Britax Roundabout

Consumer Reports includes the Britax Roundabout car seat in its short review of convertible car seats. Each model is subjected to laboratory testing and then rated according to how well it performs in 11 areas. The book "Baby Bargains," which doesn't test products but which does offer thorough and balanced reviews, has detailed write-ups on several Britax car seats, including the Roundabout. Parents posting to EliteCarSeats.com, Epinions, Target.com and Amazon.com add their perspectives in owner-written reviews.

The Britax Roundabout convertible car seat enjoys the top expert ratings common to the Britax brand in general. Professional reviewers say the Roundabout's standout features are its impact-protecting EPS foam and its no-twist straps. Parents tend to focus on Britax's reputation for safety, which many say justifies the extra expense over a less expensive car seat like the Graco ComfortSport (*est. $90), which also does very well in independent tests and gets good feedback from parents. Because Britax car seats tend to be large and heavy, they're not especially portable. If you move your seat frequently between vehicles, you might want to consider the Sunshine Kids Radian 65 (*est. $200), which accommodates children weighing up to 65 pounds and folds up for easier transport.