Although it’s only been 5 years since my first baby was born, I’ve witnessed a lot of advancements in baby gear, especially when it comes to car seats and strollers! One of the most incredible and innovative features I’ve seen is the rotating convertible car seat. The ability to turn the seat toward you, bringing your baby or toddler closer to you, not only saves your back when twisting to try to get your child into the seat, but can save you a lot of time in the process. I mean, I’m sure I’m not the only one that’s had to wrestle to try to get my resistant toddler into the car. It may seem like a minor thing, but if you have young kids, something as simple as being able to turn the seat towards you, giving you immediate and straight access, is amazing.
As this feature gains popularity, more and more brands have released their own models that incorporate this rotating feature into their convertible car seats. Four of our favorites are the Nuna Revv, Baby Jogger City Turn, Maxi-Cosi Emme and the Cybex Sirona S!
Although these seats are similar in many ways, there are some very key differences between each one. So if you’re in the market for a rotating convertible car seat, you’re in the right place! To make life easier for you, we’ve researched each seat in depth and compared them side by side so you feel 100% confident in your decision!
Nuna REVV
Nuna designs some of the most incredible car seats, from their gorgeous and lightweight Nuna PIPA line to their sleek convertible car seats and boosters! Nuna never fails to offer innovative products you’re sure to love for a long time, made with quality materials that are built to last, and incorporating convenient and comfortable features for both parent and child alike! The Nuna REVV is one of these products that goes above and beyond to provide everything you need in a car seat!
The Nuna REVV rotates a full 360 degrees and comes in three beautiful colors! The soft and durable knit fabrics are chemical free, and provide a cozy place for your child to ride from infancy through their first few years! Easily adjust the seat to fit your child perfectly with 10 recline positions, 10 headrest heights, and a no-rethread harness, which is a lifesaver because we all know how quickly kids grow and change. Plus, with a child that overheats in the car very quickly, I LOVE the ventilation panels that are built into the seat!
Here’s a breakdown of the Nuna REVV and all it’s incredible features:
Nuna REVV Features:
Price: $599.95
Colors: Caviar, Hazelwood, Ocean
Fabrics: Feather weight micro knit material; Naturally flame resistant with no added chemicals and GREENGUARD GOLD certified (meets the highest chemical emissions standards so your child will not be exposed to any chemical emissions and the seat will not contribute to indoor air pollution); Infant head and body inserts made from organic, merino wool
Height/weight limits: Rear facing: 5 to 40 pounds with seat belt installation (30 pounds with anchors); Forward facing: 25 to 40 pounds with seat belt installation (30 pounds with anchors); Up to 43 inches
Car seat weight: 32 pounds
Rotation: 360 degrees
Safety: Steel Strength Technology™; Aeroflex™ side impact protection; EPP energy absorbing foam; Anti-rebound panel which minimizes rebound rotation in a car crash; Non-toxic fabrics
Comfort: Ventilation panels are incorporated within the car seat shell, which allows for better temperature regulation; 10 recline positions (5 for rear facing and 5 for forward facing) and 10 headrest heights for extra customization for your specific child
Convenience: Magnetic buckle holders; Rotates a full 360 degrees, allowing you to rotate your child toward you when you put them into and out of the car whether they are forward or rear facing (plus, only one install needed for both forward and rear facing); Anti-rebound panel doubles as a carry handle for easy transfer between vehicles; No-rethread harness
Accessories included: 2 dishwasher safe, removable cup holders; Additional GOTS organic cotton infant head and body inserts
FAQ’s about the Nuna REVV:
Does the Nuna REVV rotate towards me even when it’s in forward-facing mode?
Yes! The Nuna REVV can rotate towards you to make it easier to get your child into the car in both rear- and forward-facing mode.
Does the Nuna REVV convert into a booster?
No, the REVV is not an all-in-one car seat. This means you will need to transition them to a larger car seat/booster once they hit the height and weight limits for the seat.
Does the Nuna REVV have an easy installation method?
Yes! The Nuna REVV has a True tension™ door, which allows you to easily install the seat in seconds and get an ultra-tight and secure fit every time.
Do I need to reinstall the seat when transitioning from rear facing to forward facing?
Nope! Once you install the car seat, you won’t need to reinstall it even when switching to forward facing mode.
Are the fabrics machine washable?
Yes, just be sure to use a mild detergent and wash separately on a cold, delicate cycle.
Baby Jogger City Turn
Baby Jogger has always been one of my favorite brands. They create incredible products with a great aesthetic and top notch function, from their ultra-compact full-size high chair to having the most compact modular stroller, and now with their own rotating convertible car seat with the Baby Jogger City Turn! I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t been eyeing this car seat for a long time!
The Baby Jogger City Turn is truly one of the most sleek and gorgeous convertible car seats on the market! From the neutral color palettes to the soft, moisture-wicking fabrics, the City Turn offers style without giving up any of the comfort measures that baby needs.
And even though it’s not an all-in-one seat, the weight limits are much higher than most convertible car seats, allowing you to use the seat through 65 pounds! With popularity increasing in the car seat world, it’s clear that the Baby Jogger City Turn is a great choice when shopping for your next convertible car seat!
Baby Jogger City Turn in Onyx Black
Let’s take an up close look at the Baby Jogger City Turn and all of it’s incredible features:
Baby Jogger City Turn Features:
Price: $549.99
Colors: Onyx Black, Phantom Grey, Paloma Greige
Fabric: Moisture-wicking CoolMax™technology to help keep your baby cool; 42% Polyester, 22% Rayon, 36% CoolMax™ in the headrest, seat pad, and body insert; 100% polyester in the remainder of the car seat
Height/weight limits: Rear facing: 4-50 pounds with seat belt installation (35 pounds with anchors); Forward facing: 22-65 pounds with seat belt installation (40 pounds with anchors); Up to 49 inches
Car seat weight: 28 pounds
Rotation: 180 degrees
Safety: TRUE Test Plus™ safety standards; Steel-reinforced frame and EPP energy-absorbing foam; Colored belt paths and dual bubble level indicators to ensure the recline is at a safe position; RAPIDLOCK™ base belt-tensioning technology for tight install every time
Comfort: The soft material with COOLMAX® moisture-wicking material in the car seat inserts helps your baby to not get overheated in the summertime, 10 position headrest and 5 position recline (3 for rear and 2 for forward) for a customized fit for every baby
Convenience: Removable, dishwasher safe cup holder; RAPIDLOCK™ base belt-tensioning technology for easy install; No-rethread harness
Accessories included: Removable newborn head and body positioner, 1 dishwasher safe cup holder, and harness covers/pads
FAQs about the Baby Jogger City Turn:
Does the Baby Jogger City Turn rotate towards me even when it’s in forward-facing mode?
The Baby Jogger City Turn will only rotate towards you when in rear-facing mode. The seat is immobile when in forward-facing mode.
Does the Baby Jogger City Turn convert to a booster?
No, the City Turn is not an all-in-one car seat. So you will need to purchase another larger convertible car seat or a booster once they max out the height or weight limits (whichever comes first). However, with a 65 pound weight limit when in forward facing mode, this car seat will last you much longer than some of the other options on the market.
Is the Baby Jogger City Turn easy to install?
Yes! The RAPIDLOCK™ base belt-tensioning technology and integrated push-button LATCH make it easy to install AND uninstall within seconds.
Do I need to reinstall the seat when transitioning from rear facing to forward facing?
Yes, you will need to reinstall the car seat when switching to forward facing mode.
Are the fabrics machine washable?
Yes, you can wash all fabrics with mild detergent on a gentle cycle or spot/hand wash.
Maxi-Cosi Emme
Maxi-Cosi is one of the best brands for infant comfort. I mean, the brand says it right in their name! With cozy, ultra-cushioned fabrics and inserts, your little one will be comfortable for any duration in the car! Maxi-Cosi also offers a wide array of colorful fabrics, from neutral grays and creams, to their lovely blues and greens, giving you a seat that truly matches your style. And when it comes to the new Maxi-Cosi Emme, the brand definitely does not disappoint!
The Maxi-Cosi Emme is one of the newest and most innovative rotating convertible car seats currently on the market. As one of the only models that is all-in-one, you will be able to use this seat from birth through about 10 years! This saves you money from having to purchase a separate booster! The Maxi-Cosi Emme also features a FULL 360 degree rotation, unique and innovative rotating cup holders to accommodate different cup or water bottle shapes, and safe, fire-resistant fabrics.
Maxi-Cosi Emme in Desert Wonder
Let’s examine the Maxi-Cosi Emme in detail to see how it compares to our other seats!
Maxi-Cosi Emme Features:
Price: $449.99
Colors: Midnight Black, Urban Wonder, Desert Wonder, Pacific Wonder, Meadow Wonder, Navy Wonder
Fabric: Soft, PureCosi™ fire-resistant fabric
Height/weight limits: Rear facing: 5 to 40 pounds with seat belt installation (25 pounds with anchors) and 40 inches tall; Forward facing: 22 to 65 pounds forward facing (25 pounds with anchors) and 49 inches; Belt positioning booster: 40 to 100 pounds and 52 inches
Car seat weight: 38.7 pounds
Rotation: 360 degrees
Safety: Visual indicator on top tether; TensionFix™ red-to-green tension-sensitive indicator for proper install; No added fire retardant chemicals used in the fabrics; Anti-rebound panel to reduce additional movement in the event of a crash
Comfort: 5 position recline and 10 position headrest for perfect positioning; Ultra-plush fabrics with extra cushioning and support throughout the whole seat
Convenience: ClipQuik magnetic chest clip for super quick buckling; Innovative dishwasher safe cup holders that can rotate, allowing for different sippy cup shapes; Harness holders; No-rethread harness; QuikClean™ insert seat pad that can be removed for easy and quick cleanup
Accessories included: 2 removable, rotating cup holders, harness pads, infant inserts, QuikClean™ seat pad
FAQs about the Maxi-Cosi Emme:
Does the Maxi-Cosi Emme rotate towards me even when it’s in forward-facing mode?
Yes! This seat rotates 360 degrees! And due to the top tether being attached to the base/anti-rebound panel instead of the back of the Emme seat, you can rotate it towards you even when fully installed forward facing!
Does the Maxi-Cosi Emme convert to a booster?
Yes! The Maxi-Cosi Emme is an all-in-one car seat, so it will convert to a booster as your child grows!
Is the Maxi-Cosi Emme easy to install?
Yes! Due to the TensionFix™ technology, you can get a secure fit in seconds without having to wrestle your seat!
Do I need to reinstall the seat when transitioning from rear facing to forward facing?
Nope! One simple install! Just adjust the recline as needed
Are the fabrics machine washable?
Yes, the fabrics are machine washable and dryer safe! Major plus!
Cybex Sirona S
And last but not least, let’s chat about Cybex! Cybex offers innovative designs in all of their baby gear! Their car seats in particular are distinct from other brands, with interesting lines and a unique aesthetic you won’t get anywhere else! But when it comes to safety, Cybex strives to give parents the most modern and advanced features!
With the Cybex Sirona S in particular, the innovative rotating technology is combined with the newest and greatest safety features! With a chest buckle with incorporated SensorSafe™ technology that alerts you of dangerous conditions (such as an unbuckled harness or unsafe temperatures), to the stability load leg and anti-rebound panel, you can feel confident that your little one will be protected! And coming in four stylish colors, you can find just the right seat for your child. Plus, nothing’s better than washable fabrics and a removable AND dishwasher safe cup holder!
Now let’s take a look at why the Cybex Sirona S is one of the best rotating car seats on the market!
Cybex Sirona S Features:
Price: $549.95
Colors: Premium Black, Manhattan Grey, Indigo Blue, Urban Black
Fabric: Polyester
Height/weight limits: Rear-facing: 4 to 50 pounds with seat belt installation (30 pounds with anchors); Forward-facing: 22 to 65 pounds with seat belt installation (35 pounds with anchors); Up to 49 inches
Car seat weight: 30.4 pounds
Rotation: 360 degrees
Safety: Steel reinforced frame; Linear side impact protection pods; Anti-rebound panel and load leg provide added stability to prevent additional movement or rotation in a car crash; SensorSafe™technology in harness buckle alerts parents if child becomes unbuckled or the car temperature is too high for the child; Dual level indicators to ensure proper seat recline
Comfort: 12 position recline and 10 position headrest to get the perfect fit for your baby; Plush newborn inserts and harness pads
Convenience: Magnetic buckle holders; Recline can be adjusted even when seat is installed; Dishwasher safe cup holder; Only one install for forward/rear facing (no reinstallation needed when you make the transition); No-rethread harness
Accessories included: Newborn inserts and one cup holder
FAQs about the Cybex Sirona S:
Does the Cybex Sirona S rotate towards me even when it’s in forward-facing mode?
The Cybex Sirona S rotates 360 degrees, so it can rotate when turning it into forward-facing mode without needing to reinstall the base. However, when making this transition to forward-facing mode, you will need to attach the car seat tether, which will prevent you from rotating it toward you for easy in and out. This is because the tether that goes over the back of your vehicle seat when installing in forward-facing mode is attached to the back of the car seat instead of the anti-rebound panel.
Once installed, it cannot rotate towards you unless you unlatch the tether from the vehicle seat. Cybex recommends always using the top tether when the car seat is positioned in forward-facing mode for added safety.
Does the Cybex Sirona S convert to a booster?
No, the Cybex Sirona S is not an all-in-one car seat, so once your child hits the height and weight limits you will need to purchase a bigger car seat/booster.
Is the Cybex Sirona S easy to install?
Yes! Due to the EasyLock™ bar, you need very little force to get a tight and secure install.
Do I need to reinstall the seat when transitioning from rear-facing to forward-facing mode?
No! The base does not need to be reinstalled when you transition to forward-facing mode. However, you will need to attach the top tether to the vehicle seat when you transition to forward-facing mode, which can be found on the back side of the Cybex Sirona S seat back.
Are the fabrics machine washable?
Yes! Wash on a cold, delicate cycle with mild detergent.
Rotating Convertible Car Seats FAQs:
Is a rotating car seat actually worth it?
This will depend completely upon your needs and your own personal budget. In my experience, this simple feature would absolutely be worth it. It can be very hard on your back and neck when you are frequently twisting to place your baby into a traditional car seat. And for kids that fight you when getting them in, the ability to rotate the seat towards you for immediate and direct access makes it so much easier and takes less time for in and out!
The rotating feature in these seats does make these seats a little more expensive than a standard car seat. Every upgrade you add to your car seat wish list will cause prices to go up a bit.
If you’re really wanting the rotating feature but aren’t sure it’s in your budget, make sure to sign up for our emails so you can be first to know of any sales or promotions we may be holding! And don’t forget to sign up for our rewards program, where you get 5% back in rewards on every purchase!
Does the rotating feature prevent you from having three seats side by side?
If you’re using the rotating feature on these seats (which is probably the reason you want to purchase one in the first place), you won’t be able to have a car seat immediately next to it. Therefore you wouldn’t be able to fit three seats side by side in the back of your vehicle. This is because the rotating seats require that extra space to allow for the swivel. If you’re not using the rotating feature though, you may be able to fit several side by side.
Do these car seats only rotate towards you when installed in rear-facing mode?
Simply put, some do and some don’t. Some rotating car seats will only rotate towards you for easy in and out when it’s installed in rear-facing mode, but will NOT rotate towards you when in forward-facing mode. So this is something to keep in mind!
If you’re looking for a seat that rotates towards you when installed in both forward- and rear-facing mode, look for a seat that has a full 360 degree rotation AND has a top tether that is on the car seat base rather than on the back of the car seat. Of the four car seats we compared, the Nuna REVV and the Maxi-Cosi Emme both allow you to rotate the seat towards you for easy in and out, even when in forward-facing mode.
Which is the BEST rotating convertible car seat?
This will depend 100% on your personal needs. There is never a one size fits all car seat because we all have different needs and varying budgets. All four of these car seats have incredible safety features, designs, and colors, but there ARE some big differences between each one. That’s why it’s important to look at your priorities.
If you want an all-in-one car seat, go with the Maxi-Cosi Emme as it is the only seat that can be used from birth to age 10.
If you want a car seat that’s lightweight for easier transition between vehicles, the Baby Jogger City Turn would be a great choice.
If you’re looking for a seat with the most advanced safety features, such as a load leg and buckle that senses when your baby gets too hot, go with the Cybex Sirona S!
And if you want the safest, chemical-emission free fabrics that also allow for great ventilation for hot climates, the Nuna REVV is one of the best choices!
No matter which of these incredible seats you decide to go with, we are sure you’ll love it! And your back and neck will thank you in the long run!
Still not sure which one of these car seats is right for you? Chat with us online or come see us in store where a certified Cubby mom is ready to assist you! Plus, we have car seats on display so you can feel and test them out before you buy!
You can also shop all of our convertible car seats in store or online at babycubby.com, where we offer FREE shipping on orders over $25 and 5% back in rewards on all purchases when you sign up for our rewards program!
Be sure to follow along on our blog for more baby gear comparisons!
