what is a convertible car seat

This is an extremely expensive car seat, especially for one that isnt an all-in-one. We prioritize car seats that are easy to use, adjust and clean throughout their life, but we also factor in manufacturer reputation, safety testing results, warranty, consumer reviews, size and weight and how well-suited they are to the widest variety of ages. This is a great convertible car seat that saves space yet fits great in the car as well as with other car seats. Broken bones will heal but head, neck, and spine injuries can have much more devastating outcomes.. Its expensive, but it will take you from the newborn days all the way through elemtary school. The harness and headrest height automatically adjust together in one smooth motionyou just squeeze the lever at the top of the seat and pull up or push downso they always remain in the correct proportion to each other. During this extended trial, we had the opportunity to assess functionality, adjustability, and ease of use. (Height limits are more variable: some seats don't have a height limit for rear-facing, but in general your childs head should be more than an inch from the top of the seat.). Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading ourmedical review and editorial policy. The seat padding doesnt feel quite as cushiony to the touch as padding on our other, more expensive picks (which add more foam between your childs tush and the hard seat). In a crash, this strap limits the forward motion of the seat, ideally preventing the childs head from hitting the back of the seat in front of them or the center console. As they do with infant car seats, most kids will probably hit a convertible seats height limit before they hit its weight limit. We opted not to test these seats because theyre less widely available than the Extend2Fit Convertible and have lower rear-facing weight limits. But weve found that each individual type of seat tends to do a far better job at its dedicated purpose than an all-in-one seat can. It is available in a range of fabrics, with either white or black plastic sides. Right now it is being used rear-facing and it was very easy to install. The Foonfs heft is polarizing: Some folks find it reassuring, and they like the idea of their child being protected by this fortress-like seat. After careful consideration and consultation with experts, we reached the decision that field testing alone, without crash testing, should dictate our picks within this guide. The term convertible refers to the fact that this type of car seat can be installed either rear-facing or forward-facing, whereas infant seats are meant to be installed facing the rear only. The seat has a no-rethread harness, which makes it easy to adjust the harness height as kids grow. And like the Convertible, the 3-in-1 can accommodate a forward-facing child in a five-point harness up to 65 pounds or 49 inches. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. (Although we havent found it especially challenging to tighten a strap appropriately without the help of a click, if you enjoy feedback from inanimate objects, then, hey, you might get a kick out of that feature.) In general, it would be helpful to have strong fingers and three arms during much of this installation process. Additionally, we considered it a plus if seats had design elements or features that made them inherently safer, such as an anti-rebound bar. In many states, the law requires that children be at least four feet, nine inches tall to ride in a car with only the seat belt. That versatility is important, because the LATCH install method can be used only up to a certain weight limitusually when your child hits 35 to 40 pounds, depending on the seat. We have mixed feelings about that. These ratings take into account how easy it is to install the seat in your car and secure your child in it, as well as the content and clarity of the instruction manual. (In the case of an accident, a child is safest in that position. Meet the Costco Scenera NEXT, the seat youll hear about again and again from parents who are looking for a convertible travel car seat. Operating the buckles on the harness is straightforward. Like the Extend2Fit Convertible, the Foonf can accommodate rear-facing children up to 50 pounds and forward-facing kids up to 65 pounds or 49 inches. (One 2018 tester described the lightweight seat as feeling like a kids toy.) That makes it a good choice for travelits the convertible pick in our guide to the best travel car seats. Most convertibles are bulky, heavy and not designed to easily go in and out of vehicles. The seat your child sits in fully extends to the side, so you can face each other while you get them buckled in. The cover can be put in the washing machine and then drip-dried. Your registry should be as unique as you are. Your childs age isnt the deciding factor, but rather their size. And there also didnt seem to be enough space for a larger child between the crotch buckle and where the seat back begins to slope upward. It also has an anti-rebound bar, an added safety feature for use in rear-facing mode (only) thatin the case of a frontal crashcan help minimize the amount the seat rebounds after the initial impact. In high-back booster mode, this seat can accommodate a child up to 57 inches or 100 pounds, which is typical of a booster seat. There are plenty of fast, luxurious convertibles out there, and the BMW 8 Series is elevated even among this illustrious competition. And getting the lid of the seat to close completely can take a few hard pushesalthough when it does close, it gives a substantial click, so theres no question as to whether the task has been completed. Its easy to spot this information: According to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. Our team takes a proactive approach to the design of our premium collection of baby gear, delivering value and convenience with a relentless focus on safety. One seat over ten years means youll save money, time and the hassle of having to uninstall and reinstall multiple car seats throughout the years. The research that weve conducted for our various car seat guides has led us to the conclusion that the safest approach is to move a child from an infant car seat to a rear-facing convertible seat, and to keep them in that position until the child reaches the seats height or weight limit for rear-facing installation. Those differences have to do with size, portability and how long youll be able to use the car seat before your baby gets too big. Although tether anchors have been required in vehicles since 2001, there is no standard position for themthey can be located on the ceiling, the back hatch, the back of the rear seat, the cargo floor area, behind the headrest, or on the rear filler panel. We may earn an affiliate commission from links on our site. After experiencing these perks, we found the additional $40 to be a reasonable amount for the combination of the anti-rebound bar and the superior seat cover. Soon enough, theyll outgrow that too, and youll need to move to a forward-facing seat. Additionally, once we did get the seat unstuck, we were unable to install it tightly in a Honda Odyssey minivan, because the seat belts fabric loop obstructed the locking mechanism. Like our also-great convertible pick, the Clek Foonf, the Radian 3QXT is a slender 17 inches wide. Generally, the transition from rear-facing to foward-facing happens by the time children are four years old, but your results may vary. It may not be ideal if youre planning to travel regularly with the seat, especially if youre going to be lugging it onto planes. But it is fussier. LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. From a value standpoint, it can be hard to justify spending over $500 on a car seat when there are great alternatives that cost about half as muchincluding our top pick, the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible. The NextFit Max has high sides. Best Convertibles of 2023 and 2024 - Expert Reviews and Rankings - Edmunds BrigittEarleyis a freelance writer and editor based in New Jersey. Additionally, we found it difficult to maneuver a child into the seat, which is perched higher than average. Its not often that you can describe a car seat (most likely covered in Cheerios) as chic, but here goes. Thats a lot of car seats, and the cost of each one and the time spent making sure its installed safely adds up. Wipes.) Car seats and booster seats are most effective when theyre used for the correct age, stage, and size of kids. Easy cleaning:Kids and mess go hand in hand, but some car seats come with covers you can't remove easily. The seat also includes important safety and parent-friendly features, including an easy-to-adjust harness system, 10-position headrest, six-position recline, and a removable, machine-washable cover for easy cleaning. Installation is undoubtedly the biggest potential source of frustration when it comes to car seats. It has a lifespan of an impressive 10 years, and your child can use the DLX from birth all the way to the big-kid stage. LO is in the 90th percentile for height. (In a crash, if a forward-facing childs shoulder straps are too low, this could cause their collarbones to break, and if a rear-facing childs shoulder straps are too high, the child could slide up the seat.). As mentioned, the Boulevard is part of Britaxs family of ClickTight seats, along with two other, similar modelsthe base model Marathon ClickTight and the top-of-the-line Advocate ClickTight. Its not the car seats fault that it is a little too big for our cars, so overall we are very happy and would buy this again, but want to let other parents and would-be buyers know that its a tight fit in a normal sedan when rear-facing. -Grateful Dad. If youre looking for a rotating car seat with a higher rear-facing limit, check the Evenflo Gold Revolve 360 Extend Rotational All-in-One. The Grow and Go works as a rear-facing, forward-facing and eventually a belt-positioning booster seat. So what does that mean? (If you grab the seat near the attachment point and pull back and forth, it should move less than an inch in any direction.) It usually refers to a convertible with rear seats, as opposed to a roadster, which is a convertible with no rear seats. For context, the majority of kids wont hit 45 pounds until theyre around 6 years oldand by that time, theyre likely ready for a booster seat. There are other limits to keep in mind. After all, that seat, properly installed and with your child correctly harnessed, is what ensures your childs safety in the event of an accident. We have a detailed blog post that provides step-by-step instructions on how to clean your car seat. Its perfectly fine for a childs legs to dangle over the side of a seat without a footrestor to rest on the back of the vehicle seat. Im a freelance journalist covering everything automotive. A convertible car seat might be right for you if you want to invest in just one car seat that will last many years. The SafeWash fabrics can be machine-washed and -dried up to 30 times, whereas the other fabrics must be hand-washed and line-dried. When to Switch from an Infant Car Seat to a Convertible What to Look for in the Best Convertible Car Seat Frequently Asked Questions The Best Convertible Car Seats Best All-in-One Convertible Car Seat Britax Britax One4Life ClickTight All-in-One Car Seat - Drift $399.99 Both the NHTSA and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that a child ride rear-facing until they reach the height and weight limits of the seatand we wanted those limits to be generous. Of course, there are also other nice-to-haves, like a zip off washable cover and dishwasher-safe cup holders. So we found a video on YouTube to help with that. Although the standard model of the Boulevard does not come with an anti-rebound bar (the added safety feature on our also-great pick, the Clek Foonf), you can purchase a version that does have one. Remove puffy coats or heavy outer layers before buckling in your child because they can cause the harness to be too loose. Many booster seats have a back that is removable for kids who are almost ready to sit in a seat like an adult. Be sure to look up the seats expiration date and research if that particular model has ever been recalled. Best luxury option: Clek Foonf Convertible Car Seat. Theres a footrest panel that extends by 5 inches to add legroom for a rear-facing toddler or preschooler, enabling them to stay comfortable in the rear-facing position longer. The Crypton Super Fabrics options have a moisture barrier and an antimicrobial treatment on top, and theyre Greenguard Goldcertified for lower emissions of VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Some parents find that setup is more complicated than it should be, leading to confusion and difficulty with the level indicator. Childrens anatomy plays a role, too. Even without the extension panel that the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible has, a rear-facing Foonf gives even a larger child plenty of legroom. Start your Babylist now. For one, though the system enables you to get a secure seat belt install without breaking a sweat, it doesnt have a seat belt lock-off, so the seat belt can continually slide through the router. ), but thats exactly what makes the choice all the more importantthis seats going to be around for a long time, and you want to make sure you make the right pick. While it is an attractive seat (fans of the Uppababy brand will recognize the stylish aesthetic), at 32.5 pounds, its very heavy. Car seats are exposed to extremes in temperature, as well as to damaged UV light from the sun, which is why the materials theyre made from will deteriorate over time. (Theres an indicator on the bars that turns from red to green when a secure connection has been made.) If you want a cheaper, smaller version of our also-great pick, the Clek Foonf: The Clek Fllo is a more lightweight alternative to the heavy-duty Clek Foonf, and it currently costs around $100 less. The Crypton Super Fabric comes in marshmallow (off-white fabric, black sides), pitch black (black fabric, black sides), thunder (gray fabric, black sides), aura (purple fabric, white sides), cloud (gray fabric, white sides), snow (off-white fabric, white sides), snowberry (pink fabric, white sides), and ten-year blue (blue fabric, white sides). But ultimately we opted for the Boulevard because we thought the headrests cushiness would be more conducive to naps. Even though the ClickTight system is easy to useand we have yet to hear anyone say otherwiseits not perfect. Video: Michael Hession, We love the Miele canister vacuum so much, were giving it awayenter now, Sign up for Wirecutters daily newsletter, The easiest convertible seat to install (by far), but not the best for extended rear-facing use, Built like a tank, but fussier to install rear-facing, recommend keeping your child in a five-point harness until they outgrow the seats height and weight limits, National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (PDF), concluded in 2009 that a child is safer riding rear-facing until theyre 4 years old, a notably low fatality rate for children in car crashes, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, cars and car seats manufactured after September 1, 2002, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the entire seat cover can be removed (video), can be machine-washed and -dried up to 30 times, has good videos online for how to install, The shoulder straps should be positioned in the harness slot right below the shoulders, when rear-facing, and at or above the shoulders, when forward-facing. We sought out seats that were intuitive to installwith bonus points for especially clear, accessible instructionsso that a diligent adult following the manual could manage a correct installation within a few minutes without expert assistance. We evaluated independent crash-testing scores and ease-of-use ratings (when available), as well as the seats individual safety features. U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Convertible car seats come with an expiration date. Britaxs unique ClickTight system makes getting a secure seat belt install easier than with any other car seat weve tested. But the Foonfs rear-facing install is more complicated than that of any of our other picks, and its weight can be burdensome. Most kids arent mature enough to sit properly in a booster until at least five years old; most hit this milestone sometime between five and seven. It has extra plush cushioning. At what age do you switch to a forward-facing car seat? So easy to install and adjust as she grows.. (By comparison, our runner-up Britax pick weighs 29.4 pounds, and our also-great Clek picks weighs a whopping 38 pounds, with the anti-rebound bar attached.). Learn more about, When to switch from an infant to a convertible car seat, our editorial and medical review policies, When to Switch From an Infant Car Seat to a Convertible Car Seat, reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts. Being able to convert the seat from rear-facing to forward-facing means you can use the same model from the day your baby is born until shes ready for a booster seat. If there's no expiration date, use six years from the date of manufacture. A convertible car seat has a five-point harness, which means that when its properly tightened, it doesnt allow your child the freedom to move around all that much. According to The Car Seat Ladys Baer, that could pose a safety issue if a child rides with their feet tucked under the bar and then is in a crash. Many parents surveyed say this seat gives front-seat passengers more legroom, which is especially important for a taller parent who doesnt enjoy being crunched up in the front seat. You can, however, purchase a dishwasher-safe cupholder separately from Britax for about $30, though online reviewers have complained that its difficult to install and pops off easily. The SlimFit rose above and beyond! Plus, the design is revolutionary! (Despite being taller, however, the Foonf doesnt necessarily take up more room in the car, depending on how its angled.) Always read and follow the manufacturer's instructions for your convertible car seat. That is, if you try to pinch the fabric of the strap, it shouldnt fold within your fingers. K. Keep reading to find our favorite convertible car seat for ease of installation, the cheapest car seat we recommend, and the most luxurious seat. Read our full reviews of the best convertible car seats. Let the owners manual and online instruction videos be your guidedont assume you can go on instinct alone, especially when youre installing a seat for the first time. We knew from our expert interviews that proper installation is generally a far bigger problem (PDF) than actual seat safety. *At the time of publishing, the price was $400. Still, if you need or want to install this seat frequently using the seat belt method only, then its something to consider. All of them have the same proprietary, innovative install system, and all of them are by far easier and quicker to install than any other convertible car seat weve come across. The Nuna RAVA is modern and beautifully designed. For the LATCH install, the NextFit Zip has a so-called SuperCinch system, which allows you to tighten the straps with minimal effort. *At the time of publishing, the price was $440. Installing the Foonf in the forward-facing position is substantially easier. Experts, however, recommend keeping your child in a five-point harness until they outgrow the seats height and weight limits; this means its possible to get from two to five years of use out of a standard convertible car seat before you move on to a booster seat (which relies on just the cars seat belt as a restraint). For example, we discovered that we had clear preferences when it came to choosing which seat wed pick to move between cars on short notice. We utilized insight from the Babylist editorial team, including Gear Editor Jen LaBracio, an expert in the baby space for over six years and a mom of two who has written hundreds of baby gear guides and personally researched and tested hundreds of baby products, including many convertible car seats. Lots of parents choose this as an affordable secondary car seat for a caregiver or grandparents car too. And with the click tight system, I dont have to get my husband to try to tighten down the seat belt to keep it in place. In its base form, the 8 Series is a fleet-footed . (A seats rear-facing height and weight limits are generally different and lower than its forward-facing limits.). Then, as youre holding the belt tight, you must close and latch a pair of belt lock-offs, two plastic tabs that fold down over the belt to cinch it into place. So the most effective strategy for keeping your kids safe on the road is to choose a car seat that works well for your familyand to use it correctly. Cushion safety sticker gets hot in direct sun. The tether, which extends out from the back of the car seat, clips into the vehicles tether anchor, which is usually located either above the rear seat (in a sedan) or behind the rear seat (in an SUV or a van). Convertible car seats also usually have greater weight and height limits for the rear-facing setting than infant car seats do, so your baby can ride rear-facing for longer. It sounds a little silly to describe a car seat company as having a cult following, but in the case of Cleka high-end, niche Canadian brandit happens to be true. These include when to reposition from rear-facing to forward facing. The Evenflo Stratos has been discontinued; it was an inexpensive seat that we tested in 2018. And remember, if you ever need help installing any type of car seat, you can find a child passenger safety technician in your area through the National CPS Certification Program at safekids.org. The proper care, treatment, and use of your car seat will help keep your little ones safe and sound. The more important safety concern is protecting the head, neck and spine, she explains. The Foonf also comes with an added safety feature: an anti-rebound bar, which is a steel support piece that, in the case of a crash, can help to reduce the rebound motion of the seat. Also, there's a LATCH weight limit, and when your child hits it, you'll need to install the seat with the seat belt. We spoke to dozens of caregivers about their car seat experiences, scanned hundreds of online reviews, and read articles and recommendations from other media sites like BabyGearLab and Car Seats for the Littles. Plus, plastic gets brittle as it gets older, so a seat that's too old might not hold up in a crash. The forward-facing LATCH limit for the Extend2Fit 3-in-1 is the same as it is for the Extend2Fit Convertible: 45 pounds. Convertible Rankings. You can search convertible car seats, 3-in-1 models, boosters, and infant car seats. But we had no complaints from our kid testers. Weight of seat: 33 pounds when forward-facing, 38 pounds when rear-facing (with added base and anti-rebound bar), Seat dimensions: 13 inches wide at the base, 17 inches at the widest point, and 28 inches tall (forward-facing, with the headrest in the lowest position), Passenger rear-facing weight and height range: 14 to 50 pounds (or 5 pounds if you purchase a Clek Infant-Thingy); 25 to 43 inches (19 inches with use of the Infant-Thingy), Passenger forward-facing weight and height range: 22 to 65 pounds; up to 49 inches (the top of the childs ears must also be below the top of the headrest). And its expensive. And for a rotating seat with a slimmer profile, youll want the brands 360 Slim model. You can also talk to parents in ourCar Seat Questions group. Seat dimensions: 18.5 inches wide by 23.7 inches tall (with the headrest in its lowest position), Passenger rear-facing weight and height range: 4 to 50 pounds; head must be at least 1 inch below the headrests handle, Passenger forward-facing weight and height range: 22 to 65 pounds; up to 49 inches tall (the top of the childs ears must also be below the top of the headrest). You push the silver circle to flip it open, rotate it to the right, and then the seat bottom pops up for installation. If youve already picked the four best seats from all the other perspectives, then you can feel confident that engineers have spent a lot of time designing those seats for a good and safe user experience..
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