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• Baby and kid

The Best Travel Car Seats

By Christina Szalinski and Rebecca Gale

Let’s face it: Traveling with little kids can be a slog. But a lightweight, compact, easy-to-install travel car seat is one tool that can make trips a bit easier.

We’ve tested 17 travel car seats for infants and up, and we examined how they performed in various circumstances, including during air travel and in rental cars. The Chicco KeyFit 35 , one of our picks for the best infant car seats , is an excellent choice for both travel and everyday use. For an affordable and easy-to-use convertible car seat for toddlers and preschoolers, we recommend traveling with the Cosco Scenera Next , which fits kids up to 40 inches tall for rear-facing or 43 inches for forward-facing. For kids bigger than that who still need a seat with a five-point harness, we recommend the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 , which also converts to a high-back booster. The backless, lightweight Cosco Rise is great for booster-age kids.

If you’ll be hopping in and out of taxis or ride shares with a baby, the Doona is a unique but expensive infant car seat that converts to a stroller. And instead of purchasing a dedicated convertible car seat for travel, another option is to bring yours along with the Britax Travel Cart .

Everything we recommend

Chicco KeyFit 35 ClearTex

The best infant car seat for travel.

If you’re a frequent traveler, the Chicco KeyFit 35 is easier than most infant car seats to install securely without its base.

Buying Options

An infant car seat and stroller in one

This unusual car seat has integrated wheels that pop out to turn it into a stroller. It’s best for parents who frequently need to move their car seat in and out of different vehicles.

Cosco Scenera Next

The best convertible car seat for travel.

This affordable and easy-to-use car seat weighs 6.8 pounds and can be used rear- and forward-facing. But kids can outgrow it quickly.

Cosco Finale 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat

The best harness booster car seat for travel.

This no-frills seat converts from a forward-facing five-point harness to a high-back booster. It weighs just 12 pounds.

Britax Travel Cart

A travel cart for lugging your own seat through the airport.

This sturdy, smooth-rolling travel cart helps you transport your own convertible car seat—and avoid buying a standalone travel seat. You can even strap your child into their seat and use it like a stroller.

The best backless booster seat for travel

This basic booster seat weighs only 2.2 pounds and can work for children as small as 40 pounds. But it has a rather large footprint and will be too big to fit in most carry-ons.

How we picked

A seat that’s lightweight is more manageable to carry between multiple locations. A more compact seat is also easier to pack.

We considered the seat’s comfort and ability to adjust straps and buckles.

Ease of installation is paramount, as the easier it is to do, the more likely it will be done properly.

We looked at crash-testing scores and ease-of-use ratings. Our infant, convertible, and harness booster picks are FAA-approved for use on a plane.

The Chicco KeyFit 35 is a great all-around infant car seat—and one of the ones we recommend for everyday use. But for travel it stands out: It has a European belt path that makes it easier to get a secure install without the base than for many car seats, and it’s cheaper than other seats that have this belt routing option.

Weight of seat: 10 pounds Orientation: rear-facing only Weight range: 4 to 35 pounds Height limit: 32 inches

Parents who can’t leave their infant seat base installed in a specific car but instead need to travel by taxi or rideshare frequently may find the innovative Doona to be a convenient option. This sleek infant car seat has integrated wheels and converts to a stroller that maneuvers easily, plus the seat is FAA-approved for use on an airplane. But the versatile Doona is much heavier and more expensive than a regular infant car seat.

Weight of seat: 14.3 pounds Orientation: rear-facing only Weight range: 4 to 35 pounds Height limit: 32 inches

The Cosco Scenera Next is a notably lightweight, affordable convertible car seat that is simple to install and carry on an airplane. It receives strong safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and is FAA-approved for use on a plane. But many kids will outgrow it before they reach the height or weight limit because of the low position of the shoulder straps.

Weight of seat: 6.8 pounds Orientation: rear- or forward-facing Weight range: 5 to 40 pounds rear-facing; 22-40 pounds forward-facing Height range: 19-40 inches rear-facing; 29-43 inches forward-facing

For children using a forward-facing five-point harness, the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 is a lightweight and affordable travel option that is FAA-approved for use on a plane (in harness mode only). It also converts to a high-back booster. However, it has lower height limits than some boosters, so kids may not get as many years of use from it, in comparison with pricier options.

Weight of seat: 12 pounds Orientation: forward-facing only Weight range: 30 to 65 pounds for harness mode; 40 to 100 pounds for high-back mode Height range: 32 to 49 inches for harness mode; 43 to 52 inches for high-back mode

Bringing your own car seat to the airport has one big advantage—you don’t have to learn how to install yet another seat. But your own convertible car seat is likely to be heavy (our picks in our guide to convertible car seats range from 19 to 33 pounds). The Britax Travel Cart is compatible with most convertible seats, and when your car seat is secured to it with LATCH, you can use it like a stroller to push your toddler through the airport. The cart can then be stored in an overhead bin during your flight.

Weight of cart: 7.6 pounds

If you need a cheap, no-frills booster seat, we recommend the Cosco Rise . It’s a bit too large to fit into a carry-on suitcase or backpack, but it’s easy to attach with a bungee cord to a carry-on for plane travel. It’s also a great option if you just need a spare booster for carpools or to order ahead for use at the grandparents' house.

Weight of seat: 2.2 pounds Weight range: 40 to 100 pounds Height range: 43 to 57 inches

The research

Why you should trust us, who should get this, the best infant car seat for travel: chicco keyfit 35, an infant seat and stroller in one: doona, the best convertible car seat for travel: cosco scenera next, the best harness booster seat for travel: cosco finale 2-in-1, a great car seat caddy: britax travel cart, the best booster seat for travel: cosco rise, other good travel car seats, should a kid sit in a car seat on the airplane, what about checking a car seat, the competition, care, use, and maintenance.

The authors of this guide have collectively interviewed 40 industry experts, safety authorities, and physicians. Among them were certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) such as Lani Harrison, who installs more than 300 car seats each year; Dr. Aditya Belwadi, a biomechanics research scientist who previously led the child passenger safety research team at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and now works at Tesla in Crash, Safety, and Occupant Protection/Biomechanics; and Bill Horn, head sled testing engineer at Calspan , one of the country’s top crash-testing facilities. The authors also talked with dozens of parents and representatives from leading car seat manufacturers.

The original version of this guide was written by Rebecca Gale, whose reporting on policy and parenting has appeared in outlets including The New York Times, Slate, and The Washington Post. Rebecca has also been certified as a CPST, completing a 40-hour training program through the Safe Kids Worldwide organization.

In 2022 and 2023, this guide was updated by Christina Szalinski, a science writer whose reporting on health and parenting has appeared in The Atlantic and Kaiser Health News . In addition to writing the most recent versions of Wirecutter’s infant and convertible car seat guides, Christina is responsible for Wirecutter’s guides to the Best Baby Formula and kids face masks .

Few people strictly need a separate car seat for travel as you can gate- or baggage-check any car seat for free with most airlines. But lugging your regular (likely heavy and bulky) seat in and out of the car and through the airport can be a major hassle. Investing in a smaller, lighter-weight option may be worthwhile, especially if you fly or use ridesharing services or taxis frequently.

Infant car seats for travel

If you’re traveling with an infant or baby, bringing along your usual infant car seat without its base (to cut down on weight and heft) is typically the best option. Our top infant car seat pick, the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX , is relatively lightweight and, like other infant car seats, can be safely strapped in with a seatbelt only and no base.

There are two possible ways to install an infant car seat without a base: either with the belt directly across the top, called “American routing,” or with the shoulder belt placed around the back of the seat in addition to the top, called “European routing.” It’s easier to get a secure fit with European routing, and two seats we recommend in our guide to infant car seats, the Chicco KeyFit 35 and the Clek Liing , are designed to allow for that type of install. If you know you’ll be traveling with your infant often, it may be worthwhile to choose one of these as your baby’s first car seat.

Many infant car seats are compatible with easy-to-fold stroller frames, such as the Chicco KeyFit Caddy , which turns an infant car seat into a stroller and can be convenient for travel. Most infant seats are FAA-approved for airplane use, should you decide to purchase an airplane seat for your infant.

Convertible car seats for travel

When your child has outgrown their infant car seat, deciding on a car seat for travel can be trickier. Alisa Baer, a pediatrician, CPST, and co-founder of the website The Car Seat Lady , recommends bringing your own convertible car seat and using a travel cart . That way you have a seat that you’re already comfortable installing. But some people will prefer a dedicated travel car seat, as they can be significantly lighter than regular seats—as little as 7 pounds versus 20 to 30 pounds.

If you do buy a dedicated travel seat, it’s a good idea to practice installing it before your trip—you don’t want to be figuring it out for the first time when you, and your kid, are potentially jet lagged and feeling extra cranky. Installation can be the most time-consuming and frustrating part of using a car seat—and particularly a convertible car seat—and is often the point of failure for using a car seat correctly.

Booster seats for travel

If your everyday booster seat has a removable back (as with our top pick and runner-up pick, the Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus and the Graco TurboBooster LX ), you may prefer to simply bring that seat for travel, leaving the bulky back at home. But like with convertible seats, it’s also an option to get a dedicated travel booster that may be significantly lighter and smaller than the one you rely on every day.

Jessica Jermakian, vice president for vehicle research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, offered several tips for bringing along a backless booster, especially if it’s not one that’s compact: “I bungee cord them to my luggage while traversing the airport. On most flights, my kids could shove them under the seat in front of them and still have room to throw their backpack on top. On some flights, I’ve put them in a tote in the overhead compartment.”

Travel car seat alternatives

If you’re headed to a familiar destination, you could look into borrowing a seat from friends or relatives. Or, you may be able to rent one through a baby equipment rental service.

Many car rental companies also offer car seats for a daily fee, but it can cost up to $15 a day—adding up to much more than the cost of a travel car seat, which can be less than $50. And though you can reserve one in advance, rental car seats are subject to availability, so there’s no guarantee that one will be available when you arrive. The car seat provided may also be difficult to install properly, especially in an unfamiliar car. That said, you may be able to find discounts or other benefits through programs such as AAA, which offers one free car seat rental for members when they book a car through Hertz, Dollar, or Thrifty. Ridesharing and airport and town car services may also provide a car seat with advance reservations.

There are hundreds of travel car seat options for infants, toddlers, and older kids. We began the whittling down process by examining online customer reviews and existing media coverage, which included going to Car Seats for the Littles , Lucie’s List , and the Car Seat Lady . We found the travel car seat category to be sorely lacking in an abundance of great options, so we also considered some “regular” car seats and alternatives.

We knew from our expert interviews that proper installation is generally a far bigger problem than the level of protection that a seat inherently provides, so we searched the NHTSA ease-of-use installation database to help determine which seats offer easy installation and come with clear instructions. We also relied on the personal experience of Wirecutter staffers, volunteer testers, and car seat techs who had used the car seats in the past.

Our research led us to conclude that the ideal travel car seat should be:

Lightweight and compact: A travel car seat will likely need to be carried between multiple locations, sometimes with a baby inside (if we’re talking about an infant). The less the seat weighs, the easier it is to deal with when combined with children and carry-on items. A more compact seat can also fit more readily in a wide variety of vehicles.

FAA approved: For parents who want to use their infant seat, convertible car seat, or harness booster on a plane, FAA certification is crucial.

Easy to install: As with all of our car seat recommendations, ease of installation is paramount, as the easier it is to do, the more likely it is to be done properly.

Easy to use: Straps should be simple to adjust to get a snug but comfortable fit in a five-point harness. The buckles should be easy for parents to clip and unclip but difficult to impossible for children to mess with. We considered the experience of both parents and kids in using the seats, as well as how easy each seat was to clean.

Safe: When it comes to travel, convenience can trump a minor safety advantage; a seat that you can bring along with you is vastly superior to no seat at all. Still, we did take the relevant government safety data from NHTSA into consideration.

Over the past five years we’ve tested 17 car seats with travel specifically in mind.

If you’re shopping for an infant car seat with travel in mind, we recommend the FAA-approved Chicco KeyFit 35 , one of our picks in our guide to infant car seats . It is lightweight and easy to use, and it can be installed securely without its base using the European belt path, a method that generally provides a superior install. (Any infant seat can be installed without its base, so if you already have an infant seat, using what you already own is likely the easiest choice.)

You can save on weight and bulk by leaving a car seat base at home when traveling. There are two ways to install an infant seat without its base. The most common is American belt routing, in which the seat belt goes over the top of the infant seat and the baby’s knees. We’ve found that it can be very difficult to secure an infant seat in the car securely using this method.

A few seats also offer the option to rely on the European belt path, the method we prefer, in which the lap belt goes over the top of the infant seat and the shoulder belt goes around the back. It’s easier to get a secure install with the European belt path, but it’s only found on a few car seat models. Of the four infant car seats we recommend, only the Chicco KeyFit 35 and Clek Liing offer the option of using the European belt path.

Beyond the advantage of the European belt bath, the Chicco KeyFit 35 has everything we love about the more popular Chicco KeyFit 30 with a few bonus features, such as an anti-rebound base as an added safety option. The KeyFit 35 can also accommodate a slightly larger baby (up to 35 pounds) than the KeyFit 30.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The KeyFit 35 is about $50 more than our top infant car seat choice, the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX . It probably doesn’t make sense to buy this seat just for travel if you already own a similar infant car seat. But if you plan to be jet-setting with your baby, it may be worth the additional $50 or so to get a better on-the-go install from the start.

The Doona is an FAA-approved infant car seat (rear-facing only) with built-in wheels that allow it to convert to a stroller. For travel, this is about as convenient as it gets, allowing caregivers to rely on a single piece of equipment to accomplish two goals: avoid gate-checking a stroller—assuming an airline seat is purchased for the infant—and hop in and out of cabs without having to stow anything in the trunk.

Compared with a regular infant car seat, the Doona has some drawbacks. For one thing, it did not perform particularly well in Baby Gear Lab’s crash testing (there are no government crash tests available yet for this seat). For this reason, and because it’s tricky to install without its base (as most infant seats are), one of our car seat experts does not recommend this seat. At 14.3 pounds, it’s heavy and bulky to carry and maneuver when in car seat mode. The Doona also has the steepest price of any of the car seats (including infant, convertible, and boosters) that we’ve reviewed. It does come with a traditional infant car seat base that allows for an easy click in and out of a car, but the extra width means it could be impossible to fit three across in a backseat. And it would defeat the point to use that base for travel.

Switching the Doona from car seat mode to stroller mode and back requires “both hands and concentration,” said one tester, as well as “quite a bit of practice for me. It takes a rather specific, subtle motion to collapse it back and tuck the wheels.” It’s harder than taking a regular infant car seat off of a stroller with an infant seat attachment. Plus, once your child outgrows this seat, you’ll have to buy another stroller.

As a stroller, the Doona maneuvers easily, and the brake is intuitive and easy to use. But though it comes with an attached storage bag, the Doona lacks a storage basket.

The inexpensive Cosco Scenera Next weighs just 6.8 pounds, is relatively easy to carry and install, and can be used rear-facing from 5 to 40 pounds and forward-facing from 22 to 40 pounds. It’s FAA-certified and easy to install on an airplane (using the plane’s seatbelt).

The Cosco sells for $60, which is a bargain compared with many convertible car seats (the Graco Extend2Fit , our favorite convertible seat for everyday use, is a little over $200). The seat gets strong safety ratings from NHTSA, and given its low weight and heft and easy-enough install, we think it’s the best option available for an on-the-go or backup car seat. We strongly prefer the (heftier) Graco Extend2Fit for everyday use. That’s because it’s easier to get a safe, secure install with that seat and to adjust it to fit the child. Plus, it can be used forward-facing until a kid is 65 pounds and 49 inches tall—a much longer usable life than the Scenera Next.

Several Wirecutter staffers use or have used the Cosco Scenera Next, appreciating its low cost, low weight, and small size. They’ve found that the seat’s slim profile makes it a great option for smaller cars (specifically, a Prius or Renault Scenic). Senior editor Courtney Schley found that the Cosco allowed her to get three seats (two Coscos and one infant car seat) across in her family’s car.

The Scenera Next’s low shoulder straps mean that a child may outgrow this seat well before they are ready for a booster. ( Shoulder straps should hit at or below the shoulders when a child is rear-facing; when forward-facing the straps should hit at or above the shoulders.) The low straps mean that many 3-year-olds with longer torsos may outgrow the seat in forward-facing mode, even though the seat’s height and weight limits indicate that it should fit an average-size kid up to age 4. With a long torso, the straps end up hitting below the shoulders, a situation that can compromise safety.

Though the Scenera Next is simple to install compared with other lightweight convertible car seats we tested, some of our testers still found it difficult to get a tight, secure install. It has hook LATCH straps that aren’t particularly easy to use—you really have to tug on the LATCH straps to get a tight fit, and getting them off can be an even bigger challenge. We preferred installing the seat with a seat belt in unfamiliar cars, which was an easier way to get a tight install (try the inside/outside trick with the shoulder belt), and made it much easier to uninstall.

Our testers also found that the chest clip on the harness wasn’t as responsive or easy to use as those on more expensive seats. The Scenera Next also has less padding than many seats, though Baer points out that the padding on most seats is highly compressible, meaning that just because a seat looks fluffier doesn’t mean it provides much more cushion.

This seat also has a few downsides if you bring it on a plane. Like most convertible car seats, it’s wider than the aisle, so you have to carry it awkwardly down the plane to get to your seat, which can be quite a challenge if you’re on your own and have other carry-on items (plus your child). Additionally, the plane’s seat belt buckle is going to be pushing into your child’s back if the seat is oriented forward-facing. Alisa Baer, co-founder of The Car Seat Lady, recommends installing any seat with this issue rear-facing, even if a kid is used to forward-facing. Or you can put a diaper or other soft item over the buckle to make it a bit more comfortable.

The Cosco Finale 2-in-1 is a solid option for kids who are no longer rear-facing but still benefit from a five-point harness. It’s affordable, weighs just 12 pounds, and is relatively easy to install using the car’s seat belt while in harness mode (it also comes with LATCH straps, though we didn’t find these as easy to use). Like other boosters, when in booster mode, this seat relies on the car’s seat belt to secure the child, so there’s no need to install it.

This bigger-kid seat can see a growing child through years of travel: It can be used as a forward-facing five-point harness booster seat from 30 to 65 pounds and then as a regular (harness-free) booster from 40 to 100 pounds (up until a child is 52 inches tall).

As a five-point harness, it’s FAA-certified and easy to install on an airplane using the plane’s seatbelt. However, when it’s in booster mode, like all boosters, it cannot be used on an airplane.

In harness mode, the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 performed well in an NHTSA crash test. And several Wirecutter staffers use or have used the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 while traveling after their child outgrew the Cosco Scenera Next—they liked the price and straightforward install. Converting the seat to a booster is fairly straightforward , and the seat has storage for the harness, crotch buckle, and chest clip. Once the seat is in booster mode, your child can’t use it on an airplane, but many airlines will allow you to check a booster seat for free (you may wish to check with your airline in advance).

A more expensive version of the Cosco Finale 2-in-1, the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 , is also available. The only difference between the two is the fabric—the DX has a tiny bit more cushion and a slightly less slippery texture. We asked several children to try each seat and then report their favorite (they wore blindfolds, to remove color preference as a factor). There was no clear winner between the two seats, and our adult testers could hardly distinguish a difference in the cushioning. For this reason, we don’t think it’s worth the extra $20 for the DX.

When using the Finale 2-in-1 in harness mode, you first have to install it in the car, which you can do either with the seat’s LATCH straps or with the car’s seat belt. We found the Finale 2-in-1’s hook LATCH straps difficult to use—it’s hard to get a tight fit in the car, and getting them off can be a big challenge. As we did with the Cosco Scenera Next, we preferred installing the harnessed seat with a seat belt; this was an easier way to get a tight install (try the inside/outside trick with the shoulder belt) and also made it much easier to uninstall. (When the harness is removed and the seat is in booster mode, you do not need to install it in the car, since the car’s seat belt holds it in place and secures the child.)

Our testers also found that the chest clip on the harness was a bit more difficult to open compared to those on more expensive seats like the Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 . The straps have to be manually threaded through the car seat, which isn’t particularly difficult or time consuming, but you have to remember to do it before you install the seat. It also has less padding than many seats, though our child testers didn’t complain (however, we didn’t take it on any long road trips).

This seat won’t have as many years of use as other travel options, like the Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1, because the Cosco has a maximum height of 52 inches (most boosters go to 57 inches) and does not convert to a backless booster.

If you need to travel with a convertible car seat, you can bring the one you already have to the airport and onto the airplane with the Britax Travel Cart . The main benefit of bringing your own is that you’ll have a seat that you (and your child) are comfortable with, and that you know how to install confidently.

There are a number of similar travel carts out there, but we think this one offers the most for the price. We like that when the car seat is strapped onto the cart using the car seat’s LATCH clips, you can use the whole thing like a stroller and push (or pull) your child through the airport. The frame is also studier than other models—it can hold a total of 100 pounds of car seat and child. Plus, when it’s time to get on the plane you can fold the cart to stow it in an overhead bin.

At about $100 for the cart, it is cheaper to purchase a budget convertible car seat like the Cosco Scenera Next. However, depending on your circumstances, the Britax Travel Cart may outlive the expiration of many car seats (which are between six and 10 years), and could be used for future car seats, or passed along without as much consideration as a used car seat.

For a cheap, no-frills booster seat, the Cosco Rise is a reliable option that weighs only 2.2 pounds. It’s simple to use: Like other backless booster seats, it does not need to be physically attached to the vehicle; a child simply sits in it and fastens the car’s lap belt over their knees (under the seat’s sides).

The Chicco GoFit Plus is our overall top pick for the best backless booster seat because it’s cushy, made with easy-to-clean materials, and includes two cup holders and a LATCH system to anchor the seat to the car. But it’s bulky, heavy, and not great for travel. The Cosco Rise has fewer bells and whistles, but it offers a key safety feature: Unlike many other boosters, this seat has a strap that attaches to a car’s shoulder belt to adjust the belt’s position for smaller riders (the shoulder belt should always rest on a child’s collarbone, and not against their neck).

The Cosco Rise can accommodate children as small as 40 pounds, as long as they are also 43 inches tall, meaning it will work for most kids 5 and up but may not accommodate some 4-year-olds.

This seat is a bit too large to fit easily into a carry-on suitcase or backpack (it takes up almost all the room top-to-bottom in a standard-sized carry-on, with only a little room left on the side). There is also almost no padding on this seat, merely a polyester cover, but for short rides, our testers didn’t complain.

If you want an upgraded infant seat that’s great for travel : We recommend the Clek Liing , one of our favorite infant seats . Like the Chicco KeyFit 35, the Clek Liing can be installed without its base using a European belt path, which is much easier to get secure than the standard American belt routing found on most infant car seats. And when you’re at home, we love how easy it is to install the Liing’s base, which includes an added safety feature: a load leg .

If you want a high-end infant seat and don’t own a car: The lightweight, easy-to-clean Clek Liingo is similar to the Clek Liing but without the base. In general, we think installing a seat with the base is an easier and more secure option with infant car seats. But if you don’t own a car, the Liingo can be installed without a base in several ways. It has the same European belt path that the Liing has, which routes the lap belt over the top and the shoulder belt around the back for more security than an install that just goes over the top of the seat. The Liingo also comes with a LATCH strap that routes in the same spot as the lap belt—though we found this was not nearly as secure as the European belt path routing.

If you want a longer-lasting five-point harness seat for older kids: The Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 is a good choice. This forward-facing-only seat has a five-point harness that holds kids from 22 to 65 pounds and up to 49 inches tall, and it can be adjusted without rethreading it, so it is easier to modify as your child grows. When your child is ready for a regular booster, you can remove the harness and crotch buckle, converting the seat to a high-back booster that can hold a child from 40 to 100 pounds and up to 57 inches tall. Finally, you can remove the back and convert the seat to a lightweight backless booster that can also be used from 40 to 100 pounds and up to 57 inches tall.

First off, a car seat must be FAA-approved—as all of our recommended infant and convertible seats are—for a kid to ride in one on an airplane. (Booster seats are reserved for older children and not intended for use on airplane seats.)

Both the Federal Aviation Administration and CPSTs believe it is safer for kids under 2 to ride in a car seat aboard a plane rather than in their parents’ arms. In the event of turbulence or rough air, a child is much safer if strapped in. Being injured in turbulence , though very unlikely, does affect a handful of American flyers each year, and recent research indicates that turbulence is on the rise due to climate change.

Many parents find that air travel is easier when their child has their own seat (though of course you have to pay for that additional seat). Children are allowed to sit on caregivers’ laps on planes until age 2, but few toddlers can sit still for a long period of time, and that extra harness and recline (as well as familiarity) provided by the car seat may keep a child seated comfortably longer, especially once they are mobile but still too young to fully understand how to sit still in a lap belt.

There are a number of challenges to bringing a car seat, especially a convertible seat designed for a toddler, onto a plane. Some smaller planes may have seats that aren’t wide enough for many convertible car seats. And even if the car seat is narrow enough for the plane, not many seats are narrow enough to easily fit down the aisle. The Clek Foonf , one of our convertible car seat picks, is one of them, but it is pricey and heavy. (The Clek Fllo , Graco SlimFit3 LX , and Graco True3Fit also fit on an airplane seat, but we did not test them.) You’ll generally have to lift a car seat above the seats to carry it to the rear of a plane.

Finally, unlike a car seat buckle, which sits on your hip, a plane’s seat buckle sits right in the middle of your lap. That means for many car seats, once you install them on the plane, there’s going to be a large metal buckle below your child’s legs or behind their back (the Clek seats are among the few without this issue). Alisa Baer, co-founder of The Car Seat Lady, recommends using convertible seats with buckle-in-the-back issues rear-facing, even with a larger child—they’ll likely be more comfortable if their feet have a place to rest, plus they won’t be trying to rest their feet on the passenger’s seat in front of them. You can also put a diaper or spare T-shirt over the buckle to make it a bit more comfortable.

Some parents may find it simpler to use a CARES harness (Child Aviation Restraint System) to help keep kids in their seats on a plane (and their kids may prefer sitting in an airplane seat over a car seat); you install this four-point harness around the child’s seatback and under the tray behind it.

Most airlines allow at least one car seat to be checked for free but doing so has several potential problems . The luggage can be handled roughly and tossed, damaging the car seat in the process. Seats, like any piece of luggage, can also be lost or misplaced in transit. Ultimately, the main reason you may want to have your child use a car seat on the plane is so that you are absolutely confident you’ll have the car seat when you arrive at your destination.

For people who do check in their car seats, Harrison recommends—ideally—using the original box and styrofoam that the seat came with if they are available or using Bubble Wrap and a garbage bag if not. Examine the seat for visible damage when it comes out at baggage claim, and be prepared to replace the seat if it’s broken or bent.

Infant travel seats

The Chicco Fit2 can accommodate infants as small as 4 pounds and toddlers as large as 35 pounds or 35 inches. Like the Chicco KeyFit 35 we recommend as the best infant car seat for travel, it can be installed with a European belt path. But because of this seat’s large size, some seat belts are too short to route over the car seat securely.

Convertible travel seats

We previously recommended the lightweight, foldable, forward-facing WAYB Pico (rhymes with “baby”) as a good travel car seat for kids who are too big for the Cosco Scenera Next but still need a five-point harness. Its adjustable seat back allows it to accommodate taller kids, and its slim design means it takes up less room in the backseat than other car seats. The 8-pound seat is exceptionally convenient to install, uninstall, and carry around, including through airports and onto a plane. In September 2019, however, WAYB announced it was recalling 4,558 Pico car seats manufactured between March 1 and May 12, 2019, due to reports of breakage in the aluminum tube connecting the headrest to the seat. You can read NHSTA’s report (PDF)  for details about the recall, how to identify your car seat’s date of manufacture, and how to inspect your car seat for damage. Since the recall, there have not been further reports of problems. Like all car seats sold in the US, the Pico was self-certified by WAYB to pass NHTSA standards (PDF) for safety testing.

The EvenFlo Tribute is a lightweight seat (9 pounds) similar to the Cosco Scenera Next and also has a weight limit of 40 pounds, but as our convertible car seat guide testing showed us, it’s not as easy to get a good install with this seat. CPSTs like Harrison recommend using a towel or pool noodle when using the Tribute to address this. It’s also more expensive than the Cosco Scenera Next.

Booster travel seats

We previously recommended the BubbleBum , an inflatable, portable backless booster seat for older kids. However, in February 2022, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety raised concerns about the safety of inflatable boosters. A study using a computerized model determined that an inflatable booster may not have the stiffness required to keep a child from sliding out from under the lap belt upon impact in a car crash.

The backless Cosco Topside is too large to fit into a carry-on or a backpack. Unlike the Cosco Rise , our favorite backless booster for travel, this booster seat also doesn’t have a belt-positioning clip, which can help the shoulder belt fit better on a smaller rider.

We liked the Graco RightGuide booster seat because it was small enough to fit inside a carry-on or backpack. But it was recently discontinued.

The Immi Go is a booster car seat with a five-point harness that folds conveniently into its own carrying bag. Due to low sales, it is no longer for sale in the US, but you may see this seat if you travel abroad.

The MiFold backless booster seat (currently unavailable) is small enough to fit into the back pocket of some pants and weighs less than 2 pounds. It works by moving the seat belt down to fit the kid (as opposed to raising the kid to fit the belt, as other boosters do). However, our testers found its hard plastic shell uncomfortable to sit on for long periods of time and said that the seat was complicated and unintuitive to set up. Also, a car seat safety expert we consulted noted that the design of the seat may encourage a child to use bad posture while they’re sitting in it—in an effort to find a more comfortable position, the child may tend to scoot forward, moving the slick-bottomed seat along with them, which could pose a safety concern.

Travel carts

The Torevsior Car Seat Travel Cart is about $25 less than the Britax Travel Cart we recommend, but it’s also less robust—the frame just doesn’t feel as sturdy. The weight limit is also lower than the Britax’s, at 70 pounds versus Britax’s 100 pounds. Like the Britax travel cart, the Torevsior cart has hooks for LATCH straps, to secure a car seat onto the cart so that your child can ride in it as you’re moving through the airport. It’s 6.4 pounds (Britax is 7.6 pounds), and extends up to 46 inches (Britax to 42 inches).

All of the guidelines for car seat care, use, and maintenance in our other car seat guides apply to travel car seats as well.

This guide was edited by Ellen Lee, Amy Miller Kravetz and Kalee Thompson.

Jessica Jermakian, vice president for vehicle research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety , email exchange , August 1, 2022

Alisa Baer, pediatrician, nationally certified child passenger safety instructor, and co-founder of The Car Seat Lady , phone interview, July 15, 2022 and January 9, 2023

Lani Harrison, CPST, Car Seats for the Littles , email interview , January 28, 2019

Meet your guides

Christina Szalinski

Christina Szalinski is a freelance science writer with a PhD in cell biology.

Rebecca Gale

Further reading

The Best Booster Car Seats

by Rebecca Gale

After researching over 50 booster car seats and testing 13, we’ve concluded that the convenient Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus is the best overall choice.

The Best Infant Car Seats

by Christina Szalinski

After extensive research and field testing, we found that the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX is the best infant car seat for most families.

The Best Travel Strollers

by Elise Czajkowski

After testing seven travel strollers on various trips and excursions, we’re confident that the Uppababy Minu V2 is the one to get.

Traveling With Little Kids Can Be Tough. The Right Gear Can Help.

by Kerry Davis McGuinness

From compact car seats and cribs to portable blackout shades and white noise machines, the right tools for travel can lead to less fuss—and more fun.

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12 best car seats to keep your child safe, secure and comfortable

While plenty of baby equipment can be bought second hand, a car seat should be brand new, article bookmarked.

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A good car seat is one of the most important – and likely one of the most expensive – purchases you’ll make once you know you’ve got a little one on the way. However, with myriad makes and models on the market and some confusing safety regulations to consider, it can be tricky to know which are the best car seats to buy.

It’s worth doing your research – after all, a car seat will be tasked with keeping your baby safe . While plenty of baby equipment can be bought second-hand, a car seat is one purchase that should be brand new, so you can be certain it’s never been in an accident (those that have been should be replaced immediately).

The best car seats are designed to absorb shock, in case of a crash, and to hold your baby snugly but comfortably in place while you’re driving. They’re also required by law – in the UK, children must use a car seat until they’re 12 years old or 135cm tall, whichever comes first. Car seats must be rear-facing until your child is over 15 months old – after that, they can be forward-facing.

Only EU-approved height-based or weight-based child car seats can be used in the UK. Height-based car seats have a label showing a capital ‘E’ in a circle and ‘R129’. Weight-based car seats have a label showing a capital ‘E’ in a circle and ‘ECE R44’. The height-based R129 (also referred to as iSize) is considered the safest.

Don’t forget to check if your new seat fits in your car, too. Manufacturers usually have fitting lists on their websites, so you can check the seat you like is compatible with your make and model. Car seats can either be installed using a seat belt or Isofix. The former will work in any car with a three-point belt, while Isofix car seats have anchoring points on their base, which fix into the anchorage points inside a compatible car. All cars made after 2011 have Isofix.

To help you with your search, we’ve rounded up some of the best car seats on the market.

Related stories

How we tested the best car seats.

We got our six-month-old and two-year-old testers to put each car seat through their paces. We paid close attention to comfort and durability while comparing each car seat for ease of installation and adjustability. Keep reading to find out which ones deserve a spot in your family car.

The best car seats for 2024 are:

• Best car seat overall – Nuna pipa urbn car seat: £235, Mamasandpapas.com
• Best budget car seat for older children – Halfords group 1/2/3 child car seat: £52, Halfords.com
• Best budget car seat for babies – Joie Stages group 0+ car seat: £99.99, Boots.com
• Best car seat for newborns – Doona i car seat and stroller: £399, Amazon.co.uk
• Best multi-child seat – Multimac car seats: £1,599, Multimac.com

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Nuna pipa urbn car seat

• Best : Car seat overall
• Attachment : Isofix
• Regulations : R129
• Age range : Height 40-75cm, weight up to 13kg
• Colours : Black
• Easy to pop in and out
• Lightweight and intuitive to use
• High quality and environmentally friendly materials

This clever design uses Isofix but doesn’t require a base, so it’s very safe but can also be popped in and out of taxis or a grandparent’s car when needed. At 3.3kg, the Pipa urbn was one of the lighter seats we tested, and it’s an intuitive and quick process to remove it from the car and transfer it to a Nuna pushchair when you’re on the go.

We loved the attached canopy and drape that helped cover up baby for nap time. The Merino wool-lined headrest was one of the poshest on test, too. This was one of the only seats we tested that’s constructed with environmentally friendly fabrics, so it’s a more eco-conscious pick than most.

Halfords group 1/2/3 child car seat

• Best : Budget seat for older children
• Attachment : Seat belt
• Regulations : R44
• Age range : 15 months to 12 years (up to 135cm in height)
• Colours : Black/red
• Adjustable headrest
• Doesn’t have much side protection

A car seat for less than £60 that can be used until your baby is 12? Halfords has managed it with this affordable but safe seat belt car seat for little ones aged over 15 months. While it doesn’t have much side protection, it does include a five-point harness and is R44 safety certified. The seat is comfy and padded and the headrest is adjustable. Halfords also offers free demos in fitting car seats, before you take your new purchase home.

Joie Stages group 0+ car seat

• Best : Budget car seat for babies
• Age range : From birth to seven years (up to 25kg)
• Comfy and adjustable
• Easy to wash
• A little fiddly

Joie’s pleasingly well-padded seat can be used from day one, with a newborn insert, and we liked the quick-to-adjust headrest and harness. There’s good side protection and four reclining positions, too.

We did find adjusting the seatbelt to secure the seat a bit fiddly, and we don’t think this model would be roomy enough to go up to seven years (as advertised), but for babies and toddlers, this is a well-made yet affordable option you can use from day one. The removable cover is easy to wash, too.

Doona i car seat and stroller

• Best : Car seat for newborns
• Attachment : Seat belt or Isofix
• Regualtions : R129
• Age range : Newborn to 102cm
• Colours : Sand, black and green
• Great safety and comfort features
• Easy to clean
• Baby sits quite low, meaning you’ll be bending down a lot

A popular model from an award-winning brand, the Doona i is a rear-facing seat that comes with a matching stroller. The design is sleek and has plenty of great safety and comfort features. A five-point harness and padded sides keep baba snugly in place, and, during testing, we liked the adjustable headrest and faux leather-padded handlebar.

The newborn insert is made from bamboo and is lovely and soft (and, importantly, easy to wipe and wash), so it’s ideal for use from day one. Our only niggle is that baby sits low down when you pop the seat on the stroller base, so, you’ll be bending down frequently.

Maxi Cosi pearl 360 pro

• Best : Toddler car seat
• Age range : Three months to four years old
• Colours : Green, black, blue, graphite, brown and grey
• Breathable recycled material

Maxi Cosi’s 360 range is popular for good reason – these swivelling designs are easy to click in and out of the Isofix base and can be turned one-handed, which is very helpful when you’re bundling an energetic older baby in and out of the car.

When your little one grows out of the 0-15 months pebble seat , the pearl pro should last them comfortably until they’re four years old. With five different positions for nap time, the seat is made with breathable, recycled fabric that’s soft and comfy – ideal for long car journeys.

Avionaut pixel pro 2.0

• Best : Lightweight car seat
• Attachments : Seat belt or Isofix
• Age range : Weight 0-13kg or height 40-86cm
• Colours : White, grey, black, blue, pink and pale blue
• Super lightweight
• Snuggly memory foam
• Limited size range

Avionaut reckons the pixel pro 2.0 is the world’s lightest car seat. At 2.5kg, it’s certainly noticeably lighter and easier to carry around than the other seats we tested, which really does make a difference if you’re popping your little one in and out of the car most days, and it’s definitely a good choice if you need to avoid any heavy lifting postpartum.

There’s a good adjustable canopy and super-snug insert made with memory foam, to make your baby’s ride as comfy as possible. The size range is on the limited side – the pixel pro will only suit infants up to around one year old.

Multimac car seats

• Best : Multi-child car seat
• Attachments : Fitting kit, which requires installation
• Age range : From birth to 12 years old
• Colours : Black and grey
• Super customisable
• Great for those with lots of little ones
• Easy to remove
• Might be better off getting it installed by a professional

If you’ve got lots of kids or are transporting their cousins or friends, too, this innovative multi-seated car seat can be shared by up to four children (from birth to 12 years old) in your vehicle’s back seat. It means families with small cars can easily fit four children in a row without having to upgrade to a seven-seater vehicle. Multimac has now passed its R129 test, so, it meets standard safety regulations, and is also easy to remove – although, you’re best off getting someone who knows how to fit it to install it for you.

Axkid minikid 4 car seat

• Best : For seat belt design
• Age range : Up to 7 years
• Colours : Black, grey, creme and red
• Easily installed
• Grows with your baby
• Super safe seat belt
• No newborn option
• On the pricier side

If you don’t want to faff about with a different car seat every few years, Axkid’s Minikid is a great choice. Although it’s at the pricier end of the scale, this design should last your family for years – adjust the headrest to 14 positions and swap to a toddler cushion as your baby grows and you can use it until your little one is seven.

This capacious seat is easily installed using a seatbelt and passes the Swedish Plus safety test, which goes above and beyond the R129 and is said to be one of the toughest crash tests out there. There’s no newborn option, though, so, you’ll need to wait until your baby is over 60cm tall (at around four months) to get going with this option.

Inglesina Darwin next stage car seat

• Best : Travel system
• Age range : 1-4 years
• Colour : Light grey, dark grey, black
• Back and forward facing
• Super comfy and padded

Car seats with an Isofix base can be a sensible choice if you don’t mind being loyal to a specific brand – once your small person outgrows their infant seat, you can swap it out for a larger toddler design that fits onto the same base. If you go for the swivel-happy Darwin 360 , you can size up to the Darwin next stage.

This is a great all-rounder that can face rearwards and forwards and is suitable until your little one is four years old. This comfy seat can be reclined and has lots of padding. We also like the rain cover and mosquito net for international travel.

Ickle Bubba radial 360 spin car seat

• Best : Car seat for less than £200
• Age range : From birth to 12 years
• Colours : Dark grey
• Great price
• Could last you a lifetime
• Could be a little snug when little ones hit four or five

Car seats can be painfully expensive but Ickle Bubba’s radial proves you can pick up a safe and pleasingly easy to use Isofix design for less than £200. This swivelling design can be fully rotated and can be used until your child is 12 years old, by adjusting the backrest – although, we reckon little ones over the age of four or five would feel restricted.

We found the Isofix base simple to install and liked that baby can be rear-facing until they’re four. A great affordable choice or a good spare seat for a second car.

BeSafe stretch B car seat

• Best : All-in-one seat
• Age range : From birth to seven years (up to 125cm or 36kg)
• Passes the Swedish Plus safety test

If you’re shopping for a seat belt car seat rather than an Isofix design, we really rate BeSafe’s stretch B. As the name suggests, this Scandi brand is all about keeping small people secure. The rear-facing stretch B will fit your mini-me from birth all the way until they’re seven. It also passes the Swedish Plus safety test. When putting the stretch B through its paces, we liked the cute ‘newborn hugger’ insert for brand-new babies and the clever headrest and legroom, which can be adjusted as your child grows.

Amana Siena twist+ car seat

• Best : Value for money car seat
• Age rage : From birth to 12 years
• Colours : Grey, black and green
• Looks great
• Breathable bamboo material
• Quite heavy

The Siena twist is another design that ticks a lot of boxes – it swivels and it can be used both rearwards and forwards. There are some other nice design nods here, too, including a headrest made from breathable bamboo fibre.

A newborn inlay is included, so you can use this seat from birth, and a five-point harness will keep baby secure. The sage green colourway is rather smart, too. However, at 13kg, this is a heavy seat to carry, even without a baby in it.

Car seats FAQs

Fran Vaughan, managing director of Ickle Bubba, answered our questions:

Car seat safety standards explained

Car seats used in the UK must adhere to two standards: ECE R129, which is the latest regulation, or ECE R44. Car seats that adhere to ECE R129 are called iSize seats. These seats are fitted against your child’s height and ensure children are rear-facing until they’re 15 months old. Rear-facing travel is optimal for babies and children because it offers more protection for their necks if a collision does occur. All iSize seats have Isofix as standard and have side-impact collision testing as part of the approval process.

ECE R44 seats are fitted based on your child’s weight. Many allow your child to face forward from 10 months, and some allow you to fit the seat using just a seat belt. This is handy if your car doesn’t have Isofix fixings. These seats aren’t required to have side-impact collision testing as standard.

What is Isofix?

Isofix is a way for a car seat to be secured into your car. It’s designed to make fitting the seat easy, as research shows many older car seats are fitted incorrectly, which makes the seat unsafe. Car seats with Isofix have connectors that come out of the back of the seat and slide into your car’s Isofix fitting points. Many seats then have a green indicator or lights (usually in the base) to let you know the seat is securely fitted in place. Isofix anchors the car seat to the chassis of the car, locking it in place more securely than if you were to use just a seat belt. Often an additional top tether or support leg is then used to stop the seat tipping forward.

How do I know when my child is too big for their car seat?

Figuring out when your child is ready for the next size of car seat is relatively straightforward. With iSize seats, it’s based on height:

• iSize baby – suitable from birth to 85cm (this tends to be around 15-18 months)
• iSize baby and toddler – suitable from birth to 105cm (this is around four years of age)
• iSize toddler – suitable from 65cm to 105cm (around 15 months to four years)
• iSize child – suitable from 100cm to 135cm (around four years to 12 years of age, when they aren’t required to travel in a seat any more)

For the R44 seats, seat sizes are based on weight and go up in groups:

• Group 0/0+ – suitable from birth to 13kg (up to about 15 months)
• Group 0+/1 – suitable from birth to 18kg (up to about four years)
• Group 0+/1/2 – suitable from birth to 25kg (up to around seven years)
• Group 1 – suitable from 9kg up to 18kg (from about nine months to four years)
• Group 1/2/3 – suitable from 9kg up to 36kg (from about nine months to 12 years of age)
• Group 2/3 – suitable from 15kg to 36kg (from about nine months to 12 years of age)
• Group 3 – suitable from 22kg to 36kg (from about five years to 12 years of age)

Your child may not fit the seat based on their age. It really depends on their weight or height, so it’s important to measure or weigh your child to check.

Multi-group seats are great for those who have different aged children using the seat, such as childminders or grandparents.

Why are car seats for babies rear-facing?

It’s generally much safer. When babies are sitting in a rear-facing car seat, the shell acts as a protective shield and absorbs any force, should there be an accident. As a result, the impact would spread over the whole area of the child's back, neck and head, putting significantly less strain solely on the baby’s neck.

What age should kids start to sit forward-facing?

Legally, kids should only turn forward-facing once they weigh 9kg. At this stage, they will sometimes require a new car seat, depending on the model. However, many studies have recommended that children should stay rear-facing for longer than the legal requirement and, in some cases, up to four years old.

Will I need a base to fit the seat into my car?

When it comes to safety testing, car seats in the UK have to conform to one of two standards: ECE R129 is the newest European-wide regulation, known as iSize. This runs alongside the existing ECE R44 regulation, and parents can choose to use either seat type.

iSize uses your child’s height for fitting. For a car seat to be iSize compatible, it must be used with an Isofix base. Other car seats that fall under the ECE R44 regulation are split into groups based on weight, and don’t need a base.

What tips do you have for buying car seats at the various different stages?

Monitor the weight and height of your child regularly, to ensure you are using the correct car seat. Don’t rely on visual indicators only.

What’s the most important thing to look for in a child’s car seat?

Check that it meets ECE safety standards. A sticker is normally located on the car seat to indicate this. Also, make sure the car seat is compatible with your vehicle. Most are universal fitting, but it's best to check before you purchase.

The verdict: Car seats

Our top pick for new babies is Nuna’s beautifully made pipa urbn – we loved the design and the fact it doesn’t require a separate base. Meanwhile, Maxi Cosi’s easy-swivel pearl 360 pro stands out for toddlers and should keep them comfy even during longer journeys. If you want just one seat to see you through early childhood, try BeSafe’s stretch B , with its adjustable headrest. It’s passed the rigorous Swedish Plus safety test, too.

Want more recommendations? Check out our guide to the best baby carriers

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The 8 Best Travel Car Seats of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

We rounded up the best travel-friendly car seats to keep your kids safe wherever you go.

In This Article

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• Our top picks
• Others We Liked

Our Testing Process

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Travel + Leisure / Cassie Aulie

Traveling with children can be a gratifying and enriching experience, but family vacations are also challenging because of the extra items you need to pack (and carry), including a car seat, which adds quite a lot of bulk to your luggage. That's why we set out to find the most compact, travel-friendly, lightweight, and easy-to-install car seats on the market right now.

We combed through results and feedback from three different real-world car seat tests in which we tested a total of 57 car seats, looking specifically for portable, travel-friendly options. During testing, we looked at several factors like design, features, ease of cleaning, value, and — most importantly — safety. Below, we rounded up eight of the best travel car seats to consider for your next family getaway.

Best Overall

Graco contender slim convertible car seat.

It is an excellent fit for compact cars.

The chest buckle is large and bulky.

Lugging around a heavy car seat in addition to your luggage is not pleasant, but this car seat will make your life so much easier. Not only is it the lightest car seat on our list, but it is also the slimmest, making it an excellent choice for both compact and larger vehicles (or for larger families who need to fit more than one car seat in the backseat). Installation took us about 15 minutes, and then it was pretty intuitive to use. It has several inserts that help you customize it for your child, including an infant insert with extra padding, eight headrest heights, and two reclining positions.

It also has a removable cup for snacks and drinks that you can place on either side of the seat. And while we only had to spot-clean it, if you need to wash the entire cover, you can take it off and throw it in the washing machine. The fabric is breathable and has held up exceptionally well after over a month of use.

The Details: Weighs 16 pounds; holds 65 pounds | 24.75 x 18.9 x 21.5 inches | Rear and forward modes | Belt- and latch-compatible

Travel + Leisure

Best Rotating

Evenflo gold revolve360 convertible car seat.

It’s easy to install and rotates 360 degrees.

It would be nice if it had a built-in sunshade.

Four minutes: that's exactly how much time it took us to install this Evenflo car seat after watching the instructional video. It was an incredibly easy-to-follow process, and we found the audible click and level indicator super helpful. But the most impressive feature of this convertible car seat is its ability to rotate 360 degrees, which is a complete game changer for parents (seriously, our team member who tested this car seat said it spoiled them into "never using a car seat that doesn't have this feature"). This means that the seat can transform into rear- or forward-facing in seconds without the need to uninstall the entire seat and base. Just pull one of the two levers on either side and start rotating it. This feature also makes it super convenient to place your child in the seat and buckle them because you no longer have to bend at an awkward angle. 

Comfort is also a standout feature, and the upholstery fabric of this car seat felt soft, breathable, and very high-quality (cleaning it is also a breeze). The overall padding of the car seat and the generous recline positions also contribute to a more comfortable trip. And finally, while this is not the lightest car seat at 40.6 pounds, its design is quite compact, and even if you install it in a smaller vehicle, you will be left with a good amount of legroom and recline space for the seat in front. 

Shoppers should also note that the Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) is currently evaluating this car seat .

The Details: Weighs 40.6 pounds; holds up to 120 pounds | 25.9 x 19.8 x 21 inches | Rear, forward, and booster modes | Belt- and latch-compatible

Best for Compact Cars

Diono radian 3rxt convertible car seat.

 Amazon

The seat folds, making it easy to carry.

The initial installation takes more time than some of the other options on this list.

When renting a large car is not always possible, this Diono car seat is the way to go. First, it's much easier to carry (and store) because of its slim, foldable design. And while the installation took us a while compared to others on this list (about 45 minutes to an hour), we found it to be a perfect match for a smaller vehicle similar to a Fiat 500. 

Second, buckling and unbuckling is super intuitive, and the straps never get tangled up. And even after a year of constant use, the fabric is in excellent condition with few signs of wear and tear other than some light fading. You can also remove the cover and machine wash it, another very convenient feature. 

Third, we love that even though the seat is about 17 inches wide, it features additional padding and side protection without compromising comfort. Lastly, this car seat is also FAA-approved, so feel free to fly with it.

The Details: Weights 30.6 pounds; holds up to 120 pounds | 17 x 28.5 x 16 inches | Rear, forward, and booster modes | Latch

Best With Stroller

Doona car seat and stroller.

The wheels fold up and attach to the seat.

There is no storage space, and you need to purchase the base separately. 

There is a reason the Doona car seat is a best-seller and an all-time parent favorite. It's all in the smart design that combines a car seat and a stroller in one compact product. Unlike other models, the wheels of this car seat collapse under it so you can latch it into its base (sold separately). Basically, you can bid adieu to lugging a stroller and a car seat. This is the ultimate travel-friendly stroller/car seat combo for infants and toddlers up to 35 pounds. We recommend you take your time to read the folding and unfolding instructions before you use it. It took us some time to figure out what each button was for and how to attach it to the base correctly, but it was smooth sailing once we got the hang of it.

The Doona is upholstered in a cooling bamboo fabric for added comfort, and it has a canopy for shade. The car seat also performed exceptionally well in our maneuverability category during testing — it was a breeze pushing it even with one hand. The brake was easy to engage and disengage, so this is the perfect option for a city vacation or a road trip that requires you to quickly transport your baby in and out of the car.

The Details: Weights 16.5 pounds; holds up to 35 pounds | 26 x 17.4 x 22.4 inches (folded) | Rear-facing | Latch and belt

Most Durable

Graco extend2fit 3-in-1 car seat.

This option proved to be most durable after we used it for more than two years.

The shoulder straps are difficult to adjust.

We tested this car seat for over two years, and it has held up exceptionally well against wear and tear, spills, and everything a toddler can (literally) throw at it. Graco makes some of the sturdiest, most durable car seats by focusing on quality and safety, and this is exactly why we included the Extend2Fit model in this list.

The car seat is easy to install (it took us about 20 minutes), and even if you're setting it up in a smaller vehicle, it leaves plenty of legroom and recline space. We appreciated the two deep cup holders that are perfect for holding sippy cups and snacks (and bonus points for how easy they are to clean). This car seat has a unique feature that accommodates growing kids — a retractable panel provides five extra inches of legroom, making it safer for taller infants and toddlers to ride in a rear-facing position.

The Details: Weighs 19 pounds; holds up to 65 pounds | 24.5 x 20.75 x 19 inches | Rear and forward modes | Latch

Most Comfortable

Safety 1st grow and go lx convertible car seat.

You can use the footrest in both rear- and forward-facing positions, making it comfortable no matter which way kids sit.

 It is a bit tricky to install.

Looking for a car seat to keep your little one comfortable during long road trips? This one performed well in almost all categories thanks to its easy use, design, durability, and overall value. Its size is generous (so it may not be a great fit for compact vehicles) and provides ample space for kids to grow into without compromising on padding and safety.

Safety 1st updated this model with a footrest that really impressed us because you can use it in rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster positions so your child's feet will not dangle for hours. We also love that the removable cups are dishwasher-safe and come with convenient lids to prevent messes (but in any case, the cover is removable and machine-washable). The car seat we tested still looks new, and the fabric seems spill-resistant.

The Details: Weighs 20 pounds; holds up to 100 pounds | 23.5 x 19 x 25 inches | Rear, forward, and booster modes | Latch and belt

Best for Multiple Age Groups

Graco 3-in-1 rotating car seat.

It is super easy to install and accommodates various age groups.

This rotating car seat works better in larger cars and may be a tight squeeze in smaller vehicles.

Your child should be all set for years to come with Graco's convertible car seat, which accommodates children up to 100 pounds. It rotates in a rear-facing position so you can get your baby in and out of it more easily. As for securing your child, the buckles are extremely easy to use, and the straps stay in sync — meaning that if you loosen one, the other will loosen automatically, too. And with four reclining positions, your child will be comfortable whether they are taking a nap, eating a snack, or playing.

We tested this car seat in a mid-size SUV, and it left plenty of reclining space for the seat in front. However, if you install it in a smaller vehicle, it might be a much tighter situation. And speaking of the installation, it only took us 17 minutes to read the instructions, watch the YouTube video, and install it. Finally, this seat grows with your child as it can accommodate kids weighing from four to 100 pounds. 

The Details: Weighs 30 pounds; holds up to 100 pounds | 19.1 x 24.4 x 20.8 inches | Rear, forward, and booster modes | Latch

Easiest Installation

Britax emblem 3-stage convertible car seat.

This no-fuss car seat is quick to install, and it only weighs 19 pounds.

There are no extra features such as cup holders or sensors.

If you're in the market for a no-fuss, easy-to-use car seat, this is it. Installation is standard (although you will still have to read the instructions to do it), and once you've practiced a couple of times, you will be able to install it pretty fast in any vehicle. We tested it in a sedan and an SUV, and it fits well in both (although the SUV was a slightly better fit). Thanks to the excellent design, using it is a breeze. Buckling your child, adjusting the harness, and reclining is intuitive and stress-free, which is exactly what you need when you're on the road. And while it may not have many bells and whistles, it provides excellent padding, and the fabric is soft and pillowy without feeling scratchy. 

The Details: Weighs 19.5 pounds; holds up to 65 pounds | 21 x 18.3 x 26 inches | Rear and forward modes | Latch

Other Car Seats We Liked

We tested so many car seats that we think there are a few more worth mentioning, although we didn't love them quite as much as the others on our main list.

Baby Jogger City Sights Travel System: This stroller and car seat combo is a good option for parents looking for a two-in-one. The stroller is easy to maneuver and collapses into a pretty compact and travel-friendly size. The car seat has a weight capacity of 35 pounds, so it can only be used in a rear-facing position.

Nuna Rava Convertible Car Seat : This rear-facing car seat can accommodate children up to 50 pounds, which is impressive (however, keep in mind that the seat itself is almost 28 pounds). The straps and the buckles are very easy to use and don't get in the way when you place your child in and out of the seat.

We used results from three real-world tests in which we reviewed convertible car seats, rotating convertible car seats, and car seat stroller combos to find our favorite travel-friendly options. We sorted through feedback from 57 car seats we tested, looking at weight, size, and performance in multiple categories, including ease of installation, ease of use, design, features, safety, value, and more.

We also consulted Ben Hoffman, MD, a pediatrician and nationally recognized expert in child injury prevention and education, to ensure the safety of the products we chose for real-life tests. In addition, every car seat meets the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) standards.

Tips for Buying a Travel Car Seat

Look for portability.

Portability is one of the major factors differentiating a standard car seat from one you'll mostly use while traveling. Consider its weight and size: opt for lighter and more compact car seats that you can carry without compromising safety features. Some car seats fold or feature collapsible stroller wheels — all features that come in handy when you're on the road or in transit. 

Consider ease of installation

When you're just getting off a long-haul flight and need to get in the car and drive for hours, the last thing you want is to waste time installing a car seat. That's why your travel car seat should be simple to install and use. Check if the vehicle you are setting it up in accommodates a latch or belt car seat, and make sure that yours can comfortably fit in the back seat of whatever size car you may be renting. Then, read through the installation instructions or watch the video, and make sure you don't need another adult to help you safely install it. 

Pay attention to your child's weight and height

Every car seat has strict weight and height limits to ensure your child's safety. Some might also have age restrictions, but they are not as important as children are different and grow at their own pace.Make sure you weigh and measure your child before purchasing a travel car seat. The good thing about convertible car seats is that you can use them in both rear- and forward-facing positions as your child grows so you don't have to invest in a new car seat every few years.

Yes, but you must first ensure the car seat is FAA-approved (it will say so on the car seat). In fact, while using a car seat on a plane is not required, the FAA recommends it to ensure your little one's safety in case of turbulence, for example. If traveling on an international airline outside the U.S., check with that airline's policies, size limitations, and guidelines before your trip, as some international airlines do not allow car seats on board. Usually, using a booster seat during a flight is not an issue with airlines, and it doesn't count toward your carry-on luggage allowance.

The short answer is yes. Airlines will usually check in a car seat, stroller, or a child restraint system for free (one per child). However, the tricky part is that if you're not traveling with a child, you might have to pay to check in the car seat, so in this case, it's always best to contact the airline before your trip.

If your car seat is oversized, you will be asked to check it in at the airport, so it's essential to place it in a protective bag that will offer some sort of protection while in the cargo hold of the plane. Even if you plan on using your car seat during the flight, a travel bag can help make carrying it through the airport easier. Some car seats come with travel bags that have handles. If your car seat doesn't come with one, you can likely purchase it from the maker's website or find one that accommodates the size of your car seat on Amazon. Certain bags even feature wheels so you can roll the car seat through the airport.

Most car rental companies offer car seats as an add-on for a fee, so if you don't want to invest in one or carry it with you, you can always rent one. U.S. car rental companies must offer car seats that comply with state and federal laws. However, if you're traveling internationally, the risk is that you don't know if the car seat has been stored and cleaned properly or if it’s ever been in an accident. It also means you have to install it yourself, which can be challenging and time-consuming if you're unfamiliar with that particular brand or car seat model. 

If you're traveling with children, here are some other useful products that can help make your trip run smoothly.

Maxi-cosi Swift Lightweight Portable Play Yard : This was our absolute favorite travel crib out of 19 that we tested , with a detachable mattress and bassinet feature that you can use to adjust the crib as your newborn grows. The crib is easy set up and take down for maximum portability, and it proved to be sturdy and durable in the long run.

Cybex Coya Compact Lightweight Travel Stroller : After testing strollers in our lab , this was our favorite travel stroller for flying. We found that it folds up quickly and fits easily into airplane overhead bins. It also has removable seat padding for cleaning and a canopy that comes down for sun and rain protection.

JetKids by Stokke BedBox Kid's Ride-on Suitcase : We are expert luggage testers here at Travel + Leisure , and this ride-on suitcase was one of our favorites for kids . The ride-on design means that a kid can sit on top of the suitcase as their parents pull them using the adjustable strap. Parents can also use the strap to carry the lightweight suitcase like a shoulder bag.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this article, Dobrina Zhekova worked with T+L editors to round up the safest and most comfortable travel car seats for kids of all ages from real-world tests. As a mother, she has also tested several car seats in the past five years and has extensive knowledge of airline policies and regulations about traveling with car seats. She also referenced customer reviews and expert recommendations in this article.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter , and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.

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The 7 Best Travel Car Seats of 2024

These top picks combine convenience and peace of mind

Jordi is a freelance contributor to TripSavvy. Her personal passions gravitate toward wellness and adventure, leading her to frequently plan trips that blend zen relaxation with urban and rugged exploration.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

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Traveling with small children is a great way to make memories. You expose little ones to new experiences and see the world through their eyes. But there are still everyday tasks to worry about on the road, from meal times to naps. Safety is the top priority, of course, and this means ensuring your kids have a good car seat.

If you're flying with small children or frequently switching cars, the thought of lugging around the car seat you have perfectly installed in your vehicle can seem daunting. Luckily, many companies make travel car seats lighter and easier to install on the go. These models also emphasize portability and legroom for your child to grow into.

To find the best choice for you, we looked closely at the installation process, weight ratings, and certification status of some of the most popular options on the market today.

Final Verdict

• What to Look For

Why Trust TripSavvy

Best overall, cosco scenera next convertible car seat.

 Amazon

Easy to carry

Budget friendly

Sizing issues for older childen

The Cosco Scenera Next Convertible Car Seat receives excellent marks for lightness and simplicity. This affordable car seat is a great choice for those who already have a regular car seat but need a second option for traveling. Safety features include side-impact protection built into the headrest and a five-point harness that adjusts to accommodate your growing child. The car seat can be used rear-facing for kiddos 5 to 40 pounds and 19 to 40 inches tall or front-facing for those 22 to 40 pounds or 29 to 43 inches tall. The car seat will last from infancy through toddlerhood.

Use the LATCH connectors or a seat belt to secure the car seat in any rental car or taxi. It's also designed with air travel in mind: It's FAA-approved and lightweight at just 7 pounds. Additionally, its 17.5-inch width makes it a good fit for most airline seats. Other highlights include a removable, machine-washable, and dryer-safe car seat pad and a dishwasher-safe cup holder. Colors range from Moon Mist Grey to Ocean Breeze.

Dimensions: 17.6 x 15.8 x 30.3 inches | Weight Rating: Up to 40 pounds | Installation Type: LATCH

Best Lightweight

Wayb pico travel car seat.

Very compact

Includes a travel bag

Only for toddlers and older

Car seats are a hassle to travel with because they're bulky, heavy, and unwieldy. Luckily, this travel car seat by Wayb won't add much extra weight to your suitcase. Weighing under 8 pounds, the FAA-approved Pico Travel Car Seat is easy to transport everywhere you go. It's front-facing and can hold kids between 22 to 55 pounds or measuring 30 to 45 inches tall. It has an AeroWing aluminum frame that is durable yet lightweight, and the AstroKnit performance mesh lining will keep your kids comfortable throughout their journey. Best of all, this car seat folds into a small enough package to store in overhead bins and comes with a carrying bag that can slip onto your suitcase.

Dimensions: 15 x 11 x 20 inches | Weight Rating: Up to 50 pounds | Installation Type: LATCH or car/airplane seat belt

Most Compact

Safety 1st guide 65 convertible car seat.

Supports a variety of sizes and ages

Sleek design

Machine-washable cover

Complaints about installation

Safety 1st's Guide 65 Convertible Car Seat weighs 14 pounds; it's sturdy enough for everyday use yet light enough for travel. This car seat's frame is so compact that you could place three in the back of your car, making it an excellent option for larger families or smaller European rental cars. Plus, it can accommodate a wide range of weights, making it a budget-friendly pick that can last for years. It's for children who weigh between 5 and 40 pounds to use in a rear-facing position and children 22 to 65 pounds to use in a front-facing position.

Side-impact protection and five harnesses that adjust in the center ensure your child stays secure throughout their ride and help deflect impact away from their head, neck, and spine in the event of an accident. Other safety features include three buckle locations and an adjustable headrest. This car seat also has a LATCH connector system, making it easy to take the seat in and out of the car quickly. Both the cushion and cup holder are removable for easy cleanup. It's available in multiple colors.

Dimensions: 27.3 x 18.5 x 20.3 inches | Weight Rating: Up to 65 pounds | Installation Type: LATCH

Best for Bigger Kids

Graco extend2fit convertible car seat.

Harness storage makes loading and unloading easy

Rigorously crash tested

Several customizable features

Most of the car seats on this list are appropriate for children up to 40 pounds, but the Graco Extend2Fit is rated for up to 65 pounds. It also allows children up to 50 pounds to ride rear-facing and provides an extra 5 inches of legroom. This, plus a headrest that can also be adjusted to 10 different positions, ensures the child is comfortable and secure as they grow.

Two integrated cup holders keep juice bottles within easy reach and help to prevent spills. While there are multiple ways to install this model, it is easy to remember after the first time. Although this seat is designed with car travel in mind , it is FAA-approved. If you're flying economy class, consider calling ahead to check that the restraint is compatible with the airline seat.

Dimensions: 21.5 x 19.5 x 23.5 inches | Weight Rating: Up to 65 pounds | Installation Type: InRight LATCH

Best Booster Combo

Cosco finale dx 2-in-1 booster car seat.

Can fit three across

Easy to clean

Accommodates older children

Durability complaints

If you're shopping for a child aged 12 months or older, the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat will last from toddlerhood until after they start school. It has a 10-year lifespan and can be used as a forward-facing car seat or as a high-back booster seat. As a car seat, it's appropriate for kids between 30 to 65 pounds and 32 to 49 inches in height. The five-point harness has three different height settings, and the LATCH connectors can be used until your child reaches 50 pounds. In addition, the FAA approves the Cosco Finale for aircraft use in its car seat capacity.

It suits kids between 40 to 100 pounds and 43 to 52 inches in height as a booster seat. Its 17-inch width and 9-pound weight make it ideal for quick transfers between rental cars, taxis, and family cars back home. Other useful features include a removable cup holder and a machine-washable cover in colors that range from gray to pale pink. Lastly, thrifty families will appreciate this seat's affordable price tag.

Dimensions: 18.3 x 19 x 29.8 inches | Weight Rating: Up to 100 pounds | Installation Type: LATCH or seat belt

Most Innovative

Maxi-cosi pria max 3-in-1 convertible car seat.

Easy to buckle

Not the lightest pick

If you don't want to invest in multiple car seats, the Pria Max 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat is your best bet. It can handle children from birth to 10 years old, making it one of the most versatile options on the market. Plus, the high-end brand makes each stage supremely comfortable for your child and easy for adults to use. It has a spring-assist harness system, so the straps don't get tangled; a one-hand magnetic chest clip; a simple integrated headrest and harness system, so you don't have to rethread as your tot grows; and machine-washable fabric. Keep in mind it comes with a hefty price tag and heavier weight.

Dimensions: 25.3 x 24 x 19.9 inches | Weight Rating: Up to 100 pounds | Installation Type: LATCH or seat belt

Best For Road Trips

Chicco keyfit 35 cleartex infant car seat.

FAA-approved

Eco-friendly textiles

UPF 50+ canopy

Rear-facing only

This car seat is a great option for road trips —or as your primary car seat that occasionally travels—as the stay-in-car base is a breeze to install correctly and the carrier itself clicks into place in one motion. When it's time to stretch your legs and explore simply detach the seat and click it into any Chicco stroller base for a lightning-fast travel combo. The base has an anti-rebound bar for added stability and extra legroom for a rider up to 32 inches tall, and the headrest has five different positions to accommodate an infant's growth.

If your plans include air travel, this is still a solid pick. The best thing about this carrier is that it can be installed in an aircraft or rental vehicle without the base, using the European or American routing method. The base and carrier together weigh 18 pounds but you'll only have to manage 10 pounds if you go baseless. It comes with removable newborn positioners so little ones from 4 pounds are ready to roll.

Dimensions: 28 x 16.5 x 24 inches | Weight Rating: 4 to 35 pounds | Installation Type: LATCH or seat belt

The Cosco Scenera Next Convertible Car Seat is light, FAA-approved, and supports young travelers up to 40 pounds. We love the accessible price point and easy-to-clean cover. If you're shopping for a toddler or older but still want to prioritize portability, go for the Wayb Pico Travel Car Seat .

What to Look For in Travel Car Seats

Installation.

All models on our list use LATCH systems and some can also be installed using the vehicle's seat belt, but you should never use both anchoring methods together. LATCH, also known as Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children, is an alternative way of securing the car seat to the vehicle without using the seat belt. Both the vehicle and the car seat must have LATCH parts to install the seat properly, but most car seats (and vehicles manufactured after 2002) will do so. The car seat has straps that come from the bottom and a tether at the top. These attach to the lower anchors in the car, found in the space between the rear back seat and seat cushion, and to the top anchor, which could be near the rear window or on the car ceiling. When in doubt, check the vehicle manual and seat instructions.

Weight Rating

Like their everyday counterparts, travel car seats include maximum weight ratings that must be adhered to. Additionally, your decision to install the car seat front- or rear-facing is based on the weight and height of your child. Most models can transition from rear- to front-facing as your tot grows, or even from front-facing to a booster seat like the Cosco Finale DX . Consider the kid's age, weight, height, and the manufacturer's notes to choose a travel seat that will give you the longest practical use.

Certification Status

Most importantly, the car seat you buy should meet all safety standards. If you're flying, look for an FAA-approved or similarly aircraft-approved seat.

"All legal car seats must meet the same crash test criteria, or safety standards, and be properly labeled," said Amie Durocher, a CPS Tech at SafeRide4Kids.com. "If you are worried about counterfeit car seats, check the label. Certified seats in the U.S. are required to have very specific language on the labels. Beware if it doesn't mention federal motor vehicle safety standards or FMVSS213 or if it lacks a model name or number or manufacture date."

Yes, you can travel with a car seat on the plane —and it's actually recommended. "We recommend that parents purchase a seat even for children under 2 who could be 'lap babies' and use the FAA-approved child restraint on the airplane," said Durocher. "This makes it safer for the child—and the parent—in case of an incident during takeoff or landing and in case of turbulence during the flight."

The hardest part of traveling with a car seat is figuring out the logistics through the airport. “Infant car seats that click onto a compatible stroller are easy, but travelers might need a car seat cart, luggage strap, or bungee cords to lug a convertible car seat through the airport,” said Michelle Pratt, founder and owner of Safe in the Seat. “Some people prefer to check their stroller with their luggage and use a car seat cart to get their child and seat through the airport easily. Others babywear or let their toddler walk and load up their stroller with all their gear, then gate check the stroller planeside.”

“Rear-facing is the safest way for kids to ride in the car, but it’s not always possible on planes due to the tighter space,” added Pratt. “If the car seat fits rear-facing on the plane, that’s best. But kids who rear-face in the car can forward-face on the plane if they are at least 1 year old and meet their car seat’s forward-facing requirements. Then they seamlessly go back to rear-facing in the car at the destination.”

Author Jordi Lippe-McGraw has researched and written about travel and lifestyle products for nearly a decade. She is also the mom of a 3-year-old. When making this list, she researched dozens of products, looking at key specs like dimensions and weight rating and the number of positive and negative reviews. While researching the best travel car seats, we spoke with Amie Durocher , a CPS Tech at SafeRide4Kids.com, and Michelle Pratt , founder and owner of Safe in the Seat.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. " Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) Restraint System ." Accessed Feb 6th, 2023.

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Best Travel Car Seats of 2024

Traveling with kids? Whether an extended road trip or airplane ride is on the agenda, your little one needs a travel car seat to stay safe on the journey. Travel car seats are a bit different from everyday ones, as they’re typically lighter in weight, easier to move and set up from car to car, and approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to take in the air.

A travel car seat also comes in handy if you find yourself in ride-shares or taxis regularly. Many models don’t require a base, so it’s simple to strap the unit in without spending half the afternoon figuring out which piece goes where. The best travel car seats are so convenient, in fact, that you might stick to them altogether.

Table of Contents

• Best Travel Car Seats
• Things To Consider When Buying
• How We Chose

Chicco KeyFit 35 ClearTex Infant Car Seat  »

Various features for correct installation

Can be installed without a base via European belt routing

Five height positions and six recline positions

Includes base and newborn positioner

Extendable canopy with UPF 50+ sun protection

JPMA certified and GreenGuard Gold Certified

Not super light

Travel bag sold separately

There’s no need to worry about properly installing the Chicco KeyFit 35 ClearTex Infant Car Seat. It comes with multiple features to ensure you do it correctly, including LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) connectors, a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, and RideRight bubble level indicators to make sure it’s at the right angle.

This best travel car seat comes with ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) 50+ sun protection. It also comes with a base, but doesn’t require one in order to use. That means you can keep the base in your car for regular use and still be able to install it in other vehicles, thanks to its European belt routing system. It only weighs 10 pounds and is FAA approved, so it’s ready to bring on an aircraft. The Chicco Car Seat Travel Bag , however, is sold separately. But with the five height positions and six recline positions, your baby is bound to be comfortable no matter how you choose to travel. And once you reach your destination, keep the car seat looking fresh by tossing the fabrics in the washing machine.

They KeyFit 35 is certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), meaning it meets minimum government requirements based on safety and use, and GreenGuard Gold Certified, meaning it’s built to contribute to safer, healthier air and has been screened for more than 15,000 volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Cosco Kids Scenera Next Convertible Car Seat  »

Affordable price point

Aircraft certified and TSA-friendly designed

No additional base needed

Side Impact Protection

Machine-washable and dryer-safe seat pad

Installation may be tricky with some seat belts

May fit snugly on older babies

If you’re looking for a secondary car seat, chances are that you’re hoping to keep the cost low. With the Cosco Kids Scenera Next Convertible Car Seat, you’ll save money without losing the factors that make a travel car seat desirable. At just 6.8 pounds, this is one unit you won’t struggle to carry through the airport. Plus, you’ll have peace of mind knowing it has built-in Side Impact Protection.

This model can carry a child up to 40 pounds and 43 inches tall. It has five harness heights and three buckle locations, so it’ll grow with your baby from infancy to toddlerhood. This affordable car seat comes in seven designs with black details. And Cosco Kids makes it easy to clean with its machine-washable and dryer-safe seat pad and dishwasher-safe removable cup holder.

While this may not be the ideal pick for everyday use, the no-base, lightweight design makes it a smart pick for upcoming vacations or times when you need to move it between cars often. Just use the LATCH connectors to safely secure it in place.

Diono Radian 3RXT SafePlus  »

Only 17 inches wide

Seats folds up

FAA approved

Supports kids up to 120 pounds

12 headrest positions

Available in five colors

Heavy at 30.6 pounds

Booster mode can’t be used on a plane

LATCH connectors not available for all weights

At just 17 inches wide, the Diono Radian 3RXT SafePlus comfortably fits in even the most compact cars. If you have a full backseat, three of these models can fit across the backseat. Don’t let its compact size fool you, though. This travel car seat was designed to grow with your child from 4 to 120 pounds, in rear-facing position, forward-facing position, and booster mode.

This unit comes with a detachable rear-facing base, which Diono recommends using, but it can be used without it. The base shouldn’t be used in the forward-facing position or in booster mode. To make sure your little one is happy, the Radian boasts a 12-position headrest that you can adjust with just one hand. The covers are machine washable, and the shell and components on the rest of the car seat can be spot cleaned.

This convertible car seat folds to make travel easier, and its FAA-approved status means it’ll be your airplane companion. Just keep in mind that it can only be taken on a plane in rear-facing and forward-facing positions, not booster mode.

Doona + Car Seat & Stroller  »

Converts from car seat to stroller in seconds

Comes fully assembled

FAA approved and can be pushed down airplane aisle

Available in seven colors

UPF 50+ sun protection and water-repellant canopy

Includes LATCH base, infant insert, head support, and vehicle seat protector

Can only be used up to 35 pounds

The Doona + Car Seat & Stroller can be used with or without the included base, but the real magic comes in when you’re using it in between car and airplane rides. Within a matter of seconds, this innovative model goes from car seat to stroller with the push of a button. Plus, it comes fully assembled, so you can use it the moment it arrives.

The water-repellent canopy provides UPF 50+ sun protection, and comes in seven bold colors, including Racing Green, Flame Red, and Blush Pink. The adjustable handle is a nice touch, too, for a more comfortable gliding experience for adults.

Not only is the Doona approved by the FAA, but at just 17.4 inches wide, it can easily be pushed down an airplane aisle so you can get in your seat easily. Although it’s pricey, the fact that it acts as both a travel car seat and stroller means that it’s a great value. Consider this the all-in-one travel system that makes navigating the world with a baby so much simpler. Megan Wood, Senior Editor at U.S. News 360 Reviews, uses the Doona as her family’s main car seat and loves how easy it makes running errands and travel without having to pack a separate stroller.

Wayb Pico Portable Car Seat  »

Fits in most airplane overheads bins

Only weighs 8 pounds

Installs via LATCH or car or plane seat belt

Folds down to 11.6 inches long by 14.5 inches wide by 18.9 inches tall

Made with space-grade aluminum alloy and Responsible Wool Standard (RWS)-certified wool

On the pricier side

Can’t be used until child is 22 pounds

Make your next flight with your child as easy as possible with the Wayb Pico Portable Car Seat. With a compact design that folds up—so much so that it fits in most airplane overhead bins—this FAA-approved model goes wherever you do. Weighing just 8 pounds, this travel car seat is installed via LATCH connectors or using the car or airplane seat belt.

Unlike the other best travel car seats on our list, the Pico is a forward-facing option that’s designed for children 22 to 50 pounds and 30 to 45 inches tall. Wayb recommends it for ages 2 years old and up. While you can’t use it for a newborn, it’ll be your little one’s travel companion once they grow a bit.

The Pico is available in five colors, and an optional carry bag, vehicle seat protector, and cup holder are sold separately. If you have multiple children, you can snag a few of these and three can fit in a row in the backseat of most vehicles.

Nuna Pipa RX x Pipa Relx Base  »

Five-second installation

Can be used with or without the included base

Removable UPF 50+ canopy

GreenGuard Gold Certified and fire retardant-free materials

Connects with all Nuna strollers

Doesn’t fold

If installing a car seat isn’t something you’re looking forward to, make it easy on yourself with the Nuna Pipa RX. It comes with Pipa Relx Base, but you don’t need it in order to put it to use in a car or on an airplane. If you do decide to use it, however, the base features a stability leg that absorbs impact to prevent motion from transferring to your baby. Plus, installation takes just five seconds.

At 7.6 pounds (not including the canopy or infant insert), it’s one of the lightest options on our list. This travel car seat has a four-position recline, and you don’t have to reinstall it to change the position. It features an infant insert that can be removed when your little one grows. But no matter what age they are, you’ll want to take advantage of the removable, full-coverage UPF 50+ canopy.

This unit has the green light to be part of air travel, and you can feel good knowing that it’s GreenGuard Gold Certified and made with fire retardant-free materials.

Britax Emblem 3-Stage Convertible Car Seat  »

High-strength steel frame and SafeCell technology to absorb crash energy

Accommodates children up to 65 pounds

Aircraft approved

10-position harness and headrest adjust together

Machine-washable and dryer-friendly fabrics

On the heavier side

Any piece of baby gear you put your child in needs to be sturdy and durable. The Britax Emblem 3-Stage Convertible Car Seat was built to last. Its frame is made of high-strength steel, and it features SafeCell technology to absorb crash energy, so you can feel confident that your little one is protected. Its fabric is tough and can be tossed in the washing machine and dryer to refresh it after a spill or accident.

This best travel model is designed to grow with your child, as it accommodates them from 5 pounds all the way up to 65 pounds. As they get bigger, you can adjust the harness and headrest, which move together in 10 different positions.

The Emblem is on the heavier side at just under 20 pounds, but it’s still reasonable enough to bring with you in a ride-share or carry it on for aircraft use. Just utilize its installation features, including LATCH connectors and level indicators, to ensure that it’s correctly set up.

Graco Century Carry On 35 Lightweight Infant Car Seat  »

Only weighs 6.8 pounds

Four-position carry handle

Machine-washable seat pad and canopy

Doesn’t convert to front facing

Graco refers to its Century Carry On 35 Lightweight Infant Car Seat as “The Weightless Wonder,” and it’s clear why. This lightweight car seat only weighs 6.8 pounds. If you count the base, it only goes up to 10.4 pounds. It’s the lightest carrier on our list, so it’ll truly become a travel must-have when vacation is calling.

Approved to take on an airplane, the Graco Century has a carry handle with four adjustable positions, so both you and your baby will be comfortable. It comes with a base that can be installed via LATCH connectors. However, it can be used without one for even quicker installation with a vehicle or airplane seat belt. And if an in-flight spill dirties the seat pad or canopy, both are machine washable.

The Century is designed for babies up to 35 pounds. Even though it won’t go the long haul, it’s a budget-friendly option that does its job well while it can. Plus, it’s compatible with all Century strollers and car seat bases from Graco that can be purchased separately.

The Bottom Line

The market is far from short on car seat options, and that rings true for travel car seats, too. To choose the best one for your child, consider how often you plan to use it. If it’s a secondary car seat that you’re planning to only break out a couple times of year for vacation, then you may want to keep your budget low. But if you’re looking forward to road trips and airplane rides on the regular, better quality and durability may be more important. Once you see how much use you’ll get out of it, you can focus on what features are necessities in your book. Does it need to fold? Does its weight need to stay super low? But if you’re not totally sure what you need in a travel car seat, the Chicco KeyFit 35 ClearTex Infant Car Seat, our Best Overall pick, is FAA approved, weighs just 10 pounds, comes with a UPF 50+ canopy, and comes with a base but doesn’t need it in order to install.

Things To Consider When Buying Travel Car Seats

Safety Certification and Compliance

The good news is that if you’re buying a new travel car seat from a reputable retailer in the United States, you’re probably in good shape.

“All car seats sold in the U.S. must meet stringent safety regulations, following the requirements set by the NHTSA,” says Joe Colella, JPMA director of Child Passenger Safety and 2020 Child Passenger Safety Hall of Fame Inductee. “A car seat that meets these standards is required to be labeled with, ‘This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.’”

Don’t forget that car seats also have expiration dates, and when they hit it, toss them, reminds Samora Coles, founder and executive director of The Alex House Project , an organization that supports low-income families and young mothers with their transition to parenthood. While this is one piece of baby gear you’re likely to want to buy new, if you’re using a secondhand model, it’s even more imperative that you check its expiration date and look up if any recalls or malfunctions have been reported.

Size and Weight Suitability

Most—but not all—travel car seats can be used right from birth, so keep in mind when you plan on using it and if your little one is big enough to be safely strapped in. Some options have one mode while others convert to various positions, including rear facing, forward facing, and booster to grow with your child. Each mode has its own weight and height limits, and those numbers vary depending on the brand and model. It’s important to read through and follow those instructions for safety.

“Car seats, when not used according to the manufacturer’s instructions, could be less likely to protect a child from injury,” says Colella. “Car seats are safety devices that are designed and tested to protect children when used as directed by the manufacturer.”

Many travel car seats have an adjustable headrest that you can raise as your child grows. If longevity is important to your buying decision, check to make sure it has this capability so you’re not stuck getting a new one in a year’s time.

Ease of Installation and Compatibility

The first time you put a typical car seat in your vehicle may have taken a while. That kind of time isn’t provided when you’re on the tarmac, so the best travel car seats need to be easy to install. It’s a smart idea to do a test run in a car so you can feel confident in its setup.

Even though many travel car seats come with a base, they’re typically not a must-use on the road. Some models just need a vehicle’s or airplane’s seat belt to safely strap in. Others also offer LATCH connectors that provide a super-secure installation.

“Most travel car seats are compatible with any vehicle, but parents want to research car seat company manuals and reviews from other parents,” says Coles. To assure parents that they did it correctly, some units have colored indicators that give the thumbs up when it’s ready to use or level indicators that confirm it’s not tilted. If you’re concerned about always setting it up and taking it out, look for a model that eases your worries.

Portability for Frequent Travel

Whether you’re hurrying to your gate or rushing to the taxi stand, the last thing you want is a bulky, heavy travel car seat weighing you down. Even if you don’t plan to carry it around while your baby is in it most of the time, you want the unit to be built for portability. That starts with looking at the car seat’s weight. The lowest on this list is 6.8 pounds, and it goes up quite a bit from there. It’s also helpful if the travel car seat folds down — not only so that it fits in the overhead bin on an airplane, but so it’s convenient to carry along with your weekender bag.

“When considering portability factors, parents should consider dual abilities in a travel car seat,” explains Coles. “Seats that can act as strollers can help parents limit necessary items they must carry while traveling.”

Don’t forget to check out the handle, too. Even if it’s lightweight, if the handle doesn’t boast an ergonomic design, parents can feel quite uncomfortable.

Convertibility as the Child Grows

Some travel car seats grow with your child, so they’ll go from rear facing to forward facing to even booster. Each of these stages have their own weight and height limits. However, things can get tricky depending on where you’re traveling to.

“Every U.S. state and territory has a law that defines how a child must be restrained in a vehicle and also requires car seat compliance with the aforementioned safety regulations. State laws vary significantly, and travelers must follow the law for the state in which they are traveling,” says Colella. “For example, 19 states and the District of Columbia require that children ride in rear-facing car seats until at least age 2, while other states use age 1 or do not specify a rear-facing age requirement. Most states also require the use of car booster seats, though the maximum age for those requirements varies from 5 to 10 years old.

How We Chose the Best Travel Car Seats

Nothing is more important than safety when we’re talking about baby gear. U.S. News 360 Reviews kept it at the top of mind when hunting down the best travel car seats, but we also considered price, weight of the carrier, weight and height limits, and installation. To ensure we had the must-know information, we consulted the director of Child Passenger Safety at JPMA and the founder and executive director of an organization that helps young mothers with their transition to parenthood. They provided insight on which key components to understand before landing on the travel car seat for your personal lifestyle. Before adding to cart, think about when and where you’ll use it and what features truly matter to you.

WHY SHOULD YOU TRUST US?

Caitlyn Fitzpatrick , the author of this piece, has been researching, testing, and reviewing products since 2017. This means she has years of experience honing in on what’s important when shopping for a product, including baby gear. Fitzpatrick is a mom herself and has done her own personal deep dive on what makes one car seat better than another. That’s why she concentrated on safety as the top priority when choosing the best travel car seats. Megan Wood , Senior Editor at U.S. News 360 Reviews, focuses on baby gear and recommends the Doona Car Seat + Stroller for traveling families.

“While the FAA does not require the use of car seats on airplanes for children, and those under the age of 2 are allowed to ride on their parents’ lap, this is not considered best practice,” says Colella. “Turbulence can happen with little or no warning, and appropriate car seats provide the safest way for children to travel on airplanes.”

Most travel car seats are certified to use on aircrafts, but be sure to check that it’s the case with your specific model. It can also make a difference which airline you fly and if you’re traveling domestically or internationally. Booster car seats and child restraint harnesses are generally not supposed to be used on an airplane. All of the recommendations on this list are approved for airplane use.

As far as adjustability, many models feature adjustable straps, height/headrest positions, and recline positions.

The best travel car seats are typically easy to install. After all, they’re expected to be moved between vehicles or on and off airplanes regularly. Some of these models come with a base, but don’t necessarily require it for the unit to be secured. Many travel car seats come with LATCH connectors. “This system is compatible with vehicles with anchors located at the lower and upper tether of their seats where the car seat can be secured,” explains Coles. “Since all vehicles must have seat belts, all car seats have a space to secure car seats using the seat belt.”

Two of the most important factors when shopping for the best travel car seat are installation and portability. You want it to be easy to secure on an airplane and in a ride-share, and simple to carry it with you wherever your adventures lead.

“Additionally, factors such as the age, weight, height, and overall condition of the seat should be considered as they can help determine the overall value of the car seat, especially for those with limited resources and busy lifestyles,” says Coles.

About Our Team

Caitlyn Fitzpatrick

Contributor

Senior Editor

U.S. News 360 Reviews takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

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• Prams & pushchairs

Best travel system for babies 2023: Car seat, carrycot and pushchair in one

• Catherine Hufton
• Kat de Naoum

Getting out and about with your little one needn’t be a faff, with our pick of the best travel systems that offer the perfect solution

Finding the best travel system for your baby can feel a little daunting. After all, there’s plenty to consider when making your choice – they need to be able to transport your little one safely; they need to be comfortable to manoeuvre, while remaining relatively portable; and they need to be compatible with carrycots, car seats, and toddler seats to accommodate your baby from birth well into their toddler years. With an array of models vying for your attention, there’s a lot to think about with, potentially, a significant cost.

As is the case when you buy almost anything, what you pick will often come down to your own circumstances and lifestyle. If you travel frequently and use public transport often, then a travel system that’s lightweight and folds down with minimal effort will likely be a priority. If you’re more of an off-road adventurer with a dog or two to walk, then sturdy suspension and durable wheels will top your list of requirements. If size or road conditions aren’t a concern, then you might be free to prioritise style over more practical elements.

Whatever your needs, we’ve put together a brief buying guide with some FAQs and rated some of the top travel systems on the market to help you make the best choice for you and your family.

Best travel system: At a glance

• Best luxury travel system: Bugaboo Fox 5 | £1,115
• Best overall complete travel system:  Mamas & Papas Ocarro | £1,509
• Best travel system for city living: Nuna Triv 4 Piece | £1,050
• Best affordable travel system: KinderKraft XMoov 3-in-1 Travel System | £279

How to choose the best travel system for you

What is a travel system.

It’s a do-it-all pushchair with a modular design that allows you to slot in a carrycot, car seat or toddler seat as needed. The majority of models are presented in a variety of different packages, or bundles as they’re commonly known, ranging from the barebones with just the frame or stroller, right through to deluxe versions comprising everything from the carrycot, car seat, and accessories such as footmuffs, canopy, nappy bag, and even cup holder bundled as standard.

Do I need a travel system?

Not necessarily. You could instead choose to buy a separate pushchair with a carrycot, a stroller , a third-party car seat – or any combination of products that works for you. The appeal of a travel system is integration and the convenience that it brings.

Everything in a travel system is designed to work together, so it potentially means less overlap. For instance, you can just click the car seat onto the travel system chassis and push your baby around town, which saves you transferring your child from a car seat to a pushchair or cot.

What key features should I look for?

Size and weight are crucial, meaning it’s a good idea to go to a store or showroom to have a good play around with the models you’re considering. Will it fit in your boot and/or hallway? Can you carry it upstairs, if you live in a flat? Make sure you’re happy with the folding mechanism, too, since some are more tricky to operate than others.

Note that babies need to lie flat in a pram until they’re six months old, so you’ll need to ensure you’re happy with the size and comfort level of the carrycot. Don’t forget to check details such as whether it’s suitable for occasional overnight sleeping, too.

The size of the wheels is also important: big sturdy wheels are great if you walk a lot on rougher terrain, while slimmer wheels are better suited to city life. It’s worth noting the smaller details, too, such as built-in sunshades, buggy boards for older children, the size of the shopping basket and the stroller seat. Will the travel system accommodate your baby as they grow into a toddler, or will you need to spend more money further down the line? Can it accommodate two (or more) kids, if and when you have more?

How much should I spend?

It’s tempting to assume that the more expensive a travel system is, the better it will perform; but this isn’t necessarily the case. There are a variety of models on offer, at all kinds of price points (starting at around £300 and soaring to well over £1,000), so the best place to start will be to prioritise your main needs and work from there.

At the other end of the spectrum, while the high price of some of these travel systems may appear extortionate at first, factor in the cost of buying all the parts that feature in the bundle separately, and you may well find that an all-in-one travel system actually offers good value for money.

How we test travel systems

To test the best travel systems on the market, our reviewers spend several days putting each pram through its paces. As well as assessing how easy each travel system is to assemble, we also evaluate how it performs in everyday life, covering the school run, trips to the supermarket, as well as on public transport. We also consider extra details such as how easy it is to load and how well it fits into the boot of the car, and the amount of space it takes up in the hallway.

This real-life testing means we can highlight any areas that could prove problematic, or where a product truly shines. In addition, such testing allows us to more accurately categorise each travel system according to people’s different needs, such as storing in a small space, carrying up a flight of stairs, or navigating a muddy sports field. Finally, we include details such as the age range for which each travel system is suitable, the type of wheels it has, and its dimensions.

READ NEXT: The best car seats you can buy

The best travel systems you can buy in 2023

1. bugaboo fox 5: best luxury travel system.

For those who wish to personalise their pram, they can choose from 12 different colourways and add-on many of the luxury Bugaboo accessories, such as the baby bag and cup holder. We recently tested the Bugaboo Fox 3, which similarly feels weightless to push and manoeuvre; but the Fox 5 is even more comfortable to use.

This is a great travel system to use right from your front door, taking you from the school run to out and about on all terrains. It’s a little big for folding down frequently as a result of its large wheels, and you may find lugging it in and out of the car a little annoying. Likewise, if you need to pull it up stairs and fold it down in a hallway, there are more lightweight travel systems that may be better. But if comfort and style are your main needs, and you have the space for it in your car and your home, this is one of the best travel systems we’ve tested.

Key specs – Age range: Suitable for 0 to 4 years or 22kg; Wheels: Lockable swivel; Unfolded Dimensions: 93 x 60 x 105cm; One-piece standing fold: 44 x 60 x 90cm; Weight: 10.4-12.2kg

Check price at John Lewis

2. Ocarro 9 Piece Complete Bundle: Best overall complete travel system

This bundle is also available with a carrycot and cushioned mattress that can be used from birth, a foot muff, changing bag, cup holder, baby blanket, Cybex Aton 5 Car Seat and the base fixing to fit it in the car. Overall, we found this pram super-easy to assemble and fold down, which will be music to the ears of any sleep-deprived new parent.

Key specs – Age range: Suitable for 0 to 4 years or 22kg; Wheels: Lockable swivel; Dimensions: 101 x 59 x 101cm; Weight: 13.7kg

Check price at Mamas & Papas

3. Cybex Priam Travel System: Best high-end travel system

Suitable from birth, when it’s used with the carrycot included in this bundle, right up to when your child is four years old (or 22kg), this stroller can handle any on- and off-road terrain thanks to its rubber wheels and impressive all-wheel suspension that make for a super comfy, and quiet, ride.

Extra features include an SPF50+ canopy, a backrest pocket to store your smaller valuables, and a shopping basket that folds down when not needed. Almost everything you require comes in this bundle, except for the extension pack that replaces the front wheels with a pair of skis for when you head to Meribel.

Key specs – Age range : Suitable for 0 years to 22kg in weight; Wheels : All-terrain wheels; Folded dimensions : 83.5 x 51.5 x 31.5cm; Unfolded dimensions : 92-83 x 60 x 98.5-108cm; Weight : 12.6kg

Check price at Pramworld

4. Nuna Triv 4 Piece: Best travel system for city living

The main pram in this travel system has an easy-to-fold design and a large storage basket underneath, while the spacious flip-fold seat features an adjustable leg rest that can easily accommodate a toddler up to the age of around three.

The additional carrycot can be attached for newborns and this bundle includes a Pipa Next i-Size car seat. The stroller also includes lots of thoughtful details such as a wallet slip at the back of the seat, attractive leather detailing and a peekaboo panel along the back of the canopy.

Key specs – Age range: Suitable from birth to 22kg max; Wheels: Front swivel wheels; Folded dimensions: 32 x 52 x 65cm (LWH); Unfolded dimensions: 77-87 x 106-110cm (LH); Weight: 8.8kg (without canopy, armbar and insert)

Check price at Little Angels

5. Ickle Bubba Eclipse All-In-One: Best affordable travel system bundle

The car seat comes with the Isofix car seat fitting system base that makes carrying the baby in and out of the car a breeze: this eliminates the need to faff around with a seat belt as the baby is already securely strapped into its 5-point car seat harness. Just clip the car seat into the Isofix’s two metal clip fixing points to lock it into place, and unclip to release. Other perks include a full winter footmuff, a smart baby bag that fits neatly on the back handle, an extendable UPF 50+ hood, puncture-proof, high-grip tyres and a wallet slip across the back of the buggy seat.

While the pram is lightweight and incredibly easy to push or lift up onto high pavements, that’s not to say it’s by any means a small buggy. In fact, it’s rather on the larger side, partly due to its bigger wheels which make it great for active families who love the great outdoors. It also, unfortunately, doesn’t fold down completely flat, which may be slightly cumbersome if you have limited storage space.

Key specs – Age range: Suitable from birth to approximately 4 years old; Wheels: Lockable front 360-degree swivel wheels; Folded dimensions: 58 x 80 x 37cm (WLH); Unfolded dimensions: 58 x 116 x 106cm (WLH); Weight: 8.6kg (chassis with wheels)

Ickle Bubba Eclipse 3 in 1 Travel System, with Galaxy Car Seat, Isofix Base & Built in 'Bubba Board (Black with Tan Handles)

6. micralite getgo: best for affordable style and great design.

If you enjoy long walks and trips into the countryside, the multi-terrain, puncture-proof tyres and dynamic four-wheel suspension will come in handy too. The carrycot is lined with a super soft antibacterial bamboo fabric and is fitted with an integrated pull-out sun visor. There’s also a built-in storage pocket for your purse and keys.

Once your baby has outgrown the carrycot, you can switch it out for the seat unit, which has adjustable calf support and a lie-flat design. We also love the extra details such as the extendable hood with UPF50 protection, zip-out airflow panel and pull-out sunshade.

Key specs – Age range: Suitable from birth to 22kg; Wheels: Four-wheel suspension; Folded dimensions: 76 x 59 x 38cm (LWH); Unfolded dimensions: 72 x 59 x 89-105cm (LWH); Weight: 10.8kg

Check price at Micralite

7. KinderKraft XMoov 3-in-1: Best affordable travel system

A nappy bag with removable changing mat, a rain cover, cup holder, footmuff, extendable canopy and a height-adjustable handle are just some of the XMoov’s features, and the reclinable car seat has adjustable shoulder straps with protectors for the baby’s optimal safety and comfort.

For strolling, the all-terrain pumped wheels have a shock-absorbing mechanism allowing it to glide effortlessly on all kinds of roads, making it the perfect option whether you live in a busy city or in the country. The front wheels swivel and can be locked in position for solely going straight, while back wheel brakes have a simultaneous double clamp.

Key specs – Age range : Suitable for 0 years to 22kg in weight; Wheels : Pumped, all-terrain, locking, swivel, self-aligning; Folded dimensions : 92-116 x 110 x 60cm; Unfolded dimensions : 75 x 42 x 62cm ; Weight : 11.8-14kg

Check price at Baby and Child Store

8. iCandy Peach 7: The most comfortable travel system

While this pram is super-stylish, it’s also loaded with ultra-practical details such as the zipped pocket on the back of the seat, and the integrated stand-on board – which is invaluable if you have an older child. One of the other major pros about this pram is the comfort and security it offers your little one and the fact that it just makes a day-to-day routine feel much easier.

We really liked that the main bundle comes with everything you need to get started, including a carrycot, seat unit, chassis, removable ‘Pip-Zip’ bag, car seat adaptors and elevator adaptors. But you can also add on lots of personalised extras, such as the matching baby bag, footmuff and liner and cup holder, to really make it your own.

Key specs – Age range: Suitable from birth to 25kg; Wheels: Puncture-proof, ultra-smooth rolling PU tyres; Folded Dimensions: No wheels (cm) L70 x W54 x D28; Weight: 12.9kg

9. BabaBing Raffi: Best iCandy alternative

The travel bundle also comes with everything you need to navigate all four seasons, such as an adjustable forward- and rear-facing seat unit, a UPF50+ canopy, a spacious carry cot with a Kose Cool breathable lining, 2-in-1 rain cover and an Ubersnugg Footmuff. That’s a lot of kit for a very reasonable price.

This is a great travel system that’s super stylish, pleasurable to push and with plenty of storage space to boot. It’s definitely worthy of serious consideration and is a much more affordable option to some of the very expensive options in this list.

Key specs – Age range: Suitable from birth to 15kg; Wheels: Full suspension off-road tyres; Folded Dimensions: 70cm x 60cm x 29cm; Weight: 12.5kg

BABABING Raffi Pushchair 3-in-1 Travel System, Baby Pushchair Buggy with Infant Car Seat Adapter & Rain Cover, Adjustable Stroller for Newborn - Navy Blue

10. thule urban glide 2 complete bundle: best running buggy.

There’s a twist hand brake for quickly stopping safely and it offers superior control even on hilly terrain. You can fold this buggy with just one hand while holding the baby in the other, and it weighs a touch over 11kg, so you can easily lift it in and out of the car’s boot and even up stairs.

The sun canopy can be adjusted to multiple positions and offers side ventilation and a peekaboo window that closes with a magnet. The complete travel bundle comes with a bassinet that can make the stroller suitable from birth onwards, and you’ll also get the Cabriofix i-Size car seat along with the base and adaptors.

Key specs – Age range : Suitable for 0 to 4 years, or 22kg; Wheels : Swivel front wheel, 16-inch rear wheels; Folded Dimensions : 87 x 69 x 34cm; Weight : 11.4kg

12. iCandy Core: The best travel system for second babies

This premium travel system from iCandy is a great option if you have other children and regularly interchange between urban and rural environments. It can be used from birth, starting with the fleece-lined carrycot that can be used for permanent overnight sleeping. When your baby grows into a toddler, simply switch over to the adjustable clamshell seat, which can also be used with the compatible car seat (if you purchase the full travel system bundle).

One of our favourite design features with this travel system is the built-in buggy board; it’s a lifesaver if you have older children. It will also save you money in the long run, as you won’t have to buy an additional buggy board or a double buggy, depending on the age of your other children.

Other details to note are the front-wheel swivel lock, bag hooks, an on/off brake indicator (which is flip-flop friendly), and ergonomic adjustable handlebar. Plus, the one-handed fold with the chassis still attached. The basket is also a good size at 48 litres, providing plenty of room for shopping and the baby bag. Finally, it comes with interchangeable wheels: the lighter wheels make it more of a compact city stroller, while the second set is more substantial and ideal for more rural areas. All in all, this is a smart and stylish travel system that will take you from birth to toddlerhood with ease and comfort.

Key specs – Age range: Suitable from birth to 25kg; Wheels: Interchangeable and removable (1 x rural wheel set and 1 x urban wheel set); Folded dimensions: L69 x W61 x H24; Unfolded dimensions: L68 x W61 x H105; Weight: 12.6kg

Shopping | ES Best Home | Kids

Best airline-approved infant car seats to take your baby from your home to your holiday destination with ease

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It’s holiday season and you want to get away from it all on a lovely break. You want to take your baby with you. What’s the best way to travel?

While many mums and dads struggle to get their pushchair to the airplane door, not knowing if it will come back minus its wheels or if they’ll ever see it again, savvier parents know that there’s an easier way – taking their baby’s car seat right onto the plane with them.

Choosing your infant car seat is usually something you do when considering the type of pushchair or travel system you are going to buy and the make and model of your car.

Many parents choose a travel system: the car seat clips onto the pushchair chassis, allowing you to take your baby from the car to the shop or a meeting with ease. With a little more thought and planning, you can also buy a car seat that means a fuss-free holiday too.

Can you take a baby car seat onto the plane?

As long as you have an approved car seat and have double-checked with your airline, you can leave your baby in their car seat and it will be with them for the whole flight.

This does mean you will have to buy an extra seat for your baby – usually, infants travel free on their parent’s lap – but if you have a long flight, it will be worth the extra money. Don’t forget to book adjoining seats and bear in mind that airlines put infant seats next to the window and never in an emergency exit row, so it will not block the doors.

Some airlines provide a bassinet or sky cot and may not allow car seats on the flight. While a bassinet is a great place for your baby to sleep, it can’t be used for take-off and landing, nor when there’s turbulence. If this applies, you can still take your car seat but check it into the hold.

What are the advantages of taking your car seat on the plane?

If you are a family that usually travels to the airport by car, leaving it in the car park, then flies to your destination and hires a car when you get there, having your baby’s car seat with you is great for several reasons:

• You can take your baby onto the plane with no need for a pushchair, sling or other baby gear
• Your baby has a safe and comfortable place to sit and sleep for the flight
• You can travel with your baby at your holiday destination knowing they are in a safe, clean car seat that you know how to use
• It’s much safer to have your child strapped into their car seat than riding on your lap in the plane

Safety note : Newborn and young babies should not be left in the car seat for extended periods. Make sure you take your baby out after every 20 minutes for those under four weeks or two hours for those over, for a stretch, feed and a nappy change.

Which car seats are suitable for use on planes?

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Any car seat that goes with you into the plane must be an airline-approved seat that is ratified by the FAA or TÜV .

What to look for in an airline-approved infant car seat

• Suitable from birth
• Maximum width of 44 cm
• Rearward facing
• The option of fitting it in your car using either a base or the car’s lap seat belt – you can use the latter option on the plane and at your holiday destination
• A lie-flat facility is a bonus, as this is the safest way for your baby to sleep
• It can be used as a travel system with your pushchair, so check which models will fit
• A removable, washable cover so you can always keep it clean
• An easy-to-use harness with one-pull tightening
• Check your car seat fits the safety regulations in the country to which you are travelling
• Airlines publish the dimensions of their seats, so check your car seat will fit – it’s usually between 41 and 45 cm

This feature looks at rearward-facing car seats suitable from newborn up to around 12 to 15 months. Some car seats for older children can also be taken on the plane, so do check with your airline.

Best airline infant car seats at a glance:

• Best for a lightweight option: Bugaboo Turtle Air by Nuna - £209, John Lewis
• Best for lasting longer than some seats: Cybex Aton M i-Size - £105, Mamas & Papas
• Best for soft-to-touch fabrics: Nuna Pipa Next - £240, John Lewis
• Best for fitting onto multiple pushchairs Maxi-Cosi Pebble Pro i-Size - £209.99, John Lewis
• Best lie-flat seat: Kiddy Evolution Pro 2 - £149, Smart Kid Store
• Best for creating a smart travel system: UPPAbaby MESA - £199.99, John Lewis
• Best for easy fitting: Joie i-Jemini - £160, John Lewis
• Best for value for money: Graco SnugEssentials i-Size - £100, Amazon
• Best for multifunction: Doona Convertible Cat Seat - £339, Doona
• Best for side impact protection: Britax Baby-Safe 3 i-Size - £199.20, Mamas & Papas

For a more in-depth analysis of each option, read on

Bugaboo Turtle Air by Nuna i-Size Baby Car Seat

Best for: a lightweight option

Suitable for: babies 40 - 85cm in height

Travel system compatible? Yes

Type of fitting: i-Size base or car’s seatbelt

Weight: 3kg

The best thing about this car seat, created by a collaboration between pushchair makers Bugaboo and nursery supplier Nuna, is its weight – or lack of it! At just three kilos, it’s easy to lift even with a hefty baby in it and its generous sun canopy and drape protect your baby from the weather and sun.

Inside the wings is super safe premium foam padding for side impact protection and your baby has a Merino wool insert that helps them control their temperature to avoid overheating.

The Turtle, which comes in black and grey, is compatible with several of Bugaboo’s pushchairs too, so if you want a smart travel system, choose the Bee5, Fox2, Donkey3, or Cameleon.

Cybex Aton M i-Size

Best for: lasting longer than some seats

Suitable for: birth to approx. 24 months (45-87 cm)

Type of fitting: i-Size or belt

Weight: 4.2 kg

Cybex is a premium pushchair and car seat manufacturer and those who love its beautifully design strollers with stunning fabrics will often choose their car seats to match. The Atom M i-Size forms part of a modular system that can be used both with the Cybex and GB brand pushchairs and with the M-Line car seat base – this base can be used with the next size car seat, the Sirona, which is suitable up to around four years.

The headrest and harness are highly adjustable and grow with your child does. It has an impressive 11 positions, so there is always one that’s the safest for your little one. Side impact protection is achieved with an energy-absorbing shell and a system that absorbs force through the head and shoulder protectors, while the baby’s head is held safely.

With a range of eight vibrant colours, there’s a newborn inlay for very small and even premature babies for the perfect fit and your little one is protected with an extra-large sun canopy, too.

Nuna Pipa Next

Best for: soft to touch fabrics

Suitable for: birth to 15 months (40-85 cm)

Weight: 3.58 kg

This rearward-facing i-Size seat can be used from birth to 85 cm or around 13 kg or 13-15 months – longer than some first-stage car seats - and can be used with a Nuna ISOFIX base in your car, or with the car’s seatbelts (the base can be used with the next size car seat too, allowing you to transport your child up to four years).

It’s very lightweight at just 3.58 kg (without inserts or canopy), so it’s easy to carry your baby around in this safe little seat and it can be fixed onto Nuna’s great pushchairs; it clips straight onto the Mixx and also the Triv and Demi Grow with an adapter. It is TÜV-certified for airlines and is very comfortable for your child, featuring an adjustable seven-position headrest with a no-rethread harness, a full UPF 50+ canopy and a pull-out drape to keep the sun out of your child’s eyes.

The high-strength handle transfers energy away from your child in the event of a crash and its side wings offer good side impact protection. It’s a comfortable seat with plenty of support, especially for your baby’s legs and it has inserts that snugly cocoon small babies – these can be removed later on.

Available in grey or black, its woven fabric contains Merino wool and Tencel.

Maxi-Cosi Pebble Pro i-Size

Best for: fitting onto multiple pushchairs

Suitable for: birth to 12 months (40-75 cm)

Type of fitting: choice of two i-Size bases or car’s seatbelt

Weight: 4.4 kg

One of the most popular infant car seats thanks to the fact that it fits on so many different pushchairs, the Pebble Pro is a rearward-facing i-Size car seat suitable from birth until your child is 75 cm – that’s around a year. This is quite a short lifespan, so you’ll need to move up to a bigger seat when your baby is over 75 cm but the good news is that you can use both this seat and the next size car seat on the FamilyFix3 base, so you only need to buy one base for travel up to four years.

The Pebble Pro can be used as a travel system on not just Maxi-Cosi’s strollers but many other brands too, using adaptors. It has a snug inlay that will cradle your baby from when they are very tiny; this can be removed as your child grows, so it will continue to fit as well and be just as comfortable no matter what size your baby is. The harness and headrest also adjust as your child grows and the one-pull harness helps you get the safest fit every time you travel. Memory foam in the side wings offers good side impact protection and the cushioned headrest allows for comfort for your baby while travelling.

Kiddy Evolution Pro 2 in lizard green

Best for: lie-flat seat

Suitable for: birth to 12 months

Weight: 4.9 kg

This German-built ISOFIX car seat has one very special feature, which is that you can recline the seat so that your baby lies much flatter than in other car seats, the safest way for a baby to sleep. It has been developed with the help of midwives and paediatricians to be as comfortable as possible and it follows safe sleep guidelines.

The seat can be used, with adapters, on over 50 pushchair brands, which gives you lots of flexibility. Infant inserts help you get the best fit for your baby’s age and size. Though the weight limit for children riding in this seat is 13 kg, it is a generous-sized seat, so taller children will still be comfortable in it. The shell of the seat is cocooning and absorbs shock in an accident but it also helps absorb bumps from the road or pavement whether it’s in the car or on the pushchair.

The sun hood has UPF 80+ protection and all seat and frame elements are made from premium materials.

UPPAbaby MESA

Best for: creating a smart travel system

Suitable for: birth to 14 months (40-78 cm or birth to 13 kg)

Weight: 4.3 kg

This seat has been created with superior side impact testing standards to protect your baby’s head, neck and body, with the headrest harnessing the absorption and recovery properties of EPP and memory foam. The seat is ventilated to prevent overheating and the covers are also breathable, thanks to mesh and foam with vented channels.

Inside, the adjustable headrest moves together with the three-point harness to prevent re-threading and to offer the perfect fit for your baby whatever their size. The head section is wider than on some car seats for comfort and it comes in four colours, matching with the VISTA and CRUZ pushchairs to create a smart travel system; just one push of a button releases the seat from the pushchair.

A removable newborn infant means that your tiny baby sits comfortably and safely in the seat and it also helps your child manage their airways better, thanks to the flatter lying position. Though the canopy has only an SPF of 25+, it is extra-large to offer better protection, plus it tucks away neatly when you’re not using it.

Joie Baby Signature i-Jemini i-Size Baby Car Seat

Best for: easy-fitting

Suitable for: birth to 12/15 months (40-85 cm)

Weight: 4.5 kg

A great seat to use from birth to 85 cm, the i-Gemm is an i-Size seat that has extra memory foam padding and softness in the headrest area to keep your child as comfortable and safe as they can be on all rides. i-Gemm can be clipped onto the Joie range of pushchairs, as well as other brands using handy adaptors and the i-Base Encore (which can also be used with the carrycot and the next size car seat).

In one colour, a nice dark grey, the multi-height headrest and harness move together with one touch to help you get the perfect fit for your baby as they grow. The canopy protects up to UPF 50+ and shades your baby against wind, sun and rain and when it’s warm, there’s even a zip-open mesh panel to provide better ventilation; the seat’s sides are also ventilated. The harness can be tightened with just one pull and the ergonomic handle is easy to hold.

For newborns, there’s a body insert to ensure a good fit that can be removed as your baby gets bigger.

Graco SnugEssentials i-Size

Best for: value for money

Weight: 3.66 kg

The five-point harness can be adjusted with just one pull, making sure your baby rides safely every time and this seat has passed advanced testing by the ADAC safety institute.

It is ISOFIX compatible when using Graco’s IsoFamily base and it has plenty of good energy-absorbing foam to protect from any impacts. It’s easy to fit, with indicators to show when it is clicked in correctly and is very lightweight at just 3.66 kg. The large canopy will protect your baby from wind, sun and rain and the memory foam insert can be used for very small babies to ensure a great and safe fit. It’s also easy to fit in the car using an intuitive route for your car’s seatbelt.

It can be used as a travel system on several of Graco’s strollers too.

Doona Convertible Cat Seat

Best for: multifunction

Suitable for: birth to 12/15 months (birth to 13 kg)

Travel system compatible? Integral wheels

Weight: 7.5 kg

If you’re wondering whether to take your pushchair or car seat with you on the plane – fear not, you can take this neat unit that is both!

As a car seat, it’s rear-facing and has a sturdy five-point harness and it is approved by both TUV and FAA for airline travel. Suitable from newborn, it can be used for around 12 months and has been created to be safe in event of a crash, with anti-rebound crash technology and double wall side impact protection. The handlebar is adjustable and a hypoallergenic bamboo newborn insert offers an almost flat position for very young babies - this is also anti-bacterial and regulates humidity and temperature. In a single move, you can transform it into a stroller on its integrated wheels, the brake is positive and is engaged with just one touch and it has swivel wheels to make corners a breeze.

Of course, it’s heavier than many infant car seats but as it doubles as a pushchair, that’s worth its weight.

Britax Baby-Safe 3 i-Size

Best for: side impact protection

Type of fitting: i-Size base or car seatbelt

Weight: 4.6 kg

One of the best names in baby car safety brings you this i-Size car seat, with its five-point safety harness and effective side impact protection from a system called D-SIP technology. You can clip it to a range of Britax pushchairs and the Oyster stroller, from which it is easy to release it using a single-handed mechanism.

The height-adjustable headrest and the integral harness are adjusted from the front using just one motion and the harness can be made snug with just one pull. For newborns, there’s a removable insert that helps your baby lie as flat as possible, plus the lie-flat technology means that when you adjust the headrest, the lying position adjusts at the same time. The deeply padded sides offer not just comfort but protection too and the handle has a soft touch covering to make it pleasing to carry.

In black, grey or indigo blue, the canopy has 50+ UV protection and protects from the sun, rain and wind.

The Best Car Seats for Kids of Every Age

From rear-facing infant seats to boosters for big kids, we've got you covered with our top-tested picks.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

We've evaluated 25 car seats in the last six years based on safety compliance, ease of use, safety features, functionality and value. We conduct evaluations in the Lab as well as in different vehicles and then have our consumer testers test them out in their everyday lives.

Our top picks:

Best Overall Infant Car Seat

Chicco keyfit 35 zip cleartex.

Best Overall Convertible Car Seat

Britax one4life clicktight all-in-one.

Best Value Car Seat

Maxi-cosi pria all-in-one.

Best Car Seat for Small Cars

Graco slimfit3 lx.

Best Premium Infant Car Seat

Uppababy mesa max.

Best Booster Car Seat For Big Kids

Diono monterey 5ist fixsafe.

Best Backless Booster Car Seat

Graco turbobooster lx.

Best Car Seat and Stroller Combo

Doona car seat stroller.

Best Rotating Car Seat

Baby jogger city turn.

Car seats reduce the risk of death by as much as 71% when used correctly, according to Safe Kids Worldwide . That's why every state in the nation has car-seat laws , particularly for kids age 5 and younger.

For parents, there's a lot to get acquainted with when it comes to car seats: when to turn from rear-facing to forward-facing (usually not before age 2), the simplicity of the LATCH system, the Herculean strength sometimes required to get a secure fit and the benefit of a removable, washable car seat cover. In general, when determining the right car seat for your family, you’ll want to factor in the ease of installation (including if it has built-in level indicators), ease of cleaning (largely based on fabric and removability) and stroller compatibility (only related to infant car seats). Of course, the most important thing of all is that the car seat actually fits well in your car and that it's installed properly. For that, we recommend you get a car-seat check .

After you’ve checked out our recommendations, keep scrolling to find more info on how we test car seats, what features to look for when shopping, and how to make sure you select the best fit for your child.

You have a lot to juggle as a caregiver to a newborn, so finding an easy-to-install car seat is critical. A unique system in the KeyFit 35 base uses LATCH connectors to pull it into place so it fits nice and tight without much force required . Two bubble indicators let you know that the seat is at the correct angle.

This is designed for infants up to 32 inches tall or 35 pounds, so you can keep your child rear-facing for the first two years. It's an upgrade of a GH Institute perennial favorite, now Greenguard Gold-certified , which means the fabric has been reviewed for low chemical emissions. An integrated anti-rebound bar provides stability in the event of an accident. The large, extendable canopy to keep the sun out of your baby's eyes during rides is an often unheralded touch that our testers appreciated. There's even a zip-down car-seat cover with a mesh panel if you want to give your baby privacy, totally shielded from lights and sights.

This car seat without the base weighs just over 10 pounds, which will start to feel like a lot as your baby grows. We suggest snapping the seat into a stroller if you plan to transport it long distances. Many baby strollers , not just those from Chicco, are compatible with this popular car seat, often with the help of an adaptor.

RELATED: The Best Infant Car Seats

As the name suggests, this is part of a new class of convertible car seats designed for up to 10 years of use . First, install it rear-facing for your infant. It might initially look large for a young baby and it can't come out of the car and snap into a stroller — which is our favorite feature of an infant car seat — but the major benefit of this car seat is that your child can stay in the safest rear-facing position all the way up to 50 pounds.

"I was able to keep my son rear-facing a long time in this because he was so comfortable," says our Chief Technologist & Executive Technical Director Rachel Rothman . The seat is the heaviest on our list, however it has 15 recline positions and many testers report keeping their child in the One4Life rear-facing through age 3.

When switched to a forward-facing convertible car seat, the One4Life can hold your child in the car-seat harness up to 65 pounds. After that, you'll want to convert it to booster mode, using the seat belt to secure your child in the seat throughout the rest of their childhood. It's good as a booster up to 120 pounds or when your child reaches 63 inches tall (yes, that's a little over five feet, two inches — so this can last!). There are easily accessible LATCH straps for rear-facing installation. Britax's Clicktight system is located underneath the seat pad where you'll thread the vehicle's lap belt and tighten the seat securely for the forward-facing position. The fabric can be machine-washed and dried. The two cupholders are removable and dishwasher safe.

RELATED: The Best Convertible Car Seats

The Pria can handle a four-pound newborn rear-facing, and then go all the way up to a 100-pound child, forward-facing in booster mode. It transitions from extended rear-facing (for a baby up to 40 pounds, which takes you well past the second birthday) to forward-facing and then to a booster.

Generous side-impact protection and a thick headrest provide comfort for naps and a feeling of security. This is also the rare car seat that comes in a bevy of pretty colors including violet, peach and jade.

A look at the online reviews shows that some parents struggle to install this over-30-inch-tall car seat and they blame its bulk. It's also got the widest base of any car seat on our list. For that reason, it may fit better in an SUV than in some sedans. However, once it's in, the no-rethread harness makes adjusting your baby in the seat a breeze. Little pegs on the side of the seat can hold the harness out of your way as you get your child situated, which is a nice touch.

This easy-to-install, all-in-one convertible car seat is slim enough for you to fit three across in most backseats , making it popular with families who have more than two kids and parents who have compact cars.

The SlimFit3 grows with your child from infancy through childhood as it transitions from rear-facing for a baby, forward-facing for a toddler and high-back booster for a big kid. If you're fine with an infant car seat that can't be pulled out of your car and carried around, then using this from birth will save you money in the long run.

You can keep this seat rear-facing until your toddler weighs 40 pounds. The SlimFit3 features a 10-position headrest, four-position recline and no-rethread harness, making it simple to adjust for your child's comfort. But there is a downside to the slim design: "It runs narrow and it’s a bit tight for a bigger-framed kid," says GH editor Yolanda Wikiel , whose son is 4 years old. "We bought it when we had a smaller car — and a smaller kid. Also, we find that the straps get twisted and stuck a little too easily."

The premium design and quality fabric of the UPPAbaby Mesa make it a standout rear-facing seat for infants up to 35 pounds.

Add in its easy-to-understand leveling guide (an indicator changes from red to green when it's flat) and the fact that it's very lightweight, and our parent testers were quite happy with this pick. Our engineers lauded the no-rethread harness for easy adjusting and the noteworthy extendable canopy as impressive features.

New on this Mesa Max version is an anti-rebound panel and a load leg built into the base, both of which help stabilize the seat and distribute crash forces in the event of an accident. The base is slightly larger than the regular Mesa , but we are still running Lab and user testing on the updated version. If for some reason you can't use the base, perhaps in a ride-share situation, this car seat can also be secured with a seat belt.

The Mesa Max also features Greenguard-certified fabric. Every Mesa car seat is designed to attach directly to the GH-recommended UPPAbaby Vista V2 stroller and to the UPPAbaby Cruz stroller . With an adapter, it can attach to other strollers as well.

RELATED: 9 Best Car Seat and Stroller Combos

This new booster car seat, a 2023 Family Travel Awards winner, does not look babyish, so your older child who still needs a booster in order to have the seat belt hit at the right height likely won't object to sitting in this.

Twelve headrest positions and sides that expand mean your big kid can find a comfortable fit. It can safely accommodate children up to 120 pounds. You install this forward-facing using LATCH connectors, then strap your child in with the car's seat belt.

What impressed our testers: This actually folds down for storage and travel and includes carry straps to make it easy to cart around. Families who use ride-share vehicles or are in and out of different cars like this option for a big kid. However, it should be noted that this does not become a backless booster; the back remains attached. If you want just a booster seat with no back, consider the Graco TurboBooster on our list.

RELATED: Best Booster Car Seats

The LX Turbobooster is for older kids who don't require additional neck or back support but do need to be literally boosted up a few inches so the seat belt fits them correctly. It's portable, affordable and features a machine-washable seat pad so you can clean up inevitable messes. Testers loved the hidden storage compartment and easy-to-install cupholder.

Once your kid hits the age when you'll be carpooling them and their friends to different events and activities, it can be a lifesaver to have one or two of these in your trunk to be able to pull out for visiting passengers. Just know that a convertible car seat, with its five-point harness and high sides, is a safer option for kids up to about 65 pounds, so don't be in too much of a rush to change to this kind of booster seat. It is best for elementary-school kids.

It's a splurge and heavier than the typical infant car seat, but the Doona is innovative because it transitions into a stroller in seconds without the need for any extra adapters or equipment .

Ideal for travel, this infant car seat means you won’t have to lug around a separate stroller. It's also great if you're a family that uses multiple cars or ride-shares, because, though this comes with a car seat base, it can also be installed with just a seat belt. We like this model so much, it's our best overall pick for car seat and stroller combos — plus, it has over 11K five-star reviews on Amazon.

Testers who use this rave about it during their baby's first year. It does become obsolete, however, around or just after your child's second birthday, when they will outgrow it, or even a bit sooner. At that point, you'll want a convertible or other forward-facing car seat.

Another new category that has emerged in the car seat market: convertible car seats that rotate, so you can strap your baby in with them facing the car door, then spin your baby back into a rear-facing position. This makes the load-in easier, since you can face your baby as you clip the harness buckle into place . No more leaning into the backseat and twisting yourself like a pretzel!

While testing, we loved how exceptionally comfortable the padding is on this seat, which along with the rotation helps justify the high price. But the swivel feature does not work in for the forward-facing setup, and this does not become a booster seat. There are five recline positions but tilting the seat forward and back is a little tougher with this than with other seats.

Finally, due to the innovative swivel base, this seat is rather large and doesn't fit in all vehicles, so if you have a sedan, pay attention to the seat's dimensions to make sure it will fit inside.

How we test car seats

When the parenting and engineering experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute assess car seats, we review safety compliance, ease of use and features for the car seats as well as how responsive the company's customer service is.

We test out the car seats in vehicles of varying sizes and with consumer testers who have children at every age and stage so we can get real-life feedback. In the past six years, we've tested 25 car seats.

Ease of use if a huge factor, so we evaluate how easy it is to perform each of the following actions with each car seat:

• Installing the car seat
• Adjusting the angle of the car seat
• Adjusting harness height
• Adjusting harness tension
• Securing a child in the car seat
• Removing seat from base (for infant car seats)
• Removing car seat cover
• Cleaning the car seat
• Following the instruction manual

What type of car seat is right for your child?

Infant car seats: As the name implies, these are car seats specifically designed for use from birth, and this is often the kind of car seat families drive a newborn home from the hospital in. Infant car seats can only be used rear-facing, which is the safer position for babies until the second birthday.

• Infant car seats are designed specifically around the needs of an infant with extra support for their neck, head and spinal cord.
• You can easily remove an infant car seat from your car, taking it off its base (which stays in the car) and carrying your baby in the seat for easy transitions in and out of your vehicle.
• Infant car seats are often compatible with strollers and can clip right on a stroller seat or a stroller frame. This allows you to use some lightweight strollers from birth. Car seats and strollers sold together are called a travel system . If you'd like a stroller from one brand and an infant car seat from another, they can usually work together when you buy a separate adapter.
• Height and weight limits vary by brand and model, but usually, the weight limit maxes out at 30 or 35 pounds. Whenever your child hits either the height or the weight limit (usually after the second birthday), you have to stop using your infant car seat and move to a convertible car seat.
• If you have more than one car, you can buy an extra base for your infant car seat. Each base stays installed in a car so you can readily click the car seat in and out.

Convertible car seats: These are designed to convert from rear-facing to forward-facing. They're meant for use from birth through the toddler years and beyond. Many families start with an infant car seat and move to a convertible car seat for their toddler.

• Infants can often use a convertible car seat. If you want to start with one of these from birth, check the age grading first. Many convertible car seats have additional inserts that can be used for the comfort and safety of smaller children.
• The downside is you can't click a convertible car seat out of your car and carry it — there's not a base or a carry handle. In addition, no convertible car seat can fit onto a stroller. Installation takes a bit more time, so it's not practical to frequently move a convertible car seat between different cars.
• Increasingly, many convertible car seats have the option to convert further into booster seats, meaning you could get a full 10 years of use out of one of these.

Booster car seats: These literally boost a big kid up so that the adult seat belt will hit across the center of the child's shoulder and chest correctly.

• A high-back booster includes a backrest, which is helpful for small children, and sometimes side wings that give kids a place to rest their head when they want to sleep.
• A backless booster is just a little seat and nothing else. For children who weigh over 100 pounds who might be embarrassed by the babyish look and feel of a high-back booster, these portable seats keep them correctly positioned with their tween dignity intact. Read all the rules for having a child of any age safely buckled in, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What to look for when shopping for a car seat

✔️ Weight and height limits: Make sure you get a seat that fits your child’s weight and height. Car seats are limited by both. The specs should be specified on the packaging or in the car-seat description online. Many convertible seats have multiple configurations for your growing child. Whenever your child hits the maximum for either height or weight, it's time to move to the next.

✔️ Return policy: Some car seats may fit better in certain cars than others depending on the size of the car seat, the size of the car, the angle of the vehicle seat and the type of vehicle seat belt. There is no way of knowing which car seat will fit and install easily in which vehicle just by looking at it, so make sure you can test out the fit and installation in the vehicle you plan on driving. Every car seat will fit every vehicle differently.

✔️ NHTSA: Use the NHTSA guide (see below) to help you identify the appropriate car seat. It will help you narrow down to the best position (rear- or front-facing) and type (infant, convertible car seat or booster). You input your child's date of birth, height and weight and it will produce a list of appropriate car seats, along with their agency's ease-of-use ratings.

NHTSA car seat guide

This is an example of an NHTSA search for a 3-year-old that's three feet tall and 33 pounds. The blue bar indicates that they recommend a forward-facing car seat with a built-in safety harness, which often means purchasing a convertible car seat.

Do's and don'ts for car seats

• Pay close attention to the instruction manual when installing the car seat for the first time. Correct installation is essential for your child’s safety. Fortunately, many seats also have visual instructions on the product itself to help guide you, and increasingly brands have installation videos available on YouTube. Most also list a phone number that you can call to get help from a human who can walk you through the installation steps.
• Register your car seat with the manufacturer to get updates about recalls. You can also sign up on the NHTSA recall alerts page.
• After tightening your infant seat, double-check that the level indicator is in the correct zone. Install your seat on level ground (which might mean driving your car to a flat parking spot if your driveway is on a slope) to ensure the leveling aids are working properly.
• Get your car seat inspected for proper installation. Check NHTSA.gov for more details on finding a pro in your area.
• Adhere to state laws for appropriate restraint for your child.
• Look for the FMVSS 213 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) designation on your car seat. These are minimum safety requirements for child restraint systems including car seats for children who weigh up to 80 pounds. Seats with this designation have conditions to meet for crashworthiness, flammability and buckle and release pressure, among other things.
• Use a car seat that is past the manufacturer’s expiration date (printed on the car seat) or one that has been in anything more than a minor fender-bender. Once the protective elements have done their job in a collision, they do not snap back into place; you will need a new car seat. For this reason we also recommend buying a new car seat unless you know a car seat's previous owner well and can trust that it hasn't been compromised.
• Fasten children in car seats while they're wearing bulky garments like a puffy winter coat. The clothing can compress in a crash and the child may be able to come loose from the restraint. While grandparents may roll their eyes at you leaving the house with your toddler dressed in regular clothes and their coat packed separately, all car seat manufacturers recommend not restraining a child wearing bulky clothing . The best way to keep your child safe and warm is to secure them in the harness with normal clothing and then lay a blanket or jacket over them so it does not interfere with the harness.

Know the car seat lingo

• Five-point restraint system : All infant seats use a five-point harness system, which consists of a crotch strap with harness buckle, chest clip and harness strap. Buckle your child in every time. You tighten the harness by pulling the strap located at the base of the seat.
• LATCH: Most car seats can be secured either with a seat belt or with included LATCH connectors. LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children and is a required standard on car seats and cars made from September 2002 on. LATCH’s lower anchors attach to brackets often located between the bottom and the back of the car's seat cushion. The top tether anchor location varies from vehicle to vehicle, though it's traditionally located behind the seat you're trying to anchor.
• Base and recline : Most infant car seats have a base that helps you with installation and makes it easy to adjust your infant to the proper reclined angle, which is important for their safety since infants do not have strong neck control. If you start with a convertible car seat from birth, it's vital that it is installed rear-facing and at a properly reclined angle for a newborn. Levels or reference lines are designed to help the installer get the proper angle, and again, many brands post installation videos on YouTube so you can check their images against your own work.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

The Good Housekeeping Institute is a go-to resource for parents and their product needs, as its team of engineers and product experts (many parents themselves!) thoroughly evaluate everything from car seats to strollers, toys and more.

GH's lead engineer and head of testing, Rachel Rothman , has been evaluating juvenile products for more than 15 years using her product knowledge as a mechanical engineer, coupled with her real-life experience as a mother of three kids age 6 and younger. She also oversees the auto testing for the Best Family Car Awards , which means she gets to marry her two areas of expertise when car seats enter the testing calendar. The majority of the picks included in this round-up have been tested by her and used for continued long-term testing with her family (among other testers).

This article was written by contributing writer Jessica Hartshorn , a veteran of Parents magazine who has reported on the car-seat market for more than 20 years.

More kid-safety product buying guides

For car seats:

• Infant car seats
• Convertible car seats
• Booster car seats
• Car seat and stroller combinations

For strollers:

• B est strollers
• Lightweight strollers
• Double strollers
• Jogging strollers
• Travel strollers

For other baby necessities:

• Baby humidifiers
• Convertible cribs
• Crib mattresses
• High chairs

Rachel Rothman was the chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 15 years , overseeing testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also managed GH's research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems. 

Jessica (she/her) is a freelance writer with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home and parenting products. A mom of two teens and two cats, her previous work can be seen in American Baby and Parents .

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10 best toddler car seats for 2024: tested by parents

After months of in-depth testing by parents, here’s our roundup of the UK’s best toddler car seats to buy right now.

By Lucy Cotterill & Laura Westerman | Last updated Apr 16, 2024

Choosing the best and safest car seat for your toddler can be a tricky business. You may have spent an eternity choosing the best baby car seat , but once your child reaches the maximum weight limit (at approximately 12 or 15 months), you'll need to move them up to the next stage seat.

Whether you're aiming to keep your child rear-facing for as long as possible, looking for a 360 spin car seat to quickly get your child in and out, or want a seat that'll last all the way through up to 12 years old, we've got you covered.

How we chose the best toddler car seats

To help you wade through the car seat minefield, we spent over 100 hours knee-deep in research to find the safest and best car seats for toddlers:

We scoured the Mumsnet forums , home to eight million users a month, as well as other trusted review sites for honest opinions from parents.

We consulted independent crash test results undertaken by German automobile club ADAC , which performs stringent safety tests, as well as lab test results from consumer champion Which?. This ensured that we were only recommending the safest toddler car seats on the market.

We conducted our research with the latest UK car seat laws and regulations in mind and spoke to leading experts in the field. These experts included Jan James, Chief Executive of Good Egg Safety , Nick Lloyd, Acting Head of Road Safety at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), Margaret Bolt, founder of Rear Facing Toddlers , and Claire Waterhouse, founder of Child Seat Safety .

After assessing all of the above as well as price, overall design and age range, we created a longlist of 30 seats, which was later narrowed down to a shortlist of 16.

We then partnered with parent testers to really put each seat through its paces to bring you the UK's best toddler car seats as listed below.

All the car seats were tested for a minimum of one week each and scored on the following criteria: safety and stability, installation, day-to-day use, comfort, aesthetics, ease of cleaning and value for money. Here are the best toddler car seats you can buy right now.

Best toddler car seats at a glance

Best overall toddler car seat: Maxi-Cosi Pearl Pro 2 i-Size | Buy now

Best budget toddler car seat: Cozy N Safe Arthur | Buy now

Best 360 toddler car seat: Joie i-Spin 360 i-Size | Buy now

Best toddler car seat for safety: Axkid Spinkid | Buy now

Best toddler car seat up to age 12: Cosatto All in All Ultra 360 Rotate i-Size | Buy now

Best toddler car seat for comfort: Cybex Sirona Gi i-Size | Buy now

Best extended rear-facing toddler car seat: Axkid ONE 2 | Buy now

Best toddler car seat for travel: Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus | Buy now

Best combination toddler car seat: Britax Römer Advansafix IV R | Buy now

Best toddler car seat with rebound bar: Britax Römer Dualfix M i-Size | Buy now

Maxi-Cosi Pearl Pro2 i-Size

Rear-facing until approximately age four

Easy to fit with the ISOFIX base – visual and audible feedback confirms correct fitting

Five-point harness stays open so you can get your child in and out of the seat easily

Adjustable headrest

Four-position recline

Comfortable padded seat 

Machine-washable covers 

ISOFIX base must be bought separately

Has lots of padding, which means it takes a long time to dry

Not as much legroom for rear-facing toddlers as offered by other extended rear-facing seats we tested such as the BeSafe iZi Modular i-Size

Price: £220 (also requires £139 ISOFIX base sold separately) | Age range: 67 to 105cm (six months to around four years) | Safety credentials: R129 (i-Size) – includes side impact protection | Fixing system: ISOFIX with 3wayFix base (sold separately) | Dimensions: 47.5 × 61 × 500-595cm | Weight: 7.55kg | Guarantee: Lifetime warranty

Tested by Mumsnet: Read our full Maxi-Cosi Pearl Pro i-Size review

An upgrade on the original 2wayPearl, the Maxi-Cosi Pearl Pro i-Size is an extended rear-facing car seat suitable from six months to around four years of age (or 105cm in height). 

The most recent edition, the Maxi-Cosi Pearl Pro2, now includes a reversible padded comfort cushion, offering additional support for babies under two years old. With a breathable 3D mesh side that keeps your child cool during the summer and cosy on colder days, this temperature-controlled cushion is a brilliant upgrade.  

The Maxi-Cosi Pearl Pro2 is quick and easy to install in your car using the FamilyFix3 ISOFIX base , with interactive light and sound indicators to confirm that you’ve installed it correctly. It doesn’t come cheap, however it’s also compatible with the Maxi-Cosi Pebble Pro , Jade and Rock infant car seats, meaning you may have already made this investment. 

Weighing less than 8kg, it’s relatively light to carry to your car, but unlike other lightweight options such as the Britax Römer Evolva 1/2/3 SL SICT (see below), you’d also need to move the ISOFIX base, so it’s not a seat you’ll want to be swapping between cars or taking with you on holiday.

The Maxi-Cosi Pearl Pro2 has been approved to the latest European i-Size (R129) safety standards, offering a secure high-density seat with robust side impact protection. While it’s recommended you keep your child rear-facing as long as possible, you can easily switch this seat to forward-facing from 15 months, however it doesn’t swivel like the more expensive Maxi-Cosi Pearl 360 model. Our parent tester Anna noted that although it didn’t offer as much legroom as the BeSafe iZi Modular i-Size , her baby was content and comfortable in rear-facing mode. 

Anna also loved the five-point safety harness on this seat, which stays open when unfastened to help get even uncooperative toddlers in and out of the car with ease. A seat that easily grows with your child, the headrest can quickly be adjusted to suit your child’s height as they grow. There are four recline settings (from sitting upright to a relaxed sleeping position), so you can be confident your child will be calm and content during your journey. 

The covers on the Maxi-Cosi Pearl Pro2 are easy to remove and freshen up in the washing machine as and when required, however due to the significant amount of padding, it can take quite a while to dry, so choose your timing wisely. 

Overall, this car seat is a great all-rounder - a safe and comfortable car seat that can easily adapt to suit your toddler’s needs. If you’ve already got a Maxi-Cosi baby car seat , this makes a great follow-on choice with a lifetime warranty for additional peace of mind. 

Read next: The best car seats for 4-year-olds and beyond

Cozy N Safe Arthur

Frame reinforced with steel and padded with high-density polyurethane foam

Covers are machine-washable

Easy-adjust headrest

Four recline positions

Choice of ISOFIX and seatbelt installation 

Tricky to install when using seat belt fixings – you can only use ISOFIX for forward-facing travel

Price: £130 | Age range: Birth to 12 years – rear-facing from birth to 18kg (or four years) and forward-facing from 9kg to 36kg (approximately nine months to 12 years) | Safety credentials: R44/04, side impact protection, steel frame for improved structural strength and energy absorption | Fixing system: Seat belt for rear-facing and seat belt or ISOFIX for front-facing | Weight: 12.5kg | Guarantee: 12 months

Tested by Mumsnet: Read our full Cozy N Safe Arthur review

When it comes to longevity, few seats offer value for money as great as the Cozy N Safe Arthur . A hard-wearing extended rear-facing seat that is suitable for up to 12 years, it offers four different recline positions, including a lie-flat angle that makes it suitable from birth. 

A modern and stylish design that’s designed to grow with your child, it’s described by our parent tester Sam as giving ‘Star Wars’ vibes - far less likely than some to result in reluctant eye rolls when using it with your preteen. 

The seat has been created with comfort in mind, with a strong steel frame that is fully lined with high-density foam for a cocoon-like cushioning during travel. With well-padded, anti-slip chest pads, it has a secure and comfortable harness that can adjust automatically as your child grows, simply raising the headrest with one hand to accommodate your child’s increasing height. 

It’s tested to the older R44 regulations, so it’s worth noting that it can only be fitted with ISOFIX when used forward-facing. In rear-facing mode (which you can use until your child is around four years of age), installation is via the seatbelt alone, which our parent tester found a little fiddly to secure. 

While the seat is sturdy and robust with strong side impact protection, there is an increased risk of installing it incorrectly when using the belt and, as such, it’s not a seat that you’d want to move between cars regularly. Given its heavier design (weighing 4kg more than the Britax Römer Evolva 1/2/3 SL SICT ), it’s more suited to leave this seat permanently installed until you’re ready to switch to forward-facing.

For convenience, the covers are easy to remove and machine-washable and, with significant padding and an in-built ventilation system, the Arthur will keep your child safe and comfy for many years to come. 

Read next: The best baby carriers, as tested by parents

Joie i-Spin 360 i-Size

Chunky padding

Multi-height headrest and harness system adjust simultaneously – requires no re-threading

Six recline positions

Easy installation

The floor leg fixture is a bit fiddly

The bulky design makes it difficult to carry the seat to and from the car

Takes up substantial space due to support leg 

Price: £280 | Age range: Rear-facing from birth to 105cm or four years old; forward-facing from 15 months to 105cm | Safety credentials: ECE R129/02; Smart Ride™ lock-off; Guard Surround Safety™ panels for side impact protection; Tri-Protect™ headrest | Fixing system: ISOFIX | Forward-facing dimensions: 65 × 58 × 51.5-76cm | Weight: 13.9kg | Guarantee: Two years

Tested by Mumsnet: Read our full Joie i-Spin 360 i-Size review

If you're after a great all-rounder, the Joie i-Spin 360 i-Size is worth the spend. Recently voted Mumsnet’s best 360 spin car seat , this extended rear-facing car seat is suitable all the way from birth until your child reaches four years old.

While this 13.9kg car seat is a bit too heavy to be carried between cars, our parent tester Sam loved the integrated ISOFIX base. It also has a convenient spinning design, allowing you to fully rotate the seat to the door side and place even the most stubborn of toddlers inside without breaking out in a sweat. Should you wish to do so, this seat can also be turned forward-facing from the age of 15 months, however for the safest journey we recommend that you keep your child rear-facing for as long as possible.

A large, well-padded seat, it features impressive side ventilation for warmer days and with six recline positions, you can find the most comfortable seating position for your child over long journeys. It’s easy to adapt to your child as they grow, with the five-point safety harness adjusting automatically when the headrest height is raised. 

The Joie i-Spin 360 is also packed with excellent safety features and there is very little chance of installing it incorrectly. Using ISOFIX and a slightly fiddly support leg for stability, it offers visual indicators to reassure you that it’s set up correctly before you start your journey. The protective side impact panels and three layers of shock-absorbing padding in the headrest provide significant protection for your child’s head in the event of a front or side-on collision. This is reflected in the Joie i-Spin 360’s good rating with ADAC, also performing well in Which? crash tests.

We love that the covers are easy to remove and machine-washable for convenience, although they can be tight to put back on after cleaning. 

Read next: The best 360 car seats as rated by parents

Axkid Spinkid

Supports rear-facing from birth to age four

Exceptionally safe - has passed the Swedish Plus Test

180-degree swivel

Easy five-step installation

Multiple recline positions for extra comfort

12 different headrest positions

Swivel action requires two hands

Buckle is fiddly

Price: £399 | Age range: 0-4 years; up to 18kg | Safety credentials: i-Size, R129 European car seat safety standard, force-absorbing technology, rear-facing for longer | Fixing system: ISOFIX | Dimensions: 63 x 44 x 63cm | Weight: 14.5kg | Guarantee: Two years

Tested by Mumsnet: Read our full Axkid Spinkid review

Made by Swedish manufacturers, Axkid, the Spinkid prioritises safety at every turn. It supports extended rear-facing travel until your child is 105cm (around age four) and has passed the Swedish Plus Test - the most rigorous crash test in the world. You’ll also find it equipped with a high-quality harness and safety system from the Swedish technology provider Holmbergs.

We like that the seat can be used straight from birth with the padded newborn insert and that the luxuriously padded fabric cover can be removed for machine washing.

The big selling point of the Spinkid is the 180-degree rotation to make getting your baby or toddler in and out easier. However, during testing, we found that it didn’t quite live up to the hype. 

Our parent tester Claire says, “The spin feature is fantastic but unfortunately is let down by the positioning of the button to spin the seat, which means you always need two hands - not ideal when holding a baby.”

Read next: The best lie-flat car seats

Cosatto All in All Ultra 360 Rotate i-Size

Suitable from birth till age 12

Extended rear-facing to age four (or 105cm)

Excellent safety features

360-degree rotation

Colour indicators confirm correct installation

Magnets to hold straps back are not very effective

Underside of padded straps have a rubbery feel, which could cause friction

Price: £370 | Age range: 0-12 years (40-150cm) | Safety credentials: i-Size, R129 European car seat safety standard, pop-out side impact protect, five-point anti-escape system | Fixing system: ISOFIX | Dimensions: 58 x 46 x 62cm | Weight: 14.5kg | Guarantee: Four years

Tested by parents: Read our full Cosatto All in All Ultra 360 Rotate review

Cosatto’s brand-new All in All Ultra 360 Rotate is an extended rear-facing car seat with excellent safety credentials. I-Size-compliant with pop-out side impact protection and a quick-release five-point anti-escape system (the ideal additional safety feature if you have a particularly wriggly child), this car seat has been tested beyond the usual R129 requirements, in line with strict crash testing conducted by the ADAC .

As its name would suggest, one of the All in All Ultra’s best features is its 360-degree rotation, which allows you to easily get your child in and out of the seat as well as seamlessly switch from rear- to forward-facing when the time comes.

We also like how easy this car seat is to install, with green/red colour indicators which reassure you of correct installation, as well as the extendable sun hood which offers essential UV protection.

While she was less impressed with the magnet feature, which are meant to hold the harness straps back while you lift your child in and out of the seat, our parent tester Rachel, who tested the car seat out for two months with her seven-month-old, says, “The Cosatto All in All Ultra 360 Rotate offers incredible value for money considering it can be adjusted and extended for a child from birth up to age 12. It comes with all the features you could possibly need [...] and has a hard-wearing fabric that’s easy to clean. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to other parents.”

Read next: Best toddler reins to keep your little ones close

Cybex Sirona Gi i-Size

360-degree rotation for easy in and out

Integrated air ventilation and mesh fabrics to keep your toddler cool

Easy recline with five different settings

Lovely padded seat

Great value for money

360-degree rotation mechanism sometimes quite stiff

Price: From £280 | Age range: From birth with newborn inlay; otherwise from 3 months to 4 years (or 20kg); 61 to 105cm (from 40cm with newborn inlay) | Safety credentials: Integrated linear side-impact protection, energy-absorbing shell and energy reduction technology for safer forward-facing | Fixing system: ISOFIX | Dimensions: 75 x 46.6 x 74.4cm | Weight: 13kg | Guarantee: 2 years

Tested by Mumsnet: Read our full Cybex Sirona Gi i-Size review

Released in 2023, the Sirona Gi i-Size is Cybex’s latest 360-degree spin car seat and the newest addition to the brand’s popular Sirona line. Suitable from birth with the newborn insert or from three months old without, this extended rear-facing car seat will last until your child is around four years old.

Parent tester Laura tried the Sirona Gi i-Size out with her one-year-old and praised this car seat for its plush and breathable fabrics. The Plus version of the seat, which we tested, includes an upgraded air ventilation system and mesh fabric, which meant that Laura's daughter was comfortable on all car journeys. According to Cybex, the mesh “increases breathability up to six times compared to regular fabrics.”

Laura says, “The padded seat is of excellent quality and feels lovely to the touch, which keeps me reassured that my daughter is safe and comfortable at all times when rear-facing. The fact that the fabrics are super breathable is a big plus, particularly during the warmer months.”

Installing this seat is relatively easy, with simple instructions included on the side of the seat so that you have them to hand at all times. While our tester initially had some trouble connecting the seat to the anchor points in her Ford Fiesta (which was more an issue with her car then the car seat itself), the Sirona Gi i-Size has helpful green and red installation indicators both on the base and the load leg to reduce any margin for error. 

While this car seat hasn’t yet been tested by the ADAC, Cybex have done their own internal testing using the 2022 ADAC frontal crash test criteria. The Gi i-Size promotes rear-facing for longer, which is the safest way for a baby and toddler to travel, with settings that mean you can’t turn the car seat to a forward-facing position until your child is 15 months old. The seat also features linear side-impact protection and an energy-absorbing shell to help protect your child in the event of a crash, whatever the direction of impact.

One of our tester’s favourite features of this car seat is the 360-degree rotation, which she found invaluable when getting her wriggly toddler in and out of the seat. While we don’t think the rotation mechanism is as smooth as that on the Joie i-Spin 360 , it’s nevertheless a great addition to an otherwise high-performing extended rear-facing toddler car seat.

Read next: The best running buggies

Axkid ONE 2

Easy 30-second installation

Triple secure, with an alert system to tell you if it’s not installed correctly

Rear-facing up to age seven (or 23kg)

Lightweight and easy to lift in/out of the car

Fixed shoulder pads

When reclined fully, it doesn’t leave much legroom for older children

The newborn insert to be used from birth is sold separately (but is included in the Axkid ONE+2 version)

Limits how much the adult car seat in front can move back/recline

Price: £650 | Age range: 6 months up to 7 years old (23kg or 61 to 125cm) | Safety credentials: i-Size (R-129)-approved up to 23kg, shock-absorbing materials, ventilation holes, travel rear-facing for longer | Fixing system: ISOFIX | Dimensions: 44 x 76 x 54cm | Weight: 10kg | Guarantee: Two years

Tested by Mumsnet: Read our full Axkid ONE 2 review

The Axkid ONE 2 excels when it comes to safety, passing one of the world’s toughest crash tests, the Swedish Plus Test . This test really puts car seats through their paces, with incredibly robust crash tests in high-speed collisions and across short braking distances. 

Lightweight but sturdy, with a 30-second installation method (achievable once you get the hang of it), the base on the Axkid ONE 2 has a support leg with light indicators that leave little margin for error. This, combined with shock-absorbing materials to minimise forces during an impact, makes it, according to Axkid, the safest car seat they’ve ever built.

An update on the popular Axkid ONE, the Axkid ONE 2 boasts over 150 updates, most notably the headrest adjustment, which now slides to extend at the push of a button, as well as new ventilation holes for maximum safety and comfort on long car journeys, particularly in warm weather.

While the price tag is nothing short of eye-watering, the Axkid ONE 2 is currently the only ISOFIX car seat on the market that allows your child to sit rear-facing up to age seven (or 23kg, whichever comes first), making it a worthwhile investment if your keen for your child to travel rear-facing for longer. The seat slides back seamlessly to allow for more legroom as they grow, but you may find that legroom is compromised slightly when the seat is fully reclined.

With three recline options, we love Axkid’s ‘Sleepwell System’, which allows the seat angle to be positioned at 42 degrees, helping toddlers nap more comfortably during longer car journeys. Alternatively, if you’d like to use this seat from birth, you can opt to buy the high performing Axkid ONE+ 2 model instead, which includes extra support inlays to make it suitable for babies from day one.

Our parent tester, Beccy, who tested this car seat out over the course of two months with her children aged three and four, says, “Whenever I discuss rear-facing car seats with a well-meaning family member, I’m usually faced with ‘but what about their legs?’ and ‘won’t he be uncomfortable?’ Unlike our other car seat, which my child will outgrow when he reaches four years old, the Axkid ONE 2 offers ample space. The seat is mounted on rails, which allows the car seat to be adjusted up to 30cm. That’s 30cm of space to play around with and to find the most comfortable position.”

Read next: The best lightweight strollers

Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus

Super lightweight at just 4.26kg

Foldable for travel

i-Size-compliant with Side Impact Protection

Integrated carry bag

Universal installation

Forward-facing only

Installation takes time to master

Price: £130 | Age range: 15 months up to 4 years old (76 to 105cm or 9 to 18kg) | Safety credentials: i-Size (R-129)-approved, reinforced Side Impact Protection | Fixing system: Seatbelt | Dimensions: 50 x 37.5 x 57cm | Weight: 4.26kg | Guarantee: Two years

Tested by Mumsnet: Read our full Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus review

Ultra-compact and super lightweight, the Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus is a foldable car seat that’s a game-changer for family holidays abroad.

I-Size-compliant, with Side Impact Protection, an easy-to-use five-point harness and comfy yet breathable padding, this car seat can be installed in any car.

Our tester, Laura, who used the Nomad Plus with her 22-month-old toddler, says, “After recently taking it with me on a two-week [family] holiday to Mexico, I was impressed with just how lightweight and adaptable this travel car seat is. It proved to be a reassuring bit of kit to have around, especially as my family were jumping in and out of different modes of transport while abroad. The fact that it’s foldable just adds to its charm.”

One-third of the size of a regular toddler car seat according to Maxi-Cosi, it folds down compactly for travel, with an integrated carry bag that makes carting it around a breeze. 

Laura adds, “I was astounded at just how small the car seat is when folded, especially when I compared it to the ginormous toddler car seat another family of three was lugging around at the airport.”

This car seat is forward-facing only, so can’t be used before your child is 15 months old, and the installation process does take time to master. That being said, it’s an affordable travel option and offers good longevity all the way through the toddler years.

Read next: The best car seats to take on the plane

Britax Römer Advansafix IV R

Seat can be fitted with ISOFIX up to 18kg, then ISOFIX and/or seatbelt after that

Three-position recline

Safety features include highback booster protection, SafeGuard lap belt positioner (once your child has outgrown the five-point harness) and advanced side impact protection, which fits onto the side of the car seat that's nearest the door

No need for a separate ISOFIX base

Height-adjustable V-shaped headrest that grows with your child

Cover is hard to remove and takes a long time to dry

The five-point harness is a little stiff to release

Price: £299 | Age range: Group 1/2/3 (nine months to 12 years or 9kg to 36kg) | Safety credentials: ECE R44/04; ADAC – 'Good' 2.3; pivot link ISOFIX system; SecureGuard; SICT advanced side impact protection | Fixing system: ISOFIX with top tether (Group 1); seatbelt with ISOFIX (Group 2/3); seatbelt (Group 2/3) | Dimensions: 60-83 × 44 × 47cm | Weight: 11kg | Guarantee: Two years

Tested by Mumsnet: Read our full Britax Römer Advansafix IV R review

If you’re looking for longevity, the Britax Römer Advansafix IV R is a stage 1/2/3  forward-facing-only car seat that not only comes with a very reasonable price tag but can be used from nine months all the way up to 12 years old, meaning it may easily be the last car seat you need to buy. 

A large and comfortable seat, the Advansafix is well cushioned, with a v-shaped headrest that offers additional support and can be adjusted to the height of your child as they grow. It doesn’t have quite as many recline options as fellow forward-facing car seat Cosy N Safe Galaxy, however the choice of three recline options allows you to switch between upright, relaxed or slightly angled for comfort.

Unlike the Maxi-Cosi Pearl Pro2, there’s no need to buy a separate ISOFIX base with this seat. The Advansafix IV R clips directly into your ISOFIX ports, with a top tether for additional stability. Thanks to the visual indicators that turn green when it's installed correctly, it's highly unlikely you can install this seat incorrectly. Once your child reaches four years of age, the Adavnsafix can be installed with the seatbelt and ISOFIX or seatbelt alone, with the now redundant five-point harness tucking away beneath the seat. 

It may be forward-facing only, but the Advansafix has more safety features than you can shake a stick at, meeting the R44/04 European safety regulations and scoring a ‘good’ score of 2.3 in ADAC testing. The ‘SecureGuard’ safety feature ensures the lap belt stays optimally positioned, so even with a wriggly child, it won’t dig into their abdomen in the event of a collision. The seat also boasts enhanced Side Impact Cushion Technology (SICT), which will absorb momentum in the event of a side-impact collision. 

With a relatively ‘grown up’ design, this seat won’t feel too babyish for school-age children. The covers are removable and machine washable, but like many padded seats of this nature, they do take some time to dry after refreshing. 

It's worth bearing in mind that this is a big seat, one that you'll want to keep permanently fixed in the back seat of your car. You should be able to fit another car seat next to it, however, it's unlikely you'll fit three in a row if you have a larger family. If you want a car seat suitable for up to 12 years but you’d prefer to keep your child rear-facing until they’re four, the Cozy n Safe Arthur (see below) is also worth considering. 

Read next: The best pushchairs

Britax Römer Dualfix M i-Size

Extended rear-facing car seat 

Deep protective side wings, a V-shaped headrest and a height-adjustable support leg

A machine-washable seat cover that can be removed in a flash

Rotates full 360 degrees

Multiple recline positions 

Price: £269 | Age range: 3 months to four years (61 to 105cm) | Rearward-facing from 61-105cm; forward-facing from 76-105cm | Safety credentials: ECE R129; Stiftung Warentest 2.3; ADAC 2.1; ÖAMTC – good; optimised side impact protection; pivot link ISOFIX system | Fixing system: ISOFIX | Dimensions: 55 x 44 x 74 cm | Weight: 12.2kg | Guarantee: Two years

Tested by Mumsnet: Read our full previous model review - Britax Römer Dualfix i-Size review

A variation of the original Britax Römer's Dualfix i-Size car seat , which was suitable from birth, the Britax Römer Dualfix M comes without a newborn insert, making it a more affordable price point that offers comfortable rear-facing for your child from around three months (61cm) till approximately four years. While we would recommend keeping your child rear-facing as long as possible, you can also use this seat forward-facing from 15 months without needing to reinstall the seat.

There’s no doubt about it - this seat is a huge contraption that'll likely dominate the back seat of your car. But it’s easy to install thanks to the integrated ISOFIX base and support leg, with handy visual indicators that offer reassurance it’s positioned correctly. 

With a full 360-degree rotation, placing your child inside the car couldn't be easier. Simply rotate the seat to the door side and allow your toddler to climb in themselves, or place your child in the seat without straining or stretching your back.

The seat is also packed full of safety features for parents’ peace of mind, including an impact-absorbing steel shell, integrated side impact cushions and a unique V-shaped headrest, offering additional cushioning for your child’s head and neck in the event of a collision. The seat performs well across Which? lab testing and scores a good 2.1 score in ADAC crash tests, offering excellent safety ratings across front, rear and side-impact collisions.

The rebound bar is adjustable to ensure a secure and comfortable fit as your child grows. With good padding and no less than 12 recline positions, you can be confident your child can be content and comfortable even if they nod off during your travels.

The best part - the brand’s ‘easy remove’ cover, actually does what it says, lifting away from the frame easily for refreshing in the washing machine.

Read next: The best baby carrier backpacks

How do you choose the best car seat for your toddler?

When choosing the best car seat for your toddler, consider the following:

Excellent safety ratings: Keeping your toddler safe and secure is by far the most important factor when choosing the next-stage car seat. You should investigate the car seat's safety features including side impact protection, a five-point safety harness and well padded side wings. You should also consider the product's safety ratings, specifically whether it’s been measured to the R44/R129 European safety standards, the views of impartial lab testing at consumer champion Which? or from trusted safety regulators, such as ADAC . Not all modern seats have been ADAC or Which? tested yet, so a lack of score does not mean the seat is unsafe.

Extended rear-facing: Not all toddler car seats offer rear-facing travel, with forward-facing car seats legally allowed from the age of 15 months. Other toddler car seats allow extended rear-facing, deemed to be the safest way for your child to travel, until the age of four. 

Age, weight and height: What are the minimum (and maximum) age, weight and height limits for the seat? Depending on which regulations they’ve been tested to, some seats use your child's height or weight rather than age when outlining suitability. Check each seat carefully to make sure you choose the correct size seat for your toddler.

Easy and secure installation: How easy is the seat to install and what are the chances of installing it incorrectly? Can it be installed by the seatbelt alone for easy switching between cars, or does it use ISOFIX for additional stability? If using ISOFIX, does the seat require a separate ISOFIX base or does it come as one complete unit? Some of the best toddler car seats use visual or sound indicators to provide reassurance that you've installed your car seat correctly.

Comfort and support: How comfortable is the seat? Is it well padded, or is it ventilated or made from breathable fabrics for warmer days? Does it recline for maximum comfort and support and how much legroom does it allow when used in rear-facing mode? 

Compatibility with your vehicle: How big is the car seat and will it fit in your car? Car seats with separate ISOFIX bases tend to take up more space on the seat and footwell, with the support leg often protruding forward for stability. If you have other car seats already, it's also worth considering whether there is space for additional seats to be placed side by side. 

Ease of use: How easy is the car seat to use? Will your toddler be able to climb in without assistance, and can the harness straps stay open for more simple securing before setting off on your journey? Consider whether the seat offers any additional features that may make your life easier - from magnetic straps to one-handed reclines. 

Does it recline?: Does the seat offer several recline positions and if so, can they be easily adjusted once the seat is installed? If your toddler is inclined to nod off during longer journeys, a seat that can be angled backwards can offer a more comfortable position for your child. 

Does it grow with your child?: How easy is it to adjust the seat as your child grows? How many headrest settings are there and is the headrest easy to adjust one-handed? Does the harness automatically adjust as the headrest is raised, or does it need to be manually rethreaded? 

How easy is it to clean?: Are the covers easy to remove and are they handwash only, or can they be popped in the washing machine for a quick and easy refresh? You may also want to consider whether spare covers are available, as many well-padded seats can take a while to fully dry after cleaning.  

Does it come with a warranty?: Toddler car seats can be expensive, so a product that comes with a long manufacturer warranty can provide additional peace of mind 

Read next: The best car sunshades for babies

What safety features should you look for in the best toddler car seat?

The following safety features will provide maximum security and protection for your child in the event of a collision:

Five-point harness: A five-point safety harness not only ensures that your child is positioned correctly inside the seat, it also keeps your child safe in the event of a collision. Using various points of contact across your child’s shoulders, hips and legs, they distribute any forces in the event of an impact, reducing the risk of injury. They also hold your child securely in their seat and prevent slumping or slipping inside the seat To ensure the best fit, the safety harness should be adjusted as your child grows. Some seats have harnesses that adjust automatically as the headset is raised - this is preferable, as it reduces the risk of rethreading incorrectly. 

Side impact protection: Car seats generally offer good padding and protection in the event of a front or back collision, but enhanced side impact cushioning can also protect your child’s head, neck and torso in the event of a collision from the side. Whilst many car seats have wide side wings and deep headrests for additional protection, some toddler car seats also have additional side impact cushioning that can be triggered on the door side, reducing the forces against the seat in the event of a side-on crash. 

Adjustable headrest: When using a car seat over a longer period, it’s important to adjust the headrest as your child gets taller. Not only does this make the seat more comfortable for your child and reduce the risk of their head falling forward, but it also ensures sufficient head and neck protection in the event of an accident. 

Energy-absorbing foam: To keep your child safe, the shell of the car seat should be robust and well-padded, creating a comforting cocoon around your child in the event of a crash. Many toddler car seats use multiple layers of energy-absorbing foam, which can cushion and reduce the forces experienced upon impact to protect your child. 

Read next: The best travel cots, according to Mumsnet users

How do you install a toddler car seat correctly, and what are some common mistakes to avoid?

Here are some steps to make sure you install your toddler’s car seat correctly:

Read the instructions: No matter how simple it may seem, you should always read the manufacturer’s instructions and follow them carefully to ensure that the seat is securely fastened to the vehicle. If you find written instructions confusing, we recommend checking for installation videos online, which can often make the steps far easier to follow.

Check for visual indicators: many toddler car seats, especially those with ISOFIX bases, offer visual or audio indicators to advise when a seat has been correctly installed. Look out for the green lights or audible clicks to confirm that the seat is in the correct position before adding your child. 

When to switch to forward-facing?: Some seats allow easy switching between forward and rear-facing modes. It’s worth remembering that even if the car seat allows you to do so, you should not switch to forward-facing mode until your child is 15 months or above. Where possible, it’s recommended you keep your child rear-facing till approximately four years of age. 

Secure the harness: Ensure the seat belt is properly secured, one of the most common mistakes with car seat installation is not tightening the harness enough. According to experts at Childcarseats.org , the straps should feel quite tight “so that only one or two fingers can fit between the child's chest and harness” 

Remove layers: Remove coats and jackets before placing your child in the seat - as tempting as it may be in the winter months, you should remove thick clothing before placing your child in the seat. Healthychildren.org explain why: “In a car crash, fluffy padding in a coat immediately flattens out from the force, leaving extra space under the harness.”

Are there any drawbacks to using a certain type of toddler car seat?

While each type of toddler car seat has its advantages, there may be some drawbacks to consider. Rear-facing seats may take up more space in the car, front-facing seats may have weight restrictions, and 360 seats may be more expensive. It's important to weigh these factors before making a decision.

A car seat expert’s top tips for buying the best toddler car seat

Don’t move your child up to the next stage seat too early – it’s safer to let them reach the limit of their baby car seat before moving them to a bigger one

It's important to keep them rear-facing for as long as possible because it's the safest way to prevent serious injury in a collision

Check that your new seat will fit all the cars you want to use it in. For additional piece of mind, Childcarseats.org recommend you find a retailer that will allow you to try the seat in your car before you buy it.

Try to find a seat that has easily removable covers – toddlers will be toddlers after all 

We love this handy car seat shopping list from consumer champion Which? which may be helpful if you’re shopping in a physical store. 

Read next: Tips for keeping your family safe on the road

What type of car seats are available for toddlers?

I-size car seat: extended rear-facing seat.

Suitable from 67 to 105cm (approximately six months to four years) – some can even be used from birth

Can typically be used in both rearward and forward-facing positions – some allow your child to rear-face until they're four years old

Fitted with an ISOFIX base

Combination seat: Group 0+/1, Group 0+/1/2 and Group 0+/1/2/3

Group 0+/ 1 used from birth to 18kg (approximately four years)

Group 0+/1/2 used from birth to 25kg (approximately five or six years)

Group 0+/1/2/3 used from birth to 36kg (around 12 years old)

ISOFIX and seatbelt fittings are available

Some combination seats offer an extended rear-facing option for toddlers

Forward-facing car seat: Group 1

Used from 9kg to 18kg (approximately nine months to four years old)

Forward-facing only – it’s recommended that you keep your baby rear-facing until at least 15 months

ISOFIX and seat belt fittings are available

High-back booster with harness: Group 1/2/3

Used from 9kg to 36kg (approximately nine months to 12 years old)

Read next: UK car seat regulations explained

What does extended rear-facing mean and why is it important?

In a collision, a child’s head can be thrown forward with great force in a forward-facing car seat because the body is held in place by the harness but the head and neck are not. An infant’s neck muscles are weak and their head is disproportionately big compared to their body, so this can cause serious injury.

In an extended rear-facing seat , the force pushes the child into the seat, so the head neck and spine are protected, which reduces the risk of injury.

While they can be more expensive, keeping your child in a rear-facing position as long as you can will generally be safer for them, especially if you know you'll be driving a lot. It also depends on the size of your vehicle and how the seat is fitted.

What's the difference between R44 and R129 (i-Size)?

At the moment, both R129 and R44 car seats are available to buy and legal to use in the UK, but eventually i-Size will replace all R44 seats.

Classification is based on weight

Side-impact tests aren’t required, although some manufacturer’s do them anyway

Frontal collision testing is done at a speed of 50km/h and rear impact collision testing is done at 30km/h

Seat can be fitted using a seatbelt or ISOFIX fittings

Seat must be rear-facing until the child weighs 9kg (around nine months)

Classification is based on height

Side-impact tests are mandatory

Seat can only be fitted using ISOFIX – ISOFIX reduces the margin for error

Seat must be rear-facing until the child is older than 15 months

Side-impact protection, which usually takes the form of padding around the headrest and sides, absorbs the force of the impact in the event of a car accident to prevent serious head injuries

How we tested the best toddler car seats

How we tested for assembly, safety and stability.

We analysed what tests the seats had passed and, crucially, how easy each seat was to attach and detach in addition to how useful and effective the designated fixing systems (seatbelt or ISOFIX) were in order to avoid making any dangerous mistakes. We also switched from rear- to front-facing and reclining positions where possible.

We analysed the materials used, studying everything from padding to the straps, and we thoroughly checked the safety features of each, looking for five-point harnesses that couldn’t be clicked open by small fingers.

How we tested for comfort

We made sure that babies were comfortable, that there were no parts that could rub or cause irritation, and that all fittings were baby-proof, with no chance of parts being removed or buckles and belts being undone by the child in the seat or others sitting with them.

We noted if there was anything that was distracting about the seat when driving – did the seat obscure your view? Were the colours too ‘jazzy’ or bright?

How we tested in day-to-day life

We tested how quick and easy it was to get little ones in and out of the seat, if they were able to fall asleep comfortably if they usually did so in a car, if the seat was able to accommodate them when removed from the car if still sleeping, and if they seemed happy in the seat.

We also evaluated if the seat was easily adjustable to grow with your child. We took the seats on busy school runs, shopping trips, longer journeys and quick trips out throughout the day, observing how happy and comfortable babies were and how convenient seats were to get in and out of the car if necessary.

About the author

Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in baby/child product reviews and round-ups. Having written product reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of baby products, scrutinising reviews and consumer feedback to help parents make confident purchases that benefit their families.

Lucy has personal experience of researching, buying and using car seats with her own children, including the first car seats compatible with her travel system to 360-degree swivel seats and the multi-stage car seats that her children still use today.

Originally from a HR background with a degree in Business Studies, Lucy developed a real passion for blogging and writing when her children were young, going on to write for several online publications including US parenting site Pregistry and the Evening Standard.

When she’s not manically tapping the keys of her laptop, Lucy loves nothing more than to cosy up with her Kindle and enjoy the latest thriller, or compete in Nintendo Switch rallies with her daughters aged six and 10.

About the editor

Laura Westerman is an editor, writer and Deputy Head of Editorial Content at Mumsnet. With over seven years' experience as a full-time editor, five of which have been spent writing, commissioning and editing product reviews and round-ups, Laura has a keen eye for what parents love and likes nothing more than putting together honest reviews to make parents' lives that little bit easier. 

In addition to her work as a writer and editor, she has also appeared in a number of baby product review videos for Mumsnet's YouTube channel. She is mum to a one-year-old.

Why you should trust our reviews

Mumsnet product reviews are written by real parents after weeks of research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust – brands can’t pay to be featured in our articles.

We spend hours researching, speaking to parents, analysing data and listening to experts before we test out the products on our shortlist.

Transparency is really important to us and that's why we're always upfront about how we tested the products we recommend. We won't always recommend the cheapest products or the ones with the most features. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones we'd recommend to our own friends and family.

10 of the best car seats for children from 4 years for 2024

Which are the top car seats to keep your little one safe as they grow bigger? We've tested and rated loads of different models to discover the best, in a range of prices and styles

• Sarah Dawson
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Once your child has outgrown their toddler car seat, they will be ready for a booster car seat, which typically lasts from ages 3 or 4 until age 12. You'll often seen these referred to as group 2/3 seats, although most car seats now adhere to the newer safety standards of R129, explained below .

This category of car seats divides into two main types: high-backed booster seats or booster cushions (which do not have a back). The ones we’ve chosen here are all high-backed booster seats as they offer the most support and protection.

Best car seats for age 4+ at a glance

• Best for abdominal support: Britax Romer Kidfix i-Size Car Seat, £239
• Best for small spaces: BeSafe iZi Flex Fix iSize, £219
• Best for growing with your child: Nuna Aace LX, £220
• Best budget buy: Joie i-Trillo, £75
• Best for innovation: Maxi-Cosi Rodifix Pro² i-Size, £169.99
• Best for naps on the go: Cybex Solution T i-Fix, £174.95
• Best lightweight car seat: Graco Junior Maxi i-Size, £50
• Best for changing temperatures: Silver Cross Discover i-Size, £175
• Best for comfort: Cybex Solution G i-Fix, £154.95
• Best for simple installation: Joie i-Traver, £135

To help you decide what car seat is best for your child (and your car) we’ve extensively researched the market to bring you options from a range of brands at a variety of prices. We’ve quizzed more than 1000 parents about the car seats they’ve used as their kids grow, and rigorously tested and reviewed hundreds of car seats, including more than 50 for age 4+ .

We’ve also taken into account safety testing carried out by ADAC, a leading tester of car seats in Europe, which is recognised throughout the industry for its stringent safety standards. ADAC does not test all car seats, and if a seat has not been tested by ADAC this does not make it unsafe to use. However, where a seat in our list has been tested by ADAC we’ve provided the score. In these tests a low score is best, and all the seats on this list that have undergone the testing have scored “Good” or better.

For more recommended car seat options, have a look at our best swivel and rotating car seats too.

More like this

When do i move to a high-backed booster seat.

Car seat standards are generally based on height and weight suitability rather than age, so exactly when you need to move your child into a high-backed booster seat depends on which growth percentile they are on. The seats in this list are often referred to as being suitable from around age 4 but it can depend on the model.

It can be tempting to move to a booster seat as quickly as possible as they tend to be lighter and less bulky than toddler seats, but there is no rush to move your child out of their toddler seat if they still fit. If your toddler car seat has extended rear-facing capabilities, it makes sense to take advantage of that as long as you possibly can. Toddler seats also have a 5-point harness that offers more support for small bodies than the seatbelt used to fasten a booster seat. Some newer seats suitable for toddlers – such as the Axkid One 2 and the Axkid Minikid 3 – can be used until they reach 25kg in weight, which can be age 6 or 7, and there's absolutely no need to change before then.

What is the R129 child car seat safety standard?

While the term 'group 2/3 seats' is still in use and something you may already be familiar with, this refers to the older R44 legislation. Most child car seats (especially newer ones) now comply with the new R129 safety standard . The new R129 standard is the latest in EU/UK safety standards and follows more detailed tests for improved head and neck protection. R129 seats also go through side impact testing and Q dummy crash tests with 32 sensors. Focusing on a child’s height, rather than just weight, it gives a more accurate guide on the safest time to upgrade a child’s car seat.

What to look for when buying your car seat

Fitting– Car seats either fasten using the car seat belt or Isofix connectors that click into your car's frame. Some may also have a tether strap. No one method is safer than another so long as the seat is fitted correctly, but many people find Isofix to be more convenient and straightforward, therefore less prone to error. You will need to check the cars you will be using have Isofix connectors in the right place if you want to use an Isofix seat.

Safety – Safety is obviously the key issue for any car seat. The big change for this age group is that most car seats will no longer have a built-in harness. Instead the child will be secured using the adult seat belt, which will also thread through the car seat in some way. All car seats in the UK will have been tested to one of two European standards, either ECE R44/04 or the newer ECE R129. R129 seats have been tested for side impact as well as front and rear impact collisions.

Longevity – The law requires that children up to 12 years old/135cm in height must use a child car restraint where seat belts are fitted. This means you'll be using this seat for a long time, so you'll want to consider how it adapts and grows with your child.

Weight – Car seats vary significantly in weight: we found some that are under 5kg and others that weigh in at 8kg or so. Think about how often you’re going to remove it from the car, or move it to another. If you’re likely to keep switching it around, a super lightweight booster may suit you best. However, a heavier seat is likely to feel more sturdy, be roomier and offer more comfort, and possibly offer more extended safety features.

Portability – Is there a carry handle? This might be important if you will be moving around a lot. Some seats also fold, which might be useful if you need to stash it in the boot or take it on holiday.

Ease of installation – Once you’ve done it a couple of times, installing your car seat should be a quick process. Read the instructions thoroughly, as each car seat will be different. If you are using only a seat belt, then make sure the seat feels secure and doesn’t wobble or move around.

Comfort – A comfy seat generally means a happier child, especially on long journeys, so remember to think about things like padding and cushioning. Some seats are wider for comfort, but may be harder to fit in your car, especially if you need 3 seats in a row. Is there a ventilation system for hot days? Will the headrest be comfortable? Will the seat suit taller kids?

Coverings – If you’d like the option to wash messy covers, look for covers that remove, so you can put them in the washing machine, rather than simply sponge. Don’t forget fabric finish – a natural bamboo cover might be less sweaty, for example. And is there a choice of colours?

Extra functions/details – Some car seats have additional features like cup holders, in-built headrest speakers and so on. A seat with lots of headrest/recline positions or designed for comfortable sleeping may be particularly important for you, for example.

Price – Car seats can vary wildly in price depending on their features, fabrics and accessories, but most of the ones on our list are between £100 and £250. A higher price point doesn't necessarily mean a safer or more secure seat, but some seats have been tested beyond the legal requirements for extra reassurance and these often come at a premium because those tests are expensive to perform.

Here are the best child car seats from 4 years

1. britax römer kidfix i-size, £239.

– Best for abdominal support

Suitable for: 15-36kg/height 100-150cm | Weight: 6.7kg | Dimensions : H63-83cm x W48cm x D42cm | i-Size: Yes | Installation: Isofix or car seatbelt | Recline positions: No | Headrest positions: Up to height 83cm | ADAC test: 1.8 (good)

This high-back booster is made in Germany by Britax, who are masters in safety and have 50 years of research and experience behind them. This is a brilliant all-round booster seat that features a whole host of excellent features including ventilation panels, removable fabrics, and advanced side impact protection. It can also be fitted either using Isofix connectors or your vehicle's seatbelt.

Its standout feature, though, is its innovative lap belt rest, which sits just in the optimal position across your child’s pelvic bone. The smart SecureGuard system fits between your child’s legs, and effectively adds a 4th contact point to a 3-point seatbelt. The result: it keeps kids’ abdomens better protected.

That’s not the only added safety feature here. There’s a shock-absorbing foam pad over the chest too, which reduces the impact of any jerky head movements. These features of the Kidfix really reassured parent tester Cali, who said, "I was really nervous moving from a harness seat but this one has a foam pad for the seat belt to help protect the neck and chest and a bit to keep the seat belt from digging into the abdomen and side-impact protection."

Pros: Comfortable for child, washable covers, advanced side-impact protection Cons: Doesn’t recline, expensive

Available from: Boots and John Lewis

2. BeSafe iZi Flex Fix iSize, £219

– Best for small spaces

Suitable for: 15-36kg/height 100-150cm | Weight: 7kg | Dimensions : H64-82cm x W44-52cm x D42cm | i-Size: Yes | Installation: Integrated Isofix connectors or car seatbelt | Recline positions: 2 | Headrest positions: 14 | ADAC test: 1.9 (good)

If you’ve 2 or 3 kids, you’ll want a seat that fits 3 in the back – and this seat fits the bill brilliantly (the detachable bumpers come off). It’s designed to be ultra-slim so your child won’t feel wedged in or claustrophobic, and it's good if you’re generally squeezed for space in the back.

Reviewer Anna, who used it with her 5-year-old daughter, loved how easy it was to use. “The seat has clear guides, and the diagonal strap is held in place,” she said. She liked the lap clip that keeps the lap belt in place, and the extra pad that goes high across your child’s chest.

When it comes to safety, BeSafe’s name should be a clue as to how seriously they take it. It meets the latest R129 regulations (in fact, it was the first Group 2/3 seat ever to do so) thanks to its SIP+ extra side-impact protection.

In all, Anna felt this was a sturdy seat for a high-back booster, which do tend to feel more lightweight than seats for younger children. She found it slightly tricky to fit, but once in place it felt sturdy.

It’s comfy too, growing with your child – its highest seat position is 82cm. Plus the shaped headrest is designed for naps, and adjusts via a lever to reach its max height.

Pros: Slimline, carry handle, great quality, side-impact protection Cons: Seats not removable to wash, expensive

Read the full MadeForMums BeSafe iZi Flex Fix i-Size car seat review

Available from: Pramworld and Natural Baby Shower

3. Nuna Aace LX, £220

– Best for growing with your child

Suitable for: Height 100-150cm | Weight: 6.7kg | Dimensions : H64-85cm x W45-57cm x D43-70cm | i-Size: Yes | I nstallation: Isofix or car seatbelt | Recline positions: Customisable | Headrest positions: 17 | ADAC test: 1.9 (good)

When it comes to customisable comfort, it’s hard to beat the Nuna Aace LX. Featuring no fewer than 17 headrest positions, adjustable seat depth and custom-fit recline positions, this great-looking seat is designed with comfort in mind, whatever the age and size of your child. It’s part of the Aace LX’s 3D growth system, where you can easily (1-handed in most cases) increase the seat depth and raise the headrest to provide more shoulder width for your child as they grow from 4 to 12.

If you're looking for a simple, easy to use car seat, this one is a doddle to install thanks to the Isofix fitting. It also features a green belt path with belt positioner, to help ensure your child is strapped in safely and securely.

When it comes to safety the seat really shines, with energy-absorbing EPP foam and the detachable side-impact pods helping to reduce the force of impact in a collision. This is reflected in its good ADAC rating. Finally, we love how you can remove the covers for machine washing – always a bonus with messy children in the back.

Pros: 17 headrest positions for comfort, adjustable seat depth, stylish, machine washable covers Cons: Expensive, can take up a lot of room on its widest/deepest settings

Available from: Boots and Nuna

4. Joie i-Trillo, £75

– Best budget buy

Suitable for: Height 100-150cm | Weight: 4.43kg | Dimensions : H62-83cm x W48-56cm x D40cm | i-Size: Yes | Installation: Car seatbelt | Recline positions: No | Headrest positions: 10 | ADAC test: 2.1 (good)

If you’re looking for a reliable seat at a competitive price, this seat comes in under £100 but gives you the reassurance of having performed very well in ADAC testing. The i-Trillo has Joie's Guard Surround Safety panels for extra protection at the sides, as well as side wings and adjustable head support.

The seat is fitted using the car seatbelt, and thanks to its streamlined size it’s possible to fit 3 seats in a row in i-Size approved vehicles, with children up to 135cm in height.

We love that the Shell Grey colourway is made with 100% recycled fabrics (using 24 plastic bottles). However, the biggest hit with children is likely to be the 2 retractable cup holders, which tuck neatly away into the seat base until needed. Perfect for holding cups as well as the random little treasures children tend to collect along the way.

Pros: Affordable, Shell Grey version made using recycled materials, 2 retractable cup holders, machine washable covers, side-impact protection Cons: Doesn't recline, not as padded as other car seats, not Isofix compatible

Available from: Joie , Halfords , Argos and Mamas & Papas

5. Maxi-Cosi Rodifix Pro² i-Size, £169.99

— best for innovation.

Suitable for: 15-36kg/height 100cm-150cm | Weight: 6.24kg | Dimensions : H73-79cm x W44-51cm x D42cm | i-Size: Yes | Installation: Isofix and car seatbelt | Recline positions: 3 | Headrest positions: Up to height 79cm | ADAC test: Not tested

Around since the 1980s, Maxi-Cosi is a respected name in car seats, and this high-backed booster – an updated version of the popular Rodifix Pro i-Size – is packed with innovative features to provide a safe ride for your child.

There are numerous safety features including G-CELL side impact protection (a built-in guard to provide maximum protection in an accident) and an ultra-padded headrest to help reassure parents. We particularly rate the patented AirProtect headrest, which is designed to offer extra protection, reducing the risk of head or neck injury by 20%.

The Rodifix Pro² is intended to grow with your child and the adjustable design means the seat grows both in height and width with a press of a button on the back of the headrest. The expanding side wings make this a really comfy choice for growing kids, as does the premium Eco-Care fabrics (made from 100% recycled materials), 3 recline positions and ClimaFlow technology to keep them at the perfect temperature whatever the weather.

Easy to install using Isofix or a seatbelt, it's also lightweight enough to move between cars when you need to. While the lack of arm rests may be an issue for some parents or children, it does make it easy for an older, more independent child to buckle themselves in safely and quickly.

All in all, we think this is an excellent choice if safety and comfort are your priorities.

Pros: Fabric made using recycled materials, extra padding for safety and comfort, side-impact protection, choice of recline positions, grows in height and width Cons: No cupholder, no arm rests, not ADAC tested

Available from: Maxi-Cosi , Natural Baby Shower and John Lewis

6. Cybex Solution T i-Fix, £174.95

– Best for naps on the go

Suitable for: 15-50kg/height 100cm-150cm | Weight: 7.2kg | Dimensions : H62.5-80cm x W50.5cm x D39cm | i-Size: Yes | Installation: Isofix and car seatbelt | Recline positions: Yes | Headrest positions: Up to height 82cm | ADAC test: 2.0 (good)

Snoozing in the car is a given for children, and the Cybex Solution T i-Fix has a patented headrest design to stop little heads tipping forward while sleeping. This not only offers comfort and safety during naps but keeps heads in a secure position when they're awake too.

This high-back booster seat has a high overall ADAC rating, showing that it should offer excellent protection in a crash. It also offers advanced linear side-impact protection.

The Cybex Solution T i-Fix is simple to install using either Isofix or a seatbelt, although weighing in at over 7kg it’s not the most lightweight model to be switching between cars.

As well as looking great, this car seat is designed for comfort, featuring a clever 3D net structure and mesh inserts to improve air ventilation and keep your child at a perfect temperature.

Plus, this easily adjusts in height and width, even with 1 hand – ideal when you have a shopping bag in the other – and will grow effortlessly with your child. It has an impressive 12 positions, so this seat really should last the distance from young child to pre-teen. And the covers can be washed to boot.

Pros: Very safe, one-hand adjustment for height and width, tilting headrest, washable covers Cons: Cup holder needs to be bought separately, on the pricey side

Available from: John Lewis , Natural Baby Shower and Cybex

7. Graco Junior Maxi i-Size, £50

– Best lightweight car seat

Suitable for: Height 100cm-150cm | Weight: 3.4kg | Dimensions : H60.5-81.5cm x W45.6cm x D39cm | i-Size: Yes | Installation: Car seatbelt | Recline positions: No | Headrest positions: 10 height settings | ADAC test: Not tested

Packing in plenty of features at a fantastic price tag, the Graco Junior Maxi i-Size car seat is a great value choice for those on a budget. With advanced side-impact protection, this R129 i-Size car seat still offers all the safety features you’d expect and is suitable to use from around 3 to 12 years, with the 10-position headrest making it easy to adjust to your growing child.

While it isn’t Isofix compatible, the Junior Maxi car seat features open-loop belt guides to make sure the seatbelt is positioned correctly, and your child is securely strapped in.

What really impresses is how light the seat is, weighing just 3.4kg – making it an excellent option for those looking for a car seat that can be moved between vehicles quickly and easily.

It may not look as premium as other car seats in our round up, however the Junior Maxi is still nicely padded – with machine-washable covers for easy clean-ups – and includes 2 retractable cup holders to keep drinks and snacks close at hand on long journeys.

Pros: Affordable, side-impact protection, retractable cup holders, lightweight Cons: Arms rests aren't padded, no Isofix installation, not ADAC tested

Read our full MFM Graco Junior Maxi i-Size car seat review

Available from: Halfords , Smyths Toys and Graco

8. Silver Cross Discover i-Size, £175

– Best for changing temperatures

Suitable for: Height 100cm-150cm | Weight: 7.1kg | Dimensions : H66-81cm x W46-57cm x D31cm | i-Size: Yes| Installation: Isofix and car seatbelt | Recline positions: 4 | Headrest positions: 10 | ADAC test: Not tested

Silver Cross is known for making performance products with a heritage twist, and the Discover i-Size does not disappoint with its premium, diamond-stitched embossed, eco-fabric (made from recycled plastic bottles) seat in 4 chic colourways.

However, it isn’t just about style. This high-back booster seat is generously padded, providing serious comfort for your child, as well as being easy to install, using either Isofix or your car seatbelt. The bamboo fabric gets another tick, offering temperature-regulating qualities that work brilliantly all year round.

With 10 headrest and 4 recline positions, as well as additional thigh support and removeable side wings, the Discover i-Size is designed to grow with your child. While the compact footprint is handy if you need to fit multiple seats in your car, it does mean the seat may be on the snug side for children on a higher percentile.

If you find car seats fiddly to fit, Silver Cross has you covered with its app, which takes you through the installation process step by step.

Pros: Looks good, lightweight, bamboo covers, app for easy fixing, side-impact protection system Cons: On the pricey side, no cup holder, not ADAC tested

Available from: Silver Cross , Amazon and John Lewis

9. Cybex Solution G i-Fix, £154.95

– Best for comfort

Suitable for: 15-50kg/height 100cm-150cm | Weight: 7.45kg | Dimensions : H59-81cm x W59.5cm x D40.5cm | i-Size: Yes | Installation: Isofix and car seatbelt | Recline positions: 3 | Headrest positions: Up to height 81cm | ADAC test: 1.7 (Good)

Cybex are renowned for producing excellent quality, stylish car seats with reassuring safety features. The Solution G i-Fix is no exception – this high-back booster seat features a linear side-impact protection system, as well as Cybex’s patented 3-position reclining headrest, keeping your child’s head in the seat’s protected zone even if they nod off.

As well as safety, the G i-Fix is all about comfort, thanks to the innovative 3D mesh material that will help with air ventilation whatever the temperature. The breathable fabric is soft and can also be washed in the machine when you need to tackle those inevitable spillages.

The adjustable headrest and flexible exterior wings can easily be increased in height to keep up with your growing child, while the recline function can be operated with one hand. It’s also nice and straightforward to install, using either the Isofix connectors or your car seatbelt.

Pros: Headrest recline, comfy for child, breathable fabrics, machine-washable covers, side-impact protection, 1-hand adjustment Cons: Cup holder needs to be bought separately

Read our full MFM Cybex Solution G i-Fix car seat review

Available from: John Lewis and Cybex

10. Joie i-Traver, £135

– Best for simple installation

Suitable for: Height 100cm-150cm | Weight: 5.6kg | Dimensions : H63-83cm x W56cm x D40-44cm | i-Size: Yes | Installation: Isofix or car seatbelt | Recline positions: 2 | Headrest positions: 10 height settings | ADAC test: 1.9 (Good)

Despite its plush, heavily padded appearance, the i-Traver car seat is actually a great lightweight choice for swapping between cars, coming in at just 5.6kg. The deluxe cushioning and padded arm rest ensure it’s a comfy ride for children, but it’s certainly not style over substance here.

The i-Traver boasts some fantastic safety features – reflected in its ADAC test score – including extra side-impact protection courtesy of the Guard Surround Safety panels, cocooning headrest and cushioning memory foam layers.

The 10-height headrest can be adjusted with 1 hand (conveniently, even when the seat is installed in the car) and the 3-position seat depth helps to provide more space after those growth spurts.

Whether you plan on keeping the car seat in one vehicle or swapping, installation is nice and easy using either the Isofix connectors or your car seatbelt. The belt guides are clearly marked in green so you know exactly where the seatbelt needs to go to keep your child safely strapped in.

Pros: Adjustable seat depth, side-impact protection, extra-padded headrest, machine-washable covers, lightweight Cons: No cup holder

Available from: John Lewis , Halfords and Mamas & Papas

Read More...

• Best car seats for really tall children
• Best I-size car seats for babies and toddlers
• Best car seats from 9 months

Sarah has worked as a writer for over 15 years, writing about parenting for Family Traveller, Baby magazine and 5 Minute Fun, MadeForMums and The Independent’s IndyBest.

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Best car seats 2024: the safest child seats for newborns and toddlers

Looking to buy a new child car seat we’ve tested and rated 11 leading examples to help you find the best one for your needs....

Navigating the world of child car seats, with all its jargon and advertising spiel, can be confusing. A child seat can also be a big expense, and it’s one of the most vital pieces of safety equipment you’ll buy for your child, so it’s important to make an informed choice.

Once you've chosen the best family car for you, you'll need to know how to choose the best child seat - and how to fit it. We explain all.

But if you're looking for a quick ready reckoner:

• Best seats for children aged up to four - Joie i-Spin 360
• Best seats for children aged up to seven - BeSafe Stretch B

Best seats for children aged up to 12 - Cybex Solution S2 i-Fix 

You can read the full verdict, plus our scores below.

How to choose a child car seat

When choosing the best child car seat, the first thing to check is that a seat complies with the latest R129 safety regulations rather than the older R44 certification. R129 seats are put through more rigorous testing than R44 seats. In addition to the front and rear collisions that are required for R44, R129 seats undergo a side impact collision, and the crash test dummy has 32 sensors, compared with just three before, so more information can be gathered about potential injuries.

R129 also states that seats should be sold with information on the height of the children they’re suitable for, instead of their weight or age. This is intended to help parents know when to switch to a larger seat. They must also keep children facing rearwards up to the age of 15 months, whereas R44 stipulated that this was required only up to nine months.

R129 seats can be secured either with a car’s seatbelt or Isofix mounts, and so can the latest i-Size seats – an enhancement of R129 that stipulates a maximum size for the seat, ensuring it will fit in any i-Size-approved car.

To help you find the best child seat for your needs, we’ve tested and rated 11 examples in four age brackets, using a Volvo XC90   7-seat SUV . Although you can still buy R44 seats right now, we haven’t included them in our tests, because they won’t be available after September 2024.

How we test child car seats

To create an overall rating for each child seat, we considered four key areas: ease of use, practicality, value for money and safety, giving a rating for a number of aspects within each category.

Four factors were considered for ease of use: how easy the seat (and base if there is one) is to install; how easily a child can be installed in the seat; how clear the instructions are on the seat and online, and whether there’s an easily accessible fitting video; and whether there’s a printed or online car compatibility list that is simple to use.

To find out how easy seats are to install, we fitted each one into the rear of a large car (a Volvo XC90) and a small hatchback (a Ford Fiesta) and we sat a 5ft 8in tall adult comfortably in the front. For fitting instructions, our starting point was to try to use a QR code or other information on the seat to get either to an app or website; this is the best scenario because it means parents can check how to fit a seat when they're outside with their car. If we couldn't find a link to an app, we went on the seat maker's website, and searched for fitting instructions there. 

Practicality encompassed five areas: how heavy the seat is; how much space it takes up in the car; how well padded it is; whether the child sits in a good position; and whether the seat cover and any other elements are easy to remove and wash. To assess how much space the seat takes in a car, all seats were fitted into the rear of our two test vehicles. When testing the position of the child, we used a lifelike dummy as well as real children, as this gave us more time to assess each seat. 

To assess value for money, we looked at the cost of the seat (and base where one is needed), and how long it can be used for, calculating a monthly cost for each seat.

Our safety ratings are based on the crash performance of each seat in German ADAC tests , because these are carried out at higher speeds than the R129 (i-Size) certification tests and measure both frontal and side-impact collisions in a real car instead of a test sled.

While we’ve taken into account 100% of the scores for ease of use and practicality when calculating the overall scores, we’ve put more emphasis on safety and less on value for money. So, the scores for safety have been boosted by 25% in the overall rating, and the value for money ratings account for 25% less. 

The products or services referenced in this story have been reviewed independently by our experts. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network. However, this will never influence our opinion or ratings.

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Best infant carriers

1. Silver Cross Dream i-Size with Isofix base

Suitable for children from 40-85cm tall 

The seat and base of this rear-facing infant carrier are light and compact, and the natural bamboo seat fabric is soft and breathable.

There is a QR code on the seat to allow quick access to a five-step installation video with voiceover on the Silver Cross app, which is is clear and easy to understand. You can also access the QR code on the website, but the videos on the site itself have no captions or voiceover and aren't that helpful. 

Fitting the base into a car using Isofix mounts is simple, and the seat clicks easily into place on top of it. The five-point harness has five positions for adjustment as the baby grows; these can be fiddly to set. The straps don’t adjust all that smoothly, either, while the studs on the seat cover are stiff to undo. The newborn insert’s foam pads can be removed for washing.

Because this seat can be used only from birth to around 18 months, it doesn’t score well for value for money, costing £24 per month. It’s versatile, though, because it can be used without the Isofix base and secured via a seatbelt instead. Its ADAC crash test score is the best for an infant carrier. 

2. Joie Calmi and i-Base Encore

Price £390  Suitable for children from 40-70cm tall 

The Calmi is a modern take on the traditional carrycot. It fits sideways across the rear seats and enables an infant to lie flat – the best posture for breathing and sleeping.

The cot clicks onto an Isofix base, so it’s stable and secure in the car. The base and seat are easy to install, and buckling the child in is easy. Although the QR code on the seat doesn’t take you to fitting instructions, the video on the Joie website is clear and tells you in text form how to fit the base and cot.

The Calmi can be slotted onto the base in one direction only on each side of the car, so the baby’s head is always in the centre of the car – a safer position than next to a door. While this seat doesn’t match the best in its class for crash safety, it is still rated as good.

It’s rated highly for practicality, not only thanks to its ideal seating position but also because it’s extremely light (weighing just 3.6kg). However, it has the lowest score for value, because it can be used only for infants from birth to 12 months old, so it works out at a costly £33 per month.

That said, if you buy a larger Joie car seat afterwards, you will save money, because you can use the same base with child seats for toddlers and older children. The carrier can also be fitted onto a Joie pushchair as part of the Calmi travel system.   

Best seats for children aged up to four

1. Joie i-Spin 360

Suitable for children from 40-105cm tall 

As the name suggests, the i-Spin has a rotating function that lets parents twist the seat around to face them when they’re buckling in a child. It can be rotated with one hand and can’t be locked into the sideways position, so there’s no chance of it being misused. There’s also a sliding lock on the front that can be set to ensure that the seat can only be fitted facing rearwards for children up to 15 months old.

The seat covers are made from recycled materials. They have good padding and a washable infant insert with sizing information on it. The seating position is good for both babies and older children.

Fitting is simply a case of attaching the Isofix mounts and positioning the foot. There’s an indicator on the top of the foot that tells you when the Isofix points are inserted correctly. A QR code on the seat takes you to a comprehensive fitting video, but the online car compatibility list isn’t that easy to read.

Although the i-Spin doesn’t score quite as well as the Maxi Cosi Mica Pro Eco for ease of use, it gains a higher rating for practicality. And while both seats are rated as good by ADAC for crash protection, the i-Spin offers more protection in a side-on crash, with a very low risk of injury to a child. 

2. Maxi Cosi Mica Pro Eco 

Suitable for children from 40-105cm tall

The Mica Pro Eco is one of the easiest seats in our test to use. It can be rotated through 360 degrees or reclined using just one hand. In addition, its harness straps glide smoothly when they’re being adjusted, and its shoulder pads are attached to the body of the seat, so they don’t move when the straps are adjusted.

The seat covers are made from 100% recycled fabric. The seat has plenty of padding and a soft, thick newborn insert.

The fitting instructions on the seat and online are good. Installation is easy using the car’s Isofix mounting points, and an indicator on the bottom of the stability foot turns green when it’s positioned correctly.

In terms of value for money, the Mica Pro Eco is reasonably affordable to buy and, like the Joie i-Spin, works out at £6 per month. It can be used facing rearwards for infants and then forwards for older children, but it takes up a lot of space in rear-facing mode.

Nor is its safety rating as good as the other seat in this group, because it doesn’t provide as much protection in a side impact. ADAC says the risk of injury to a child in a side-on crash is low (rather than very low for the Joie i-Spin). As with the i-Spin, the risk of injury in a frontal impact is low, too. 

Best seats for children aged up to seven

1. BeSafe Stretch B

Price £539  Suitable for children from 40-125cm tall 

The Stretch B is a seatbelt-secured seat that keeps children facing rearwards from birth to the age of seven. It’s our top scorer in this group mainly thanks to its exceptional performance in safety tests; ADAC says it presents a very low risk of injury to a child in a front or side impact, and it has passed the stringent Swedish Plus Test.

This seat scores strongly for practicality, too. It has five reclining positions, enabling babies to lie almost flat and older children to sit more upright. There’s a bar at the foot of the seat that extends by up to 26cm to provide more leg space as youngsters grow. There are comprehensive fitting instructions on the seat (via a QR code) and on a laminated paper guide. 

The Stretch B is fiddlier to install than Isofix-mounted seats such as the Cybex Anoris T, though, requiring you to fit two floor-mounted tethers and a stability foot after securing it with a seatbelt. The tethers have a tensioner to help you get a sturdy installation, and the foot sounds a warning if it’s not touching the floor, so you won’t forget to fit it. While it’s not the cheapest to buy, the Stretch is still good value for money, working out at £7 a month. 

2. Cybex Anoris T i-Size 

Suitable for children from 76-115cm tall 

The Cybex Anoris is the world’s first child seat with a full-body airbag built into the impact shield, which is a thick band that also acts as a restraint for the child, meaning there’s no need for a five-point harness. The airbag inflates in milliseconds and distributes the force of the impact, reducing neck strain, making it up to 50% safer than other forward-facing child seats. It gained the same exceptionally high ADAC score as the rear-facing BeSafe Stretch, offering very good protection in front and side crashes.

This is the best seat in this group for ease of use, being a doddle to install using the Isofix fittings and stability foot. There’s an electronic indicator on the top of the foot with an image of the seat and lights that turn green when each element has been fitted correctly. The fitting instructions are on Cybex’s website and include a good video (with captions) that is easy to follow.

At 12kg, the Anoris isn’t the lightest of seats, and it can’t be reclined as much as others here, so it doesn’t put younger children in the best position. It also loses marks for value, because it’s fairly expensive to buy (with a monthly cost of £9) and is suitable only for children from 15 months to six years old. 

3. Axkid One+2

Price £625  Suitable for children from 40-125cm tall 

The One+ 2 is an extended rearward-facing seat that can be used up to the age of seven. It’s the first rearward-facing i-Size seat suitable for children up to this age, its Isofix fittings make it easier to install than seatbelt-secured alternatives.

Fitting instructions aren’t as good as what some rival brands provide – there’s no QR code to let you watch an installation video – but numbered stickers dotted around the seat guide you through the correct procedure. There’s no car compatibility list in the printed user manual and the online checker is hard to navigate.

The infant insert comes with printed information on the size of the child it should be used with, and the seat recline feature is a button you twist – great for getting a precise seat angle.

While the One+ 2 takes up quite a lot of space, it can be slid forward by up to 30cm to allow better access, if your car has enough room. It's the priciest of all our seats to buy but can be used for a full seven years, so it’s still reasonable value for money, at £7 a month.

As for safety, the One+ 2 has passed the Swedish Plus Test, but it didn’t do as well in the ADAC test as its BeSafe Stretch and Cybex Anoris T rivals, being rated as good rather than very good. 

4. Avionaut Sky 2.0

Suitable for children from 40-125cm tall 

This rear-facing Polish seat is suitable for use from birth to around seven years old. If used for the full term, the Avionaut Sky 2.0 represents great value for money (just £4.50 per month), but so-so scores for ease of use and safety mean it’s at the tail end of this group overall.

Although it has passed the Swedish Plus Test, it is rated as only good for safety by ADAC, being criticised for its “slightly unfavourable” seatbelt routing.

The Sky 2.0 comes with an infant insert and a wedge for smaller babies. There’s decent padding for younger children, but the pads don’t have removable covers, and the main cover is fiddly to unzip for removal. There’s no bar for children to put their feet on, and the seat should be fitted with it touching the car’s rear seatback, so taller kids might have to sit cross-legged.

At 6.6kg, the Sky is one of the lighter seats of its type. Installing it can be fiddly, though; after securing it with a seatbelt, you have to attach and tension two straps and fit a stability foot. Indicators on the foot turn green when it’s installed correctly.

Fitting instructions on the seat are minimal, but the user manual and website provide comprehensive information, including a captioned video. 

Best seats for children aged up to 12

1. Cybex Solution S2 i-Fix 

Suitable for children from 100-150cm tall 

This high-back booster seat can be used for children from three and a half years old up to the age of 12. Although the seat doesn’t recline, it has a tilting headrest that can be angled to prevent a child’s head from tipping forward when they’re asleep. It also has 12 height settings and can be adjusted with one hand. Its safety rating is very good, too.

Fitting the Cybex Solution S2 is simply a case of slotting the Isofix fittings into place and using the car’s seatbelt to secure the child. The seatbelt routing is clearly marked on the seat, and fitting instructions are in a book stored in the seat and online. The fitting video is clear and has captions, while the Cybex website has a good car compatibility checker.

At 6.2kg, the Solution S2 is light enough that it can be swapped between cars easily. It’s fairly compact, but the headrest can potentially clash with that of your car’s seat in its higher settings. The seat is well padded yet fairly wide and roomy, so it might not suit slim children. The covers can be removed and washed.

The Solution S2 is the best value for money of all the seats we tested; use it for eight and a half years and it will cost you just £1.45 per month. 

2. Maxi Cosi Titan Pro i-Size 

Suitable for children from 76-150cm tall 

This multi-age, forward-facing seat accommodates children all the way from 15 months to 12 years old, making it a very cost-effective option, working out at just £2 a month.

Fitting involves slotting the Isofix points into place and securing a top tether – a task that can be fiddly if there’s a headrest to negotiate. The instructions are good and can be found on the seat, via a QR code or on the brand’s website.

The seat offers good head and neck protection, but it isn’t as well padded as those specifically for younger children. The harness – which is employed up to age four, with older children using the car’s seatbelt – slides easily for adjustment and the shoulder pads have two useful features: they stay in place next to the seat, so they don’t need to be altered when tightening the straps, and they have magnets in them, so they can stick to the bottom of the headrest, keeping them out of the way while the child gets into the seat. 

The seating position is good for both younger and older children, and there are four recline settings for children less than 105cm tall. The seat is relatively heavy (12.5kg) and the base is wide, but it’s not too deep, so it should fit in smaller cars. 

3. Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 

Suitable for children from 40-145cm tall 

Suitable for a wide range of children from newborns up to the age of 12, this seat represents fine value, working out at just £2.60 a month if you use it for the full length of that term. It can be mounted facing rearwards for children up to age four, then rotated to face forwards for older children. The 360-degree swivel function works no matter which way the seat is facing. There’s no lie-flat option, but there are three reclining positions.

The seat materials are a combination of recycled plastic and bamboo. There’s plenty of padding and soft inserts for keeping newborns snug, while the harness is easy to buckle up and adjust.

Fitting instructions can be accessed via an app or the website, but the website video has no voiceover or captions, so it isn’t the most informative. However, fitting is easy using the Isofix mounts and support leg. It’s not a seat you’ll want to move too often, though, because it weighs 14.4kg.

The foam padding in the infant insert can be removed for washing. Although the information in the book on when to remove the additional padding is good, the website doesn't provide specific information on this. 

What Car? says…

Before you buy a child car seat, think about how you’re going to use it so you can pick the one that best suits your needs. If you have a premature baby or have concerns about an infant being scrunched up in a seat for long periods, a lie-flat seat or carrycot might be the best option. Alternatively, if you just need a seat for the occasional transport of your grandchildren, a multi-age seat that can be used from birth up to 12 years old will be much cheaper than buying two or three different seats.

However, safety experts advise parents to keep children in rear-facing seats for as long as possible, because these are generally better at minimising injuries in front-end collisions, and the latest rear-facing seats that can be used up to the age of seven are well worth considering.

As well as ensuring your child is the right size for the seat they’re using, it’s vital to make sure the seat fits well in your car and is properly installed because user error is the main issue with seats checked by police and road safety experts.

So, don’t just buy the cheapest seat you can find online; check the car compatibility lists on seat makers’ websites and visit a shop that has a trained seat installation expert who can give advice about how well various seats will work in your car and how to fit them correctly.That way you won’t find yourself standing in a hospital car park with a newborn baby, wondering how to put the seat in the car. 

Latest innovations in child car seats

Maxi Cosi FamilyFix 360 Pro

Maxi Cosi’s latest child car seats don’t just rotate for easier access; they can also be slid towards the parent, helping to prevent backache and lessening the likelihood of anyone bumping their head on the door aperture.

That’s because they sit on the FamilyFix 360 Pro seat base, which features two rails on which the child seat can slide.The base is compatible with the Pebble 360 Pro infant carrier and Pearl 360 Pro, which accommodates children up to the age of four.

BeSafe Go Beyond 

A growing number of seat makers are introducing from-birth seats that provide a flat base for a baby to lie on, because this ensures their lungs aren’t compressed and they can breathe easily.

Norwegian car seat maker BeSafe has taken the concept one step further and introduced an infant carrier with a base that can be stretched out flat but will automatically return the seat to the safest 45-degree angle when it detects a frontal impact, offering the best protection for the baby.

The Go Beyond infant carrier can be used from birth to 85cm. Like other BeSafe seats, it has a spirit level at the top of the stability foot to let parents know when it has been installed at the correct angle. 

What is the Swedish Plus Test? 

Swedish safety experts introduced a tough new child seat crash test in 2007 to encourage European seat makers to develop safer seats. The Swedish Plus Test is primarily concerned with the stress that is put on a child’s neck in a frontal impact.

Studies of real crashes revealed that children suffer more severe head and neck injuries than adults in car crashes, and that they cannot withstand impacts of more than 130kg. The Plus Test measures the force put on a child’s neck in an impact and only awards a pass to seats that keep this below 122kg.

(photo supplied by Axkid)

There are three important differences between the Plus Test and the tests that are carried out during homologation for European approval. The vehicle is doing 56km/h in the Swedish test, rather than 50km/h; the braking distance is shorter, so the impact on the car seat is greater; and the forces exerted on the neck of the crash test dummy are measured using more precise sensors.

The Swedish Plus Test is optional and tests only rearward-facing seats suitable for children from 87cm tall. While it’s useful if you’re looking for a rearward-facing seat, it’s not relevant for all child seats, so we’re not currently factoring its findings into our safety ratings.

The brands with seats that have passed the Swedish Plus Test are Avionaut, Axkid, BeSafe, Britax Romer, Joie and Nuna.  

About the author and testers

Claire Evans has been a motoring and consumer journalist for more than 30 years. Prior to joining What Car? she worked as motoring editor for Which?, overseeing its child car seat testing and reviews. She has also contributed to the motoring supplements of The Times , The Telegraph and various parenting magazines including Junior .  

Two child car seat experts from the independent advisory organisation Child Seat Safety assisted Claire Evans in assessing the child car seats for practicality and ease of use. Between them, Claire Waterhouse and Julie Dagnall have more than 50 years’ experience in the road safety industry, and they specialise in child car seat fitting.

The pair run the UK’s only child seat fitting courses accredited with the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, providing training to a wide range of people, including the retail experts who help parents pick the most suitable seats. Julie is also Road Safety GB’s national expert on in-car safety, advising local authorities on all aspects of child car seats.  

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here

Next: Best cars for three child car seats  >>

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With MAX-SAFE PRO you have a companion, who will protect your little one up to 7 years (125 cm / 36 kg). That way your little travel buddy enjoys rearward facing for longer and is prepared for any adventure.

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Avionaut Sky

Suitable from Birth

Suitable from use at just 40cms this Swedish Plus tested seat will ensure its the only seat you need until 5/6 years.

Removable inserts

The cleverly designed inserts make it an easy transition as your little one gets bigger, removing them as you grow!

Offering great support to a new baby who needs the protection.

Lightweight and Compact

Weighing just 7kg and taking up just 70cms in depth its a great choice for smaller cars or for cars where a taller passenger needs more room.

Swedish Plus Tested

Avionaut Sky is one of a select few that has passed the ultimate crash test in the world, The Swedish Plus. This means you can be confident your precious cargo is safe and in one of the best seats on the market.

10 Year Warranty

The only manufacturer to offer such a prolonged warranty on a car seat. Avionaut are confident that their seats are built to last, concentrating on attention to detail is very important to them.

To extent the warranty for free you'll need to register the product within 28 days of purchase from the retailer.

Why Rear Facing matters

We champion extended rear facing, and by keeping a child rear facing for longer they are safer, 5 times safer in fact.

A Swedish Plus tested car seat is the ultimate way to keep you children safer. They offer unbeatable protection in the event of a collision.

Axkid Premium Seat Protector

Axkid premium seat protector to protect your car's upholstery from wear and dirt. 

Thanks to the unique design this seat protector fits seats both with and without ISOFIX. Can be mounted in front and rear seats. The seat protector has two storage compartments which you can put various items in and an iPad holder for your iPad or other tablet.

Some of the most asked questions can be found here

Yes, we help lots of customers in this way. Once you have received your seat, get in touch and we will be with you every step of the way. We don't just sell you a seat, we make sure you install it and use it correctly too!

It depends on where you are in th UK. Most orders are processed and dispatched on the same day, delivery is next day (if ordered before 1pm Monday - Friday, unless otherwise stated) Accessories may take up to 5 days to be dispatched as we have dedicated collections from couriers twice a week for these. Tracking will be added to your order once dispatched and you can keep an eye on them there.

Of course. We believe in helping you to make the right choice for your family.

We usually help to narrow down your choice by understanding your budget, vehicle and child, then once an appointment has been booked for you, we can show you these seats and there will be brand new boxed ones ready for you to choose!

You are welcome to book a demo or an install (of a seat purchased from us) Both are chargeable at £30.

We are based in Stourbridge but we cover the majority of the Midlands. We are able to offer at home services as well as here with us.

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5 Absolute Best Travel Booster Seats for 2024 (+Helpful Tips)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: January 23, 2024

One of the most asked questions when it comes to road-tripping with kids is what kind of travel car seat is the best. The answer depends on so many different factors – how and where you travel, how old are your kids, and how light you want to travel. In my opinion, packing a high-back car seat on a plane is really not worth the hassle, so in this article, I will only focus on the best booster seats for travel – portable booster seats . Here’s why.

In my opinion, if you are traveling with a baby or a young child, you better just rent an appropriate car seat when you rent a car abroad.

Car seats for that age group cost a lot of money and are bulky to pack, while the price to rent one isn’t that high compared to what it costs.

Whereas if you travel with older kids who can use a booster car seat, it’s exactly the opposite. Travel booster seats are cheap to buy, easy to take with you, and renting one would often mean paying more.

TIP: At the moment of the last update, BubbleBum booster is the most popular travel booster seat choice among our readers in the USA. If I’m not mistaken, you now get an extra discount with this promo code on Amazon : 9DUCE9MT.

Ride Safer Vest is a distant second, on a much higher budget but also quite incomparable to any others safety-wise.

And now back to the best portable booster car seats . Below, you can see an overview of the information you can find in this article, including all the best travel boosters in our selection.

You can jump straight to the product information, but I strongly recommend that you also read practical tips and advice that should help you choose the right child booster seat for travel.

Update: We have done our best to update this article through the years. But there are so many changes all the time! Regulations change, products and companies disappear and new ones emerge. With the last update, we had to remove several products completely since they are not available anymore and there are no similar alternatives. So use this just as a guide to see what kind of different types of travel boosters there are, and be sure to always double-check the requirements and product specifications that are important to you!

Travel booster seats – overview:

• Our Experience with Travel Booster Seats

Booster Seat Requirements

• Other Things to Consider when Choosing Travel Booster Seat

1. The BubbleBum Booster Seat

2. ridesafer travel vest, 3. trunki boostapak, 4. hiccapop uberboost inflatable booster car seat, 5. belt-positioning backless booster, travel car seats & booster seats – our experience.

We have three kids and have traveled with them overseas ever since they were born. We always rented car seats for our kids when they were young. I just couldn’t imagine adding a big car seat to our travel luggage , not even to mention having to take two or three of them.

To us, traveling light is the best way to survive traveling with young kids.

LEARN MORE: Tips for Traveling with Kids

When our oldest was almost 5, we made a 5-week road trip in Australia . Twins were just 3 years old at that time. With three young children and multiple flights, there was just no way we would pack portable car seats for all of them. So we reserved car seats for the twins when we booked our rental car. With multiple rental cars at 4 different destinations in Australia, we spent a small fortune on those two car seats.

We, therefore, decided to at least look for an alternative solution for our 5-year-old. That’s when we started researching all available booster seats and realized that buying one would save us several hundreds of dollars.

But even a regular booster seat is not easy to pack with you. So we looked for the best travel booster seats – something that would fit all the safety requirements and at the same time would be easy to pack.

This was years ago and in the meantime, we have bought two more travel boosters for our twins as well. I am happy to say that we are still using the same travel booster seats today. We have used them on every single trip ever since and also on a daily basis at home. Buying a quality travel booster car seat was one of the best investments ever.

But before we talk about the specific travel booster seats, we should first cover some things you have to consider before buying a booster seat for your trip. Read on!

Booster seats are generally suitable for kids from around 4 years of age when children are no longer required to use a car seat with a 5-point harness. A portable travel booster seat ensures your child’s safety whenever you rent a car or use a taxi away from home.

However, the rules for the use of car seats and booster seats vary significantly from one country to another. So it’s essential to consult an official source for the country that you are traveling to in order to make sure that you have the right car seat for your child. More information about this below.

In some parts of the world – particularly much of Asia and northern Africa, there are hardly any laws requiring car seats or boosters of any kind. However, I’d still advise to rent one or bring your own. After all, you should be more concerned with your child’s safety than the (lack of) local laws.

We have rented car seats in South Africa and in Namibia for our kids and most of the time they looked completely ok to us. If in doubt, ask to change a car seat – quality car rental agencies usually have plenty of them available.

As I said before, the moment our kids were old enough for a booster car seat, we just bought our own and never had to worry about it again. Bringing your own booster seat gives you complete peace of mind and ensures that your children can travel safely wherever you go.

If you are traveling abroad, make sure to check the laws for booster seats in the country you are visiting.

Below you can find some links to the car seat and booster seat rules for a variety of destinations. Please note, however, that laws around car seat requirements change all the time , so it’s your responsibility to do proper research for the most up-to-date situation for the country you’re visiting.

Some countries require travel booster seats to carry specific labels in order to be legal for use, so it’s very important to read these regulations carefully.

• Children’s car seat rules in the USA (please note that the laws vary from state to state).
• Car seat rules in the UK .
• Car seat regulations in Canada .
• Car seat rules in Australia .
• While the rules about car seats and boosters for children are very relaxed across much of Asia , there are some countries that do have regulations. Our advice is to look up your specific destination and check the rules before you travel.
• Car seat requirements are now a bit different all over Europe . While in the past you could use a booster car seat for kids from around 4 years, the new law requires a minimum height of 125 cm (4ft1) and weight of at least 22 kg (49 lbs) in order to use a backless booster seat. In most European countries, kids can use a regular adult seat from 135 cm (4ft4) height (e.g. France, UK, Denmark, Sweden, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg…). However, some other countries require that kids under 150 cm (4ft 9) or under 12 years use a booster seat as well (e.g. Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Portugal, Poland, Slovenia,…).

Since car seat requirements are different in every country and the situation might change again, I encourage you to research the laws of the specific country you’re planning to visit . You may also want to check if the booster you have is approved for use in the country you’re traveling to.

Other Things to Consider When Choosing Travel Booster Seat

In addition to local laws and regulations, there are a few other important things to consider when choosing the most suitable booster car seat for travel. Find out!

High-backed booster seats with ‘wings’ are the safest type, as they provide the best protection for your child’s head and neck in a side-impact crash. Unfortunately, though, it’s not always possible to carry this type of seat with you if you are traveling long distances.

The important thing to remember is that any approved booster seat is better than none at all.

Weight and Size

After safety, weight and size are probably the most important considerations when choosing the right (booster) car seat. Whilst some travel booster seats are ideal for local trips and days out and about, others are more suited to longer journeys where you are restricted on how much you can carry.

That being said, you might find that any extra baggage charges you incur from taking your own booster seat would be less than the cost of hiring a booster seat at your destination. Plus, of course, you will then have a portable booster seat for future use!

If you are traveling with 2-3 kids, consider if you can fit all the travel boosters next to each other (and hope they don’t fight all the time 😉 – see also our tips for how to handle long car rides with kids .

Versatility

Some seats are designed to serve more than one purpose, which is great if you have limited luggage space and want to get the most ‘bang for your buck’.

Important Tips

Wherever possible, we recommend sitting with your child and keeping an eye on them if using a backless booster, as it is a little easier for them to wriggle into an unsafe position.

Try to place your travel booster seat in the middle back seat if appropriate. Experts say that this is the safest position in the car.

Practice fitting the booster seat before you travel. While most boosters are pretty straightforward, some may need a little more expertise!

Best Travel Booster Seats: Comparison & Review

There are several good options when it comes to booster car seats for travel. So in order to give you the most complete guide to the best travel booster seats available at this moment , I not only based it on our experience, but also consulted other family travelers, and did extended research.

In the end, I selected portable booster seats that I think are the best options for those looking for a lightweight travel booster that doesn’t compromise on safety. In addition, I also included one high-back foldable booster seat. It’s obviously not as easy to pack as the backless boosters, but if you are traveling with a smaller child and still rather pack a car seat of your own, it might be a good option.

Below is our selection of the best travel booster seats. You can find a short review of each booster seat and a list of the main features that we think make them so useful. Of course, we also included our personal favorite – the travel booster seat that our kids have been using for years. Find out!

Here are the best travel booster seats:

The award-winning BubbleBum Booster Seat is described as an inflatable booster seat. However, it actually contains more memory foam than air, meaning that it will protect your child even if punctured in an accident.

BubbleBum Booster Seat takes just 20 seconds to inflate for use, then deflates quickly and folds to a small size, perfect for popping into your hand luggage or backpack.

The booster is designed for use with a 3-point adult seat belt (not a lap belt). The shoulder belt positioning clip and side lap belt clips help keep your child safe and comfortable.

At just 1.2 lbs it is the lightest travel booster seat we reviewed and it’s also the cheapest. But because it is a little smaller than some other travel boosters, we feel it’s more suited to shorter journeys than long road trips.

BubbleBum booster seat features:

• Suitable for children age 4-11 years, weighing from 40-100 lbs (18-45 kg).
• Inflates and deflates quickly.
• Lightweight and folds to a compact size and easy to store anywhere.
• Comes with its own bag.
• Made of a durable material.
• Narrow design allows you to use 3 across the back seat.

The compact and lightweight RideSafer Travel Vest is a brilliant alternative to a travel booster seat, but it comes with a much steeper price card. Weighing only 1.5 lbs (800 gr), it takes up very little luggage space and is particularly ideal for small cars, where bulkier car seats and boosters can be a tight fit. Fitting three of these vests in a row on the back seat is no problem whatsoever!

While the RideSafer may seem to offer less protection than booster seats at first glance, it’s actually the opposite. This is one of the safest solutions available!

Its clever design means that it maintains the car’s seatbelt in the proper position at all times. The shoulder belt is held in place, but away from your child’s neck, making him feel much more comfortable. It also positions the lap belt below your child’s abdomen, which best protects the internal organs.

This is the most expensive of the travel boosters we have reviewed in this article, but for the convenience and safety of your child, the RideSafer Travel Vest is invaluable!

RideSafer travel vest features:

• Available in 2 sizes, to fit children from 3-10 years, weighing from 30 to 80 lbs (15 to 36 kg).
• Certified for use in cars in the US.
• Small, lightweight, and easy to pack in hand luggage or backpack.
• Maintains proper seatbelt positioning at all times.

Trunki BoostApak is the travel booster seat that we chose for our kids. We bought one for our oldest son when he was 4 and used it till he didn’t need it anymore (around the age of 8-9). Our twins got the same Trunki boosters when they were 4 and used them until the age of 10.

I can’t even start to count the number of flights and road trips we have taken them on. The kids also used Trunki BoostApak boosters for their daily commute to school. Our high-back booster seats were only in use when we traveled big distances with our own car here in Europe. Since the new law in some European countries requires that booster seats are used till the kids are 150 cm tall, we used Trunki BoostAPak for our twins until the age of 10.

When we mentioned versatility earlier in this article, Trunki BoostApak is the booster seat we had in mind! The Trunki BoostApak is not just a booster seat, it’s also a hand-luggage approved child’s bag, with padded straps for comfort and a generous 8-liter capacity.

This means that you can use it to easily pack your child’s toys, books, games, and snacks for them to carry, then quickly convert it into an EU-certified travel booster seat whenever needed. You don’t need to unpack the Trunki before using it as a seat, as its hard plastic internal shell protects the bag’s contents. The shell is also designed to provide maximum strength in an accident.

It’s very easy to convert Trunki from a backpack to a booster seat, but if you (like many of us!) find some kids’ accessories a little challenging, be sure to practice with it before leaving home!

In addition to using it as a backpack and a car booster seat, the Trunki Boostapak with its wipe-clean cover makes a great booster seat for the movies too! We once even took our kids’ Trunkis to a theater.

The only minor issue we’ve had with this booster seat/backpack is that it’s slightly too heavy for younger children to carry – an empty Trunki BoostApak weighs 3.8 pounds (1,7 kg). So when our kids were just 4-5 years old, we usually had to help them with it at the airport. It’s not a big deal since the Trunki usually stays in the car for the entire duration of our trip.

Trunki BoostAPak travel booster features:

• Suitable for children age 4-11 years, weighing from 30 to 80 lbs (15 to 36 kg).
• Converts from a backpack to a booster seat in seconds.
• The fold-out seatbelt guides and seat belt adjuster help you ensure a perfect and safe fit.
• Approved as hand luggage by most airlines.
• EU certified for everyday car use.

Where to buy Trunki BoostApak. For some reason, Trunki BoostApak has always been a ‘European’ travel booster. Probably because it’s only been approved to be used in the EU and is not (yet) on the market in the USA. You can buy it on Amazon UK , but unfortunately, not on Amazon in the US.

Similar in principle to the Bubblebum, the Hiccapop Uberboost travel booster seat inflates and deflates quickly, so you can simply roll it up and pop it in your hand luggage, backpack, etc.

It’s cheaper than the BubbleBum, is made of a very thick, durable material and is comparable in weight.

The biggest difference is that – unlike the BubbleBum – there is no foam in the air bladder. Nevertheless, it feels as sturdy as a regular booster seat when inflated.

Hiccapop Uberboost features:

• Very compact and lightweight.
• Positions seat belt over the lap, not the stomach.
• Lifetime guarantee.

Update: The model reviewed below is not available during our last update, so check out these popular alternatives that offer pretty much the same functionality. Since this is the most popular portable booster design, there are so many brands selling similar models and they change the colors and the looks all the time.

Chicco GoFit Belt-Positioning Backless Booster is the only backless booster seat we reviewed that has dual cup holders, which are a huge plus on long journeys. The cup holders fold away, which is handy if you need to fit several car seats across the back seat. They can easily be removed and are dishwasher safe.

A little more expensive than other backless boosters, the Chicco GoFit feels very robust and well-made, whilst providing a lot more padding for your child’s comfort than many other seats of this type.

The seat has lap belt guides and a shoulder clip, which is attached to the back of the seat by a fabric strap. In some cars, you can fit three of these seats in the back – but you should only do this if you have a 3-point seat belt in the center seat, not a lap belt.

At 5 lbs it is heavier than the other travel booster seats in this selection and would also take up more luggage space. Nevertheless, it is still light enough to carry around and easy to move from one vehicle to another.

The only downside to this seat is that it doesn’t have latch connectors. Whilst this is a bonus in terms of travel, as it can quickly be moved to any vehicle, it does mean that it may shift a little during your journey and will also need to be stowed safely away when not in use.

Chicco GoFit booster seat features:

• Suitable for children age 4 and up, weighing from 40-110 lbs (18-45 kg).
• Double foam padding.
• Armrest covers and seat pad are machine-washable.
• Built-in carry handle.
• Smooth underside to protect vehicle seats.

So this is our complete guide to the best lightweight portable travel booster seats. I hope it helps you to find the best-suitable travel car seat for your kids.

Have you used any of these lightweight booster seats or have a favorite portable travel booster? Feel free to share your experience – you can leave a reply below.

READ ALSO : Best travel bags for kids

More tips for traveling with kids:

• Family travel: Tips for Travelling with Kids & Benefits of Family Travel
• Gear & luggage: Best Travel Gear for Kids & Best Kids Luggage
• Gift ideas: Travel Gifts for Kids (That They’ll Actually Use)
• Footwear: Best Travel Shoes for Kids
• Books: Travel Books and Destination Guides for Kids

If you found this post useful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends who might be looking for a travel booster seat for their children. Are you on Pinterest? Pin this image!

Some travel inspiration for families:

• Best Family Travel Destinations
• Best USA National Parks to Visit with Kids
• Lesser-known US National Parks for Families
• Top USA Spring Break Destinations
• Top Spring Break Destinations in Europe
• Yellowstone with Kids
• Arches National Park with Kids

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Wednesday 24th of January 2024

Hi Jurga, I really appreciate your blog - it's been so helpful! I was looking to buy the Trunki BoostApak for our trip to Portugal and Spain later this year as our kids will be 6.5 and 4.5 years old. I noticed that the boosters are no longer available to ship via Amazon to the USA when logged under Amazon UK. I also tried their website which doesn't ship to the USA. It's not urgent since we don't travel until the Fall, but I was hoping to to buy the boosters ahead of time instead of trying to buy something when we arrive. Do you know if something has recently changed or if this is just a temporary thing with Amazon shipping? Thanks much! Kaylee

Thursday 25th of January 2024

Hi Kaylee, unfortunately, I don't know which products Amazon ships where and there might be tons of reasons why a specific product isn't shipped internationally. It might also depend on who the seller is - Amazon itself or some third party. Here in Europe, we use various Amazon websites from all different countries and it's very random what we can buy from which website, and what can be sent to one country is often not possible to another, plus, it changes all the time too. Indeed, the official USA website of Trunki doesn't even show this product, and the ones from Europe don't seem to ship to the USA. It's likely because they never asked for an official approval of this car seat in the US. So I really don't know what to tell you. Maybe try an alternative booster, or rent with a car. You may also want to check what the current rules in Portugal and Spain are depending on your kids' height/weight. I think that they might still be required to use a booster with back/head support at that age (depending on how tall they are and also on the country).

Tuesday 2nd of January 2024

Hi Jurga, happy New Year! I know from your blog your family has been to Portugal a few times including the islands and mainland but don't recall reading specifically on boosters for kids. We will be going to mainland Portugal this July and have 2 kids (both turns 7 & 9 this August). We are not sure what the best options on regarding booster seats for them and wanted to hear your insights. We are debating on renting the boosters with the car rental company but they seem to cost anwhere from $80 to $110 per booster seat which we can save. If we bring our own (backless boosters from the U.S.), we might not be able to use them right? Any suggestions? Thanks!

@Jurga, thanks so much for taking the time to reply to my inquiry! Yes the booster we use in the U.S. is sturdy (Chicco KitFit 2-in-1 Belt Positioning Booster Car Seat). We would bring just the bottom section w/o the back support and that's why I asked if that would meeting Portugal's guideline or law? You rented a car for ONLY 144 euro for 12 days?!?!?! I'm assuming it's manual? Unfortunately we need an automatic and the price seems to just a lot due to that. Thanks for the car rental site. Will check it out using your link!

Hi Athan, indeed, kids that age are officially required to use a booster in Portugal. And yes, some car rental companies charge ridiculous amounts for them - that's also why we always packed our own when our kids needed them... You have several options. Buy a booster at a local store once you get to Portugal (you should be able to find them at all major supermarkets) or bring one with you. Depending on the booster that you use at home, it might be EU certified - just check online. Also, if it's a sturdy, quality booster, it's likely going to be better quality than what you get from some car rental agencies... And normally nobody will care what you use - it's your kids and you want to make sure that they are safe. The only issue is if something happens and police checks car seats. But I can't imagine anyone would make an issue about them not being certified in the EU if they are safe and certified in the USA. But it's your decision. Yet another option is to order a EU-certified booster from Amazon UK or Amazon Germany/France/Spain... (if they deliver in the US) and bring it with you. Just check if it's not going to become more expensive that way. If you want to avoid all the hassle, renting one together with your car is the safest option. Just a thought - car rental is usually so cheap in Portugal that it may not be such a big deal to pay extra for the boosters. P.S. We always rent our cars via RentalCars website. In fact, we are here in Portugal at the moment and we have a nice, family-size car for about 144 euro for 12 days including full insurance. If we had rented the same car directly with the company (and paid insurance at the counter), it would have been over 700 euros...

Wednesday 31st of May 2023

I love this post! I actually read it years ago, then when I was looking at booster seats recently, I was so happy to find it back. I saw that it now has the comfiGO booster-type seat by ClypX. I was very interested in that seat, but when I started doing more research on it I found that US child passenger safety news site called Safe Ride News had an article stating that the booster is not actually classified as a booster in the US, so safety regulations don’t apply to it. Since it claims it complies with the regulations (deceptive), and because of how it is designed, I would be hesitant to use it or recommend it to anyone, whether or not they are in the US.

Tuesday 6th of June 2023

Hi Nanika, based on everything I find online, this seat is certified in the US at this moment, but they were asked not to call it a 'booster' anymore.

Saturday 27th of May 2023

Do you have any information on when and why mifold went out of business? Have their booster seats been recalled? When I purchased our mifold years ago, it was considered very safe, approved for use in the UK (which is where we mostly need to use it) and we have loved it, but I know that ratings can change with more information. Thanks!

Hi Lindsey, it happened rather recently and I haven't heard anything about recalls. The company just stopped from one day to the other; I don't think it had anything to do with the product safety. Maybe try searching online - I wasn't able to find much info when I checked when updating this article last time.

Saturday 3rd of December 2022

On February 1, 2022, very shortly after you updated this for “2022 & Beyond” (Jan. 24), IIHS actually removed their “Best Bet” rating from both the BubbleBum and Hiccapop UberBoost inflatable boosters. This conclusion was made after new studies (using computer modeling vs. static dummies that were previously used) discovered the high potential for “submarining” in the event of a collision due to the lack of rigidity with an inflatable booster. Since they’ve determined more research/studies need to be performed with inflatable boosters, they have changed their previous “Best Bet” determinations to now “Unrated”. I just wanted to comment because you had mentioned the IIHS ratings in your article, so if that rating is a deciding factor for someone, they may want to choose another option. If someone is in need of a compact travel booster that does not inflate, your recommendation of the Mi-Fold would meet that criteria but again, that’s another option that is not rated by IIHS. Nonetheless, I found your article very helpful, thank you, and wish that the Trunki option you decided on was available here in the US!

Hi Cortnie, thank you for this update. It's difficult to keep up with all the changes, isn't it... I'll see when I can find the time to update this again. PS If you like Trunki Boostapak, I think you can just order it from Amazon.co.uk. We sometimes order products from Amazon in the US and they get shipped to Europe without any problems. They usually add some extra costs for shipping and customs duties, but sometimes it's still worth it. I'm just not sure if the Trunki is officially approved in the US and what that means if you'd use it there. I'm sure they are just fine safety-wise since whatever passes European standards could probably pass any others, but I don't know about the legal side of this. We took ours all over the world and in the last years, we see more and more families here in Europe traveling with these Trunki boosters/backpacks.

What is the R129 child car seat safety standard?

When it comes to child travel, every parent wants peace of mind that they’re choosing the best car seat for their little one. If you’re currently looking for a new car seat for your baby or child, we understand that making sense of the rules and regulations can be confusing.

ECE R129 is the latest EU/UK safety standard for child car seats but what exactly does this entail? We spoke to child car seat experts, Joie to find out more about the R129 regulation and how this differs from other car seat safety standards.

What is the R129 regulation?

ECE R129 was first introduced during 2013 running alongside the existing ECE R44 standard . While R44 car seats can still currently be purchased, from the 1st September 2023, R129 will replace R44 entirely as the only approved EU car seat testing standard. (ECE R44 can continue to be sold in England, wales & Scotland beyond the EU 1st September 2024 sales stop date).

The simplest way to understand the ECE R129 regulation is that it focuses on the child’s height rather than their weight alone. It’s often a challenge for parents to know when they should upgrade their child’s car seat. Therefore, height can more accurately allow parents to measure if an existing car seat is the best fit for their little one rather than weight. Car seats still have a maximum occupant weight capacity, and this is equally important to monitor as well as using the primary indicator of the child’s height when using an R129 car seat.

It's recommended that children travel rearward facing up to a minimum of 15 months & at least 75cm in height as research shows that this gives them time to develop and ensure their neck is strong enough to support their head. Measuring by height can also more easily allow parents to assess when it’s time for their child to face forward.

R129 car seats also undergo further testing than other car seat standards including side impact testing and Q dummy crash tests which include 32 sensors.

What is the difference between R129 and i-Size?

While R129 car seats and i-Size car seats undergo similar safety testing, they are not the same thing. The easiest way to think of it is that i-Size is an enhancement of R129. I-Size focuses on ensuring that car seats fit safely into vehicles using ISOFIX anchor points. Therefore, while all i-Size car seats must comply with R129 standards, not all R129 car seats may be i-Size compatible. Many i-size car seats have ‘i’ at the beginning of the product name or you can look out for the i-Size logo.

What is the difference between R129 and R44?

The key differences between the R129 and R44 standards are as follows:

• ECE R129 focuses on the child’s height in cm, while the ECE R44 focuses on a child’s weight in kg
• R129 is not categorised into groups, while R44 is categorised into groups 0+,1,2,3
• Children must be rear facing to a minimum of 15 months of age and be at least 75cm in height, while a child can be forward facing from 9KG with R44
• R129 has additional side impact testing, while R44 is only rear and front tested
• R129 conducts Q dummy crash tests with 32 sensors, while R44 conducts P dummy crash tests with 4 sensors

What also makes R129 unique is that the standard is divided into four categories, covering different child sizes, seat installation and how the child is secured within the child restraint system (CRS):

Can I still buy R44 car seats?

R44 car seats can currently still be purchased and are still subject to extensive testing despite being gradually phased out. Joie confirms that these are still reliable car seats and are safe to use. From 1st September 2023, EU authorities will no longer accept approvals for R44 car seats and from 1st September 2024, they will no longer be sold by retailers, marketplaces and e-commerce in the EU/UK. This means that businesses within the EU will have one year to sell any remaining R44 car seats they have in stock. (R44 can continue to be sold in England, wales & Scotland beyond the EU 1st September 2024 sales stop date).

It's important to understand that consumers can still use an R44 car seat that has been purchased after 1st September 2023.

What types of R129 car seats can I buy?

Joie stock a wide range of child car seats that are ECE R129 compliant and will continue to launch new R129 car seats over the coming years. ECE R44 car seats will continue to be available until they are eventually phased out.

With R129 car seats no longer using group numbers, Joie have categorised their car seats using the following:

• Baby car seat (up to approx. 12 months)
• Toddler car seat (up to approx. 4 years)
• Child car seats (up to approx. 12 years with internal harness and seat belt)
• Belted booster seat (approx. 3-12 years with seat belt)
• Spinning car seat (all spinning car seats)

Check out our full range of Joie R129 car seats and have the peace of mind that your child is travelling both safely and comfortably.

3 tips on how to travel with a baby in the car

Setting off on a road trip with little ones is thrilling but also comes with worries about their safety and comfort. let's discuss why a reliable baby car seat is a must for every family..

Listen to Story

As parents, setting on a road trip with our little ones can be both exciting and daunting. The anticipation of creating lasting memories together is often accompanied by concerns about keeping our precious kids and companions safe and comfortable throughout the journey. One essential aspect of ensuring a smooth and worry-free ride is investing in a reliable baby car seat.

Let's talk about why baby car seats are not just an optional accessory, but a crucial safety measure for every family. Picture this: you're driving along a busy highway, and suddenly, you need to hit the brakes hard. With a properly installed car seat, you can manoeuvre and put the brakes on with that added peace of mind. Baby car seats provide a secure and snug environment for your little one, giving you that extra bit of cushion while driving, afterall you know that your baby is protected with the right mechanism, and additional safety measures deployed around baby car seats.

1. SAFETY FIRST

Is your child's car safety seat installed properly? Is it the right type and size for your child? Has it been recalled?

You might think you've got it right, but a survey from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggests that nearly half of Americans unknowingly make mistakes installing infant car seats and booster seats, putting them in too loosely, at an incorrect angle of recline, or positioning the lap belt incorrectly.

Some people may be using recalled, expired or damaged car seats or seats that are no longer the right type for the size of their child.

To help metro Detroiters ensure they are using safe car seats that are installed properly, Children's Hospital of Michigan is teaming up with Hyundai Motor America for a free child car seat check 10 a.m.-noon Saturday at Children’s Hospital of Michigan Specialty Center, 3950 Beaubien Blvd., Detroit (across the street from the main hospital).

Nationally certified child passenger safety technicians will inspect car seats for expiration, manufacturer recalls and proper fit for the child. If the car seat you are using is not safe, a free replacement car seat will be offered.

The car seat check event is free and open to the public. Reservations aren't required, though the child must be present for the car seat inspection and free giveaway.

In addition, Hyundai Motor America is expected to donate $15,000 to the Children’s Foundation in support of the hospital’s Injury Prevention Program.

Contact Kristen Shamus: [email protected]. Subscribe to the Free Press.

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• Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls

Product Recall: Solar Group 1 2 3 Isofix Car Seat (2404-0080)

Product Recall for Solar Group 1 2 3 Isofix Car Seat presenting a risk of injuries.

Product: Solar Group 1 2 3 Isofix Car Seat

Hazard: There is a small internal component issue in certain batches of car seat, which may result in the harness not locking properly when pulled.

Corrective action: Recall of the product from end users.

Product information

There is a small internal component issue in certain batches of car seat, which may result in the harness not locking properly when pulled. This could potentially compromise the safety of the child.

The affected products do not meet the requirements of the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.

Corrective action

The affected batches have been recalled from end users. For further information, please access the Ickle bubba recall alert here: https://icklebubba.com/pages/product-safety-notices-solar-group-1-2-3-isofix-car-seat

Additional information

PSD number: 2404-0080

Notified by: Local Authority Trading Standards

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