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How to Choose the Right Child Car Seat

In most countries, the use of specially designed car seats for children is mandatory. That’s because this hardware is the only possible way to adequately protect children under a certain age in case of a crash.
Graco car seat 6 photos
Photo: Graco
Britax car seatBritax car seatBritax car seatBritax car seatBritax car seat
The idea of a car seat for children is not new. Humans first experimented with them way back in the early 1930s, but then they were designed not as a safety system, but rather as a booster seat meant to elevate the child into the parent’s field of view.

The first seat designed with the safety of the child in mind was introduced in the early 1960s by British inventor Jean Ames. His device was a rear-facing seat with Y-shaped straps, similar to the ones on the market today.

Across the ocean, American inventor Leonard Rivkin developed at about the same time a forward-facing seat constructed with a metal frame.

Today, there are countless variations, depending on the market and manufacturer. Generally, there are a series of standards governing the production and use of child car seats. The age and weight of the child also play an essential part in the way in which seats are designed.

CHILD CAR SEAT TYPES

The entry-level hardware is the infant car seat. This solution is used for babies that are under two years of age and comes as a rear-facing seat only. That’s because, at this young age, babies need to have increased protection for their neck, back, and head in case of a collision. Some of these car seats can also double as a carrier, but regardless of the way you use them, they will be outgrown by your child in about two years.

The convertible car seat is a longer-lasting solution, as its configuration allows for more options. The convertible part of its name means it can be used either as a rear-facing seat or a forward-facing one, once the child is older than three years. Usually, this type of seat can hold children weighing up to 40 pounds rear-facing and up to 70 pounds forward-facing.

A 3-in-1 seat in an evolution of the convertible version. It can be used in both rear- and front-facing positions, but also doubles (or triples) as a booster seat. That means it can be used from the time a child is born until he or she becomes old enough to be allowed to use the car’s seat belt.

The booster seat is meant for children that weigh from 30 pounds up. This is a front-facing seat and can be used until the child is old enough to require one no longer.

So the bottom line when choosing a car seat is knowing how and who you are planning to use it fo. Be careful in making a choice, as you’ll need this type of hardware until your child is at least 4 feet 9 inches tall (1.4 meters), or 8 to 12 years old.

In the section below, you can find five of the best car seat deals currently available on Amazon.

Graco Extend2Fit (ad) - Graco is one of the oldest and best car seats makers in the world. Among the many products they sell today, the Extend2Fit is one of the most appreciated on the said online store.

The seat is a convertible one meant for kids weighing from 4-50 lb (rear-facing) and 22-65 lb (forward-facing). There is a 4-position extension panel that gives 5-inch additional legroom, 6 recline positions and 10 headrest positions.

On Amazon, the Graco Extend2Fit car seat sells for $199.99 in eight color choices.

Diono Radian 3RXT (ad) - Selling its products as being “monster approved,” Diono is a specialized American child safety seat maker that also sells tons of products online.

Among them, the Radian 3RXT all-in-one convertible seat, a product that can be used both in cars and for air travel.

The seat supports children weighing 5-45 lbs rear-facing and up to 65 lbs forward-facing. It also converts to booster seat capable of supporting kids between 50-120 lbs in weight.

On Amazon, the Diono Radian 3RXT sells for $299.99.

Baby Trend Expedition Jogger (ad) - The Expedition Jogger is a bit less of a car seat and a bit more of a stroller.

In car seat configuration, it is capable of holding children weighing between 5-30 pounds, meaning it is meant for rear-facing use only.

Once at the destination, the seat can be removed from the car and fitted onto the stroller, which comes complete with a tray for 2-beverages and covered storage.

The combo sells on Amazon for $133.99.

Chicco KeyFit 30 (ad) - Chicco is yet another big name of the car seat industry. The multitude of products available also makes Chicco one of the most reviewed manufacturer in online stores.

The KeyFit 30 is according to Chicco the best-rated car seat in America. Aside from acting as a standalone seat, it is also compatible with Chicco strollers that can be purchased separately.

The KeyFit 30 is meant for children from 4 to 30 lbs and up to 30 inches in height and sells on Amazon for $199.99.

Britax Boulevard ClickTight (ad) - the Boulevard ClickTight is a convertible car seat that can support kids 5 to 40 pounds rear-facing and 20 to 65 pounds forward-facing.

The car seat has 7 recline positions and 14 positions fro the quick-adjust rest.

Britax’s seat sells on Amazon for $299.99.
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Editor's note: Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, and we may receive a commission when you buy one of these products. Nevertheless, this does not impact our choice of products or the information provided here.

About the author: Daniel Patrascu
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Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
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