6 Best Convertible Car Seats of 2025, Lab-Tested and Reviewed
These top convertible car seats provide the best combination of safety and ease of installation
When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. 100% of the fees we collect are used to support our nonprofit mission. Learn more.
A convertible car seat is a must for parents to stay in step with the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendation to keep kids rear-facing for as long as possible. Once a child outgrows an infant car seat, a convertible seat is the next step up. It can be installed in rear- and forward-facing configurations, and it’s likely to be the one a child sits in for the longest period of time.
Most kids will outgrow an infant, or rear-facing-only, seat because of their height first, rather than their weight. Based on our tests, Consumer Reports recommends that parents transition their children to a rear-facing convertible seat by age 1.
Best Convertible Car Seats
Using CR’s Car Seat Ratings
Consumer Reports’ crash tests simulate the inside of a car and the forces that would be encountered in a crash. That way we can evaluate how well a child seat might reduce the risk of injuries. (Seats are evaluated for their crash protection on a scale of Basic, Better, and Best.) Each convertible seat is crash-tested in all its configurations and installation methods with age-appropriate child-sized dummies.
Our fit-to-vehicle ratings reflect the differences between using LATCH (the anchors that are built into a car) and using the standard three-point seat belt, with separate ratings for the different orientations and installations. Our Overall Scores take into consideration regulations that limit the seat-plus-child weight of 65 pounds for LATCH lower-anchor use. This means that you might not be able to keep the seat LATCH-installed quite as long if it’s heavier, and you’ll have to switch to installing it with a seat belt instead.
The Bottom Line
Most children will need to move from an infant seat to a convertible seat to remain rear-facing. All convertible seats meet at least the minimum requirements for safety, and our ratings and recommendations will help you differentiate which ones provide a greater margin of protection and increase your chance of getting it securely and correctly installed.
Prices of the convertible seats in our ratings range from just $60 up to $650. But know that a higher price doesn’t necessarily reflect greater quality or safety. You can buy a safe, top-performing seat without a hefty price tag.
For more information as you shop, see our child car seat buying guide.
@consumerreports This recall affects certain models of Nuna Rava car seats made between 2016 and 2023. At CR, we test and rate 10,000+ products so that you can make safer and smarter choices. See car seats, strollers, and more through the link in our bio. #nunacarseat #nunarava #parentsoftiktok #babytiktok #carseat
♬ original sound - Consumer Reports
