Car Seat Adapters 101: How to Use Them (and Why You Need Them)
These magical gadgets connect your infant car seat to your stroller for seamless baby travel.
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Getting out of the house with a baby involves a lot of steps—and often, a lot of gear. That’s why we’re forever on the hunt for things that make the whole process more efficient, like car seat adapters.
Car seat adapters connect an infant car seat to a stroller (not a convertible car seat, though—more on that later). Being able to connect these two pieces of gear lets your baby use the stroller from birth without needing a bassinet attachment or a lay-flat seat, and allows you to transfer your little one in and out of the car much more quickly and easily.
There are tons of compatible car seats and strollers out there, with literally hundreds of possible combinations, even between different brands (see our comprehensive list of the top car seat and stroller models that connect together). You can purchase a travel system—a stroller and car seat sold together as a set that some brands offer—but if you decide to purchase a car seat and stroller separately, especially if you want different brands for each, the gear pieces may not snap together right out of the box.
But you can reap the benefits of a travel system with nearly any car seat-stroller combo just by using the right car seat adapter.
How Do Car Seat Adapters Work?
Car seat adapters are extra pieces of hardware—usually made of durable plastic, lightweight metal or both—that attach to the stroller frame, usually somewhere near the middle for single strollers and side-by-side double strollers, or at the top and bottom for tandem double strollers.
Once the adapters are in place, your infant car seat can safely and securely click onto the stroller frame.
Car seat adapters on UPPAbaby Vista V3
Depending on your stroller and infant car seat, you’ll need one of two different adapter styles:
Ring adapters: This adapter style is usually just one large piece that looks like a slim, curved bar or set of rods. It goes across the stroller frame or seat and supports the infant car seat from underneath.
Stick adapters: These two-piece adapters are smaller (between the size of a wallet and a cell phone) and click onto designated points on either side of the stroller frame. The car seat then snaps directly into these brackets.
Car Seat Adapter Safety
No matter which style you use, you’ll know the seat is secure when you hear that satisfying “click” sound. But always double-check by gently lifting the car seat to ensure it’s locked.
And while it’s certainly convenient to keep baby in their car seat while using your stroller, it’s important to know that babies are safest in a lay-flat position. So if your stroller comes with a bassinet attachment or if the seat is able to lay at a completely flat 180-degree angle, that’s going to be a much better option for your baby than the car seat.
Do I Need a Car Seat Adapter?
Only if you plan to DIY your travel system and the combination you want requires adapters to fit together. If you want to fit together a car seat and stroller from two different brands, you’ll definitely need an adapter. Even if your gear is from the same brand, you may still need an adapter to make them connect securely. You can check whether or not your combo will need one in our list of infant car seat and stroller compatibility options.
Can’t decide between a traditional travel system and one you combine yourself? As with any piece of baby gear, there are upsides and downsides to using car seat adapters.
On the plus side, car seat adapters give you the flexibility to mix the models and brands you love, and they’re super convenient and cost-saving if you already have an infant car seat or a stroller (and don’t want to purchase a whole new travel system).
At the same time, it means adding on another piece of baby gear to keep track of, and you have to have the correct adapter for your car seat and stroller models. If the adapter wasn’t made specifically for your infant car seat and stroller combo and isn't approved by the car seat manufacturer, it’s not safe to use.
Choosing the Right Adapter for Your Stroller + Car Seat Combo
Adapters vary by brand, model and even manufacture year, so it’s essential to get the one specifically designed for your car seat and stroller combo. So before you register for a particular infant car seat and stroller, or before you try to connect the ones you already own, you’ll need to check to make sure that they’re actually compatible.
To help make your research easier, we’ve gathered compatibility info on 75 major infant car seat and stroller models—just scroll through the list, find your gear and see what it works with (plus the exact adapter you’ll need!).
One thing to note is that some brands have more compatibility options than others, so if you’re determined to build your own travel system, it’s something to keep in mind as you shop around.
Stroller brands with more infant car seat compatibility
These strollers work with four or more different brands of infant car seats:
Evenflo (note: only the Evenflo Pivot Xpand is compatible with other car seat brands; other Evenflo strollers only accept Evenflo infant car seats)
Stroller brands with limited infant car seat compatibility
With these stroller brands, you can only make a travel system with infant car seats from that same brand (adapters may or may not be necessary).
Infant car seats with more stroller compatibility
These infant car seats work with four or more different stroller brands:
Infant car seats with limited stroller compatibility
These infant car seats work with only one or two different stroller brands:
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Seat Adapters
Can I use car seat adapters with a convertible car seat or forward-facing car seat?
Unfortunately, no. Car seat adapters are designed specifically for infant car seats, which are meant for babies from birth until they outgrow the seat’s height or weight limits (usually around 18 to 24 months). Once your baby transitions to a convertible or forward-facing car seat, you won’t be able to use your travel system anymore—these seats aren’t compatible with adapters or stroller frames because they’re larger, heavier and not designed for easy in-and-out carrying (convertible seats are made to stay installed in the car).
Are third-party adapters safe?
For safety reasons, car seat safety technicians (CPSTs) and baby gear experts recommend only using adapters made by the car seat’s or stroller’s manufacturer. For even more safety precautions, check if your adapters meet ASTM or Baby Safety Alliance (formerly JPMA) certification standards, which ensure they’ve been tested for proper fit, durability and strength.
How much do adapters cost?
Car seat adapters typically range from $50 to $80 (or more, if you have a side-by-side double stroller). Some stroller models—like the Joovy Caboose—come with adapters included, which can save you money. And if you’re still building your registry, don’t forget to add adapters to your list so that someone can gift them to you.
Can I use a car seat adapter on a jogging stroller?
Yes, as long as the stroller manufacturer allows for it, but keep in mind that you can’t jog with a car seat attached, due to safety reasons. As long as your baby is younger than six months old and/or using the car seat attachment, you’ll need to stick to a walking pace to ensure you can maintain control over the stroller.
Can I use a car seat adapter to prolong baby’s naps?
If your baby falls asleep in their car seat while you’re out driving, you may be hoping that car seat adapters will let you transfer your baby to their stroller without removing them from their car seat and waking them up. But car seats aren’t a safe sleep space, so if baby falls asleep while you’re out and about and you need to use the stroller, you’ll need to transfer baby to a flat sleep surface like a bassinet attachment or a lay-flat seat if they’re under six months old, or a regular stroller seat if they’re older than six months.
