This car seat works from birth to 10 years old, converting from a rear-facing car seat with removable, washable, infant insert, to a forward facing booster seat complete with cup holder. The dial twist recline mechanism is the easiest I've ever used, with repositioning just a click away. The material is unbelievably breathable, minimizing the "summer sweat soaked baby" aspect that happens in so many car seats.

According to Safety 1st, this car seat is built to grow with your child so that you get extended use out of the seat through multiple stages. It works as a rear-facing car seat for children from 5 to 40 pounds. If you turn it around, it is a forward-facing car seat for children from 22 to 65 pounds. And it works as a belt-positioning booster for children from 40 to 100 pounds, depending upon their height.

This one can be placed rear-facing for children up to 40 pounds, which is great for safety. Last year, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) changed their position on rear-facing car seats. Their new official stance is that "AAP recommends children remain in a rear-facing car safety seat as long as possible, until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their seat. Previously, the AAP specified children should remain rear-facing at least to age 2; the new recommendation removes the specific age milestone."

This bad boy is a rear-facing car seat from 14 to 40 pounds and 22 to 85 pounds as a forward-facing car seat. The harness is so easy, I can click it with one hand and pull out my niece with a fully loaded hot pumpkin spiced latte in the other hand. And let's be honest, that's the really important thing, isn't it?

This one from Graco looks like a sleek, classy little space pod. Like what Amal Clooney’s babies will be lounging in when they blast off for a quick jaunt to Mars. It also grows with the kid — rear-facing it goes up to 50 pounds, and forward-facing up to 65 pounds. Two of the nicest things about this one are the comfortability and cleaning options. It offers more legroom, as well as a six-position recline. (Awesome for longer trips, so your kid can lay back, and their head doesn't loll around like a bobblehead.) And when the seat pad gets covered in banana (as you know it will), you can throw it into the washing machine.

This sturdy dude is for older riders, going from a forward-facing harness booster (22 to 65 pounds) to a high-back belt-positioning booster (30 to 100 pounds) all the way to a backless booster (40 to 120 pounds). It also comes with “Fuss-Free Harness Storage," which keeps the buckle out of the way, thereby making the process of getting your kid in and out more seamless and less like a WWE match. It also comes in a cheerful hot pink color, in case you’re weary of the usual black-and-gray baby gear.

If you're currently pregnant, and can't yet cast your mind to the future or even imagine having a baby bigger than a onesie, the Snuglock is a safe, solid choice for babies. With padding all around, this is kind of as close as you can get to putting your kid in a bubble. It also has a level indicator, so nervous new parents can rest assured that they actually got the thing into the car the right way. Added bonus — this one is also compatible with the Graco Click Connect stroller, so you can pop the kid out, snap it onto the stroller, and roll into Mommy and Me like a pro.