The safety of your child is of the highest importance to you. Commuting with your child calls for a car seat that is safe and reliable. There are several car seats available for you to choose from and one will work best for your child based on their age, their height, and their weight. How do you choose the right one?
First, note that there are three different types of car seats. There are infant car seats, rear-facing car seats, and booster seats.
Infant car seats are specifically designed for babies. These are very lightweight and will protect your baby up to 22lbs. Some of these will have a base that stays installed in the car so you can take the little one around easily.
Rear-facing car seats are the recommended type of car seat for carrying your baby from birth to as long as possible. These are considered to be the safest options. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that these types of car seats keep your child’s neck, head, and spine supported by the seats hard shell. This will absorb more force in a crash while protecting your child’s vulnerable body parts.
Booster seats are specifically designed for your pre-school to primary school-aged kids. These are belt secured seats unlike the above two which are harness secured. Some of these have a back and some of them don’t as well as you can get them with your choice of with or without armrests.
Graco 4Ever 4 in 1
This car seat is practical, easy to install and as a convertible seat will last your child fro w a while. It features a steel-reinforced frame and a five-point harness. The car seat is backed by many reviewers who indicate that their kids safely endured car accidents in this seat. It is easy to install with color-coded stickers marking which belt to use. It is versatile in that it can use adult seat belts, your latch system in your car and even both.
Pros:
- Easy to install
- 4 to 120 lb weight range
- Convertible so will last until your child is ready for a booster seat
- Can be used front-facing, rear-facing or high back
- Very Safe
Cons:
- Pricey
- Incompatible with strollers
The Chicco KeyFit 30 infant car seat is a nice choice if you want something that will be compatible with your stroller. It is designed for infants with a maximum height of 30 inches and can accommodate your baby up to 30lbs. It is a very lightweight seat at just 9 lbs and will click into a car seat base or compatible stroller to provide you with a complete transport system for your baby. This car seat is known for its ability to be easily installed. It features a five-point harness and straps are easy to pull to keep your infant comfortable and safe for the entire car ride.
Pros:
- Stroller compatible
- Ultralight
- Easy to install
Cons:
- Not steel reinforced
- Only suitable for infants
The UPPAbaby MESA infant car seat comes with a few additional features. It is complete with machine washable cushions, a canopy and is compatible with a range of strollers. The fabric used on this model is stain resistant so it will repel liquids including water, juice, and milk. It comes complete with a tightness indicator on the strap and pockets to ensure that your baby is safe but also comfortable
Pros:
- Stroller Compatible
- Washable and stain-resistant fabric
- Easy to install
- Tightness indicator keeps your baby safe and comfortable
Cons:
- Steep price tag
- Only suitable for infants
This car seat is designed for use over a couple of stages of your child’s life. It is designed to be used rear-facing up to 40 pounds then forward-facing between 22 and 65 pounds. It can be used with a belt-positioning booster for children between 40 and 100 lbs. It features side impact protection and is designed for easy in and easy out for both you and your baby thanks to its quick fit harness. Pads and straps are machine washable and dryer safe.
Pros:
- Easy to install
- Side impact protection
- Provides support for your child up to 100 lbs
- Fabric is washable and dryer safe
- Very affordable
Cons:
- Tightening straps in the rear-facing position will prove to be difficult
The Britax Advocate ClickTight is known for its easy installation with an easy buckling system. The car seat is made with multiple layers of side impact protection and also has quick-adjust head protection, an impact-absorbing base, and a steel frame. It can be used rear-facing and forward-facing and will protect your child up to 65 pounds.
Pros:
- Easy to Install
- Anti Rebound Bar
- Side Impact protection
- Steel frame
- 14 position harness
Cons:
- Reviewers note straps don’t tighten evenly
The Britax B-Safe infant car seat comes at a great price point and has several exceptional safety features. The seat is designed deep and narrow with foam which can absorb high energy and provide impact protection on the sides. Its small footprint makes it a great choice for smaller cars.
Pros:
- Small footprint
- Safe and sturdy
- Affordable
- Has one of the best safety ratings on the market
Cons:
- Not the easiest to install without the base
- If you have a big baby they will grow out of it quickly
This convertible car seat is the #1 best selling car seat on Amazon. That alone should tell you something. The seat has been crash-tested and is proven to go beyond the US standards and features for safety and ease of installment. It features a space-saving design and is built with a steel-reinforced frame to provide the best in safety and durability.
Pros:
- Space-saving design
- Steel reinforced frame, ups the safety ante
- Can be used rear and front-facing
Cons:
- Not much legroom when rear-facing for babies who may be taller than average
The Evenflo Nurture Infant seat is stylish and also very easy to carry. It is designed with an ergonomic handle and features a foam liner that provides shock absorption to protect your baby during an accident. It features a canopy to protect your baby from the elements when outside of the car.
Pros:
- Easy to carry around
- Stylish
- Safe
Cons:
- Can only be used for infants
The Doona Infant car seat is a lightweight and sleek infant seat. It features the true lock system and has color-coded indicators to help you install the seat properly. It features a stability leg that can fold out of the way when not needed. This car seat is designed to absorb impact in the event of an accident and it comes complete with the “Dream Drape” which protects your baby and provides them with coverage. It is easy to install and so is a great choice for using in taxis or friends’ cars.
Pros:
- Made with top-quality materials
- Easy to install
- Lightweight
- Stroller compatible
Cons:
- Magnet closures for the dream drape can be tricky to maneuver
Conclusion
Let’s face it, we spend a lot of time on the road and so it is extremely important to keep your child safe. Choose a car seat that meets all the safety standards and ensure that you install it properly. No matter how many safety standards your car seat meets, it won’t keep your child safe it is not properly installed.
Choose from our list of the 9 best car seats above. And if you still want help making a choice, we recommend the Grace 4Ever. We love this one because it is affordable and also will stay with your child until they get into the classroom, going up to 120 lbs. It has a 10-year lifespan and can be used in several convertible positions. Not only does it have all these great features but it is also backed by numerous customer reviews. We found parents everywhere loved this car seat and its ability to last the necessary lifetime that your child needs to be transported in a seat.
Will you be among the throngs of customers that have come to love and trust the Graco Ever Car Seat?
Cris
