Top 6 Best Car Seats for 2017

One of the most important purchases you’ll ever have to make when you bring a new baby home is a quality, reliable car seat. So many factors go into buying the right car seat for your child, such as safety, convenience, size and more. It’s vital to have a seat that meets all safety standards and rates high in customer satisfaction. Having a great car seat can make the difference for both the child and the parent, especially when comfort comes into play.

With so many brands and models on the market, finding the right one can be difficult. But we wanted to make things a little easier for you, the consumer, which is why we spent 22+ hours exhaustively comparing and analyzing 35 different car seats in order to create this buying guide and comparison chart.

When you are choosing a car seat for your baby, it is vital to understand just what to look for before you make a purchase, especially if you plan to spend hundreds of dollars on a seat. Unfortunately, it can be somewhat confusing trying to find the right car seat to buy, as there are many on the market to choose from. However, understanding what to look for before you shop will help you make a better, more informed decision. Consider the many diverse factors that come into play when you are looking for the best car seat for your baby and for your needs.

Type

You’ll want to consider the different types of car seats available for your child. All car seats have both slight and major differences in their shapes, the height and weight requirements, how they are secured in the vehicle and more. There are three common car seat types: rear-facing, forward-facing, and boosters. We’ll take an in-depth look at each one.

Rear-Facing Car Seats

A rear-facing car seat is designed for infants as soon as they come home from the hospital up to a year or older. Having your car seat rear-facing is important for the safety of your small baby, as they protect the fragile bones and muscles of a newborn baby’s neck, as well as the rest of their body. A rear-facing car seat is installed with the baby facing the back of the vehicle. A rear-facing car seat may be installed in the front seat but this should never be done if there are airbags in the passenger seat that can’t be turned off.

Rear-facing car seats may also be used as baby carriers. With these types of car seats, the whole seat lifts out of a base that stays attached to the vehicle. Many also attach directly to a stroller.

Forward-Facing Car Seats

Once your child reaches a year old or meets the height and weight requirements, the seat can be turned forward. A forward-facing seat should only be used if your baby can hold his or her head up on their own. If your child’s legs hit the seat uncomfortably in the rear-facing position, it may be time to turn the seat around. However, be sure to check your state laws concerning the height and weight requirements, as they vary from state-to-state. Switching your child to a forward-facing position can result in injury or death if they are not ready for it.

Again, this type of seat may also be used in conjuncture with a stroller by pulling it out of the base strapped in the car and attaching it directly.

Booster Seats

Children who are under 12 years old and who meet the state’s height and weight requirements may sit in a booster seat once they outgrow the forward-facing car seat. An older child doesn’t need extra security that the harnesses provide on rear and forward-facing seats. Booster seats help to raise your child up to a high enough position so that he or she can safely wear the original seat belt provided by the vehicle. If your car doesn’t have a headrest, a high-backed booster seat will be needed.

Many car seat companies offer models that are “all-in-one” or “convertible”, meaning that it’s a car seat that can be used as both a rear and front-facing seat, and then can be converted into a booster when your child is old enough. While these models are more expensive up front, they pay for themselves later on when you do not have to buy any additional equipment for your children.

Safety Features

One of the most important features in a car seat is how well it holds up in safety tests. Review the car seat on the manufacturer’s website to make sure they have followed all safety laws and have put the car seat through the appropriate crash tests. The best car crash tests will involve the car seat in a crash up to two times the Federal Crash Test Standards. Read reviews to find out how well a particular model holds up in a car accident.

Also, never ignore any potential recalls. If there has been a safety issue with a particular car seat, the manufacturer may issue a recall. If you have already bought a car seat and there is a recall on it, immediately find out how to get the seat either replaced or repaired before using it again. Additionally, do not buy a used car seat, as tempting as the price can be. Used car seats may have parts or pieces that are not working correctly that you cannot clearly see, or may have been broken in an accident. The frame of the seat and materials may be damaged, causing the seat to malfunction if a new accident occurs. It’s always recommended to put your money into new car seat for your child’s safety.

When installing your new car seat, be sure that it is put in your vehicle correctly before you drive with your baby or toddler. Read the instruction manual top to bottom before installing the seat. Many manufacturers now offer how-to videos either on their website or You-Tube that gives step-by-step instructions on how to properly install their seat. For added protection, contact your local fire department and ask if they will check to ensure your seat is installed safely. Most local fire departments offer this service for free and may even hold special hours in thei community for safety checks.

Five-Point Harness

Most infant and toddler seats come with a five-point harness system that adds the most protection in the event of a car crash. A five-point harness will secure your child across their chest, shoulders and legs and will distribute the energy from an impact across the torso of the baby or child in the event of an accident. Most models now automatically come with this type of system in place already, but it is still important to make sure your car seat has it. Also, make sure the harness can be adjusted easily. As your child grows, you will have to let out the harness a bit at a time to ensure your child is comfortable, so you will want to invest in a car seat with easily adjusted straps. Also be sure that the harness is escape-proof. While many children will do their best to get out of their car seat, the appropriate harness can help your odds of keeping them properly buckled.

Ease of Use and Convenience

Of course, everyone wants a car seat that is safe and will be useful for years. But you will also want a car seat that can be easily cleaned, stores well and is simple to use. Babies and small children make messes often, so you will want a car seat that has a removable cover. Most seats nowadays come with the cover attached to the car seat by snaps, Velcro or elastic straps that pull off easily. However, some models require you to take the whole seat out and off of its base before you can get to the cover itself, which can be a hassle when your child spills or gets sick frequently. You’ll also want a car seat that can easily be wiped down around the cup holder and edges.

Another convenient type of car seat is the kind that snaps into a stroller. These seats lift easily from their base in the car and snap into a stroller that usually comes with the seat or can be specially bought. This is the perfect type of car seat set for parents who travel frequently or who are on the go. Look for a stroller that can be folded down effortlessly with one hand and stores easily in your trunk or home. Some models will only work for children up to a certain weight limit, however. After the child surpasses that, you will need to purchase a separate stroller for them.

A new car seat is surely one of more important baby items you will ever purchase. The right car seat will protect your child in the event of an accident, but will also allow them to ride comfortably in your vehicle. Always consider the factors involved before making the decision to buy a car seat. Understanding what to look for will help you make an informed, smart decision when you purchase your child their new ride.