The 5 Best Car Seats For 1 Year Olds In 2024
When selecting a car seat for your 1 year old, you’ll want to look for a convertible car seat. These versatile seats are the next step up from infant car seats and can be positioned rear or forward-facing.
While their versatility is what makes them a great option to carry you into the toddler years and beyond, the multiple positioning options can make it difficult to ensure you’ve installed the seat correctly. For this reason, looking for a seat that fits well in your vehicle and installs easily is paramount.
We’ve rounded up a list of our favorite car seats for 2025 that will work well for your 1 year old and beyond.
Best Overall: Orbit Baby’s G5 Toddler Car Seat
Best All-in-One: Graco Extend2Fit
Easiest to Install: Britax Marathon ClickTight
Easiest to Clean: Chicco NextFit Zip
Best for Extended Rear-Facing: Clek Foonf
Best Overall: Orbit Baby G5 Toddler Car Seat
The new installation process can often be the steepest learning curve when jumping from an infant car seat to a convertible one. The Orbit Baby G5 Toddler Car Seat alleviates that issue by utilizing the exact same SmartHub rotating base as its infant seat. A securely installed base can serve you well into the toddler years with the Orbit Baby system.
Not only does the single base system alleviate the installation headaches, it also means you can still dock your car seat on the Orbit Baby stroller. One of the best things about infant car seats is their portability and integration into a travel system—a feature that’s typically lost when the transition is made to a convertible seat.
Pros
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Rotates into position when installed rear facing to save on back strain
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Can be fully detached from its base and is compatible with all Orbit Baby strollers
Cons
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Its rear facing weight limit is 35 lbs, which is lower than some other convertible car seats
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Only available for purchase online or in certain Nordstroms
Best All-in-One: Graco Extend2Fit
With its ability to function rear-facing, forward-facing, or as a booster seat, the Graco Turn2Me 3-in-1 is the most versatile convertible car seat on our list.
Pros
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Can be used rear-facing, forward-facing, or as a booster seat
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Weight limit stretches from 4 lbs to 100 lbs, which means you won’t have to buy more than one car seat
Cons
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Cannot be undocked, which means you cannot transfer the 3-in-1 car seat to a stroller like the Orbit Baby G5+ infant seat or the G5 toddler seat can
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At more than 19 inches wide, it’s the the widest seat on our list which could cause fit issues if you need to position multiple car seats
Easiest to Install: Britax Marathon ClickTight
The Britax Marathon ClickTight is widely regarded for its ease of installation. It also installs easily and safely with a seatbelt, rather than LATCH, making it a great option if you need to fit three car seats across a backseat.
Pros
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Installs easily regardless of method
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Adjusting the harness and recline is also easy
Cons
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Very heavy seat, making it difficult to move
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Its a design quirk of most Britax seats, but the seat design isn’t compatible with forward leading headrests when positioned forward facing (check your car’s owner manual)
Easiest to Clean: Chicco NextFit Zip
An easy-to-clean car seat is one of those things you don’t appreciate until you really, really need it. The Chicco NextFit Zip has a zip-off cover that makes it easy to clean up even the worst spills.
Pros
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Cover zips off for easy cleanups
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Nine position harness makes adjusting as your child grows easy
Cons
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Both the LATCH and seatbelt installation process is more difficult than competitors
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Bulkier profile can make install a challenge in smaller vehicles
Best for Extended Rear-Facing: Clek Foonf
Clek is revered for its stellar safety track record, and the Foonf convertible car seat can accommodate a rear-facing position up to 50 lbs (that’s the weight of an average five year old, for reference!).
Pros
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Sleek profile makes it easier to install in smaller cars or with multiple car seats
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Extended rear-facing capability (up to 50 pounds)
Cons
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Rigid LATCH install can be difficult to use correctly
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Expensive
How To Choose a Good Car Seat For a 1 Year Old
Choosing the right car seat for your 1 year old means taking a number of factors into consideration. A convertible car seat can be both rear and forward facing, which means you’ll likely have it for at least a couple of years, so you’ll want to be thoughtful in your decision making. You should consider the ease of installation, comfort and fit, safety, and adaptability of the car seat you end up choosing.
Ease of Installation
The safest car seat in the world becomes wildly unsafe if it isn’t installed correctly. And the easier a car seat is to install, the more certain you can be that it’s installed correctly.
Look for features that simplify the installation process, and keep in mind that you can also have your installation checked by a certified car seat expert.
Comfort + Fit
Because you’ll use a convertible car seat for years, make sure it’ll be comfortable as your child grows. When talking about fit, there are two different applications. The first is how the car seat fits into your vehicle. Consider if you need to accommodate more than one seat or which seat the car seat will be positioned in. You’ll also want to consider how your child fits into the car seat. What are the height and weight minimums and maximums?
Safety
Any car seat you choose should meet or exceed federal safety standards. Never buy a used car seat or continue using one after it’s been in a car crash.
Adaptability
A convertible car seat can be a bit of an investment, so consider how the seat can grow with your child and family. Also consider its adaptability outside the car—can you use it on a plane? Can it still work with your travel system?
FAQ
What car seat should a 1 year old use?
Most 1 year olds fit best in a convertible car seat.
Can a 1 year old sit forward-facing?
It used to be standard to flip babies to be forward-facing on their first birthdays. Research and evidence shows, though, that rear-facing is safer and current guidance is to keep your child rear-facing for as long as possible.
What angle should a car seat be for a 1 year old?
The angle of the car seat depends on if your child is forward or rear-facing. Your car seat owner’s manual, combined with your car seat’s safety information, will provide you with the correct positioning for your child’s car seat.
Conclusion
When shopping for a convertible car seat for your 1 year old, it’s important to first and foremost select a seat that fits your child and your vehicle that you can install correctly. Beyond that, there are numerous features to look for, depending on what you need. The best car seat will serve you well presently and in the years to come.
