You can stick with an infant car seat and upgrade to a larger one for when your baby becomes a toddler or go for something that will grow alongside your child for years to come. These days, most car seat brands make convertible options that transition from rear-facing to forward-facing and shift as your baby grows from newborn to big kid. To make your decision easier, we’ve ranked the highest-rated car seats—ranging from infant to booster seats—that will keep your little one safe, cozy and secure. Any and all of these options are sure bets for whichever stage your child is in. Here at Parade.com, we’re all about sharing products we love with our audience. When you make a purchase on an item seen on this page, we may earn a commission, however, all picks are independently chosen unless otherwise mentioned.
The Best Car Seats of 2022
Best Infant Car Seat
Chicco KeyFit 30, $229.99 at BuyBuyBaby
The Chicco KeyFit 30 has better overall safety scores than most car seats that cost double the $229.99 price. It’s also easier to install and adjust, relatively lightweight for carrying around (9.2 pounds) and clicks in and out of its base efficiently. According to the New York Times, it consistently ranks among the safest infant car seats in government front-impact crash testing. It’s compatible with Chicco strollers and adapters are available for Baby Jogger, BOB, Bugaboo, Contours, Joovy, Mountain Buggy, Phil&Teds, Quinny, Stokke, Thule and Uppababy.
Best Infant Car Seat/Stroller Combo
Doona with LATCH Base, $550 at BuyBuyBaby
The Doona functions as a complete travel system—a car seat and stroller, all in one. It’s simple to install, has thick padded sides, a 5-point harness and impact protection for comfort and safety. Parents who love to travel appreciate its versatile design.
Best Overall Convertible Car Seat
Britax Boulevard ClickTight Anti-Rebound Bar, $364.99 at Albee Baby
Although the Britax Boulevard ClickTight is known to be heavier and a bit bulkier than other car seat options, it is ranked high on many lists due to its easy installation, comfort quality and durability. It’s simple to maintain a good fit for your growing child as the ClickTight features a 7-position recline, 14-position harness and 2-position buckle with a no-rethread design.
Best Car Seat For Big Kids
Maxi Cosi Pria Max, $349.99 at Bloomingdale’s
The Maxi Cosi Pria Max car seat fits children from 4 to 100 pounds thanks to its ever-shifting design. It features three adjustable headrest heights, an out-of-the-way spring assist harness system and a magnetic chest clip. It also has machine-washable harness covers and seat pads, and dishwasher-safe cup holders, making it easy to keep the seat tidy.
Best Crash Test Convertible Car Seat
The Graco Extend2Fit is a budget-friendly seat that has the best crash-test results, according to Baby Gear Lab. (Wirecutter also completed a crash test.) And it lets children 4 to 50 pounds sit rear-facing for longer thanks to additional legroom. (Kids up to 65 pounds can sit forward-facing.) Removable cushions and body inserts help kids feel comfortable and secure—from the infant stage and beyond.
Best Convertible Car Seat With Sensor
Sirona M SensorSafe 2.0, $449.95 at Nordstrom
The Sirona M SensorSafe 2.0 is easy to install and has advanced safety features that give parents peace of mind. Built into the chest clip is a sensor that sends safety alerts to you (via your phone or a receiver you insert into your vehicle’s OBD-II port) if your child unclips their seat belt or is left in the car alone, among other situations. It is suitable for birth up to 65 pounds.
Best Value Convertible Car Seat
Britax Emblem 3-Stage, $249.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond
For the price of $249.99, the Britax Emblem 3 has exceptional safety features. Its SafeCell Impact Protection system includes an impact-absorbing base, an impact-stabilizing steel frame and two layers of side impact protection. And it also has a smaller profile seat, making it suitable for more compact vehicles.
Best Convertible Car Seat For Multiple Cars
UPPAbaby Knox, $399.99 at BuyBuyBaby
The UPPAbaby Knox is not only sleek but features an indicator window that turns from red to green when the seat is installed correctly—making it easier to securely move it from one car to another. Although it’s not suitable for newborns, it does have a multi-directional tether to reduce seat rotation, a no-rethread harness, an 8-position headrest and a 4-position recline for children 14 to 65 pounds.
Best Looking Convertible Car Seat
NUNA Rava, $499.95+ at Pottery Barn Kids
The NUNA Rava is a “pretty” car seat, if that’s what you’re looking for. (It comes in an array of patterns at a higher $549.95 price point.) Still, its plush seat exceeds American safety standards and it features hassle-free installation with simply secure technology. Plus, it has lots of legroom and a 10-position recline for those toddler years.
Best Luxury Convertible Car Seat
Clek Foonf, $499.99 at Albee Baby
The Clek Foonf is pricey but liked by parents and reviewers. With a steel and magnesium structure, it boasts that it’s “built like a tank” and easy to install with a LATCH system. It also has an array of safety features, including an anti-rebound bar and extended rear-facing seating up to 50 pounds. Still, it does have a rethread harness, meaning you must manually adjust the seat belt harness as your child grows. Clek does have a recycling program for car seats nearing their expiration, though, which is a nice bonus.
Best Booster Seat
Diono Monterey XT, $159.99 at BuyBuyBaby
The Diono Monterey XT seems to be the most-liked booster seat on the market. It’s lightweight, portable and designed to allow a proper fit at every age—it comfortably seats children weighing 40 to 120 lb. It has good crash test results, according to Baby Gear Lab, and sits at a nice price point. Next, Go Ahead and Toss out Your Old List—Here Are 300 Unique Baby Names From the Last Decade!
