The fact that cars come with a built-in seat does not mean these seats are safe for little kids, that is why a suitable seat for kids is a necessity if you want to ride with your young family. The criteria for choosing a good car seat may be dependent on your travel routine (such as if you frequently use the public transport system or not) and also your budget.
Settling for one among the various compelling options in the market today may be tedious, so, we decided to make a list of reviews of the top car seats with great features and strong recommendations from different online review websites to help you decide.
1. Cybex Cloud Q
The first car seat on our list is easy to install ― thanks to the LATCH system ― and also offers great quality and comfort. It is recommended for parents who will like prefer a car seat with great crash safety ― it also has a top crash test results.
Features:
- Seat Weight: 13.7 lbs
- Minimum Passenger Weight: 4 lbs
- Maximum Passenger Weight: 35 lbs
- Recline Positions: 4
- Price: $400
Pros:
- Great crash test results
- Comfortable
- High quality
Cons:
- Heavy
- Limited stroller compatibility
2. UPPAbaby Mesa
If you like something elegant, consider the UPPAbaby Mesa which is compatible with many strollers like Baby Jogger City Mini and UPPAbaby Vista. Recommended for parents that frequently use Uber or other related cars.
Features:
Seat Weight: 23.5 lbs
Minimum Passenger Weight: 4 lbs
Maximum Passenger Weight: 35 lbs
Maximum Height: 32”
Price: $349.99
Pros:
- Easy to install without the base
- SMART Secure system installs in seconds
- Natural flame-retardant wool fabric
- High-quality
- Passed federal safety standards without the use of fire-retardant chemicals
Cons:
- Average crash test results
- Heavy
3. Chicco Fit2
The Chicco Fit 2 is the easiest car seat to install on our list. It is easier to use and also has thicker padding and features for comfort. But not yet compatible with most strollers.
Features:
- Seat Weight: 20.5 lbs
- Minimum Passenger Weight: 4
- Maximum Passenger Weight: 35
- Price: $279.99
Pros:
- Easy to use and install
- Good quality & comfort
Cons:
- Heavy to carry
- Not compatible with most strollers
4. Doona
The Doona is another baby seat on our list which is great for public transport users. It comes with a stroller allowing you to push your baby from one place to another with the attached wheels.
Features:
- Seat Weight: 16.5 lbs
- Minimum Passenger Weight: 4 lbs
- Maximum Passenger Weight: 35 lbs
- Price: $499
Pros:
- Comes with fitted stroller
- Perfect for public transportation
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Heavy
- Quite expensive
5. Britax Boulevard ClickTight ARB
Parents who are scared of the possibility of wrongly installing a car seat can relax using the Britax Boulevard CLickTight ARB. Its patented ClickTight feature is fantastic.
Features:
- Seat Weight: 29.4 lbs
- Minimum Passenger Weight: 5 lbs
- Maximum Passenger Weight: 65 lbs
- Price: $279.99
Pros:
- Easy to install and use
- Comfortable
- High-quality
Cons:
- Heavy
- Crash test performance is average
6. Britax Emblem
The Britax Emblem is the only car seat on our list with an average score on all metrics, thereby presenting an all-around quality. It’s easy to install feature even though not as great as the ClickTight feature, is still great.
Features:
Seat Weight: 19.5 lbs
Minimum Passenger Weight: 5 lbs
Maximum Passenger Weight: 65 lbs
Price: $167.99
Pros:
- High crash test score
- Easy to install and use
- Affordable
Cons:
- Hard to access belt pathway for the vehicle belt
7. Evenflo Tribute LX
Although this car seat does not score much on metrics of quality like other products on our list, it, however, proves competitive with its impressive crash test results. Considering its price and the great car crash feature, it is really an option worth considering.
Features:
- Seat Weight: 9.1 lbs
- Minimum Passenger Weight: 5 lbs
- Maximum Passenger Weight: 40 lbs
- Price: $54.99
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Cheap
- Great crash test results
Cons:
- Not comfortable
- Low Quality
8. Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35
Featuring an anti-rebound and high-quality materials, the Peg Perego Primo Viaggo 4-35 is worth checking out by parents who regularly use the public transportation and like stylish products. It also features an anti-rebound bar at the foot of the base. On the other hand, it is not compatible with most strollers which are not of the Peg Perego brand.
Feature:
- Seat Weight: 21 lbs
- Minimum Passenger Weight: 4 lbs
- Maximum Passenger Weight: 35 lbs
- Price: $299.99
Pros:
- Easy to install without the base
- Good crash test results
- High quality & comfortable
Cons:
- Quite expensive
- Not easy to install
9. Clek Foonf
If you want something innovative ― different from the others ― the Clek Foonf is worth checking out. Its installation is super easy and comes with features incomparable with other products, only that it is quite expensive. On the other hand, it is very heavy to move around if you are considering to always carry it everywhere.
Feature:
- Seat Weight: 38 lbs
- Minimum Passenger Weight: 14 lbs
- Maximum Passenger Weight: 65 lbs
- Price: $449.99
Pros:
- Super easy to install
- High-quality and comfortable
- Higher rear-facing weight limit
Cons:
- Expensive
- Heavy
- Harder to use
10. Chicco KeyFit 30
The Chicco KeyFit is a recommended option for most families and different purposes. Featuring a great crash test results, it is easy to use and has a classy design. In addition, it is well compatible with most strollers. It may however not be a good option for urban dwellers due to its weight. On the other hand, it is not easy to install without the base and also quite heavy to move around especially for urban dwellers.
Features:
- Seat Weight: 17 lbs
- Minimum Passenger Weight: 4 lbs
- Maximum Passenger Weight: 30 lbs
- Price: $199.99
Pros:
- Easy to install
- Great crash test results
- Reasonable price
Cons:
- Hard to install without the base
- Quite heavy
11. Safety 1st onBoard 35 Air
This is our budget-friendly recommendation to you. With its inexpensive price, it still offers great features. The crash test results is great and it is easy to install without the base. On the other hand, it is not compatible with most strollers.
Features:
- Seat Weight: 13.97 lbs
- Minimum Passenger Weight: 4 lbs
- Maximum Passenger Weight: 35 lbs
- Price: $151.56
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Easy to install without the base
- Good crash test results
Cons:
- Not easy to install
- Not compatible with most strollers
- Harder to use