The safety of a child is of paramount importance to all parents.
They want to achieve that, along with maximum comfort levels, to ensure that all car rides can be finished without any problems.
The thing with children is that they grow extremely fast. Within the blink of an eye, their needs change. One major change is shifting to a booster seat.
Not only do you have to cover the costs for a whole new product, but there is no guarantee if it meets the comfort levels of your kid.
That is where a combination car seat steps in. This article will be trying to find the best combination car seat on the market.
So, without any further ado, let’s get straight into it!
Table of Contents
- 1 7 Top Rated Combination Car Seats Comparisons
- 1.1 1. Graco SlimFit 3-In-1 Car Seat
- 1.2 2. Cosco Finale DX 2-In-1 Combination Booster Car Seat
- 1.3 3. Evenflo Chase Harnessed Booster
- 1.4 4. Chicco MyFit Zip Air 2-in-1 Harness + Booster Car Seat
- 1.5 5. KidsEmbrace 2-In-1 Harness Booster Car Seat
- 1.6 6. UPPAbaby Knox Convertible Car Seat
- 1.7 7. Britax Grow With You Harness-2-Booster Car Seat
- 2 What To Look For When Buying A Combination Car Seat
- 3 Frequently Asked Questions
- 3.1 Q1. What Is A Combination Car Seat?
- 3.2 Q2. What Is The Difference Between A Convertible And A Combination Car Seat?
- 3.3 Q3. What Is The Safest Combination Car Seat?
- 3.4 Q4. How Much Do Combination Car Seats Cost?
- 3.5 Q5. Can Convertible Car Seats Be Used In Strollers?
- 3.6 Q6. Is It Worth Buying A Combination Car Seat?
- 4 Conclusion
7 Top Rated Combination Car Seats Comparisons
IMAGE | PRODUCT | EDITOR'S RATING | PRICE |
---|---|---|---|
TOP PICK | 9.7 | CHECK ON AMAZON | |
BEST BUDGET | 9.5 | CHECK ON AMAZON | |
9.1 | CHECK ON AMAZON | ||
8.8 | CHECK ON AMAZON | ||
8.6 | CHECK ON AMAZON | ||
8.2 | CHECK ON AMAZON | ||
8 | CHECK ON AMAZON |
1. Graco SlimFit 3-In-1 Car Seat
You are going to love this first product on this list!
Graco is one of the top car seat manufacturers on the market. It has amassed thousands of feedbacks on almost all of its products.
Take the Graco SlimFit 3-In-1 Car Seat, for example. This car seat has more than 30000 ratings, more than five times the Cosco product.
Its feature set is pretty impressive. The manufacturer offers this car seat in different color options. Although there are not a lot of them, it is still better than sticking to a single one.
However, the definition of a combination car seat is that it has to be front-facing and a booster seat; Graco takes things one step further.
Moreover, it can also be used as a rear-facing seat for children within the 40 pounds range and satisfying the requirements. This is why it is called a 3-In-1 seat.
It is a very impressive feature and, by the looks of it, people loved it. Do you have more than one child? Well, then you are certainly going to appreciate the compact design of this product.
The cup holders on this car seat can be rotated to make 10% of space available. This means that you can have more than one car seat in your vehicle without any space constraints.
The manufacturer has maxed out on the comfort level of this product.
With a 10-position headrest and a 4-position recline, you will never have to hear your kid complain about the seat being uncomfortable.
Although it depends on person to person, I recommend reading the instruction manual thoroughly before installing this combination car seat.
- It can be used as a rear-facing seat too
- Retractable cup holders for more space
- 10-position headrest
- 4-position recline
- It May was not easy to install
Graco is a company that you can trust blindly. Whatever feature it offers, it is practical and excellent. If you choose to buy it, you will love it.
2. Cosco Finale DX 2-In-1 Combination Booster Car Seat
Arriving in second place and taking the lead over almost all of the competition is a product from the brand Cosco.
I have had the opportunity to check out the brand’s products several times, and it never fails to disappoint.
Well, this combination car seat is no different. With over 6000 buyers, it is certainly one of the best options to buy right now. Let’s see what it offers.
This Cosco Finale DX 2-In-1 Combination Booster Car Seat contains a five-point harness, and it can be converted to a booster seat on demand.
With a range limit of 30 to 65 pounds, the seat can be converted to a booster one, with a maximum limit of 100 pounds. This means that it is perfect for use with children of all ages.
Some of you may wonder who would think so far ahead and buy a product like this?
Well, it has been designed for growing families. It not only saves you the expenditure of buying a new seat in the future but has other advantages too.
Its lightweight design allows it to be carried anywhere. Plus, thanks to the hard work of the people behind the company, three of these can be fit inside most vehicles.
There are some other benefits of owning this Finale DX car seat too. The seat pad is removable and can be washed in accidental spills.
The manufacturer has included a cup that is dishwasher safe too. It even comes with a one-year warranty, eliminating all risks of getting a faulty product.
Both pose a risk to the children and should be addressed by the manufacturer as soon as possible.
- Weight limit of 100 pounds
- It comes with a one-year warranty
- Lightweight and compact
- Included cup
- Removable and washable seat pad
- Seat belt issues
Apart from this issue, which was reported by a very small minority of the consumers, there have been no further complaints about this Cosco product.
It should be on your consideration list.
3. Evenflo Chase Harnessed Booster
It looks like the list of popular brands is not coming to an end in this article. Coming in a very close third spot is the Evenflo Chase. This brand has some amazing products on its line-up.
With thousands of buyers worldwide, you can rest assured that the Evenflo Chase Harnessed Booster you will get will exceed your expectations.
This 2-in-1 combination seat has been designed for all children within the 22-to-110-pound range. The upper limit is ten pounds more than the Cosco combination seat and impressive.
It also has the previous product’s five-point harness design, ensuring that your child will not only be safe but will be comfortable too.
Adjusting the harness is an easy job. The adjuster is in the front and can be adjusted to ensure that your little one will be snuggly fit inside the car seat.
The manufacturer went ahead and made the installation easy too. Thanks to a unique latch system, you will be able to install this seat in no time.
Evenflo knows how to make one of the best car seats on the market. It knows the needs of parents and acts accordingly.
Keeping that in mind, they made this booster seat extremely lightweight. This makes it easy to carry or transfer over to other vehicles if needed.
The company has also included cup holders, which can house drinks or food in case your child gets hungry or thirsty during the rides.
Thanks to the smart design of this product, even with the cup holders, the width of the car seat will not increase by a lot.
It looks like the manufacturer has a quality control issue, albeit a small one. It must look into these matters and resolve them.
- 110-pound range
- Easy to install and adjust
- Extremely lightweight
- Included cup holders
- May feel flimsy
Although there were some concerned parents, I can assure you that the product you will receive has an extremely high probability of being perfect.
Evenflo is a reliable brand, and you should trust them.
4. Chicco MyFit Zip Air 2-in-1 Harness + Booster Car Seat
Chicco is one of the highest regarded manufacturers of car seats.
With a whole lineup of amazing products, the manufacturer knows how to make high-quality products with zero compromises.
Don’t believe me?
Well, after you check out what Chicco MyFit Zip Air 2-in-1 Harness + Booster Car Seat, you definitely will.
Unlike other manufacturers that include extra features to make the buy more appealing, Chicco stays true to the meaning of a combination seat but has made sure to perfect its design formula.
It is a simple 5-point harness seat that can be converted to a booster seat on demand.
One thing that many manufacturers avoid talking about is the impact protection of the product they have created.
Well, Chicco is not one of them. The company assures buyers and parents that this car seat is your kid’s best bet in the case of a crash.
The head and torso will be fully protected with a duo guard impact protection system. The manufacturer has opted for steel construction for the frame for maximum strength.
Comfort is another area Chicco has worked a lot on. The booster seat not only has a 4-position recline system, but it also has a 9-position headrest.
This means that their comfort needs will be met regardless of the child. This also eliminates your kid’s risk of completely rejecting the seat due to comfort issues.
The installation of this combination seat is as simple as possible. The Super Cinch System is a latch system, allowing for easy installation.
The manufacturer’s lock sure tightening system also helps for a snug and sturdy install.
As the manufacturer clearly states that it can be removed, it looks like there is a design flaw that prevents easy removal.
- Excellent impact protection
- 4-position recline system
- 9-position adjustable headrest
- Easy to install
- Fabric difficult to remove
Chicco is a great company, and the section above proves that. The MyFit Zip Air is certainly a unique product.
You will be pleasantly surprised by its durability and overall functionality. You should consider it before making the final decision.
5. KidsEmbrace 2-In-1 Harness Booster Car Seat
Are you looking for a product that has a theme to it?
Then there is no better booster seat than the one made by KidsEmbrace. If your kid is a Batman fan, they will love this product.
Let’s see if it is good enough for daily use. The look of this KidsEmbrace 2-In-1 Harness Booster Car Seat is unique and amazing.
When comparing it to other combination seats on the market, it is certainly different.
The seat has a five-point harness security system. There are two position points. One of them is at the hips, and the other is between the legs.
These are the most appropriate positions for the harness, ensuring maximum safety. As this is a combination booster seat, it can be used for all kids between the 22- and 100-pound range.
You can expect to keep it for a long time. The forward-facing mode can be used for kids up to 66 pounds in weight. The booster mode can be used for kids that are above 40 pounds.
Many products on the market, no matter how good, don’t meet safety specifications. Well, KidsEmbrace made sure to keep all parents satisfied.
According to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, this car seat has been cleared for use. The product has been impacting tested from the side.
It was also given the “Best Bet” remark. This means that it is one of the best options out there for your child’s safety.
The first is that users reported about the buckle being too loose for the children. This means that they will not be properly strapped in for their rides.
The second thing is that the build quality of this combination seat is not up to par. This should be considered and fixed as soon as possible.
- Excellent safety system
- FMVSS certified
- 100-pound limit
- Loose buckle
- Subpar build quality
Although it may feel flimsy, I can assure you that this product truly is the best bet for your kid when traveling in your vehicle.
If not, it would not have been approved by the appropriate departments.
6. UPPAbaby Knox Convertible Car Seat
Taking up the sixth spot on this list is another fantastic product. The UPPAbaby is a company I am not familiar with, but they make high-quality car seats by the looks of it.
An example of the quality of their products is the UPPAbaby Knox Convertible Car Seat. This is the second product in this article offered in different color variants.
You can choose from black, teal, charcoal, and white. These colors look good, but I would advise choosing a darker option, as white is difficult to clean.
Regardless, the fact that the company has offered buyers a choice shows that it cares.
The Smart Secure System of this convertible car seat is the feature that helped it earn a spot on this article.
The system changes colors to green from red when the installation has been done perfectly. So, you never have to assume if the install has been done correctly.
This feature ensures that your child’s safety will be guaranteed every single time.
The manufacturer opted for Koroyd technology for additional safety, which has been integrated into the bottom part of the car seat.
Lastly, it absorbs impact forces by creating a crumple zone. This is a unique way of doing so and, in theory, will be effective.
The company has also used a no-rethread harness and an 8-position headrest to make sure that your child’s comfort will not be compromised.
The seat is extremely heavy, but installation is extremely difficult. The manufacturer should fix these design flaws and improve the design of this product.
- Smart Secure System
- No-rethread harness
- Different color options
- Very heavy
- Difficult installation
Although UPPAbaby has created a decent product, it still cannot compete with the big brands out there, such as Graco and Chicco.
There are some design flaws, but if you are one of the hundred people who can install it easily, you will have a memorable experience with it.
7. Britax Grow With You Harness-2-Booster Car Seat
We are ending this article with another big brand in the world of children’s car seats. Britax is yet another highly remarkable company that makes solid products.
Although this Britax Grow With You Harness-2-Booster Car Seat does not have as many ratings as other products in this article, it should not be mistaken as a comparatively worse one.
Converting from the front-facing mode to the booster mode is extremely easy. You won’t have any issues in doing so.
The booster mode is belt positioned, which means that the fit will be snug at all times, regardless of weight and age.
The company opted for high-quality fabrics with this booster seat. The padding is also excellent, which means that your child will be receiving the maximum amount of comfort.
So, you will not have to worry about your toddler screaming in discomfort. The comfort pads prevent skin contact with the harness strap, ensuring maximum safety and comfort.
Britax is yet another company that clearly states how good the impact protection of its car seat is.
Well, thanks to two layers, which have been dedicated to side impact protection, combined with a steel frame and a shock-absorbing base, you can rest assured that your child will experience the least amount of shock possible.
Even with all of these features, the company was able to keep the installation of the product simple and easy.
A simple latch system has been used, which takes no time to connect or disconnect if you need to move the car seat to another location.
This contradicts the company’s claims and suggests either a quality control issue or a design flaw.
- High-quality fabrics used
- Excellent impact protection
- Comfort pads for zero contact with the strap
- May not install correctly
Although Britax has earned the last spot on this article, I must assure you that the company will blow your mind away if you give it a chance. This booster seat has excellent features.
There is a small chance of receiving a product that does not install correctly, but I can assure you that chances of that happening are slim to none.
What To Look For When Buying A Combination Car Seat
A combination seat is a multi-purpose forward-facing seat that can be used as a harnessed seat for smaller children, or after removing the harness.
It can be turned into a high/no back booster for bigger children.
This can prove very durable and can be used long-term.
When you are in the market for a combination seat, you should look into the following essential qualities:
- Protection
- Luxury And Comfortability
- Range Of features
- Durability
I will now briefly emphasize each of these points to the best of my knowledge.
Protection
Your child’s safety and protection should be of utmost importance when it comes to buying a car seat for your child.
Since all combination car seats have a harness, their toughness and where the position points are located on the seat should be the key features that will identify the chair’s safety.
A shock-absorbing property would be recommended. You should also look into your considered seat’s crash test results.
Luxury And Comfortability
Everyone wants to achieve safety with maximum comfort. Look for seats with minimum skin contact with the harness strap.
The seat size will be important since ample legroom is recommended for a comfortable seat.
Ease of installation and weight of the seat can also be a point for this category since it can be quite bothersome to have a seat that is very difficult to install and you have to switch cars.
Range Of Features
Try to look for plenty of useful features like:
- A good amount of positions for the headrest.
- Recline to have a range of adjustable positions for your child.
- Retractable cup holders can increase room availability in the seat.
- Ability to turn into a rear-facing seat from a front-facing one.
- Removable and washable seat pads and seat covers.
- Seats that are overall easy to clean to help with sanitary purposes.
Durability
You would be in the market for a combination seat, hoping to have a seat that you won’t have to change for quite a while.
They can still cost you a change of seats if their build quality was good enough to last as long as it did.
Always check the build quality and whether the company provides a warranty for your desired product. This will cost you some time but save you a decent sum.
A combination car seat will do if you are looking for an all-in-one car seat and a long-term investment.
Hopefully, this guide has pointed you in the general direction you need to go when in the market for a combination car seat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What Is A Combination Car Seat?
A combination car seat is a multi-purpose seat that combines a harnessed seat for kids above the age of 2 who weigh from 20 lbs to 65.
The harness can also be removed and used as a booster seat for kids weighing 30 lbs to 100.
Q2. What Is The Difference Between A Convertible And A Combination Car Seat?
Both of them are completely different in terms of functionality. A convertible car seat can be converted from a rear-facing mode to a front-facing mode. It is designed for toddlers only.
On the other hand, a combination car seat allows a front-facing seat to be converted to a booster seat, which is perfect for youngsters that are greater than three years old.
A combination car seat eliminates buying a second seat after a few years.
Q3. What Is The Safest Combination Car Seat?
If you are looking for a product that crosses all bounds to create the safest experience possible, you should opt for nothing other than the fourth product on this list.
So, you should choose the Chicco MyFit for the maximum safety of your child.
With a steel-reinforced construction, it is solid from the inside and will also help retain its shape in case of an accident or a crash.
Q4. How Much Do Combination Car Seats Cost?
Although a child’s safety knows no cost, parents would still like to get an idea of what they would have to spend to get a good product.
Combination seats start from as low as $50 and cross the $300 mark. All of the seats that were listed above are within this range.
Plus, they have been double-checked to ensure that they indeed are the best ones on the market, regardless of their price tags.
Q5. Can Convertible Car Seats Be Used In Strollers?
It looks like you have not seen the bulk and size of these products. A convertible seat can’t be used alongside a stroller.
As they are not designed to be moved constantly, attempting anything similar may lead to something breaking, which is not good for your child.
So, it is better to choose wisely and not attempt something like this.
Q6. Is It Worth Buying A Combination Car Seat?
A good quality combination seat is normally equipped with good safety measures. It will most likely last long term.
You will not need to buy another seat for your child unless there is an accident or anything of the sort.
Conclusion
The safety and comfort of your child should be your top priority.
Most car seats on the market are that they can only serve one of these purposes.
Well, searching for things that provide both is a thing of the past with this article. All of the products in this article will exceed all expectations.
If you were looking for a recommendation, it is safe to say that the Graco SlimFit 3-In-1 Car Seat is the best combination car seat.
With it having a whole list of features, your kid will enjoy it. I hope that this article and the included buying guide may have helped you make a final decision.
I am Tahir Azam, and I have been writing amazing articles for TaxiHack for as long as I can remember. I know everything that is to know when it comes to automobiles and is always on top of industry news and developments. While I am not an expert by any means, I pride myself on knowing the ins and outs of many different problems and, of course, their solutions. The articles on our website are some of the best and well-researched content that you will find, and I spend countless hours making sure this remains to be true. This is why I ask you to take your time out and read some of my articles, especially if you find a topic that resonates with you or is something you are looking into. This way, you will find the perfect mix of information and tips on your desired topic. Learn more about Tahir.