The 11 Best Car Seats of 2025 | Crash Tested

Best Overall Infant Car Seat

Nuna Pipa RX

Maximum Weight	32 lbs
Minimum Weight	4 lbs
Maximum Height	32 in
Measured Carrier-Only Weight	8.5 lb
Built in Lock Off	Yes

The Nuna Pipa RX is an excellent infant car seat. This high-quality, high-dollar seat has some of the best crash test sensor data we've ever seen. It is easy to install in our tests with rigid LATCH, which means you don't have to tighten anything or figure out a belt lock-off. The Nuna has a lighter weight carrier at 8.5 lbs in our tests, making it one of the lightest high-ranking options in the lineup and perfect for those who plan to carry their car seat regularly. Our tester stated, “I think it is important that the carrier be light enough to carry with a baby onboard. Little ones could be in an infant carrier weighing more than 30 lbs, making a 10+ pound carrier worse.”

Our favorite thing about the Pipa RX is the crash test sensor data. Sensor data is the measured G forces during testing recorded by sensors in the head and chest of the crash test dummy. In a test where the lower results are better, the Nuna had the lowest recorded sensor results we've seen in over a decade of crash-testing infant car seats.

The Nuna is the perfect seat for families whose budget allows for a high-dollar option. With the best crash test results, it is our pick for those who value crash test results above all else and can afford to pay a little more for a product with a smaller use window.

The Nuna is expensive. It is one of the highest-priced options in the group. If your budget is smaller, the Britax Willow S is also a compelling choice with better crash test analysis results and a lighter carrier. If you plan to have more than one child, it can help cushion the blow of the price by being used by more than one kiddo. The Nuna also has a rethread harness system. Our tester remarked, “For the price, I think it is disappointing for a seat to be rethread when an on-the-fly adjustment would be easier to use.” However, you likely only do this a couple of times before your child graduates to a convertible car seat. It isn't difficult, just more involved and requires attention as soon as you notice a need. Last, the Pipa is not compatible with as many strollers as some competitors, and if you hope to stroll with your carrier, you might consider the Evenflow Shyft Dualride that has a stroller frame attached or the Chicco Keyfit 35 that has vast compatibility with the purchase of adapters. Overall, there is much to love about the Pipa RX, and we think most families will be pleased with every aspect of this easy-to-use car seat.

Read more: Nuna Pipa RX review

Best Budget Infant Car Seat

Britax Willow S

Maximum Weight	30 lbs
Minimum Weight	4 lbs
Maximum Height	32 in
Measured Carrier-Only Weight	9.7 lb
Built in Lock Off	Yes

The Britax Willow S is one of those rare baby gear products that hit the sweet spot of being affordable and impressive. With high-ranking and impressive test results, this infant car seat is a tester's favorite, offering so much to love, from higher crash test analysis results with low sensor G-force results in our crash testing (lower is better) to multiple easy-to-install methods. It features an anti-rebound bar, ClickTight belt lock-off, and the carrier has four shoulder strap positions and two crotch positions. One tester said, “I really can't find a reason not to choose the Willow over higher-priced choices.”

Our favorite thing about the Willow is what you get for the price. The Willow excelled in most test metrics despite being cheaper than many competitors by close to two hundred dollars. We love finding a great product that is budget-friendly and doesn't sacrifice safety or ease of use.

The Willow is the perfect option for parents with smaller budgets but do not want to sacrifice ease of installation, ease of use, or crash test results. It is a seat our testers would absolutely recommend to a friend. It hits all the high points parents should look for, like straightforward installation with an effective lock-off, a carrier weight of a pound below average, and easy-to-use everyday features like the buckle and chest clip. One tester said, “I thought it was harder to thread the belt into the lock-off, but once it is in there, it is easy to use and locks the seat in place.”

The Britax doesn't have the best fabric. While the comfort padding is useful and well-placed, the fabric isn't as nice. Our tester remarked during testing, “I don't think the fabric is soft so much as slick. It has a somewhat plasticky feel that might be easy to clean but isn't as soft to the touch as competitors.” Alternatively, the Nuna Pipa RX has much nicer fabric that is softer with more padding underneath. This carrier is also not compatible with many popular strollers, which is not a deal breaker to us, but if you hope to pair it with a stroller, the Chicco Keyfit 35 could be a better choice, or the Evenflo Syft Dualride comes with stroller components. Our nitpicks about the Willow are just that, nitpicks. Ultimately, we think most families will be very pleased with this seat and the money they save.

Read more: Britax Willow S review

Best Infant Car Seat for Installation Ease

Clek Liing

Maximum Weight	30 lbs
Minimum Weight	4 lbs
Maximum Height	32 in
Measured Carrier-Only Weight	10.5 lb
Built in Lock Off	Yes

The Clek Liing is a well-designed infant car seat with a load leg. It is also the easiest to install using LATCH, with a color-change indication of connection on rigid LATCH connectors that are unbelievably easy to use. Our main tester said, “I think the rigid LATCH connectors are a game changer that means no lock-off and no tightening required.” This seat is easy to install, offering above-average quality and comfort features.

Our favorite thing about the Liing is the better-than-average crash test analysis results. The Liing offers impressive test sensor results, with some of the lowest in the group (lower is better) and one of the highest analysis scores. Plus, it is ridiculously easy to install, which is safety critical as studies show that many injuries are a result of improper installation.

For parents who prioritize ease of installation and better crash test analysis over all other factors, the Liing is the one. If safety is job one, then an easy installation is key. Many parents struggle with anxiety, and having a straightforward installation can help ensure a correct installation and decrease worry. Our tester said, “I cannot overstate how important it is to install a car seat correctly.”

The Liing is expensive. Unless your budget can stretch, spending this much on a product you only use for 9 months might be a deal-breaker. If you have the tightest budget but don't want to sacrifice crash test analysis results, the Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX offers good crash test results for a budget price, but it is harder to install. It also isn't the easiest seat to use, and it doesn't pair with many strollers, unlike the Chicco Keyfit 35. We would love to see a non-rethread harness adjustment on a seat in this price range, but we can accept its absence, given the ease of installation. As one tester remarked, “The lack of non-rethread adjustment is a bummer, but most parents will only need this once or twice.” Overall, there is no better infant seat if your goal is the crash test best, and the installation will keep you smiling.

Read more: Clek Liing review

Best Infant Car Seat with Stroller

Evenflo Shyft DualRide

Maximum Weight	35 lbs
Minimum Weight	3 lbs
Maximum Height	32 in
Measured Carrier-Only Weight	20.1 lb
Built in Lock Off	Yes

The Evenflo Shyft Dualride is a relatively unique infant car seat you can use with or without the included frame stroller. It earned better than average crash test analysis results and fills a niche for parents who want or need to quickly get from the car to strolling and don't necessarily want to hassle with a separate stroller. The Shyft can save you money and time over creating a travel system and purchasing an additional product, and it can be a game changer for those who live in urban environments where public transportation could legally have them forging a car seat altogether.

This is the first stroller car seat that impressed us in crash test results. While we've seen other similar options on the market, they struggled to justify their higher prices and gave us pause when it came to test results. The Shyft, however, brings a higher-quality stroller-car seat combo to the table with an easy-to-install and easy-to-use design.

This is a perfect option for those who want to easily move from car rides to city streets without having to carry an infant car seat carrier. This all-in-one product means buying less, carrying less, and storing less, so you can get on your way without folding and unfolding a stroller that might not fit in your Uber. As one city dweller tester shared, “I love that I can just get out of the Lyft and start strolling without having to worry about whether or not my stroller fits in the car or gets forgotten in the trunk.”

The Shyft is heavy with the stroller attached. Carrying over 21 lbs (in our tests) up multiple flights of stairs is something to consider if your home is a multi-story walk-up. Lighter carriers like the Nuna Pipa, with a weight of 8.5 lbs, could be the better solution, depending on your goals. Alternatively, you may end up carrying the two components separately. The Shyft is also expensive. It is one of the group's higher-priced infant car seats, which could be a deal breaker for some. However, it is also a stroller and could save you money in the beginning or even result in realizing you don't like strollers, so you don't need to buy one. One tester said, “While it was nice when my baby was younger, I switched to a baby carrier when they outgrew it and never bought a stroller.” It might also be suitable for multiple children, assuming it isn't involved in an accident, so the price could be justified if this is your plan.

Read more: Evenflo Shyft Dualride review

Best Overall Convertible Car Seat

Graco 4Ever DLX

Min/Max Forward Facing Passenger Weight	22-65 lb
Min/Max Rear Facing Passenger Weight	4-40 lb
Rear Facing Maximum Height	Top of head must be at least 1 in below handle
Forward Facing Maximum Height	49 in
Weight i	21.8 lb

The Graco 4Ever DLX is one of those rare products that seems like nothing can go wrong. This reasonably priced convertible seat has the group's best crash test analysis and performed well in the remaining metrics. The 4Ever is easy to install using LATCH, significantly easier than the average seat for belt installation, and has super easy-to-use features like a non-rethread harness height adjustment. It is hard to go wrong with the 4Ever. Our top tester said, “If a seat could be perfect, I think this one is pretty darn close.”

The 4Ever has some of the best combined sensor results from our crash testing. This gave it one of the group's highest scores for crash test analysis. With lower G forces recorded than most of the competition for both the HIC and chest clip sensors, it could potentially provide an additional margin of protection.

This should be a go-to option for parents prioritizing the best crash test analysis results over other factors. However, that isn't the only reason to choose it over others, it is easy to use, easy to install, and reasonably priced for what you get.

This Graco is not the most comfortable or budget-friendly. The Graco SlimFit 3-in-1 is less expensive and offers more padding for comfort while maintaining a similar crash test profile. If you want the best for comfort and budget isn't a concern, then the Nuna Rava is a high-quality option with ample comfort padding and soft fabric, but the entry price is steep. Overall, we think the 4Ever DLX is the perfect choice for most.

Read more: Graco 4Ever DLX review

Inexpensive High-ranking Convertible

Graco Extend2Fit 3 in 1

Min/Max Forward Facing Passenger Weight	22-65 lb
Min/Max Rear Facing Passenger Weight	4-50 lb
Rear Facing Maximum Height	Top of head must be at least 1 in below handle
Forward Facing Maximum Height	49 in
Weight i	20.5 lb

The Graco Extend2Fit 3 in 1 is one of our favorite convertible car seats. It has a very reasonable price tag (it is often on sale) and one of the highest crash test analysis results in the convertible lineup. This Graco is comfortable, with supportive padding that decreases pressure points and a headrest suitable for road trip napping. Our tot tester said, “I could totally nap in this seat.”

The Extend2Fit offers a nice balance between impressive crash test analysis, comfort and quality, and a better price below the average for the group. It is hard to say there is one favorite thing about the Extend2Fit because everything is kind of great, but perhaps it would be the extendable leg room and the potential to sit rear-facing longer. Since sitting rear-facing is considered safer, the longer your little one sits in that direction, the better.

Parents looking for a seat with safety in mind should consider the Extend2Fit. While the crash test analysis is one of the highest, it also allows for longer rear-facing installation and is easy to use. Each of these factors can help improve overall safety, so finding a seat with all of them plus a lower-than-average price is a winner in our book.

This option isn't as easy to install using either method as the Graco 4Ever DLX or the Chicco Fit360, but it isn't challenging compared to lower-ranking contenders. It also isn't as easy to use as those with slightly more thoughtful designs like the Nuna RAVA or Chicco Fit360. Overall, we think the Extend2Fit is a great all-around choice for many families, offering enough to keep both parents and toddlers pleased.

Read more: Graco Extend2Fit 3 in 1 review

Best Budget-Friendly Convertible Seat

Graco SlimFit 3-in-1

Min/Max Forward Facing Passenger Weight	22-65 lb
Min/Max Rear Facing Passenger Weight	5-40 lb
Rear Facing Maximum Height	Top of head must be at least 1 in below handle
Forward Facing Maximum Height	49 in
Weight i	18.5 lb

The Graco SlimFit 3-in-1 is a budget choice that excels at the most important metrics, like crash testing and installation. It is a lightweight option with more comfortable padding than some of the other Gracos we tested, and it has easy-to-use features. Our tester said, “This is a great option for those with smaller spaces or need a lighter seat to carry.”

The SlimFit is designed for those who want to fit multiple seats in a row. While it is not the narrowest in the group, it is a higher-ranking narrow option with a width under 19 inches. Depending on your vehicle, it could translate to two seats and a person or three seats in larger spaces. Parents who need a narrow option could find it works, but if your car is compact, it might not be the best.

The seat is best for families with a smaller budget who want something with higher crash test analysis results. In our tests, this seat earned great scores for ease of use and comfort while maintaining a relatively lighter weight of only 18.5 lbs.

This seat has great crash test results, but if you want the absolute best, the Graco 4Ever DLX is the better bet. Also, if you want to try a rotating seat, the SlimFit isn't going to fit the bill, and the Cybex Sirona S might be better. However, this is a great option for most families with performance results and a price combination that can't be matched.

Read more: Graco SlimFit 3-in-1 review

Best Revolving Convertible Car Seat

Chicco Fit 360

Min/Max Forward Facing Passenger Weight	26.5-65 lb
Min/Max Rear Facing Passenger Weight	4-40 lb
Rear Facing Maximum Height	43 in
Forward Facing Maximum Height	49
Weight i	32.4 lb

The Chicco Fit 360 is a rotating convertible seat that is one of the easiest car seats to install in our review. Our Senior tester said, “This is my favorite seat of the 360 options we've tested.” We like the convenience of adjusting the harness with the passenger facing out and think it could be a game-changer for those who struggle to get little ones in the car.

One of our favorite things about the Fit360 is the one-time installation of the base that works both forward and rear-facing. The ability to rotate the seat around on the base is cool for ease of getting little ones in and out and for switching to forward-facing when the time is right.

This seat is best for those who want a rotating seat or who have anxiety about installation. Because correct installation can impact the potential crash performance of the seat, it is super important that seats are installed perfectly. The Chicco makes this easy and stress-free with a straightforward process that does the hard work for you. It earned one of the highest scores in our installation tests.

The seat comes in two parts, and in our testing, each part weighs 16.2 lbs, making a final weight of 32.4 lbs. If you set it and forget it, this could be no big deal, but if you need to take it on travel, it could be a no-go since it is heavy and cumbersome and lacks a carry handle. The Graco SlimFit 3-in-1 is much lighter and weighs 18.5 lbs. It is also one of the longest option from front to back in rear-facing, this could be prohibitive if your vehicle is smaller or the parents are taller as there won't be enough room between the back of the car seat and the front vehicle seat. The Graco 4Ever DLX is not as long and could fit where the Fit360 doesn't. It measures only 25.3 inches.

Read more: Chicco Fit 360 review

Best Overall Booster

Nuna AACE

High Back Booster Weight Range	40-110 lb
Modes	High Back Booster
High Back Booster Height Range	38-60 in
Width	16.0 in
Weight	15.9lb

The Nuna AACE is one of the most impressive booster seats we've ever tested. This safety seat earned the best crash test analysis results in the group, with the crash test dummy sensor recording the lowest level of g-forces for any booster in the review. It is an easy-to-use, comfortable option made with higher-quality materials that look good and function as they should. This option is narrow at 16 inches in our tests, and it includes a rigid LATCH feature to keep it secured to the vehicle when not in use.

A standout feature is the crash test results combined with the price. While the seat is somewhat expensive for a booster seat, the price is lower than several other high-ranking options with better crash test analysis results. We think it deserves praise for offering more while costing somewhat less than the quality and crash results indicate.

This booster is best for families who favor crash test results and have a bigger budget. There really is no downside to the AACE, and the ease of installation, ease of use, and quality mean most users will be exceedingly pleased.

The Nuna does have a higher-than-average price that could be a deal-breaker for some with smaller budgets. The Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1 is less expensive and still scored well in crash test analysis and overall, making it a potential contender if you value crash test results and have less to spend. The UPPAbaby Alta v2 is another contender with a similar crash test profile and price. The Nuna is also somewhat heavy at a measured weight of 15.9 lbs (though not the heaviest in the group). This might be a struggle if you regularly move a booster or need it for carpooling and travel. However, the AACE can be altered to remove the back for occasional use when small and easy-to-carry are required. Overall, the Nuna is our favorite, hands down, and we think parents and kids alike will feel good about using it.

Read more: Nuna AACE review

Best Budget Booster

Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1

High Back Booster Weight Range	40-110 lb
Modes	High Back Booster, Backless Booster
High Back Booster Height Range	38-57 in
Width	18.2 in
Weight	11.8 lb

The Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1 is the one booster that does it all well and does it for a below-average price. With higher crash test analysis results and an easy-to-use design, this higher-quality option is a shoo-in for your shortlist.

We love that the Air Plus has a zip-off cover and a padded leg lounger feature, and it is installed using LATCH. Our testers said, “The leg lounger is really cool and a great addition for those with comfort on the brain.” This feature helps prevent the discomfort of dangling legs that testers complained about during the testing of other seats.

This is a great all-around booster for families focused on safety and comfort at a reasonable price. With features like the covered snack container, a padded leg rest, and an easy-to-remove cover, we think parents and little ones can find something to love.

This option is not the best for travel, and parents might consider a backless option like the BubbleBum instead. Alternatively, if you want the highest crash test results or the easiest option to use, and your budget is bigger, then the Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 is one to consider. Because the KidFit Zip Air Plus ranks so high and has a buyer-friendly price, it is hard not to recommend it as the right choice for most families.

Read more: Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1 review

Best for Ease of Use Booster

Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120

High Back Booster Weight Range	40-120 lb
Modes	High Back Booster
High Back Booster Height Range	39-63 in
Width	16.3 in
Weight	15.7 lb

The Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 is an impressive high-backed booster that offers exceptional adjustability, the best crash testing analysis for booster seats, and is of higher quality than other competitors. Our senior tester said, “There isn't much to dislike about this booster.”

We love the expanding wing sides, the two-point height adjustment, and the tapered seat for easy buckling. Unlike many seats that just offer a one-size-fits-most design, this booster gives more opportunity to work for children of all sizes. It is a great way to get a high-backed booster for children who might not fit in a traditional non-adjustable option.

This is the best booster for those worried about crash test results and who have a larger budget. The Peg is high-quality and has some of the best analysis results; we think it is worth it if you can afford it.

The Peg is expensive, with a price almost twice that of the next highest scoring seat, the Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1. It also doesn't have armrests, which some kids might think is a deal breaker. However, our tester felt it was one of the most comfortable in the group, and parents and kids thought the loss wasn't a problem. Overall, the Peg might not be for everyone because of the higher price, but it performed so well in all metrics that we believe it is a top contender for anyone whose budget allows.

Read more: Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 review

How We Test Car Seats

Our testing protocol for car seats is intense and highly detailed. We've conducted more than 6,000 individual tests to evaluate the more than 200 safety seats we've tested since 2014. Our tests show that car seats vary significantly in their performance. To help you determine which option is the best for you, we purchase two seats of every brand and model ourselves for testing. We do NOT accept free products from manufacturers to assure our readers that our opinions are independent and unbiased.

We send one car seat to the same professional crash test facility the National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA) uses for testing. The seats undergo professional crash testing using the appropriate size crash test dummies and sensors. We run a slightly hotter (faster) test than the federal standard and use a more modern-style crash sled to better mimic late-model vehicles. We believe this kind of testing provides critical information that helps differentiate the options. We use the sensor data to conduct a side-by-side analysis of the G forces recorded in the sensors during testing.

We keep the other seat in-house for over 45 detailed scientific tests on each seat. In-house, we use and assess all features and functionality, from the stiffness of the buckle and how challenging it is to change shoulder strap height to the difficulty of installation for every method possible. Our extensive, months-long testing process means you can feel confident in our test results and analysis to help you find the best car seat for your family and budget.

Car seat testing is divided into five test metrics (with some variation based on car seat type):

• Crash Test Analysis (based on professional, 3rd party tests by MGA Research)
• Ease of Installation (every configuration in multiple vehicles)
• Ease of Use
• Comfort/Quality
• Weight & Size

Our exhaustive testing and rating process provides the information you need to make your family's best car seat purchase. Each metric's weighted contribution to the overall score is based on how important we believe it is to the purchasing decision. Weighting varies somewhat for each car seat category, as some features or functionality could be more critical from one product type than another.

Why Trust GearLab

With over 100 car seats under our testing belt, it is easy to say you're in good hands with an expert crew for safety seats and crash testing. This team is led by our founder, Dr. Juliet Spurrier uses her experience as a board-certified pediatrician to select products with safety and installation in mind, as these are the key factors in creating a safe car environment for little passengers. Bob Wofford, father of 7, Senior Review Analyst and Certified Passenger Safety Technician, leads the in-house testing team with extensive side-by-side testing for ease of installation and more. Given our test process of installing every seat in at least three different vehicles and Bob's seven years of seat testing prowess, you can rest assured that Bob has more installation and car seat experience than probably anyone on the planet. Wendy Schmitz, mom of two boys and Senior Review Editor, takes part in score analysis as well as hands-on testing and installation with over six years of experience testing seats of every kind. Abriah Wofford, Senior Review Analyst, rounds out the team and provides another set of hands and alternate experiences to give more insight on installation and ease of use. Abriah has been testing car seats since 2016.

How to Pick the Best Car Seat

If you are a new parent, the world of car seats could be brand new and somewhat daunting. We remember all too well wondering what to choose, when to switch to a new seat, and why installing them was so darn complicated. Luckily, we have the information you need to decide which safety seat is right for your little one.

Infant Car Seats

Parents must have a safe car seat when leaving the hospital with their new baby. Infant safety seats are designed with consideration for tiny baby bodies and developing systems. From proper positioning to avoid positional asphyxiation to narrower shoulder harness straps, serious engineering goes into a safe infant car seat. Infant safety seats combine a carrier and a base to create a system that allows you to install the base in your car once, carry your infant in the carrier to and from the car base, or attach it to a compatible stroller. Unlike “all-in-one” seats or convertible seats that claim suitability for infants, infant car seats are only for infants and babies typically up to about nine months or 30-35 lbs.

Infant Car Seat - Key Metrics

Product	Crash	LATCH	Belt Install	Ease of Use
Nuna Pipa RX	9.0	8.5	8.5	8.3
Evenflo Shyft Dualride	6.8	7.5	8.5	8.0
Clek Liing	7.5	9.0	8.3	5.5
Britax Willow S	7.8	7.0	7.5	7.0
Chicco fit 2	6.4	7.0	6.8	9.0
Chicco KeyFit 35	6.7	7.0	7.0	8.5
Chicco KeyFit 30	6.9	6.8	6.8	8.0
UPPAbaby Mesa v2	5.2	6.8	7.0	7.5
Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35	4.2	6.0	7.8	7.0
Uppababy Aria	6.7	5.0	5.0	8.3
Baby Jogger City GO 2	6.0	6.0	4.3	8.0
Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 Nido	7.3	5.8	5.5	5.5
Graco Premier Snugride Snugfit 35 XT	7.6	6.0	4.0	5.3
Doona	4.6	6.0	6.0	5.5
Evenflo LiteMax DLX	7.1	4.3	6.0	3.5
Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX	7.4	3.0	3.5	5.5

We believe they are uniquely qualified to potentially better protect your little than a seat designed for children from 4-80 lbs. Most parents feel infant carriers are valuable tools and are grateful for the ability to leave a child to sleep while running errands using a stroller or the carrier handle. Below is a chart with the overall performance scores of all the infant car seats in our current review of infant car seats available today.

Convertible Car Seats

Convertible seats are for older babies (around nine months) and can last until your little one is about 3-7 years old, depending on the model and your child's size. The seat starts facing the vehicle seat or backward (the safest position for little ones). Depending on the manufacturer's recommendations, you turn the seat to face forward when your child reaches a certain weight or height range. The moniker “convertible” is related to the seat facing backward and then “converting” to a forward-facing seat.

Below are the scores from our comprehensive review of convertible car seats you can buy today.

Booster Car Seats

Once your baby outgrows their convertible seat, they're ready for the big kid favorite booster seat. This transition will depend on the manufacturer's guidelines and your child's size. Pay special attention to weight and height restrictions, as most children outgrow one before the other. Depending on the seat, your child will likely need a booster around 5-7 years old, but child size is more of a factor than age. Just as you wanted to stay rear-facing as long as possible, we think keeping your child in a convertible seat as long as the seat user manual allows before swapping it for a booster is wise. We believe the 5-point harness and side shell of the convertible seats potentially offer more protection.

Below is a summary chart of key metrics from our review of booster car seats.

Key Metric Scores of Booster Seats

Product	Crash	Ease of Use	Weight/Size	Comfort
Nuna AACE	9.0	8.3	6.9	8.0
Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120	7.2	9.0	6.9	8.0
Peg Perego Viaggio Shuttle Plus 120	7.2	9.0	6.9	7.4
UPPAbaby Alta v2	6.9	9.3	6.9	6.7
Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1	6.8	8.3	6.5	7.3
BubbleBum	6.4	8.0	10.0	4.4
Maxi-Cosi RoadiSport	6.1	7.9	6.6	7.3
Chicco KidFit	6.1	8.3	6.6	6.8
Hiccapop UberBoost	5.9	6.3	8.7	4.9
Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1	5.2	7.0	6.4	5.3
Diono Cambria 2	6.7	5.1	5.9	6.1
Graco TurboBooster Backless	4.9	7.5	7.9	3.2
Evenflo Maestro Sport 2-in-1	4.6	4.8	6.5	7.1
Britax Grow With You ClickTight+	6.5	6.7	4.0	5.6
Clek Oobr	6.9	4.8	6.2	3.8
Safety 1st Grand 2-in-1	4.7	4.9	7.2	4.5

Can One Product Do it All?

While convertible seats can work for babies from 5 - 50 lbs and beyond, we don't believe it is good to choose a one-and-done seat regarding safety.

Why?

Infant seats are designed for smaller newborn bodies. These seats are configured for a baby's anatomy and provide posture positioning for optimal breathing and protection in a crash. The harness design is narrower and more appropriate for an infant than that on a convertible seat, designed for older babies and modified for infants.

Many convertible car seats have an infant insert to make the car seat more suitable for smaller passengers. We believe it is smart to purchase car seats specifically for each age/size instead of opting for one product that can accommodate a baby but isn't explicitly designed for infants. If you want to save money on baby gear (don't we all?), we do not think car seat purchasing is the time to do it, given the potential safety implications.

The other advantage of infant seats is they are handy. Infant seats have a carrier with a handle for easy carrying from one location to another.

This design allows you to move a sleeping infant from a car to a stroller or car without disruption. This functionality may seem insignificant before your baby is born, but trust us, you'll be grateful for the carrier.

Is Ease of Installation or Crash Test Results More Important?

While many parents are concerned with crash test safety (as you should be), few know that improperly installing a seat or not using it as indicated is a significant cause of infant injury in car accidents. In our research on car seat safety testing, safety engineers at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) emphasized that improper use is a more significant safety concern than the differences in crash test performance results.

In fact, an NHTSA study showed that 79% of infant seats exhibited a critical misuse related to either installation of the seat or incorrect restraint of the infant, or both. Another study by Portland's top Children's Hospital followed 267 families as they left the hospital with their infants after birth. The study showed that “93% made at least one critical error — a mistake that put their infant at increased risk for injury in a crash — when positioning their infant in a car safety seat or installing the safety seat in their vehicle.”

Ninety-three percent is a significant number. That is why we feel that ease of use and installation are critical components of seat safety, potentially more so than the crash test results. So, while crash test analysis is important, it should not overshadow how challenging a seat is to use or install. Many award-winning seats are easy to install, with at least one installation method. Some even have perfect scores and are practically foolproof or as infallible as possible.

Does Lifestyle Matter?

Your lifestyle might be a consideration in your selection process for a new car seat. Suburban parents typically have a personal car and a semi-permanent location to install their seats with limited alterations. Other parents might live in a larger city where they frequently use Uber and taxis, requiring a relatively mobile option with frequent installations in multiple vehicles. Therefore, a lightweight, easy-to-install car seat is more critical to urbanites than others. If you aren't carrying your seat frequently, you have more options because weight is less of a determining factor. Some heavier products are likely non-starters if you need to carry the seat frequently.

The weight of your booster seat could play a role in your decision-making if you carpool or travel. Your child may need a booster seat in some locations to participate in camp vanpooling or sharing rides with friends from school activities. A heavy steel frame seat like the Clek Oobr is a beast and isn't something you want to move very often. It is a poor choice for carrying or stuffing in a backpack without the back. The Evenflo Spectrum is significantly lighter and can go backless for even easier carpooling.

A convertible seat's weight is less of a consideration for most people because it typically spends most of its life installed in a single location. However, if you need to catch a taxi with your seat and your baby, you will likely prefer the lightest seat possible.

For infant seats, the weight of the carrier can play a role for similar reasons. Carriers can be cumbersome when combined with the baby's weight. If you plan to attach your carrier to a stroller, the weight is less critical, but if you plan to hold your carrier or travel frequently, its weight plays more of a role.

Are you an urban dweller looking for an infant carrier? Then, you should consider the ease of installation without the base, as you are more likely to install the seat in an Uber without the base than you are to carry the base. This installation style is a safe practice, and the seats have a method for this practice. However, some seats are significantly more straightforward to install without the base than others, so choosing the easiest, high-ranking option could make your life easier. Alternatively, the Doona is easy enough to install without the base and includes an attached stroller that takes the weight off you and puts it on wheels.

What About Weight Range?

Infant seats claim to be appropriate for a baby from 4 lbs to typically up to 30-45 lbs; convertible seats also have limits, usually between 5 to 55 lbs (or higher, depending on the seat). Manufacturers advertise these ranges and make them seem very important. Should this weight range be a consideration when making your purchase? No, probably not.

Why no?

Despite the manufacturer's focus on weight, most babies will outgrow the height limits before reaching the weight limit for most infant seats. The same is typically true of convertible seats.

According to the CDC's infant boy age vs. weight growth chart (pdf), a 95th percentile baby boy (which means a baby growing faster than 94 babies out of 100) will still weigh under 28 lbs and be close to 32 inches on their one year birthday. Based on height, most infants will transition out of their infant seat and into a convertible seat between 9-12 months. You can see from the data that even the fastest-growing boy will fail to exceed the maximum weight of the majority of seats in our tests, but he might grow too tall, which means a transition to the following safety seat style before his weight impacts a change. So, while having a general idea of how long your baby can use a seat is helpful, it is only an estimate.

Ultimately, the restrictions have more to do with height than weight. For this reason, we wouldn't necessarily make the weight range a deciding factor in your buying decision unless it is below 30 lbs for an infant seat (very rare). Even if your little one is exceptionally tall, you will simply move to a convertible seat sooner than other babies of the same age, which isn't a big deal, is safe, and will occur eventually, no matter what.

What About Travel Systems?

A travel system is a package deal that includes an infant car seat and a compatible stroller. These combinations are traditionally a predetermined set from the same manufacturer. Pre-arranged sets (in our experience) often include less impressive choices than you get if you create your own combination, so we prefer to create our own. Alternatively, you can skip the pre-packages to create your own mix where you purchase a seat and compatible stroller separately (which may require buying adapters). Manufacturer sets, however, may be less expensive.

Because safety is paramount, we believe you should choose your car seat before a stroller. We think choosing the right infant seat before selecting a must-have compatible stroller is wise. Most infant safety seats are compatible with at least a couple of strollers; if they aren't, you can still wear your baby in a carrier.

How to Choose

You can narrow your options to a handful of top contenders by considering how you plan to use your seat and how easy it is to install. First, you should choose a seat corresponding to your child's age and size. We strongly encourage you to resist the temptation to buy an “all-in-one” or “lifetime” product for your infant. You can narrow your search by the crash test analysis results from there. Last, while we understand budget can be a concern, and some new parents have the tightest of budgets, we believe that car seats are not the right product type to try to save a few bucks. Our tests reveal that there are affordable seats that are easy to install with impressive crash test analysis results in every category. However, they could still be slightly more expensive than the cheapest options.

Conclusion

The award-winning car seats in this lineup are exceptional options with impressive features and functionality appropriate for various lifestyles and car seat goals. Because every family and lifestyle is different, there is no perfect seat for everyone. The seats in this round-up encompass a wide range of prices, providing products for almost every budget in each safety seat category. We believe the details in this review can help you choose the perfect car seat for your needs, your baby's age/size, and your wallet.