The Safe Kids Worldwide website also provides schedules of free car seat check events and locations of inspection stations. Clek sells an Infant-Thingy insert for the Foonf that lets the seat carry babies as small as 5 pounds in rear-facing mode only; we recommend using a dedicated infant car seat for newborns. Its hard to call a bulky car seat beautiful, but thats really what the Nuna Rava is. As with any convertible car seat, the Boulevards hook-style top tether strap should always be used when the seat is installed in the forward-facing position. The seats cup holders are required to be attached, making the seat on the wider side and not a great choice if youre looking for more room in your back seat or need to install three seats across. 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 NHTSA estimates (PDF) that the lives of 10,157 kids, age 4 and younger, were saved by the use of child restraints in vehicles between the years 1975 and 2012. While this seat is a whopping 25 pounds, its relatively slim and features an easy-to-use latch installation system complete with a force multiplying tightener, so you wont have to put all of your body weight into it to get the right fit. 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. This position offers the most protection from side impact crashes and reduces the risk of injury in the event of a collision. (In our opinion, the Foonfs rigid LATCH alone is worth the extra cost.) The anti-rebound bar is a separate metal piece that hooks into the foot of the seat. However, where the ClickTight line falls short in our book is that its not nearly as good as the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible or Clek Foonf for extended rear-facing use, which experts agree is the safest way for toddlers and preschoolers to ride. The LATCH system is a safety system designed to secure child car seats in vehicles. Britax uses the ClickTight system with several car seats in its line. Its the all-in-one version of our top-pick convertible seat, the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible, and it has all of the same features, including an extension panel for added legroomto enable kids to remain rear-facing for longerand a no-rethread harness. Britaxs unique ClickTight system makes getting a secure seat belt install easier than with any other car seat weve tested. Installing the Foonf in the rear-facing position can be a bit intimidating for a first-timer. Most seats accomplish that by having two different belt-routing paths for the car's seat belt or LATCH belt. FREE delivery Fri, Jun 2 . Best Convertibles; Best 2-Seat . And nine recline positions allow this seat to fit in a wider range of cars. Theres also a jersey knit fabric in a bold print with black sides, and a natural wool-blend option called mammoth (black fabric, black sides). We reviewed customer reviews from hundreds of real Babylist parents. There are other things to love about this seat. The Foonfs footprint17 inches at its widest pointis among the narrowest in the convertible category, which makes it a good candidate for families that need to fit three seats across in a single row. And it doesnt have any parts that flare out to compete for space with neighboring car seats or riders. Meet the Costco Scenera NEXT, the seat youll hear about again and again from parents who are looking for a convertible travel car seat. This is especially true when youre shopping for a convertible car seat. Its just as easy to reattach as it is to zip off, something that cant be said about lots of other car seats. And the Grow and Go can be difficult to install, so watching a few videos on how to do it might help. ), CPST Training, September 21, 2017. We also aimed to keep our picks affordable, and all are priced under $400. However, since car seats are not required to be certified before sale, several of the seats included in our at-home testing did not yet have government crash-testing data available; this limited our ability to compare results systematically. I like all the offered recline levels also, I think theres like 9?. That's why it's so important to choose and use the right car seat correctly every time your child is in the car. But ultimately we opted for the Boulevard because we thought the headrests cushiness would be more conducive to naps. When youre installing the Extend2Fit 3-in-1 rear-facing with LATCH, keep in mind that you can only use that method for kids who weigh up to 40 pounds; once they reach that limit, youll have to switch over to a seat belt install if you want to keep the seat in the rear-facing position. That flexibility can definitely help cut down the pricey trips to buybuyBaby. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. An anti-rebound bar, an added safety feature that minimizes the rebound effect in case of an accident, can be purchased separately for this seat for around $50. Typically, infant car seats can fit babies up to around 35 pounds or 35 inches long. I had a broken arm and thumb. The Extend2Fit 3-in-1 comes in two versions: one with an anti-rebound bar and one without. If keeping your child rear-facing for as long as possible is the number-one priority, then we think youd be better served by our other picks. Plus, the Extend2Fit 3-in-1 converts into a high-back booster seat. The owners manual for your seat will have illustrations showing what a proper fit looks like, and you should reference it with your child in the seat. But better yet, its smaller profile means its a great fit for compact vehicles. The Boulevard features a no-rethread harnessas does our top pick, the Graco Extend2Fit Convertibleso the height of the shoulder straps can be easily adjusted in seconds, even with a kid in the seat. According to a spokesperson for Britax, the company is planning to eventually phase out its other fabrics for the SafeWash line. The seat your child sits in fully extends to the side, so you can face each other while you get them buckled in. The anti-rebound bar on the Extend2Fit 3-in-1 adds about $40 to the price of the seat, and it is easy to attach. Love the adjustability of recline and head rest to get that perfect fit for either child. (As seen in this video, it can be easier to pull the belt taut from inside of the car seat.) Theres no question that a no-rethread harness is more pleasant and convenient to use. Installing the Foonf in the forward-facing position with LATCH is beyond easy. As long as your child is rear-facing, this can be done without fully uninstalling the seat, but its not the easiest thing in the world to do. The Extend2Fit 3-in-1 is a half-inch narrower and an inch taller than the Convertible, and it weighs a little less than 2 pounds more, but its still lighter than our other convertible seat picks. So theres a good chance youll be able to use the LATCH install for the full life of the Extend2Fit Convertible, if you choose. I love all the extra safety features. We have them for our 3-year-old and this little one.. Consult your car seat manual for the exact height limits on your particular seat, but a good rule is that if the top of your childs head is within one inch of the top of the shell of the seat, its time to transition. (Its FAA-approved for plane travel.) Thats easy-breezy, too, thanks to clear routing and integrated lock-offs, so you can see exactly what youre doing and leave everything nice and secure. Then the fun begins. Graco also makes a more affordable slim seat model, the SlimFit All-in-One. Similar to the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible, our top pick, the Foonf can comfortably accommodate a child in the rear-facing position until they reach 50 pounds. They had to cut the doors open in order to get us out of the car. Check out our guide on how to get rid of a used car seat. Check your childs growth against these guidelines frequently once theyve exceeded either height or weight (whichever comes first), its time to move to the next phase. 2023 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company. The TrioGrow SnugLock LX has the SnugLock installation system, a mechanism that helps you ratchet down the LATCH straps or the vehicle seat belt. One of our favorite things about the Extend2Fit Convertible is how exceptionally well it facilitates extended rear-facing riding, with a 50-pound rear-facing weight limit. If you do use a secondhand seat, make sure it has never been in an accident, is less than five years old, and comes with all parts and instructions. However, the rear-facing install of the Foonf is a bit trickyit definitely requires more force and effort than either the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible or the Britax Boulevard. There are other limits to keep in mind. Once you turn your convertible car seat around to be forward-facing, its extremely important to begin using the included top tether feature. The results were factored into our final recommendations. Then, we vetted each to make sure it met the standards outlined by CPSTs, as well as groups like the AAP and NHTSA. The TrioGrow SnugLock LX has a 22- to 65-pound weight limit for forward-facing riders, and a 40- to 100-pound weight limit for riders in high-back booster mode. As mentioned, the typical progression is for a child to start out in an infant car seat, then move to a convertible car seat, and finally transition to a booster seat. Alisa Baer, a pediatrician and co-founder of The Car Seat Lady website, points out that a 2-year-olds head makes up about 18% of their body weight, whereas an adults head comprises only about 6% of their body weight. , have built-in rear-seat boosters, but that is very much the exception to the rule. Eventually, my 4-year-old would go on to declare that he liked this seat the best out of any that we testedand I dont think this was merely because his little brother was still coveting it. Youll need a convertible car seat at some pointbut its a personal preference as to when. It has many of the qualities we like about the Extend2Fit Convertible, such as easy installation and an extendable footrest (which adds legroom to help keep your child comfy in the rear-facing position longer). Each piece of the five-piece seat cover can be removed independently, making cleaning the seat after a mess lot easier. Once I snap the seat down with the click tight, I know its not moving an inch! -Teri. You can easily adjust the harness and headrest in one step, and built-in harness holders keep annoying straps from getting in the way when youre trying to pull your little one out of the car seat. The Best Convertible and All-in-One Car Seats 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. The Rava is a great-looking, plush seat; the material used for the seat cover is Greenguard Goldcertified for lower emissions of VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Im a freelance journalist covering everything automotive. The Extend2Fit Convertible weighs only 19 pounds, making it one of the lightest convertibles we tried. (The easiest way to check this is to find a board book that is one inch thick and place it on top of your childs head while they are properly secured in the seat.). But my sons scrunched-up legs did make it difficult for me to get him buckled in, because I didnt have much room to operate. At birth, you have two options for car seats: an infant car seat or a convertible car seat. LATCH (lower anchors and tethers for children):The LATCH system allows you to attach the car seat directly to your vehicle's frame with anchors and tethers, which is safer and more foolproof than using a seat belt to secure it. 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 as these seats are heavy and often take a bit of time to install. (Our also-great convertible pick, the Clek Foonf, has a 50-pound rear-facing weight limit too.) Safety standards also change with time, which is another reason why car seats cant be used beyond their expiration date. (Like the Extend2Fit Convertible, the 3-in-1 can be used for babies as small as 4 pounds, and it comes with a removable infant insert.). 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 The Evenflo Tribute has been discontinued; we tested it in 2018. To make our picks, we analyzed bestseller lists and threads in the BabyCenter Community to discover parents most-recommended convertible car seats. If you'll need to switch your car seat between cars or take it on a plane, look for one that's on the lighter side. The sides of the Extend2Fit Convertible are fairly low (the sides of our runner-up pick, the Britax Boulevard ClickTight, are noticeably higher). 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. The fabric on the Extend2Fit Convertible is not the smoothest or the softestwe prefer the material on our runner-up Britax Boulevard ClickTight and our also-great Clek Foonf picks. Forbes Wheels independently tests and reviews cars and automotive accessories. And if you're looking for other safety equipment, our top-rated infant car seats and booster seats can help. The rapid-remove cover also makes the belt paths easier to access for installation. Operating the buckles on the harness is straightforward. (Depending on the age and size of the kids, we were able to try both forward- and rear-facing positions and LATCH and seat belt installations.) But children grow much faster than you think they will, and over time their car seat needs can change just as quickly. Keep your child rear-facing for as long as possible. The straps should be tightened snugly on the child and pass the pinch test. It can undoubtedly be an overwhelming prospect, especially when you already have little ones at home. (My kids like to bring their water bottles with them on outings.) The more important safety concern is protecting the head, neck and spine, she explains. If your kiddo is still riding rear-facing in the Extend2Fit 3-in-1 when they reach 40 pounds, youll have to reinstall the seat rear-facing with the seat belt instead. What is a Convertible Car Seat - Ultimate Parents Guide 2022 However, we didnt find dealing with any of these pieces to be particularly onerous. Guaranteed for up to 10 years of use, Britaxs One4Life ClickTight All-In-One Car Seat is about as future-proof and feature-rich as convertible car seats can get. Here's what parents need to know about both infant and convertible car seats, plus how to decide which one is right for your newborn. Graco makes a number of additional all-in-one seats, including the Graco SlimFit 3-in-1, the Graco SlimFit3 LX 3-in-1, and the Graco Milestone 3-in-1. Also, choose a car seat with generous rear-facing height and weight limits because it's safest tokeep your child rear-facing as long as possible. Best character-themed convertible car seat: Disney Baby Grow and Go All-in-One Convertible Car Seat. Most convertibles are bulky, heavy and not designed to easily go in and out of vehicles. This is definitely a game changer in car seats. This seat is easy to install and adjust, and with a generous rear-facing weight limit (50 pounds) and an extendable panel to provide additional legroom as kids grow, its one of the best convertible seats for enabling kids to stay rear-facing longer. Further compounding the issue: The Boulevards relatively high sides make it more difficult to lift a child up and into the seat, particularly if that child isnt in the mood to go for a car ride. We evaluate all convertible car seats on these weighted metrics: For partnership inquiries please reach out to us at 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. To help narrow down our initial list of over 90 seats, we evaluated the frontal crash-testing data from the NHTSA. Its ease-of-use rating from the NHTSA is four out of five stars. If you buy something through links on our site, Babylist may earn a commission. Its well-priced, easy to install using LATCH and has a solid range of safety features like a steel frame, side impact protection and an impact-absorbing base. 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. In the forward-facing position, the Extend2Fit Convertible can be used for a child up to 65 pounds or 49 inches tall. It easily converts from a rear-facing infant seat to a forward-facing five-point harness seat and then eventually into a high-back belt-positioning booster seat. Theres a fourteen-point harness and a two-position buckle, as well as a padded rebound bar to provide extra stability in a crash when used as a rear-facing car seat. The TrioGrow SnugLock LX also features a rapid-remove seat cover. (In general, most car seat covers cannot be put in the dryer.) After all, that seat, properly installed and with your child correctly harnessed, is what ensures your childs safety in the event of an accident. There is no crash-testing data from the NHTSA available for this seat; its ease-of-use rating is four out of five stars. Some can even be turned into a booster seat for older kids. 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. When the seat bottom is open, it doesnt always stay fully propped open on its own; one mom with a large SUV complained that the seat lid kept falling on her head as she was trying to do the install. Read our full reviews of the best convertible car seats. The Fllo weighs 28 pounds in rear-facing mode with the added safety feature of the anti-rebound bar (versus the Foonfs 38 pounds), and it weighs 25 pounds in forward-facing mode (versus the Foonfs 33 pounds). Aesthetically, the Extend2Fit Convertible is nothing special. The best car seat is the one that fits your kid, fits your car, and is used properly on every trip, Maltese said.
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