The Best Car Seats for Families with Multiples
Moms of multiples have a lot to think about. Worrying about how to fit car seats in your vehicle shouldn’t be one of the things keeping you up at night.
Finding the best car seat configuration for two or three children can be tricky. Many car seats are too wide to fit right next to each other three across in a back seat. Seriously, this is a thing, and you are not crazy. Parents literally car shop BASED on which car seats they can fit in their vehicles.
But how do you even know which seats are going to fit butted up RIGHT NEXT to each other? We combed reviews, we consulted manufacturers, and we came back with the best — here’s a list of the best infant and convertible car seats for three across.
The Best Infant Car Seats for Three Across
When trying to figure out how to fit multiple car seats into your vehicle, be sure to note both the base width and the maximum width. The base width is important because that’s the amount of space that will be taken up on the seat. The maximum width is really important because that’s what will determine whether your seats will fit next to each other or not.
Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat
The Chicco KeyFit 30 is compact and user friendly, easily fitting into sedans or SUVs. These seats are FAA compliant, great for airline travel, and test above federal safety regulations. Moms of newborns and preemies especially love the newborn positioner that allows you to buckle baby in the correct place every time, making this one of the safest car seat options for first time mamas.
What’s more, this infant seat is easy to install, and has a narrow footprint that allows you to install it next to another infant or convertible car seat.
Evenflo LiteMax 35 Platinum Infant Car Seat
This Evenflo seat was designed with both parent and baby comfort in mind! Extremely lightweight with an ergonomic handle makes carrying baby easy and comfortable. Meanwhile, temperature regulating fabric and a full coverage canopy protect your little one from the elements. Travel with peace of mind, knowing that your little one is snug and safe in a seat exceeds federal safety standards, is rollover tested and FAA approved.
Nuna Pipa Infant Car Seat
Nuna Pipa offers some seriously fashionable car seat options that allow for both style and safety. What’s really cool about the Nuna Pipa (aside from it being an easy fit three across) is that these seats are made with flame resistant materials, but not coated in flame retardant chemicals, so your baby never comes into contact with any of the chemical nasties.
We love the colors of Nuna’s product line, and the Pipa Infant car seat is arguably one of the prettiest car seats on the market, with a leather handle, and an ability to squeeze twins into your sedan.
Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4/35 Infant Car Seat
This Italian made infant seat is ideal for a three across car seat configuration. The rounded bottom of the base serves a dual purpose in allowing for a snug fit into the seat and easing wear and tear on your car’s upholstery (you heard me, spring for the leather). This seat can be used with or without a base in both your vehicle and on flights, making it a quick and easy option for the frequent traveller.
The Best Convertible Car Seats for Three Across
Combi Compact Convertible Car Seat
With a removable infant insert, these seats were designed to safely seat your child from the newborn stage to toddlerhood. This seat only weighs 14.3 lbs, making it easier to move in and out of your car andhaul through the airport. Designed specifically to allow for a three across car seat configuration, this compact option is a great choice for parents who want to skip the infant seat stage, but may not want to give up their compact SUV (we feel you).
Diono Radian RXT
Formed with steel alloy, aluminum, and memory foam, Diono seats may be notoriously heavy, but they’re notoriously tough and insanely safe, even double crash-tested.
What’s more, the Radian is beefy and safe, but anything but bulky — it has a narrow enought footprint to fit three across in most vehicles.The RXT folds flat for additional room when the kids aren’t with you, is FAA approved for airplane travel, and can fit your child from birth to 120 lbs (seriously).
Evenflo SureRide DLX Convertible Car Seat
This convertible car seat is a great option for the budget conscious mom. It exceeds federal safety regulations, is approved by the FAA for flight, and is able to carry your child from birth to 40 lbs. The compact design and movable cup holder allows for easy placement of two or more children in the back seat of your car without compromising safety.