travel system vs convertible car seat

Travel System Vs Convertible Car Seat: Which Is Best?

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Choosing the right car seat: travel system vs convertible car seat.

Deciding on the best car seat for your child isn’t just a purchase – it’s a crucial decision for their safety and your peace of mind. Whether you’re a new parent or seasoned in the art of parenting, the choice between a travel system and a convertible car seat can be a pivotal one.

In this guide, we’ll delve into the specifics of both options: the versatile travel systems and the long-lasting convertible car seats. Understanding the nuances of each will empower you to make an informed decision tailored to your family’s lifestyle, ensuring your little one’s safety and comfort on every journey.

Travel systems, known for their convenience, combine an infant seat with a stroller frame. They’re a great option for parents on the go, allowing you to transition seamlessly from car to stroller without disturbing a sleeping baby. On the other hand, convertible car seats, admired for their durability, grow with your child from infancy through toddlerhood, adjusting in size and orientation.

Our goal? To guide you through the pros and cons of each, highlighting factors like weight limit, height limit, and additional features, ensuring you find the right car seat that aligns with your child’s needs and your family’s lifestyle. Let’s explore the world of baby gear together and find the perfect fit for your little traveller!

The World of Travel Systems

What is a travel system.

A travel system is a coordinated set combining a stroller and an infant car seat. These systems are designed for new parents who value convenience and efficiency.

With a travel system, you can transition your sleeping baby from car to stroller without any hassle. The travel system is made up of three parts, the infant seat, the stroller, and the car seat base.

The car seat base stays anchored securely in your car without ever needing to be removed. The infant seat simply clips in and out of that base to use it as a car seat.

The same infant seat then clips into a stroller base and away you go. When you get back to the car it’s just a matter of unclipping the infant seat from the stroller and clipping it into the base in your car.

Your baby will never need to come out of the seat to transfer between the car and stroller which is extremely convenient and something we highly recommend.

Key Features of Travel Systems

• Stroller Frame: The backbone of any travel system. These frames are designed to be lightweight and easy to fold, making them perfect for storage and transportation.
• Infant Car Seat: This is where your baby will spend most of their time during travels. The car seats in travel systems are specifically designed for newborns and smaller infants, providing a snug and safe fit.
• Ease of Use: Travel systems are all about making life easier. The car seats can be effortlessly clicked in and out of the car and the stroller, which means you won’t have to wake up your little one during the transition.
• Benefits for Sleeping Babies: The smooth transition from car to stroller ensures that your baby’s nap times are undisturbed. This feature is a lifesaver for parents who are always on the move.
• Compatibility with Different Brands: Many travel systems are versatile, allowing for the stroller and infant car seat from different brands to be used together. This gives parents more flexibility in choosing the best options for their child.

Popular Travel System Examples

• Graco Travel System : The Graco line features a wide-ranging set of seats and strollers to match new parents’ lifestyles. We loved our Graco jogging stroller that was compatible with the travel system and used it with all three of our boys.
• Britax B-Lively : Known for its smooth ride and easy-to-navigate stroller frame, the Britax B-Lively is a popular choice among new parents.
• Chicco Keyfit : The Chicco Keyfit stands out for its easy installation and high safety ratings, making it a reliable choice for infant car seats.

Travel systems offer a convenient and efficient solution for transporting your newborn. With features like a lightweight stroller frame, an infant car seat, and the ease of switching between car and stroller, travel systems are a great option for parents looking for a ready-made solution for their baby’s travel needs.

The World of Convertible Car Seats

What are convertible car seats.

Convertible car seats are designed to grow with your child. They can be used from infancy through the toddler years and beyond, transitioning from a rear-facing to a forward-facing position.

Typically convertible car seats start as a rear-facing seat and then convert to a forward-facing seat with a 5-point harness once your child grows large enough. There are different types of convertible seats with some converting further into a high-back booster and finally a standard booster seat.

Key Features of Convertible Car Seats

• Height and Weight Limits: These seats accommodate a wider range of sizes, making them suitable for newborns to older toddlers.
• Transition from Rear-Facing to Forward-Facing: Convertible car seats can start in a rear-facing position for infants and switch to forward-facing for older children.
• Safety Features and Standards: Adhering to rigorous safety standards, many models include additional safety features like side-impact protection.

Notable Convertible Car Seats

• Diono Radian : Diono car seats are renowned for their slim profile and high weight limit.
• Britax One4Life : Popular for its ease of installation and plush comfort.
• Graco 4Ever : The Graco 4Ever is our favourite convertible car seat , it includes high-end features and is well-built to last you through all the convertible phases.

Convertible car seats offer a long-term solution for your child’s safety and comfort in the car, adapting as they grow. Whether you choose a travel system or a convertible car seat, the most important factor is finding the right fit for your family’s needs and lifestyle.

Travel System vs Convertible Car Seat: A Detailed Comparison

Travel System vs Convertible Car Seat: Understanding the Differences When it comes to choosing the best car seat for your child , the options can be overwhelming. In this section, we’ll compare travel systems and convertible car seats, focusing on their lifespan, flexibility, cost-effectiveness, safety, and practical scenarios.

Lifespan and Longevity

• Travel Systems: Typically designed for infants, travel systems have a shorter lifespan. The infant car seat part is usually outgrown by the first year.
• Convertible Car Seats: Known for their longevity, these seats adapt from rear-facing to forward-facing, accommodating children up to 65 pounds or more.

Flexibility and Adaptability

• Travel Systems: Offer unmatched convenience for newborns, easily transitioning from car to stroller.
• Convertible Car Seats: Shine in adaptability, growing with your child from infancy to toddlerhood.

Cost-Effectiveness and Value

• Travel Systems: Initially seem more cost-effective, but might require additional purchases as your child grows.
• Convertible Car Seats: Offer greater long-term value, serving your child for several years.

Safety Considerations

• Travel Systems: Must meet safety standards for both car seats and strollers. Ensure the model adheres to the latest safety guidelines.
• Convertible Car Seats: Often have more advanced safety features, following the American Academy of Pediatrics’ guidelines for longer rear-facing use.

Practical Scenarios

• Travel Systems: Ideal for busy parents who frequently transition between car and foot. Think of air travel, public transportation, and quick visits.
• Convertible Car Seats: Better for families looking for a durable, long-term solution, especially if you have a full-size stroller already.

Essential Considerations for New Parents: Choosing the Right Car Seat

Navigating the World of Baby Gear: What to Consider Before Buying Becoming a parent brings a myriad of decisions, especially when it comes to choosing the right car seat. It’s not just about the type of seat – it’s about how it fits into your life. Here’s what you need to ponder:

1. Child’s Age and Size

• Newborn Baby: If you’re outfitting for a newborn, consider how the car seat supports the smallest babies. Does it offer the snug fit and support a newborn needs?
• Young Babies and Beyond: Think about how the seat will grow with your child. Can it adjust as your child grows in size and age?

2. Lifestyle and Frequency of Travel

• Active Families: For families always on the move, consider a travel system for its ease of transitioning from car to stroller.
• Occasional Travelers: If your car journeys are less frequent, a convertible car seat might be more practical, focusing on safety and comfort over portability.

3. Space and Storage Considerations

• Compact Living: If you’re short on space, a travel system might seem bulky. A convertible seat, being a single unit, could be a better fit.
• Room to Spare: If space isn’t an issue, the additional components of a travel system won’t be a problem.

4. Budget Constraints

• Initial Investment: Travel systems can be a cost-effective initial purchase, but remember, you might need to buy a bigger seat as your child grows.
• Long-term Value: Convertible car seats often represent a larger upfront cost but offer value over the years as they grow with your child.

5. Separate vs. All-in-One Solutions

• All-in-One Convenience: Travel systems offer a ready-made solution with a compatible stroller and car seat.
• Mix and Match: With separate pieces, you have the freedom to choose the best stroller and car seat individually, based on your specific needs.

As a new parent, your choice between a travel system and a convertible car seat impacts your daily routine and your child’s safety. Weighing these factors will help you make an informed decision that suits your family’s lifestyle and your child’s growing needs. Remember, the best choice is the one that aligns with your personal circumstances and ensures the safety and comfort of your little one.

Additional Features and Accessories for Car Seats and Strollers

Elevate Your Child’s Safety and Comfort with These Extras When it comes to car seats and strollers, the core functionalities are just the beginning. Let’s dive into the additional features and accessories that can enhance your experience and ensure maximum safety for your little one.

1. Car Seat Bases: The Foundation of Convenience

• Ease of Use: A separate car seat base allows for easy installation and removal of the car seat from your vehicle. This is especially useful for families with multiple cars.
• Extra Bases: Purchasing additional bases for other family cars can simplify transitions, making it easier to move your child’s seat between vehicles.

2. Cup Holders: Handy Add-Ons for Parents and Kids

• For Parents: Keep your coffee or water bottle within easy reach during those early morning drives.
• For Kids: Older children will appreciate having their drink or snack close at hand, especially during longer journeys.

3. Stroller Seat and Base: The Core of Your Travel System

• Stroller Seat: Look for seats that offer adjustable recline positions, canopies for sun protection, and comfortable padding.
• Stroller Base: A robust base ensures stability and smooth maneuverability on different terrains.

4. Booster Seats: Preparing for the Big Kid Stage

• Transition to Big Kid: As your child grows, a booster seat becomes necessary. It raises your child to the proper height for the seat belt to fit correctly.
• Safety Standards: Ensure the booster seat meets the latest safety standards for the best protection.

5. Understanding Expiration Dates and Safety Standards

• Expiration Dates: Car seats aren’t meant to last forever. Pay attention to expiration dates as materials can degrade over time, affecting the seat’s safety.
• Safety Standards: Always check that your car seat and stroller meet the current safety standards set by safety authorities. Regularly updated standards ensure the highest level of safety for your child.

These additional features and accessories can make a significant difference in your daily travels. They not only add to the convenience and functionality but also enhance the safety and comfort of your child, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable journey for the entire family.

Making the Right Choice: Selecting the Perfect Car Seat or Travel System for Your Family

Tailoring Your Decision to Your Family’s Unique Needs Choosing the right car seat or travel system is more than just a purchase – it’s a commitment to your child’s safety and comfort. Here are some tips to guide you through this important decision.

1. Assessing Your Specific Needs

• Lifestyle Considerations: Think about your daily routine. Do you need something easy for frequent transitions, like a travel system, or a more permanent solution like a convertible car seat?
• Child’s Growth: Consider how the car seat will accommodate your child’s growth. Can it adjust in size and orientation as your child ages?
• Vehicle Space: Evaluate the size of your car and the space available for a car seat or travel system.

2. Adhering to Safety Guidelines: A Non-Negotiable Priority

• Stay Updated: Always ensure that the car seat or travel system you choose complies with the latest safety standards.
• Correct Installation: Proper installation is key. Make sure you understand how to securely install and use the car seat or travel system.
• Regular Checks: Regularly inspect your car seat or travel system for any signs of wear and tear or expiration.

3. Utilizing Resources for New Parents

• American Academy of Pediatrics : A valuable resource for up-to-date safety guidelines and tips.
• Safety Experts: Consult with child passenger safety technicians for personalized advice and installation checks.
• Online Communities: Engage with online forums and parenting groups for first-hand reviews and experiences.

Making the right decision on a car seat or travel system involves considering your unique family needs, adhering strictly to safety guidelines, and tapping into valuable resources. With careful consideration and the right information, you can choose a solution that not only keeps your child safe but also fits seamlessly into your family’s lifestyle. Remember, the best choice is the one that prioritizes your child’s safety and aligns with your day-to-day life.

Wrapping Up: Travel System vs Convertible Car Seat – What’s The Right Choice

Recapping the Essentials: Travel System vs Convertible Car Seat As we conclude this comprehensive guide, let’s revisit the key points to remember when selecting between a travel system and a convertible car seat for your child.

• Travel Systems: Ideal for parents seeking convenience and ease in transitioning from car to stroller, especially suitable for infants.
• Convertible Car Seats: A long-term investment, these seats grow with your child, offering extended usage from infancy to toddlerhood.

Final Thoughts: Prioritizing Safety and Comfort The decision between a travel system and a convertible car seat hinges on your lifestyle, your child’s needs, and the importance of safety and comfort. Remember, the best choice is one that aligns with your family’s routine and ensures the utmost safety for your little one.

FAQs: Addressing Your Concerns

• Q: Can I use a travel system for a newborn? A: Yes, travel systems are designed with infant car seats that are perfect for newborns.
• Q: When should I switch from a travel system to a convertible car seat? A: Typically, parents switch when their child outgrows the infant seat, around the first year.
• Q: Are convertible car seats safe for newborns? A: Absolutely. Many convertible car seats are designed to safely hold newborns, with appropriate adjustments for size and weight. However, read all local guidelines and information about your specific seat. Some convertible seats are made for larger children and convert from forward-facing seats to a booster.

Finding the Perfect Fit for Your Lifestyle Whether it’s a travel system or a convertible car seat, the right choice varies for each family. Consider factors like the frequency of travel, space in your vehicle, and budget constraints. Above all, safety is paramount, so ensure whichever option you choose meets the current safety standards.

In choosing the best car seat or travel system, you’re not just picking a piece of baby gear. You’re investing in your child’s safety and ensuring peace of mind on every journey. Trust your instincts, do your research, and pick the option that feels right for your family’s unique journey.

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Should I Buy a Travel System or Separate Car Seat and Stroller?

June 15, 2017 13 Comments

I started shopping for baby products basically the moment I found out I was pregnant. I was SO excited. I love researching products and online shopping so this was the ultimate excuse for a major shopping (and registering) spree! One of the big dilemmas new parents face is travel system vs. separate car seat and stroller. I spent a lot of time looking at the best stroller travel systems and the best separate stroller and car seat options. I knew nothing about car seats, strollers, or travel systems so I spent countless hours researching what makes them safe, easy to use, and what to look for. My main question was should I buy a travel system or separate car seat and stroller? From there I needed to know what to look for in a travel system, car seat, and stroller as well as what various stroller styles are good for and what was necessary for our lifestyle. Gosh, so many things to think about when you’re looking for the best stroller travel system! And just like that the chaos of baby life began 😉

Here’s your cut to the chase link to the best stroller travel system, the Graco Modes Click Connect Stroller Travel System

Should I buy a travel system or separate car seat and stroller?

So, for us, this was the first big question. Travel system vs. separate car seat and stroller. I knew I wanted a stroller that would allow me to take the rear facing infant car seat out and attach it right to the stroller frame. I mean, who wants to wake up a sleeping baby to get them from the car to the stroller?! NOT ME. Ideally, I also didn’t want to have to disassemble the stroller to get the infant car seat in it. I really wanted to be able to leave the stroller seat in while the infant seat was in. You just never really know what you’ll need when you’re out and why make extra work and store extra parts for later. I just didn’t like that idea.

Now, the stroller would be lighter without the stroller seat in it but for me, this really isn’t an issue. The stroller isn’t that heavy all together and aside from taking it in and out of our SUV and the occasional stair lift; I didn’t need to be that concerned with weight. I mean, I wasn’t going to benching it or anything. I find it to be a practical weight even when it’s all put together and I’m not a big person and my arms have yet to reach the coveted “mom of a toddler” stage where they’re ripped simply from picking up a too-large-to-carry child.

Stroller Car Seat Combo Travel System vs. Separate Car Seat and Stroller

Pros and cons of a travel system.

Stroller car seat combos, called travel systems, come with everything you need from infancy to toddler and pre-school.  The infant car seat will take you up to 25-35 lbs and then you can transition to the flat bassinet style seat and progress to the standard upright seat for toddlers and pre-schoolers. The downside is they tend to be a bit larger. If you live in the city or need to navigate a lot of stairs or tight places you might not want a stroller travel system. You also commit to your toddler stroller before you have a toddler so do research on what you need in a stroller before picking your travel system.

Shop Travel Systems on Amazon >>

Pros and Cons of an Infant Car Seat and Stroller Frame

The other option is to buy a separate car seat and stroller. You can get either a stroller frame that will hold your car seat or something completely independent that will not hold an infant car seat. There are several stroller frames that work with various car seats which does give you some options but almost all of them require you to buy extra parts to attach the infant car seat to the stroller frame. This tends to be cheaper initially because frames are inexpensive. Thdownsidede to stroller frames is they become obsolete after you child gets to about 25-35lbs (9-12 months) when most babies transition out of their infant car seats.

Shop Infant Car Seats on Amazon >>

Shop Stroller Frames on Amazon >>

Pros and Cons of a Separate Infant Car Seat and Stroller

You can also find standard strollers with attached seats that will adapt to hold an infant car seat giving you similar usability to a travel system. This gives you a build your own travel system basically. The main issue with this is you may also need an attachment kit for the infant car seat and you are limited by which car seats and strollers work together. This can be a tedious task and end up limiting your combinations pretty quickly.

Shop Strollers on Amazon >>

So, should I buy a travel system or separate car seat and stroller?

Travel system vs. separate car seat and stroller… for me buying a separate car seat and stroller was just too much work. I want quick, easy, and convenient. This is why I narrowed my search down to just the best stroller travel system pretty early on. Everything comes together. No extra parts are required. You can use it all in one piece or take it apart as needed. Easy peasy. Now to determine WHICH is the best stroller travel system…

What to Look for in a Stroller Car Seat Combo Travel System

The safest travel systems.

With a travel system, safety is #1 priority. You’re getting your car seat and stroll all at once so you want each part to be safe for their purposes. My biggest concern was the car seat safety because you could potentially have no control over when something terrible might happen. Stroller accidents seem more user error or freak accident. So I started by looking for a highly rated car seat and using that to narrow my search.  Car seats are highly regulated and tested so you will have a lot of safe options. Next, you should consider the price. There are TONS of travel systems in all price points. Narrow your search to what’s reasonable for you.

3 Wheel vs. 4 Wheel Stroller Travel Systems

Next, determine the type of stroller you want. Are you a jogger, shopper, traveler? Will you be using it on pavement and smooth floors or are you often on uneven, unstable ground (like in the country)? This will help you determine if you need 3 or 4 wheels. 3 wheels strollers are good for jogging but can be tippy on the front. On the flip side, 4 wheel strollers are more stable but not good for jogging. Large rubber tires are good for uneven ground, where plastic tires will work for solid, smooth ground.

I’m a 4-wheeler. Not like the ATV, I like 4 wheels on my strollers. They have more stability and I actually think they handle better in tight quarters. I also NEVER run. Like, never ever. And if I did, it would be in the privacy of my own home on our treadmill (or as my husband likes to call it, our clothes drying rack). At no point in my life will I need a jogger. I did, however, want nice wheels that would last. We live in the suburbs but on a river and we have 2 cabins in the family. We will need to take the stroller on gravel roads. This meant I narrowed my search down to a travel system with high safety ratings, 4 wheels, and large rubber tires. From there I needed to determine what extras I needed and wanted in a travel system.

Positioning Options for the Best Stroller Travel System

I wanted to be able to have baby facing me while he’s young. The Graco Travel System we went with ( here ) has a ton of positions with and without the infant car seat. This picture shows the positioning options as an infant car seat carrier (the third is how we use it), as an infant stroller facing you or facing out, and as a toddler stroller facing you or facing out, reclined, and adjusted for child size.

What do I need in a travel system stroller?

Everything else is basically for convenience. A big must is easy one-handed folding and set up. For convenience and safety, you want good wheel locks. You’ll also want a large basket under the stroller for carrying your massive diaper bag, shopping bags, food, beverages, coats, and basically anything else you could ever think of. Cup holders for you and eventually your toddler are a must. A small covered compartment for things like a garage door opener, keys, etc. is nice to have when you don’t have pockets and are going for a walk without all the baby gear.

Some people like hooks for their diaper bag to hang it from the handle. I don’t find that necessary or practical (who wants to walk with a big huge bag hitting them in the thighs and making the stroller back heavy) but to each their own. Another thing to think about is how many cars you’ll need to work with the car seat. We have 2 cars and planned to use both for baby. We purchased an extra car seat base  for out Graco SnugRide Click Connect Infant Car Seat.

The Best Stroller Travel System 2017

Keeping all of this in mind I choose the Graco Modes Click Connect Travel System Stroller as the best stroller travel system for 2017. It has ever feature listed above (except the handle hook for the diaper bag but you can purchase that separately) plus high safety ratings at a super affordable price. It also comes in the 3 wheel Graco Modes Travel System style or the 4 wheel Graco Modes Travel System style which we have. Plus, both styles come in tons of color options, we have the Downton color.

When we purchased ours I went to a Babies ‘R’ Us to test it out in store and make sure I liked the maneuverability and the ease of use (taking the car seat in and out, folding it down, adjusting the seat back, etc.) I also tried a 3 wheel stroller and the 4 wheel stroller and a few other brands. I then went online and found it for the cheapest price in the color we wanted. Amazon is generally $50-$100 cheaper than baby stores. Plus some colors you can get on deep discount when they are retired!! Regardless, the Grace Travel System was hands down the winner. We still use it regularly and love it to this day!

In the travel system vs. separate car seat and stroller debate, the winner is stroller car seat combos, or “travel systems.” They truly make the most sense unless you live in the city or take public transportation often with your child. They might cost a bit more upfront but end up being more affordable in the end because they last you longer. As long as you do research on the best stroller travel system (and I’ve basically done the work for you 😉 ) you’ll love your pick for the long haul! This Graco travel system stroller and car seat combo has all the key features you look for in the best stroller travel system! Just pick from the 3 or 4 wheel options, select your color, and you’re good to go!

What did you look for when selecting the best stroller travel system or separate car seat and stroller?

Share your tips in the comments below!

Until next time,

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This is my outlet for all things creative and informative (and sometimes just what's on my mind). As a new mom, wife, and creative woman, I spend a lot of time (my husband might say too much) on Amazon, Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and Google looking for tips, advice, design ideas, and everything else under the sun.

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July 26, 2017 at 6:38 am

You should have both for your kids

August 15, 2017 at 1:07 pm

Interesting take, Maria! You have 2 strollers and an infant car seat for your baby? What made you decide to buy both? XO, Meg

August 3, 2017 at 1:29 pm

Great post! Thank you for sharing. It’s so difficult for new parents to figure that and a million other things out. That was very helpful!

August 15, 2017 at 1:05 pm

Hi, Veronica! Thanks for much for stopping by. I’m glad you enjoyed the post! Preparing for baby is such an overwhelming time. I’m happy to help others sift through their options and make the best decision for their lifestyle! Hope you enjoy the blog. Feel free to subscribe (on the right side) to get alerts when my new posts are up! XO, Meg

September 1, 2017 at 3:56 am

A baby stroller can keep your baby safe, offer a comfortable seat to take naps or play with toys. Generally, baby strollers come in different sizes, styles, variations and features. I have A stroller and a car seat for my baby. Thanks for sharing..!!

September 30, 2017 at 12:53 pm

Very informative article. My only question is, how do you like the Snugride carseat? We are having our first baby and I am torn between the Chicco Bravo/Keyfit carseat and the Graco modes/Snugride. I love all the features and different position of Modes, but I feel like the Chicco car seat has better reviews than the Snugride. What are your thoughts?

October 3, 2017 at 2:21 pm

Hi, Bailey! Thanks for your question. They both have high safety ratings with is most important but we really like the Graco Snugride Infant Carseat. It’s lighter than the Chicco, and can be used longer (32″ vs. 30″ and 35lbs vs 30lbs). It’s also super easy to install (took my husband no more than 10 minutes), easy to tighten and loosen while in the base (and out), and best of all… my son likes it, even on long trips! I have no negatives after 9 months of use. Either is a good choice but I prefer the Graco! XO, Meg

April 3, 2018 at 10:08 am

Awesome post. Much obliged to you for sharing. It’s so troublesome for unseasoned parents to assume that and a million different things out. That was extremely useful..!

April 27, 2018 at 9:40 pm

Thanks for the article – this is one of my biggest questions so far (12 weeks pregnant)!

For me the only reason I wouldn’t but a travel system (I think!) is that the car seat itself is only good up to 30-35 lbs, right? Then presumably you have to buy a new car seat for your toddler that can grow/expand as they do?

May 4, 2018 at 12:25 am

I would like to ask the same question from above

May 25, 2018 at 9:03 am

Hi Genevieve! Thanks for the question. Yes, you would need to buy a second car seat after they outgrow the infant one that comes with a travel system. We made the switch at about 11 months but we could have used it longer. The reason we made the switch when we did is a convertible sits up a little higher and offers a better view for older babies. We have this one because it transitions to a forward facing, and booster seat. We won’t need to buy anything else. this one . For us, it was 100% worth it to have an infant car seat because you can move them while they are sleeping without waking them. It’s also so much easier to take them places in the car seat when they are really little. In the winter it felt safer carrying the baby in the car seat in case of a slip and it also kept him warmer. At about 7 months I started letting him sit in carts because he could easily do so on his own but up until then, I used the car seat in a cart. If you didn’t have an infant car seat you would need a baby carrier to do your shopping. It really comes down to personal preference there. Would you rather use a car seat in a cart or wear the baby? We do have a baby carrier as well but we only used it at festivals, fairs, and now for hiking on our backs because he is older. So many options! I hope this helped you out a little bit. XO Meg

December 4, 2018 at 2:50 am

Thank you for sharing your experience, your comments have set me on a path to shopping for a travel system.

[…] of all, let’s discuss the benefits and drawbacks of travel system strollers and why they may or may not be a good choice for you and your […]

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How to Decide Buying Travel System Vs Stroller and Car Seat?

Baby gear designed to make your travels with a little one easier is great! However, it can be confusing. There are strollers and car seats, and then there are travel systems (not to mention things called prams). A travel system looks exactly like a car seat that clicks into a stroller, so exactly what is a travel system?

This article breaks down the difference between a car seat and a stroller vs travel system. Wondering which one is best for your family? Is one more practical than the other? Are they actually the same thing?

All your questions will be answered with our helpful travel system vs stroller and car seat guide.

What is a Travel System?

Who are travel systems good for, what kinds of travel systems are there, what is the alternative to a travel system, who should buy a car seat and stroller, stroller vs travel system comparison, what to know before buying a travel system or a stroller and car seat separately, travel systems, strollers and car seats, travel system or stroller and car seat: which option is best for me, the basics of a travel system vs a stroller and car seat.

These things may look the same, but there are a few distinct differences. For most parents, at first glance, the dissimilarities may not seem like a big deal but as you travel with your baby they can become major advantages or disadvantages.

New parents may wonder, what is a travel system stroller? A travel system is everything you need to take your baby out and about. It includes a car seat, a car seat base, and a stroller.

All of these things are sold as a unit, it is great for parents who want a one-stop shopping experience. Instead of searching for a matching car seat and stroller, you can pick out a travel system and have a matching set of all three items.

Aside from matching, another great feature of a traveling stroller system is the adapters for the car seat to connect to the stroller. These adapters are commonly integrated or included. You don’t have to concern yourself with hunting for comparable adapters to allow your car seat to click on your stroller, this baby transport system has got you covered.

Who should purchase a carseat and stroller all in one? Travel systems are ideal for parents with an infant. An infant car seat is the only type of seat that can attach to a stroller, other than the child seat made for the stroller. Convertible car seats cannot connect to the stroller.

If your child is older and no longer uses an infant car seat, it wouldn’t make sense to buy a travel system. Your child is probably old enough and big enough to use the traditional child seat on any stroller model.

If you’re considering a travel system vs convertible car seat, think about your child’s age. Convertible car seats cannot connect to a stroller. If your little one is older than six months you probably don’t need to connect their infant car seat to the stroller, they can use the child seat.

In this case, you could get away with purchasing a convertible seat and stroller separately. However, if being able to transfer your sleeping newborn to a stroller without taking them out of their seat is important to you, opt for a travel system.

However, if you have an infant but already have an infant car seat or even a bassinet stroller seat, buying a complete system might not make sense. Instead of purchasing another seat, you would be better off finding a stroller that pairs with your existing seat or bassinet.

Travel systems come in many varieties. You can find a double stroller travel system or even a triple stroller travel system. There are budget-friendly travel systems and luxury models .

You may be happy to know they even produce user-specific travel systems, like joggers or travel-friendly. Some of the best strollers and seats are travel systems, like the Chicco stroller travel systems.

So, good news! If you are considering getting a jogging stroller vs travel system, you may not need to choose between the two. Or, if you are keeping an eye out for a cheap baby stroller and car seats set, you can probably easily find an affordable travel system.

However, we wouldn’t recommend used travel systems because you can never be sure of the accident history and care of the car seat and base.

• One-stop shopping
• You can be sure the infant car seat connects to the stroller and base
• A matching set
• Come in a variety of options (luxury, jogger, etc.)
• Not ideal if your child has outgrown an infant car seat
• The quality of individual parts can vary (ie the car seat is great but the stroller quality may be lacking)
• Not a great choice if you already own an infant car seat and base

If you don’t want to buy a complete set, then you can purchase a car seat and base separately from a stroller. As mentioned, a convertible car seat won’t connect to a stroller. However, you can purchase a different car seat and stroller and occasionally find adapters to make them connect.

Curious about a pram vs stroller ? They’re basically the same. Pram is the British term for a stroller, though sometimes American’s use it to refer to a stroller with a bassinet attachment . You can find adapters that will connect a bassinet to a stroller as well, though most bassinets are sold with strollers and not individually.

When you buy a car seat it will come with a base, in the case of convertible car seats the base is attached. Wondering when to put baby in stroller without car seat? When you purchase a stroller it includes a child seat. Most stroller child seats are rated six months and up but be sure to check the minimum weight limits.

If you’re thinking baby strollers and car seat sets aren’t for you, I would consider your little one’s age, your preferences, and your current baby gear.

If your kiddo doesn’t use an infant seat, buy a stroller separately. If you already have an infant seat or a convertible seat, buy a stroller separately. This works vice versa too if you already have a good stroller simply buy a car seat and base separately.

When it comes to your preferences, think about what matters most. If you are happy carrying around your infant seat and don’t want or need to connect it to a stroller, then you may not want a travel system. If you are okay with lifting your sleeping baby out of their seat and placing them in a stroller’s child seat (as long as they’re old enough) then you can probably skip the travel system.

An important thing to note with preferences too is stroller model availability. When debating travel system or stroller, know that there is generally a lot more variety with strollers sold separately. Travel systems have expanded to include quite a few different types, but individual strollers are far more diverse in offerings.

• More options and greater variety
• Good choice if you already own a piece of a travel system
• Great for families with older children who don’t use an infant car seat
• Can be more affordable (more budget options)
• Cannot always find adapters to work with your stroller and car seat
• More expensive if you have to purchase all three items (stroller, car seat, seat base)
• Can be difficult to find items that match

The bottom line is if you are having a baby, or have a baby, and want to buy everything you need to travel in a single purchase, opt for a travel system. If you already have components or have a child who has outgrown the infant car seat and fits a stroller child seat, forgo the travel system.

Nevertheless, the following table can help make the choice clearer.

Whether you are picking out a travel system or an individual stroller and car seat, here are important factors to keep in mind.

• Safety . You want to ensure that your choice is safe for your child. Make sure that each part meets quality and safety ratings, especially the car seat and base. Look over the parts of your gear, like seatbelts, buckles, and latches to check that they are secure and of high quality.
• Durability . Sometimes the quality of the products in a travel system can vary. This may be true too if you splurge on a car seat and then skimp on the stroller. Take a close look at each component to see how durable and sturdy it is. Check for things like tires that won’t deflate or warp and fabrics that won’t break down.
• Lifespan . Whether you are buying a travel system or a stroller and car seat, look at the minimum and maximum for weight, height, and age. Many strollers transition from infant riders to child riders, this is especially true with those that accept an infant car seat. Some strollers also accommodate additional riders via a riding board or rumble seat. Infant car seats have similarly upper weight limits, but some can accommodate a slightly larger child. To get the most out of your gear, make sure it will fit your baby for years to come.
• Extra Features . Look at the specific features for each component. Does your stroller have a parent’s tray and a child’s tray? Does the car seat include a canopy? You can usually find more features with individual seats and strollers than travel systems, but don’t forget to scope out the details of each separate item before you buy!
• Budget . Of course, don’t forget about your budget. Budgeting is easier with a travel system because you only have to make one purchase. If you are opting for individual items, don’t splurge on one thing and then have to buy cheap when it comes to the other necessary items!

Some of My Favorite Picks

Britax b-lively & b-safe 35 travel system.

Britax is known for its safety. This Britax B-Lively & B-Safe 35 Travel System car seat and stroller are sturdy and durable. They have just enough features to keep things comfortable and convenient.

However, the extra elements don’t make it heavy or bulky. The three-wheel stroller design is agile, even with the car seat attached via integrated adapters.

• The Britax travel system is a stroller and car seat combo including the B-lively stroller, B-safe 35 infant car seat base and adapters
• Surrounded in safety: 1 layer of side impact protection, steel frame and safe cell impact absorbing base. Easy-release harness button makes it simple to loosen harness straps.
• Convenient features: Lightweight stroller with one hand quick fold, XL storage basket, ventilated UV 50+ canopy, and no re-thread infant car seat harness

Chicco Bravo Trio Travel System

The Chicco Bravo is a long-standing parent favorite. The lightweight car seat is incredibly safe and connecting it to the stroller is a breeze.

The stroller can be used as a frame stroller, to carry the infant seat without having to keep the child seat attached. Then you can switch out the carrier for the spacious and plush child seat as your child gets bigger. Little details like an adjustable handlebar make this affordable stroller a steal!

• CAR SEAT AND STROLLER COMBO – The Chicco Bravo Quick-Fold Stroller paired with the Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat creates a baby travel system.
• SEAMLESS TRANSITIONS – A removable seat and canopy transform the stroller to a lightweight infant car seat carrier and offers secure, click-in attachment via the child tray – no adapter needed.
• EASY TO USE | EASY TO STORE – With a compact, one-hand, smart fold design, the stroller stands independently without the push handle touching the ground. Large wheels with treaded tires and all-wheel suspension help navigate uneven terrain.

Graco® SnugRide® 35 Lite LX Infant Car Seat

Budget-friendly but also extremely protective, this seat doesn’t compromise. From the day you bring your baby home, the Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX seat keeps them safe and secure.

It includes removable head and body support pillows as well as a four-position recline for proper fit. The base of the seat is both LATCH and seatbelt equipped. Another wonderful characteristic of Graco is that stroller adapters are usually easy to find!

• SNUGRIDE PERFORMANCE: Infant car seat helps protect rear-facing infants 4-35 lb and up to 32"
• LIGHTWEIGHT CARRIER: Lightweight infant car seat weighs only 7.2 lb, making it easy to carry baby from car to stroller
• 4-POSITION ADJUSTABLE BASE: Helps ensure an accurate install and helps keep baby comfortable as he or she grows

CRUZ® V2 Stroller by UPPAbaby

Though you can pair an infant seat or bassinet with this stroller, the UPPAbaby Cruz shines all on its own. Sleek and agile, it’s effortless to maneuver down busy streets. Inside, the seat is spacious and deep, covered by an expansive canopy. The no-rethread harness makes adjustments a breeze.

Parents will love that the seat is multi-directional, either parent-facing or forward-facing. The spacious lower basket and leather-covered handle don’t hurt either! A contender for the Cruz model is the Vista model, and if you cannot decide, be sure to check out comparison guide between UPPAbaby Cruz vs Vista !

• Suitable for children from 3 months to 50 pounds
• Dual action rear suspension (patent-pending) is designed with two varying springs that respond in unison to soften the ride no matter the child's weight
• Smaller folded size makes it easier to carry, tuck away or take up less trunk space

It all comes down to your baby’s age, your preferences, and what you already own. If you’re starting from scratch with a newborn, an all-in-one travel system is the way to go.

If you already have some gear or your child is older, go for a separate seat and stroller so you won’t get items that you don’t need. No matter your needs, there are a lot of wonderful models available in both categories!

We hope this article cleared up a few things for you and provided you with some awesome recommendations. Feel free to let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Last update on 2024-06-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Best Travel Systems of 2024

Travel systems—car seat + stroller combos—make getting out with your baby a whole lot easier., by jen labracio | medically reviewed by holly peretz ot.

When you’re ready to roll with your little one, a car seat and a stroller is key. Thanks to the smarty who designed the first travel system―a car seat that clips onto a matching stroller―you can make one purchase and get both essentials. If you’re a new parent and just heard the term “travel system,” don’t worry—we’ll explain it all. (And if you came here looking for a travel stroller or a travel car seat , those are different, but we’ve got you covered there, too.) We’re also sharing important car seat safety information from a pediatrician and our top picks for the best travel systems.

Babylist’s Top Picks for the Best Travel Systems

• Best Travel System: Chicco Corso LE Modular Travel System
• Best More Affordable Pick: Evenflo Pivot Modular Travel System
• Easiest Install: Britax Willow Brook Travel System
• Best Car Seat: Nuna MIXX NEXT with Mag Buckle and PIPA Rx Travel System
• Most Versatile: Graco Modes Nest Travel System
• Best for a Growing Family: UPPAbaby MESA V2 Infant Car Seat & VISTA V2 Stroller Travel System
• Best Jogger: Baby Trend Expedition Race Tec Jogger Travel System
• Easiest to Fold: Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 All-Terrain Travel System
• Best Lightweight: Nuna PIPA urbn + TRVL Travel System
• Best More Affordable Lightweight: Graco FastAction Fold Sport Click Connect Travel System

In This Article

How we chose the best travel systems.

• Our Top Picks

What Is a Travel System?

Do you need a travel system.

• When Do You Need a Travel System

Are Travel Systems Safe for Newborns?

How to pick the best travel system, babylist’s picks for the best travel systems, best travel system stroller.

Chicco Corso LE Modular Travel System - Veranda

• Great combo of features, price + performance
• Stroller can be used as a frame carrier
• Includes parent-favorite car seat

What Our Experts Say

The price of a travel system can range from a few hundred dollars to well over a thousand. The Chicco Corso Travel System sits squarely in the middle of that price range and has a lot to offer, making it one of our favorite travel systems on the market. The car seat, the KeyFit 35, is a popular parent favorite—and our pick for the overall best infant car seat —that’s easy to install, packed with safety features and fits most babies really well. (It also works well for extended rear-facing use, with a good amount of headrest room and a weight maximum of 35 pounds.) The stroller shares many features with high-end strollers that cost upwards of a thousand dollars, including large, foam-filled tires and rear-wheel suspension for a smooth ride, a multi-position reclining seat, an adjustable canopy and footrest and leatherette trim. The stroller seat is fully removable, turning it from a full-featured toddler stroller into a lightweight, skeleton frame that’s much easier to manage when you’re using it with just the infant car seat.

What’s Worth Considering

If you want to spend a little less, check out the brand’s Bravo Trio Travel System . You’ll get the same infant car seat as part of the package deal, but not the same stroller—the Trio has plastic wheels instead of rubber and the ride isn’t as smooth as compared to the Corso. Parents also say the materials overall are a bit less durable. But considering the price, it’s still an excellent choice if you’re in the market for a solid travel system. favorite.

What Babylist Parents Say

“As a CPST I trust Chicco and all of their products. The ease of the KeyFit35 install is to die for. The car seat also feels comfortable and sturdy. I also love this stroller! The one-hand fold and the sleek design. It looks beautiful with the flower-like wheels and leather handle. It’s also a beautiful color. I would recommend to anyone.” -Patience Mabin

Additional Specs

Best More Affordable Baby Travel System

Evenflo Pivot Modular Travel System w/Litemax - Desert Tan

• Higher-end features at affordable price
• Six different stroller seating configurations
• Car seat exceeds industry safety standards

Parents rave about this travel system that offers so much for so little, and we couldn’t agree more. The Pivot has features we’ve come to expect from much pricier strollers, like the option to turn the regular seat into a newborn bassinet, a large canopy, a seat that can face forward or toward you and a removable child tray. The Litemax infant car seat that’s included far exceeds industry standards and is a favorite of CPSTs (Child Passenger Safety Technicians, AKA car seat safety experts). The base is made of impact-absorbing materials and has an anti-rebound bar to deflect the force of a crash, along with lots more impressive safety features.

The car seat included here is really where this travel system shines, especially for the price. The stroller doesn’t handle uneven terrain all that well, and parents complain that the wheels start to squeak over time. Users also note that attaching the car seat to the stroller may take a bit of finesse.

If you’re looking for a similarly affordable travel system that also converts from a single to a double stroller, check out the Evenflo Pivot Xpand Travel System with Litemax .

Craving a few upgrades? Take a look at the Evenflo Gold Shyft . It’s also a multi-mode seat that features SensorSafe technology (an app paired with a special car seat buckle that alerts you if your child is unbuckled, overheats or is left behind in the car) as well as upgraded fabrics, trim and wheels.

“I like the flexibility—it can easily change from holding the car seat to a bassinet to a “big kid” seat.” -Marie

Travel System with Easiest Install

Britax Willow Brook Travel System - Onyx Glacier

• Infant car seat is quick and easy to install
• Four ways to stroll
• One-step fold

Parents and car seat experts rave about ClickTight, Britax’s installation technology, calling it “ a remarkably simple and effective way to install a car seat .” But it’s never been available in an infant seat—until now. The Willow infant car seat included in this well-priced travel system features this installation system that makes getting a safe, secure install quick and easy. The seat also features three adjustment points (hips, shoulders and between the legs) for a custom fit and naturally flame-retardant fabrics (which are also washer and dryer safe). The stroller is on the lighter side and has a modular seat, a one-step fold and a large storage basket.

The stroller’s wheels are plastic and the suspension system isn’t the best, leading some parents to complain about a bumpy ride when on uneven terrain.

“We are on our 4th child so we have tried several other strollers and car seats before. I have to say that this set is top-notch. The stroller is fairly light and glides very smoothly with easy turns. The seat can lift up and turn around so baby can face frontward to see ahead or rearward to see us. The cupholder for the “pusher” is a nice touch. Car seat and base are also great but the cool thing about the ca seat is that it also clicks into the stroller until baby is big enough for the toddler seat. No complaints.” -bmshaw

Best Car Seat Travel System

Nuna MIXX Next with Mag Buckle and PIPA Rx Travel System - Caviar

• Includes ultra-light, ultra-safe parent favorite car seat
• Luxury features
• Stroller has great maneuverability and suspension

This travel system is (much) more than just its good looks—it’s also super functional. It combines the Nuna Mixx Next stroller, loved for its smooth ride (oversized tires + all-wheel suspension = one high-performing combo), generous storage basket, magnetic seat buckle and compact fold with the Pipa Rx Infant Car Seat, one of the lightest, safest and most popular infant seats on the market. (It also includes the Relx Base, Nuna’s anti-rebound base that features a fold-down stability leg to absorb collision forces and four latch positions for a better fit against your vehicle’s seat.)

The stroller fully reclines and boasts excellent maneuverability and the car seat is a breeze to snap in and out at only a little over seven pounds. This travel system is pricey, but well worth it if you’re looking for a luxury car seat + stroller combo that combines safety, durability and performance features.

This is a really pricey travel system, especially considering the stroller doesn’t convert to hold more than one child. Although the car seat is super light, the Mixx stroller is on the heavier side. The car seat’s seat pad is machine washable but the rest is spot-clean only.

Most Versatile Travel System

Graco Modes Nest Travel System - Sullivan

• Three different modes
• One-hand, self-standing fold

This travel system combines one of Graco’s most popular strollers, the Modes Nest, with their popular SnugRide 35 Lite Elite infant car seat, and the result is one pretty awesome travel system. The standout feature of the Modes Nest stroller is optionality. It’s three strollers in one, working as an infant car seat carrier (you can click the car seat directly onto the stroller frame), a bassinet (pram) and a toddler stroller with the ability to flip the seat parent- or forward-facing. Especially considering the price, this is a pretty impressive (and convenient) feature. Parents also love the snack tray and parent cup holder, large canopy and removable newborn head and body support. The car seat, the SnugRide 35 Lite Elite, weighs under 10 pounds and is easy to install. It works up to 35 pounds and has a four-position recline.

The stroller wheels are plastic, so it’s not ideal for rougher terrain or traversing over curbs.

Looking for a similar stroller but need it to work for a growing family? Check out the Graco Modes Nest2Grow Travel System . It expands to a double stroller and has over 15 configurations.

“We love this travel system for our daughter! The car seat is light, which I definitely appreciated after my C-section as I was not supposed to carry a lot of weight. The stroller is also lightweight and has great features! We were drawn to this stroller for the bassinet feature. We put our daughter down for walks and she naps peacefully while getting some fresh air. The stroller is also easy to fold and unfold. I feel like I could do it with one hand if I tried, which is great for any mom who already has their hands full with their little one!” -JCains

Best Travel System for a Growing Family

UPPAbaby MESA V2 Infant Car Seat & VISTA V2 Stroller Travel System - Mesa V2 Greyson/Vista V2 Greyson

• Grows with your family
• Tons of configurations

When this travel system hits the sidewalks, other strollers give it the jealous side-eye. The Vista (which consistently makes it into our best stroller guide) grows right along with your family. It can accommodate two infant car seats, two bassinets and countless other combinations. It has an amazing amount of high-end features and is a true delight to push—it easily steers with one hand, turns on a dime and can effortlessly take on rougher surfaces like cracked sidewalks and gravel. The Mesa infant car seat is reversible (parent-facing or front-facing) as are the toddler seats, and there’s shade galore with an enormous SPF 50 canopy, a huge storage basket, a telescoping handlebar and a red-to-green light indicator on the car seat base so you know when it’s been properly secured.

The Vista V2 travel system is expensive. It’s a large, bulky stroller and isn’t the easiest to break down. It can also be tough to push when it’s fully loaded with two kiddos. Unlike the Evenflo travel system above, the stroller component of this system is what shines rather than the car seat. While it’s not the hardest to install, it’s not always the easiest (always read your manual!) and the fit isn’t always the best for smaller babies.

“The flexibility!!! It was wonderful with one child and a lifesaver now that we have two under two. It has incredible storage capacity, many configuration options and so easy to use!!!” -Nicole

Best Jogging Travel System

Baby Trend Expedition Race Tec Jogger Travel System - Ultra Grey

• Super affordable jogging stroller
• XL wheels for any terrain
• Oversized storage basket

Jogging strollers aren’t known for being affordable, so it’s surprising that a travel system with a car seat and a jogger that handles as well as this one does could cost so little. The Expedition boasts the ability to make quick, sharp turns and has bicycle wheels to coast over gravel, grass, uneven pavement and other types of rough terrain. (The front wheel also locks for jogging.) It also features a jumbo storage basket, a removable XL canopy to block out the elements and an effortless fold that engages by pulling the triggers beside the handlebar.

You can’t jog with the stroller until your little one can sit up and has strong head and neck control, usually around eight months old. It’s also on the shorter side for a jogger, so a taller toddler may not fit in it for very long, meaning you won’t get as much use out of it as some of the larger (and more expensive) jogging strollers like BOB or Thule. The car seat can be tough to install.

“I am tall so this stroller was great for my height. The price was right and the car seat was very lightweight. It did not take up a lot of space in my small car and was easy to attach to the stroller. I love how smooth the jogging stroller was to push.” -Ashley

Ready to Add a Travel System to Your Registry?

With Babylist, you can add any item from any store onto ONE registry. Start your registry today and get a Hello Baby Box full of free (amazing!) goodies.

Easiest to Fold Travel System

Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 All-Terrain Travel System - Opulent Black

• Includes bestselling stroller
• Quick and easy one-handed fold
• Great for urban and suburban families

The Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 stroller is a parent favorite and a Babylist bestseller thanks to its agility and its unparalleled one-handed fold. Combine that with a versatile, ultrasafe car seat and you get a travel system that’s tough to top. The GT2’s slim profile and ability to quickly turn corners makes it perfect for crowded city streets as well as suburban sidewalks. With one hand you can quickly whip it closed and carry it up stairs or onto a commuter train no problem—it’s lighter than most full-size strollers. And because of its tight fold, it fits in smaller trunks.

The compatible City GO 2 car seat is just as great. You can safely secure it in a vehicle with or without a base (perfect for taxis or ride shares) and it pops right into the stroller.

The storage basket on the stroller is small and tough to reach, and the infant car seat is on the heavier side.

“My baby loves this stroller the most and we take it everywhere. Love the light weight, easy to fold feature and comfort.” -Lee

Best Lightweight Travel System

Nuna PIPA urbn & TRVL Travel System - Caviar

• Baseless infant car seat
• Lightweight travel stroller + 7-pound car seat
• Perfect for travel

If you plan on traveling frequently while your baby is an infant, or simply prefer a more lightweight stroller for everyday use, this is the travel system for you. It’s pricey, but it’s an extremely high-quality, safe and innovative stroller + car seat combo that is truly one of a kind.

This travel system from Nuna combines the brand’s TRVL stroller with the urbn, a baseless car seat. What’s so special about a baseless car seat? Most infant car seats can be installed without a base, but require a seat belt—along with time and patience. That’s not the case here. There’s no base to worry about AND the latch system is built right into the seat’s base. Simply press a button on each side to attach the seat directly to your vehicle’s lower anchors. It’s about as foolproof as it gets, and especially ideal if you’ll be using your car seat on the go in rideshares or taxis. It’s also an extremely safe way to secure a car seat to a vehicle.

Standout features of the TRVL stroller include a quick, one-handed fold, a compact size (it stands on its own and weighs just over 13 pounds) and an easy-access storage basket.

This travel system is expensive. The stroller doesn’t have a carry strap and doesn’t have many of the perks you’ll find on a full-size stroller. The urbn car seat has a lower height and weight limit than most infant car seats.

Best More Affordable Lightweight Travel System

Graco FastAction Fold Sport Click Connect Travel System - Gotham

• One-second, one-hand fold
• Modular seat
• Includes lightweight car seat

The second Graco travel system on our list, this one stands out as a much more affordable lightweight travel system that’s known for its one-handed, one-second fold. The FastAction system is a great choice if you’re looking for a safe, popular car seat and a stroller that’s easy to navigate. The stroller features a multi-position reclining seat, a large storage basket underneath and lots of extras like child and parent trays and cup holders. Another feature to love? The SnugRide 35 Lite infant car seat weighs less than eight pounds an is a parent favorite.

If you prefer a four-wheel stroller (and a modular seat) instead of a three-wheel configuration, Graco’s FastAction SE Travel System is a good option to consider.

“My husband and I bought this travel system for our grandson. It is so easy to use, and we can take it anywhere. The stroller is lightweight, and opens/closes with little effort. The front wheels make it simple to maneuver through doorways, around obstructions, and even rides like a breeze through grass and rocky terrain. I would recommend this system for anyone, but, it is especially convenient for people who may have difficulty with heavy, or more complex systems. Best of all - our grandson loves it!” -grandma2

• We analyzed results from Babylist’s Best Baby Products survey, which polled 6,000 Babylist users and asked them to share the baby products they love the most and why.
• We interviewed pediatrician Dr. Kelly Fradin and researched information on car seat safety and reviews from car seat safety experts and from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
• We utilized insight from the Babylist editorial team, including Gear Editor Jen LaBracio, an expert in the baby space for over six years and a mom of two who has written hundreds of baby gear guides and personally researched and tested hundreds of baby products, including many travel systems.
• We reviewed customer reviews from hundreds of real Babylist parents.

A travel system is a car seat and a stroller that attach to each other. Just unclip the car seat from its base in the back seat, snap it into the stroller and you’re off.

A travel system, sometimes also referred to as a stroller travel system or baby travel system, can be purchased in two ways:

• As a package deal from the same brand (the type of travel systems we’re reviewing here), or
• As a “make your own” set that combines a stroller and a car seat from different brands using adapters.

Package deals tend to be more economical than the DIY version and are guaranteed to work together—no adapters required. If you’re eyeing up a stroller and a car seat from different brands, however, don’t stress. Just keep in mind that not all brands work together and you’ll often need to buy separate adapters. Check out Babylist’s Infant Car Seat and Stroller Compatibility guide to learn more.

Unless your stroller comes with a bassinet attachment or fully reclines and is approved for newborn use, it’s not suitable for your little one until they can sit up unassisted—which usually happens around six months of age. And even if that is the case, you’ll still need to move your infant every time you want to transfer them from the car seat to the stroller (and back again).

Here’s where a travel system comes in. A travel system solves for strolling with your newborn before they’re able to sit up independently. It also means you won’t have to disturb your little one every time you need to make the switch between your car seat and your stroller.

When Do You Need a Travel System?

You’ll need a travel system right at birth if you plan on using your car to transport your little one. Most parents choose to research travel systems prior to baby’s arrival and have one ready to go before birth so they’re prepared.

Around six to nine months, your baby will be sitting up and will likely want a better view of the world—and then you can use the full-size stroller on its own. And because you can use the stroller from infancy through toddlerhood, it’s the only stroller you’ll need to purchase.

Yes, travel systems are safe for newborns. There are a few guidelines you’ll want to keep in mind, though.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against the use of car seats for sleep outside of a car. If your infant falls asleep in their car seat, they should be removed and placed in a crib or bassinet (or other safe sleep space) as soon as possible.

But what if your baby falls asleep in their car seat while you’re driving and is still asleep when you arrive at your destination? According to pediatrician Dr. Kelly Fradin , the best practice is to remove them and transfer them to a safe sleep environment.

“However, many parents, myself included, will want the child to finish their nap for a brief period. If you choose to do this to reduce risk be sure the baby is not overheating by removing hats, blankets and ventilating the car. Also, keep the straps snug and place the car seat on the floor under your direct supervision.”

“If babies are in an approved stroller with the car seat properly restrained, I think of it the same as being in a vehicle,” explains Dr. Fradin. “Keep them cool and supervised.”

Since a travel system includes two products—a car seat and a stroller—you’ll want to think through how you’ll use each piece of gear, both together and separately.

You’ll be using your stroller longer than your infant car seat, so that’s a good place to start. Think about the travel system stroller’s:

• Size and weight
• What type of terrain it can handle
• Ease of use (how it opens and closes, if it’s washable, etc.)
• Features and accessories (adjustable handlebar, canopy, etc.)

When selecting a car seat, it’s comforting to know that regardless of price, all car seats sold in the US must adhere to the same federal safety regulations. Other features to consider include:

• The seat’s age, height and weight minimums and maximums
• Features like washability, harness adjustment and side-impact protection
• How the seat will fit in your car

Expert sources in this article:

• Jennifer LaBracio, Babylist Sr. Gear Editor
• Dr. Kelly Fradin , Pediatrician
• American Academy of Pediatrics, “ How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe ”

Jen LaBracio

Senior gear editor.

Jen LaBracio is Babylist’s Senior Gear Editor, a role that perfectly combines her love of all things baby gear with her love of (obsessive) research. When she’s not testing out a new high chair or pushing the latest stroller model around her neighborhood, she likes to run, spin, listen to podcasts, read and spend time at the beach. In her past life, she worked for over a decade in children’s publishing. She lives outside of Chicago with her husband and their two boys, Will and Ben.

Travel Systems vs Convertible Car Seats: Which one should you buy?

Baby strollers may be our calling here at Baby Stroller Reviews , but we know that there are more decisions for parents to make than just strollers. One of the big struggles parents have is choosing the right car seat for their child. Parents now demand more from car seat manufacturers than ever before. We do not just want an infant car seat, we want more. The two main types of car seats that parents love are travel systems and convertible car seats.

What makes these favorites among parents? What features do each of these have? Buying a car seat will require you to make the same considerations as when you are buying a stroller . Below we will discuss what makes each of these types of car seats great so that you can make an informed decision.

Travel Systems

When your baby is born there are a lot of things to purchase. Wouldn’t it be great if you could purchase these things altogether? Well, you can.

A travel system is one option for parents that combines a rear facing car seat, a stroller base and usually a bassinet. They can be used for as long as your child fits into them – and as children are now recommended to sit rear facing until they no longer fit, they are used for a while. However, once you child is old enough to require a forward facing car seat they are no longer useful. You can read more about the features of travel systems here .

The pros : Travel systems will save you from buying a bassinet, car seat and stroller separately by combing them all into the one system. They allow for an easy transition from the car to stroller and back. This is welcomed when you have a sleeping baby that you don’t want to disturb.

The cons : Travel systems can be very heavy! As all parents will know car seats are not the lightest thing in the world and the base also needs to be strong enough to hold it. The base can also be heavy. The good news is that there are lightweight travel systems available. Travel systems can also only be used whilst your child is still using a rear facing car seat.

Convertible Car Seats

Your baby can not be rear facing forever. Although this is the safest way to have your baby positioned, eventually they will outgrow this and will require a forward facing car seat. This means that you will need purchase a forward facing car seat in addition to the rear facing car seat. But what if a car seat could be used both forward and rear facing? It can!

A convertible car seat is one that can be used either forward or rear facing. It is easy to see why this is beneficial for parents. It can be used throughout the duration of your childs life and adapts to them as they grow. They can also be found with a booster seat making them a 3 in 1 system. To help you find the best convertible car seat, you can compare them here . One of our favorites is the Safety 1st Guide 65 . It is strong, comfortable and affordable.

The pros : Convertible car seats grow with your baby. The moment they outgrow the rear facing position, the car seat can be turned around and used forward facing. This saves you from purchasing an additional car seat.

The cons : Convertible car sears can be on the higher end of your budget. They can also be very heavy.

Which one should I buy?

To answer this question you should consider a few things. Firstly, your budget.

Travel systems can be an expensive option, but if you would otherwise be purchasing a bassinet and stroller in addition to a rear facing car seat, then they can be a cost effective option. Regardless of this, you can find these things individually quite cheap and so travel systems remain costly.

Convertible car seats can vary greatly in their cost, although the cheaper they are the less features they have which may compromise safety. It is worth spending a bit more for the added safety features they include.

You also need to consider how long you plan to use the car seat. Is this an option for one child to follow him through the years? A convertible car seat may be your best option. Or, is this simply your first stroller for your first child? To save you the hassle of purchasing things individually, you may consider purchasing a travel system.

It is clear that both are great options for parents and it is definitely difficult to pick between them. There are too many variables to consider to give you a clear answer, so it is best to consider your own life style and requirements and go from there!

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The Best Car Seat and Stroller Combos for Traveling Near and Far

Move your newborn seamlessly from the car to the stroller with these editor-tested travel systems.

In This Article

Our Favorite Travel Systems

• Other Notable Travel Systems
• Our Testing Process

Our Experts

• Factors to Consider
• Safety Tips

Parents / Dera Burreson

A travel system—an infant carrier, base, and a compatible stroller—allows a seamless transition from a vehicle to the sidewalk, so you don’t have to wake up your sleeping baby (or needlessly annoy an awake one). The infant car seat attaches directly to the stroller without additional accessories. Some travel systems are one unit, meaning the infant car sea t converts directly into a stroller. Once your child outgrows their infant carrier, you can often use the stroller for their toddler years or pass the entire system down to a younger sibling. 

Car seat and stroller combinations should be user-friendly for parents, grandparents, babysitters, and others who may watch your child. Additionally, the strollers should maneuver effortlessly on different terrains and have safety features, such as brakes, UV canopies, and five-point harnesses.

To find the best travel systems, we tested 23 highly rated models in our testing lab and at home with our own children. We looked at assembly, stroller design, ease of installation in and out of vehicles, and function. Additionally, we considered value because travel systems can be costly, and we want families to find an option that lasts. 

• Easiest to Use: Uppababy Cruz V2 + Mesa V2 Infant Travel System

Best Mid-Range: Britax Willow Grove SC Travel System

• Best Luxury: Nuna Mixx Next Travel System

Best for City Use: Doona Infant Car Seat & Latch Base

Best budget: graco modes pramette travel system, best handling: chicco corso le modular travel system, best jogging stroller: bob gear wayfinder pack, best lightweight car seat: bugaboo fox 5 bassinet and stroller, best convertible: graco modes nest2grow travel system, easiest to use: uppababy cruz v2 + mesa v2 infant travel system, why we like it.

In terms of ease of use, the Uppababy Cruz travel system is hard to beat. The stroller arrived nearly assembled in the box—all we had to do was pop on the wheels. The sleek, full-grain leather handlebar and seatback are adjustable to accommodate both kids and parents. The large cargo area easily holds a medium-sized diaper bag, although a bar runs through the middle, making it difficult to have anything bulky and large. 

Maneuverability : The stroller is lightweight and easy to push on all terrain. We only had trouble getting it up steps due to the large tires, but it was light enough to be picked up and carried. It’s also worth noting that the toddler seat has a high weight capacity, so this can grow with your child as they get older.

Car Seat Installation : We tested Attaching the car seat to the base or stroller is seamless and makes a loud clicking sound, so you know it's installed all the way. Taking the car seat out of the base or stroller is also simple with the push of a button. A level indicator on the base turns green when it’s leveled correctly, giving you peace of mind your baby is secure. The no-rethread harness is simple to adjust, and there are storage pockets for harness buckles. 

But Take Note

Though it’s on the pricier side, it comes with several extras: a rain canopy, a mesh canopy to keep bugs away, and an extendable sun shade for super sunny days. Unfortunately, we had difficulty getting the canopy on the infant seat to stay securely in place. On the plus side, the stroller folds in half for easier portability. 

The Details:

• Stroller weight: 35 lbs. 
• Car seat weight: 10 lbs. for car seat, 19 lbs. with base 
• Stroller dimensions: 22.75 x 37.5 x 40 in.
• Car seat weight/height limits: 4-35 lbs., up to 32 in.

According to one of our testers, everything about this stroller felt “easy breezy.” It’s almost effortless to use, from a less-than-10-minute installation to comfort touches like a lumbar cushion to a one-handed fold. 

Maneuverability: The Britax Grove is a medium-sized stroller, but our testing found that it takes turns more like a compact stroller. Its generously sized wheels are large enough to take bumps in stride, even without suspension, and the stroller handled turf and concrete like a pro. The stroller felt light, solid, and high-quality while pushing with the car seat in place. 

Car seat installation: The car seat base features Britax ClickTight technology, meaning you can install it in a vehicle by threading the seatbelt through the base compartment (which conveniently opens), buckling it, and then snapping it back to close. This installation method is the easiest of all the car seat bases. All Britax infant seats work with a simple click-in and latch-out method. 

The only thing we didn’t love about this stroller is that it has two brakes, one on each back wheel, and they don’t have color indicators to show which is engaged. You have to press both brakes to keep the stroller entirely in place. If you press one, the stroller won't roll away from you, but it will turn. 

• Stroller weight: 24 lbs.
• Car seat weight : 9.3 lbs. seat; 10 lbs. base
• Stroller dimensions: 37 x 42 x 23.5 in.
• Car seat weight/height limits: 4-30 lbs., up to 32 in.

Best Luxury: Nuna Mixx Next + Pipa RX Travel System

Pottery Barn Kids

With a sleek and aesthetically pleasing design, the Nuna Mixx Next + Pipa RX Travel System feels high-quality, grows with your child, and maneuvers like a dream. It’s a lightweight travel system with soft, comfortable, and durable fabrics. 

The stroller came fully assembled—we only had to glance at the instructions to figure out how to unfold it, which was easy. The cargo area holds a diaper bag , but we wish it were a little bigger. Details like a leather carrying handle , magnetic buckle holders to keep straps out of the way, an adjustable handlebar, and no-rethread harnesses are all great touches. Plus, the UPF 50+ canopy is water-repellent, featuring an extendable sun shade, a flip-out eyeshade, a ventilation panel, and a peek-a-boo window to see your baby. 

Maneuverability : The stroller's suspension system gives it a smooth ride, and the rubber wheels have good traction. An overall lightweight feel makes it extremely easy to maneuver no matter where you are. We love how it still folds with the toddler seat and the one-touch brake that keeps the stroller securely in place. 

Car Seat Installation : The car seat is impressively light at just over 7 pounds, making it a breeze to carry and move from the base to the stroller. Attaching the car seat to the base and stroller—as well as detaching it from both—was simple, and we could do it one-handed with the press of a button. You can also adjust the infant seat or toddler seat to face forward or backward in the stroller.

The car seat base was trickier to install in a vehicle than other combos we tested. Installing the base took about 30 minutes, and we had to consult the manual and instructional videos to figure it out. Ultimately, we discovered that you have to be at a particular angle to use the LATCH system successfully, and overall, this was more difficult than many other options we tested. 

• Stroller weight: 28.5 lbs. 
• Car seat weight: 7.6 lbs. without base; 25.4 lbs. with base
• Stroller dimensions: 23.75 x 32.75 x 45.5 in. 
• Car seat weight/height limits: 4-32 lbs., up to 32 in. 
• Stroller age/weight limit: Birth to 50 lbs.

The Graco Modes Pramette is one of the most inexpensive travel systems on the market. It offers a smooth ride and plenty of storage space . The fabric is nice, and the spacious cargo area holds enough items for babies and parents. We appreciate extra features like a phone holder, cup holder, reclining toddler seat, and adjustable canopy. 

Maneuverability : This lightweight stroller has an excellent glide. It rolls smoothly over various terrains and is easy to lift over curbs, even with a 20-pound child and a diaper bag in the cargo space. The wheels operated efficiently around corners and through curvy "roads" in the lab. 

Car Seat Installation : Installing the car seat base into the vehicle using the LATCH system is simple. The infant car seat felt secure and fairly lightweight at just about 10 pounds. Attaching the car seat to the base is straightforward, while detaching it is slightly more tricky (the button is under the canopy). But the seat pops right in and out of the stroller and makes a clicking sound to let you know it’s secure. 

We had a little trouble assembling the stroller and detaching the toddler seat. The buttons on either side of the stroller seat require two hands to push down. Also, the handlebar doesn’t adjust, and we can’t fold the stroller one-handed. 

• Stroller weight: 20.9 lbs. 
• Car seat weight: 9.8 lbs. without base 
• Stroller dimensions: 23.5 x 34.5 x 44.75 in.
• Car seat weight/height limits: 4-35 lbs., up to 32 in. 
• Stroller age/weight limit: Up to 50 lbs.

The Doona is a one-piece stroller and car seat. The car seat converts into a stroller in seconds , with fold-down legs and a pull-out handlebar. It’s a convenient space saver and ideal for people who often use ride-shares or public transportation. We also recommend it for families who just want (or need) something quick and simple for in-and-out trips from the car to the next destination.

Maneuverability : Overall, we’re impressed with how easily this stroller maneuvers despite its 17-pound weight. It offers a gentle glide on most terrains, although its lack of suspension made us dubious of how it would perform on a rocky or bumpy surface. The size is small and narrow , so navigating crowded spaces and tight spots isn’t challenging. While the stroller is comfortable and straightforward to clean, it doesn’t feature any sort of storage basket or cup holder, and the seat does not recline. 

Car Seat Installation: We initially had difficulty figuring out how to attach and detach the seat from the base. You have to click a button on the base, which isn’t intuitive but becomes less complicated each time. We were in the same situation when learning to release the wheels; once you know how to operate, it’s simple. 

The Doona can be a little awkward to use because the handlebar is so low, and it doesn’t grow with your child as much as some other options—you’ll need to buy another stroller once your child reaches the weight limit of 35 pounds. 

• Stroller/car seat weight: 17 lbs.
• Stroller dimensions: 17.3 x 23.6 x 26 in. 
• Car seat and stroller weight/height limits: 4-35 lbs., up to 32 in.

The Chicco Corso travel system boasts a sleek design, convenient extra features, and a stroller that maneuvers easily on almost any terrain. The trendy design with mixed colors and leather accents stands out and includes several convenient features like a parent cup holder, a removable handlebar for kids, and an extendable canopy for full sun coverage. Plus, the spacious cargo area holds a lot of stuff. 

We appreciate the stroller’s simple one-handed fold that “can be done with a baby on your hip at the same time,” one tester noted. The stroller grows with your child, with a comfortable toddler seat that faces forward or backward, and you get a lot for the price.  

Maneuverability: This travel system moves seamlessly with a loaded car seat and full cargo space. It maneuvers surprisingly well on almost every surface; we only had a minor issue when going over a crumbling sidewalk. 

Car Seat Installation: Installing the car seat base into the vehicle using the LATCH system only took a few minutes. We had no problem attaching and detaching the car seat to the base with one hand, and throughout the process, each piece felt sturdy and secure.

One thing to note is that this combo requires a separate piece to click the car seat into the stroller. While this attachment comes with your purchase, you’ll need two hands to put the car seat and stroller together and connect the car seat and base. 

• Stroller weight: 18.7 lbs., 24.8 lbs. with toddler seat
• Car seat weight: 10 lbs. for seat, 18.5 lbs. with base 
• Stroller dimensions: 34.5 x 24.8 x 42.8 in. 
• Stroller age/weight limit: 50 lbs.

The BOB Gear Wayfinder Pack is comfortable to use as an everyday stroller, but it’s also ideal for joggers and runners, thanks to special features. For instance, the stroller has a hand brake, wrist strap , Velcro-shut mesh peekaboo window, an adjustable canopy, and more (like a parent cup holder). The cargo area zips to prevent anything from spilling out during jogs and runs, too. 

Maneuverability: For as heavy-duty as this jogging stroller is, it was downright effortless to maneuver, even with the front swivel wheel locked, which our testers, who are long-time runners, attested is unusual for a jogging stroller. The stroller maneuvered through turns and over every surface with ease, and the suspension kept the ride smooth , even on gravel. One key feature joggers will appreciate is that although the locked wheel will keep the stroller in a straight line, it can move left or right to weave through a crowd if necessary. 

Car Seat Installation: The car seat with the base is heavy, at nearly 20 pounds, and we struggled to snap it into the base. Beyond installation, the entire unit felt secure and didn’t wiggle. 

You may have to take the fabric off to adjust the car seat straps, which can be challenging (and time-consuming). Also, folding this stroller is more tedious because of its many features meant for maximum durability. 

• Stroller weight: 31.1 lbs.
• Car seat weight: 9.3 lbs. for car seat, 10.2 lbs. for base
• Stroller dimensions: 28.1 x 24.11 x 16.9 in.
• Car seat weight/height limits: 4-30 lbs./32 in.

The Bugaboo Fox 5 Stroller is compatible with the impressive Bugaboo Turtle Air by Nuna car seat (sold separately). We tested this car seat with the Bugaboo Fox 5 and found the travel system thoughtful, simple, and lightweight. The stroller is also lightweight yet sturdy and has just the right space in the under-storage basket, snack tray, and cup holder. Although it is a larger stroller, so you’ll want to check that you have the space to accommodate it if you need to store it indoors. 

Maneuverability: Our tester could wheel the Bugaboo around with one hand, taking sharp turns and sailing through doorways as smooth as butter . With cargo in the seat and basket, it still turned on a dime on all terrains. The brakes are also very easy to engage, so immediately stopping is doable.

Car Seat Installation: We are currently finalizing our testing of the compatible Bugaboo Turtle Air by Nuna car seat and recline base. Installation requires adapters, but the company includes them with this bundle. A color-coded chart on the reclining base specifies which position your baby should be in based on their current weight, with easy options to switch it up as needed. Installing the car seat base does require a few steps, per the product manual, but once it’s in, the base is very secure. 

Converting the bassinet to a seat is a challenge and requires two adults. Our testers admitted that they actually broke out into a sweat doing it. The good news, however, is that the transition is only a one-time thing, so once you finish it, you’re done with that task. Despite the claim that it’s a one-handed fold, we also found that reality requires two hands to complete the job. 

• Stroller weight: 22.97 lbs.
• Car seat weight: 7.06 lbs. for car seat
• Stroller dimensions: 36.6 x 23.6 x 41.3 in.
• Car seat weight/height limit s: 4 to 32 lbs., 15.7 to 32.6 in.

Parents / Jessica Juliao

The Graco Modes Nest2Grow is a three-in-one travel system , with the stroller transforming into an infant car seat carrier, infant pramette, and toddler stroller. We love the useful features, like an expandable cargo area ideal for a whole-day excursion. (This is particularly useful for city dwellers who walk to the store). We also appreciate the included cup holders for parents and kids and a snack tray. There’s also some adjustability: you can move the seat up or down to your preferred height, and though the fabric does feel a little scratchy, it looks pricier than it is. 

Maneuverability: The stroller glides smoothly over different terrains and is surprisingly easy to lift up stairs. Without a child inside, the stroller feels lightweight. The stroller folds, so you can put it in your vehicle’s trunk or store it out of sight, but you’ll need two hands to fold it. 

Car Seat Installation : With some guidance from the manual, installing the car seat was mostly simple, but we had some difficulty assembling the stroller. We had no trouble installing the car seat base into the vehicle using the LATCH system (though it also feels secure with a seat belt installation). Additionally, we encountered zero issues when attaching and detaching the car seat and toddler seat into and from the stroller. At just 7.5 pounds, this car seat is very lightweight , so it’s a great option if you plan to carry it around often.

The stroller is a little heavy to push, especially with a child inside the infant seat, and it’s on the larger side for a stroller. 

• Stroller weight: 21.96 lbs. 
• Car seat weight: 7.5 lbs.
• Stroller dimensions: 38 x 26.77 x 41.85 in.

Parents / Tamara Staples

Parents / Leticia Almeida

Other Notable Car Seat and Stroller Combos

We also tested the following car seat and stroller combinations, and while they did not make our final list of recommendations, we found them worth mentioning.

• Chicco Bravo Trio Travel System : The Chicco Bravo is a straightforward stroller that offers value and ease of use. Unfortunately, it doesn’t push as smoothly on concrete surfaces as the other strollers we tested, and it had one loose wheel. 
• Baby Jogger City Sights Travel System : While this travel system had some nice features, like great maneuverability and a sleek design, it lacked any additional bells and whistles that would justify its price tag. 
• Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Travel System : Unlike most car seat and stroller combos, this Baby Trend doesn’t “click” into the stroller but attaches over a child tray, so it does come with a bit of a learning curve. It’s a basic stroller meant for rugged terrain. 
• Evenflo Shyft : The Evenflo Shyft is an infant car seat that converts into a stroller. However, you can’t use the stroller as a standalone version past the infant car seat stage, so we felt that there were more functional options for the price point. 

Our Testing Process 

Parents editors, staff, and real parents tested 23 car seat and stroller combinations in our testing lab and real-life situations over time, reassessing results at two-month and six-month intervals. We tested each car seat both as a standalone car seat and in combination with the stroller and assessed the following attributes: 

• Ease of Assembly: We assembled each stroller, if necessary, noting what pieces we required attachment and if the process was effortless or challenging. 
• Vehicle Installation: We timed how long it took to install the car seat base into the car using the seat belt or LATCH system, paying attention to how simple it was to click the car seat into the base and remove it. We noted whether these things could be done one-handed and if doing so jostled the seat enough to wake a sleeping baby.
• Stroller Installation: To assess how the car seat worked with its stroller, we examined whether the seat popped effortlessly into the stroller and if the process required one or two hands.
• Design: We considered the weight, features, adjustability, and size of the car seats and strollers. 
• Maneuverability: We walked the strollers on different terrains in the lab and real world, including concrete, grass, rocks, and more. We wanted to know if strollers felt stable or shaky and how they maneuvered up and down steps or curbs. 
• Ease of Cleaning: Testers followed the manufacturers’ cleaning directions for the car seats and cleaned each at least once during the testing period. 
• Value: At the end of the initial testing period, we asked testers if they felt their travel system was worth the cost or overpriced. We wanted to know if they would pay the price tag—or more—or on sale. 

We consulted the following experts on safety tips and features to keep in mind when choosing a car seat and stroller combination:

• Petra Stanton , car safety seat installer and trainer at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida
• Kelly Moriarty , Injury Prevention Coordinator at Novant Health in Charlotte, North Carolina

Factors to Consider When Buying a Stroller Car Seat Combo

Along with personal factors, such as your budget and any brand preferences, we found it helpful to consider the following when choosing a stroller and car seat combo:

• Age, Weight, and Size Limits: Most car seat-stroller combinations have a weight limit of 35 pounds (but check your brand’s specific limits). “Keep in mind that your child may be ready to transition into a larger car seat in the first year of life, so look at the stroller and decide how convenient it will be to use the stroller after the child outgrows the car seat,” adds Stanton. “Thinking ahead is the key here.” If the travel system has a detachable infant car seat, you can use the stroller for older infants without an infant car seat, surpassing the average 35-pound limit.
• Stroller Size and Portability : In general, most parents want a stroller that is fairly compact, easy to store when not in use, narrow enough to fit through most doorways, and portable enough to be taken almost anywhere. Bulky, large strollers may quickly feel inconvenient. On the other hand, a larger stroller that can convert after the infant car seat stage offers longevity for older children, too. Consider how you’ll use the stroller, such as quick in-and-out trips for school pickups, navigating public transport, or using it for travel.
• Maneuverability: A stroller shouldn’t be difficult to push, so look for features to enhance maneuverability, such as a suspension system and durable tires. These features make a difference once you add a child’s weight (and potentially their car seat) to the seat.
• Installation: Remember the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) safety guidelines when installing the infant car seat base into your vehicle. You can use either the seat belt or LATCH system, but regardless of the method you choose, tightly secure the car seat and allow for zero wiggle room. Remember that infants should ride in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible until they max out on height or weight. If you are unsure of how well you installed the seat or experienced an issue, don’t hesitate to consult a professional. “Find a local nationally certified car seat technician in your area,” suggests Stanton. “The list of technicians can be found on cert.safekids.org . If there are none in your area, look for technicians who offer virtual education.” 

Is Buying an Infant Car Seat and Stroller Together Worth It?

Travel systems are very convenient for families and caregivers who are often on the go. Think about how often you’ll need to click your car seat into a stroller. If you plan on running many errands with your baby or taking them out a lot, a travel system can save you time and energy. If you don’t plan on doing this, it’s not necessary—you can just purchase a separate car seat and stroller. 

How to Use Infant Car Seats and Strollers Safely

Don’t assume that learning to use your car seat and stroller is intuitive. “Read the manual that comes with it to make sure you are using the products correctly, from strapping the child in properly to correctly installing the carrier in your car,” Moriarty urges. If you need additional help, many parenting products feature a scannable QR code to pull up a digital manual on your phone.

Here are some additional tips to keep in mind: 

• Ensure the stroller fits you: A stroller and car seat should fit your baby, but they’ll also need to fit you to adhere to ergonomic standards and keep your own back and body healthy. “Make sure the stroller is a good height and that you are able to operate it comfortably,” says Moriarty. A car seat that attaches and detaches from the base and stroller with just one hand makes it much simpler for caregivers with their hands full. If these processes require two hands, it may not be the best option, especially if you have more than one child. 
• Know how to use all the safety features: Since car seat safety is the biggest priority, “ease of car seat installation is one of the main points to look for,” Moriarty says. An improperly installed car seat may not work in a crash or a sudden stop. The same goes for the stroller: check for features like brakes that lock with clear visual indicators, “click-in” car seat installation, and level indicators. You’ll also want to check for any potential safety hazards, like buttons or levers little fingers could get pinched in. 
• Keep your baby properly harnessed: All travel systems or car seat stroller combinations in the U.S. will come with a full five-point harness. Our safety experts recommend keeping your baby harnessed even when using the car seat outside of the vehicle. 
• Avoid sleeping and strolling: Don’t completely replace the stroller seat with the car seat, our experts advise. Whenever possible, your baby should sleep in a car seat while strolling. “Car seats are for riding in cars, not all-day stays,” Stanton warns. “While it’s easy to keep the baby sleeping in the car seat, it may not be the safest choice. Safe sleep research shows that babies are safest in their empty beds on their backs.” If you want your baby to nap safely while on the go, opting for a travel system with a bassinet attachment might be beneficial. 
• Register your car seat stroller combo: Lastly, now that parenting product safety regulations are updated frequently, registering your car seat and stroller is always a good idea to get notifications about any safety recalls. For recall notices, you can also check the Consumer Products Safety Commission’s (CPSC) site . 

Chaunie Brusie, RN, BSN , is a labor and delivery nurse turned health and parenting writer and a mother of five. She has written extensively on parenting products, including car seats and strollers and their combination use. Although not a primary pick on our list, Chaunie’s favorite travel system was the Baby Trend jogger, primarily because she pretended to be a jogger down her rural dirt roads in her prime baby-rearing days.

Car Seats: Information for Families. American Academy of Pediatrics. 2024.

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The Best Convertible and All-in-One Car Seats

By Christina Szalinski

Your kid could end up sitting in the same convertible car seat for five years or more, so it’s arguably your most significant car seat purchase.

We’ve evaluated more than 90 convertible seats since 2017. And after interviewing safety experts and enduring aching muscles from installing literal towers of car seats, we’ve concluded that the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible is the overall best choice. This seat does a standout job of encouraging extended rear-facing use—the safest position for a young child.

Everything we recommend

Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat

The best convertible car seat.

This seat does a superior job of keeping a child rear-facing for longer—and it’s straightforward to install and use.

Buying Options

Britax Poplar Convertible Car Seat

The easiest convertible seat to install (by far).

Thanks to Britax’s ClickTight technology, the Poplar seat requires less effort to install than any other seat we tested. It looks and feels plusher than our top pick, but it isn’t quite as good for extended rear-facing use.

Britax Poplar S Convertible Car Seat

Same seat, with a few extras.

Like the Poplar seat, the Poplar S has easy ClickTight installation. It’s slightly more expensive because it includes an anti-rebound bar, which can provide an extra safety measure in a crash.

Clek Foonf Convertible Car Seat

Built like a tank, but fussier to install rear-facing.

This high-end convertible seat is great for extended rear-facing use. It’s narrow and easy to keep clean, and it comes with an anti-rebound bar.

Graco Extend2Fit 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat

A seat that lasts from infant to big-kid years.

This 3-in-1 option has many of the same qualities we like in our top pick, the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible, plus it converts to a booster seat. But there are some caveats.

How we picked

A properly installed car seat is a safe car seat, so we looked for seats with easy installation.

We evaluated independent crash-testing scores and ease-of-use ratings (when available), as well as the seats’ individual safety features.

Kids are safest when they’re in the rear-facing position, so we looked for seats with height and weight limits and design features that would support that position longer.

Instead of conducting our own crash testing, safety experts encouraged us to focus on how the seats performed in the real world.

We also recommend the Britax Poplar and Britax Poplar S for those whose top priority is ease of installation. The Clek Foonf is an also-great pick for families that are happy to pay more for a beautiful but super-heavy (and ultra-sturdy) seat. And the Graco Extend2Fit 3-in-1 is our pick for those who are set on an “all-in-one” seat that transitions from infant seat to convertible to booster.

A convertible car seat is designed to evolve as your child grows. Once your child has outgrown their infant seat’s height or weight limits (usually when they are around 30 inches long or 30 pounds), they will be ready for one of these larger seats with a five-point safety-harness; this will likely happen when your kid is between 6 months and 2 years of age. Once you transition to a convertible seat, your baby or toddler will start out sitting in it rear-facing and eventually end up as a much bigger kid riding in it forward-facing. Getting the hang of convertible seats can be daunting—what with their various installation modes and positions, multiple seat belt paths, and safety tethers. That’s why we set out to find the models that are the simplest and safest to install and use.

The Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat has a lot going for it, including pretty easy installation and thoughtful features, and it’s also a great value. But, most importantly, this seat excels at keeping your kid comfortable while they ride rear-facing—the safest position for a young child—for longer. Many large toddlers and preschoolers struggle to stay rear-facing because at a certain point they start to feel squashed. The Extend2Fit Convertible seat addresses that problem by adding an extension panel, which pulls out to provide 5 inches of extra legroom in rear-facing mode. Kids can remain rear-facing in this seat until they reach 50 pounds, so this model offers the highest capacity of the seats we tested. (All of our picks have a 50-pound rear-facing weight limit.) We found installing the seat to be quick and intuitive, particularly when using the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system, which lets you attach a pair of metal hooks on the seat to a set of anchors built into the car. The Extend2Fit Convertible seat’s LATCH install system can be used for children weighing up to 45 pounds; this is the highest LATCH weight limit of any of the seats we tested. Also, the seat is lightweight and has a no-rethread harness, so as your kid grows, you don’t have to take the seat apart to adjust the straps.

Weight of seat: 19 pounds

Seat dimensions: 19.5 inches wide by 23.7 inches tall (with the headrest in its lowest position)

Passenger rear-facing weight and height range: 4 to 50 pounds; head must be at least 1 inch below the headrest’s handle

Passenger forward-facing weight and height range: 22 to 65 pounds; up to 49 inches tall (tops of the child’s ears must also be below the top of the headrest)

The Britax Poplar Convertible Car Seat and the Poplar S Convertible Car Seat are both stylish and user-friendly models that stand out for their incredibly easy installation. They feature Britax’s innovative ClickTight installation system: You thread your vehicle’s seat belt through a path beneath the seat cushion and then close the seat cushion. Then a built-in mechanism tightens everything securely into place—no grunting, sweating, or swearing required. (You can also use LATCH to install the Poplar seats, but Britax recommends the seat belt method, and we agree.) Like our top pick, both Poplar models have a no-rethread harness, which makes ongoing strap adjustments hassle-free. However, although both Poplar seats have a 50-pound rear-facing limit, in our experience they don’t provide much legroom in rear-facing mode. But if a fast, convenient install matters most to you, then either the Poplar or the Poplar S will be your best bet. The Poplar S comes with an anti-rebound bar, a steel support piece that, in the case of a crash, can help to reduce the rebound motion of the seat.

Weight of seat: 27.2 pounds (Poplar), 29.1 pounds (Poplar S, with anti-rebound bar attached)

Seat dimensions: 17 inches wide and 23.5 inches tall (with the headrest in its lowest position)

Passenger rear-facing weight and height range: 5 to 50 pounds; head must be at least 1 inch below the top of the headrest

Passenger forward-facing weight and height range: 20 to 65 pounds; up to 49 inches (tops of the child’s ears must also be below the top of the headrest)

The Clek Foonf Convertible Car Seat offers an appealing combination of safety features, handsome aesthetics, and clever engineering. At 38 pounds, it’s heavy as all get-out—something people are likely to either love (because it feels like a tank) or hate (because it’s a monster to move). Similar to the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible and the Britax Poplar seats, the Foonf can accommodate a child in the rear-facing position until they reach 50 pounds. This seat doesn’t have a pull-out extension for added legroom like the Extend2Fit Convertible does. But due to the Foonf seat’s design and the way it reclines, it feels roomy and spacious when rear-facing, even for taller kids. Like the Poplar S, the Foonf seat comes with an anti-rebound bar. Installing the Foonf in the forward-facing position with LATCH is beyond easy. However, the rear-facing install is a bit tricky. Once the Foonf is installed, it feels rock-solid, but it may be a better fit for families that don’t need to move the seat frequently.

Weight of seat: 33 pounds when forward-facing, 38 pounds when rear-facing (with added base and anti-rebound bar)

Seat dimensions: 13 inches wide at the base, 17 inches at the widest point, and 28 inches tall (forward-facing, with the headrest in the lowest position)

Passenger rear-facing weight and height range: 14 to 50 pounds (or 5 pounds if you purchase a Clek Infant-Thingy ); 25 to 43 inches (19 inches with use of the Infant-Thingy); head must be at least 1 inch below the top of the headrest

Passenger forward-facing weight and height range: 22 to 65 pounds; up to 49 inches (tops of the child’s ears must also be below the top of the headrest)

An all-in-one car seat is meant to be a utility player: It can be used as a rear-facing infant seat, a rear-facing toddler seat, a forward-facing toddler seat, a big-kid seat, and finally a booster seat. Buying a single car seat (versus three or even four) is often cost-effective, and it sounds like a genius idea, in theory. But we’ve found that each individual type of seat tends to do a far better job of its dedicated purpose than an all-in-one seat can. However, if you decide to buy an all-in-one, the Graco Extend2Fit 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat is a solid choice. It’s the all-in-one version of our top-pick convertible seat, the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible, and it has the same features, including an extension panel for added legroom and a no-rethread harness. The straightforward installation, whether via seat belt or LATCH, is the same, too. But the LATCH method, which we prefer, can be used only until your child reaches 40 pounds. (The Extend2Fit Convertible seat has a 45-pound LATCH limit.) Also, the Extend2Fit 3-in-1 seat’s highest shoulder-harness setting is more than an inch shorter than the one on the regular Extend2Fit Convertible, so you may end up needing to switch your kid from convertible to high-back booster mode sooner than you’d like.

Weight of seat: 21.9 pounds

Seat dimensions: 19 inches wide by 24.5 inches tall (with the headrest in its lowest position)

Passenger booster mode weight and height range: 40 to 100 pounds; 43 to 57 inches; also, at least 4 years old (but most experts recommend waiting until at least age 5)

The research

Why you should trust us, who should get this, how we picked and tested, our pick: graco extend2fit convertible car seat, runner-up: britax poplar convertible car seat and poplar s convertible car seat, also great: clek foonf, also great: graco extend2fit 3-in-1 car seat, other good convertible seats, the competition, care, use, and maintenance.

We interviewed safety authorities, engineers, and physicians, asking them to detail the most important safety and usability considerations for convertible and all-in-one car seats. We consulted Child Passenger Safety Technicians ( CPST s) and car-seat safety advocates, and we had an in-person meeting and assessment of the seat finalists with an injury-prevention expert.

Christina Szalinski is a science writer with a PhD in cell biology whose reporting on health has appeared in The Atlantic , Scientific American , Undark , and more . In addition to writing the most recent versions of Wirecutter’s guides to the best infant car seats and travel car seats , she is responsible for Wirecutter’s guides to the best baby formula and kids face masks . Christina has three children; she can frequently be found ferrying them around in her Honda Odyssey minivan.

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.

All young kids need to be buckled into the appropriate car seat for their age and size every time they’re on the road. Many families will begin their car-seat journey by using a dedicated infant seat . The infant seat is replaced by a convertible car seat when a child is somewhere between 6 months and 2 years of age; this depends on the size of the child and the kind of seat. (Convertible seats can also be used for infants, usually from 5 pounds and up and with the addition of an infant insert. But since they’re not portable, like the bucket portion of an infant seat, we don’t think they’re especially well suited to the task.)

The term convertible refers to the fact that this type of car seat can be installed either rear-facing or forward-facing. Although the laws vary , many states require that a kid remain in a car seat with a five-point harness—which all infant seats and convertible seats have—until they’re at least 40 pounds or 4 years old. Experts, however, recommend keeping your child in a five-point harness until they outgrow the seat’s height and weight limits . That means it’s possible to get from two to five years of use from a standard convertible car seat before you move on to a booster seat (which relies on just the car’s seat belt as a restraint).

Rear-facing vs. forward-facing car seats

Many states also require that children under a year old ride rear-facing in car seats, and increasingly state laws require kids to stay rear-facing up to the age of 2 (though longer is better). Both the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (PDF) and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children stay rear-facing for as long as possible. That is, “until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat manufacturer,” according to the AAP. The British Medical Journal concluded in 2009 that a child is safer riding rear-facing until they’re 4 years old .

Why is rear-facing so much safer? Because in the case of a head-on collision, when a child is facing to the rear, the impact of the crash would be absorbed primarily by their backside, which is cocooned and protected by the shell of the car seat. But if the child is facing forward, the force of a frontal crash is going to propel their body forward, with the strain absorbed by their head, neck, and spine.

Children’s anatomy plays a role, too. Alisa Baer, a pediatrician and co-founder of The Car Seat Lady website, points out that a 2-year-old’s head makes up about 18% of their body weight, whereas an adult’s head comprises only about 6% of their body weight. So in a crash, a forward-facing toddler would endure far more force to their neck, relatively speaking, than an adult would under the same circumstances. Also, a child’s bones aren’t fully formed until they’re about 6 years old—they’re stretchy—whereas the nerves of the spine don’t stretch. That combination—a heavy head and stretchy bones—makes the spinal cord more vulnerable to being broken.

The research that we’ve conducted for our various car seat guides has led us to conclude that the safest approach is to move a child from an infant car seat to a rear-facing convertible seat, and to keep them in that position until the child reaches the seat’s height or weight limit for rear-facing installation (these limits are generally different and lower than a seat’s forward-facing limits). Yes, your child may complain, but we believe the trade-offs and inconveniences are worth it for the added safety.

Once you turn your convertible car seat forward-facing, it’s extremely important to use the included top tether, a strap that attaches from the back of the car seat to a tether anchor built into your car. In a crash, this strap limits the forward motion of the seat , ideally preventing the child’s head from hitting the back of the seat in front of them or the center console.

Using the tether is not optional. Check your vehicle manual to confirm the location of the tether anchors. Although tether anchors have been required in vehicles since 2001, there is no standard position for them . And it’s easy to mistake other parts of the vehicle, like cargo hooks, for them, but cargo hooks don’t have the same load-bearing capacity.

Your child can remain forward-facing until they’ve outgrown the seat’s forward-facing weight or height limit. They will not be eligible for a booster seat until they’re at least about 40 pounds and 38 to 40 inches tall, and until they’re mature enough to sit upright in a booster seat without slouching, wriggling around, or leaning (which usually happens around age 5, at the earliest).

All-in-one car seats

The typical progression is for a child to start out in an infant car seat , then move to a convertible car seat, and finally transition to a booster seat . But an alternative approach is to purchase an all-in-one car seat, also known as a 3-in-1 or 4-in-1. This can serve as a rear-facing seat for infants and younger babies and a forward-facing seat for toddlers and preschoolers, and then it can convert to a booster seat for bigger kids. (Depending on the all-in-one model, it will have either a high-back booster, which makes it a 3-in-1, or a high-back booster that can additionally be converted to a backless booster, which makes it a 4-in-1.)

The main selling point of an all-in-one is that you’ll buy only one seat—or at least that’s the hope. This type of seat will typically cost less, and it will certainly be more environmentally friendly than buying multiple seats. And we can see how an all-in-one might also make sense if you’re in the market for an ancillary car seat—say, to keep at the grandparents’ house.

But for most situations, we don’t think all-in-one seats are the best option. A dedicated infant seat (a bucket-shaped carrier that has a handle and clicks in and out of a base that remains in the car) makes toting your baby around easy. And over the years, car seats take a lot of wear and tear (think layers of pulverized crackers), so many caregivers are elated when the time comes for a fresh replacement. Beyond that, car seats are constantly evolving, so in years to come, you may discover that you’d prefer a newer model with more-advanced safety or design features.

Similarly, we don’t think it’s worth paying more for a rotating car seat —one that swivels toward you—to help you load or unload your child.

All of our research led us to conclude that that ideal convertible or all-in-one car seat should be:

Simple to install: When it comes to car seats, installation is undoubtedly the biggest potential source of frustration. And our experts confirmed that it’s also the most common barrier to car seat safety (if a seat isn’t installed properly, it can’t work optimally). We sought seats that were intuitive to install—with bonus points for especially clear, accessible instructions—so that a diligent adult following the manual could manage a correct installation within a few minutes, without expert assistance. We also considered ease-of-use ratings by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the federal agency charged with road safety. These ratings, which score seats on a scale of one to five stars, are based on factors such as how simple the seats are to install and the clarity of their instructions.

We looked for seats that could be installed easily in the rear-facing position and the forward-facing position, using either the vehicle’s seat belt or the LATCH system. (LATCH, which lets you install a car seat by attaching metal clips on the car seat to hooks built into the car, can be found on all cars and car seats manufactured after September 1, 2002 .) The LATCH install method can be used only up to a certain weight limit; then you must switch over to a seat belt install.

As safe as possible: We evaluated the frontal crash-testing data from the NHTSA. However, since car seats are not required to be certified before sale, several of the seats included in our at-home testing did not yet have government crash-testing data available; this limited our ability to compare results systematically. Additionally, we considered it a plus if seats had design elements or features, like an anti-rebound bar, that made them inherently safer.

Designed for extended rear-facing use: Both the NHTSA and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that a child ride rear-facing until they reach the height and weight limits of the seat—and we wanted those limits to be generous. We also took into account design features that would make the ride more comfortable and the fit better for bigger kids.

User-friendly: A car seat should be functional, and—in a perfect world—have thoughtful features. Are the seat’s harness straps simple to adjust? Are the buckles easy for caregivers to clip and unclip but difficult to impossible for toddlers to compromise? Is the seat comfortable for a child? How hard is it to keep clean?

Using the above criteria, we’ve considered close to 90 convertible and all-in-one car seats since 2017, and I’ve personally tested 17 models since late 2021.

I installed all of the convertible and all-in-one seats in the second row of my Honda Odyssey minivan, evaluating all of the possible install methods and positions: rear-facing with LATCH, rear-facing with seat belt, forward-facing with LATCH, and forward-facing with seat belt.

I also spent six hours comparing our top convertible and all-in-one car seats with Gina Duchossois , an injury-prevention expert with the Injury Prevention Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), the chair of Safe Kids Southeastern Pennsylvania , and a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST).

What about crash testing?

Multiple experts told us that as advanced as today’s crash-testing tools are, they aren’t advanced enough to reliably differentiate among a set of well-engineered seats or to tease out an A+ from an A-.

“I’m not sure that crash testing would give you meaningful results,” said Jessica Jermakian, VP of vehicle research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) , a nonprofit organization dedicated to automotive safety. “If you’ve already picked the four best seats from all the other perspectives, then you can feel confident that engineers have spent a lot of time designing those seats for a good and safe user experience.”

After careful consideration and consultation with experts, we reached the decision that field testing alone, without crash testing, should dictate our picks within this guide. Caregivers can take comfort in knowing that most car seats do their jobs very well. “Five-point harness child restraint seats are highly effective in reducing the chances of injury and death,” explained Matt Maltese , an engineer and crash-testing expert who’s worked for both NHTSA and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia . “The best car seat is the one that fits your kid, fits your car, and is used properly on every trip,” Maltese said.

What about travel car seats?

A convertible car seat’s weight can be an important factor for some families—especially those that often travel with car seats, take frequent taxi rides, have strength or mobility issues, or move their car seats in and out of different vehicles regularly. For the purposes of this guide, we didn’t intentionally seek out lightweight seats. If you need a very lightweight convertible car seat for travel, we recommend the no-frills, 6.8-pound Cosco Scenera Next , the top convertible-seat pick in our guide to the best travel car seats . But we don’t think it’s great for everyday use.

The Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat is a well-designed, well-executed convertible model that checks the most important boxes on our wishlist at a great price. This seat is easy to install and adjust. And with its generous rear-facing weight limit (50 pounds) and an extendable panel to provide additional legroom as kids grow, this seat is one of the best convertible models for enabling kids to stay rear-facing longer. (In the case of an accident, a child is safest in that position.)

It has a longer-lasting LATCH system. Like other convertible car seats, the Extend2Fit Convertible seat can be installed using either the vehicle’s seat belt or LATCH. Many convertible seats have LATCH weight limits that are around 35 to 40 pounds—when your child reaches that weight, you must switch over to a seat belt install. But the Extend2Fit Convertible has a LATCH weight limit of 45 pounds, for both the rear- and forward-facing positions. The majority of kids won’t hit 45 pounds until they’re around 6 years old—and by that time, they’re likely ready for a booster seat. So there’s a good chance you’ll be able to use the LATCH install for the full life of this car seat, if you choose. (LATCH is our preferred method to install this seat.)

It’s easy to install. It’s simple to install the Extend2Fit Convertible seat rear-facing with LATCH (video) . You just recline the seat to the appropriate position, push the LATCH clips onto your car’s LATCH anchors, and tighten the straps. Tightening the LATCH straps can take some force; this is true for just about every seat, with the exception of our runner-up picks , the Britax Poplar and Poplar S seats.

To install the Extend2Fit Convertible using the seat belt, you thread the seat belt through the appropriate path; that’s below the seat for rear-facing and behind the seat for forward-facing. Then you have to manually tighten the seat belt and engage its locking feature (video) ; you do this by pulling the seat belt all the way out and and then slowly letting the slack back in, while holding tension on the seat belt. (Because it can be tricky to get the seat belt tight and locked, we prefer the LATCH install method for this seat.) When you’re done, the Extend2Fit Convertible shouldn’t move back and forth more than an inch, if you grab it at the belt path and wiggle it.

To get the Extend2Fit (and most convertible car seats) in extra-snug, there are a couple of tricks, like the seat-back recline install trick (video) and the inside/outside trick (video) .

If the seat has been installed forward-facing—using either the LATCH or seat belt method—be sure to attach the included top tether to the vehicle’s tether anchor. (This is usually above or behind the car’s rear seat; check your vehicle manual to confirm the location.)

It’s relatively easy to get a kid into. The Extend2Fit Convertible seat’s sides are fairly low (though not as low as the sides on our also-great pick, the Clek Foonf ), so it’s easy to get your child in and out.

The harness is a cinch to tighten. The harness is easy to tighten around your child—you just pull on the strap located at the front end of the seat. And on both sides of the seat, there are little harness holder pockets, where you can temporarily rest the strap clips while you’re getting your child settled. The buckle for securing the harness straps is straightforward to use.

It promotes extended rear-facing. One of our favorite things about this car seat is how exceptionally well it facilitates extended rear-facing. It comes with a pull-out footrest, which provides extra legroom—up to 5 inches—and creates a little extra space for the caregiver when they’re getting a child buckled in 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. But many kids will likely appreciate the extra support this unique feature provides.

In the forward-facing position, the Extend2Fit Convertible can be used for a child up to 65 pounds or 49 inches tall. The minimum weight for forward-facing use is 22 pounds, though experts recommend keeping a child rear-facing for much longer. (This seat also comes with an infant insert and can accommodate babies as small as 4 pounds in rear-facing mode only.)

It’s narrow enough. The Extend2Fit Convertible is 19.5 inches wide (the widest of our picks), so it may be narrow enough to fit three car seats across, depending on the vehicle. It weighs only 19 pounds, making it one of the lightest convertibles we tried. (Our runner-up Britax picks weigh about 27 and 29 pounds, and our also-great Clek pick weighs a whopping 38 pounds, with the rear-facing base and anti-rebound bar attached.)

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 the NHTSA (the agency tests with dummies the size of 1-, 3-, and 6-year-olds), earning strong Head Injury Criterion (HIC) scores. Its ease-of-use rating from the NHTSA is four out of five stars.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It’s a bit of a pain to reposition the LATCH straps. In order to switch the LATCH straps from a rear-facing to a forward-facing position, you must take the cover completely off the seat. It’s a bit onerous; however, it’s not something you’re likely to do very often.

It doesn’t have a seat belt lock-off. The inclusion of a seat belt lock-off (a mechanism, found on some seats, that locks the seat belt in place) would have made installing with the seat belt method easier. But given the ease of the LATCH install—and the seat’s high LATCH weight limits—for the majority of people, manually locking off the seat belt can be avoided. Still, if you need or want to install this seat frequently using the seat belt, then it’s something to consider.

It’s not the prettiest and could use more cushioning. Aesthetically, the Extend2Fit Convertible is nothing special. It comes in several color combinations—mostly subdued variations on gray, black, and white, but turquoise and pink make an appearance. The seat padding doesn’t feel quite as cushiony as padding on our other, more expensive picks (which add more foam between your child’s tush and the hard seat). But we had no complaints from our kid testers.

It’s tough to clean. The fabric’s not the smoothest or the softest—we prefer the material on our runner-up Britax Poplar and Poplar S or our also-great Clek Foonf pick. The Extend2Fit Convertible’s fabric feels a bit like that of a wetsuit, slightly nubby and rough. And it’s prone to staining—the material was not as easy to casually wipe clean as the material on the Britax seat or that of the Clek seat. Thankfully, the entire seat cover can be removed (video) , machine-washed, and drip-dried.

When it comes to making a car seat as simple as possible to install, Britax has figured out how to build a better mousetrap. The Britax Poplar Convertible Car Seat and the Poplar S Convertible Car Seat have the same proprietary, innovative ClickTight install system as our former runner-up pick, the Britax Boulevard (which has been retired, along with the Britax Marathon and Advocate). These seats are by far easier and quicker to install than any other convertible car seats we’ve come across. We think the lower-priced Poplar is suitable for most families, but for those who want the extra safety feature of an anti-rebound bar for rear-facing, the Poplar S may be worth the higher price.

It’s very easy to install with the seat belt. The ClickTight install system is designed to be used with the vehicle’s seat belt. You can install the Poplar and Poplar S using the LATCH method, but we’d advise against it. That’s because the ClickTight system works so marvelously and also because the LATCH weight limit for both rear- and forward-facing in these seats is just 35 pounds.

To get started, use the color-coded bubble indicator at the base of the seat to determine the correct recline setting. Open the ClickTight panel by squeezing the ClickTight release buttons (located near the crotch buckle). This lifts up the bottom of the seat, revealing the guts of the operation. You then weave both the lap and shoulder portion of the vehicle seat belt through the appropriate slots—they’re labeled for either the rear- or forward-facing position—and buckle the seat belt. Remove the slack from the seat belt, and push the seat bottom closed; you’ll know the lid is secure when you hear a satisfying click.

There’s no additional tightening or snugging required because the ClickTight’s internal seat belt lock-off mechanism automatically removes any remaining slack from the seat belt. And it does a bang-up job: The seat does not budge. The ClickTight makes this seat an especially good choice for anyone struggling with strength or dexterity issues. For first-timers, though, we think a video demonstration may offer a clearer overview than the diagrams in the seat’s manual.

LATCH installation is also simple. If you’re installing the Poplar or Poplar S with the LATCH straps, the process of routing the belt is the same. But you use the included LATCH straps in place of the seat belt, and then attach the LATCH strap to the car’s lower anchors.

They have cup holders and are made with fabrics that can be machine-washed and dried. The Poplar and Poplar S come with cup holders that can be installed on one or both sides. And both seats feature fabrics without added flame-retardant chemicals that can be machine-washed and put in the dryer. (With many seats, including our top pick, the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible , the fabric has to be line-dried.) And the Poplar S model has additional cushions, which the company says “help create refined comfort and a tailored fit,” but they are not necessary and don’t add to the safety of the seat. Each model comes in four colors.

The Poplar seats are narrow and good for small vehicles. At 17 inches wide, the Poplar seats are among the narrowest convertible models available (the Clek Foonf is also 17 inches wide). For a child to sit in the forward-facing position, the weight minimum is 22 pounds, though experts recommend waiting as long as possible before turning a child around. The weight and height maximum for the forward-facing position is 65 pounds and 49 inches, respectively. The Poplar and Poplar S can be used in the rear-facing mode for babies as small as 5 pounds (an infant insert pillow is included), though many families prefer to use a dedicated infant seat instead.

The Poplar and Poplar S seats both have a one-year warranty, and they expire 10 years after manufacture. Since these are new seats, NHTSA ease-of-use ratings or crash test data are not yet available.

They’re not as great for extended rear-facing. Despite having a 50-pound rear-facing weight limit, the Poplar seats aren’t as good as our other picks at helping you keep your child sitting in the rear-facing position longer; an older toddler or preschooler will seem more cramped in the Poplar seats than in our other picks. If you know you want to try to keep your child rear-facing until they’re 4, you may be better off with the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible or the Clek Foonf: Both have design features that give your child more legroom and help make reaching that milestone more possible.

These seats are not the lightest. At about 27 and 29 pounds, the Britax Poplar seats are a bit bulkier and heavier than many seats out there.

We were won over by the Clek Foonf Convertible Car Seat ’s solid construction, painless forward-facing install, cushy seat bed, and stain-evading fabric. The Foonf has a 50-pound rear-facing weight limit—the same as our other picks. And due to the seat’s pitch and shape, kids stay comfy riding rear-facing as they grow. The Foonf was also a favorite among our kid testers, who appreciated how well padded and roomy it felt. The company tends to have some of the highest safety ratings out there, and it even publishes its own crash-testing results ; as far as we’re aware, Clek is alone among its peers in doing so.

But the Foonf seat’s rear-facing install is more complicated than that of our other picks, and its weight can be burdensome. Also, the Foonf is expensive, which is why we’re recommending this seat with the full awareness that it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea.

It comes with additional safety add-ons. Like one of our runner-up picks, the Britax Poplar S, the Foonf has an anti-rebound bar, which can help minimize the amount the seat rebounds after the initial impact in a frontal crash. If you want to add yet another optional safety feature for your rear-facing child, Clek also sells a Q-tether strap. This strap wraps around the Foonf and hooks to the top tether anchor; its purpose is to help further absorb the forces in a crash, without transferring them to your child.

Installing it rear-facing is a bit tricky. Unlike most other convertible car seats, the Foonf comes with a rear-facing base; it’s a wedge-shaped piece that must be attached to the bottom of the seat to create a proper angle for installing in rear-facing mode. For the rear-facing install, we think the car’s seat belt is a better choice than the LATCH method, since the LATCH system can only be used rear-facing with babies who weigh up to 25 pounds; about half of all babies will reach that by 12 months.

To begin, first remove the seat cushion, allowing access to the inner workings of the seat. Then position the Foonf on the vehicle seat at the correct angle—there’s a diagram on the side of the seat to guide you, based on your child’s age and weight. Next, route the seat belt through the rear-facing belt path and buckle it. To remove any slack from the seat belt, press down on the center of the Foonf while pulling on the belt. Then, as you’re holding the belt tight, close and latch a pair of belt lock-offs (two plastic tabs that fold down over the belt to cinch it into place). It requires some force and coordination to get those tabs closed. In general, it would be helpful to have three (strong) arms during much of this installation process.

If you opt to do the rear-facing install using LATCH, you remove the top of the seat cushion and take out the rear-facing LATCH strap (with connectors on either end) from its storage location. 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, tighten the LATCH straps snugly on both sides, close the belt lock-offs, and replace the lid of the seat.

Clek has good videos online for how to install the seat (though we found the owner’s manual to be sufficient).

But installing it forward-facing is easy. Of all the seats we tested, the Foonf was our favorite to install forward-facing. The Foonf has a feature for its forward-facing install that few convertible seats in the US have: rigid LATCH connectors, LATCH hooks mounted on metal bars that extend straight out from the seat (they look a bit like miniature staplers). After adjusting the pitch of the seat to the appropriate angle for your child, pull the LATCH connectors out from the base of the seat, align them with the car’s LATCH anchors, and click them into place. (There’s an indicator on the bars that turns from red to green when a secure connection has been made.) Once the LATCH connectors are clipped to the car’s anchors, the Foonf feels like it has been welded to your vehicle.

Unlike the vast majority of convertible seats, the Foonf can be installed in the forward-facing position using both LATCH and the vehicle seat belt. (Most seats call for one method or the other.) So once your child has reached 35 pounds (the Foonf’s forward-facing LATCH limit), you can keep using the rigid LATCH; this makes it easy to line up the seat properly and get a snug fit, and then add the seat belt to handle the extra weight load.

To install the Foonf forward-facing with the seat belt alone, route the lap portion of the belt through the forward-facing belt path and the shoulder portion of the belt through the forward-facing belt lock-off, and then buckle it in. To get it extra-snug, pull on the belt while pressing down on the center of the seat, removing any extra slack. As always when using a convertible car seat in the forward-facing position, be sure to also install the top tether.

The chest and crotch buckles function smoothly, as does the headrest.  With the Foonf’s low sides and taut fabric, it seemed like I spent less time fishing for the harness straps hiding behind my child than I did with any other seat we tested. Tightening and loosening the harness with your child in the seat is very easy, too. And we’ve noticed that the harness straps almost never get twisted. (The sorcery has something to do with how the straps emerge from the buckle tongue.)

It’s a good-looking seat, but the fabric is not machine-washable. We love the Foonf’s sleek, minimalist look; it’s available in nine colors, with either white or black plastic sides. The Crypton C-Zero Plus fabric has a moisture barrier and an antimicrobial treatment on top, and it’s Greenguard Gold –certified for lower emissions of VOCs (volatile organic compounds). It’s also stain-repellant. All of the fabrics are free of brominated and chlorinated flame retardants, and the Mammoth and Railroad are free of any added flame retardants. The seat’s fabric cover can also be removed completely , hand-washed, and drip-dried. The Railroad Ziip option features a zip-off cover to make it easier to remove, and it can be put in the washer and dryer.

It’s roomy yet narrow. Even without the extension panel that the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible has, a rear-facing Foonf gives even a larger child plenty of legroom. When the seat is reclined (which it should be for a rear-facing installation), the tall front edge of the seat provides ample legroom. Plus, the Foonf’s lower sides make it easy to get a rear-facing child settled and buckled. But even though it feels roomy, it’s also narrow, at only 17 inches wide, and does well if you’re trying to fit three car seats across the back seat.

Like the Extend2Fit Convertible and the Britax Poplar and Poplar S seats, the Foonf can accommodate rear-facing children up to 50 pounds and forward-facing kids up to 65 pounds or 49 inches. Clek sells an Infant-Thingy insert for the Foonf that lets the seat carry babies as small as 5 pounds in rear-facing mode only. The Foonf’s minimum weight for a forward-facing child is 22 pounds, but experts recommend keeping your child rear-facing for far longer.

All Clek seats last nine years from the date of manufacture before they expire. The warranty on seats purchased after January 2024 (and manufactured January 2023 or later) lasts until the seat’s expiration date, if you register the seat within 90 days; for seats bought earlier than January 2024, it's a three-year warranty. (For all seats, the warranty is one year if you don’t register it.)

The Foonf performed well (PDF) in the NHTSA’s front-impact crash testing, with good Head Injury Criterion (HIC) and chest acceleration scores. Clek also provides access to its own crash-testing video .

The seat received an ease-of-use rating from the NHTSA of two out of five stars. Some of the reasons for the low rating: The seat requires some assembly out of the box; it lacks a no-rethread harness; the seat cushion must be removed to route the seat belt; and you have to refer to the owner’s manual for complete install instructions (versus being able to follow printed instructions on the seat alone).

Again, it’s a heavy car seat. The Foonf’s heft is polarizing. Some folks find it reassuring, and they like the idea of their child being protected by this fortress-like seat. But it takes strength to lift and lug this seat, which weighs 33 pounds forward-facing and a whopping 38 pounds when it’s rear-facing with the anti-rebound bar and base attached. If you plan to travel with your convertible seat regularly or to move it around frequently, this seat probably isn’t ideal for you (unless you’re Popeye).

It’s also tall. The Foonf is taller than our other picks, but depending on the recline angle you need for your child and the size of your car, that may not be a problem. However, if you’re attempting to transport a small infant in the Foonf’s most reclined position, and you’re using it in a compact car with low ceilings, it could be an issue. So be sure to double-check the dimensions in advance.

It lacks a no-rethread harness. Unlike our other convertible picks, the Foonf does not have a no-rethread harness that’s connected to the headrest, and the harness and headrest cannot be adjusted together in one simultaneous motion. To adjust the straps as your child grows, you must manually remove them and then rethread them through a different slot.

There’s a safety argument to be made for having the harness and headrest operate independently. According to pediatrician Alicia Baer of The Car Seat Lady website, with the Foonf, if the headrest were to come off in an accident, the harness system would still be intact. But with seats that have the headrest and harness as part of the same system, if something were to happen to one of the pieces in a collision, it would have an impact on the other.

It requires more assembly than its counterparts. The Foonf has a separate headrest, an anti-rebound bar, a base for rear-facing install, and manually threading harness straps. However, we didn’t find dealing with any of these pieces to be particularly onerous. The only thing that stumped us was how to remove the rear-facing base in order to switch the seat to forward-facing mode. So we found a video on YouTube to help with that.

It’s very expensive. From a value standpoint, it can be hard to justify spending over $500 on a car seat when there are great alternatives that cost about half as much. And it’s irritating that if you do decide to shell out half a grand on a Foonf, you’d still have to buy a cup holder .

There was a voluntary recall issued on Clek Foonf and Fllo seats manufactured prior to May 21, 2021. Clek discovered that it was possible for kids to place their fingers through the crotch buckle opening and pick at the foam seat cushion beneath. (This doesn’t compromise the actual safety of the seat, but it could pose an issue if a child were to ingest the foam.) Owners of affected seats should contact Clek to receive a plastic piece that can be fitted over the buckle area.

The Graco Extend2Fit 3-in-1 Car Seat has many of the qualities we like about the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible , such as easy installation and an extendable footrest. Plus, the Extend2Fit 3-in-1 converts into a high-back booster seat. We still think a dedicated convertible seat is the way to go for most families. However, if you want an all-in-one seat, the Extend2Fit 3-in-1 is a good option, despite some weaknesses in comparison with the Extend2Fit Convertible—namely a lower rear-facing LATCH limit and a shorter maximum harness height.

It’s straightforward to install. The process for installing the Extend2Fit 3-in-1 is exactly the same as it is for the Extend2Fit Convertible. It’s simple, whether you’re using the LATCH system or the vehicle seat belt; we prefer the LATCH install for this seat.

It converts to a booster seat. Unlike the Extend2Fit Convertible seat, the Extend2Fit 3-in-1 seat converts to a high-back booster seat. In order to switch over to booster mode, your child must be at least 40 pounds and 43 inches tall, and they must have the emotional maturity to maintain correct posture while in the seat. To turn the Extend2Fit 3-in-1 from a five-point harness seat into a booster seat, you remove the bottom crotch buckle strap, move the harness straps behind the padding, and stow away the buckles in a compartment behind the padding.

When you install this seat as a booster, you can choose to keep it anchored to your car with LATCH, or you can stow away the LATCH hooks and go without. (As explained in our guide to the best booster seats , once your child is in a booster, the vehicle seat belt is working as the sole means of restraint, so the use of LATCH becomes totally optional.) Either way, the owner’s manual states that you should continue to use the top tether strap with this booster.

It has a no-rethread harness. Like the Extend2Fit Convertible seat, the Extend2Fit 3-in-1 seat has a no-rethread harness that’s linked to the headrest; it’s smooth and simple to adjust. The seat has low sides, making it easy to get your child in and out.

It promotes extended rear-facing. In addition to its 50-pound rear-facing weight limit (with a seat belt install), the Extend2Fit 3-in-1 seat facilitates extended rear-facing riding with the same unique design feature as the Extend2Fit Convertible: a footrest panel that extends by 5 inches to add legroom for a rear-facing toddler or preschooler.

It has basic aesthetics. The cover is a polyester blend that’s available in dark colors (black and dark gray) with lighter accents. As with the Extend2Fit Convertible’s fabric, this seat’s fabric doesn’t wipe clean as easily as the fabric on our other picks. The cover can be put in the washing machine and then drip-dried.

It’s fairly lightweight. The Extend2Fit 3-in-1 seat is a half-inch narrower and an inch taller than the Extend2Fit Convertible, and at almost 22 pounds, it weighs a little less than 3 pounds more. And like the Convertible, the 3-in-1 can accommodate a forward-facing child in a five-point harness up to 65 pounds or 49 inches. (Although, given the shorter harness height, they may outgrow the 3-in-1 a little sooner than the Extend2Fit Convertible.) In high-back booster mode, this seat can accommodate a child up to 57 inches or 100 pounds, which is typical of a booster seat.

Like the Extend2Fit Convertible, the 3-in-1 seat has a one-year warranty and a lifespan of 10 years from the date of manufacture. The NHTSA crash testing data is available, but there is no ease-of-use rating.

The LATCH limit is lower than on the Extend-to-Fit Convertible version. Although there aren’t many differences between the Extend2Fit 3-in-1 and the Extend2Fit Convertible, the differences that do exist make the 3-in-1 less appealing. Though both seats have a rear-facing maximum weight limit of 50 pounds, the rear-facing LATCH limit of the 3-in-1 is only 40 pounds, compared with 45 pounds for the Convertible model. We really like the rear-facing LATCH install of this seat, and it’s a letdown that people would have to make the switch from LATCH to seat belt earlier.

The maximum shoulder height is lower than on the Convertible version. The Extend2Fit 3-in-1 has a shoulder-harness height that’s over an inch shorter than the Convertible seat’s. If a child is tall, they could reach that harness limit sooner, and you’d have to switch them over to booster mode. We would never want any caregiver to move their child into a booster seat prematurely. However, if you have a petite child, the 3-in-1’s rear-facing LATCH limit and its harness limit are not likely to become an issue.

It can be a bit tricky to remove the crotch buckle. When you need to convert this seat to a booster, removing the crotch buckle can be a bit tricky. However, when it comes time to move that crotch buckle to a different position, this is a challenge you will face with just about any convertible car seat.

If you want a cheaper, smaller version of our also-great pick, the Clek Foonf: The Clek Fllo costs around $200 less than the Clek Foonf . It weighs 28 pounds in rear-facing mode with the anti-rebound bar (versus the Foonf’s 38 pounds), and it weighs 25 pounds in forward-facing mode (versus the Foonf’s 33 pounds). Both seats are narrow—about 17 inches across at their widest point—but the Fllo is 2 inches shorter. Unlike the Foonf, the Fllo does not have a rigid LATCH system, which makes for an especially easy and secure forward-facing install. Instead, the Fllo has LATCH clips that are attached to straps, like most convertible seats. (In our opinion, the Foonf’s rigid LATCH alone is worth the extra cost.) The Fllo also reclines differently than the Foonf. The Foonf has a handle that you use to recline the seat, but in order to readjust the angle of the Fllo, you must manually reposition it on your vehicle seat. The NHTSA crash-testing data for this seat (PDF) is available. And Clek also publishes its own crash-testing results for the Fllo—it performed about as well as the Foonf. There is no ease-of-use rating from the NHTSA for this seat.

Convertible seats

The Britax Boulevard , Marathon , and Advocate seats—which are essentially the same seat, with slightly more or less padding on the headrest—have been long-time Wirecutter picks. If you’ve got one, there’s no reason to go out and buy a new seat. But even though they are still available from some retailers, Britax is no longer making them (you may be able to find a good deal on one of these models, which all have a 10-year expiration). But if you’re in the market for a new seat and you like the ClickTight install feature, we think it makes more sense to buy a Britax Poplar or Poplar S . We also prefer the new features on those seats, especially the narrower frame and the ClickTight release buttons that replace the former round “key” (which was always filled with crumbs).

One of our favorite infant car seats is made by Chicco, so we were eager to try the company’s convertible seat, the Chicco NextFit Zip . (The zip in the name refers to the fact that this seat comes with a zip-off seat cover for easier washing.) The NextFit Zip is available in two other variations, the Chicco NextFit Max ClearTex and the Chicco NextFit Max Zip Air , which have different fabrics. For the LATCH install, the NextFit Zip has a so-called SuperCinch system, which allows you to tighten the straps with minimal effort. However, once your rear-facing child reaches 35 pounds, you must switch over to a seat belt install, which isn’t as easy. And we found that it can be difficult to get a child in and out of the NextFit’s deep, egg-shaped seat.

At just 6.8 pounds, the inexpensive Cosco Scenera Next weighs far less than most other convertible car seats. That makes it a good choice for travel—it’s the convertible pick in our guide to the best travel car seats . But for everyday use, the Scenera Next has some serious drawbacks. It’s hard to get a tight install, and it has a 40-pound weight limit in both forward- and rear-facing mode, which means you can’t use it for nearly as long.

The Uppababy Knox is an attractive seat, but it’s a heavy 32.5 pounds. We also found it tougher to install than others, and it was difficult to maneuver a child into the seat, which is perched higher than average.

The Nuna Rava was one of the easiest seats to install of those we tested. It has panels that you route the seat belt through; when you close them, the seat belt automatically tightens. (Because the Rava’s rear-facing LATCH weight limit is 35 pounds, we recommend seat belt installation so you don’t have to make the switch as your child grows.) The Rava is a great-looking, plush seat; the seat cover material is Greenguard Gold –certified for lower emissions of VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and the seat has a no-rethread harness. However, the Rava doesn’t have a seat belt lock-off, so the seat belt can continually slide through the router. And while it has a rear-facing weight limit of 50 pounds and an adjustable footrest (which adds 2 inches of legroom while rear-facing), we found that the extension panel didn’t add much room, especially compared with the panel on the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible.

The Cybex Sirona S is a convertible seat with a load leg and a novel design: The seat revolves on a base, so it can face you as you load your child in or out of the car; you then rotate it rear-facing for the ride (the swivel feature doesn’t work in the forward-facing position). The major downside to this model is that it’s extremely hard to install. It’s also pricey, and we think a more cost-effective standard convertible will serve most families better.

The Evenflo Revolve360 Slim is a rotating seat that can rotate toward the caregiver when installed in both the rear- or forward-facing position. It allows rear-facing up to 50 pounds and 48 inches, and it’s 16.75 inches wide (a tiny bit slimmer than the Britax Poplars and the Clek Foonf, both of which are 17 inches wide). However, all of Evenflo’s Revolve360 car seat models (see entries on its all-in-one seats, below) are under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The investigation centers on at least six crashes where the car seat’s shell (the part Evenflo calls the seat) reportedly detached from the base.

The Babyark car seat is pricey, but it has some very cool features, namely that it uses rigid LATCH—a system that basically lets you plug the car seat into the car—for both rear-facing and forward-facing installs. No other seat in the US currently has that feature for both orientations (our upgrade pick, the Clek Foonf, has rigid latch for forward-facing installation); this makes installation very easy. It also has a load leg—which absorbs the initial impact forces in a crash—that stays engaged for both rear-facing and forward-facing. We haven’t tested this seat.

All-in-one seats

We tested the Diono Radian 3QXT SafePlus all-in-one, which is part of Diono’s line of seats specifically designed to fit three across. With low sides, a deep recline, and a 50-pound rear-facing limit, the Diono Radian series is a favorite among people who are trying to keep their kids rear-facing longer. However, we found the Radian 3QXT more difficult to install than other seats we tested. It also has some additional pieces that you need to remember to attach, depending on the situation; these include a base for a rear-facing install and a SafeStop tether piece intended for a forward-facing child who weighs less than 40 pounds. Additionally, the Radian 3QXT’s anti-rebound bar was not fully flush to the seat, which could pose a safety issue if a child rides with their feet tucked under the bar and then is in a crash.

The Graco TrioGrow SnugLock is technically a cousin of our all-in-one pick, the Graco Extend2Fit 3-in-1 , but their designs are fundamentally different. The TrioGrow SnugLock has the SnugLock installation system, a mechanism that helps you ratchet down the LATCH straps or the vehicle seat belt and achieve a tight install. But this seat has a rear-facing weight limit of 40 pounds, compared with 50 pounds for the Extend2Fit 3-in-1. We also missed the Extend2Fit 3-in-1’s extension panel, which pulls out to provide extra legroom for rear-facing riders. There is no crash-testing data or ease-of-use rating from the NHTSA available for this seat.

The Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 is an all-in-one seat that converts into both a high-back and backless booster. After testing, we preferred two other Graco all-in-one seats: the Extend2Fit 3-in-1 , our also-great pick, and the TrioGrow SnugLock. (Both of those seats convert to high-back boosters only; they do not have a backless booster mode.) The 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 was not quite as simple to install as the TrioGrow SnugLock, due to the SnugLock feature. If you’re interested in the 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 and want the easier SnugLock install, you can upgrade to the Graco 4Ever DLX SnugLock 4-in-1 . Still, the 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 is not as good as the Extend2Fit 3-in-1 for extended rear-facing. It’s also a bit heavier, at 23 pounds, versus the 3-in-1’s almost 22 pounds.

Graco makes a number of additional all-in-one seats, including the Graco SlimFit 3-in-1 , the Graco SlimFit3 LX 3-in-1 , and the Graco Milestone 3-in-1 . We have not tested them because the other Graco models that we did test are more popular and widely available. However, the SlimFit3 LX 3-in-1 is only 16.7 inches wide and designed to fit three across in a back seat, which may be appealing to some families.

The Graco Turn2Me 3-in-1 is an all-in-one rotating car seat that can position your rear-facing child toward you, to load and unload them from the car. However, we found it very difficult to install and use.

The Evenflo Revolve360 Rotational All-in-One is an all-in-one rotating seat that can rotate to a rear- or forward-facing position. However, during testing, the seat got stuck in a rotated position in the base; we were unable to get a tight install. The Revolve360 also has one of the lowest rear-facing height limits of any we tried, at just 40 inches (our Graco and Britax picks accommodate kids up to 49 inches, and the Clek Foonf accommodates kids up to 43 inches). The Revolve360 Extend allows rear-facing up to 50 pounds and 48 inches.

The NHTSA estimates (PDF) that the lives of 10,157 kids, age 4 and younger, were saved by the use of child restraints in vehicles between the years 1975 and 2012. The proper care, treatment, and use of your car seat will help keep your little ones safe and sound. Here are some of the essentials:

Install the seat properly. A well-installed car seat is a snug car seat; once it’s in, there should be minimal wiggle. (If you grab the seat near the attachment point and pull back and forth, it should move less than an inch in any direction.) Let the owner’s manual and online instruction videos be your guide. There are many resources online that can provide both general installation tips and specific advice for your particular seat; we like The Car Seat Lady and Car Seats for the Littles . And it’s always a great idea to enlist the help of a pro. Safe Kids Worldwide provides information on how you can find a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) in your area, so you can get your seat installed correctly, and learn how to do it yourself the next time.

Get a good fit. The way your child is secured in their seat matters. Remove puffy coats or heavy outer layers before buckling in your child because they can cause the harness to be too loose. The owner’s manual for your seat will have illustrations showing what a proper fit looks like, and you should reference it with your child in the seat. But in general, here are the guidelines:

• The shoulder straps should be positioned in the harness slot right below the shoulders, when rear-facing, and at or above the shoulders, when forward-facing. (In a crash, if a forward-facing child’s shoulder straps are too low, this could cause their collarbones to break, and if a rear-facing child’s shoulder straps are too high, the child could slide up the seat.)
• The straps should be tightened snugly on the child and pass the “pinch” test: If you try to pinch the fabric of the strap, it shouldn’t fold within your fingers.
• The chest clip should be resting at the armpit level.
• If the crotch buckle on your seat is adjustable, it should be in the position nearest to—but not underneath—the child.
• The bottom of the headrest should be positioned just above where the harness straps emerge from the seat; if it’s digging into your child’s shoulders, it’s too low.

And remember, your child is growing, so all of these adjustments will need to be made and checked regularly.

Keep your child rear-facing for as long as possible. Young children are safer in a rear-facing seat. Safety experts generally agree that it’s better for a child to stay rear-facing longer, as is staying in a seat with a five-point harness before switching to a seat belt–dependent booster seat.

Observe the seat’s size and weight limits. As with infant car seats , with convertible seats, most children will probably hit a seat’s height limit before they hit its weight limit. A kid can no longer sit rear-facing when their head is less than an inch from the top of the seat’s shell height. (But a child who has outgrown the rear-facing height is still likely to fit in the same seat forward-facing.) A kid can sit in a forward-facing seat until the tops of their ears are at or above the top of the seat’s head restraint at the highest setting, or until the shoulder straps can no longer be properly positioned at or above their shoulders. Also be mindful of your seat’s LATCH weight limits.

Follow the cleaning instructions for your specific seat. The correct method for cleaning your car seat is spelled out clearly in the owner’s manual. If you ignore instructions, you could cause damage to the materials or textiles, which may compromise their ability to function safely. For more guidance, check out our post on how to clean a car seat .

Dispose of your seat properly. Yes, car seats expire; convertible car seats generally last nine to 10 years. If your seat has reached its expiration date, it should be thrown away. A car seat that has been involved in a moderate or serious accident should also be thrown away. You can continue to use a seat that’s been in a minor crash , provided that all of the following criteria are met: You are able to drive away from the crash site; the vehicle’s airbags did not deploy; there are no injuries to passengers; there is no visible damage to the car seat; and the vehicle door nearest the car seat is left undamaged. Stores like Target periodically hold trade-in events . Not sure where to dispose of an old seat? Check out our guide on how to get rid of a used car seat .

Additional reporting by Ingela Ratledge Amundson and Rebecca Gale.

This article was edited by Amy Miller Kravetz and Kalee Thompson.

Gina Duchossois, injury-prevention expert with the Injury Prevention Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, chair of Safe Kids Southeastern Pennsylvania, and certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, in-person installation assessments , in-person installation assessments , November 29, 2021

Alisa Baer, pediatrician, nationally certified child passenger safety instructor and co-founder of The Car Seat Lady , phone interview , November 4, 2021

Jessica Jermakian, PhD, vice president for vehicle research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) , phone and email interviews, 2022

Miriam Manary, senior research associate, University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute , phone interview , August 30, 2017

Lani Harrison, CPST, Car Seats for the Littles , phone interview , August 30, 2017

Chris Lumley, founder and CEO of Clek , phone interview , September 13, 2017

William Conway, engineering leader, car seats, Graco , phone interview , March 5, 2018

Sarah Haverstick, Evenflo safety advocate , phone interview , September 18, 2017

Dr. Benjamin Hoffman, pediatrician, uncompensated consultant to Chicco on matters of car seat safety, CSPT-I , phone interview , September 20, 2017

Maggie Rauser, Safe Kids/KISS county coordinator, Carroll County Health Department (Md.) , CPST Training , September 21, 2017

Meet your guide

Christina Szalinski

Christina Szalinski is a freelance science writer with a PhD in cell biology.

Further reading

Are Rotating Car Seats Worth It?

by Christina Szalinski

Rotating car seats are gaining popularity—but for the typical family, they’re not better than simpler options. Here’s what to know before buying one.

The Best Travel Car Seats

by Christina Szalinski and Rebecca Gale

After testing 17 lightweight, portable car seats, we have five good options for infants, toddlers, and big kids to recommend.

The Best Booster Car Seats

by Rebecca Gale

After researching over 50 booster car seats and testing 13, we’ve concluded that the convenient Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus is the best overall choice.

The Best Infant Car Seats

After extensive research and field testing, we found that the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX is the best infant car seat for most families.

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The 7 Best Travel Car Seats of 2024

These top picks combine convenience and peace of mind

Jordi is a freelance contributor to TripSavvy. Her personal passions gravitate toward wellness and adventure, leading her to frequently plan trips that blend zen relaxation with urban and rugged exploration.

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Traveling with small children is a great way to make memories. You expose little ones to new experiences and see the world through their eyes. But there are still everyday tasks to worry about on the road, from meal times to naps. Safety is the top priority, of course, and this means ensuring your kids have a good car seat.

If you're flying with small children or frequently switching cars, the thought of lugging around the car seat you have perfectly installed in your vehicle can seem daunting. Luckily, many companies make travel car seats lighter and easier to install on the go. These models also emphasize portability and legroom for your child to grow into.

To find the best choice for you, we looked closely at the installation process, weight ratings, and certification status of some of the most popular options on the market today.

Final Verdict

• What to Look For

Why Trust TripSavvy

Best overall, cosco scenera next convertible car seat.

 Amazon

Easy to carry

Budget friendly

Sizing issues for older childen

The Cosco Scenera Next Convertible Car Seat receives excellent marks for lightness and simplicity. This affordable car seat is a great choice for those who already have a regular car seat but need a second option for traveling. Safety features include side-impact protection built into the headrest and a five-point harness that adjusts to accommodate your growing child. The car seat can be used rear-facing for kiddos 5 to 40 pounds and 19 to 40 inches tall or front-facing for those 22 to 40 pounds or 29 to 43 inches tall. The car seat will last from infancy through toddlerhood.

Use the LATCH connectors or a seat belt to secure the car seat in any rental car or taxi. It's also designed with air travel in mind: It's FAA-approved and lightweight at just 7 pounds. Additionally, its 17.5-inch width makes it a good fit for most airline seats. Other highlights include a removable, machine-washable, and dryer-safe car seat pad and a dishwasher-safe cup holder. Colors range from Moon Mist Grey to Ocean Breeze.

Dimensions: 17.6 x 15.8 x 30.3 inches | Weight Rating: Up to 40 pounds | Installation Type: LATCH

Best Lightweight

Wayb pico travel car seat.

Very compact

Includes a travel bag

Only for toddlers and older

Car seats are a hassle to travel with because they're bulky, heavy, and unwieldy. Luckily, this travel car seat by Wayb won't add much extra weight to your suitcase. Weighing under 8 pounds, the FAA-approved Pico Travel Car Seat is easy to transport everywhere you go. It's front-facing and can hold kids between 22 to 55 pounds or measuring 30 to 45 inches tall. It has an AeroWing aluminum frame that is durable yet lightweight, and the AstroKnit performance mesh lining will keep your kids comfortable throughout their journey. Best of all, this car seat folds into a small enough package to store in overhead bins and comes with a carrying bag that can slip onto your suitcase.

Dimensions: 15 x 11 x 20 inches | Weight Rating: Up to 50 pounds | Installation Type: LATCH or car/airplane seat belt

Most Compact

Safety 1st guide 65 convertible car seat.

Supports a variety of sizes and ages

Sleek design

Machine-washable cover

Complaints about installation

Safety 1st's Guide 65 Convertible Car Seat weighs 14 pounds; it's sturdy enough for everyday use yet light enough for travel. This car seat's frame is so compact that you could place three in the back of your car, making it an excellent option for larger families or smaller European rental cars. Plus, it can accommodate a wide range of weights, making it a budget-friendly pick that can last for years. It's for children who weigh between 5 and 40 pounds to use in a rear-facing position and children 22 to 65 pounds to use in a front-facing position.

Side-impact protection and five harnesses that adjust in the center ensure your child stays secure throughout their ride and help deflect impact away from their head, neck, and spine in the event of an accident. Other safety features include three buckle locations and an adjustable headrest. This car seat also has a LATCH connector system, making it easy to take the seat in and out of the car quickly. Both the cushion and cup holder are removable for easy cleanup. It's available in multiple colors.

Dimensions: 27.3 x 18.5 x 20.3 inches | Weight Rating: Up to 65 pounds | Installation Type: LATCH

Best for Bigger Kids

Graco extend2fit convertible car seat.

Harness storage makes loading and unloading easy

Rigorously crash tested

Several customizable features

Most of the car seats on this list are appropriate for children up to 40 pounds, but the Graco Extend2Fit is rated for up to 65 pounds. It also allows children up to 50 pounds to ride rear-facing and provides an extra 5 inches of legroom. This, plus a headrest that can also be adjusted to 10 different positions, ensures the child is comfortable and secure as they grow.

Two integrated cup holders keep juice bottles within easy reach and help to prevent spills. While there are multiple ways to install this model, it is easy to remember after the first time. Although this seat is designed with car travel in mind , it is FAA-approved. If you're flying economy class, consider calling ahead to check that the restraint is compatible with the airline seat.

Dimensions: 21.5 x 19.5 x 23.5 inches | Weight Rating: Up to 65 pounds | Installation Type: InRight LATCH

Best Booster Combo

Cosco finale dx 2-in-1 booster car seat.

Can fit three across

Easy to clean

Accommodates older children

Durability complaints

If you're shopping for a child aged 12 months or older, the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat will last from toddlerhood until after they start school. It has a 10-year lifespan and can be used as a forward-facing car seat or as a high-back booster seat. As a car seat, it's appropriate for kids between 30 to 65 pounds and 32 to 49 inches in height. The five-point harness has three different height settings, and the LATCH connectors can be used until your child reaches 50 pounds. In addition, the FAA approves the Cosco Finale for aircraft use in its car seat capacity.

It suits kids between 40 to 100 pounds and 43 to 52 inches in height as a booster seat. Its 17-inch width and 9-pound weight make it ideal for quick transfers between rental cars, taxis, and family cars back home. Other useful features include a removable cup holder and a machine-washable cover in colors that range from gray to pale pink. Lastly, thrifty families will appreciate this seat's affordable price tag.

Dimensions: 18.3 x 19 x 29.8 inches | Weight Rating: Up to 100 pounds | Installation Type: LATCH or seat belt

Most Innovative

Maxi-cosi pria max 3-in-1 convertible car seat.

Easy to buckle

Not the lightest pick

If you don't want to invest in multiple car seats, the Pria Max 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat is your best bet. It can handle children from birth to 10 years old, making it one of the most versatile options on the market. Plus, the high-end brand makes each stage supremely comfortable for your child and easy for adults to use. It has a spring-assist harness system, so the straps don't get tangled; a one-hand magnetic chest clip; a simple integrated headrest and harness system, so you don't have to rethread as your tot grows; and machine-washable fabric. Keep in mind it comes with a hefty price tag and heavier weight.

Dimensions: 25.3 x 24 x 19.9 inches | Weight Rating: Up to 100 pounds | Installation Type: LATCH or seat belt

Best For Road Trips

Chicco keyfit 35 cleartex infant car seat.

FAA-approved

Eco-friendly textiles

UPF 50+ canopy

Rear-facing only

This car seat is a great option for road trips —or as your primary car seat that occasionally travels—as the stay-in-car base is a breeze to install correctly and the carrier itself clicks into place in one motion. When it's time to stretch your legs and explore simply detach the seat and click it into any Chicco stroller base for a lightning-fast travel combo. The base has an anti-rebound bar for added stability and extra legroom for a rider up to 32 inches tall, and the headrest has five different positions to accommodate an infant's growth.

If your plans include air travel, this is still a solid pick. The best thing about this carrier is that it can be installed in an aircraft or rental vehicle without the base, using the European or American routing method. The base and carrier together weigh 18 pounds but you'll only have to manage 10 pounds if you go baseless. It comes with removable newborn positioners so little ones from 4 pounds are ready to roll.

Dimensions: 28 x 16.5 x 24 inches | Weight Rating: 4 to 35 pounds | Installation Type: LATCH or seat belt

The Cosco Scenera Next Convertible Car Seat is light, FAA-approved, and supports young travelers up to 40 pounds. We love the accessible price point and easy-to-clean cover. If you're shopping for a toddler or older but still want to prioritize portability, go for the Wayb Pico Travel Car Seat .

What to Look For in Travel Car Seats

Installation.

All models on our list use LATCH systems and some can also be installed using the vehicle's seat belt, but you should never use both anchoring methods together. LATCH, also known as Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children, is an alternative way of securing the car seat to the vehicle without using the seat belt. Both the vehicle and the car seat must have LATCH parts to install the seat properly, but most car seats (and vehicles manufactured after 2002) will do so. The car seat has straps that come from the bottom and a tether at the top. These attach to the lower anchors in the car, found in the space between the rear back seat and seat cushion, and to the top anchor, which could be near the rear window or on the car ceiling. When in doubt, check the vehicle manual and seat instructions.

Weight Rating

Like their everyday counterparts, travel car seats include maximum weight ratings that must be adhered to. Additionally, your decision to install the car seat front- or rear-facing is based on the weight and height of your child. Most models can transition from rear- to front-facing as your tot grows, or even from front-facing to a booster seat like the Cosco Finale DX . Consider the kid's age, weight, height, and the manufacturer's notes to choose a travel seat that will give you the longest practical use.

Certification Status

Most importantly, the car seat you buy should meet all safety standards. If you're flying, look for an FAA-approved or similarly aircraft-approved seat.

"All legal car seats must meet the same crash test criteria, or safety standards, and be properly labeled," said Amie Durocher, a CPS Tech at SafeRide4Kids.com. "If you are worried about counterfeit car seats, check the label. Certified seats in the U.S. are required to have very specific language on the labels. Beware if it doesn't mention federal motor vehicle safety standards or FMVSS213 or if it lacks a model name or number or manufacture date."

Yes, you can travel with a car seat on the plane —and it's actually recommended. "We recommend that parents purchase a seat even for children under 2 who could be 'lap babies' and use the FAA-approved child restraint on the airplane," said Durocher. "This makes it safer for the child—and the parent—in case of an incident during takeoff or landing and in case of turbulence during the flight."

The hardest part of traveling with a car seat is figuring out the logistics through the airport. “Infant car seats that click onto a compatible stroller are easy, but travelers might need a car seat cart, luggage strap, or bungee cords to lug a convertible car seat through the airport,” said Michelle Pratt, founder and owner of Safe in the Seat. “Some people prefer to check their stroller with their luggage and use a car seat cart to get their child and seat through the airport easily. Others babywear or let their toddler walk and load up their stroller with all their gear, then gate check the stroller planeside.”

“Rear-facing is the safest way for kids to ride in the car, but it’s not always possible on planes due to the tighter space,” added Pratt. “If the car seat fits rear-facing on the plane, that’s best. But kids who rear-face in the car can forward-face on the plane if they are at least 1 year old and meet their car seat’s forward-facing requirements. Then they seamlessly go back to rear-facing in the car at the destination.”

Author Jordi Lippe-McGraw has researched and written about travel and lifestyle products for nearly a decade. She is also the mom of a 3-year-old. When making this list, she researched dozens of products, looking at key specs like dimensions and weight rating and the number of positive and negative reviews. While researching the best travel car seats, we spoke with Amie Durocher , a CPS Tech at SafeRide4Kids.com, and Michelle Pratt , founder and owner of Safe in the Seat.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. " Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) Restraint System ." Accessed Feb 6th, 2023.

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Car Seat VS Travel System

When you’re a new parent, there are so many decisions to make, and it’s hard to know which one is the right one. One of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make is buying a car seat or a travel system. Both have pros and cons, but which one should you choose for your baby?

We’ve done the research for you, and we’re here to help you decide. This blog post will compare the two options and help you decide which one is right for your family.

Infant Car Seat vs Travel System: Which One Should You Choose?

Some people think that car seats and travel systems are the same things, but they are different types of products. Car seats are designed to be used in cars, while travel systems are used in strollers . So, which one should you choose for your baby?

There are obvious differences between car seats and travel systems, but which one is better? That’s what we’re here to help you figure out.

Car seats are designed to protect babies in a car accident. They are required by law in most states, and they should be used whenever your baby is riding in a car. Travel systems are designed for comfort and convenience. They allow you to transfer your baby from the car to the stroller without removing them from the car seat.

Car Seat Features

Car seats come in many different sizes and shapes, but all car seats must meet specific safety standards. These safety standards include:

• A five-point harness that keeps your baby secure in the seat
• A rear-facing design that protects your baby’s head and neck in the event of a car accident
• Side impact protection

Most car seats also have a built-in handle that makes it easy to carry your baby in and out of the car. There are also convertible car seats that can be used in both the rear- and forward-facing positions.

When choosing between a convertible car seat vs travel system, parents who are on a budget may lean towards the car seat because it is a cheaper option. However, car seats can be heavy and bulky, making them difficult to carry around.

There are also all-in-one car seats that can be used as a car seat, booster seat, and even a high-back chair. These seats are usually more expensive than the other two options, but they offer the most flexibility. When choosing between an all-in-one-car-seat vs travel system, parents who do not mind spending a little extra money may prefer the all-in-one car seat because it will last longer and can be used in more situations.

What Is the Difference Between an Infant Car Seat and a Convertible Car Seat?

An infant car seat is designed for babies who weigh between five and 22 pounds and are up to 29 inches long. These seats are rear-facing only, which is the safest position for young babies to ride in.

How Long Can Newborns Be in a Car Seat?

Newborns should always ride in a rear-facing car seat. If possible, the car seat should be placed in the back seat in the middle seat. Newborns should be in a car seat for no more than two hours at a time to reduce the risk of flat head syndrome.

How Do You Clean a Car Seat?

You should always read the car seat manual before you clean a baby car seat . Most car seats can be spot cleaned with a mild soap and water solution. The car seat cover can usually be removed and washed in the washing machine. The same goes for a car seat’s foam .

When to Forward Face a Car Seat?

You can forward face a car seat when your baby is at least one year old and weighs 20 pounds or more. If possible, the car seat should be placed in the back seat. At best, it should be in the middle seat.

Are There Free Car Seats?

Since car seats are mandated by law, free car seats from Medicaid and other car seat assistance programs are available to low-income families. If you think you may qualify for a free car seat, check with your local car seat assistance program.

Do Car Seats Expire?

It is important to remember that car seats expire. The plastic and metal of the car seat break down over time and are less likely to protect your child . This is why services such as proper car seat strap replacements and other related services exist. Always check car seat expiration for Britax and all other car seat brands.

What Do I Do With Old Car Seats?

Many people donate them to car seat assistance programs or recycling centers when car seats expire. If you are unsure about what to do with your old car seat , check with your local car seat assistance program for proper disposal instructions.

Travel System Features

Travel systems are convenient because they have everything you need in one package. This includes the car seat, base, and stroller. Travel systems are easy to use because they snap into the car seat base and can be used as a stroller without removing the car seat. Travel systems are also relatively lightweight and easy to carry. However, the biggest downside to travel systems is that they are generally more expensive than car seats.

When choosing between a travel system and a convertible car seat, most parents would lean towards the car seat. This is because car seats are typically more affordable and can be used for a longer time. Car seats are also easier to install, which is vital for safety. However, travel systems have advantages that might make them the better choice for some parents. This will help in terms of choosing between a travel system or an infant car seat.

Are There Free Travel Systems?

At present, there are no free travel system car seat programs. However, some car seat manufacturers offer discounts on their travel systems when purchased with a car seat. Be sure to check with your chosen manufacturer to see if they offer any such discounts.

Do Travel Systems Expire?

No, travel systems do not have an expiration date. This is one of the reasons why travel systems are more expensive than car seats.

Car Seat Pros and Cons

So, which one is better? Is it a convertible car seat or a travel system? Here are some pros and cons to help you decide.

• Car seats are typically more affordable than travel systems.
• Car seats can be used for longer periods.
• Car seats are easier to install.
• Car seats are designed to protect your child in the event of a car accident.
• Car seats have variations such as the all-in-one car seat, which can be used as a car seat, booster seat, and high-back booster.
• If you have an infant, you will need to purchase a car seat base in addition to the car seat.
• Car seats can be heavy to carry.
• You will need to remove your child from the car seat when transferring them to their stroller.
• Car seats expire.

Travel System Pros and Cons

• Travel systems are all-in-one car seat and stroller combos.
• Travel systems are easy to use.
• Travel systems are great for travel.
• Travel systems can be expensive.
• Travel systems can be heavy and difficult to transport.
• Travel system car seats have a shorter lifespan than standalone car seats.

When deciding whether to purchase a car seat or travel system, consider your needs and budget. You should also consider the pros and cons of each option to make the best decision for you and your family. In the end, it all boils down to what will work best for you and provide the most safety for your little one. After all, that’s what’s most important.

Steph is a passionate mom who co-founded Wumblers to share her parenting journey with others. She graduated from Concordia University with a masters degree in Education Technology and worked as an advisor for many years. Steph loves being a mom and wants to have more kids.

Learn more about Steph and Wumblers here .

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The 9 Best Convertible Car Seats Are Built to Last

If you want your car seat to grow with your kiddo, the convertible kind are safe, sleek, and easy to install.

If you buy something from the links on this page, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?

The Best Convertible Car Seats

• Best Overall: Britax One4Life
• Best Budget: Maxi Cosi Pria Max
• Best New: Chicco ClearTex 360
• Best Slim: Clek Foonf
• Best Chemical-Free: Nuna Rava

What to Consider

Convertible car seats have the longest duration of use of all of the car seats available on the market, which makes them an instant winner in our book. Most of them can be used from birth, and many go all the way up to booster size, which is made for children who are 50 or 65 pounds or about 10 years old. However, unlike infant car seats, convertible car seats are not transportable because they click directly into your car's latch system (as opposed to a base.) Translation? You can't easily take the seat out of the car to transport it with your child in it. For that reason, many parents choose to start with an infant car seat and switch to a convertible car seat when their baby is around 8 to 12 months old.

The main things you'll need to consider are materials, weight and height limits, how it fits in your car, and what safety indicators they are equipped with.

Convertible car seats can cost up to $600 or more, so understanding what you're dropping all those dollars on is key. Not only do the materials determine the price of the car seat, but they can also help make the car seat safer. Steel-reinforced rolling cages with extra cushioning and high-density foam may perform better in the event of a collision, but you do pay for it.

As for the seats themselves, there's a wide range of materials used on the covers. Some are machine-washable, like the Cybex Sirona S 360 Rotational Convertible Car Seat and the Maxi Cosi Pria Max, and some are not. This can be a deal-breaker for families who want that ease of cleaning, especially if your little one is prone to car sickness (or refuses to leave the house without at least three different snacks.)

Weight and Height Limits

Rear-facing and forward-facing height and weight limits vary greatly. Some can be used all the way to elementary school , while others are good only for the first four years or so. Most convertible car seats come with inserts that are needed for younger babies, which get removed as your child grows. So if you're planning on using this seat for more than one child, remember where you put those inserts (and don't say we didn't warn you!)

How it Fits in Your Car

If you have more than one car seat in your car or have limited space between your back seat and your front seat, knowing how big a car seat will be is pretty important. Some of the convertible car seats are pretty bulky and even have an extended length for rear-facing. If your car is considered “compact,” this might not be an ideal fit for you.

Safety Indicators

Some car seats are equipped with safety indicators to let you know if it's installed properly, like a leveling system or bubble indicator, a feature available on the Britax One4Life ClickTight Convertible Car Seat . Having your car seat leveled properly is one of the harder things to accomplish in a car seat, which makes these indicators a big help. They also give you peace of mind as a parent, knowing that your child's car seat is as safe as it can possibly be.

How We Chose

I did a deep dive into the research of both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Consumer Reports to learn which car seats are rated the highest for collision protection, ease of use, and ease of installation. I have tested each and every car seat on this list, learning its pros and cons and experiencing it in multiple scenarios. I am a person with a partially paralyzed left hand, and my own disability has informed my opinion about the accessibility of these car seats as well. I have installed each of these car seats in a 2013 Nissan Rogue and a 2023 Volvo XC 90. Other testers have tested these in Honda Odysseys, Kia Tellurides, Chrysler Town and Countries, and Honda Accords.

Why Trust Us

Here at Best Products , we test thousands of products. Personally, I have been testing parenting and child products for over a decade, most recently as our Senior Parenting Editor . I have worked with CPSTs, members of law enforcement and rescue, and manufacturers to understand all of the ins and outs of car seats. I have spent hundreds of hours testing these car seats, from installation to cleaning to recycling. I continually monitor recalls from the CPSC and NHTSA standards, as well as the ever-shifting prices of these car seats.

With all that said, read on below for the best convertible car seats approved by experts below.

Britax One4Life Convertible Car Seat

This car seat gets exceptionally high marks from the NHTSA, Consumer Reports, and parents alike. It's safe, it's easy to get into your car — and, best of all, it's easy to clean, and the only car seat that you need from birth until they age out of car seats, and that's why it's our best overall.

Britax's ClickTight system makes it hands down the easiest convertible car seat to install on the market. The entire installation process takes just 45 seconds, and bubble-level indicators let you know it's been installed properly.

It's also one of the easiest convertible car seats to clean and the simplest to use, and parents feel safe knowing the quality is top-notch. The Britax's quick-push nine-position recline is the ultimate in comfort for your baby, and the cover is machine-washable and dryable . The frame is steel-reinforced coated in a hard poly cover, with dense foam padding and premium fabrics designed to breathe so your baby won't overheat.

There's a 15-point quick-adjust harness and headrest, which can be raised easily as your child grows. Having spent many hours testing this car seat, I will tell you that it's one of the most comfortable car seats to install and for the kids in the seat. From babies to elementary-aged kids, there's far less complaining about the quality of the ride than other seats.

Maxi-Cosi Pria Max All-in-One Convertible Car Seat

It's a common misconception that the best convertible car seats have to be expensive. I tell you that they really don't The Pria Max is a great example of that. For under $250, you're getting a car seat that works from birth to booster. It's an easy-to-clean, easy-to-clasp car seat with top-of-the-line safety.

This is an infant seat, a toddler seat, and a booster all in one. This car seat has adjustable side-impact protection, with an easy-to-adjust harness and buckle. The cover itself zips off with ease (in a manner similar to the Chicco), and it's also machine-washable and dryer-safe.

The headrest has an astonishing 14-position adjustability, and it reclines in three positions. It also features their patented Air-Protect technology that provides superior cushion protection and comfort, while the material of the cover is silky and breathable.

Last but not least, the Pria Max has a unique design feature that sets it apart from the rest: the magnetic harness. As a person with a partially paralyzed left hand, I have had more than my fair share of issues with chest clips and buckles. With the Pria's magnetic clip, I don't struggle to get kids in or out of the seat, or with removing the machine-washable and dryer-safe fabrics from the seat for cleaning.

Chicco Fit360 ClearTex Rotating Convertible Car Seat

This is by far the best-tested new convertible car seat of the past couple of years. I have tested it, and a colleague of mine has been using it in his everyday life with his child for a few months.

Other than the fact that this car seat is built to be super safe and easy to use, this car seat is one of the best-priced rotating car seats on the market. It's under $400, and you can use it from birth to 65 pounds, which is positively wild.

I love so many things about this seat, but my favorite is the fact that it's a one-handed turn, with a super easy-to-locate lever, and it has a really easy "feel" to the click. You never have to worry about not knowing if the seat is positioned where it should be. Not only does it have visual indicators, it's very tactile.

The same goes for the magnetic chest clip, which I had no problem opening and closing, and it won't get overly gummed up as well. In spite of how your children may try to make it sticky and unusable.

It has a wonderfully simple install with a belt path that goes through the base at the back and clicks in directly. I did have some issues getting the flap to close, but I will remark I was the only person who had this issue of the six or seven people in my group who got to test the installation.

It has two RideRight level indicators and a 6-position ReclineSure recline position. It has a 15-position, easy-adjust headrest with super squishy, yet firm, foam cushioning. Personally, every time I've tested this car seat, I could not quit squishing it. It has what they call DuoGuard, which features a steel-reinforced frame, a really deep rigid shell, and EPP energy-absorbing foam.

The fabrics are machine washable and dryer safe, and like everything at Chicco, it's easy to take off and put on and easy to clean.

Clek Foonf Convertible Car Seat

Simply put: This car seat is an absolute tank. It's the narrow beast of car seats. It aces every safety test, taking its licks and showing little damage for it.

Its safety features are top-notch. It has Clek’s patented REACT energy management system that distributes impact, a steel anti-rebound bar to keep baby stable, a rigid-LATCH for an easy and secure installation, and advanced side-impact protection, with deep side wings, energy-absorbing foam, and an adjustable structural headrest.

It's also very narrow at under 17 inches wide. If you need to have three across in a car? You can.

No, it's not machine-washable, but it is incredibly stain- and liquid-repellent, and spot-cleaning isn't hard, thanks to the innovative fabric.

Parents love that once you install this car seat, it stays completely in place and doesn't jostle or need constant adjusting. Yes, there are multiple recline positions for babies, and those are really useful, but even when you're fiddling with it, it simply doesn't shift.

More: The Best Rotating Car Seats of 2024

Evenflo Gold Revolve360 Rotational Convertible Car Seat

This car seat absolutely blew my mind when I first saw it. It's designed with parents in mind, allowing them to easily access their kids without having to break their backs to unstrap their children and pull them out, and the headpiece is so cushiony and comfortable, there's no more "my ear hurts, Mama" when you make a quicker turn.

First off, this is an all-in-one seat. It's rear-facing, forward-facing, and a booster. Not only that, but Evenflo has made the base with the ability to turn the car seat to face the door, making taking your child out of the seat or putting them into it a million times easier. Reviewers noted that this feature is something they simply can not picture living without after experiencing it.

It has a 14-position one-hand adjustable headrest. It has a tether, latch storage, seat lock on the base, bubble level indicator, and four recline positions. Plus, it's side-impact, temperature, and rollover tested. One feature that is of note is the LockStrong bar, which pulls down to lock the car seat base into place to the tether, which helps keep the seat positioned and secure in the car.

The Evenflo Evolve360 will last the entire ten years your child needs it, but if something does go wrong, it's backed up with Evenflo's lifetime guarantee. The cover is machine-washable and dryer-safe . On top of that, this is one of the few car seats that I have tested that seems to get more useful and comfortable the longer it is used. The fabrics get a bit softer, the seat feels a bit less stiff, and overall it ages really well.

Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Convertible Kinetic

Peg Perego has been around for decades making premium baby products with an eye toward convenient luxury. They are designed to be safe, easy to maintain, and perform well.

One of the biggest irritations with convertible car seats is that your baby is often too low to see out of the car when they're in rear-facing mode. This is problematic for two reasons: first, kids get bored quickly, and the passing landscapes can help, and second, kids get car sick, and sometimes, being able to look out the rear window can help. The Peg Perego Kinetic convertible car seat sits higher up than most, allowing the baby to see the world.

This does not at all compromise the safety of your child, which Peg Perego has taken to a new level with this seat. It has kinetic pods on the exterior of the seat that assist the seat's side-impact protection. The seat is made with energy-absorbing foam — expanded polystyrene (EPS) in the shell and expanded polypropylene (EPP) in the head panel to protect your baby's body in the event of a collision.

The Kinetic has an anti-rebound bar and an extension to the bar that allows for two extra inches of legroom when in rear-facing mode. Even the fabric is designed to be super safe, made from machine-washable , breathable, chemical-free 100% merino wool.

Our tester adored the fact that their child could see above the side and rear of their SUV. They also love how solid the car seat feels while still being easy to install thanks to the quick-latch system Peg Perego employs with the Kinetic. The cushions feel luxurious, and I was impressed with how easy the fabrics were to install and uninstall for cleaning.

Nuna Rava Convertible Car Seat

Parents like me and my testers love the Nuna Rava because it's comfortable and chic at the same time, despite its hefty price tag. The design is almost space-age, and the parents I spoke with who own it say this high-end convertible car seat is decidedly low-maintenance.

The Nuna line boasts a cover that is flame-retardant, as all car seats are required to be, but it does so by using a specific tightly woven fabric as opposed to a chemical that is applied to the fabric. Your baby can also ride rear-facing until 50 pounds, which is quite amazing.

This car seat boasts a unique harness design that can be adjusted with one hand, and its threadless adjust makes the whole thing simple and easy to adjust once it is installed. The Rava has a 10-position recline that gives ample legroom — a real boon for rear-facing tots.

Personally, I love how easy this seat is to adjust. Not all seats with this range are super easy to adjust the straps and the seat in general. Nuna has worked really hard to get it right.

This is one of the best convertible car seats that offers maximum side-impact protection using a mix of foam and a steel frame, with an easy-to-install belt path design and reclining angle guides to make sure the car seat is installed properly.

The flip-open cupholders are super simple to clean, and the cover is, once again, machine-washable.

Graco 4Ever DLX Grad 5-in-1 Car Seat

Our deputy editor, Joana Mascioli , has this five-in-one convertible seat for her son, and she could not sing its praises loud enough. She says: "My son was born during COVID, which means we stayed home a ton and he rarely made trips out with us. This resulted in him developing a total and complete hatred for car seats. After trying out three different car seats, I almost lost hope — until I found the Graco 5-in-1." She adds "It’s by far the first car seat he truly loves. Installation was easy (which is nothing short of a miracle in this product category), and he’s sat comfortably in it throughout multiple stages of use. It’s spacious yet not bulky, sits high up so he can see out the window as we cruise, and he loves having two cup holders for his car ride goodies. The 5-1 is built to last and I know throughout each stage of use, both for my son and my daughter to use it down the road, it’ll hold up to its affordable value."

Like the One4Life, this car seat can be used from infancy to the time your child no longer needs a car seat. It goes from a rear-facing baby seat to a backless booster. It has everything you expect from a Graco seat — affordability, convenience, ease of installation, and ease of cleaning. While it's every parent's worst nightmare to think about, this car seat is designed to keep your baby safe in front, side, and rollover crashes. The car seat boasts ten height positions, six recline positions, and an integrated belt lock-off for easy vehicle seat belt installation. The machine-washable , rapid-remove cover slips on and off in under a minute without uninstalling the seat for easy cleaning. It's a slimmer design than the Maxi Cosi, so if you're in a smaller vehicle or you have multiple car seats, this may be a better choice for your family. And we're not going to lie — parents love the fact that there are two cup holders — one for a drink and one for a snack.

Cybex Sirona S Convertible Car Seat with SensorSafe

Cybex's goal is to combine security with convenience. Long-known for great strollers, their car seats are just as innovative and excellent, and the Sirona really shines.

Accidentally leaving your child in your car is a fear most parents share. Cybex took this under consideration, completely understanding the assignment, and developed a smart car seat that alerts parents if they've done just that via an app and the clasp on the car seat. The smart clasp registers if you've left your child in the car, away from where you are (ostensibly with your phone), and alerts you to get back to your child. It also alerts you if your child becomes unbuckled while the car is moving or if it gets too hot.

The Cybex Sirona is the only car seat on the market that features an easy latch system and a one-time vehicle belt installation for both rear-facing and forward-facing modes. Our tester said that the app could occasionally warn you your baby is “in the seat” when you’re right there with them, but it’s never done the reverse and let them leave the baby alone.

When I tested it, I found the app to be a little annoying as well, but not more than any other app with a significant number of push notifications that are sent to your phone.

Other than its stellar safety features, it's also incredibly convenient. You can spin the baby all the way around for easy maneuverability. And all the soft pieces except for the straps are easy to remove and machine-washable.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can a baby use a convertible car seat? Convertible car seats can be used from birth or a few months old until elementary school, and often as long as they require a car seat. (This changes state per state, but at least 65 pounds and 4 feet 9 inches is fairly standard.

If you have a convertible car seat, do you still need an infant seat? This is a matter of personal preference. If you want something portable that you can put in a stroller or carry with you, then yes, get an infant car seat and transition to a convertible seat at about one year, keeping baby rear-facing as long as possible.

Will I need a backless booster toddler car seat if I have a convertible car seat? Not necessarily. Some convertible car seats can be used all the way until the end of your child's need for a car seat. However, parents often choose to switch to a backless booster seat when children get a little bit older, as they are simpler and more narrow.

What's the difference between a convertible car seat and an all-in-one? Nothing. A convertible car seat is a true all-in-one product. The language is kind of vague for car seats, and this is frustrating — I get it. An all-in-one or convertible car seat can be used from birth (or close to it) all the way until they no longer need it.

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Car seats: convertible vs travel system?

I agree totally to buy an infant car seat then a convertible, which they’ll probably move into around 1 year old. Most common car seats have adapters to work with different strollers if you don’t like any particular travel system. We bought an uppababy stroller and a Chicco infant car seat and with an adapter it snaps right into the uppababy stroller.

I used a travel system with my first and only used it for about 6 months until we replaced it with a convertible (Graco Extend 2 Fit).

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Review: 2025 Maserati GranCabrio Folgore kicks off the EV convertible era

• The GranCabrio Folgore is the only electric convertible available in the U.S.

Faster and more fluid, the electric GranCabrio Folgore one-ups the gas-powered Trofeo

The $206,995 Maserati GranCabrio Folgore arrives this fall 

The invite said we’d get to experience both the electric 2025 Maserati GranCabrio Folgore and gas-powered GranCabrio Trofeo convertibles. But the extra hook for me, Mr. Lake Life, was the electric Maserati boat.

Maserati spokesperson Matt Rindone told me over the phone I could absolutely drive this electric boat—just fly to Italy, we’ll drive some cars, and I can captain the boat. Sold.

I should’ve gotten receipts in writing that I could drive the boat.

Instead, weeks later, I spent a day cruising the Italian countryside in both the electric- and gas-powered variants of the new Maserati GranCabrio. Both are scintillating and distill what Maserati is today and what it’s moving towards tomorrow.

But it’s the electric Folgore you want. Maserati’s made its topless grand tourer quicker and ride better all without detracting from the experience. There’s even noise, just of a different kind.

Welcome to the electric convertible era.

2025 Maserati GranCabrio Folgore

Maserati GranCabrio Folgore rips while Trofeo crackles

After I wired up with a cappuccino or three I slipped in behind the wheel of an orange GranCabrio Folgore. Wait, is that a blue start button mounted on the steering wheel? Smitten.  

I pulled out of a narrow alley, holding my breath. This big boy needed 41 feet to turn in a circle. No one at Maserati told me why other than to say, “it’s complicated.” I could understand if you explained it to me, promise. 

On the street the three 300-kw (402 hp) electric motors, one up front and two in the rear, combine for 760 hp to slingshot this 5,249-pound monster from 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds. That’s 0.1 second slower than the electric GranTurismo coupe . The 92.5-kwh (83.0 kwh usable) T-shaped battery stowed in the driveline tunnel and behind the rear seats feeds those motors, but power output is limited, today. It’s the inverters. Those motors are capable of a combined output of 1,200 hp, and with time power could be increased. Maserati’s competing in Formula E for a reason.

Maserati didn’t let us charge the Folgore or fully discharge its battery. Its 800-volt electrical architecture is said to enable fast-charging from 20% to 80% in 18 minutes and add 48 miles of range in 5 minutes. Official EPA range ratings aren’t out yet, but Maserati expects the GranCabrio Folgore to have about 250 miles of range.

The road twisted once we broke free of town. Maserati’s lead technician at the program, Filippo Pensotti, cruised just ahead of me in a red GranTurismo Trofeo coupe. I had it set to Max Range mode, which put a damper on things. I clicked to GT mode and undamped it, but the powertrain still felt corked until I flicked the steering wheel-mounted dial to Sport mode. Pop went the powertrain’s cork. The red GranTurismo rounded a corner and barreled down a straight, but it simply doesn’t have the power or speed of the Folgore. 

Flicking the drive mode selector knob to Corsa mode firmed up the suspension further and the air springs lowered the car. Too low. Under compression from the sharp turns I now scraped the underside of the front bumper, so back to Sport mode I went.  

The two electric motors in the rear enable torque vectoring to shift the power side-to-side while going around a corner. Unless someone—possibly me— went faster than they should on a public road, it’s transparent and can’t be felt.

Blasting through the rock-walled canyons in the hills of Italy the Folgore wasn’t completely silent, but it didn’t roar like Maseratis of yore. A synthesized sound from the inverter and electric motors rocks throughout the cabin. It’s a mechanical sound that has a faint hint of gear whine with a bit of grit to it, as if you’re hearing the actual electric motor windings spin up and down. It’s just enough to give the impression you’re accelerating and decelerating without feeling completely fake. I liked it.

GranCabrio can cruise or blast

Maserati’s team said the point of the GranCabrio is that it could be driven from northern Italy to northern Germany in comfort and style, but stop off at the Nürburgring for a hot lap.

In a theoretical situation that someone found themselves going at ‘Ring-lapping speeds, the Maserati team isn’t wrong. In Corsa mode a battery temp graph on the right side of the digital gauge cluster keeps tabs on the power source. Should too much heat get put in the pack with repeated hard acceleration runs and/or from hard braking, which regenerates energy into the battery pack, the car will limit power until the system cools down. But outside of the Autobahn or a race track it’s hard to see a situation when this could occur without someone going to jail. Theoretically.  

Those brakes have four levels of regen ranging from maximum D= (double minus) to D+ all controlled by the metal column-mounted paddles. The latter mode removes all regen and allows sailing with no slowing down unless the driver hits the brakes. The former induces the most regen, but it’s still not enough for one-pedal driving. I found D- to be most similar to engine braking, but used D= most of the day as it shed speed more quickly, fed energy back into the battery pack, and still felt predictable in a way Mercedes’ EQ team hasn’t figured out yet with its regenerative braking system.

2024 Maserati GranCabrio Trofeo

Sliding out of the Folgore into the gas-powered Trofeo wasn’t as dramatic a change as one might expect. The Trofeo’s 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 grinds 542 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque into the pavement. With a 0-60 mph sprint of 3.4 seconds it’s noticeably slower than the Folgore. It can’t push the small of my back into the seat as roughly as the Folgore. It needs to interrupt power for the 8-speed automatic transmission to shift, too.  

The Trofeo crackles under hard acceleration with the active exhaust valves open. It sounds good for a V-6, and tunnel runs induce big smiles. But the ride is the most vivid difference between the GranCabrio Folgore and Trofeo.The Folgore weighs 933 pounds more than the Trofeo. That heft can be felt around a corner with the Trofeo rotating more quickly—but the extra weight settles the GranCabrio’s ride. Even at high speeds in Corsa mode, the suspension settles easily over undulating pavement in the Folgore whereas the Trofeo can feel firm, even a little nervous.

With the soft top down there’s not a lot of wind swirling around the cabin, even at highway speed. Two people can talk and hear each other easily. Putting the top up hushes the cabin to a coupe-like degree. 

Maserati GranCabrio Folgore dresses the part

Both the gas Trofeo and electric Folgore slink down the road with a long hood, short rear deck, swollen fenders, and low ride height. Regardless of powertrain the car wears fender vents like cufflinks. The distinct giveaway of what’s powering the electric Folgore vs. the gas-powered Trofeo are the staggered 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheel designs, a lack of air intakes on the front bumper, a charge port door on the driver side of the rear bumper, and the lack of exhaust tips. 

The Folgore’s wheel design looks better than the Trofeo’s with a three-spoke-like treatment. If you squint the wheels look like they are throwing three tridents as they spin. They almost remind me of a classier iteration of the first-gen Dodge Viper’s three-spoke alloys, though I’m guessing that wasn’t the inspiration for head of Maserati design Klaus Busse.

Maserati GranCabrio’s interior goes digital

  Regardless of powertrain the GranCabrio has the same interior as the coupe. That means a 12.2-inch digital gauge cluster paired with a 12.3-inch touchscreen sitting above an 8.8-inch screen housing the climate and vehicle controls.

The digital screens sit up in a leather-lined interior with knurled bits and metal speaker grille covers that feel cool to the touch and as if they could grate cheese. Everything feels like a luxury car should, and as if it were screwed together by people that actually take pride in their work. This is no Tesla Roadster , if that thing ever somehow materializes again.

As elegant as the interior looks, chopping the top off presents a few usability issues. With the top down in direct sunlight it’s nearly impossible to see the touch-based radio volume slider next to the 12.3-inch touchscreen. It washes out. Sunlight also bleaches out the icons on the steering wheel’s buttons, which control the cruise control system and digital gauge cluster. Closing, or opening, the top is controlled by the 8.8-inch touchscreen and requires one tap to even access the menu, then you must slide and hold an icon for the 14 seconds it takes to open or 16 seconds it takes to close the top.    

Folgores get what feels like neoprene seat inserts that seem a bit out of place in a luxury car. Maserati noted this material is sustainable, but I’d go for the available leather like a heathen. The Trofeo comes standard with leather.

Maserati GranCabrio seats four

At least that’s what Maserati said. It’s true, there are four seats in the GranCabrio, both gas and electric, like the GranTurismo coupe. At 5-foot-10 I sat in the rear seat with the front in my usual driving position. Was it comfortable? No. What’s your point? I’d sit there to run to Blue Bottle and I’d be out. This isn't a grand touring four-seater, it’s a 2+2.

Maserati claimed the trunk could hold bags for all four occupants. Unless those bags are backpacks I’m not sure how. With the top up there’s 5.3 cubic feet of space, and with the top down, thanks to a divider that swings down, that shrinks to 4.0 cubic feet of space. Pack lightly because that long front hood doesn’t open and there’s no front trunk.

Maserati Tridente electric boat

An electric Maserati boat named Tridente

At 2.5 million Euros, which is about $2.6 million at current exchange rates, this electric boat is not the same as the fishing boat or deck boat our family has.

Maserati teamed up with Vita Power to create the Tridente luxury boat that’s 34 feet long with a carbon fiber hull.

It’s electric, which is the tie-in with the GranCabrio Folgore. When the Maserati team tried to get me behind the wheel the boat’s handler looked me in the eyes without flinching and said, “insurance.” That was the end of the discussion.

Hand raisers, it’ll take 9 months to get your Tridente so place orders quickly.

GranCabrio Folgore’s price doesn’t even matter  

When the 2025 GranCabrio Trofeo arrives in the U.S. this summer it will cost $193,995 including a $1,995 destination charge. But the 2025 GranCabrio Folgore will cost $206,995 including that destination charge when it arrives this fall. The $13,000 delta presents an interesting decision for buyers. You could spend that much just on options when ordering a Trofeo, and it would still be slower.  

Then there’s the Lexus LC 500 convertible , which only costs $107,300. You can do a lot of things with an extra $100,000, though the LC 500 convertible doesn’t handle quite as well as the Maserati GranCabrio.

Oh, and wait: the LC 500, not to mention anything else on the market today, can’t be had as an all-electric convertible. For that single reason the Maserati GranCabrio Folgore stands alone with no true challenger.

It’s also a straight-up bargain when considering an electric Maserati boat costs $2.6 million . Maybe next time I can get to drive the boat and tell you what it’s like from behind the wheel. Next time, I’ll make sure to get that in writing.

Maserati paid for travel and lodging to bring you this test drive review of a car, not a boat, not that we’re bitter. 

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