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These one-and-done convertible car seats grow with baby from day one all the way through the big kid years.
Car seat safety ranks pretty high on the list of the things parents think about throughout their little one’s life. Making sure your baby or toddler is in a safe, comfortable car seat and meets the proper weight and height requirements as they grow is pretty important. That often means purchasing an infant car seat for your baby, a convertible car seat for your toddler and ultimately a booster seat for your bigger kiddo. But is there a better way?
Meet the all-in-one car seat, the one-and-done solution to the multiple car seat conundrum.
Highly rated, endlessly adjustable, safe and boasting a 10-year lifespan, this four-in-one car seat pretty much has it all. A true one-and-done seat, it works just as well for a four-pound newborn as it does for a 120-pound bigger kid and for every stage in between, easily transitioning from a rear-facing seat to a forward-facing one and then to a highback and ultimately a backless booster. This convertible seat can be installed using LATCH or via your car’s seat belt and has a six-position recline, 10-position adjustable headrest and a no re-thread harness that adjusts the harness and headrest in one motion.
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The Graco Extend2Fit is a clear winner for parents that want extended rear-facing past 2 years old. The 50 pound rear-facing weight limit is one of the highest for the Graco line. It’s very affordable. It comes with a 4-position leg extension, adding 5” of legroom for your child and converts to a forward-facing harnessed seat for toddlers from 22 – 65 pounds. It does NOT transition to a booster seat.
This seat also has a 10 year lifespan. It comes in 6 different colors ranging from classic blacks and greys to bright pinks and oranges, with some colors only offered in alternate versions.
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For the rear facing car seat, it works for babies from 4 to 40 pounds. There are 3 levels of recline on the seat to get it at a safe level for any size of baby.
While this is a wonderful seat for an infant, I did find that it took up a lot of space rear facing. Not only is the seat wide, but when reclined to the 3rd and farthest level, it requires a lot of space. In our crew cab truck, it was just fine. But in our Honda CR-V, we had to scoot the passenger seat all the way forward to get it to fit.
If you have a small or compact car, this seat is probably a no-go.
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Evenflo is well-known for making infant, convertible, and booster car seats that pack some serious bang for the buck. The construction quality tends to be moderate, as do comfort, features, versatility, and safety features. But Evenflo convertible car seats are also some of the cheapest on the market, with prices as low as about $60 and going upwards of about $240 for their highest-end models.
The Evenflo EveryStage DLX Convertible Car Seat is toward the top of that price range, and for the most part that’s justified, with its relatively strong feature set, excellent weight range, and safety features. But our hands-on reviews also found several shortcomings that are worth considering, enough so that this model doesn’t make it onto our annual convertible car seat reviews.
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Diono car seats are known for their slim design and ability to fit three across a back seat, and this 3-in-1 model is no exception. This seat features a slim profile yet still accommodates rear-facing babies as tiny as five pounds all the way through bigger kids up to 120 pounds in booster mode. Some of our favorite features of this seat include its steel core construction, extended rear-facing capabilities, easy LATCH installation and a custom “nesting” insert that helps newborns feel secure and cozy. And did we mention there are eight fun, bright custom colors to choose from?
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The Safety 1st Grow and Go seat is proof that you don’t need to spend a ton of money to get a safe, comfortable all-in-one car seat. The 3-in-1 adaptability goes from rear-facing for babies and growing toddlers to forward-facing for toddlers and kids and then ultimately to a belt-positioning highback booster for big kids. Despite its lower price point, the seat is packed with features and conveniences like a machine washable and dryer safe seat pad (which comes off without having to remove the seat’s harness, which we love), two cup holders, a three-position recline, and a no-rethread harness. The seat also features side impact protection and a grow-with-baby “pillow” for a more comfortable ride.
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If you want to attach the strap to your car’s seat belt system, however, installation is easier. Using the same ClickTight feature, you lift up the seat, thread the strap through the appropriate channel in the seat, and buckle it into the vehicle’s seat belt. While we personally prefer to attach the car seat to the vehicle’s LATCH system, it’s nice to have this additional option. It is also much easier to teach this ClickTight seat belt method to someone who may not use a car seat frequently, such as a temporary babysitter or visiting relatives. The Britax Marathon ClickTight is considered one of the easiest car seats to install for this reason. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded Britax with a five-star Ease of Use rating.
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Choosing the perfect car seat can be a daunting task. How can any parent know which one is the best to buy?
Seats must live up to rigorous safety standard. With safety being the primary consideration, parents should also be seeking a seat they can easily install that also offers a comfortable ride for the baby on board.
Today, we’re going to take a look at the Chicco Fit2 in-depth and find out if it fits the bill.
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The Evenflo Symphony is a well construchted, all-in-one convertible car seat with several details that make it a winner for many parents, no matter their lifestyle. Key features include strong side-impact protection, buckle pockets, a 5-position adjustable headrest, and 3 recline positions.
With an easy 60-second installation, it’s great for a busy, on-the-go family. The weight limits are: 5-40 pounds for rear facing, 22-65 pounds for forward-facing, and 40-110 pounds in high-back booster mode. Eight color combinations are available.
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The Maxi Cosi Pria 85 Max is a fantastic seat that fits a wide range of children. In the rear-facing mode, it fits 5-40 pounds and 40 inches or less. In the forward-facing mode it fits 22-85 pounds and 29-52 inches. There is no booster mode.
It’s designed to be safe while providing a super quick in-and-out process for on-the-go families. The seat comes with a 3-position crotch strap, 3 recline settings, a no-rethread harness, an easy to remove cover, and 2 infant positioning inserts. It comes in six fun colors/patterns.
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• Know your child:
Get used to keeping track of your child’s height and weight, which (along with age) can determine seat size and when its time to move up to the next level. Note: Any behavioral or health issues will also affect your choice.
• Know your stores:
Some retailers will let you test-install a seat in your car, which is great because we’ve found that cushion angle or seat belt placement can make a car and child seat incompatible. Also a must: a store that accepts returns. Large department stores such as Target and Walmart offer a limited range of products in stores and a wider selection available online. Online retailers such as Albee Baby, Amazon, Buy Buy Baby, and Diapers.com offer an even larger selection of seat brands and models. Many retailers offer free shipping on car seats. Make online purchases only after you’ve seen the models in real life. You can find higher-end models at specialty stores or boutiques.
• Know your car:
Check the child-safety sections of your vehicle owner’s manual, and study up on relevant features such as belts, LATCH, and seats.