5 Best Toddler Car Seats of 2023
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- Convertible and all-in-one car seats can safely accommodate newborns up to big kids in different positions, eliminating the need to buy multiple car seats as your child grows.
- Experts agree that keeping children in rear-facing seats for as long as possible is the safest way for young children to travel in cars.
- Finding the right toddler car seat is important for your family’s safety, comfort, and budget, but you should only use car seats according to the height and weight limits set by car seat manufacturers.
When it comes to car seat safety, parents want to choose the best toddler car seat they can find within their budget.
Buying a car seat today means not only thinking about your immediate needs but also what you might need in the future since so many car seats now have features that can last your child until they age out of car seats completely.
So making the right car seat choice is an essential money-saving decision in the long run and gives you peace of mind about your child’s safety.
We’ve looked at the best toddler car seats on the market to help take some guesswork out of finding the perfect car seat for your smallest and most important passengers. Check out our guide below.
Britax One4Life ClickTight All-in-One Car Seat: Best Overall
- 10 Years of Use: One4Life convertible to booster car seat grows with your child from 5 – 120 lbs and up to 63” tall
- Install Confidently: With ClickTight Installation, you’ll know it’s right in 3 easy steps: Open, thread & buckle, click it closed
- One4Life: Coverts from a rear-facing infant car seat, to a forward-facing 5-point harness, to a high-back belt-positioning booster
- Cool N Dry Fabric: improves air flow for a cooler ride; wicks away moisture to help keep your child dry
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The Britax One4Life ClickTight All-in-One Car Seat is a favorite of parents. Safe, reliable, sturdy, and easy to install, this car seat should be the only one you have to purchase for ten years, according to Britax.
Britax is a trusted name in baby gear, and this car seat proves why. It has a high-strength steel frame and crumple zone to absorb impact. While some parents find it heavy, others feel that the solid weight and size make them feel more secure.
One thing parents love the most about this seat is the ease of installation through the three-step ClickTight system. You just open, thread and buckle, and then click closed, without wrestling with the car seat as you do with so many other brands.
This seat is one of the most expensive on this list. However, the price tag makes sense if it’s the only seat you have to buy your child until they grow out of car seats. In the long run, it’s cheaper than buying two or three seats plus a booster over your child’s lifetime.
If you’re looking for an easy-to-install and reliable convertible car seat, Britax is definitely a good option.
Material: Alloy Steel | Installation Type: Clicktight, Seat Belt | Maximum Weight Recommendation: 120 pounds
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Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat: Best Extended Rear-Facing Car Seat
- Adaptable Growth: Converts to suit your child from rear-facing harness (4-50lbs) to forward-facing harness (22-65 pounds)
- Solid Build: Steel-reinforced with dimensions of 21.5 D x 19.5 W x 23.5 H inches, and weighing 19 lbs.
- Extended Rear-facing: Offers up to 50 pounds rear facing, focusing on your child’s safety
- Top Safety Standards: Graco ProtectPlus Engineered, ensuring protection in frontal, side, rear, and rollover crashes
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Experts recommend that young children remain in a rear-facing car seat position for as long as possible before you switch to forward-facing mode. However, as your children grow and get bigger and stronger, a rear-facing car seat can start to get uncomfortable for them.
Of course, you want to put safety first, but thanks to Graco, this doesn’t mean you have to plead with your fidgety toddler to get into their rear-facing seat.
The Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat extends to give your child up to five inches of extra leg room and can be used by children in this position up to 50 pounds. This means your child can comfortably sit in the safest position in your car for longer.
It also has removable head and body inserts to keep infants cradled and secure.
At this price point, the Graco Extend2Fit is an excellent, safe, and sturdy choice for a convertible cart seat for your toddler.
Material: Alloy Steel | Installation Type: Latch | Maximum Weight Recommendation: 65 pounds
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Safety 1st Grow and Go All-in-One Convertible Car Seat: Best Budget Convertible Car Seat
- GROW WITH ME CAR SEAT: This car seat for newborn to toddler to big kid accommodates your child from rear-facing newborn (5–40 lbs., 19″–40″), toddler forward-facing (30–65 lbs., 34.4″–49″), highback belt-positioning booster seat (40–100 lbs., 43.4″–52″).
- GETTING A GOOD FIT IS QUICK AND EASY: The convertible carseat designed with the QuickFit harness simplifies harness and headrest adjustments, making it easy to get your child in and out of the car seat.
- SIMPLE TO CLEAN: The washer-and-dryer-safe seat pad features snaps that make it easy to remove from the convertible carseats, along with 2 dishwasher-safe cupholders for fuss-free cleaning.
- BUILT TO GROW: The convertible car seat for children from 5–100 lbs. can be used in rear-facing, forward-facing, and belt-positioning booster modes. 2 removable grow-with-me baby pillows for a snug fit; the convertible car seat also has 3-position recline.
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A child’s car seat is one of the most important pieces of baby gear you’ll buy. It can also end up being one of the most expensive, especially if you consider that you may need to buy at least two car seats before your child outgrows them completely.
The Saftey 1st Grow and Go All-In-One Convertible Car Seat is a safe and comfortable option with a budget-friendly price tag.
This car seat is built for extended use and converts from rear-facing seat (5–40 pounds) to forward facing seat (22–65 pounds), to a booster seat for children up to 100 pounds. This is one car seat that can potentially see you through many stages of your child’s life.
It comes in a wide variety of color choices with easy clean, removable and washable seat covers.
Most importantly, it features side impact protection and a five-point, Quickfit harness. So you can be sure your child is safe and sound in the back seat.
Parents are thrilled not just with the price but also with this affordable car seat’s comfort, cushioning, and overall quality. Although it may be a little trickier to install than more expensive seats and on the bulkier side, it’s a great toddler car seat option at a great price.
Material: Polyester | Installation Type: Snaps | Maximum Weight Recommendation: 100 pounds
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Graco Slimfit 3-in-1 Car Seat: Best Slim Car Seat
- Convertible Design: Transforms from rear-facing harness (5-40 pounds), to forward-facing harness (22-65 pounds), to highback booster (40-100 pounds)
- Slim Fit: Rotating cup holders and 10% slimmer design saves valuable backseat space
- Safety Assured: Graco ProtectPlus Engineered for rigorous crash tests; frontal, side, rear, and rollover crashes
- Effortless Adjustability: No-rethread Simply Safe Adjust harness system and 10-position headrest adapts to your growing child
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If you have more than two children to fit in your backseat, or if you have a smaller car, a slim car seat is a must.
Enter the Graco Slimfit 3-in-1 Car Seat, with a slimmer design and integrated cup holders. Graco says the design is 10% slimmer than comparable car seats, saving you space and aggravation if you’re trying to fit three kids in your back seat.
This all-in-one car seat could potentially stay with your child for ten years. It converts from a rear-facing seat for children from 5 to 40 pounds to a front-facing toddler seat for children from 22 to 65 pounds. Finally, it turns into a high-back booster that you position with the vehicle’s seat belt.
However, be aware that although it is advertised as a seat that can be used with infants, some parents have found that an infant car seat is a better first option because it is simply too large for young babies.
Once you’ve graduated from an infant car seat, though, the Graco Slimfit might be the last car seat you’ll need to buy.
Material: Foam, Alloy Steel | Installation Type: Latch | Maximum Weight Recommendation: 100 pounds
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Maxi-Cosi Pria Max All-in-One Convertible Car Seat: Best for Comfort
- DESIGNED FOR KEEPING UP WITH YOUR GROWING FAMILY: From newborn car seats to child car seats, this convertible car seat is all about quick and easy, comfy and secure. Pria will simplify your life and ease your mind as you and your child journey together in the years ahead.
- TRANSITION THROUGH THE STAGES: Thoughtfully designed to support your child as they grow, this infant convertible car seat transitions from rear-facing (4–40 lbs. and 19″–40″), forward-facing (22–65 lbs. and 29″–49″), and belt-positioning booster (40–100 lbs. and 43″–52″).
- PURE + COZY = HAPPY KIDDO + YOU: The convertible carseat uses ultra-soft, yet durable, PureCosi* fabrics and padding, made without wool or added fire retardant treatment, which is better for your child and our planet. Machine wash and dry. *Available in select color options.
- FUSS-FREE IN-AND-OUT: Easy in-and-out harness holders keep straps out of the way when buckling or unbuckling your child, eliminating struggle in this convertible car seat for infants, toddlers, and big kids.
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Maxi-Cosi is known for high-quality, safe, and comfortable baby gear essentials. This car seat is no exception.
The Maxi-Cosi Pria Max All-in-One Convertible Car Seat has a lot of cushioning and comfortable straps. Two cup holders accessible to your toddler are a nice touch. It also sits a little higher than other seats, so your toddler gets a better view outside.
The Pria also has features that make it easier for parents and caregivers to use. It has a Clikquik magnetic chest clip, out-of-the-way spring-assisted harness straps, and a flip-away buckle to make getting your little one in and out of the seat easier and faster.
The seat converts from rear-facing mode for 4–40 pounds, forward-facing mode up to 65 pounds, and up to 100 pounds in booster mode, so your investment in this seat should pay off over its lifetime.
Be aware that this may not be the best car seat for smaller cars or for caregivers who might be taking it in and out of the car a lot, as parents report that it’s quite big and bulky.
However, if you’re looking for a car seat you can trust, Maxi-Cosi is a good brand to turn to.
Material: Polyester | Installation Type: Latch | Maximum Weight Recommendation: 100 pounds
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Recommended Accessories
Have you ever tried to walk through an airport with your child, your carry-on, their carry-on, and their car seat? Does the thought of it make you just want to stay home?
This simple and clever Car Seat Travel Belt allows you to attach the car seat to your rolling carry-on suitcase, freeing your hands and making life traveling with a baby or toddler just that little bit simpler. Genius!
- This Car Seat Luggage Belt turns your rolling bag (handbag or suitcase) in to an ultra-portable travel solution that works for all car seats that have a top tether. No need to spend large amounts of money for a Car Seat Carrier or Cart
- RELIABLE AND COST EFFECTIVE – Reinforced stitching and commercial grade belt ensures that this lasts for years to come. When compared to the carts or dollys, you’ll save a lot of time, money and headache each time
- QUICK AND EASY – Attach to or remove Car Seat from your luggage in just a few seconds. When not in use, fold the strap and store it anywhere as its light and takes minimal space
- COMPATIBLE – This belt works with most 13″- 56″ roller handbags and suitcases and forward facing car seats that have a top tether. Be sure to practice at home and look like a PRO at the airport
If you want to check your car seat rather than use it on the plane, this V Volkgo Car Seat Bag is another simple and practical must-have for traveling families.
- Spacious design fits most major car seat brands, making it perfect as an airport car seat bag or car seat cover for travel
- Crafted from water-resistant nylon material with padded straps for easy carrying as a car seat backpack
- Durable construction provides complete protection as a car seat protector for airplane travel
- Lightweight and convenient to carry thanks to shoulder straps that allow you to wear it as a backpack
Large enough to fit most car seats, zip your car seat inside and wear it like a backpack through the airport or at baggage claim.
When Do I Switch to a Toddler Car Seat?
You know your baby will eventually need a toddler car seat, but you might be wondering what a toddler car seat is and how it compares to the infant seat you may already have.
Take a look at these differences:
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The American Academy of Pediatrics11. Car seats: Information for families. HealthyChildren.org. 2023. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx recommends that all infants and young children ride rear-facing for as long as possible until they reach the maximum rear-facing weight limit stated by the car seat manufacturer.
Once your infant has outgrown their rear-facing only seat, they should continue riding in a convertible or all-in-one toddler seat installed in the rear-facing position.
Okay, but what’s the difference between a convertible and an all-in-one car seat?
Convertible car seats allow you to change your child’s position from rear-facing to forward-facing once they have outgrown the manufacturer’s rear facing limits.
All-in-one car seats go one step further, converting into belt-positioning booster mode when your child is old enough. An all-in-one car seat grows with your child for years, but as a result, they do tend to be bigger.
What to Look for in a Toddler Car Seat
Now that you know your car seat options, here are a few features to look for when you’re shopping for a toddler car seat:
| Car seat positions |
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| Size of car seat |
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| Your child’s age, weight, and height |
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| Practicality |
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| Longevity |
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| Safety |
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FAQs
Is it safe to buy a used a car seat?
Car seats are expensive, and it may seem like a benefit to your wallet and the environment to purchase a used car seat rather than a new one.
However, for the best car seat safety, experts recommend22. Consumer Reports. Are secondhand car seats safe?. Consumer Reports. 2017. https://www.consumerreports.org/car-seats/are-secondhand-car-seats-safe that parents do not buy secondhand car seats for several reasons.
First, you can’t ever be certain the seat was not involved in a crash which could have weakened the structure and safety features. A used car seat might look fine on the outside, but unless you’re buying it from someone you completely trust, you can’t know whether it’s already been in a crash.
Second, car seats come with expiration dates set by manufacturers. These dates confirm how long the car seat’s safety features are viable. You should never use a car seat beyond its expiration date. You would need to see all the attached tags and the owner’s manual to confirm a seat’s expiration.
Finally, parents need to research whether the manufacturer has recalled a seat in its history. Some recall issues are fixable, but you must contact the manufacturer for accurate information.
References
- Car seats: Information for families. HealthyChildren.org. (2023, May 1). https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx
- Consumer Reports. (2017, January 28). Are secondhand car seats safe? Consumer Reports. https://www.consumerreports.org/car-seats/are-secondhand-car-seats-safe
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