Safety Experts Agree—These Are the Best Convertible Car Seats
According to AAA, Americans spend approximately 300 hours driving each year—and as a born-and-raised Angeleno living in a city known for its obsession with cars, I can attest to this fact. Throw in being a parent in L.A. and it seems like I'm essentially doubling that driving time, thanks to the many playdates and appointments on our schedule. Now that my son has finally outgrown his infant car seat, I'm looking to find one of the best convertible car seats that'll give me peace of mind that he's safe and sound during our many escapades.
But first, it's important to know rules of the road when it comes to car seats. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) explains that children under 1 should always use a rear-facing car seat. The NHTSA also recommends keeping children rear-facing as long as possible, usually up until 3 years old or when they reach the maximum height or weight limit of their car seat. Another thing to note? It's all about installing your car seat correctly—even a five-star-rated seat won't get the job done right if it's not secured or placed in the right location and position.
To be clear, convertible and all-in-one car seats tend to accommodate higher weight and limits because they can hold infants and toddlers. They typically begin as rear-facing for babies and toddlers up to 24 months and can be converted to a forward-facing seat once your child is 2 or even as old as 5, depending on their weight and height. For new parents who want to get the most mileage out of their gear, a convertible car seat may be an ideal option, as it won't need to be replaced when your baby inevitably outgrows their infant seat.
On that note, we've narrowed down the best car seat options for every lifestyle. Yep, we've done all the hard work for you—keep reading for the best convertible car seats approved by safety experts and parents alike.