We have loved the Mesa infant seats since we have the UppaBaby Vista stroller (we have this one, but this color is included in the Nordstrom sale!), which made it so easy to take them in and out. For the last couple months though, since they're so heavy (both the babies and the infant seats) we typically leave the car seats in the car, unbuckle the babies and put them in the stroller with the toddler seat and rumble seat attachments for the Vista stroller so at this point, we're ready for another seat that we can just leave in the car for them.
There are so many great car seats out there, so I reached out on Instagram a few times and found a few different ones were recommended over and over again. I knew that the Nuna Rava was going to be included in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, along with the Maxi Cosi Pria, so I wanted to get general reviews on those since now would be the time to buy those if we were interested.
Since I spent so much time researching the different features of the top six recommended seats, I figured I would put all of that info into writing and share here in case anyone else is in the same boat. I also included two more newer seats that are a little pricier but have some neat features that are worth mentioning. There is so much information out there when it comes to baby gear that it is so easy to get overwhelmed so I'll try to be concise with each one! (Lucie's List is a great place to start researching for all kinds of baby gear and was my go-to when working on my baby registry last year!)
Here are the top picks from my quick Instagram survey!
Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 $269.99
+ with TrueShield Side Impact Technology $316.89
Features & comments from you all: all-in-one style seat (converts to backless booster for up to 120lbs), 2 cup holders, RapidRemove washable cover removes without uninstalling the seat, 6 position recline, steel reinforced frame, very long seat, can be a bit bulky
Rear facing weight limits: up to 40lbs
Forward facing/booster seat weight limits: up to 120lbs
Shop Graco 4Ever:
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Nuna Rava - Available from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: $374.90 (Note: I have early access because I am a cardholder. If you can't access the sale yet, you can preview it and save it to your Wish List to purchase August 19th)
Regular price $449.95
Features & comments from you all: 10 position recline, easy to install, 2 flip out cup holders (that can be removed to be washed), ventilation panels, rear facing up to 50lbs (the longer you can keep your child rear facing the better in terms of safety), gives more legroom in the front, free of flame-retardant chemicals, all steel frame, side impact protection pods
Rear facing weight limits: up to 50lbs
Forward facing/booster seat weight limits: up to 65lbs, 49"
Shop Nuna Rava:
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+ Maxi Cosi Pria Max 3-in-1 Available from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: $246.90 (Note: Like the Nuna, I have early access because I am a cardholder. If you can't access the sale yet, you can preview it and save it to your Wish List to purchase August 19th)
Maxi Cosi Pria 3-in-1 $289.99
+ Pria Max 3-in-1 $329.99
Features & comments from you all: soft, high quality, moisture wicking fabric, QuickFit shoulder harness, ClipQuick auto-magnetic chest clip, 2 cup holders, easy to remove cover to wash, very comfortable for baby, can be tough to install
Rear facing weight limits: up to 40lbs
Forward facing/booster seat weight limits: up to 100lbs
Shop Maxi Cosi Pria:
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Diono Radian 3R $199.99
+ Radian 3RX $269.99
Features & comments from you all: can fit 3 across in the back seat (this is huge!), low sides means children can easily get in and out, child can be facing for longer, easy to clean, huge but sturdy, not super easy to install, comes with one cupholder
Rear facing weight limits: up to 50lbs
Forward facing/booster seat weight limits: up to 120lbs as a high back booster seat
Shop Diono Radian:
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+ Britax Marathon ClickTight $299.99
+ Boulevard Cool N Dry Collection (on sale!) $319.49
+ Boulevard ClickTight $324.99
+ Advocate $354.99
+ One4Life $374.99
+ One4Life with Cool N Dry moisture wicking fabric $389.99
Features & comments from you all: made in SC, easy to install- ClickTight, multiple layers of side impact protection, big and heavy, no cupholders (but you can purchase one), 7 position quick-push recline, steel frame, removable cover is washer and dryer safe, ventilated mesh and built in cooling chanels
Rear facing weight limits: up to 40lbs
Forward facing/booster seat weight limits: up to 65lbs (One4Life model- up to 120lbs in high back booster mode)
Shop Britax Clicktight Models:
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Graco Extend2Fit 2-in-1 $145.66
+ 3-in-1 with TrueShield Side Impact Technology $279.99
Features & comments from you all: keeps child rear facing longer (additional 5" rear facing legroom), 6 position recline, harness storage, wide seat, easy install
Rear facing weight limits: up to 50lbs
Forward facing/booster seat weight limits: up to 100lbs
Shop Graco Extend2Fit:
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+ BONUS SEATS (these are both new on the market and more expensive than everything else mentioned above but worth mentioning!)
Cybex Sirona S $499.99
Seat rotates 360 degrees to make it easy to take baby in and out, load leg stabilizes the seat in case of accident, Sensorsafe harness clip to alert you if baby becomes unbuckled or too hot, EasyLock bar helps to make installation simple and secure (since the seat rotates 360, you could install once and never have to change it), magnetic buckle holders, 12 recline positions
Rear facing weight limits: up to 50lbs
Forward facing/booster seat weight limits: up to 65lbs
Shop Cybex Sirona S:
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Nuna Exec $649.95
All-in-one seat, fits 3 across, (the only others that fit 3 across are the Diono Radian and Clek Foonf), anti-rebound panel, washable cover, extended leg room while rear-facing, 8 reclining positions, dual flip open cupholders (dishwasher safe), ventilation panels and breathable knit fabric, magnetic harness keepers
Rear facing weight limits: up to 50lbs
Forward facing/booster seat weight limits: up to 120lbs in high seat booster chair
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Now, with all of this information about convertible car seats (and there are still so many out there that I haven't included in this round up!) I'm pretty sure we're going to go with the Nuna Rava, which was my first pick from the get-go since it's on sale for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, but then again the Britax sounds so safe and easy to install... and I love the Diono is so narrow and can fit 3 across if we ever needed another car seat in the back... and SO many people love their Graco 4Ever seats and those would last us for so long! I feel like every time I look more into one certain seat, I see so many benefits of those which is why the more research I do, the more confused I think I get- but since we have to commit and buy two right off the bat, I want to make sure it's the right decision!
Do you have a seat you love (or hate?!) I would love to know!