Rotating Car Seats: Why You May Want One, and Which Should You Buy?

You know what's the worst? When your kid does that thing where they throw their arms up, arch their back and become slippery as soon as you place them in their convertible car seat. This stealth move is particularly annoying if your little angel is rear-facing in that car seat, making it almost impossible to reposition them. This is when a rotating car seat is a sanity saver.

If your baby hasn't pulled this move yet, don't worry, they will—give it another few weeks. The best rotating car seat is a must-have on every newborn checklist. Because one day that innocent infant will decide they hate car rides and being restrained.

What is a rotating car seat?

Rotating car seats swivel towards you, which makes getting that wet noodle of a child safely into the car so much easier. When you've buckled them in, simply rotate the seat back position and off you go.

Swiveling car seats are great for rear-facing kids because they take the stretching, climbing and contortions required to strap a toddler into a backward seat out of the equation.

What to look for in the best rotating car seat

It's important to consider how long you'd like to keep your child rear-facing when shopping for a rotating car seat. The rear-facing maximum weight can vary in swiveling seats—and is often less than the forward-facing maximum weight.

You'll also want to keep in mind the size of your back seat and how many rotating car seats you plan on installing. In short, make sure you'll have lots of room to fit and swivel your new car seat in your car.

"A rotating car seat is bigger and heavier than your usual car seat," explains Juliana Amador, a certified car seat consultant. "Does it fit in the car properly? Are the parents tall? A rotating car seat in the rear-facing position takes a lot of space because of the angle that needs to be installed."

Parents should also consider how much space the car seat will take while rotating. A good measure is adding one to two inches to the dimension of the car seat after taking measurements.

Finally, pay attention to the swiveling mechanism and how to use it. Some offer one-handed operation, which means you can hold a squirmy baby in one arm and rotate the seat with the other.

The best rotating car seats 2024

• Best overall: Graco Turn2Me Rotating Car Seat
• Best budget: Evenflo Gold Revolve360
• Best comfort: Baby Jogger City Turn Rotating Car Seat
• Best harness adjustment: Maxi Cosi Rotating Car Seat
• Best Walmart: Safety 1st Turn and Go Rotating Car Seat
• Most stylish: Cybex SironaS SensorSafe 2 Car Seat
• Best luxury: Nuna Revv Car Seat

Best overall

Graco Turn2Me Rotating Car seat

This swiveling convertible car seat is a favorite because it can be turned using just one hand. It goes from a rear-facing seat for babies as small as four pounds and as mature as 40 pounds, to a forward-facing harness for kids between 22 and 65 pounds. A high-back booster for kids up to 100 pounds becomes your final use stage.

This seat only rotates when it's in a rear-facing position. You won't need the rotation as much when your child is forward-facing, though. It also has been thoroughly crash-tested and protects against all kinds of impacts.

Pros

• Rotate swivel feature with one hand
• Steel-reinforced frame and swivel
• Crash tested
• Goes from four pounds to 100 pounds (rotates until 40 pounds)
• Includes removable machine washable infant inserts
• Four recline positions make it easy to find the right one for your car

Cons

• Only allows for kids up to 40 pounds to be rear-facing

Best budget

Evenflo Gold Revolve360

This car seat isn't just affordable, it also rotates in all three modes, rear-facing, forward-facing and booster seat. It makes getting your kid in and out of the car at any age a breeze. Install it just once. Just install the base, then rotate the seat to the desired position and lock it in place.

This seat has been tested for side impacts and rollovers. Its structural integrity holds up to two times the impact of a usual crash. Because you install the base first, then set the seat in it, many shoppers have asked if you can buy a separate base.

Pros

• Modest-under $450 price point
• Rotates 360 degrees from every car seat position
• Easy to adjust the reclining position of the seat without reinstalling the seat or even moving your baby
• Safety tested
• Offers more legroom for front-seat passengers than an infant seat
• Easy to install

Cons

• Rear-facing is only available for up to 40 pounds
• No separate base purchase options yet

Best comfort

Baby Jogger City Turn Rotating Car Seat

This swiveling car seat offers moisture-wicking material to keep your kiddo cool. It also features 10 headrest positions, two forward-facing recline positions and three rear-facing recline positions. Reviewers say that the seat fabric is soft and that their kids seem extra comfortable in this seat.

Kids can stay rear-facing up to 50 pounds in this seat, which might take your kid to five years old. While this seat saves your back by rotating from rear-facing, it doesn't rotate in any other position. We love the brand, which also made our list of the best double travel strollers.

Pros

• Plush padding is soft and comfy
• Moisture-wicking fabric
• 10-position harness and headrest
• Steel-reinforced frame
• Comes with a cupholder
• Safety tested

Cons

• Doesn't rotate from forward-facing positions

Best harness adjustment

Maxi Cosi Maxi-Cosi Emme 360 Rotating All-in-One Convertible Car Seat

Car seat harnesses and headrests and be tricky—especially when there's a squirmer sitting in the seat. This one can be adjusted with one hand and doesn't require you to rethread the straps into new positions, which is always a pain. It's also easy to make sure you get a secure install with this nifty model.

It also rotates 360 degrees from all positions, making getting kids of all sizes in and out easy.

Pros

• Simple harness adjustments
• 360-degree rotation from any position
• Booster holds kids up to 100 pounds
• Easy to adjust harness seat belt and headrest
• Removable insert pad
• Removable cup holders

Cons

• Rotate with both hands

Best Walmart

Safety 1st Turn and Go Rotating Car Seat

If you're in search of one of the best swiveling car seats with 360 degrees is smooth rotation, this Safety 1st Turn and Go model is for you. It's a simple, no-frills, ultra-affordable model that offers efficiency at a fraction of the cost of fancier models.

It's still a cinch to install and features a smooth transition gliding rotational system. We love the comfortable, cushioned seats. The Turn and Go also meets or exceeds all federal safety standards.

It is National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) compliant. An attached connection cord keeps the base and seat together when installed—but it also means they must be used together. The visual indicator for the top tether promotes proper tether usage.

Enjoy safety from birth to 10 years in all three modes: rear-facing (five to t0 lbs. and 19” to 40”), forward-facing (22 to 65 pounds and 29” to 49”) and belt-positioning booster (40 to 100 pounds and 43” to 52”).

Pros

• Affordable Walmart pricing
• 360-degree rotation from any position
• Holds children from about five pounds through 100 pounds (or birth through age 10)
• Adjustable harness seat belt and headrest
• Easy-to-clean padded seats

Cons

• Less frills than other models
• Seat has less cushioning and removable elements when compared to pricier models, but still an excellent value

Most stylish

Cybex SironaS SensorSafe 2 Car Seat

This oh-so-stylish rotating car seat also comes with some impressive safety features. This includes a stabilizing leg attached to the base to keep the car seat in the right position. A buckle sensor sends updates to your phone about your child's safety.

This includes alerts for temperature chances and if the buckle has been unfastened. It also alerts you if you somehow forget your baby in the car, making it a lifesaver. It accommodates children from four to 40 pounds rear-facing and 22 to 65 pounds forward-facing.

We love that it rotates 360 degrees from either position.

Pros

• Modern, stylish design that's unparalleled
• Stabilizing leg
• Safety sensor and anti-rebound bar
• Modern, stylish baby gear
• 360-degree rotation
• Extra protection for side and rear crashes

Cons

• Only accommodates kids rear-facing to 40 pounds, higher front-facing weight limits

Best luxury

Nuna Revv Car Seat

This 360-degree rotating car seat is made with GOTS-certified organic cotton inserts and harness covers. The fabric is also free of flame-retardant chemicals. And it's aircraft-certified, meaning your kiddo can ride in extra style on airplanes.

We love the design and look of this sturdy, well-loved swiveling car seat.

Pros

• High-end swiveling car seat design
• Organic cotton inserts
• Aircraft certified
• Cup holders
• Ventilation panels to keep kids cool
• Safety tested

Cons

• Rear-facing maximum weight is 43 pounds, front-facing 40 pounds

When do you need a rotating car seat?

Rotating car seats, or swiveling car seats, are typically used from infancy through about 40 pounds. Some models offer extended use up to about 50 pounds. If you're wondering how many years that gets you, preschoolers are typically around 40 pounds.

Are rotating car seats worth the price?

If you're looking for a one-and-done model, rotating car seats are worth the price. They're often less expensive than buying two separate car seats at different stages of growth. These make it easier to put a single seat in the car and move on with life.

"Rotating car seats have advantages and there is something for everyone," says Amador. "Invest in a car seat meant to save a child’s life if there is a car accident. If it costs $300 or $600, it's a bargain for the job it does."

When is the best time to buy a rotating car seat?

"All convertible, all-in-one car seats, including the rotating ones, start at 4 pounds for newborn babies. But it's quite difficult for a tiny infant to fit properly in one. Wait a few months or until they reach weight and height limits in their infant car seat. Then move to rotating car seats or a swivel car seat for infant size," she says.

"Give time for baby's body to mature and fit better when harnessed. Best practice is to stay in rear-facing mode for as long as possible." That means choosing the right seat for infants and bigger options (like those labeled front-facing 22-65 pounds).

Experts:

• Juliana Amador, a certified car seat consultant