7 Best Lightweight Convertible Car Seat: a comprehensive guide (2022)

In these days of on-the-go families, how to choose the best lightweight convertible car seat has become one of the most common questions. Parent’s biggest challenge is keeping their kids safe if they’re old enough for rear-facing seats but not old enough for booster seats.

I can help you by advising you to choose lightweight convertible car seats! All children can use them, and they fit any budget!

If you can choose a convertible car seat as light as possible, that would be best. You can find many excellent travel car seats that can accommodate all sizes of children and all budgets on the market today. We’ll guide you through some top options for a convertible seat for travel that will suit your needs with this detailed guide.

Top Best lightweight convertible car seat  At a glance (2022)

Car seat nameimageKing feature
Britax Marathon ClickTight Convertible Car Seat81EnRvKOZIL. SL1500Best overall
Evenflo Pivot Modular Travel System With SafeMax Car Seat OU2HM7T3TmRP uxKFzPbWPCrvyq78umEKJDZGOfstPuTEJ pGq9ZXyMPq7vB TAIBUMLKC Hu77B65BaSb9Ex8F2nwiL34ED9xsx1 RpWW8wYzEGRFiVPoZ eGL b3ZU 2Xl Im5=s0Travel car seat with wheels
Graco  SlimFit 3 in 1 Car Seat  cbgmmLcO2fuvBcZj1gtIev0om7p14cEcjyHcM51SGBdVESVTkiWSyftD4gNYbJrTQWnDjXhvNxXINGzGtXQ2UqX wXra4HiH1gzVCSeivMJ60wVusBONptrckWw6YmOLIWhiZNlW=s0Best  slim designFor small cars
Graco 4Ever DLX 4 in 1 Car Seat, s aOtLdqvT0F4KS0YBest quality with 10 years of use
Cosco Apt 50 Convertible Car Seat  9154EjdXLlL. SL1500convertible car seat
Graco Grows4Me 4 in 1 Car Seat  bjG9bvzx5ojFXqKa04gBuqXkoIsBjPRff4X5Q5kyQGSIqcUKWuHohypEBXt4i NGf0rD VyP9UxKgYxs1rWh ucf011DbaF7 mFH2GeuRPhJsm9XStPBest budget
Britax One4Life ClickTight All-in-One Car Seat VttRB9sDiGQuE81s4dRvgMCc2PiJdg863vHTK4lJWxAkiMi1G38Mx8IgWrpost13cEhU79K2aCjGO8tPSSGg7TeKf7yUGuTPqMjYIsradz8tqxSg55mncfjFGQo5 tGQQP sBLqF=s0Best Travel car seat

Britax Marathon ClickTight Convertible Car Seat

81EnRvKOZIL. SL1500

Best Pick


It’s one of my favorite car seat In terms of installation, it could not be easier. My recommendation is to remove almost all the slack in your seatbelt–leave just a little. We had to figure it out a little the first time we installed it because if you don’t tighten up the slack, installation goes sideways. You can play around for about 10 minutes the first time, so take your time. 

 Installation the Britax Marathon ClickTight Convertible Car Seat
Marathon installation process

I’ve never owned a car seat that has been so easy to clean because I can pull the cover off and remove the ClickTight mechanism so that it can clean the base. Very simple.

Despite its heavyweight, the installation of this car seat is a breeze. Making it easy and hassle-free removes all the guesswork. Additionally, it has side protection and a very high safety rating, making it one of the few safest car seats available. It was on sale, making it an excellent purchase.

Pros

  • Easy, one-second attachment is provided by In Right’s push-button LATCH.
  • Super easy to clean
  • It contains dual cup holders.
  • Safe and secure

Cons

  • Heavyweight

Evenflo Pivot Modular Travel System With SafeMax Car Seat 

Staff Pick

Travel car seat with wheels

No products found.

Key features

  •  Removal snack try
  • Oversized storage basket
  • Multipurpose stroller
  • Your baby can face in or out in six convenient modes.

Now I’d like to talk about an Evenflo best-selling product, the Pivot Modular.

With the Evenflo Pivot Modular Travel System, you’ll get a car seat and stroller combo, including an infant car seat featuring rear-facing protection and a Safe Zone Base featuring an anti-rebound bar.

This model comes with a 6-mode frame that is versatile and lightweight.

 As an infant car seat frame, the stroller can be converted into stroller seats or carriages with ease, while the reversible feature lets your baby face you or out.

setting up the Evenflo Pivot Modular Travel System With SafeMax Car Seat 
Evenflo modular setting up

STAND-IN-CAR BASE FOR EASY CAR SEAT TRANSFER When joining the stroller to the car, the baby car seat connected by a secure strap is attached securely, allowing a quick and safe connection.

Furthermore, the Pivot Modular Travel System has a large storage basket, a Safe Zone base with a belt lock-off system for accurate installation, and large, treaded cruiser tires with an ergonomic handle for comfortable travel.

 Transferring your baby is made easier with a removable armbar and large canopy. 

To improve comfort, make it easier and safer.

Pros

  • Versatile and lightweight
  • Easy infant car seat transfer
  • Come with additional features, safe zone base, storage basket, etc
  • Flexible infant travel system
  • Car seats with good quality

Cons

  • Hard to find a second base

Graco SlimFit 3 In 1 Car Seat  

Budget Pick

Best slim design for small cars

No products found.

Compact cars might not be able to fit big, bulky car seats. As a result, you’ll want a versatile car seat, like the 3-in-1 Graco Slim Fit. A rotating cup holder on this model fits in your back seat and can be hidden. 

installation the Graco SlimFit 3 In 1 Car Seat  
graco 3-in-1 installation

In the Right LATCH system, rotating cup holders and integrated harness storage complete the four recline positions of the chair. These are ideal for small cars or if three car seats need to fit in the back.

Pros

  • The best choice for small cars
  • There is no need to rethread
  • Easy to install
  • Space-Saving Design
  • Steel-Reinforced Frame

Cons

  • You have trouble tightening the straps
  • It is impossible to remove the straps to clean them

Graco 4Ever DLX 4 in 1 Car Seat, Infant to Toddler Car Seat, 

Best quality with 10 years of use

No products found.

Key features

  • Rear-facing harness 4_40lb
  • Forward-facing limit 20_65 pounds up to 52 inches
  • Booster set limit 40_100 pounds up to 57 inches
  • Backless Booster Seat Limit: 40-120 pounds, up to 57 inches
  • Dimensions: 24 x 21.5 x 20 inches 
  •  Cup Holder: Double 

As its name suggests, the aptly named Graco 4Ever is the ideal car seat for parents who want to buy just one seat. This 4-in-1 seat provides your child with safety, comfort, and growth adaptability. 

Generally, the Grace 4Ever rear-facing harness can accommodate children up to 40 pounds, as long as they have a head size of at least one inch below the handle. It is recommended that your child be between 22 and 27 inches tall when switching to a forward-facing harness. 

Graco 4Ever DLX 4 in 1 Car Seat, Infant to Toddler Car Seat,

The car seat converts into a high-back booster seat when the child reaches 100 pounds and 52 inches in height when they outgrow this stage. In addition to its use as a backless booster, the chair is suitable for children up to 120 pounds and 57 inches tall. 

In addition to the ten height positions, a ten-point harness, a six-position recline, and an integrated cup holder are also included in this versatile car seat. Easy installation is guaranteed with LATCH. 

Pros

  • Ten-year life expectancy
  • Easily adjustable straps
  • Installs quickly
  • Fuss-free harness storage

Cons

  • It is difficult to fit into a small vehicle

Cosco Apt 50 Convertible Car Seat 

9154EjdXLlL. SL1500

Due to its single piece of injection-moulded plastic construction, this car seat is extremely light. For forward-facing, it includes a strap that goes over the top of the seat and a single latch strap that works for both front and rear. That’s all there is to it, four parts.

It is not a federally approved car seat, but it is a lot safer than our Graco 4ever car seat, which has 30 parts and weighs four times as much. The fact that our son is rear-facing at two years old also helps a lot with safety.

installation Cosco Apt 50 Convertible Car Seat 
Cosco APT 50 Installation

I cannot comment on the capabilities of forward-facing since our son is still rear-facing. FAA-approved and super light, it makes traveling easy. Though we didn’t end up using it on our flight, it was convenient.

The bottom line is that everyone should have a backup car seat. Installation is also accessible and takes a few minutes. After a trip, we just put the cover in the washing machine. We don’t even bother putting it in a “car seat bag.” wash it after a trip.

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Durable
  • Excellent support
  • Easy to clean

Cons

  • There were a few design flaws

Graco Grows4Me 4 in 1 Car Seat 

Best Budget toddler car seat

No products found.

Key features

  • Rear-Facing Harness

5-40 lb

  • Forward-Facing Harness

22-65 lb

  • Highback Booster

40-100 lb

  • Backless Booster

40-110 lb.

It is designed for children 10 years and older. Your child will enjoy it, and you will find it convenient as well! There are four stages of transition:

  • Rear-facing harness (5-40 lb)
  • Forward-facing harness (22-65 lb)
  • High back belt-positioning booster (40-100 lb)
  • Backless belt-positioning booster (40-110 lb) 
Graco Grows4Me 4 in 1 Car Seat 

Using the Simply Safe Adjust Harness System, you can adjust the harness and headrest together without rethreading. 

The recliner and headrest allow your child to be comfortable in 10 different positions. There’s no need to purchase another car seat!

Pros

  • Simply Safe Adjust Harness System
  • 6-Position Recline
  • Comfortable for growing children as you travel together.
  • Integrated Harness Storage Compartment
  • LATCH Equipped

Cons

  • Not fit for newborns

Britax One4Life ClickTight

All-in-One Car Seat best travel car seat.

No products found.

Key features

  • orientation
  • ‎Forward Facing, Rear Facing
  • Rear-facing minimum child weight ‎5 Pounds
  • Rear-facing maximum child weight ‎50 Pounds
  • Forward-facing minimum child weight 22 Pounds
  • Forward-facing maximum child weight 120 Pounds
  • Harness type ‎5-Point
  • Item Weight ‎30 pounds

It is about 5 to 120 lbs and up to 63 inches tall. The one4life convertible/booster seat grows with your child for 10 years

It’s easy to install. Click Tight – three easy steps will assure you of a successful installation.

A rear-facing infant car seat converts to a harness safety booster in seconds. A forward-facing harness turns into a safety harness booster in seconds.

Britax One4Life ClickTight

The steel frame of the Britex model is sturdy, and the crumple zone and patented v-shaped tether are designed to absorb crash energy.

Protects head, neck, torso & feet with 2 layers of side impact protection.

The side-impact protection and “side-wings” ensure that your little ones will not suffer any severe injuries in a car accident or when they get into an accident.

Pros

  • Quick-adjust headrest and harness
  • 9- position Quick push recline
  • Safe wash cover
  • Built-in cooling channels and ventilation mesh
  • Comfortable
  • Easy to install

Cons

  • Adjustment issues

What should be considered while buying the best lightweight convertible car seat

  • The car seat should be lightweight.

A travel car seat must be lightweight as an essential attribute.

The convertible car seat will have to be removed from the car, moved around the airport, passed through security, on and off the airplane, and into another car – so things might go wrong if it is bulky. With lightweight car seats, you can change all that. 

If you add the baby’s weight, these car seats shouldn’t be problematic in terms of weight (plus minus a pound or two). Only when they are used in cars do you not have to worry about it.

If you don’t know where you will be going, it’s better to get the all-in-one.

  • Car seats should be easy to install

It’s crucial to install these car seats in unfamiliar vehicles since you’ll take them in and out of them.

A cranky and crying kid after a long flight is the last thing you want (this was me two years ago in NYC). Please, don’t do that to yourself!

In the infant car seat mode, a convertible car seat might require that it be installed reclining. Some car seats may have curved bases or flip-down feet; however, others might require pool noodles. 

LATCH attachments and connectors are available on most American car seats for simple installation. In the end, all the LATCH locking clips will work. Some require more maneuvering than others.

  • Dimension of convertible car seat

A car seat’s size is also essential since you have to make sure the back and head of the child can fit comfortably.

Rear-facing styles require the heads to be one inch above the shell, and forward-facing styles require the heads to be inside the body.

The size you choose depends on your needs, as there is no ideal size.

A car’s shell is critical in accommodating taller kids, while sharp shells are lighter and fit better in rental cars or airplane seats.

Also read: What’s The Most Comfortable Convertible Car Seat For Long Trips? (2021 Reviews)

The safest convertible car seat for travel

Probably the most subjective of all factors is this last one. Nevertheless, you do not want your child to be cranky on a long-haul flight! The plastic shell of some traveling car seats doesn’t have any padding. The seats will not matter too much if you just use them on the plane and then a quick taxi ride afterward. However, if you’re planning to sit there every day or take a road trip to your destination, you don’t want to hear a complaint every five minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the lightest convertible car?

Cosco Scenera Next DLX
A lightweight convertible car seat that weighs just 7.65 pounds, the Cosco Scenera Next DLX is the lightest of its kind.

Can I fit three car seats in the back of my car?

It is unlikely that you will be able to fit three car seats in your backseat, even if your car has three latch anchors available. This is due to the wide size of car seats. Parents can fit three different types of car seats across the back of their vehicles by using narrow car seats designed by car seat manufacturers.

Are expensive car seats worth it?

A properly installed seat will protect your child better during a crash than a more expensive seat. With a properly installed car seat, the risk of serious injury to a child involved in a crash is reduced to 1%!

What age can a child ride in a convertible car?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended that children remain rear-facing until they reach the rear-facing weight or height limit for their convertible car seat (whichever occurs first). Kids can typically stay rear-facing in most convertible seats until they are three to five years old.

Here are the Narrowest Convertible Car Seats of 2021!

Clek Foonf and Clek Fllo Convertible Car Seats (16.9″ wide). …
Diono Radian 3R, 3RX, and 3RXT Convertible Car Seats (17″ wide). …
Combi Coccoro Convertible Car Seat (15.5″ wide). …
Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Convertible Car Seat

Conclusion

We are ready to move forward!

If you enjoy traveling a lot, weight is an essential factor. Parents can travel in many ways with a lightweight seat, whether they prefer to fly or drive. Due to its maximum safety and stability, a child’s seat will always provide the best protection available.

Thus, we recommend  Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat

As the best lightweight convertible car seat!

Due to its maximum safety and stability, a child’s seat will always provide the best protection available. The LATCH system allows children to sit in the right position, and installation is easy.