Best 3-in-1 Car Seat 2022: Review and Buying Guide

All parents dread that moment when shopping for car seats for their children. Whether you want to get a car seat for your newborn baby or for your growing child, there is never an easy decision to make regarding the best car seat.

However, the latest rave has been all about the 3-in-1 car seats, which provide three positioning options: rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster seat. These car seats have given a whole new opportunity for parents to invest in car seats that grow up with their children.

Not only can you adjust the positions according to your preference, but you can change the size and height of those seats to suit your baby as he grows up. Hence, you won’t have to keep changing the car seat every few months when your kid grows a couple of inches.

Our top pick has to be the Graco SlimFit 3 in 1, as it can fit your child to the weight of 100 pounds, and it can easily fit in almost any back seat of a car. It has been designed to optimize comfort and fit snuggly to optimize the space in the car, which puts it way on top of the list when it comes to comfort and versatility.

A Spotlight On the best 3-In-1 Car Seats of 2022: 

Best for Large Families: Graco SlimFit 3 in 1

This SlimFit Graco car seat is designed to fit three of your little ones in the back. They are Graco’s slimmest seat, so you can have three kids across. Moreover, you can include all three car seats in any configuration; rear, forward, and booster. While the thought of having three little ones in car seats in the back sounds exhausting, these car seats have been designed this way to fit perfectly back there. It can also hold your kid throughout his childhood, from infant to toddler. This car seat can also be designed as a booster, so you can use the seat belt to keep your child secure.

There are numerous features for this car seat that maximize space and adjustments. There is a belt lock-off for forward-facing mode, which makes things generally more comfortable. Moreover, it is a no-rethread harness that is easily adjustable. Furthermore, it has an effortless LATCH installation system that is usually better than the clip system. Also, the car seat fits perfectly and securely in the rear-facing position and is not wobbly at all.

Graco’s SlimFit is one of the most affordable slim models and is perfect for larger families. You can change the position of the car seat however you want and even use it as a booster seat as your kid grows older. This car seat even allows you to fit newborn kids, and even kids that way up to 100 pounds. All in all, this is a cheaper, easily-installed car seat perfect for growing families.

Pros

• You can fit 3 car seats in the back seat
• It has an easy installation system
• Very affordable compared to other car seats
• Works for newborns and big kids alike

Cons

• Straps are a little hard to tighten and cannot be removed for cleaning

Best for Long-Term Usage: Britax One4Life ClickTight

Britax always comes up with the coolest, compelling design that prioritizes your children’s safety. The One4Life car seat is adored by parents for its convenience and its long life. It will easily carry your kid all the way from birth to his elementary years. We love this car seat because it has been constructed with the highest quality material and designed with straightforward, simple mechanisms.

This car seat can potentially grow with your child through 10 years of life, all the way from being a 5-pound baby to a 120-pound kid. It has been trusted and designed based on safety, convenience and comfort due to its easy installation system buckling a seat belt. Also, it has been tested for crash tests and has excellent results. It has two layers of side impact protection to protect the baby’s head and torso. Moreover, the car seat absorbs crash energy through its SafeCell technology. Also, its steel frame is very sturdy, giving you and your baby peace of mind.

While the Britax One4Life car seat is on the heavier side, you will not have to worry about that as an all-in-one car seat does not require frequent installation. Also, with the whole click-tight system, you won’t have to worry about securing your child in tightly; the system does that for you. Moreover, the thick padding and the design will ensure your kid is always kept safe and minimize the amount of wiggling that can occur while driving.

Pros

• Can be used for the first 10 years of your kid’s life
• It was constructed with high-quality material and amazing cushioning
• Installed numerous safety measures to prevent injury in crashes

Cons

• The car seat is a little heavy, weighing approximately 28 pounds

Best for Parents on the Move: Graco TrioGrow SnugLock LX

The Graco TrioGrow SnugLock is an enhanced version of the 4Ever All-in-One car seat. It has a tensioning lock-off that allows you to fully spin it. This car seat offers three different positioning modes: rear-facing, forward-facing, and highback booster. Graco’s TrioGrow has also been upgraded to accommodate children as they grow, providing an easy transition for both you and your child. It is effortless to install, which is why this car seat is perfect for parents on the move.

This upgraded car seat comes with extra features. It has more padding than its previous models, and it now has two cupholders. It also has six recline options, allowing you to adjust the seating to meet your baby’s requirements and adjust it according to the space in your car. Moreover, you do not have to worry about your baby feeling uncomfortable. It can be installed in less than a minute due to its SnugLock technology, and you can use a seatbelt, LATCH, or both features to install it.

All in all, the Graco TrioGrow SnugLock is for all those parents who need to move around a lot. Now you won’t have to worry about taking your baby anywhere, as you can take the car seat out and install it back in with ease. Moreover, the innovative safety measures and features provide you with an attractive look and stability for your child. Overall, this is the ideal car seat for you if you have a small family that you love to move around with.

Pros

• It has two cupholders for your child
• It is a piece of cake to install
• It provides ultimate comfort and safety for your bay with the cushioning and harness

Cons

• The top of the headrest tends to push the baby’s head forward, which can be adjusted with reclination

Best Budget-Friendly 3-in-1 Car Seat: Graco Nautilus 65

The Nautilus 65 Graco Car Seat is a cute, sturdy, and accommodating car seat. The company says that this is the last 3-in-1 car seat you will ever have to buy, as it fits your kid as he grows up until he weighs 120 pounds. It is a reasonably-priced booster car seat, and your little one can even buckle himself in when he’s old enough. That’s because the vehicle belt works perfectly by keeping the belt positioned in the right place, so your children won’t have any trouble using them.

This car seat has been tested for crash safety. It exceeded the U.S safety standards, so rest assured that your children are secured tightly in the car seat. The protection is pretty impressive, as it has been built for durability and reliability with its plastic frame and steel pieces. It also has a steel-reinforced frame which always provides optimal safety for your kid. Moreover, you won’t have to worry about the frustrating strap-fixing, as the harness is straightforward to fix and tighten. It also has numerous features to make your kid comfortable, including a removable body support padding, cupholders, and a storage space for your kid.

When it comes to the Graco Nautilus 65 3-in-1, it is an incredibly satisfying product for the price offered. If it lives up to your expectations, you will never have to buy another car seat or booster for your kids. You can wash the fabric, adjust the harness easily, and provide your children with all the features they need to have fun.

Pros

• Very affordable for the quality offered
• Has storage space for your kids

Cons

• It is a bit bulky and on the heavier side

Best Car Seat for Everyday Use: Safety 1^st Continuum

The Safety 1st Continuum is a convertible car seat that allows you to move around your child into different positions. It also comes with side protection to protect your little one from collisions or accidentally bumping around. Moreover, the cover can be removed to access the rear-facing belt path without difficulties. It also is LATCH installed, which is generally a safer and more comfortable mechanism. You can fit your kid into the car seat up to the weight of 80 pounds.

First of all, the cover comes with snaps to allow for easy removal of your child. You won’t even have to remove the harness straps when taking the body off. Second, the QuickFit Harness is another excellent feature in this car seat. It provides a snug fit and optimal security for your child. You only need one step to adjust the headrest and the harness, so generally, changing up the fittings is an easy task. Finally, the Safety 1st Continuum has been FAA approved for airplane travel and crash safety due to its sturdy harness. However, the saddle is required when using it on an airplane, so you won’t use the booster option.

All in all, this car seat is ideal for children growing up. It is very effortless to install, and it takes a short amount of time to do so. Hence, it is perfect for everyday tasks, and rest assured that you can take your kid out anywhere with you without struggling with it.

Pros

• The car seat installs easily
• The car seat is designed to fit almost all budgets
• Car seat is narrow enough to fit comfortably in the back

Cons

• When in booster mode, you won’t be able to use the latch
• No covers for the harness strap are included

Best 3-in-1 Car Seat for a Slim Fit: Graco Tranzitions

This car seat is the perfect fit for you if you’re looking for a narrow fit. While the installation might be a little troublesome at first, the whole fact that it fits perfectly in your back seat makes up for that. It uses both the LATCH system and an open-loop belt as installation mechanisms. While it does not have push connectors, as it uses push buttons which are a little more frustrating, it has been designed to ensure your baby stays snug and tight fit in the car seat.

A unique feature of this car seat is that the harness and headrest can be adjusted together into eight different positions. Also, there is no need to rethread, which eases things for you. Moreover, the car seat has two cupholders attached to the base and not the armrests. We love so much about the Graco Tranzitions 3 in 1 car seat because it has eight different adjustable headrest positions. Hence, you can change things up as your child grows.

This is a fantastic choice for families looking for a slimmer car seat that can fit in almost every car without taking much space. Don’t forget that your child can live in comfort with the 8-position headrest option! If you’re on the go and driving your kids around a lot, then maneuvering this car seat will be a piece of cake, and using the harnessed mode should be a lot easier.

Pros

• Narrow car seat that can effortlessly fit in the back
• 8-position headrest option to change while your baby grows
• Easy maneuvering between different modes

Cons

• Might not be stable or easily installed in all vehicles (it depends on the position of the belt)
• There are no push-on connectors, but it does have push buttons

Best Car Seat for Easy Installation: Evenflo EveryStage DLX All-in-One

The Evenflo EveryStage DLX car seat has been designed to grow with your kid for 10 whole years. It can be adjusted to fit them as they grow older with ease. The design is made to compete with other car seats that last for a kid’s childhood. It has genuinely won the challenge because of its versatility and features. But what makes this car seat stand out compared to other all-in-one car seats?

Well, first of all, the seat reclines all the way back in a rear-facing position, which is perfect for parents who worry about their kid’s nap time. Second of all, it has a LATCH installation system. One of the lower two attachments has a ratchet tightening system, which means you can install the car seat with no trouble. Moreover, the cupholders are not integrated. They can be removed and washed, which saves you so much trouble when your kid accidentally spills something. While it does have moderate-quality material and equipment, it comes at an incredibly reasonable price for all the features it offers.

Overall, the Evenflo EveryStage car seat is definitely worth checking out, especially if you’re on the go and want a system with easy installation. You won’t struggle at all with this car seat fitting in perfectly without having to waste too much time. You can also ensure your baby is always comfortable as the seat fully reclines in rear-facing mode. There is nothing better than a car seat that can do both; grow with your child through different ages and can be safely and quickly secured in place.

Pros

• Numerous features for its low price
• The seat can fully recline in the rear-facing position
• Cupholders are removable and washable

Cons

• The car seat is on the heavier side
• The quality is average and nothing too fancy

Best Car Seat for Safety: Evenflo Gold SensorSafe EveryStage Smart All-in-One

One of the most significant issues parents face with putting their babies in the car is safety. If you do not install your car seat correctly, or it wobbles around, then you’re putting your little one at risk. However, all these issues are eliminated with the Evenflo Gold, as it tells you if your baby is not secured tightly in the rear.

A SensorSafe Technology has an application telling you that your kid is safe and secure, even if you’re driving along the road. An intelligent chest clip and wireless receiver connect to an app on your phone, which gives you real-life updates on your child’s comfort. If somehow your kid unbuckles, does not move for an extended period, or warms up, then the alert would go off. Something else that stands out about this car seat is the padding, which is incredibly soft and provides the utmost comfort for your child.

All in all, this car seat is another one that could grow with your child until they’re 120 pounds! Moreover, you won’t have to undo any of the straps to adjust the height as they grow up as you simply have to pull on the top tab to move the straps to your liking. Honestly, the number one feature that stands out is the SensorSafe technology that keeps everything about your baby in check. You can always keep it open in front of you while driving.

Pros

• Can be connected to an app to keep an eye on your baby at all times
• Straps are adjusted with a press of a tab on the top of the car seat
• Padding is incredible and provides softness and comfort

Cons

• The car seat is bulky and takes up a lot of space
• The middle clip can only be adjusted to two different sizes

Best Car Seat for Attractiveness: Disney Baby Grow & Go 3-in-1

The Baby Grow & Go 3-in-1 has been designed with the idea of ease of use. That does not only apply to easy installation, but it also means you won’t have trouble getting it cleaner or adjusting the harnesses either. The rear-facing position is believed to be the safest position for young children. This car seat provides ample space for legroom and reclination. Moreover, if you’re looking for something colorful and attractive for your young girl, then this Disney Baby Grow & Go might just be the one for you!

Let’s talk about the features: there is no need to rethread the harness, and it has 5 different positions to adjust to for the child. It even has a separate newborn adjustment, but that requires rethreading. The fabric is straightforward to remove for cleaning purposes. Moreover, it has three recline angles with a numbered guide on the side. Furthermore, you can use it with the lower anchors or the seat belt in the rear-facing position for stability. Also, it has been advertised as a 10-year lifespan car seat, so you can use it for other babies or as your child grows up.

Overall, we love the design and the fact that the cover is easily removed and washed. Moreover, we recommend this car seat for older children so they can make use of the 5-position harness instead of the newborn setting, as it allows for more room for change. If you dread changing the car seat every few months, this is a solid option to save up both time and money.

Pros

• Provides ample space when in the rear-facing position for legroom
• Cover easily removed and washed
• Has an easy booster conversion for vehicle belt use

Cons

• Newborn straps need rethreading
• Takes up more space when fully reclined in the rear-facing position

Best Car Seat for Sun Protection: Baby Trend Cover Me 4 in 1

Can you believe that the most common complaint about car seats is the sun striking the baby? Most car seats do not have a feature that protects kids from sunlight, and Baby Trend Cover Me car seat was one first to tackle this problem. They successfully did so using a wide, breathable, UPF 50+ canopy. It also has flip-out visors which keep the sun away from your baby’s eyes. Moreover, this is one of the most affordable car seats that will fit your child up to the weight of 100 pounds.

Moreover, forget the struggle days when you have to adjust and reread the harness. This car seat has an incredible recline system and a no-rethread harness, changing without re-installation. Also, even though it is not marketed as a slim car seat, it is pretty compact and fits snuggly in the back seat. It also has anti-twist harness indicators that help you know when your baby’s harness gets jumbled. It comes with multi-layered cushioning to provide support.

The only main issue with this product is that the fabric is only spotted clean, so you cannot remove it and wash it in the machine. However, it has incredible features that aim to make your baby comfortable and safe for the price it offers. The canopy that you rarely see on car seats makes your life so much easier and prevents your baby from crying on the road. Let’s not forget that it has numerous positioning options that allow you and your kid to change things up!

Pros

• Large canopy present that protects your kid from the sun
• It is lightweight, which means you won’t struggle to put it in and out
• Strap pads have grips that help your kid stay up

Cons

• The fabric is not machine-washer friendly and is only spot clean

Buying Guide: How to Purchase a 3-in-1 Car Seat

No-rethread Harness

A lot of harnesses require manual rethreading through holes on the back of the car seat to change the height. That is always an annoying nuisance. If you’re looking for comfort and easy adjustment options that make your life easier, then aim to find a car seat that does not require rethreading. It is highly recommended to get a car seat without rethreading required.

Hence, aim to find a car seat that does not require rethreading. While that might be a little more expensive than the traditional car seats, a harness that can adjust up and down with a click of a button will make your life easier.

Weight Limit

Generally, placing your baby in the rear-facing position is the recommended position. That’s because it reduces any impact absorption in that position if an accident occurs. Hence, if you plan to place your baby in that position, make sure that the car seat accommodates high weights in that position.

Generally speaking, if you’re aiming to purchase a 3-in-1 car seat, then you probably want it to last you and your child for a few years. That’s why we advise you to find a car seat that can grow with your child and accommodate different heights and weights as they grow.

Installation System

The best car seat installation system out there is the LATCH system which was introduced in 2002. It has been designed to make installation easier and faster for all parents. When using the LATCH system, you will need to use the seat belt already in your vehicle.

However, keep in mind that the LATCH system can only be used for kids that weigh under 40 pounds. After that, you will need to use the vehicle’s seat belts to secure the car seat. That’s why we recommend you find the most comfortable installation system that works for you and your specific car.

FAA Approved for Air Travel

The FAA is the Federal Aviation Administration. They individually approve car seats that are safe to travel on airplanes. This is a vital feature because this makes your life much easier, especially if you’re considering traveling around with your little ones.

If you’re wondering if your car seat is FAA approved, you will find a sticker somewhere on the back, side, or underneath the car seat. Hence, if you are planning a jet-related trip with your baby, then make sure you keep them secure throughout the journey with an FAA-approved car seat.

Steel-reinforced Frames

For rigidity and stability, steel-reinforced frames are the way to go. Most 3-in-1 car seats now use this feature, and it has been proven to increase the frame’s structural rigidity. This also helps in the case of the event of a car accident.

Energy-absorbing Foam

You should look for the energy-absorbing foam to minimize any impact on your baby. That impact includes any sudden movement from your child or an accident. The two most common types are EPP and EPS, which are exceptional and reduce the energy of the impact on your baby.

The foam is placed in the seat’s shell, typically found on the sides, bottom, and back. As safety comes first in every scenario related to your baby, we recommend finding energy-absorbing foam car seats.

Crash Testing Performance

The federal government is responsible for conducting these tests on car seats, but they do not publish the results. They do not share their findings as they do not want to create bias around which car seats are safer than others, as they do not want to openly side with specific companies.

However, other organizations like Consumer Reports and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conduct these performance crash tests available to the public. This is a great feature to look for to ensure your baby is safe and sound, even in the unwanted event of an accident.

Adjustability

The car seat should be comfortable and easily adjustable, providing the versatility that supports a growing baby. Hence, we recommend finding a wide range of adjustments in a car seat. Look for car seats that allow you to adjust the headrest, harness, and crotch buckle.

Generally, we prefer headrests and harnesses with 5 or more different height positions and a crotch buckle with 2 or more adjustment options. Reclination is also a notable feature to consider. Look for something with 5 or more reclination positions to provide comfort for your baby.

Side Impact Protection

Always put the safety and security of your child first. That’s why a car seat with great features for side impact protection should be considered. This feature includes having a range in thickness and body coverage of the side cushioning.

However, the more the side impact protection, the bulkier and less space for your baby. Hence, do not look for extreme protection as that will also pose to be more on the expensive side.

Size and Weight

No one wants a car seat that is too heavy, right? Do you really want to struggle with getting it in and out of the car every time you want to detach it? Hence, look for something that has excellent quality but is not too heavy for you to carry along with your baby in it.

Moreover, while bulkier car seats usually mean more protection, we recommend finding something slimmer. That way, it would comfortably fit in your back seat. You would still want space for other kids to sit there or simply a storage room for all your baby stuff.

Comfort

Last but not least, consider the comfort the car seat provides for your baby. This usually is extra padding around the insides of the car seat and breathable material. That will help your kid stay safe and sound inside and allow them to nap with a breeze.

Moreover, we recommend finding a car seat that fully reclines. That honestly can be a life-saver for parents who drive around for hours hoping that their baby falls asleep. Trust us, the perfect way to go around that is with a car seat that reclines all the way back.

Conclusion: Best 3-in-1 Car Seats of 2022

If you’re still struggling with which 3-in-1 car seat to purchase, then there are two things you should always keep in mind. Always have a budget in mind, and then keep the safety of your child in mind at all times.

It never is easy purchasing a car seat, but we always recommend investing in a higher quality one that will last your kid through different points of their life. Also, if you’re planning on having a bigger family, then make sure the car seat can last you for longer so you can use it for other babies too.

Beyond those features, ensure that the harness has numerous different adjustment options to fit your child, and that the car seat itself is comfortable. Full reclination is always a plus, which will help your child sleep soundlessly back there without any discomfort.