The 4 Best Convertible and All-in-One Car Seats of 2024 Reviews by Wirecutter

Given the higher price of this Graco over the others, we would have expected a little more for comfort and quality, but it is the lowest-scoring Graco in this review metric. However, it is close to the average for the group, suffering a big loss for the roughness of the fabric. There are hooks and loops to remove, and putting it back on was a chore as we couldn’t remember which one went where. Some components come off easily for quicker messes, but until you have a mess, it is hard to say how helpful this design will be. Releasing the buckle from the car is the best way to ease tension on the lock-off for trouble-free removal. The lower LATCH connectors on the Extend2Fit are the deluxe push-on style, called the InRight LATCH system by Graco, which easily snap onto the vehicle’s anchors and remove with the push of a button.

Browse through a range of 3-in-1 convertible car seats, all-in-one car seat and 2-in-1 convertible car seats. These car seats come with a variety of features like forward-facing seat, rear-facing seat, LATCH system, machine washable seat pad and more. They also come with car seat strap covers, safety belt, shoulder belt guide, seat belts, latch guides, fabric covers graco turbobooster and cup holders. Travelling with your little one can be a challenge, but with the right type of seat for your child’s height and weight, you and your kiddo are sure to enjoy the drive! These seats install directly into your car’s LATCH system, instead of clicking into a base. Browse through brands like Diono, Evenflo, Graco, Maxi-Cosi, Safety 1st and more.

graco convertible car seat

Head over to our YouTube Channel to see the review and installation how-to of the Graco Extend2Fit. An analysis of auto crash injuries for children shows that head and chest injuries are the two most significant risks of fatal or severe injuries. The Extend2Fit Convertible has a one-year warranty and a lifespan of 10 years from the date of manufacture. The seat scored well (PDF) in front-impact crash tests conducted by graco convertible car seat the NHTSA (the agency tests with dummies the size of 1-, 3-, and 6-year-olds), earning strong Head Injury Criterion (HIC) scores. Using the above criteria, we narrowed down our original list of over 90 convertible and all-in-one seats to 12 that we field tested in late 2021 and early 2022. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.

All car seats are safe if they’re installed and used properly, are not expired or damaged, and when they’re made and sold by a reputable manufacturer and/or retailer. Click here for our full list of car seats that we do not recommend. Convertible car seats have similar designs with few apparent differences that are not cosmetic. However, the options diverge in ease of use, with some being significantly easier to use than other contenders, thanks to extra features or better functionality of features like buckles.

He could still safely ride rear-facing in any convertible car seat in terms of height and weight, but he looked uncomfortable in many seats, and I had a hard time buckling him in since his legs were all scrunched up. However, with the panel extended on the Extend2Fit Convertible, he had more room to stretch out, and I had more room to get him buckled. I found it much less tempting to turn the seat forward-facing than I had at this point in the past, when my two older children were in rear-facing seats that didn’t accommodate their long legs as well. One of our favorite things about the Extend2Fit Convertible is how exceptionally well it facilitates extended rear-facing riding, with a 50-pound rear-facing weight limit. There are four different settings on the panel, so it can be extended for a total of 5 inches of additional legroom when rear-facing. (The panel is not intended for forward-facing use.) It’s perfectly fine for a child’s legs to dangle over the side of a seat without a footrest—or to rest on the back of the vehicle seat.