Baby
6 Best Rotating Car Seats in 2024 That Make Trips So Much Easier
Dec
Gone are the days of wrestling to secure your baby while they’re turned away.
Rotating car seats, popular in Europe for years, are now gaining traction in the U.S., with Cybex leading the way. These aspirational baby registry items make perfect group gifts, though many are still learning about their benefits.
Menu
- The Basics of Rotating Car Seats
- What You Need to Know Before You Buy
- What to Consider
- How We Tested
- Chicco Fit360 ClearTex Rotating Convertible Car Seat
- Key Specs
- Key Specs
- Graco Turn2Me 3-in-1 Car Seat
- Key Specs
- Maxi-Cosi Emme 360 All-In-One Rotating Convertible Car Seat
- Key Specs
- Nuna Revv Rotating Convertible Car Seat
- Key Specs
- Baby Jogger City Turn Rotating Convertible Car Seat
- Key Specs
- Cybex Callisto G 360 Rotating All-in-One Convertible Car Seat
- Key Specs
The Best Rotating Car Seats
Best Overall: Chicco Fit 360 ClearTex Rotating Convertible Car Seat
Best Budget: Graco Turn2Me 3-in-1 Car Seat
Best New Seat 2024: Cybex Callisto Rotating Car Seat
Easiest to Clean: Maxi Cosi Emme 360 All-In-One Rotating Convertible Car Seat
Best for Hot Climates: Nuna Revv Rotating Convertible Car Seat
Best for Tall Parents: Baby Jogger City Turn Rotating Convertible Car Seat
The Basics of Rotating Car Seats
Rotating car seats spin on their base, simplifying loading and unloading babies. Suitable for toddlers, they secure to a car’s latch system with a stable base and rotating seat. Despite concerns, these seats meet rigorous safety standards when properly installed. Many brands offer them, but this list highlights only the best, personally tested options.
What You Need to Know Before You Buy
Rotating car seats are innovative, accessible, and convenient, especially for parents dealing with squirming babies or physical challenges. However, they have drawbacks: they’re bulky, limiting space for other passengers, and may not fit well in all cars. Additionally, they have lower rear-facing weight and height limits and come with a high price tag, often over $500.
What to Consider
When choosing a car seat, consider these key factors: size, height and weight limits, cleaning ease, and the leveling indicator.
Size: Check dimensions and allow extra room except by the door, as the seat’s top may extend outward.
Height and Weight Limits: Vital for taller or heavier children.
Cleaning: Is the cover machine-washable? Can the base be cleaned easily? Messes are inevitable.
Leveling Indicator: Essential for safety. Some use bead indicators, while others, like Nuna, have fixed connections instead.
How We Tested
Each seat was rigorously tested in various cars with kids of different ages, enduring spills, sickness, and messes. All feature enhanced safety measures like Cybex’s anti-rebound mechanism and Graco’s SnugLock for secure, easy installation.
- Best Overall
Chicco Fit360 ClearTex Rotating Convertible Car Seat
Pros
- Easy to install
- Easy to clean
- 360-degree rotation
- Comfortable, breathable seat
Cons
- Heavier than other seats
The Chicco Fit 360 stands out for its unmatched utility, convenience, and safety at a competitive price. Chicco, a trusted name, has outdone itself with this model.
Why It’s Great:
Testers found it incredibly easy to install with its belt-path system, adjustable tether, and easy-to-read leveling indicator. Features like the multi-position recline, no-rethread harness, steel-reinforced frame, and high-density foam, combined with adjustable newborn padding, make it a top-tier option. The breathable, machine-washable, and dryer-safe material ensures comfort and durability.
Tester Feedback:
Both testers praised its ease of use, comfort, and quality. It’s also well-priced for its category.
Drawbacks:
The seat is on the heavier side, and extra bases can be pricey.
Key Specs
Key Specs
| Height and Weight Limits | 4-40 lbs. and up to 43 inches tall; 25-65 lbs. and up to 49 inches tall |
|---|---|
| Size of Seat | 20 x 18.25 x 25.75 inches |
| Cleaning | Machine-washable and dryer safe |
| Leveling Indicator | Bubble |
- Best Budget
Graco Turn2Me 3-in-1 Car Seat
Pros
- Simple installation
- Great cushioning
- Easy to adjust
- Highback booster mode
Cons
- Drip-dry only
- Hard-to-remove fabrics
The Graco Turn2Me, like the Maxi-Cosi Emme, converts to a high-back booster for older kids. Known for affordability and quality, Graco shines with this model, featuring a quick one-minute latch install, 10-position harness and headrest, and excellent cushioning.
Tester Praise:
Our tester loved its back-saving ease of use, quick adjustments, and value for money.
Tester Complaints:
Removing the machine-washable (but non-dryer-safe) cover is tricky, and cleaning around the cupholders can be difficult.
Key Specs
| Height and Weight Limits | 4-40 lb. in rear-facing mode; 22-65 lb. and up to 49 in in forward-facing mode; 40-100 lb and 57 in. and at least 4 years old in highback mode |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 24.4 in. deep x 19.1 in. wide x 24.4 in. tall |
| Cleaning | Machine-wash fabrics on cold, drip dry |
| Leveling Indicator | Bubble indicator |
- Easiest to Clean
Maxi-Cosi Emme 360 All-In-One Rotating Convertible Car Seat
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Easy to install
- Sizes up with your child to their booster seat stage
Cons
- Very heavy
The Emme 360 is one of my favorite rotating car seats, accommodating your child up to the traditional booster seat stage. While it’s heavy at nearly 30 pounds, it’s easy to install, and getting your baby in and out is simple with the QuickFit 10-position harness and magnetic chest clip. The machine-washable, dryer-friendly PureCosi fabric is made without wool or fire-retardant treatments.
What Our Tester Loved:
The foam is side-impact rated yet feels luxurious, and the seat stays clean, even with heavy use. The fabric and cup holders are easy to clean.
What Our Tester Didn’t Love:
It’s heavy and the adjustability takes some getting used to, but once mastered, it’s easy.
Key Specs
| Height and Weight Limits | 5–40 lb. and 19-40 in. rear-facing with included infant insert; 22–65 lb. and 29-49 in. in forward-facing mode; 40–100 lb. and 43-52 in. in booster mode |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 20 in. wide x 22 in. deep x 23 in. tall |
| Cleaning | Machine-wash and -dry fabrics, spot-clean remaining |
| Leveling Indicator | Bead indicator |
- Best for Hot Climates
Nuna Revv Rotating Convertible Car Seat
Pros
- High quality, breathable fabrics
- Easy to spin
- No bead or bubble needed
Cons
- Shortest height limit
- Heavy at 32 pounds
Our tester loved the Nuna Revv, calling it top-quality with its sturdy build and smooth spinning mechanism, even when juggling other tasks. At $650, it’s a premium choice worth the price. It features a 10-position harness, easy-adjust fit strap, and ample cushioning. The seat locks into place without a leveling indicator, ensuring stability.
What Our Tester Loved:
The magnetic buckle holders are a game-changer for parents, keeping straps out of the way during use.
What Our Tester Didn’t Love:
The initial installation is tricky, and the latch buckles can be difficult to open.
Key Specs
| Height and Weight Limits | 5–40 lb. rear-facing; 25–40 lb. forward-facing; up to 43 in. |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 18.5 in. wide x 21.5-34 in. long x 19.5-29.5 in. tall |
| Cleaning | Machine-wash and line-dry fabrics, spot-clean remaining |
| Leveling Indicator | None required |
- Best for Tall Parents
Baby Jogger City Turn Rotating Convertible Car Seat
Pros
- Cool fabric
- Smooth spin
- Easy install no matter how you want it
Cons
- Bulky, with a big turning radius
- Heavy
The Baby Jogger City Turn stands out with its Coolmax fabric that wicks moisture, keeping your baby cool. It’s large but brings the baby 10 inches closer when spun, great for taller parents. The 180-degree rotation is simple to use, with a 10-position headrest and harness that resist baby puke.
What Our Tester Loved:
The smooth, easy turn and how close the baby gets to you, which was especially convenient during pregnancy.
What Our Tester Didn’t Love:
The fabric is spot-clean only, and the seat requires a lot of space for installation.
Key Specs
| Height and Weight Limits | 4-50 lb. in rear-facing mode; 22-65 lb. in forward-facing mode; maximum height of 49 in. |
|---|---|
| Size of Seat | 21.8 in deep x 19 in wide x 23.5 in tall |
| Cleaning | Spot-clean only |
| Leveling Indicator | Audible click and bubble |
- Best New Seat 2024
Cybex Callisto G 360 Rotating All-in-One Convertible Car Seat
Pros
- Easy install and adjustment
- Rotates and reclines in every iteration except booster
Cons
- Large size
- False alarms on app
The Cybex Sirona S 360 is one of the easiest-to-install car seats, even simpler than the Chicco Fit 360. It features a belt-path installation with a tether and a magnetic clasp, making it user-friendly. This high-end seat offers an anti-rebound base, linear side impact protection, and breathable, machine-washable fabrics.
What Our Tester Loved:
The Sensor-Safe chest clip alerts you to temperature changes, unbuckling, or if your child is left in the car. It’s designed for all ages, from newborn to middle school, with rotating and reclining options up to the booster stage.
What Our Tester Didn’t Love:
No significant drawbacks found.
What Our Testers Loved
What Our Tester Loved:
The seat is incredibly convenient with easy-to-remove fabrics and cup holder, simple adjustments, and clear instructions. The oversized canopy provided great shade during testing, keeping the kids comfortable.
What Our Testers Didn’t Love:
The seat is large and takes up significant space, making it less suitable for cars. It works better in SUVs, vans, or trucks. The app sometimes gives false alarms, but it’s better than missing an alert.
Key Specs
| Height and Weight Limits | Birth to 120 poundsup to 57 inches |
|---|---|
| Size of Seat | 21.7 x 18.7 x 25.5 inches |
| Cleaning | Machine washable |
| Leveling Indicator | Visual color match |
