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The Best Car Seats

Last updated on September 8, 2021

We looked at the top 5 Car Seats and dug through the reviews from 33 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Car Seats.

Best Car Seats

Our Review Process

Don't Waste Your Money is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to. Learn more.

Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in a category.

Our Picks For The Top Car Seats

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Key Takeaway
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

Graco Latch Installation Extend2Fit Car Seat

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Graco

Latch Installation Extend2Fit Car Seat

This car seat is optimized to keep your child in a safe, rear-facing position for a long time. Rated for up to 50 pounds rear-facing and 65 pounds forward-facing, this convertible seat features a 10-increment adjustable headrest for your growing child.

Overall Take

Longer Rear-FacingLet your little one ride more safely as long as possible when you choose this convertible car seat.

Pros
" Best crash test results, rear-facing till 50 lbs, price."
Cons
"The Extend2Fit is wider than some seats making it a bit bulky. If you need to fit three children in the back seat, this might not be the best choice. Also, the fit is great for toddlers but probably won't..."
 Runner Up

Britax 2-Stage Highpoint Car Seat

Britax

2-Stage Highpoint Car Seat

This booster seat switches between high back and backless to accommodate children between 40 and 120 pounds. With three layers of side impact protection, this seat also features soft, nap-friendly materials.

Overall Take

Convertible Dual-ConfigurationKeep your kid safe as they grow with this two-configuration booster seat.

Pros
" This model's ability to convert from a high-back booster car seat into a backless booster makes it a safe choice that will remain useful as your child grows."
Cons
"Made in China. Does not convert to backless booster."

With a special leveling base, this car seat will keep your baby in the correct position effortlessly. This seat also includes a newborn positioner to correctly support those extra-delicate bodies.

Overall Take

Easy-to-Use BaseCradle your little one in safety and comfort with this secure and easy-to-use car seat.

Pros
" The Chicco KeyFit 30 performs as well as or better than pricier seats and is measurably safer and easier to use than less expensive ones. Installation is generally a bigger problem for people than seat safety, and the KeyFit 30..."
Cons
"Coarse fabric, heavier, hard to install without the base."
 Strong Contender

Diono 4-In-1 Slim Radian 3RXT Car Seat

Diono

4-In-1 Slim Radian 3RXT Car Seat

This multi-configuration car seat is designed to last a full 10 years as your child grows. With a reinforced steel core, durable materials, an infant insert and 12-position headrest, this seat can easily handle years of use.

Overall Take

Long-Lasting ComfortGet the seat that grows with your kid when you choose this long-lasting vehicle safety accessory.

Pros
" Narrow width makes it easy to stack. Foldable for travel."
Cons
"Many parents have complained that the seat is hard to install, and the angle may not be good for smaller babies. Also, some kids may outgrow the seat early – and the seat itself is relatively heavy, at over 27..."

Buying Guide

Choosing the correct car seat is one of the most crucial decisions a parent can make for their child. A good car seat should support the fragile parts of your child’s body. It should also have soft materials on the surfaces the child will be touching to ensure comfort during car rides.

There are three general types of car seats: rear-facing seats for younger children, forward-facing seats and booster seats for older children. Some car seats are convertible and can switch between rear- and forward-facing. There are also all-in-one models that can also be booster seats.

Rear-facing seats cradle and support the fragile spinal columns of newborns and infants throughout a ride and in the event of a crash. A rear-facing configuration is the safest for all children until they outgrow the car seat’s rear-facing size and weight ratings.

Besides configuration, two other important considerations you should have in mind when choosing a car seat are ease of use and whether the car seat fits your vehicle. You should be able to install your car seat correctly every time, without any uncertainty.

Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
12

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the car seats available to purchase.
5

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

View All Product Rankings

33

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Tom's Guide, Parenting Pod, Truly Mama, The Safety Restraint Coalition, Car Seat Blog.

198,430

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 5 Car Seats and also dug through the reviews from 33 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Car Seats.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in their category.

The Best Bang For Your Buck

Britax 2-Stage Highpoint Car Seat

Key Takeawy

This booster seat switches between high back and backless to accommodate children between 40 and 120 pounds. With three layers of side impact protection, this seat also features soft, nap-friendly materials.

What other experts liked

This model's ability to convert from a high-back booster car seat into a backless booster makes it a safe choice that will remain useful as your child grows.
- BestReviews
It includes lower LATCH anchors to keep the booster seat attached to your car when not in use, and uses awesome Cool Flow fabric that is highly breathable and does a great job preventing sweaty backs. It also has an easily adjustable headrest that goes very high (10 settings) without...
- Mommy Hood 101
10 position headrest. Can be installed with lower LATCH connectors. Lined with EPP foam. External side impact cushions. Adjustable SecureGuardâ„¢ Belt Positioning Clip helps position lap belt properly. Two removable, dishwasher-safe cup holders.
- Car Seat Blog
The Highpoint is a very nice booster that’s easy to use. We’re particularly fond of the plush cover, the lower anchors, and the consistent vehicle seat belt fit that it offered to our young passengers.
- Car Seats For The Littles.org
Converts from a high back to a backless booster seat incredibly easily. The stylish, soft and breathable material of the seat makes for a comfy ride. Britax is one of the top brands for safety and is shown by many of the features available on this seat, such as the...
- Safe Convertible Car Seats
Easy to install. Easy to maneuver. Comfortable. Excellent safety features.
- The Safety Restraint Coalition

What other experts didn't like

Not ideal if your child is not ready for a seatbelt.
- BestReviews
Yes, it's expensive, but it also has tons of safety features and fantastic durability and versatility. The only thing it's missing is a steel-reinforced frame, but that helps keep it from tipping the scales over 20 pounds.
- Mommy Hood 101
Made in China. Does not convert to backless booster.
- Car Seat Blog
Because the Highpoint is fairly wide, we’re hard-pressed to consider it a great option for tight spaces.
- Car Seats For The Littles.org
Seat covers are not machine washable. Higher up the price range. The process of converting the seat from a high back to a backless seat is simple, however some users have indicated that it required quite a bit of force and they had the feeling that it was going to...
- Safe Convertible Car Seats

What to Look For

  • Test out your car seat in your vehicle before buying it, or make sure you can return it if it doesn’t work to your liking.
  • The configuration of your car may not accommodate some car seats, so do a little research before buying.
  • Keep in mind where in the car the car seat will be so you can ensure it is cleaned regularly.
  • As your child gets older, let them participate in the shopping process by letting them pick colors and patterns on your next model of car seat. This will give them a closer connection to the seat.

More to Explore

Car seats were around for almost 30 years before the first ones geared toward safety were released into the market in 1962. Prior to that, car seats were designed simply to keep a child contained in the car or to help them better see out the windows.

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