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Northern California Babies
How to know which convertible seat to get?
(Sorry for being a board hog.)
How do you know which one to get? Where can I look at their safety ratings? How will I know if it will fit in my car (2009 Toyota Corolla if anyone has personal experience)?
I'd like to have one picked out so that I can spend the next few months looking for an awesome sale.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: How to know which convertible seat to get?
BRU will let you take the carseat out to your car and try it out.
You can look at Consumer Reports for seat ratings and comparisons. Here's how they rank:
40 lb. forward-facing harness
Britax Diplomat
Cosco Scenera
Graco ComfortSport
Maxi-Cosi Priori
Safety 1st Alpha Omega Elite
Combi Zeus Turn
Safety 1st All-in-One Deluxe
Evenflo Tribute V see here
Greater than 40 lb. forward-facing harness
Evenflo Triumph Advance Premier
Evenflo Triumph Advance LX/DLX
Britax Boulevard
The First Years True Fit
Britax Marathon
Orbit Toddler Car Seat
Sunshine Kids Radian80
Recaro Signo 2 see here
Photo by Zemya Photography
That's awesome that BRU will let you try them out in your car, I didn't know that.
We got the Maxi Cosi Priori for both our cars because they're on the smaller side and the Maxi is smaller than most. Good ratings, price all that but it was also important that it fit in our car well! It is on the shorter side, but so is Sabrina so that was a non-issue for us. I also didn't need one that went over 40 lbs...I figured my kindergartener isn't going to want to use a convertible carseat and we'll move on to a booster when that time comes.
Ugh, don't do what we did initially. I researched everything when registering except the convertible car seats. When we were shopping DH saw this one and said "Hey look! This one's cute... and it looks fancy". We scanned it. My parents were all excited to purchase it off the registry and we didn't return it. I don't like it (alpha omega elite)
Then when we went to purchase a seat for DH's car, we researched. Recaro Signo is what we ended up with and I PPH love it! Easy to install/take out, easy to adjust, love, love, love it.
Britax is expensive, but known as "the best" we didn't go that route... we went for 'cute' and 'known for racing seats'
Rene, just came back to add that we also have a Cosco Scenera for DH's Corolla and it is awesome. Well sort of awesome. It does not have great padding like the Britax seats, but DS doesn't seem to care. It doesn't adjust as easily or install as easily, but it was 1/3 the price. We got it on sale for less than $40 and the best thing for us is that it is so much taller than the Roundabout that DS still has about 4 more inches of headroom before we have to turn him around.
We bought the Roundabouts we do own because Britax gets great ratings and are really comfy and easy to use. Unfortunately for us, our super tall boy is too tall to rearface any more, even though I think it is safer for him. And he will outgrow the seat much faster than I anticipated, even though his weight will be well below 40lbs.
We have to buy new seats by Xmas for Charlie and are really hoping to get seats that will last him until he is old enough for a booster.
with a little one as tall as yours - I would make sure you get one with a tall shell - that way she doesnt grow out of it too quickly. They recc'd RF until their 2 years old now - saying its safer for their little bodies ... so finding one that can RF longer is also a good idea.
The Graco MyRide can RF up to 40lbs. Most RF up to 35lbs. Its new and has good ratings from what Ive read so far. Its also only $150 - pretty good in comparison.
We got the Recaro signo & its HUGE but really comfy looking and safe - plus easy to hook in & unhook. (important if you have to leave it with daycare or switch cards often. We will prob look at the Graco MyRide for DHs car.