The First Years True Fit

The First Years True Fit gets enthusiastic expert reviews, rivaling those for top-rated seats from Britax.  Like the Britax Marathon (*Est. $280) the True Fit can accommodate kids from infancy until they reach 65 pounds. That's a big improvement over standard convertibles like the Cosco Scenera (*Est. $65), which maxes out at 40 pounds. Luxury touches include deep side wings, EPS foam padding (the stuff used in motorcycle helmets) for improved crash protection, a multi-position crotch strap for growing toddlers and a removable headrest for easy installation.

This seat's most popular feature is its no-rethread harness, which eliminates the hassle of removing the seat to adjust it. The washable cover also snaps off, meaning parents won't have to remove the entire seat for cleaning. BabyGizmo.com calls the seat "well padded and roomy," and editor Hollie Schultz says the True Fit installs well in a variety of cars.

Denise and Alan Fields' "Baby Bargains" is our top source for engaging and detailed coverage, with a consistent letter-grade ranking system and detailed critiques on each model. We also found a solid review at ConsumerReports.org. CarSeatBlog.com and BabyGizmo.com don't have the same breadth of coverage, but they do offer lengthy critiques. The reliable Amazon.com has a good collection of user reviews.