Hi moms and dads! If you’ve read my general guide to choosing a car seat, then you know that newborns have to be put in rear-facing car seats in order to protect them adequately in the event of a collision. Many parents prefer to use infant car seats for their newborns that can be attached and disconnected from a base, which is permanently installed in the car. This way, you can move your baby in and out without disturbing them.

Once your baby reaches a certain weight (around 35 pounds), though, it’s time to move them out of the infant seat. At that point you’ll want a convertible car seat. In fact, some parents start with a convertible car seat from day one! They’re just heavier and are typically installed full-time. Without further ado, I compare the five top-rated convertible car seats of today:

1. Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat

$278

• Size and weight: ‎20 x 21.5 x 24 inches, 23 pounds
• Range: birth to 120 pounds
• Installation: seat belt or LATCH system; a little tricky to install but easy to transition between modes
• Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Buy on Amazon

The Graco 4Ever is well-loved by parents for offering a reliable, good-value car seat for years. All you have to do is buy this one seat, and it will hold your baby from the day you leave the hospital until they weigh 120 pounds—at most, 10 years. Get it and forget it! The downsides to this seat are that it doesn’t fit newborns optimally and that it’s a little tricky to install. If you’re down to spend a little more, Graco offers a SnugLock version of this seat that remedies the second issue.

2. Cosco Scenera NEXT Convertible Car Seat

$49

• Size and weight: 17.63 x 15.75 x 30.25 inches, 10 pounds
• Range: 5-40 pounds, up to 43 inches
• Installation: LATCH system, easy to install, transitions by flipping
• Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Buy at Walmart

The Cosco Scenera NEXT is the seat for those of you looking for an affordable option that gets the job done without bells and whistles. It has just two modes: rear-facing for 5-40 pounds and front-facing for 22-40 pounds. Parents note that it’s better suited for infants than for toddlers and is less padded than other options on the market, but others appreciate that it’s so lightweight, at just 10 pounds. Not to mention the price—it’s a great bargain!

3. Britax Marathon ClickTight Anti-Rebound Bar Convertible Car Seat

$339

• Size and weight: 23 x 18.5 x 23.5 inches; 27 pounds
• Range: 5 to 65 pounds, up to 49 inches
• Installation: thread seat belt through easy ClickTight system, easy to rotate
• Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Buy on Amazon

The Britax Marathon is a favorite among parents. The best feature of this seat is its ClickTight installation system, which gives a comforting click when the seat is installed properly, a feature I often look for in car seats myself. Some parents find the straps a little tight on the legs, but it works well and offers a secure hold for most babies, so give it a try and return it if it doesn’t work for your little one.

4. Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat

$190

• Size and weight: 22.1 x 19.2 x 25.2 inches; 19 pounds
• Range: 4 to 65 pounds, up to 49 inches
• Installation: easy LATCH attachment, easy to rotate
• Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Buy on Amazon

I have included the Graco Extend2Fit seat because of one very interesting feature. It goes beyond the competition in letting you use the rear-facing mode all the way up to 50 pounds. As I explain in detail in my car seat guide, the rear-facing position is the safest one for your bundle of joy. That being said, it doesn’t support front facing before 40 pounds, so be sure you’re happy with rear facing for a while. Also, note that its cupholders don’t detach, making it wide and leaving you less space in the backseat. Still a good choice for keeping your baby as safe as possible!

5. Nuna RAVA Convertible Car Seat

$499

• Size and weight: 16 x 19 x 25.2-31 inches; 27 pounds
• Range: 5 to 65 pounds, up to 49 inches
• Installation: supports anchor belt or seat belt installation, with easy seat belt installation and angle guides
• Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Buy Now

I include the Nuna Rava for those of you parents looking for the best seat that money can buy. This seat is definitely a splurge, but just look at it! It knocks the rivals out of the park for style. Like the Graco Extend2Fit, it supports rear facing up to 50 pounds. Unlike the Extend2Fit, you can flip open and fold away its cupholders, giving you more space. The construction is superb. I expect you’ll be very happy with this buy.