The Best Rotating Car Seats of 2024
These innovative car seats spin to make getting your little one in and out of the car a whole lot easier.
By Jen LaBracio, CPST | Fact Checked by Rebekah Kimminau
As baby gear innovations go, the rotating car seat is a big one. These convertible car seats swivel at the base, a fun feature that serves an impressive purpose: making it easier to get your baby or toddler in and out of the car.
After doing our own real-world testing on rotating car seats, speaking to car seat safety experts and reviewing feedback from thousands of Babylist parents, we think the Evenflo Revolve360 Extend All-In-One Rotational Convertible Car Seat is the best rotating car seat for most families.
This all-in-one seat works from your baby’s first days, so you can skip the infant car seat if you’d like, well through elementary school, offering great value. It rotates 360 degrees in both rear- and forward-facing modes and you’ll only need to install it once. It also has high rear-facing height and weight limits, which means your little one can be rear-facing longer than in many other rotating car seats—the safest way for babies and young children to ride, according to safety experts.
We also recommend two other options, the Chicco Fit360 ClearTex Rotating Convertible Car Seat and the Evenflo Revolve360 Slim 2-in-1 Convertible Car Seat. These seats also performed well in our testing and offer a few more choices as you research the best seat for your family’s needs.
Why Trust Babylist?
Babylist is the expert in baby; we know baby gear inside and out. We talk with parents face-to-face in our showroom and on our user panels and hear from thousands annually via our Best Baby Products survey. We know what items millions of expecting parents are adding to their baby registries.
While researching this guide, we spoke to Joe Colella, Director of Child Passenger Safety at the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, a leading industry voice on quality and safety for baby and children’s products and 2020 Child Passenger Safety Hall of Fame Inductee, and Dr. Alisa Baer, a pediatrician and the co-founder of The Car Seat Lady. We also spoke with two Child Passenger Safety technicians (CPSTs): Samantha Taylor, founder of Mama Knows Car Seats and Rebekah Kimminau, founder of The Baby Gear Consultant. I drew on my own expertise both as Babylist’s gear editor, where I’ve personally tested and reviewed many rotating car seats, and as a parent with over a decade of hands-on car seat experience with my two sons. I reviewed car seat feedback from thousands of parents through Babylist’s annual Best Baby Products survey of over 6,000 Babylist users and talked to parents at Babylist for their input. I also reviewed the latest safety data and recommendations from professional organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and leading voices in child car seat safety such as Safe Kids Worldwide and Car Seats for the Littles.
The Best Rotating Car Seats
Best Overall: Evenflo Revolve360 Extend All-In-One Rotational Convertible Car Seat
Also Great: Chicco Fit360 ClearTex Rotating Convertible Car Seat
Best Slim Fit: Evenflo Revolve360 Slim 2-in-1 Convertible Car Seat
How We Judged
Ease of installation. We made sure all of the seats on our list don’t require a PhD and two hours of your morning to install correctly—and that they’ll fit well in most vehicles.
Safety. We took into account independent safety ratings, each seat’s individual safety features and the NHTSA’s Ease-of-Use Ratings. We also chose seats that prioritized extended rear-facing, the safest way for babies and young children to ride.
Ease of use. We considered factors like a car seat’s size, materials, ease of rotation, canopy and other features that impact the day-to-day experience of using a car seat.
Value & affordability. A more expensive car seat doesn’t always equal a safer car seat. Our picks were mindful of price relative to the other critical features on our list.
Best Rotating Car Seat Overall
Pros:
- High rear-facing height and weight limits
- Rotates a full 360 degrees in both rear-facing and forward-facing modes
- Anti-rebound bar
Cons:
- Long seat front-to-back
- Newborns and smaller babies may not fit well
- Straps twist easily
Evenflo has been a leader in the rotating car seat space for the last few years, with five different models of swiveling car seats available at the time of this article’s publication. The Revolve360 Extend is my favorite of the bunch and our top pick for a revolving seat overall, bringing together the ease of a rotating car seat with a high rear-facing weight and height limit—the perfect combination.
As its name implies, the Revolve360 Extend turns 360 degrees on its base to make getting your baby or toddler in and out of the car exceptionally easy. The rotation feature works seamlessly—the buttons are easy to access (there’s one on either side of the seat), and I’ve never had the seat get stuck while spinning it.
Before owning a rotating seat, I could understand the premise but didn’t quite grasp how life-changing it would be. I can’t emphasize enough just how easy this seat makes getting my (constantly squirming, often wriggling, sometimes screaming) two-year-old into and out of my car every day. I love this because it makes my daily life easier (big win), but also because it makes rear-facing—the safest position for him to ride right now—easier. And since it’s easier, I’m likely to do it longer. (The “Extend” portion of the seat’s name refers to its extended rear-facing capabilities, which go up to 50 pounds and 48 inches.)
The all-in-one design is another feature to love about this seat. It’s built for 10 years of use in three different modes: rear-facing, forward-facing and as a high-back booster seat. And you’ll only need to install it once if you use the seatbelt installation method, which isn’t the case with all rotating car seats. (Some rotating seats require that you uninstall and reinstall the seat when you’re making the switch from rear- to forward-facing.)
CPST Kimminau notes the Revolve360 Extend is one of her favorite rotating car seats, praising it for the “high rear-facing limit” and the “smooth rotation feature and no-rethread harness for easy adjusting as your child grows.” I also love the added safety of the anti-rebound bar and the six recline options. Be aware that it’s a taller seat front-to-back, something to be mindful of if you own a smaller vehicle, and it’s on the wider side. (For a slimmer option, check out the Evenflo Revolve360 Slim, reviewed below.)
Real Parent Reviews
“This seat is incredible. I no longer dread putting my two-year-old in the car—I actually enjoy it!! Gone are the days of awkwardly contorting my child to get her in her seat. And soon she will be able to get in it on her own and I can just rotate her back to rear-facing. Amazing. This car seat is a NECESSITY if you are doing daily drop-offs and pick-ups. It was so easy to install (I just followed along to the YouTube video and consulted the manual).” — Megan
“Wow, I wish I had this seat when my youngest munchkin was a newborn. The swivel feature makes it so easy to load and unload my little boy and he looks forward to every time he gets to spin. I totally wasn’t expecting how easy it was to spin and how easy it is to unload my little guy when he is asleep as well. Install was easy peasy. I was able to cinch down the seat tight without busting up my knuckles given I was installing it next to another car seat. It was probably the easiest install I have had over the last 8 years. The only con I can think of is the base is surprisingly tall and the seat sits noticeably above the other seats in my car. This is due to the swivel mechanism.” — ClevelandDad
Additional Specs
| Child Guidelines | Rear-facing: 4-50 lbs, up to 48”; forward-facing: 22-120 lbs, up to 57” |
| Weight | 29.6 lbs |
Also Great
Pros:
- 360-degree rotation
- Can purchase additional bases
- Thoughtful features like magnetic chest clip, buckle holders and vented back panel
Cons:
- Seat is slightly deep, making loading/unloading more difficult
- No booster mode
The Fit360 is the newest car seat on our best-of list and the first rotating seat from Chicco—and it was well worth the wait. This seat stands out for its smart, thoughtful safety and convenience features and how easy it is both to install and use correctly.
The first thing we noticed when testing out this seat was the simplicity of install. “The instructions were clearer than others,” our tester Laura said. “We’ve installed a Graco Contender 65 Convertible Car Seat, Nuna Rava and a few other rental car seats on vacation, and this one was by far the most intuitive, with logical steps and identification.” She also praised the seat for its compact front-to-back size. “My husband is 6’7” and we struggled to find a car seat that would fit behind his seat. The recline feature is very helpful and likely will make this seat work for all car types,” she said.
The buttons to turn the seat are easy to access and the rotation is smooth. Like most parents who use a rotating car seat for the first time, our tester was both impressed and surprised. “The rotating feature is a game changer for child entry and exit,” she said. “Not only is it easier on the caregiver, my two-year-old daughter also has fun getting in and out of the car seat now, which is something we’ve been struggling with lately.”
The features throughout the seat are both parent- and kid-forward. The easy-to-see indicators turn green when the seat is secured in the correct position and a vented seat back circulates air to prevent overheating. The magnetic chest clip makes buckling and unbuckling less of a chore than with other car seats, and there’s a flex-forward crotch buckle (a buckle that’s more rigid than most and snaps back into place) so you’ll never have to dig around for it every time you use the seat. And the Fit360 is one of only a few rotating seats on the market that offer additional bases for sale so you can switch the seat between cars instead of buying a completely new seat for every vehicle. (Just know the seat itself is pretty heavy, though, if you’re switching between cars.) Safety-wise, the standout features (in addition to ease of install) include a steel-reinforced frame, a deep shell and energy-absorbing foam around the head and torso area.
Real Parent Reviews
“Going from the Chicco Keyfit 30, I was surprised how heavy this car seat is, however I realize I won’t have to carry it around anymore! The base and the rotating car seat portions [are] separate and manageable. I like that there is a base with this convertible car seat so that once you move to forward- facing you do not have to reinstall. The installation of the base was very easy. It was surprisingly, very easy to tighten down and the installation instructions were easy to follow. The seat rotates with one hand and makes getting baby in and out much easier than in a standard car seat. There is a green and red indicator to let you know when the seat is in a locked position. The magnetic chest clip is easy for caretakers but still safe so that littles are unable to undo it themselves. The straps tighten easily and slid with ease making getting baby in and out a breeze. I have really enjoyed using the 360 so far and my daughter is comfy and safe!” — Brei04
Additional Specs
| Child Guidelines | Rear-facing: 4-40 lbs, up to 49”; forward-facing: 25-65 lbs, up to 49” |
| Weight | 33.8 lbs |
Best Slim Fit Rotating Car Seat
Pros:
- Fits 3-across in most cars
- Rotates 360 degrees
- High rear-facing weight limit (50 lbs)
Cons:
- Can’t be used as a booster
- May not be comfortable for larger/wider kids
The swivel function is what makes rotating car seats stand out, but it’s also why they take up more room in a back seat than many traditional convertibles. (Rotating seats are wide, plus you have to ensure enough clearance in the middle to allow the seat to turn.) The Evenflo Revolve360 Slim is your best shot at making a rotating car seat work if you own a smaller vehicle, need to fit three car seats across or just want a little more room in your back seat.
The Revolve360 was designed with space saving in mind, shaving off about three inches of width as compared to the Extend, our top pick on this list. This slimmed-down seat measures 16.7 inches across and creates a smaller footprint without sacrificing seating space or safety. I’ve used both seats (the Slim is currently installed in our caregiver’s car), and I’m consistently impressed at just how compact it is. While you couldn’t use three Slims across the back seat of an average-sized vehicle (they might fit space-wise, but you’d lose the swivel function and defeat the purpose of a rotating seat), you’d likely be able to fit a non-rotating car seat in the middle seat and a slim on either side if you need a three-across configuration.
Like the OG Revolve, the Slim 2-in-1 rotates 360 degrees in all modes and works as both a rear- and forward-facing seat. You’ll only need to install it once, and installation is just as quick and easy as it is with all of the other rotating seats in Evenflo’s lineup. There are also the same thoughtful features like the machine washable cover, several recline options and extended rear-facing capabilities. (Both seats have 48-inch height maximums for rear-facing, but the Extend has a 50-pound weight limit as compared to the Slim’s 40-pound max.) Keep in mind that the Slim works only as a rear- or forward-facing convertible, while the Extend ultimately transitions to a high-back/belt-positioning booster as your child grows.
Real Parent Reviews
“I own a 2021 Mustang GT. I have twins. Life is not easy as far as space goes. It’s cramped but [these are] the only rotating car seats that I have proven can fit for both kids. So if you have a sports car this might be your only option. Thankfully it’s a great option. Don’t listen to the folks telling you that you need to sell. You don’t.” — Aaron S.
“I’d previously been debating to get a rotating [car seat] but hadn’t settled on any certain one yet and the prices were holding me back. But with [a] slim option I HAD to try it! I drive a Ford Expedition Max and this fits very well behind the driver seat. My husband is 6’3” and even in rear-facing mode, it still fits. I installed [the] base using the latch system and tether strap (easy peasy) and the base has no movement whatsoever! For those of you familiar with the tilt-forward seat in these vehicles, passengers in [the] 3rd row can still get out. Car seat has to be spun to forward facing and installed with LATCH to do this. Baby looks comfy in [the] seat and I appreciate the base design as it protects the back of my seat from dirty shoes. I’m short (5’1”) and the rotating feature makes it so much easier to get my kiddo out. As for being slim, my son can still fit his booster seat in [the] middle next to this car seat. Overall, very happy with this car seat and design!” — Tiffany
Additional Specs
| Child Guidelines | Rear-facing: 4-50 lbs, 17-48”; forward-facing: 22-65 lbs, 28-49” |
| Weight | 28.2 lbs |
How We Chose Our Best Rotating Car Seats
We analyzed results from Babylist’s Best Baby Products survey, which polled 6,000 Babylist users and asked them to share the baby products they love the most and why.
We utilized insight from the Babylist editorial team, including me, Gear Editor Jen LaBracio, an expert in the baby space for over six years and a mom of two who has written hundreds of baby gear guides and personally researched and tested hundreds of baby products, including rotating car seats.
We spoke to Joe Colella, Director of Child Passenger Safety at the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, a leading industry voice on quality and safety for baby and children’s products and 2020 Child Passenger Safety Hall of Fame Inductee, and Dr. Alisa Baer, a pediatrician and the co-founder of The Car Seat Lady.
We also interviewed two CPSTs, Samantha Taylor, founder of Mama Knows Car Seats and Rebekah Kimminau, founder of The Baby Gear Consultant.
We researched information on infant seat safety and reviews from several leading car seat experts, including Car Seats for the Littles and The Car Seat Lady, as well as information from the American Academy of Pediatrics. We also considered the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Ease-of-Use Ratings.
We read customer reviews from hundreds of Babylist users and spoke to parents on our Babylist staff about their real-life product experiences.
What Is a Rotating Car Seat?
Rotating car seats, also called swivel car seats, are convertible car seats that spin on the base from rear-facing to forward-facing with the touch of a button.
A rotating car seat has many of the same features you’d find in a traditional convertible seat, such as the ability to rear- or forward-face, a five-point harness, variable recline positions, a LATCH system and more, with the addition of a swiveling seat.
When to buy a rotating car seat
Assuming your baby meets the rotating car seat’s weight minimum (which most full-term infants and even some preemies will), it’s possible to use a convertible car seat from day one. However, convertible seats aren’t as portable or as light as infant car seats, and they can’t be used with a stroller. Most parents choose to start with an infant car seat and switch to a convertible car seat once their little one has reached the infant car seat’s height or weight maximum, usually around one year of age.
Rotating Car Seat Pros and Cons
If you’ve ever tried to wrangle a screaming, squirming child into a rear-facing car seat, you’ll understand pretty quickly why a rotating car seat is such a genius idea. But like most products, there are also some downsides to these types of seats. Here’s how to think through if a rotating seat is right for you.
Rotating car seat pros
Ease and convenience. There’s no doubt: it’s easier to get your child into and out of the car with a rotating car seat than if you’re using a traditional convertible. A rotating seat can be especially helpful if you have a physical limitation or if a grandparent or older caregiver will be driving your child. “Parents and caregivers with certain physical disabilities might be able to take a child independently in a car using one of these seats but would be unable to do so with a non-rotating car seat,” says Dr. Baer.
Safety. “According to the AAP and the NHTSA, it's safest for infants and toddlers to ride rear-facing in a car seat for as long as possible,” says Colella. Rotating car seats make it easier to rear-face your child, and when something is easier, you’re more likely to do it. A growing body of research supports rear-facing as the safest way for babies and young children to ride. It can also be a good option for parents with multiple kids in car seats who need access to their vehicle’s third row. “In vehicles with captain’s chairs in the second row, rear-facing convertible seats typically block access to the center aisle and thus block third-row access, which often prompts parents to turn kids forward-facing too soon in order to preserve that access,” explains Dr. Baer. “A rotating seat may allow for access to the center aisle and thereby encourage a parent to keep the child in the second row rear-facing longer.”
One and done install. If you’re using a traditional convertible car seat, you’ll need to install it once for rear-facing and then again when it’s time to forward-face. With all of the rotating car seats on our list (and the majority on the market), install it once and you’re good to go. (The only caveat is if you’re using your vehicle’s LATCH to install your seat. In that case, you may need to reinstall the seat using your vehicle’s seat belt once your child hits a certain weight. Be sure to read your seat’s instruction manual carefully to learn the specifics of your car seat.)
Rotating car seat cons
Size. The swivel feature—what makes rotating car seats great—is also what makes them take up more room in your back seat. You may not be able to place a rotating car seat directly next to another car seat (or another passenger) in some vehicles or achieve a three-across configuration if you have three car seat-aged children. And some rotating car seats are very large from front to back so are not ideal for sedans or smaller vehicles.
Price. Rotating car seats are more expensive than many convertible car seats.
Low rear-facing weight limit. Although rotating car seats make rear-facing easier, many have a lower rear-facing weight limit than traditional convertible car seats. That means your child will max out of their swiveling car seat’s rear-facing limits sooner than they would with many other seats (though not sooner than in an infant seat—even the best infant car seats have a lower rear-facing weight limit than rotating car seats).
To see all the differences (and similarities) between rotating, convertible and even all-in-one car seats—plus our recommended picks in each category—check out our Ultimate Car Seat Guide.
Rotating Car Seats and Safety
As the needs of specific children and families differ, the basic rules to consider before buying any car seat are that it 1) fits your child; 2) fits your vehicle; and 3) will be used consistently and correctly, says Colella. And while rotating car seats are new to the US, they’re not new globally “While the current selection has boomed over the last few years, they’ve actually been around for decades, especially in Europe,” explains Taylor, because of differences in European car seat safety regulations. But are rotating car seats safe?
Because all car seats sold in the US must pass the same safety standards, we know that rotating car seats meet the same safety criteria as all other types of car seats sold in this country. Dr. Baer recommends keeping these points in mind when evaluating a rotating car seat:
Pay attention to the seat’s construction. Some rotating car seats are made from two separate pieces, a base and a shell. There is potential for these pieces to separate in the event of a crash, and although this is not supposed to happen, the possibility is always there.
Construction matters. Like infant seats, rotating car seats connect the shell to the base using different mechanisms. Some, like metal-to-metal connections, for example, are more secure than others, such as plastic-to-plastic.
Consider human error. Look for a rotating car seat that minimizes the chances of human error as much as possible. Things like an easy-to-read indicator that shows when the seat is locked into position or a feature that helps you know the seat is properly connected to the base can help maximize your chances of using the seat correctly.
“Rotating car seats are absolutely safe when used correctly,” echoes Taylor. “Like all car seats, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.” Her biggest takeaway is to always be sure the seat is in a locked position when the vehicle is in motion. “That rule stands whether the car seat is occupied or unoccupied,” she says. She recommends habitually turning the car seat to a locked position whenever you remove baby from the seat. Follow these other rotating car seat safety tips:
Two-piece rotating car seats (base + shell) must always be used together, never on their own.
Never ride with a child facing sideways in a rotating car seat. Always be sure the seat is locked into either a rear- or forward-facing position.
Max out your seat’s rear-facing height or weight limits before turning your child forward-facing.
Jen LaBracio,
Senior Gear Editor, CPST
Jen LaBracio is Babylist’s Senior Gear Editor and a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST). When she’s not geeking out over car seats, testing out a new high chair or pushing the latest stroller model around her neighborhood, she likes to run, do all things Peloton, listen to podcasts, read and spend time at the beach. In her past life, she worked for over a decade in children’s publishing. She lives outside of Chicago with her husband and their two boys, Will and Ben.
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