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The Best Child Restraint Seats

Picking the perfect child restraint seat is nearly as difficult as choosing a flavor at your local ice cream parlor -- there are so many to choose from. Fortunately, several credible groups have spent time and energy to help make your choice easier.

  1. Choosing the Right Variety

    • An infant's car seat should always face backward. Most infant car seats can carry a baby up to about 30 pounds, or around 1 year old. The seats are typically carrier seats, with a handle to carry the baby, still strapped in the seat, out of the car. Many fit into a stroller travel system.

      Convertible safety seats can face backward for babies up to 1 year or forward for older babies. They can accommodate children from birth to 40 pounds or more. While they are not meant to be used outside of the car, they can be used longer than an infant carrier seat for in-car protection.

      Booster seats are designed for a child in the 40- to 80-pound range. The purpose is simply to boost their height for the seat belt to fit them properly until they are large enough to use a seat belt normally. They also may offer some side-impact protection and often contain cup holders for your child to use.

    Infant Car Seats

    • Graco SnugRide 35: According to Parents Magazine, this is the country's best-selling car seat. It holds a rear-facing baby up to 35 pounds and fits in most strollers.

      Chicco KeyFit 30: This seat is highly-rated and easy to install, holding a rear-facing baby up to 30 pounds.

      Maxi-Cosi Mico: This European car seat is lightweight and fashionable, holding a rear-facing baby up to 22 pounds.

      Britax Chaperone: This seat features enhanced side-impact protection and energy-absorbing foam built into the seat around baby's head and torso. It holds a rear-facing baby up to 30 pounds.

    Convertible Car Seats

    • Evenflo Momentum 65: This seat has a triple layer of foam over an expanded area that is great for side-impact protection. It holds a rear-facing baby up to 40 pounds or a forward-facing child 20-65 pounds.

      Britax Boulevard 70 CS: Similar to the Evenflo Momentum 65, this seat has side-impact protection and can hold a rear-facing baby up to 40 pounds or a front-facing child 30-70 pounds.

      Graco My Ride 65: This seat seats an infant better than many convertible seats and fits compactly in the rear-facing position. It can face forward or back and can hold a child up to 65 pounds.

      Safety 1st Complete Air: This restraint seat has extra side-impact head protection and fits a child up to 50 pounds in the forward-facing position.

    Booster Seats

    • Chicco KeyFit Strada: This seat offers adjustable head and side panels for customized protection and comfort for forward-facing babies and children 33-100 pounds.

      Clek Oobr: This seat can be used with or without the back and has easily wipeable fabric. With a weight range like the seat above, and the Lower Anchor and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system for extra safety, this seat should last a long time.

      Evenflo Big Kid DLX: This seat is for children 40 to 100 pounds and provides a wide range of state-of-the-art adjustments and accessories, included a lighting system that will allow your child to find their lost toy. It is adjustable and can be used with or without the back. Another great feature is its dual cup-holders.

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