Car seats

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What's behind our car seat Ratings?

Experts at our National Testing and Research Center tested 106 models in car seats to see which ones perform best.

We look for:

Overall score
Overall score is based on crash protection, ease of use, and fit to vehicle, using LATCH and lap/shoulder belts.
Crash protection
A rating of the potential for each seat to limit injury and movement of a child in a crash based on simulated frontal crash tests using child sized dummies.
Ease of use
Our judgment of how easy each seat is to use including the clarity of labels and instructions, adjustments of clips and buckles, the transition of the seat from rear facing to forward facing and installation features such as LATCH connections and top tethers.
Rear facing fit-to-vehicle
A rating of how easy it is to securely and correctly install each seat using both the vehicle belts and LATCH in a variety of vehicles in a rear-facing orientation and how well they fit each vehicle once installed.
Forward facing fit-to-vehicle
A rating of how easy it is to securely and correctly install each seat using both the vehicle belts and LATCH in a variety of vehicles in a forward-facing orientation and how well they fit each vehicle once installed.

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Recommended car seats

Recommended car seats are standout choices with high scores. They include CR Best Buys, which offer exceptional value. When narrowing your choices, weigh features, price, and attributes that matter to you.

Recommended car seats

Car seat buying guide

To find the car seat that is right for you, read our expert advice on which features to consider and how to find the best value.

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Buying guide video

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Why shop here?

In addition to finding Ratings for the latest models, you can now shop online using an ad-free interface where you can buy car seats in a safe-shopping environment.

Learn more about our Price & Shop program

A child should be restrained in a car seat from the moment you take your baby home from the hospital until she grows into adult seat belts, typically around the age of 7 or 8. Every state requires that kids up to 4 years old ride in car seats; most require booster seats for older children. If you're looking for information about car seats, Consumer Reports is your best resource. Consumer Reports’ car seat reviews will give you honest buying advice that you can trust. Use our car seat buying guide to discover which features are most important to consider. We also provide unbiased Ratings and car seat reviews to help you choose the best car seat for your needs.

Ratings & recommended car seats

Convertible car seats (27)

Convertible seats accommodate children rear facing (most up to 35 lbs.) and then can be turned forward facing to accommodate children into their toddler years and beyond (seats range from 40 to 80 lb. forward facing harness limits). As such they offer a good value as they can be used for a number of years with multiple modes of use. Convertible models are grouped based on their maximum harness capacity (forward facing).

Consider features that help you install the seat properly and fit your child securely. A few are called out in the model pages by clicking on a model name.

Recommended models include those that provide the best balance of crash protection, ease-of-use, and fit-to-vehicle; as well as some others that deserve consideration for some special applications. Though many attributes are weighed in the determination of a model's overall performance, those below may prove particularly important.

Infant car seats (29)

The ratings rank infant car seats by overall performance.

All-in-one car seats (3)

The ratings rank all-in-one car seats by overall performance.

Toddler booster seats (13)

These forward-facing seats are used with an internal harness for toddlers weighing between 20-90 pounds depending on the seat and then transition to use as a booster seat. They're either LATCH-attached or secured using the vehicle's safety belt when used in harness mode. Though a child as small as 20 lbs. is allowed for these forward facing seats, research shows that children are safer when rear facing. We recommend they stay rear-facing in a higher weight infant seat or rear-facing convertible seat until they reach 23 months of age or the weight limits of those seats which are typically between 30 and 35 lbs.

When kids reach the weight limit of the seat's internal harness, the seat can be used as a belt-positioning booster seat, in which the child is restrained using the vehicle's safety belt. Kids can ride in belt-positioned boosters until they reach 80 to 120 pounds, depending on the model.

Booster seats (34)

Booster seats are generally for children weighing 40 to 120 lbs. Boosters should be used until a child is at least 57 inches tall, the minimum height at which a car's seat belts will fit him or her appropriately, typically between the ages of 8 and 12 years.

The booster models listed below include those that offer the best balance of crash protection, ease-of-use, and the best potential to fit your child and vehicle at a reasonable price within each of their respective seat types.

Recently reviewed car seats

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Britax Frontier 85

(Tested)

The Frontier 85 is one of two toddler booster seats offered by Britax. The other, called the Frontier 85 SICT is similar but includes side impact-protection.

Britax Frontier 85

Safety 1st Go Hybrid

Graco Smart Seat

Safety 1st Alpha Omega Elite

Car seat buying guide

There are several types of car seats available, and as your child grows you'll buy several to maintain a consistently safe and comfortable fit. Of all the things you'll buy for your baby, a car seat should be at the top of your list.

Your first choice will be whether to put your newborn in a dedicated infant seat or a convertible seat. We think an infant seat is the safer choice; our testing has found it provides a better fit for a newborn. Get an infant car seat well before your baby arrives so you have plenty of time to make sure it fits your car. Learn to install it properly and get comfortable with how it works.

Selecting and installing a child seat correctly can be challenging. About 80 percent of parents and caregivers experience some level of misuse when using seats that include a harness, so it's important to carefully read the owner's manual for both your vehicle and your child's car seat. (Learn more in the study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.) This buying guide, especially the Types section, will help you gauge when it's time to trade up to the next version. We also have tips on staying safely buckled in for expectant moms. (See our videos for how to install an infant car seat, how to install a convertible car seat, and how to install a harnessed booster or belt-positioning booster car seat.)

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