Curated Experts take each shopper's budget into account every time they make recommendations. This list brings together their top recommendations for car seats under $400. Want a more personalized fit for your particular needs and preferences? Don't forget to chat with a Baby & Toddler Expert here on Curated for free advice and recommendations on the best car seat for your needs.
- Maxi-Cosi Pria All-in-One Convertible Car Seat
- Diono Radian® 3RXT Safe+® All-in-One Convertible Car Seat
- Maxi-Cosi Pria Max All-in-One Convertible Car Seat
- Diono Radian 3R Latch All-in-One Convertible Car Seat and Booster
- Britax One4Life ClickTight All-in-One Convertible Car Seat + Booster
- Diono Radian® 3RX All-in-One Convertible Car Seat
- Graco 4Ever® DLX 4-in-1 Car Seat
- Britax Boulevard ClickTight Convertible Car Seat
- Maxi-Cosi Coral™ XP Infant Car Seat
- Britax Marathon ClickTight Convertible Car Seat Safewash
Maxi-Cosi Pria All-in-One Convertible Car Seat
Rear facing for 4-40 lbs and 19-40 in. Foward facing for 22-65 lbs and 29-49 in. The booster will go from 40-100 lbs and 43-52 in. This has a 3 position recline and 5 different headrest heights and a quick to adjust shoulder harness. LATCH compatible and airplane certified in the harness mode.
Convertible carseat rated for use from 4 pounds in rear facing up through 100 pounds as a booster seat. Comfortable with features like cupholders and washable cover. This seat is TSA approved for travel and uses the LATCH system for secure attachment in a vehicle.
Those seeking a "one-and-done" car seat with LATCH connectors, better-than-average padding, and cupholders for their child. (Rear-facing: babies weighing 4-40lbs and 19-40" tall. Forward-facing: 22-65lb, 29-49". Booster: 40-100lbs, 43-52")
Diono Radian® 3RXT Safe+® All-in-One Convertible Car Seat
Fits children from 5 - 50 lbs rear facing, 22 - 65 lbs forward facing, and 50 - 120 lbs in the booster. Safe Stop energy absorbing harness. Reinforced steel frame and core with reinforced sides. EPS energy absorbing foam for side impact collisions. Memory foam for comfortable seating and cup holder. Machine washable fabric and includes a cup holder. Head rest is adjustable for a better fit as your child grows.
Maxi-Cosi Pria Max All-in-One Convertible Car Seat
Anyone seeking a "one-and-done" car seat with one-click LATCH connectors, better-than-average padding, and removable/dishwasher-safe cupholders. Can easily be adjusted from rear-facing to forward-facing and has 3 positions of recline. (Rear-facing: babies weighing 4-40lbs, 19-40" tall. Forward-facing: 22-65lbs, 29-49" tall. Booster: 40-100lbs, 43-52" tall)
Rear facing from 4 - 40 lbs and up to 40" tall. Forward facing from 22 - 65 lbs and up to 49" tall. Booster is from 40 - 100 lbs. No rethread harness. Harness straps stay out of the way for getting baby in and out. LATCH compatible. Recline positions. Aircraft certified.
Diono Radian 3R Latch All-in-One Convertible Car Seat and Booster
Great for using three across a back seat with the slim profile. The rear facing mode is ideal for 5-50 pounds, the forward facing for 22-65 pounds, then the high back booster position for up to 140 pounds! This is one of the most popular and highest revered options not only for safety but for value due to the ten year lifespan that grows with children!
Fits babies from 5 - 50 lb in rear facing, 22 - 65 lb for forward facing, and 40- 120 lb for booster seat and up to 57 in tall. If you are using LATCH it's only good up to 35 lb rear facing and 40 lb forward facing. It's a slim fit so good for smaller spaces.
Slim, low profile and basic model that grows with baby from birth through booster seat. Designed to keep child rear facing longer.
Britax One4Life ClickTight All-in-One Convertible Car Seat + Booster
This seat is rated for use from birth to 10 years of age as it converts from rear facing, to front facing to booster. 5-50 pound rating for rear facing keeps your child safely backwards as long as you and they want. 15 different head and neck positions for ultimate comfort. Safe install using seatbelt (does not use LATCH).
Rear facing 5 - 50 lbs, foward facing in the harness from 22-65 lbs, and booster from 40-120 lbs. 9 position recline, 15 position quick adjust headrest and harness. SafeCell Tech and high strength steel frame. 2 layers of side impact protection. Easy to install with lap belt.
A ten year seat option with clicktight tech that safely and easily routes belt during install. High strength steel frame and renowned safety. Easily convertible from rear facing infant to forward facing toddler.
Diono Radian® 3RX All-in-One Convertible Car Seat
Fits children from 5 - 50 lbs in rear facing, 22 - 65 lbs in forward facing, and 50 - 120 lbs in booster. Has a Safe Stop energy absorbing harness. Reinforced steel frame and core and reinforced sides. EPS energy absorbing foam for side impact collisions. Memory foam for comfortable seating. Machine washable fabric and includes a cup holder.
Slim 3 across style car seat designed for use from birth (4lbs) to booster.
Graco 4Ever® DLX 4-in-1 Car Seat
This car seat fits kids from 4 - 120 lbs, rear facing to a high back booster seat. It is easy to adjust the harness straps; they move with the headrest. It has great impact protection, the harness straps stay out of the way, and the cushions are quite nice. The seat is easy to install with a one click LATCH or with a lock off for the seatbelt.
Britax Boulevard ClickTight Convertible Car Seat
Anyone looking for a convertible car seat that is easy to install with a seat belt and easy to clean (remove the cover and machine wash and dry!) Fabrics are free of flame-retardant chemicals. Has a 5-65 lb weight range and ClickTight technology for a belt install, and also has clip-style LATCH anchors (LATCH can be used until child is 40lbs, then ClickTight must be used). Easy to switch from rear-facing (5-40lbs) to forward-facing (20-65lbs). With 7-position recline, 14 harness positions, and a clear indicator to ensure proper installation, it's worth the price!
As your baby grows from newborn to toddler this carseat adjusts and grows too! Designed for use from 5-65 pounds in various settings!
Maxi-Cosi Coral™ XP Infant Car Seat
Parents who want to carry a baby in a lightweight (5lb) carrier that detaches from the rest of the car seat when not in use. This innovative infant car seat is the first of its kind with a two-piece design: a lightweight removable carrier (the soft inner part) that can be removed from the rest of the car seat (the hard shell), so that you can leave the bulkiest part behind when carrying your child outside the car. The carrier also has a cross-body strap for hands-free carrying and clicks into select Maxi-Cosi strollers (and various premium strollers with adapters, sold separately). This infant car seat + base is safe, reliable, and designed for rear-facing babies weighing 4-22 lbs. Installs with one-click, self-retracting, rigid LATCH system, can be used without the base for ride sharing, and is made of premium, fire-retardant-free fabrics.
Fits babies from 4 - 22 lbs and up to 29 in tall. Turns into a carrier! Load leg for energy absorption and side impact protection. Self-retracting LATCH for secure install.
With the integrated nesting system, parents can easily transport and carry baby with the lightweight inner carrier.
Britax Marathon ClickTight Convertible Car Seat Safewash
Anyone looking for a well-priced, easy-to-use, convertible car seat with breathable mesh and machine-washable fabrics that are free of flame-retardant chemicals. Suitable for babies and toddlers 5-65 lbs (rear-facing 5-40lbs; forward-facing 20-65lbs up to 49" tall). Easy to install with ClickTight (seat-belt lock) or clip-style LATCH anchors (LATCH can be used until child is 40lbs, then ClickTight must be used). 7-position recline, 12-position no-rethread harness, and clear indicator to take the guesswork out of installation.
Fits children from 5 - 40 lbs in rear facing, 20 - 65 lbs and up to 49" in forward facing. 14 position adjustable harness and headrest that you don't need to rethread. EPS energy absorbing foam. Steel frame with SafeCell crumple zone for safety. Machine washable fabric. Flame retardant fabric. Certified for aircraft.
Maxi-Cosi Pria Sport 2-in-1 Convertible Car Seat
Good for 4 - 40 lb / 40 in tall in rear facing and 22 - 65 lb / up to 49 in tall in forward facing. Comes with a cup holder, has side impact protection, and is certified for aircraft.
Britax Grow With You ClickTight Harness-2-Booster Car Seat
Forward facing harness for 25 - 65 lbs and 58 in tall and high back booster for 40 - 120 lb and 61 in tall. Quick adjust harness and headrest. Cup holders, snack tray, and reclines for the ultimate ride for your big kid.
Stokke Pipa By Nuna Car Seat
Ultralight, 10.5 lbs. UPF 50+ sun canopy with mesh peekaboo window. Aircraft certified. Installs in 5 seconds with True lock in the base and has a load leg for energy absorption. LATCH. Good for newborn up to 32 lbs and 32" tall. Ergonomic carry handle.
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