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.
- Diono Radian® 3RXT Safe+® All-in-One Convertible Car Seat
- Maxi-Cosi Pria Max All-in-One Convertible Car Seat
- Maxi-Cosi Pria All-in-One Convertible Car Seat
- Diono Radian 3R Latch All-in-One Convertible Car Seat and Booster
- Graco 4Ever® DLX 4-in-1 Car Seat
- Diono Radian 3QXT Convertible Car Seat
- Clek Fllo Convertible Car Seat
- Graco Extend2Fit® 3-in-1 Car Seat
- Britax Boulevard ClickTight Convertible Car Seat
- Britax Marathon ClickTight Convertible Car Seat Safewash
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Diono Radian 3QXT Convertible Car Seat
From 4- 120 pounds this option is one of the most popular, safest, and comfortable options that expands for children's growth and orientation. Features one hand easy adjust of the headrest, great for tight spaces, and is narrow for a three across install for a growing family in the backseat.
Fits kids from 4 - 120 lbs all the way up to a booster seat! Slim fitting, designed for 3 across. Cup holder, adjustable headrest, and side impact protection.
Clek Fllo Convertible Car Seat
Rear facing 14 - 50 pounds, forward facing 22-65 pounds. Anti-rebound bar reduces rebounding in front collisions. Focused support on extended rear facing. Extremely safe and overbuilt option in a slim fit to support three across or simply ease of use when moving.
Good for height range of 25-49 in and weight of 14-65 lbs. Narrow fit to help put 3 across in a car.
Graco Extend2Fit® 3-in-1 Car Seat
This is an extended rear-facing car seat with 5 extra inches of leg room. It fits from 4 - 50 lbs rear facing and up to 65 lbs forward facing. It has excellent safety features and also reclines for comfort. The headrest and harness are easy to adjust.
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!
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.
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.
Diono Cambria® 2 Latch 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat
Awarded IIHS "Best Bet" Booster Seat recommendation. Turns into a backless booster when your child is ready. Suitable for 40 - 120 lbs. Comes with 2 retractable cup holders. LATCH connectors for safety and stability. Fabric is removable to be machine washable and wipeable. Has a 6 position head rest and fits children from 38" - 63" tall.
Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4/35 Lounge Infant Car Seat
Secure and safe, load leg to protect against forces in a crash. Sleek and well made!
Britax Grow With You ClickTight Plus Harness-2-Booster Car Seat
With click tight installation, this is a sure fire way to ensure proper install! 25 - 65 pounds. A five point harness to safely transition to booster mode.
Maxi-Cosi RodiSport Booster Car Seat
This is a combo. It's a booster seat that has a back but that can be removed depending on the fit of the child. It's rated for kids from 40 to 100 lbs and up to 57" tall.
Britax Highpoint 2-Stage Belt-Positioning Booster Seat
Fits kids from 40 - 120 lbs and converts from a high-back booster seat to a backless booster seat. There is an energy absorbing shell and side impact protection for the head and torso. The headrest has 10 different positions to grow with your child. For cleaning, the cup holders are dishwasher safe and the fabric is hand wash only.
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