If there’s one thing I’ve hated shopping for as a parent, it’s car seats. There are hundreds of options and they all claim reign supreme. When we were expecting our first child, I literally spent hours researching brands, models, price points, and customer reviews—first for a rear-facing infant seat and then all over again for the best convertible car seat for toddlers.
By the time we were ready to purchase a second seat for baby number two, our needs changed. Of course, safety and comfort were still top of mind, but we also needed space. Forward-facing car seats are typically quite bulky, but with two toddlers and a grandma who spends months at a time with us, we wanted car seats that would leave enough space in the backseat for me to sit between them when we all wanted to be in the car together. Turns out the search wasn’t as straightforward as I thought it would be. (Is it ever?)
Whether you need the space like us, have a smaller backseat, or just prefer a sleeker look, check out this guide on what I found to be three top choices for the best slim-fit convertible car seats for your growing toddler.
Diono Radian 3RXT
It’s no surprise that this one tops the list of the best convertible car seats with a narrow fit—this award-winning three-in-one seat is the cream of the crop and it’s known for its sleek, ultra-slim design.
Pros:
- Converts from newborn, rear-facing seat to forward-facing booster seat
- Allows for extended rear-facing position (for added safety)
- Solid steel core framework
- Slim enough to comfortably fit three of these car seats across one backseat
- Comes in a range of great colours
Cons:
- High price point (may not be worth it if you’re purchasing it for toddlers)
- Quite heavy (almost 14 kg) so difficult to move between cars
- Rear-facing mode takes up a lot of space from position of the front seat
- Can be tricky to install
Graco Nautilus SnugLock 3-in-1 Harness Booster
This moderately-priced option is my next pick for the best convertible car seat for small spaces, but only if you’re done with the rear-facing stage and looking for something to take you from toddler to child.
Pros:
- Convertible design for toddler stage and onward with 5-point harness seat, to high-back booster, to backless booster with removable arm rests (great versatility for when you don’t need the infant stage)
- Slim, sleek design with two handy cup holders (good for toddlers like mine who like to store snacks in them)
- Sturdy steel-reinforced frame
- Decent weight (10.2 kg) and easy to install
Cons:
- No rear-facing option (if you’ve got a smaller toddler and want to extend rear-facing stage)
- Not as slim as the Diono option
- No colour options
Evenflo EveryStage DLX All-in-One Car Seat
This affordable option converts from a rear-facing infant stage seat to a forward-facing harness seat, and then to a seatbelt booster seat.
Pros:
- Affordable price point
- Lots of support for smaller tots
- Click-in latch system makes it easy to install with a tight, secure fit
- Good recline options make it more comfortable for car sleepers
Cons:
- Not as many conversion options, especially if you don’t use the rear-facing
- A bulkier seat when in rear-facing position
- A few reviews mention that the quality doesn’t seem as high as other chairs
We ended up going with the Diono because it provided the space we needed and the weight wasn’t an issue because we knew it wouldn’t be moved once it was installed. We also found a great package deal that came with a few other extras for the car. Had we not found the deal, the Graco would have been our next pick.
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