9 Best Car Seats, According to Experts and Real Parents

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When it comes to baby and toddler safety, parents spend a lot of time researching best equipment. When it comes to car seats, the decision process can be overwhelming. Knowing top brands, safety standards, and recall history are just some of the steps people take before making important purchasing decisions. The options can seem endless, so we turned to the experts to help you find the best car seat that will keep your little one safe and protected.

Training and certification are also provided, Nationally Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicianwhich provides in-depth car seat safety training. AND Consumer Reports (a non-profit consumer organization that independently tests products) has released a guide to choosing the best car seats based on rigorous testing by its engineers. The organization simulated crash and fit tests, ranking seats by ease of use, fit, crash protection, weight range, etc. As a mom of two, I was also able to test car seats to find the ones that work best for my family.

Experts featured in this article

Michelle Pratt is a nationally certified child passenger safety specialist and founder of Safe in the Seat.

Karen Reardans is a baby product and registry expert at Babylist.

Sarah Tilton is a Child Passenger Safety Trainer and Director of Compliance and Advocacy at Britax.

Jennifer Saxton founder and CEO of Totsquat.

What is a child car seat?

Designed for newborns, this car seat is rear-facing. It can be used for “an average of 6-15 months,” according to Michelle Pratt, a nationally certified child passenger safety specialist and founder of Safe in the Seat. Although they can only be used for a seemingly short period of time, they offer convenience. “They're easy to remove while the child remains buckled in,” Pratt says. “[The seat] snaps into the base of the car seat or can be installed without a base and easily locks into stroller travel systems.” Most parents start with this car seat, says Karen Reardanz, baby products and registry expert at Babylist, pointing out that 80% of Babylist parents register for a baby car seat.

What is a convertible car seat?

This is the longest stage of the car seat, which Pratt says is “about 6 to 12 months until the child reaches an average age of 6 years.” Your child will begin facing the rear of the car until they reach one of the rear-facing car seat limits, and then move to that forward-facing seat. It is designed for installation inside a car.

What is a universal car seat?

These convertible car seats can be used from infant to booster. Yes, the same car seat you use to bring home a newborn can also be used to take your 10-year-old to baseball practice. “Although child car seats are rear-facing only, universal car seats convert from a rear-facing seat to a forward-facing seat and eventually to a booster seat with seat belt adjustment to suit any age or stage,” says Sarah Tilton, child passenger safety technician and director of compliance and advocacy at Britax.

What is a booster seat?

Boosters are used by children aged five to ten years. The car seat belt is used to secure the child. The child “is now in charge of his own safety because he is no longer restrained and can move his body,” Pratt says. “It takes a lot of maturity.” She recommends that “baby get the most out of their forward-facing car seat before moving on to this stage.”