Best All-in-One Car Seats of 2023
As a parent, you’re probably expecting to purchase 3 different car seats over your little one’s lifetime: The infant car seat for your newborn’s first trip home, the convertible car seat for when they’re big enough to forward-face, and eventually, the booster, which allows your child to use the vehicle seat belt. But if you opt for an All-in-One, it’s the only car seat purchase you’ll need to make.
Picking the best all-in-one car seat for your baby is a big (and expensive) decision—you’ll get up to a decade of use from a single car seat. Our Albee gear enthusiasts have rounded up their favorite picks for this one-and-done piece of baby gear.
What’s an All-in-One Car Seat?
An all-in-one car seat is a convertible car seat that’s been designed for use from birth through the big kid years (you may also see them described as 3-in-1 or 4-in-1). Most all-in-one seats can be used for a decade, and can replace three or four car seat purchases.
Like a standard convertible car seat, they can be used rear- or forward- facing, and then later with older children, as a booster (both high-back and backless, depending on the model).
What’s the Safest All-in-One Car Seat?
One of the most common questions we’re asked by parents-to-be is ‘What car seat is safest for my new baby?’ Fortunately, all new car seats must pass federal safety regulations set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), including all-in-one car seats. Any car seat available to purchase in the US has met or exceeded all federally required safety standards.
Albee Baby All-in-One Car Seat Picks
We’ve consulted our gear enthusiasts on our all-in-one car seat picks so you’ll have all the info you need to find the right seat for your family.
Best Affordable All-in-One Car Seat
Graco 4Ever DLX SnugLock Grow 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat
The Albee’s rundown:
- Four modes of use
- Easy installation
- Rapid remove cover
The bestselling Graco 4Ever DLX Grow offers a decade of use and can be used in four modes: Rear-facing, forward-facing, high-back booster, and backless booster. The InRight LATCH installs in just one second, and an integrated belt lock off makes seat belt installation quick and uncomplicated.
Graco went the extra mile with safety test, too: The 4Ever DLX Grow has been side-impact tested for harness retention, rear-impact tested inspired by the advanced European rear-impact crash pulse and tested to their own RollSafe standard based on the European rollover testing procedure.
The steel reinforced frame provides strength and durability, and the harness system and ten-position headrest can be adjusted simultaneously without rethreading the harness. The DLX was upgraded with a machine-washable rapid-remove car seat cover and fuss-free harness storage for easier accessibility.
Noteworthy specs:
- Weighs 25 lbs
- Rear-facing 5-40 lbs
- Forward-facing 22-65 lbs and up to 49”
- High back booster 40-100 lbs and 43-57”
- Backless booster 40-120 lbs and 43-57”
- 10 year expiration
- 1 year warranty
Easiest to Install All-in-One Car Seat
Britax One4Life ClickTight All-in-One Convertible Car Seat
The Albee’s rundown:
- Easy to install
- Bonus safety features
- Tons of adjustment points
The Britax One4Life offers up to a decade of use, taking your little one from birth to big kid in a car seat with serious safety cred and a super easy install. The ClickTight installation technology guarantees a quick and straightforward installation: Twist a button to open the car seat front, thread and buckle your seatbelt, and close for a snug fit.
Like all Britax car seats, the One4Life has no shortage of safety features, like a high strength steel frame, SafeCell crumple zones that redirect crash forces away from the seat, and a v-shaped tether that stabilizes the seat and prevents rotation in a collision.
The SafeWash fabric is naturally flame retardant free, and can be machine washed and dried (a pretty major time saver). Dual cup holders are easy to remove and are dishwasher safe
Noteworthy specs:
- Weighs 30 lbs
- Rear-facing 5-50 lbs or 49”
- Forward-facing 22-65 lbs or 49”
- Booster seat 40-120 lbs or 63”
- 10 year expiration
- 1 year warranty
Best Budget Friendly All-in-One Car Seat
Chicco OneFit ClearTex All-in-One Convertible Car Seat
The Albee’s rundown:
- Slim design
- Easy to install
- GREENGUARD Gold Certified
The Chicco OneFit ClearTex All-in-one takes your baby from birth through a booster, and its slim design easily fits compact vehicles without compromising comfort (and is a great choice for fitting three-across).
We’re big fans of Chicco’s Super Cinch force-multiplying strap that makes a tight LATCH installation a breeze. Think of it like a pulley system; instead of putting some real muscle into tightening LATCH connectors, you’ll simply pull upwards on the strap. A steel reinforced seat belt lockoff system ensures a secure installation using the seat belt with an easy thread belt path.
The ClearTex fabrics have no added chemicals and are GREENGUARD Gold Certified for low chemical emissions, contributing healthier air quality around your child. And that extends to all soft goods surrounding your little one: The foam, inserts, and comfort kits.
The OneFit is extra comfy for kiddos with extended legroom while rear-facing, a ten position headrest adjustment, and nine recline positions.
Noteworthy specs:
- Weighs 25 lbs
- Rear-facing 5-50 lbs or 43”
- Forward-facing 22-65 lbs or 54”
- Booster seat 40-120 lbs or 57”
- 10 year expiration
- 1 year warranty
Best All-in-One Car Seat for Compact Cars
Diono Radian 3 RXT Safe+ Narrow All-in-One Convertible Car Seat
The Albee’s rundown:
- Original three across car seat
- Three modes of use
- Folds for easy travel
The Diono Radian is the original slim-fit convertible car seat—at just 17” across, the Radian 3 RXT Safe+ has a narrow width so your family has a load of options for configuring three car seats across, even if you don’t drive a tank. It has a low profile, so once your kiddo is old enough to climb in and out themselves, you won’t be the parent holding up the carpool line.
The 3 RXT Safe+ is engineered with advanced safety, comfort, and protection: A full steel frame, energy-absorbing EPS foam, six layers of side impact protection, and twelve position adjustable headrest provide maximum protection for your little one. An extended rear-facing weight limit (50 lbs!) means your child can ride in the safest position possible for longer for major peace of mind.
And if your family loves adventure, the Radian 3RXT Safe+ is FAA-certified and folds near-flat for easy transport.
Noteworthy specs:
- Weighs 30.6 lbs
- Rear-facing 4-50 lbs
- Forward-facing 22-65 lbs
- High back booster 40-100 lbs
- Ten-year expiration
- 3-year warranty when you register
Classic Cozy All-in-One Car Seat
Maxi-Cosi Pria Max All-in-One Convertible Car Seat
Albee’s Rundown:
- Three modes of use
- FR free PureCosi fabrics
- Easy to clean
Pria Max is suitable for kiddos up to 100 lbs and has three modes of use: Rear-facing only, forward-facing with a harness, and as a belt-positioning booster. Flame-retardant-free PureCosi fabrics keep your little one comfy and cozy, and the cover is super easy to remove for quick cleaning. Soft cushions and premium padding are crazy cushy and naturally moisture-wicking for temperature regulation.
G-Cell side impact protection is built into the headrest, providing supreme protection to your baby’s head and neck (where they need it most!). The no-rethread QuickFit shoulder harness automatically raises the shoulder straps and headrest height to fit your growing child, and say goodbye to tangled toddler arms with the Out-of-the-Way spring assist harness system. The ClipQuik™ magnetic chest clip makes buckling in and out a breeze. Grippy cup holders keep sippy cups secure—sure, it’s easy to clean, but who’s got time for that?
Noteworthy specs:
- Weighs 18.6 lbs
- Rear-facing 4-40 lbs
- Forward-facing 22-65 lbs
- High back booster 40-100 lbs
- Ten-year expiration
- Lifetime warranty
Best All-in-One Car Seat with Advanced Safety Technology
Cybex Eternis S with SensorSafe All-in-One Convertible Car Seat
The Albee’s rundown:
- Bonus safety features
- SensorSafe technology
- Reclining headrest
The Cybex Eternis S with SensorSafe is an all-in-one seat that is loaded with innovative safety features. Cybex’s SensorSafe technology is integrated into the chest clip, which sends an alert to your car or phone if your child is in a potentially dangerous situation, like being left in the car or if the chest clip has come unbuckled.
Eternis S features a steel reinforced frame and linear side impact protection pods that absorb crash forces in a side-impact collision. The unique headrest has three recline positions, which helps tilt your child’s head backward, preventing the chin from falling to the chest and restricting the airway.
Your little one (and front seat passengers) will appreciate the extra rear-facing legroom without cramping the front seat, and the twelve position headrest and no rethread harness make the Eternis S super user friendly.
Noteworthy specs:
- Weighs 26 lbs
- Rear-facing 4-50 lbs
- Forward-facing 22-65 lbs
- Belt-positioning booster 40-120 lbs and up to 57”
- 10 year expiration
- 2 year warranty
Best New Rotating All-in-One Car Seat
Maxi-Cosi Emme 360 All-in-One Rotational Convertible Car Seat
The Albee’s rundown:
- 360° rotation
- 10 years of use
- Easy to install
The Maxi-Cosi Emme 360 is the newest all-in-one rotating car seat on the block, and we’re impressed. It has a 360° rotating seat and evolves with your growing child from birth to ten years: First as a rear-facing car seat, then forward-facing, and eventually, a belt-positioning booster. And it’s budget-friendly compared to most other rotating car seats, especially considering its lifespan.
Seat belt installation is a breeze, too. The tension plate makes achieving a snug installation without brute force easy, and the TensionFix indicator turns from red to green when the belt is tight enough. The 10-position headrest and harness adjustment and 5-position recline ensure comfort and safety in every stage.
The ClipQuik magnetic chest clip means struggle-free in-and-out buckling, and innovative dual cup holders rotate to accommodate all kinds of sippy cups, even those with handles. The PureCosi naturally fire-resistant fabrics are machine washable (and dryer safe!) for quick and convenient cleaning.
Noteworthy specs:
- Weighs 38 lbs
- Rear-facing 5-40 lbs and 19-40”
- Forward-facing 22-65 lbs and 29-49”
- Belt-positioning booster 40-100 lbs and 43-52”
- 10 year expiration
- 1 year warranty
Best Luxury All-in-One Car Seat
The Albee’s rundown:
- Easy to install and know that it’s installed correctly
- Innovative safety technology
- Limited lifetime warranty
The EXEC is Nuna’s all-in-one seat that will take you from the newborn stage to big kid (it has a 120 lbs weight limit in booster mode). We love its 50 lbs rear-facing weight limit, and the extendable leg rest that doubles as an anti-rebound bar.
Seat belt installation is easy and intuitive: You’ll simply thread the belt through the seat’s true tension doors – there’s a color coded guide to follow – buckle, and close the door panel. It’s a quick and virtually foolproof secure install.
It has all the thoughtful details you’d expect from Nuna, including naturally flame retardant free fabrics, magnetic holders that keep harness buckles out of the way, merino wool infant inserts., and a machine washable slip cover for the leg rest (you’ll be using this seat for a long time, after all). It’s on the slimmer side, so it will work in a three seats across situation in most midsize cars.
Noteworthy specs:
- Weighs 30 lbs
- Rear-facing 5-50 lbs or 49”
- Forward-facing 25-65 lbs or 49”
- Belt-positioning booster 40-120 lbs, 38-57”
- 10 year expiration
- 2 year warranty
Finding What’s Right for You
Albee Baby is the oldest family-owned specialty baby shop in the US, and we pride ourselves on providing our customers with the best assortment of baby products anywhere, at fair prices, always. We’re committed to being an inclusive resource for parents, and hope you’re feeling empowered to find the right car seat for your family. Still have questions? Feel free to contact our baby gear experts at 877.692.5233 or by email at [email protected].