To convert between a non-standard Java object (i.e. not a String, Number or Boolean for which EL has builtin conversions, or Date/LocalDate/ZonedDateTime for which JSF provides builtin tag), you really have to supply a custom Converter. The SelectItem has no special purpose at all. It's just a leftover from JSF 1.x when it wasn't possible to supply e.g. List directly to . It has also no special treatment as to labels and conversion.