Choosing the best extended rear facing car seat for a young child to use in the car can be a huge challenge. There is so much choice on the market, with each seat having different features and specifications. Here, we attempt to answer some common questions parents have when looking for the ideal seat, as well as give some recommendations of some of the best rear-facing for longer seats for toddlers.
Best Extended Rear Facing Toddler Car Seats
In this section, you will find reviews of some of the best seats on the market. We’ve included different styles, from those suitable for children up to the age of 2 years old, to fully convertible seats which can be used until your child no longer needs a booster seat. We’ve also chosen seats which are safety tested to the highest standards, and those which come with parent-friendly features, to give you peace of mind when traveling and make life a little bit easier. So, read on below for our top convertible car seat reviews.
Graco Contender 65
This Graco convertible car seat is suitable for children weighing up to 65 pounds, and can be used facing the back of the car from 5-40 pounds. It can be turned forward-facing from 22 pounds, or if your child gets too tall to comfortably sit facing the back of the car before reaching 40 pounds. The headrest has 8 different positions, making this the perfect seat to keep growing toddlers comfortable and safe. The harness automatically adjusted when the headrest is re-positioned, making it easy to ensure a perfect fit every time. The seat is easy to install, and is compatible with the LATCH system or can be fitted using the car safety belt too.
The rearward facing toddler seat features a conveniently-positioned cup holder, so kids can always have their drink within reach when traveling. The seat comes with a removable head and body support for newborns and young babies. The Graco rear facing car seat has been safety tested to meet or exceed current regulations. It has also been side-impact tested, and features energy-absorbing foam, so you can rest assured your child will be safe and comfortable when traveling in this seat.
Safety 1st 3-in-1 Convertible Seat
This safety seat can be used in three different ways, making it an excellent choice for parents looking for great value for money. It can be used facing rearwards until 40 pounds, forward facing with the 5-point harness until 65 pounds, and also used as a belt-positioning booster from 40-100 pounds. The seat offers 3 different recline positions, to keep toddlers comfortable whether they are napping or awake.
Parents will love the harness holders on this rearward facing car seat – they keep the straps out of the way when lifting the child into the seat, meaning they don’t get tangled or twisted. The harness adjusts at the same time as the headrest, meaning it will always be in the correct position. The seat also features two cup holders for convenience. This seat’s high upper weight limit means it could be the only one you will need from birth right until your child is old enough and tall enough not to need a booster anymore -it’s a great investment!
Chicco Fit2
This adjustable safety seat makes it easy to stay rearward facing from birth to 2 years old, as recommended by the American Association of Pediatrics. It comes with a base, which adjusts to a different position as your child grows, providing them with more legroom. Changing the position of the base for older babies also allows them to safely sit more upright, enabling them to look out the window and see what’s going on! The safety seat is also compatible with selected Chicco strollers, making it perfect for forming a travel system. The seat comes with a canopy which is ideal for shading baby from the sun, either in the car or when using as a travel system.
The seat can be converted between the infant and toddler positions using one simple motion. The base features bubble levels, to ensure the seat is sitting at the correct angle in the car. The base is easily fitted using the LATCH system, and can be tightened and pulled with one hand. The seat pad is easy to remove and is also machine-washable, which is ideal for young babies who often like to snack in the car!
Graco Extend2Fit
Rear and forward facing seats like these are great for those who want their toddler to be rearward facing for longer. This one can be adjusted to provide an extra 5 inches of legroom – ideal for fast-growing kids! Children can ride backwards until they reach 50 pounds, which is one of the highest weight limits on a child seat. The seat comes with a handy harness holder, to make lifting the child into and out of the seat easier.
The Graco extended rearwards facing car seat has 6 different positions, making it as comfortable for sleeping newborns as it is for preschoolers. The headrest can be raised or lowered into one of 10 different positions, meaning this seat is perfect for growing kids. The seat can be fitted using the LATCH system in a matter of seconds, and it features an easy to read level indicator, meaning parents can quickly check that the seat is in the right position.
Graco Milestone All-in-1
This rear and forward facing convertible car seat is the only seat you will ever need from birth until your child no longer needs to use a booster seat. The seat is very easy to install – it features Graco’s InRight Latch system, which allows for one second installation, and provides an audible click so parents can easily tell if the seat is correctly installed. The seat features plush inserts to make it comfortable for young babies, which are easily removed as the child grows.
The 3 in 1 has a removable, washable seat cover, which is perfect for messy babies and toddlers! When the Graco Milestone is used forward facing, the harness can be used by children weighing up to 65 pounds to provide maximum safety. It can also be used without the harness from 30-100 pounds, as a belt-positioning booster.
Graco SlimFit
This awesome seat is designed to save space in the back of the car, making it perfect for families with more than one young child, or with a smaller sized car. It has rotating cup holders on either side, which can be neatly tucked in to further help save space. Despite the more compact size, this set could be the only one your child ever needs, as it converts between three different modes making it suitable from birth to 100 pounds. As well as as the infant and toddler modes, this seat also functions as a belt-positioning booster for kids between 30-100 pounds. It’s perhaps the best all in one car seat on the market, and it offers excellent value for money over its lifespan.
Britax Marathon
This rearfacing car seat for 1 year old comes in a choice of colors and styles so you can find one to match the interior of your car. When your child grows, the harness can very easily be adjusted into one of 14 different positions. The seat is super safe, as it has a layer of side impact protection as well as an impact absorbing base. There are seven different recline positions to ensure the seat is ideal for young babies or for nap time. The seat is suitable for kids up to 65 pounds, and can be used from birth onwards. You can find ‘ClickTight Installation’ on this seat, so you know it’s installed correctly in the car every time.
Evenflo Safemax
Next on our list of the best toddler car seat options is this offering from Evenflo. It is designed to cover all needs from birth until your child is able to ride in the car without a special seat. It focuses strongly on safety, with a steel frame and it has been thoroughly crash tested beyond the minimum requirements, including rollover testing. Parents will love the live video installation which is available, so you can be sure it is installed safely and correctly. The seat also comes with two integrated cup holders so your toddler can stay hydrated on the go.
Graco 4Ever
Our next best carseat is this fantastic offering from Graco. It promises to be the only travel seat your child will ever need, with four different modes covering the first ten years of life. It can be used facing rearwards until 40 pounds, as a toddler seat from 20 to 65 pounds, as a high backed belt positioner between 30 to 100 pounds and finally as a backless belt positioner from 40 to 120 pounds. What’s more, it offers super quick and easy one second LATCH installation. It’s been thoroughly crash tested and comes in two stylish color combinations. This seat might be a little expensive initially, but it will more than pay for itself over the ten years it can be used for.
Maxi Cosi Pria
This rear to front facing car seat from Maxi Cosi comes in loads of different colors, including the usual options such as black and gray, as well as more colorful variations such as purple and pink. The harness on this seat can be used for longer than many others – up to 85 pounds in the front-facing mode. It’s easy to put kids in this seat as there are harness straps to hold the harness out of the way, and the buckle also flips away when getting your child in and out. There’s also a magnetic chest clip to keep the harness securely in place when riding in the car. There are different recline and height positions to ensure your child is always comfortable.
Cosco Apt 50
This rear facing convertible car seat is suitable from 5 to 50 pounds and has two different modes of use. It comes in three color schemes – black, bright pink or bright blue. There’s a five point harness which has six different height positions as well as three buckle positions, to ensure a perfect fit as your child grows. The seat cover can easily be removed and machine washed and dried to keep it clean and hygienic even after spillages or accidents. The seat is even certified for use on airplanes.
Diono Radian
This Diono car seat rear facing has a compact size which allows three of the same seat to fit in the back seat of most medium-sized vehicles. So, it’s the perfect pick for large families with several young kids! It doesn’t compromise on safety however, and has all the features you would expect from a larger and bulkier seat. The headrest can adjust to one of 12 different positions, so the seat really grows with your child. This seat can be used facing rearwards until a child weighs 45 pounds, which is one of the higher upper weight limits on seats of this type.
Britax Advocate
Our next best convertible car seat is the Advocate from Britax. It offers an impressive three layers of side impact protection as well as an impact absorbing base, so you can rest assured this seat will perform well in the event of a collision. It’s suitable for up to 40 pounds rearwards facing and can then be turned until your child is 65 pounds. Installation is super simple and the cover can easily be machine washed and dried. It’s also made from flame retardant material for further safety.
Safety 1st Continuum
Finally in our list of the best convertible car seats is the Continuum by top brand Safety 1st. It has three different modes so can be used until a child weighs up to 80 pounds, or 40 pounds facing rearwards. The harness and headrest can be easily adjusted together. In rear mode, the seat doesn’t take up too much space compared to many other seats, offering up to seven inches more legroom for the passenger in the seat in front. The seat cover can easily be removed for cleaning, and the cup holder can also be taken off with ease to ensure it can be washed regularly. There are loads of nice color options for this seat, such as black with red or purple, gray with blue or simple, plain gray.
Why Extended Rear Facing?
Whilst babies can begin facing forwards in the car from when they weigh 22 pounds, The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children should be facing backwards in the car until at least 2 years of age. It’s even better if children can stay rearwards until they reach the maximum height or weight limit of their seat. This is because young children’s heads are much larger in proportion to the rest of their bodies than adult’s are. Therefore, if there is a collision, young children who are traveling forwards-facing are much more likely to suffer very severe head and neck injuries.
What is a Convertible Car Seat?
A convertible seat is one which can be used rearward facing from birth, then later turned to face forwards for older children. Many convertible seats allow for longer rear facing, in some cases until the child weighs 50 pounds. Some convertible seats can also be used as a booster for children who no longer need to use a 5 point harness. However, it is recommended that children use the 5 point harness of their seat rather than the car’s safety belt for as long as possible. Many of the seats here allow the harness to be used until the child weighs 65 pounds.
What Should I Look for When Choosing a Carseat?
It’s crucial to ensure that the seat has been extensively safety tested and meets current standards. You should also look for a seat which allows the child to rear-face for as long as possible. You might also wish to look for a seat which can be used as a booster, to ensure maximum value for money. Some parents look for features such as easy installation, which is particularly useful if the seat will be used in more than one car. You should ensure your child is within the height and weight limit of the seat. If they are too small, you’ll need to look at infant car seats instead.
Do bear in mind that rear facing car seat laws by state do vary, so be sure to check out any local laws and regulations before deciding which seat to go for, to ensure it is legal for use in your state.
Top Pick: Best Extended Rear Facing Toddler Car Seat
After looking at all these different seats, it’s time to choose which takes the spot as the best rear facing car seat overall. We have looked at many different seats which offer the possibility of longer rear facing for toddlers. The Graco Extend2Fit is one of our favorites, as it can be used in the rearwards position for much longer than many other seats – until your child weighs 50 pounds. The seat ensures even larger toddlers will remain comfortable, as there is the chance to extend the legroom by 5 inches, making it the perfect choice for growing children.