Convertible Car Seats: Reviews

While it may seem like an expensive purchase, the Roundabout is the least expensive car seat from Britax, the brand rated as best most often in reviews. In crash tests and car seat reviews, the Roundabout has proven… itself one of the safest car seats on the market, and parents say it is easy to install and use. The Roundabout can be used in the rear-facing position for babies up to 35 pounds, making it a solid choice for kids who may outgrow other rear-facing seats before they're a year old. In the front-facing position, the Roundabout is rated for kids up to 40 pounds. This car seat is smaller and less bulky than the Britax Boulevard (*Est. $270), but the Boulevard can be used for kids up to 65 pounds, so you're able to use it longer. If you're on a budget, the Cosco Scenera (*Est. $65) has fewer features, but it's also highly regarded, and it costs nearly two-thirds less than the Britax.

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The latest standout budget seat is the Cosco Scenera, which actually outscores Britax in one high-profile review. The Scenera doesn't come with Britax-level features -- no oversized side wings or deluxe no-twist straps --… but reviewers say it's an easy-to-use convertible seat that fits well in most vehicles. Despite the lack of high-end extras, parents say the Scenera isn't lacking in convenience. There's a two-position recline, a cup holder and an up-front harness adjuster which makes it easier to customize the fit each time. The Scenera is rated for LATCH use from 5 to 35 pounds in the rear-facing position and from 22 to 40 pounds forward-facing. For additional features, the Britax Roundabout (*Est. $190), is viewed by experts to be the best convertible car seat overall, but it carries an obvious price premium.

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Car seat reviews say the Britax Boulevard is larger and bulkier than many car seats, but unlike most other convertible car seats, the Boulevard is rated for kids up to 65 pounds (most seats only accommodate kids up to 40… pounds), so this seat can be used much longer. While $310 is a lot to spend on a car seat, the Boulevard has many extra features, such as added EPS foam (the stuff used in motorcycle helmets) to protect baby's head in a side-impact crash. The harness height can be adjusted without rethreading, a big plus when more than one child uses the seat. There's also a removable infant pillow so that babies fit more securely. A belly pad and padded harness add additional comfort. Among car seat manufacturers, Britax has an excellent record for safety. The Sunshine Kids Radian65 (*Est. $215) also accommodates up to 65 pounds in the forward-facing position, and its steel-frame construction allows it to have a narrower profile.

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The Sunshine Kids Radian65 convertible car seat is another option for parents of heavier babies, since it is rated in the forward-facing position for up children to 65 pounds the (rear-facing, the rating drops to 40… pounds). The Radian65 uses a steel frame instead of plastic, so the whole car seat is narrower than others. Parents say the slimmer design makes better use of rear-seat space. Another plus is that this car seat folds for travel. The downside is that the seat itself weighs 23 pounds, meaning it's too heavy for many parents to carry around in subways and airports. The Sunshine Kids Radian65 car seat doesn't get the best ease-of-use ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, but it has passed all government crash testing. If rear-seat space is less of a concern, and you have a bigger budget, the Britax Boulevard (*Est. $300) is also rated for up to 65 pounds, and it's considered the best convertible car seat for heavier children.

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