in lock-off-free seats. The ClickTight and True Tensioner Door on the Nuna Rava are potential tensioners as opposed to traditional lock-offs. It depends on the position of the seat and direction for the Britax options, as rear-facing requires the locking of the vehicle belt, which indicates the ClickTight is more of a tensioner than a lock-off. However, in front-facing installation, the directions are different. Either way, we recommend ALWAYS following the manufacturer's directions for installation, no matter what they call the method or component.
Coincidence? We think not.
Some lock-offs work a little better than others, but even those that are challenging, still provide a more secure feeling installation in our tests than seats without a lock-off. We found that options with a lock-off were every bit as secure feeling when installed with a belt as with the LATCH (some even more so). This fact can be a relief when you need to install the seat with a belt, which is highly likely given the weight limitations of LATCH systems.
The forward facing belt path and belt lock off on the Clek are easier to use than the rear facing design
The Chicco belt lock off has two parts that overlap to secure the vehicle belt in place
We believe lock-offs can help a seat feel more secure, but some are more straightforward. The Clek Foonf lock-off (above left) is super easy to use, even though you need to lift the seat bottom to access the rear-facing lock-off. The Chicco NextFit (above right) is also easy, with a lock-off conveniently located on the outside of the shell.
We needed a towel for the rear installation of the Evenflo Tribute to obtain the proper angle of the seat. This seat is not that easy to install, but it does offer higher than average crash test results.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
In our tests, the Britax Boulevard ClickTight ARB is the easiest option to install using the belt, thanks to the "ClickTight" installation method. All you need to do is lift the seat bottom, thread the belt across, remove the slack (don't tighten), and close the seat bottom until it clicks. The seat bottom tightens and secures the seat in place for you. The Boulevard earned a 10 of 10 for this installation.
The Clek Foonf is one of the easier seats in our tests to install using the vehicle belt. The lock-off works smoothly, and the belt is easy to thread. It earned a 9, which is better than the LATCH score of most competitors. The Britax Advocate ClickTight ARB is also easy to install using the vehicle belt, earning a 9.
The seats lacking a lock-off did not score as well, except for the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Convertible. The Chicco NextFit and the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Convertible earned 8s.
Have trouble finding the center seat belt?
Some SUVs, trucks, and wagons have a center seat belt in the car's ceiling.
The Emblem angle adjusts with an under seat handle that is easy to use but can be tricky one it is installed rear-facing.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
Convertible car seats have similar designs with few apparent differences that are not cosmetic. However, the options diverge in ease of use, with some being significantly easier to use than other contenders, thanks to extra features or better functionality of the features like buckles.
The Ease of Use metric includes the functionality of standard features, including harness adjustment and chest clips, ease of tightening or loosening the harness, and fabric cover removal for cleaning. If your chosen option is challenging, you may not use it as the manufacturer advised, or you could become chronically frustrated.
The buckle on the Evenflo Tribute LX is one of the easiest in the group to use. The sides pop out on their own when the button is pressed
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Buckles and Chest Clips
None of the buckle buttons in this lineup are easy to press with a simple thumb push. While some buckles were straightforward with sides that pop out with a push, others are so challenging you'll need two hands. Other buckles are stiff, but at least they don't require cussing to use.
The Chicco offers a unique chest clip that has two width settings. This feature made the chest clip harder to use, and didn't seem to improve its performance.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The chest clip is where the harness comes together above the buckle, across the chest. The Graco chest clips are the most challenging to operate during testing, with clips that require excessive squeezing of buttons that hurt to operate. None of the seats provide exceptional buckles and chest clips, but the Britax seats are average and easy to use, which is a good combination. Because buckles are more challenging, focusing on buckle use over the chest clips is best.
The Chicco NextFit has a unique chest clip with a two-setting adjustment for a more customizable fitting. While this design is interesting, we think it makes the clip's operation significantly more challenging. The Cybex Sirona M with SensorSafe 2.0 also has a unique chest clip that includes SensorSafe technology that relays various information to a device connected to the car and your smartphone. While also an intriguing device, it emits EMF, and each parent will need to decide if this feature is compelling enough to expose their child to EMF. The Cybex Sirona S also has a strange chest clip, with a button that requires pressing to clip and unclip.
The harness release button and tightening strap on the Graco MyRide 65 LX are both located near the foot of the seat and they are the easiest ones in the group to use.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Harness Tightening and Loosening
Each seat has a harness tightening strap and a harness release button to loosen the straps. Some of these were harder to pull, and the buttons varied in style and ease of use. The Britax Boulevard ClickTight ARB has the highest score for tightening and loosening. The Clek Foonf is also easy. The Chicco NextFit Zip has one of the shortest tightening straps in the group, and it took more effort to pull than some of the competition. None of the seats in this review have straps or buttons that are impossible to use.
The harness height adjustment on the SlimFit is easy to move up and down and has 10 positions for a good fit.
Adjusting the Harness
There are primarily two methods for adjusting the harness height on convertible car seats. The simplest method is a non-rethread style that involves moving the headrest/harness shoulder strap assembly up and down (above left). The more intricate design includes removing the shoulder straps from a splitter plate on the back and physically moving the straps from one slot height on the seatback to thread them through different slots (above right). While this method isn't particularly hard or frustrating, it takes more time and requires you to remove your child from the seat for access, and if the car seat is forward-facing, you may need to remove the convertible seat from the car to reach the seat splitter plate. Alternatively, the non-rethread method adjusts quickly with your little one in the seat as soon as you notice a need. We prefer the non-rethread style because it is simple, and we think busy parents will be more likely to keep the harness adequately fitted if they can accomplish this quickly without removing their child from the seat. We worry parents will put off adjusting the harness when needed with the rethread style because it requires an empty seat and more effort. Since injuries can occur when a harness isn't adjusted to fit correctly, we prefer non-rethread assemblies.
The harness height adjustment on the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio has an easy pull tab to operate with no rethreading of straps necessary. This is one of the easiest adjustment options in the review.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Almost half of the car seats in our review have non-rethread harness adjustment methods. The most straightforward adjustments are the Britax Marathon ClickTight, Britax Boulevard ClickTight, Britax Advocate ClickTight, Britax One4Life ClickTight, Nuna Rava, and Cybex Sirona M with SensorSafe 2.0, which all have smooth moving harness assemblies. The Britax Emblem and Britax Allegiance are also simple.
LATCH Storage
LATCH storage is arguably less important for convertible seats than it is for infant carriers since they do not impact installation or inhibit connection between the seat and base. However, it is still helpful if the straps aren't readily accessible to your child and can't contribute to potential injuries floating loose. Some options have designated pockets for LATCH clips, while the most common storage method includes attaching the clips to designated points on the shell or to each other.
The LATCH storage are hard plastic pockets on the each side of the Chicco seat base. They are a little awkward to get the anchors into correctly, but they work well once they are properly in place
The LATCH anchors on the Safety 1st stow by connecting to each other
The Chicco NextFit (above left) has practical pockets to stow LATCH components and the tether. It is one of the few seats we tested that retain the straps and clips. The Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Convertible, Britax Boulevard ClickTight ARB, Britax Advocate ClickTight ARB, and the Clek Foonf also feature clip storage retention that works well. The least helpful storage type is clip attachments on the seatback (above right) that leave straps dangling and accessible to children.
The Evenflo Tribute LX is a very basic seat with the lowest price in this review. The low price translated to disappointing scores for comfort and quality, but the fabric is easy to remove and clean.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Cover Removal and Cleaning
Kids' car seats undergo significant messes and require regular cleaning (whether you like it or not). For this reason, we test how challenging it is to remove the fabric covers for washing. We prefer covers that are machine washable and easy to remove and replace. We like handwashing methods over spot cleaning only, but because there is a high potential for throwup, spit-up, and poopy blowouts, it is ideal to have a machine-washable cover you can remove quickly. The Clek Foonf is the only car seat we tested that doesn't have a removable cover and is spot clean only. While Clek offers a cleaning kit for purchase, we suspect you'll likely require a steam cleaner for bigger messes. Probably the most straightforward and unique cover is on the Chico NextFit Zip, which has a cover that zips all the way around for easy removal for machine washing.
The Peg Perego cover and padding envelope the seat and curl around the shell and frame for an overall nice fit and finish.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Comfort/Quality
For comfort and quality, we review the materials and overall construction. We analyze the padding, fabric, and foam and how well they come together compared to the competition. We consider how each seat's design contributes to a baby's potential comfort, parent use, and durability.
All of the convertible car seats have similarities, like a plastic shell, impact foam, comfort padding, and a fabric cover. However, some provide thicker padding, softer or more durable fabric, steel frames, or foam that doesn't off-gas. Because this is somewhat subjective, we compare the seats side-by-side and rank them as they compare to the other competitors.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Chicco NextFit (above left), Nuna Rava, Britax One4Life ClickTight, Britax Advocate ClickTight ARB, Britax Marathon ClickTight ARB, and the Britax Boulevard ClickTight ARB are top for comfort and quality. They each offer additional padding with well-fitted fabric and considerations for everything. The Chicco fabric is softer, and the seat is sleek without a bunch of useless nooks and crannies. The Clek Foonf, Clek Fllo, Britax Emblem, and the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Convertible also offer impressive features for comfort and quality.
The Clek Foonf is one of the heaviest options in the review.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Weight/Size
We measure the weight and width of each car seat we test, including the forward-facing and rear-facing configuration weight and the width at the widest point (which can vary). While the convertible seat weight is likely not as important as the carrier weight of an infant seat, it can be a consideration if you travel frequently or use public transportation and need to carry it. If your seat will remain in your car most of the time, then how much it weighs might be less of a concern.
The Clek Foonf is the heaviest seat in this lineup at over 38 lbs in a rear-facing configuration using the anti-rebound bar and angle attachment; the forward-facing setup is over 33 lbs. The Cybex Sirona S is also heavier at a flat 30 lbs in either configuration. We suspect most parents do not want to lug around 30+ pounds while traveling.
The Clek weighs over 38 pounds in the rear facing configuration and closer to 33 for forward facing. The weight difference is the angle adjustment pad and the anti-rebound bar
Credit: Abriah Wofford
However, the Clek Foonf (above left) has one of the narrowest widths at only 17 inches, which translates to potentially using three safety seats across your back seat or two car seats and an adult passenger. The Clek fllo and the Clek Foonf are the narrowest options in this review. Most of the higher-ranking seats are more substantial, likely related to the increased padding and steel (or alloy) frames. Many top-scoring seats weigh over 20 lbs, which is still on the hefty side when you consider carrying them any distance. The widest car seat in the group is the Britax Advocate ClickTight ARB at 20 inches, and depending on your car, this could be extremely challenging to use with more than two car seats in a single row.
A small collection of just some of the convertible car seats we've tested over the years.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Conclusion
Selecting the best convertible car seat option for your growing baby doesn't have to be confusing or frustrating. Our testing details and review provide the information and crash test analysis you need to find the best seat for your needs and wallet. Whether your goal is finding the seat with the best crash test results or the option with the easiest installation and impressive crash test analysis results, we provide the details to narrow the field and find the best seat for your child.
