The Boulevard has more going for it than just the ClickTight system; it’s also a very pleasant seat to use on a daily basis. The Boulevard features a no-rethread harness—as does our top pick, the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible—so the height of the shoulder straps can be easily adjusted in seconds, even with a kid in the seat. We were joined by Wirecutter senior editor Courtney Schley, who has four kids—the youngest just aging into his first convertible seat. Courtney and I took turns installing the seats in our family cars—my Honda Odyssey and Courtney’s Ford Transit cargo van—parked in Gina’s driveway on an icy-cold winter day, and then Gina evaluated our installs. We’ve interviewed safety experts, pored over reviews, endured our share of aching muscles from installing literal towers of car seats, and concluded that the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible is the overall best choice. The seat does a standout job of encouraging extended rear-facing use—the safest position for a young child.
We like that he stayed in a familiar seat through that transition and that we didn’t have to keep buying new gear and equipment as he grew. He’s 5 years old and gearing up for his first year in school — and his first year in a carpool so he’s starting graco car seat to learn how to ride in a booster seat. The 4Ever fit him well in booster mode — the lap belt lies low on the lap, where it belongs, the vehicle seat belt moves freely through the shoulder guide and rests comfortably and correctly across the chest.
The adjustable baby-friendly car seat is lightweight and features eight adjustable headrest positions. If you opt to do the rear-facing install using LATCH, you’ll remove the top of the seat cushion and take out the rear-facing LATCH strap (with connectors on either end) from its storage location. Once you’ve adjusted the strap to give you enough length to reach your vehicle’s LATCH anchors, you thread the two ends with the clips through the rear-facing LATCH belt path and connect the clips to the anchors. After positioning the seat at the correct angle—using the same diagram as for the seat belt install, based on your child’s age and weight—you tighten the LATCH straps snugly on both sides, close the belt lock-offs, and replace the lid of the seat. The Boulevard’s weight minimum for a child to sit in the forward-facing position is 20 pounds, although experts recommend waiting as long as possible before turning a child around.
We also found the Aton 2’s handle adjustment (which requires gripping the widest part of the handle) frustrating to maneuver. In February 2023, Cybex issued a recall of the Aton 2 and Cloud Q (see next graco convertible car seat entry) car seats made between June 6, 2017 and Nov. 1, 2020 because the adjuster strap used to tighten the harness could fray. If you have one of these models, you can contact Cybex for a remedy kit.
The harness and headrest height automatically adjust together in one smooth motion—you just squeeze the lever at the top of the seat and pull up or push down—so they always remain in the correct proportion to each other. We found the padding on the headrest to be ample and cushy; our toddler testers demonstrated their approval in the form of frequent naps. The original writer of this guide was Rebecca Gale, a Washington, DC–based reporter whose articles on policy and parenting have appeared in outlets including The New York Times, Slate, and The Washington Post. As part of the research and testing process, Rebecca became certified as a CPST herself; she’s also the author of Wirecutter’s guide to the best booster car seats and a mom of three. While researching this guide, we interviewed a broad range of industry experts, including safety authorities, engineers, and physicians, asking them to detail the most important safety and usability considerations for convertible and all-in-one car seats.
It takes little effort to tighten the strap, but nothing significant that would make it a deal-breaker. Graco started in 1953 when Graco Metal Products hired an engineer to create new products. Rex Thomas and David Saint were inspired by a patio glider to design the first best baby swing. The unique swing went on to sell millions, creating brand recognition for Graco in the baby world.
And there are two built-in cupholders, which are handy for storing snacks, drinks, or toys on the go. Finally, insert the hook end (right side) of the new indicator in the hole of the seat, and rotate the left end into the shell. You will need a hand-held Phillips screwdriver and about 60 seconds of your time, possibly less. Replacing the level indicator on the Graco 4Ever is a task that most families won’t have to tackle.
But they’ll probably be over 3 years old before they hit 35 pounds, so for most people the height limit is more relevant than the weight limit. The Uppababy Knox debuted in 2019, but that first version of the seat was voluntarily recalled in April 2020 due to an issue with the design of the base. (The base could cause the seat to tip when installed.) The Knox was relaunched with a new base in March 2021. While it is an attractive seat (fans of the Uppababy brand will recognize the stylish aesthetic), at 32.5 pounds, it’s very heavy. And it was tough to then maintain that force while routing the belt into the lock-off. Additionally, we found it difficult to maneuver a child into the seat, which is perched higher than average.
NHTSA gives the Liingo three out of five stars for its ease-of-use rating. We tested the Diono Radian 3QXT all-in-one, which is part of Diono’s line of seats specifically designed to fit three across. (In 2018, we tested the similar Diono Radian RXT, which has since been discontinued.) Like our also-great convertible pick, the Clek Foonf, the Radian 3QXT is a slender 17 inches wide. With low sides, a deep recline, and high rear-facing limits, the Diono Radian series is a favorite among people who are trying to keep their kids rear-facing longer; the rear-facing weight limit of the Radian 3QXT is 50 pounds. The design of Radian seats may help stave off carsickness, as well, since they have an L shape, rather than a more typical C shape. “For some kids who get queasy, sitting in a C-shaped seat isn’t great because it puts pressure on the stomach,” said CPST Lani Harrison.