If you want to buy a child car seat but you don’t know where to start, this buying guide will help you choose whether a convertible car seat is the best choice for your child.
Well, we all know how confusing this task is especially if it is your first time. You want to buy an ideal product that will suit the needs of your child and yours too. So, taking the time to read this guide on how to choose the best baby car seat will help you to keep them safe when traveling. Continue reading below for useful buying guide tips.
- See Also: Best Baby Car Seats in 2016
Top 10 Best Sellers: Convertible Car Seats on Amazon
Before we go any further, here is the current top 10 list of best sellers on Amazon. This list is updated DAILY based on actual Amazon sales data. So you can see what other customers are buying, as they are voting with their wallets. Below is the top 10 list of convertible car seats.
- All-in-One seat grows with your child from 5-100 lb, rear- to forward-facing and becomes a...
- Simply Safe Adjust Harness System adjusts the height of your harness and headrest; integrated...
- Engineered & crash tested to meet or exceed US standard FMVSS 213; the SlimFit car seat has been...
- InRight LATCH system for an easy, one-second LATCH attachment; 4-position recline helps keep your...
- Plush supports keep your child comfortable and are removable; washable seat cover is easy to access...
- Steel-reinforced frame provides strength and durability
- The car seat built to GROW for extended use through 3 stages: Rear-facing 5-40 pounds,...
- Side Impact Protection
- Harness holders: with the harness held back, it's easy to get your child in and out of the seat
- Takes up less space in the back seat, for up to 7 inches of extra room in the front
- Quick Fit Harness for easy adjustment of both harness and headrest in one simple step
- Quickfit harness for easy adjustment of both harness and headrest in one simple step
- 4-in-1 car seat gives you 10 years of use: seamlessly transforms from rear-facing harness car seat...
- Graco ProtectPlus Engineered helps to protect your little one in frontal, side, rear and rollover...
- Simply Safe Adjust Harness System adjusts the height of your harness and headrest to 10 positions in...
- 6-position recline helps keep your growing child comfy on your many journeys together
- The Graco exclusive InRight LATCH attachment provides an easy, one-second attachment with an audible...
- Integrated belt lock-off for easy vehicle seat belt installation
- Machine washable, RapidRemove cover removes in 60 seconds without uninstalling the seat for easy...
- 3-in-1 car seat helps to protect your child from rear-facing harness (5-40 lb), to forward-facing...
- Graco ProtectPlus Engineered to help protect your little one in frontal, side, rear, and rollover...
- No-Rethread Harness: Simply Safe Adjust Harness System adjusts the headrest and harness in one...
- 4-position recline helps ensure a secure installation and helps keep your growing child comfy on...
- Graco's exclusive push-button InRight LATCH provides an easy, one-second attachment with an audible...
- 10 headrest height positions help you to get the safest fit for your child as they grow
- Integrated harness storage compartment keeps the harness safely stored away without removing while...
- For rear-facing infants from 4-50 pounds and forward-facing toddlers from 22-65 pounds
- 4-position extension panel adjusts to provide 5" additional leg room allowing your child to ride...
- Up to 50 pounds rear-facing allowing your child to ride safely rear-facing for longer
- Machine-washable seat cushion. 6-position recline helps keep your child comfy. 10-position headrest...
- Steel reinforced frame provides strength and durability
- With 2 modes of use, this LATCH equipped Cosco car seat accommodates infants from 5 pounds up to...
- The 5 point harness adjusts easily from the front of the seat and features 6 heights and 3 buckle...
- In both the rear facing and forward facing modes, built in side impact protection keeps your little...
- Easily remove the machine washable and dryer safe car seat pad to clean
- Perfect for travel, the seat is certified for use on aircraft and gives your child a familiar seat...
- This car seat meets or exceeds federal and ASTM safety standards and includes a 1 year limited...
- For more than 70 years, Cosco has been a leading children's products brand recognized for its...
- VERSATILE: The Sonus Convertible Car Seat helps protect rear facing infants from 5-40 pounds, and...
- TESTED & TRUSTED: In addition to meeting or exceeding all applicable federal safety standards, this...
- ALL-SEASON COMFORT: The Sonus features a revolutionary air flow ventilation system that provides a...
- TRAVEL WITH FREEDOM: This restraint meets FAA Inversion requirements for airplane use allowing it to...
- OTHER VALUABLE FEATURES: Up-front adjustment for easy access to harness, 5 shoulder strap positions...
- Zip-off padding is soft and machine washable for comfort and convenience
- Remarkably easy installation with a 9-position Recline Sure leveling system, Super Cinch LATCH...
- Superior Duo Guard protection with a deep rigid shell and EPS energy-absorbing foam, plus a...
- Accommodates growing children with a removable newborn positioner, no-rethread harness, 9-position...
- Includes dishwasher-safe, space-saving Cup Folder
- An extra-comfortable ride that lasts for years: Rear-facing 5-40 pounds and Forward-facing 22-65...
- Fits 3 across in the back seat of most vehicles
- Gives parent in the front seat more leg room
- Side Impact Protection
- Deluxe fabrics are machine washable and dryer safe
- 10 YEARS 1 CAR SEAT: With 4 ways to travel from birth to booster, the Radian 3R adapts as your child...
- THE ORIGINAL 3 ACROSS: Built with our famous Radian slim fit design, you can fit 3 across in most...
- REAR-FACING FOR LONGER: Designed and engineered to keep your child rear facing even longer- up to 50...
- STEEL CORE: Mechanically engineered, reinforced steel core, made from automotive grade steel to...
- EASY REMOVE COVERS: Inspired by the best in European style, the Radian 3R covers are easy remove and...
What is a child car seat?
These are seats that are specifically designed to protect a child from getting injured or dying during a car collision. Baby car seats are required legally in most countries to transport kids who are aged 2 and below.
There are several different types of child car seats. Some are specifically designed for babies and are considered infant car seat, while others are designed for older kids called toddler car seat. For older kids there such things as “booster seats”. And finally, there’s the “convertible car seat” which are designed to convert as your child grows.
Benefits of Using or Owning a Child Car Seat
A baby car seat is important to any parent (especially those who own a car) because it will keep the child safe and protected. They are specifically designed to minimize the injury risk. You need to get the best seat for your child depending on their age and size. Using a wrong type of seat or installing it incorrectly will put your child at risk.
How to Pick the Best Child Car Seat
The car seat technology has improved tremendously in the previous years. This has made it tough for most parents to select a car seat for their children. However, there are essential things you need to consider as you choose the best child car seat such as:
Can you use it easily? Every parent asks this question when shopping for a car seat. Which is the safest seat? Even though all the seats sold on the market have to meet the standards, the key question is if the design makes the seat easy to use. As you shop, be sure to check different seats. Try buckling and unbuckling the harness- stiffen the harness and then loosen it. Consider adjusting the height of the harness. You may also release the car seat from its base and then return it back in. All these pointers will assist you to know how the seat works and also identify the one that offers smooth mechanics.
Can it fit in the car? Compatibility issues between cars and car seats are very common. Different seats have different dimensions. So, the best thing is to try fitting it into the car before buying it. Ensure that there’s sufficient space between the front seat of your car and the car seat.
Will the seat fit your child? This is the most difficult question because most parents tend to purchase the seat before the child is born. Some seats are suitable for babies weighing up to 22 pounds while others can handle up to 35 pounds. If you are expecting twins, consider seats with a lower weight. But, if big babies run in the family, pick a seat with extra room. Otherwise, you can wait until your child is born and then buy the seat.
Is it comfortable? The best seat should be comfortable for both you and your child. Try to avoid fabrics that are not breathable. Also, you will be schlepping the seat a lot. Note that some seats are heavier and some handles are comfortable than others. Hold the seat to know if it feels like a manageable load.
If you still require more information on choosing the best car seat or you need guidance on installation, watch this video.
Things to Avoid or Main Drawbacks About Child Car Seat
Since car seats come in different brands, you need to make sure that the straps of the seat can be adjusted easily as the child grows. You want to opt for straps that won’t need to be rethreaded. Most brands have adjustment handles behind the seat or pull cords between the child’s legs. This means you won’t have to rethread the straps.
Conclusion
With all this information, choosing a car seat for your child should be an easy task. Do not keep all this to yourself; you also want other parents who are struggling to get these tips too. You will find many brands in your local store or at Amazon. Ensure you go through the reviews of different seats so that you can choose the one that suits your needs.
