Moreover, the Cybex Sirona S has a stability bar just like the Turn2Me.
We combine crash test results with our extensive hands-on testing to analyze which competitors are the top performers.
Our tests show that car seats vary significantly in their performance. This function may seem small before your baby is born, but trust us, you will be doing this more than once, and you'll be grateful for the carrier. This data means it exceeded the federal requirements. Infant seats are designed explicitly with little bodies and systems in mind. No, probably not. The first stage is rearward from birth to four years or 0 to 18 kg, which translates to roughly 39.5 pounds. This booster is somewhat heavy and perhaps not the best choice for travel or carpooling. Depending on the manufacturer's recommendations, you turn the seat to face forward when your child reaches a certain weight or height range. The Extend2Fit has below-average quality, and it isn't as comfortable as seats with similar prices. The Chicco NextFit Zip has adequate padding for a comfy ride, but it isn't as nice as the higher-ranking competition. Not all kids will do this, but still, the clip helps to keep kids and seatbelts in place. Many convertible car seats have an infant insert to make the car seat more suitable for smaller passengers. Little ones love to sleep with their heads in an awkward position, and the padding helps to keep little chins from getting pinched. The Evenflo Gold Revolve360 Rotational All-in-One Convertible Car Seat also swivels a full 360 degrees for easy entrance and exits.
The harness design is narrower and more appropriate for an infant than that on a convertible seat, designed for older babies, but is modified for infants. Forward facing configuration using the LATCH connectors is one of the easiest installation methods for this seat. Otherwise, the Evenflo Gold Revolve360 and the CYBEX Sirona S offer the same 360 swiveling seat but with other benefits as well.
Parents must have a safety car seat when they leave the hospital with their new infant. Adrina Palmer is a stay-at-home-mom to three wonderful children and a wife to an amazing husband. However, the Cybex is about twice the price of the Graco car seat which means it may not fit into everyones budget. For infant seats, the weight of the carrier can play a role for similar reasons. However, the Graco option is about half the price of the Evenflo option, but you will need to buy a second car seat after your child reaches four years old. We remember all too well wondering what to choose, when to switch to a new seat, and why it was so darn complicated to install them. The Emblem is arguably not as easy to install as the Britax ClickTight options, and it has less padding than the more expensive Britax options. Sadly, this is not one of those one-and-done car seats that you can use from birth until your child reaches ten years. Here are all the details to help you decide if the European Graco will work right for you. Side impact protection supports your babys head in the car seat too. The ClickTight has a slightly above-average performance for crash test results. 
A small collection of just some of the convertible car seats we've tested over the years. In our car seat safety testing research, safety engineers at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) emphasized that improper use is a more significant safety concern than the differences in crash test performance results. From there, you can narrow your search by the ease of installation and crash test results or budget (depending on your situation and goals). The clip makes sure the seat belt stays on the shoulders properly and ensures kids do not crawl out of their car seat when they get older and more precocious.
Their Isofix system is more rigid, which, honestly, we love. Manufacturers advertise these ranges and make them seem very important. One note, this car seat does not have a clip like most American car seats. This seat is wider than most we considered, so it may not be a good choice for families who need to install three safety seats in the same row. After spending tens of thousands of dollars on crash testing car seats in a certified testing lab, we discovered that not all car seats are created equal, despite their ability to pass basic federal crash test requirements. Alternatively, the Doona Combo is easy enough to install without the base and includes an attached stroller that takes the weight off you and puts it on wheels. The moniker "convertible" is related to the seat facing backward and then "converting" to a forward-facing seat. Lets take a closer look at this incredible European car seat and find out if its the right option for you.
The Chicco Keyfit 35 is an impressive infant car seat. The Graco Extend2Fit earned the best score in our analysis of crash test results. Graco SlimFit vs Extend2fit Convertible Car Seat Comparison, Chicco KidFit 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat Review: A Great Backed and Backless Convertible Car Seat, Britax G1.1 Frontier Harness-2-Booster with Clicktight An In-depth Review, 5 Recline positions both forward-facing and rear-facing, Does not work for three across the backseat. This booster is the comfiest option we tested, winning the thumbs up from our tiny testers thanks to the wide seating area, sleep-worthy headrest, and soft feeling fabric. Unfortunately, the Tribute's low weight and low price come at the cost of comfort and quality, making the Evenflo uncomfortable on long road trips or for babies that need more cushioning or support. BabyGearLab was founded by a Pediatrician Mom with a mission to provide a reliable, independent, source of information to new parents. Despite the manufacturer's focus on weight, most babies will outgrow the height limits before reaching the weight limit for most infant seats.
Depending on the seat, your child will likely need a booster around 5-7 years old, but child size is more of a factor than age. While the Graco Turn2Me 360 Rotating Isofix Car Seat is not available in America yet, you can buy this innovative car seat from Europe and find out why its so popular. This booster will please children and parents with better crash test analyses and a comfortable seating area. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support.
It is a poor choice for carrying or stuffing in a backpack even without the back. Just as you wanted to stay rear-facing as long as possible, we think it is wise to stay in a convertible seat as long as the seat user manual allows before swapping it for a booster. Last, while we understand budget can be a concern, and some new parents have the tightest of budgets, we believe that car seats are not the time to try to save a few bucks. While you will not mind the first year or so, after that, you will probably miss the cup holder. We are not big fans of a one-and-done approach to car seats and think an infant car seat should be used until your little one either grows out of it or ages out according to manufacturer directions. Stage two is forward-facing from one to four years old or 9 to 18 kg or 20 to 39.5 pounds. Pay special attention to weight and height restrictions as most children outgrow one before the other. Is Ease of Installation or Crash Test Results More Important? The Evenflo is the lightest seat in the group and one of the most narrow at just over 9 pounds and 17 inches, The Peg Perego Primo uses the European belt path method for installation without the base. Adjust the headrest and harness together as your child grows. Although, you should read the car seat manual and the car manual first to see if there are any special circumstances for your vehicle.
Alternatively, it is relatively narrow, making it a potential seat if you need to fit multiple safety seats in a vehicle row. Our tests reveal affordable seats are available that are easy to install with impressive crash test analysis results in every category. Changing the recline is as simple as pushing in a bar and moving the seat into the desired recline position. Are you an urban dweller looking for an infant carrier? While the Graco Turn2Me 360 Rotating Isofix Car Seat offers a fantastic car seat, its main benefit is the lower price. While many parents are concerned with crash test safety (as you should be), few parents know that improperly installing a seat or not using it as indicated is a significant cause of infant injury in car accidents. So while crash test analysis is important, it should not overshadow how challenging a seat is to use or install. Abriah Wofford, Senior Review Analyst, rounds out the team and provides another set of hands and alternate experiences to give more insight on installation and ease of use. It also sports a higher price tag, making it a potential non-starter for those on a tight budget. We personally recommend the Evenflo Gold Revolve360 Rotational All-in-One Convertible Car Seat as it lasts for a full ten years or up to 120 pounds, so the high price lasts twice as long and removes the need to buy a second car seat later. Alternatively, you can skip the pre-packages in favor of creating your own mix where you purchase a seat and compatible stroller separately (which may require buying adapters). However, the back is removable for occasional travel needs if you need to. The Evenflo Spectrum is significantly lighter and can go backless for even easier carpooling.
Some even have perfect scores and were practically foolproof, or at least as infallible as possible. We use the same guidelines and tests for crash testing to compare and combine our results with those from NHTSA before analysis and scoring. The extra-large head cushioning will help to keep the shoulders in place and the head too. Simply click both halves into the buckle and release using the red button. Watch this video to see just how simple and secure installing the Turn2ME is so you can get on the road with ease. Unlike "all-in-one" seats or convertible seats that claim suitability for infants, infant car seats are only for infants and babies typically up to about 9 months or 30-35 lbs. Booster seats are the last style of safety seat your child will use before graduating to the vehicle seat belt alone. Product Length 55 cm (21.65 inches) Product Width 45 cm (17.72 inches) Product Height 76.5 cm (30.11 inches ) Rear-Facing 0 to 18 kg or 0 to 4 years (0 to 39.68 pounds) Forward-Facing 9 to 18 kg or 1 to 4 years (19.84 to 39.68 pounds) 5 Recline positions in both directions. Looking for the right diaper for your little one? Rear facing seat belt installation of the Boulevard is easy to achieve with the ClickTight system.
Because safety is paramount, we believe you should choose your car seat before the stroller. The Turn2Me can recline to five different positions. The same is typically true of the convertible seats. We believe the 5-point harness and side shell of the convertible seats potentially offers more protection. The Evenflo Tribute LX didn't score exceptionally well in our test of convertible competitors, but what it manages to do is impress with its crash-test results.
We do NOT accept free products from manufacturers to assure our readers that our opinions are entirely independent and unbiased. A convertible seat's weight is less of a consideration for most people because it typically spends most of its life installed in a single location. There are many varieties of combinations when it comes to strollers and their car seat counterparts, and many strollers will work with a variety of seat options with the purchase of the appropriate adapters. This seat includes an eye-pleasing design and features for passenger comfort. The UPPAbaby Alta is a quality, high-backed booster with crash test results and comfortable features. We strongly encourage you to resist the temptation of buying a convertible seat (or "all-in-one" product) for your infant.
Ninety-three percent is a significant number.
Our extensive, months-long testing process means you can feel confident in our test results and analysis to help you find the best car seat for your family and budget.
If you plan to attach your carrier to a stroller, the weight is less critical, but if you plan to hold your carrier or travel frequently, its weight might be more of a concern. Most car seats include a cupholder, but this one does not. How can we improve BabyGearLab?
After you get the baby in the car seat, swivel it back to front or rear-facing depending on their age, weight, and height. Bob Wofford, father of 7, Senior Review Analyst and Certified Passenger Safety Technician, leads the in-house testing team with extensive side-by-side testing for ease of installation and more. Installing the seat is a simple process. Well, we did, and we love what we are seeing as the Graco Turn2Me 360 Rotating Isofix Car Seat looks amazing. This installation style is a safe practice, and the seats have a method for this practice. The Britax Boulevard ClickTight is the perfect seat for anyone concerned about installing a seat correctly (arguably all of us), which is why we like this choice. Do not turn them around until their legs no longer fit or they reach the maximum weight. You should not have any issues using the Isofix into the LATCH hooks in an American car. The Evenflo Spectrum is a high-back booster with an impressive crash test result for the head sensor and is so wallet-friendly that it is a potential contender for almost every family. Pre-arranged sets (in our experience) often include less impressive choices than you get if you create your own combination, so we prefer to create our own.
You also get three color options, whereas Gracos car seat only comes in black. We National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Infant seats are designed explicitly with little bodies and systems in mind, Convertible car seats are appropriate for older babies, How to Avoid Infant Car Seat Installation Mistakes, contact a certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians in their area, study by Portland's top Children's Hospital, CDC's infant boy age vs. weight growth chart, rear-facing is still the safest installation within the seat's limitations, Most infant safety seats are compatible with at least a couple of strollers. We believe this stylish and comfy carrier is super easy to install without the base, making it a possible contender for those using public transportation; it is almost as easy to install with the vehicle belt and the base. Got feedback? Let us know! Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. We purchase each seat and conduct intensive side-by-side testing, including crash tests at the exact location used by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). We personally recommend the, Graco Turn2Me 360 Rotating Isofix Car Seat Review, Graco Turn2Me 360 vs. Evenflo Gold Revolve360, Final Thoughts About the Graco Turn2Me 360 Rotating Isofix Car Seat, Evenflo Gold Revolve360 Rotational All-in-One Convertible Car Seat, Car Seat Finder Tool: Find the Right Car Seat. This booster is similar to your vehicle seat with an adjustable headrest, armrests, and quality fabric that is easy to clean.
The UPPAbaby Vista can be used with 2 infant car seats for easy transportation of up up to 2 infants. Given that poor installation often translates to more injuries, we think this seat's top installation performance makes up for the just above average crash-test results to create a seat that is tough to beat. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing by people who care.
Check out the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations) handy calculator to help you figure out which direction your baby should face.
Should this weight range be a consideration when making your purchase? We also like that you can quickly secure the booster in the vehicle so it doesn't move in the car when your kids aren't using it. This booster earned the highest combined crash test results in our booster test, and it is easy to install with a rigid LATCH system. The Aton 2 has a LATCH system that is super easy to install, which potentially translates to an increase in safety. If you aren't carrying your seat frequently, you have more options because weight is less of a determining factor. The Graco Turn2Me never made it to the American market and is not available for purchase. Car seat testing is divided across five test metrics (with some variation based on car seat type): Each metric's weighted contribution to the overall score is based on how important we believe it is to the purchasing decision. Installing the Keyfit 35 carrier without a base can utilize the American (shown here) or European belt path (uses the shoulder strap across the back of the carrier) for installation. Weighting varies somewhat for each car seat category, as some features or functionality could be more critical from one product type than another.
The Alta has a rigid LATCH system that lets you secure it to the car so it isn't free-floating in your car. Once your baby outgrows their convertible seat, they're ready for the big kid booster seat. According to the CDC's infant boy age vs. weight growth chart (pdf), a 95th percentile baby boy (which means a baby growing faster than 94 babies out of 100) will still weigh under 28 lbs and be close to 32 inches on their one year birthday.
Abriah has been testing car seats since 2016. Our exhaustive testing and rating process provides the information you need to make your family's best car seat purchase.
If you want to save money on baby gear (don't we all? The Evenflo Spectrum is easy to use and buckle even when using it without the back. Read review: Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35. Above you see the Phil and Teds Alpha seat on the test sled with a 12 month old crash test dummy strapped in. This Britax features an easy-to-use non-rethread harness adjustment; we prefer it over rethread styles.
From proper positioning to avoid positional asphyxiation to narrower shoulder harness straps, serious engineering goes into a safe infant car seat.
However, if you need to catch a taxi with your seat and your baby, you'd probably prefer the lightest seat possible. In fact, an NHTSA study showed that 84% of infant seats exhibited a critical misuse related to either installation of the seat or incorrect restraint of the infant, or both. The other advantage of infant seats is they are handy. We buy two of each product and send one to MGA for crash testing.
In the end, the restrictions have more to do with height than weight. The Peg can be installed using a lap belt only if that is all that the car provides. Something Best Convertible Car Seats 2022: Crash Tested. The Gold Revolve360 has remained the better (and now only) choiceView on Amazon. Thats what you get with the Graco Turn2Me car seat. The study showed that "93% made at least one critical error a mistake that put their infant at increased risk for injury in a crash when positioning their infant in a car safety seat or when installing the safety seat in their vehicle.". The cover is also machine washable, something every parent will appreciate.
Luckily, we have the information you need to make an informed decision on which safety seat is the right one for your little one.
We believe it is smart to purchase car seats specifically for each age/size instead of opting for one product that can accommodate a baby but isn't explicitly designed for infants. This transition will depend on the manufacturer's guidelines and your child's size. Many award-winning seats are easy to install, with at least one installation method. A travel system is a package deal that includes an infant car seat and a compatible stroller it can attach to. We are mom-supported. Other parents might live in a larger city where they frequently use Uber and taxis, requiring a relatively mobile option with frequent installations in multiple vehicles. We spend tens of thousands of dollars crash testing car seats to inform our ratings. Unfortunately, the Primo Viaggio 4-35 is more expensive than most of the competition we've tested, and it isn't compatible with most strollers outside the Peg Perego brand. Overall, The Aton 2 is a great seat if your budget allows it. Also, we think the impressive crash test results and quality construction more than compensate for the heft of the Oobr. Carriers can be cumbersome and can be ridiculously heavy when combined with the baby's weight.
Convertible car seats are appropriate for older babies (around nine months) and can last until your little one is about 3-7 years old, depending on the model and your child's size. This design means you can move a sleeping infant from a car to a stroller or car with ease and without disruption. The Keyfit 35 is somewhat heavier to carry, which could be a deal-breaker if you plan to carry your baby in it.
It is comfortable and well-made and is relatively light compared to other high-scoring seats. It has all the features you want in a car seat and a few nice features you will love. In-house, we use and assess all features and functionality, from the stiffness of the buckle and how challenging it is to change shoulder strap height to the difficulty of installation for every method possible. This convertible seat has excellent results for LATCH installation.
For crash testing, we work with MGA Research, the same certified testing lab the US Government relies on for their safety certification tests. Many parents may not like or want this option, but for preemies or newborns, it may be the best option. You do not even need to rethread the harness for the right fit!
Hard to access belt pathway for the vehicle belt. She would love to hear from you! We think most parents will love this quality contender's look, feel, and features. Car seats come in three basic types based on the age and/or size of your baby (both height and weight). The Affordable Joovy Scooter X2 Review Do the Pros Outweigh the Cons? To assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. In her free time she enjoys many crafts, writing, spending time with family, and reading. The Evenflo is easy to use and the lightest option in our comparison, making it a good choice for parents on the go for travel or using public transportation. As a result, you can transition a sleeping baby in or out of the vehicle without waking them up, keeping them safely harnessed in the carrier as you do. The Graco had one of the best-combined head and chest sensor results, indicating an additional margin of protection over the competition. While convertible seats can work for babies from 5 - 50 lbs and beyond, we don't believe it is good to choose a one-and-done seat when it comes to safety. This seat offers a higher margin of potential safety to families on even the tightest budgets. Parents who frequently ride in taxi cabs or use services like Uber, will want to look for a car seat that offers easy installation without the base, just using the seat belt. Who knew Graco was in Europe and not just in America?
Here is the Clek Foonf getting ready for its crash test, complete with crash test dummy. tested thousands of baby and kids products, Crash Test Analysis (20% of overall score weighting), Ease of Use Installation (multiple methods in multiple vehicles) (35% weighting). A heavy steel frame seat like the Clek Oobr is a beast and isn't something you want to move often. No ads. However, given the benefits for safety and the insanely small price, we think this Evenflo is an excellent booster solution for any family. This seat is stupidly heavy and awkward to lift and carry, so you aren't going to want to travel with it or carry it very far. You can purchase a cup holder for a little extra money for it though making it more functional when your child is older too. You can use this car seat for the first four years of your babys life, but the real benefit is the rotating seat. Dont worry, even though the seat swivels, it will not swivel while you are driving. We believe they are uniquely qualified to potentially better protect your little than a seat designed for children from 4-80 lbs. The weight of your booster seat could play a role in your decision-making if you carpool or travel. Most parents find infant carriers to be valuable tools and are grateful for the ability to leave a sleeping child resting while running errands using a stroller or the carrier handle. Privacy | Cookies | Terms, In-depth baby product reviews led by a Pediatrician, Let our extensive crash testing data help you find the best and safest car seat for your baby. While a rebound bar may be a priority for some parents, for others, it will be good for other parents who want their kids to have more legroom.
The Chicco Keyfit 35 is a nicer quality infant car seat with a ridiculously easy LATCH installation with the SuperCinch center pull strap. We send one car seat to the same professional crash test facility the National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA) uses for its testing and keep the other seat in-house for over 45 detailed scientific testing on each seat. Your lifestyle might be a consideration in your selection process for a new car seat. The LATCH system for the Extend2Fit forward-facing configuration uses the same belt pathway as the vehicle belt. If a cupholder is something you cannot live without on a convertible car seat, do not get this option. Infant seats claim to be appropriate for a baby from 4 lbs to typically up to 30-45 lbs; convertible seats also have limits, usually between 5 to 55 lbs (or higher depending on the seat).