What is a Convertible Car Seat?
My convertible car seat reviews are fully independent and objective. I have no direct financial interest in promoting any particular seat over and above any other.
A convertible car seat can be used to accommodate both babies and toddlers. They come with a 5-point harness and are initially used as rear-facing seats until the child weighs about 40 lbs (the precise weight/height guidelines vary according the specific make and model of the seat).
Once your child is too heavy or too tall to remain in a rear-facing position within their convertible car seat, you can simply refit it in a front-facing position within the vehicle. Whilst the precise maximum weight guidelines vary between models, they are generally suitable for use from birth to approximately 65 lbs.
Car safety experts recommend that children remain in rear-facing seats as long as possible and convertible car seats help to achieve that goal. Depending upon the physique of your child, they can often remain in a rear-facing convertible car seat until they are about 2 years of age.
They are also a great way to reduce the costs of child car safety since they avoid the need to buy an infant car seat and then a separate toddler car seat.
These seats come with LATCH tethers (top and bottom). However, some manufacturers recommend that you do NOT use the top tethers for their seats – please check the instructions if you are unsure.
You should also make yourself aware of the February 2014 LATCH Law changes.
Click on the appropriate links below to read the full convertible car seat reviews. (Each review opens in a separate window to make it easy to compare them)
NOTE: THERE IS AN UPDATED LIST OF THE “BEST CONVERTIBLE CAR SEATS AS SOME OF THESE SEATS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY NEWER VERSIONS – FIND THE UPDATED POST HERE.
The 5 Best Convertible Car Seats
(1) Britax Marathon G4
(2) Britax Boulevard G4
(3) Britax Pavilion G4
(4) Britax Advocate G4
(5) Recaro ProRide
A Short Summary of the Differences
Over and above the Marathon G4’s safety features:
- Boulevard G4 has Safe Cell Technology Chest Pads & True Side Impact Protection
- Pavilion G4 has Safe Cell Technology Chest Pads, True Side Impact Protection & Click & Safe Indicators
- Advocate G4 has Safe Cell Technology Chest Pads, True Side Impact Protection, Click & Safe Indicators & Side Impact Cushion Technology
For a full explanation of these safety features, watch these videos:
HUGS Chest Pads with Safe Cell Technology
True Side Impact Protection
Click & Safe Snug Harness Indicator
Side Impact Cushion Technology
Safety Information
After purchasing any child car seat, you should always read the User Manual thoroughly before using it. It is also advisable to visit your local Fire Department or NHTSA Child Car Seat Inspection Centre to ensure that the seat is definitely suitable for your child’s specific requirements and that you have installed it correctly. These services are usually provided free of charge.
You can find your nearest NHTSA Centre here.
Further Information
If you have any feedback or questions about my Convertible Car Seat Reviews, please feel free to leave a comment below or send an email to kristian@kidsafetyfirst.com
Leave a Reply