Graco
Congratulations, you have one baby on the way. Amid all the excitement and emotion that comes with waiting for the arrival of the newest member of your family, comes the realization that you have the right baby stuff, and fast. That means starting with a car seat.
Finding the right car seat is mandatory. Some hospitals require a car seat test to ensure that an infant’s car seat is properly installed before the child is discharged from care. And as your baby grows, you should replace the car seat with a convertible car seat that meets both your baby’s and toddler’s needs.
There is a lot to consider when choosing the right car seat for babies or toddlers. We are here to help break the mold car seat clutter and help you find the best one for your family’s needs. Keep reading for our best car seat picks of the year.
Best infant car seats in 2024
Car seats can be divided into two categories: infant car seats and convertible car seats. Infant car seats are designed for newborns and can usually be used until your baby weighs somewhere between 30 and 40 pounds (depending on the seat). An infant car seat is designed to be placed rear-facing, which is the safest way to place a baby in the car.
A convertible car seat can be used either rear-facing or forward-facing and is generally suitable for children from birth to around four or five years old. Unlike an infant car seat, a convertible car seat is designed to remain in the car.
Although some parents skip the car seat stage altogether, we recommend using one. Child seats are safer and you don’t have to get your child (who may be sleeping) out of the seat when you leave the car.
Best infant car seats in 2024
State laws vary, but generally speaking, babies must be placed in a car seat until they are at least nine months old, unless the baby weighs more than 40 pounds. Children should be placed in a rear-facing car seat until approximately two years of age. Check your state’s car seat requirements for more information.
Best car seat: Clek Liing car seat
Amazon
It is one of the safest car seats on the market and the seat base can be installed with the car’s Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system or with a seat belt tensioner system for cars without a LATCH system. A two-stage body support system makes this seat a great choice for small babies (and those who arrive early), while the seat is compatible with most top stroller brands.
The real star of the show is this seat’s extensive safety features, including advanced side-impact protection and an adjustable loading leg that increases the seat’s stability and reduces crash forces by 40%.
The Clek Liing car seat is available for $500 from Amazon.
Pro: This car seat had all those safety features just like us. We also like the space-saving design, which makes this better suited to small cars than most car seats – and allows 3-seat seating for families with older children still in booster seats and car seats.
downside: It’s pricey!
Second prize for the best baby car seat: Chicco KeyFit 35
Amazon
The Chicco KeyFit 35 is one of the easiest to use car seats on the market. This seat fits most cars’ LATCH systems and features a spring-loaded leveling leg on the base that ensures proper installation every time.
The five-position headrest rises with the harness. The seat’s anti-rebound bar provides extra stability and legroom as baby grows. It provides a removable infant head and body support insert, which can be used for newborns from 4 to 11 pounds. It can be easily moved from the car seat base to compatible Chicco strollers.
The Chicco KeyFit 35 is available from Amazon for $184, reduced from the list price of $230.
Pro:
- It is easy to use and install. Thanks to the newborn support and extended headrest, this seat can be used from birth until the baby is 32 centimeters long.
downside:
- This seat is only compatible with Chicco strollers.
More car seats of the highest quality in 2024
Best Convertible Car Seats in 2024
Some parents choose to purchase one seat, called a convertible car seat, for both the infant and toddler stages. Convertible car seats can be either rear-facing or forward-facing.
However, convertible car seats are not compatible with strollers and are not as safe for a baby as an infant car seat. Buying a convertible car seat instead of an infant car seat will save you money. But because a convertible car seat isn’t compatible with a stroller, you’ll often find yourself taking a sleeping baby out of the seat to place him in the stroller.
Best Convertible Car Seat: Britax Poplar Convertible Car Seat
Amazon
Britax’s Poplar convertible car seat is easy to install thanks to
the ClickTight technology, with clear seat belt paths and labeled access with seat belt wire or buckle options.
While other convertible car seats can be cumbersome, this 17-inch seat is designed for three people, freeing up space for siblings, other car seats, or other passengers in the back of your car. The seat also has two dishwasher-safe cup holders.
The seat features a 14-position harness and headrest, which, when adjusted together, can help mom and dad find the perfect fit for baby. The seat frame is made of steel and features a crumple zone to help absorb crash energy.
This best-selling car seat from Amazon is listed for $300, but is currently on sale for $240.
Pro:
- This chair is easy to install and clean.
- It is available in eight colorways (price varies by color).
Con:
- This seat isn’t great in rear-facing mode for extended periods of time as it doesn’t provide much legroom.
Best Second Convertible Car Seat: Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat
Goal
Convertible car seats are rarely easy to install, but the Graco 4Ever DLX convertible car seat does just that. The seat fits a car’s LATCH system and has an integrated lock system. The chair grows with your child by offering six reclining options and a 10-position adjustable headrest.
The seat is equipped with two cup holders, a baby seat and a belt tension plate, so that your little one sits safely in his or her seat. It can be used rear-facing (4-40 pounds) and forward-facing (22-65 pounds). The seat can even be used as a belt positioning with a high backrest booster (40-100 pounds) or a backless belt positioning booster (40-120 pounds), which guarantees you get your money’s worth here.
Pro:
- This chair is easy to install and usable up to 120 pounds.
Con:
- It can be difficult to remove the cover for cleaning.
More top quality convertible seats in 2024
When should you change your car seat?
Although each state has different car seat requirements, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping your child in a car seat for as long as possible, noting that each car seat transition results in less protection for your child in the event of a car accident.
In the United States, motorcycle accidents are the leading cause of death for children under the age of four. Ensuring that your child’s car seat is installed correctly and is safe for your child can be the difference between life and death. That means keeping your child in some type of car seat or booster seat from birth through adolescence.
- Infants should be in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the maximum height and weight requirements set by the car seat manufacturer. This means you can take your child between nine months and two years old out of the rear-facing car seat (recommended).
- Babies and toddlers should be in a forward-facing car seat once they outgrow their rear-facing car seat until they are at least four years old.
- Children should use a belt-mounted booster seat as soon as they outgrow a forward-facing car seat until they are at least eight years old.
- For children who have outgrown a booster seat, lap and shoulder belts are mandatory.
- It is recommended that children sit in the back seat of the car until they are at least 13 years old.
Can I use a car seat after a car accident?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) recommends that any car seat involved in a moderate or severe car accident be replaced. That’s because the force of a car crash can damage the structural integrity of the car seat. If a car seat is involved in a minor accident, where the car was able to be driven away from the scene of the accident, no one was injured in the accident, the car door closest to the car seat was not damaged, the airbags were not deployed and the car seat shows no visible damage, may not need to be replaced, but should be inspected by a certified car seat expert.
Many car insurers will cover the cost of replacing a car seat after a car accident.
