Best baby car seat

Finding the best baby car seat can be difficult. we are here to help.

Parents often ask which of the many car seats is the best car seat on the market. The truth is, the best car seat is the one that fits your vehicle, your budget, your baby and that you will use properly each time your baby rides in the car. There are key criteria’s to determine which car seat is the best choice for your baby.

The Safest Car Seat 

All car seats sold around the world must pass a strict federal crash tests. Allot of car seats have extra features that make them easier to install correctly, such as built-in locking clips or non-twisting straps. Because proper installation is key in car seat safety, these installation helpers may add safety for some people. However, even the cheapest car seat in the store, with no extra features, has passed the basic crash tests and is safe for your baby when installed properly. Also look out for car seats which can fit onto the baby’s buggy as this is another way of saving and using less space in the trunk of your car. 

Car Seats Must Fit the Baby 

Use your baby's height, weight and age to choose the type of car seat to use. Rear-facing-only infant car seats are used through about 20 lbs. Convertible car seats are used rear-facing until baby is at least 1 year old and weighs at least 20 lbs., and forward-facing through the weight limit listed on the car seat. Height-wise, baby's head should be one inch or more below the top of the car seat when rear-facing. For front-facing seats, the tops of baby's ears should be below the seat top. 

Is the car seat easy to install by yourself? 

Just because the car seat cost allot more than its competitors it does not automatically make it safer for your baby if you don't take the time to read the directions and install it properly every time it is used then it doesn’t matter how much you just spent. Check the car seat manual to be sure you can install and use the car seat as it is intended. Can you adjust the harness to secure baby in the car seat? Choose a car seat that you will use according to the instructions. 

Does the Car Seat Fit Your Vehicle? 

With so many vehicle seat styles, from benches to buckets, not all car seats will fit in every vehicle. It is essential to find a car seat that can be installed tightly, with the proper angle and less than an inch of side-to-side wiggle. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice, Most reputable baby retail stores will let you take a car seat floor model to your vehicle, to check the fit before purchase. If not, check the return policy to be sure you can return the seat if it doesn't fit the vehicle. 

Are Used Car Seats Safe? 

Buy used car seats only from people you know well enough to trust. They won’t sell you a seat which has been in a crash or has been dropped so many times. Car crashes can cause hidden damage to car seats, and the car seat could fail in a second crash, putting your child at risk of injury. Have a good look around it and make sure you don’t find anything unusual about it. 

Keep Baby Safe As Long As Possible 

The best way to keep baby safe in the car is to use a car seat with the most crash protection for as long as it fits your baby. You don't have to turn baby forward-facing right at one year and 20 pounds. Many seats today offer higher rear-facing weight limits, and this is a good option to choose if possible. Also look for higher forward-facing weight limits on 5-point harness seats, and keep your toddler in a booster seat as long as possible after he or she outgrows a regular car seat.