While it cost you some money, I think those are both reputable and safe seats and a popular choice with many parents. Ultimately the fit in your cars and ease of use will dictate if these are the best seats for you. The big caveat I read about the Recaro is that the Proride is really cramped for RF toddlers. Overall, these seats have average life span for a convertible carseat (especially if extended RF past 2 yr is not a necessity for you) and added features and better fabrics give it the premium price. While the harness height and height restrictions do vary between the different models, the weight limits tend to be very similar across the brands, so perhaps the BBB employee was confused when he told you they would all accommodate similarly.
If you wanted the most longevity out of a seat, you would have to consider something like the Radian XLT, which is a tricky monster of a seat to deal with RF unless you have ample space in your vehicle.