The Best Forward-Facing Car Seats for Kids Who Are Ready to See the Road Ahead

Best Overall

Nuna AACE Booster Seat

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Why We Recommend It

With its two booster conversions, simple installation, and sleek look, theNuna AACE Booster Seat tops our list. It transforms from ahigh back booster, which includes an adjustable headrest, extra shoulder room, eight recline positions, and an expandable seat, into abackless booster. The seat isn’t lightweight, but it also doesn’t feel heavy at 15.6 pounds.

A handle on the seat’s front releases a metal frame for arigid LATCH connection(rather than strap connectors). We found it easy to attach the seat to a vehicle’s lower anchor bars. Moreover, each LATCH connector hascolor indicatorsthat change from red to green when properly locked into place. When your child is ready to switch from a high back to a backless booster, simply eject the seat base to remove the seat’s back.

The overall look is modern with plush, padded fabric, and the entire construction feels sturdy and solid. Kids have one cup holder that clips onto either side of the seat. We enjoy the manyadjustable features, like the headrest that also expands the shoulder area for more wiggle room, eight reclines, an expandable seat, built-in armrests, and colored belt path indicators for kids (and parents) to use as a guide.

For messes, toss the seat covering into a washing machine with mild detergent before turning it on to a delicate cycle and hang drying. During testing, we had towash the seat coveringafter sunscreen residue, food crumbs, and other debris made the fabric dirty. We didn't see any changes in quality after washing it—no shrinkage, pilling, or other noticeable differences.

The Takeaway

If you’re looking for a booster seat that transforms from high back to backless, the Nuna AACE is easy to use and install for your family’s needs. We love the many adjustable features and the machine washable seat covering.

Key Specs:

• Dimensions:14.6 x 21.5 x 26 inches
• Convertible:Yes (high back and backless)
• Weight and Height Range:40 to 110 pounds, measuring 38 to 60 inches tall (high back) and 50 to 120 pounds, measuring 38 to 60 inches tall (backless)
• Recommended Age:Minimum of 4 years old (high back) and minimum of 5 years old
• Product Weight:15.6 pounds

Price at time of publication: $250

Best Budget

Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1 Belt Positioning Booster Car Seat

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Why We Recommend It

This Chicco car seat reaps a handy (and solid) 2-in-1 design at an affordable price tag. Similar to the Nuna AACE, theChicco KidFit Zip Air Plusis ahigh back and backless booster in one design. It took us approximately 10 minutes to assemble the seat, but the process was easy. We needed about the same amount of time to install it with the LATCH connectors.

After installation, we immediately noticed howsturdythe seat felt and the many convenient features for both kids and adults. There’s the option to use azip-on cushioned leg restfor comfy seating, two foldable cup holders for drinks, and a kids' console for snacks or small toys. While the kids' console never fell off during testing, we think it doesn't feel very stable.

The seat pad and armrest covers can be removed via zippers for machine washing. Removing the fabrics and putting them back on is seamless and intuitive, with the seat looking spick and span after a thorough cleaning.

The Takeaway

For a 2-in-1 booster, the Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus is agood valuethat gives you years of use in return. We particularly love how comfortable it is and its convenient features.

Key Specs:

• Dimensions:20 x 17 x 26 inches
• Convertible:Yes (high back and backless)
• Weight and Height Range:40 to 100 pounds (high back) and 40 to 110 pounds (backless)
• Recommended Age:Minimum of 4 years old and can sit relatively still in same seated position
• Product Weight:11 pounds
  

Price at time of publication: $160

Best Convertible

Graco Extend2Fit 3-in-1 Car Seat

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Why We Recommend It

For families looking for a car seat that’ll give themyears of use,Graco Extend2Fit 3-in-1 won’t disappoint. This convertible car seat transforms from rear-facing to forward-facing and into a high back booster for kids from birth up to 100 pounds. If you use the car seat for newborns, the company includes plushhead and body inserts for infantsto provide support to little bodies. The Extend2Fit 3-in-1 offers two cup holders (square-shaped, not round), a six-position recline, a 10-position headrest, and a four-position extension panel, providing up to 5 inches of extra legroom. Using all of the seat’s features is a breeze, and we love that you don’t have to rethread the harness when adjusting the headrest.

The Graco Extend2Fit 3-in-1 features alevel indicatorthat’s easy to read following installation, which is just as simple. When putting a child into the seat and taking them out, you can place the five-point safety harness straps into convenient pockets on each side of the seat. When in belt-positioning mode, the straps can be stored in a compartment on the seat’s back so they’re out of the way. During testing,扣,clips worked flawlesslyeach time, including for a 3-year-old who was able to click the buckle into place by themselves (before their parent took a second look).

While the垫块是马chine washable, we were able to clean out the unit with just a vacuum and wipes. We followed all cleaning recommendations per Graco, and they never altered the seat’s nice quality.

The Takeaway

孩子们可以使用固瑞克Extend2Fit 3-in-1birth up to 100 pounds via its three modes, which makes this a great investment. From its durability, easy installation, and intuitive features, this convertible Graco car seat will stay in your family for years.

Key Specs:

• Dimensions:20.75 x 19 x 24.5 inches
• Convertible:Yes (rear-facing, forward-facing, and high back booster)
• Weight and Height Range:4 to 50 pounds (rear-facing), 22 to 65 pounds and up to 49 inches tall (forward-facing), and 40 to 100 pounds, 43 to 57 inches tall, at least age 4 (booster)
• Recommended Age:Birth up to 100 pounds
• Product Weight:19 pounds
  

Price at time of publication: $250

Best Rotating

Evenflo Gold Revolve360 Rotational All-In-One Convertible Car Seat

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Why We Recommend It

TheEvenflo Gold Revolve360is a favorite among parents and caregivers, and a top performer among many of our tests, includingbest convertible car seatsandbest rotating car seats. This rotating car seatswivels 360 degrees in all modes(rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster), making it effortless to put a child in and take them out without bonking your head on the car or twisting your back while leaning in. Pull either handle on the side of the car seat to swivel the Revolve360 and then lock it into place with confirmation from a “clicking” sound. Includedhead and body pillowsgive the newest addition to the family a more secure fit.

After watching the company’s installation video,we installed the rotating car seat in a little over four minutes. The best part? The base and seat of the Evenflo360 detach from each other, so you can install the base first easily (just be sure to use both together). Whether you use the lap or shoulder belt, don’t put the vehicle belt over the “LockStrong bar” on the car seat, or you’ll prevent the correct operation of the seat. To ensure you’ve installed the seat properly, check thelevel indicatoron the seat’s side.

Adjust the headrest into 14 positions and recline the seat into multiple positions to accommodate growing kids and provide them with a comfortable ride. While the swivel car seat surprisinglydoesn’t take up too much space—even with its rotating feature—the seat may impact driver or passenger seats depending on the car seat’s recline and the vehicle seats’ adjustments. Otherwise,all features on the Revolve360 worked like a charmduring testing, including the buckles on the five-point safety harness and dual cup holders that remove for dishwasher cleaning.

We appreciate how the plush, soft fabric of the seat is effortless to clean (machine washable and dryer safe) and doesn’t lose its high quality. Another great feature of the Evenflo Gold Revolve360 is its price; it reaps one of the lowest costs among all the rotating car seats we tested.

The Takeaway

Eye-catching, solid, and a true game changer, the Evenflo Gold Revolve360 is one of our favorite car seats. Parents and caregivers will greatly appreciate the 360-degree swivel that makes it easy to take your baby in and out, while kiddos will love its plush fabric that’s comfy on the tush.

Key Specs:

• Dimensions:19.8 x 25.9 x 21 inches
• Convertible:Yes (rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster)
• Weight and Height Range:4 to 40 lbs. and 17 to 40 inches tall (rear-facing), 22 to 65 lbs. and 28 to 49 inches tall (forward-facing), and 40 to 120 lbs. and 44 to 57 inches tall (booster)
• Recommended Age:Birth up to 120 pounds
• Product Weight:29.6 pounds
  

Price at time of publication: $430

Best High Back

Maxi-Cosi RodiSport Booster Car Seat

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Why We Recommend It

We love theMaxi-Cosi RodiSportas our best high back booster seat because it’s super comfortable withpadded material, armrests, recline options, and more.It also converts from a high back booster to a backless without feeling bulky in either mode. The RodiSport features a similar installation method to the Nuna AACE withrigid LATCH connectors;however, this installation method is optional, according to the company. We installed the seat with the rigid LATCH method because it makes the booster feel extra secure and follows the 1-inch wiggle room rule.

Between multiple recline options, armrests, a seven-position headrest, and the padded material, it’s clear why kids love this forward-facing car seat.Bright red seat belt pathshelp kids guide the vehicle belt into the proper place, while a single cup holder securely holds drinks (though some kids may wish they had two). We washed the padded material during our testing period, and the fabric looked brand new afterward—no pilling, fading, or other wear and tear.

The Takeaway

The Maxi-Cosi RodiSport is all about comfort for the kiddos, especially in high back mode, thanks to a seven-position adjustable headrest, several recline options, armrests, and padded material.

Key Specs:

• Dimensions:18 x 22 x 18.5 inches
• Convertible:Yes (high back and backless)
• Weight and Height Range:40 to 100 pounds and 43 to 57 inches tall
• Recommended Age:Not listed
• Product Weight:13 pounds
  

Price at time of publication: $180

Best Backless

Graco TurboBooster 2.0 Backless Booster

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Why We Recommend It

A backless booster is a great compromise for kids who want to ditch their car seat (but shouldn’t yet), which is why we love theGraco Turbobooster 2.0. This backless booster seatweighs only 5 poundsand sits directly on the vehicle seat, meaning it doesn’t require any installation. Children secure themselves into the seat using the vehicle’s seat belt.

Despite feeling lightweight and要求零安装, we’re impressed with the sturdy construction of the Graco booster seat. Kids told us this seat is super comfy (more than their previous ones) because of itsthick padding and adjustable armrests. Unfortunately, you have to remove and reinstall a screw to adjust the armrests. On the plus side, kids get two cup holders that fold inward to save space when not in use. Moreover, the padded seat rest unsnaps and unhooks for machine washing. If you don’t need to wash it, just shake the seat outside of the car to loosen debris.

At $29, the Graco Turbobooster 2.0 easily fits into a variety of family budgets.

The Takeaway

The Graco Turbobooster 2.0 made an impression on parents for its lack of installation and impressed kids for its comfy material. In fact, one kiddo compared this Graco booster seat to her plush mattress.

Key Specs:

• Dimensions:15 x 17 x 8.6 inches
• Convertible:No (backless)
• Weight and Height Range:40 to 100 pounds, and 43 to 57 inches tall
• Recommended Age:4 to 10 years old
• Product Weight:5.1 pounds
  

Price at time of publication: $29