Best Car Seats (Review & Buying Guide) in 2023

For this review, we researched more than 25 different car seats, evaluating them based on several criteria, including but not limited to the type, construction, height/weight limits, padding, and ease of use. We took into consideration all styles of car seats, including rear-facing only, convertible, booster, and 3-in-1 options for infants to school-aged children. Of the 25 car seats, we narrowed down our favorites to 10. To learn more about how we research and provide recommendations, be sure to visit About Guides & Gear, And The Drive’s Product Reviews Department

Our pick for the best car seat goes to the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat. It performs well across all of our criteria, being a budget-friendly rear-facing infant seat and forward-facing toddler seat, and good for four recline positions, 10 headrest positions, and five inches of extra legroom to keep your little one comfortable. You can’t go wrong with a Graco and this one is the best. 

Made for infants up to 30-35 pounds, infant car seats are limited to the rear-facing position. They can also double as convertible car seats (forward-facing seat for a child age 2 or older), or a 3-in-1 car seat which works as a forward-facing, rear-facing, and booster seat. Once infants outgrow their infant car seats, parents are advised to place them in convertible or 3-in-1 car seats.

All parents are advised to place infants in rear-facing seats until maximum height and weight for their particular car seat is reached. Please consult with your car seat's manufacturer to learn these height and weight limits.

Booster car seats come in two styles: high back boosters and backless boosters. High back boosters offer proper head support and cushioning for sleeping children. Backless boosters do not have a back and generally offer less body support, ideal for older, taller children.

We highly recommend referring to your car seat's owner's manual to ensure your child meets height and weight limits for your particular car seat.

Convertible car seats first work as rear-facing seats before being switched to forward-facing. These car seats are reserved for toddlers ages 2 or older and have higher weight limits up to 50 pounds (for rear-facing) and up to 65 pounds for forward-facing.

Many parents may choose convertible car seats over rear-facing seats for infants to save money over the lifecycle of the seat. However, convertible car seats do not offer the same benefits as rear-facing infant seats, such as detachable bases or a plusher feel.

Height and weight limits for car seats vary depending on the type. Expect infant car seats (rear-facing only, convertible, and 3-in-1s) to work for children up to age 2 or up to 40 pounds. Forward-facing car seats should support up to 65 pounds, coming with harnesses and top tethers to keep your child well supported for several years.

For older kids, high back or backless boosters work, supporting children up to 8 years old between 40 and 120 pounds. Children ages 9 or over may continue to use a booster seat, depending on his/her height.

Car seats should be designed for maximum impact absorption. Look for car seats with advanced side impact protection that cradles the head using U-shaped headrests. Other features focus on comfort, such as extension panels that extend rear-facing legroom, plush seat covers, and dishwasher-safe cup holders. Newborn inserts can even provide an added layer of protection for preemies and undersized children. For comfort, look for moisture-wicking performance fabrics, which offer excellent breathability and make it easier for infants and toddlers to stay in their seats.

Other considerations include five-point harnesses to secure the shoulders, hips, and legs, as well as a chest clip that holds them in place.

We are big fans of car seats that offer little to no learning curve. Many car seat manufacturers offer features designed to activate in a second or less. For example, Geico's InRight LATCH system allows parents to attach car seats to LATCH anchors in a second, producing an audible click when successful.

Others have adjustable extension panels that allow seats to incline or recline in record time without any pressure needed. Simply one touch and go.

Standing for "lower anchors and tethers for children," almost all car seats use the LATCH system, which consists of lower anchor attachment on your car seat base's left and right side. These lower anchors contain straps that connect to your seat's anchors, locking the car seat firmly enough that it cannot move more than an inch in any direction.

We highly recommend car seats with plush padding, which can be achieved with a blend of polyester or cotton and a base of shock-absorbing foam. Some also come with an inner support pad or insert that keeps your infant's body in prime position.

All car seats have expiration dates, due to general wear and tear that affects how safe it is for your child. As a rule of thumb, expect infant car seats to expire roughly six years after the date of manufacture and convertible/booster seats to last up to 10 years after the date of manufacture.

For your car seat's expiration date, please refer to your car seat's manufacturer sticker or owner's manual.

All car seats are required to pass rigorous federal safety standards. Some of the more notable distinctions include meeting or exceeding US FMVSS 213 standards for frontal crash tests. Safety even extends to how instructions appear on your car seat. All U.S.-compliant car seats must have instructions with the manufacturer's name, contact information, and date of manufacture. This also helps parents confirm if the car seat is subject to a recall.

We do not recommend buying a used car seat under any circumstances, for obvious reasons.

In business for more than 65 years, Graco is a popular manufacturer of all kinds of baby products from strollers to car seats. In 1953, it developed the first automatic baby swing, which became a phenomenon with millions of units sold. Graco is also responsible for the first travel system (one-click integration of infant car seats to strollers), the first 4-in-1 car seat, and the first 4-in-1 highchair for infants and big kids.

Founded by pharmaceutical device developer Pietro Catelli in 1958 and named after his first son, Italy-based Chicco sells car seats in more than 100 countries. Owned by Artsana S.P.A., it now manufactures all types of baby accessories including sleepwear and play housing. It also manages sister brands Boppy, Prénatal, and Pic Solutions.

Safety 1st is a budget-conscious brand of all types of baby accessories from car seats and strollers to baby monitors and plug protectors. It is also the inventor of the legendary yellow and black "Baby on Board" sign that has forced drivers to slow down everywhere.

Founded in 1949 by Giuseppe Pérego, Italy-based Peg Perego is a manufacturer of baby carriages, high chairs, strollers, car seats, and other accessories. The company began off a simple baby carriage concept Giuseppe Pérego made for his son, which caught on so well, a new company was formed.

Canadian brand Clek is a manufacturer of infant, convertible, and booster seats with an intense focus on anti-rebound and rigid-UAS systems features. It has curiously-named car seats like the Foonf convertible seat and the Ozzi booster seat.

Germany-based Cybex is a manufacturer of car seats, strollers, and furniture. It is very different in that it is the only manufacturer on our list to own its own smartphone app, working off of a harness sensor to warn/alert parents of unattended children left in their car seat, unbuckled clips, or exposure to excessive heat or cold.

Headquartered in Westchester, Ohio, Evenflo has been in business for more than 100 years. It is a leading producer of all types of baby and toddler accessories from strollers to high chairs and activity centers, now mainly sold in the U.S. and Canada.

As with almost all products, you get what you pay for. Expect car seats priced under $150 to have minimal features, such as plastic shells over steel frames and limited headrest/recline positions. Car seats priced at $150 or higher often see higher height and weight limits, padded headrests, improved side-impact protection, bubble indicators to ensure a proper installation angle, and performance-grade fabrics over simple foam. Regardless of pricing, it is important to note that all car seats sold in the United States pass the same safety standards, so a lot of pricing boils down to the level of comfort and ease of use.

Tips and Tricks

As with something you do for decades upon decades, you pick up a few tips and tricks along the way in terms of selecting the right product, and/or using it. That’s the case with us and car seats. To help you bridge the information gap, here’s a selection of what we’ve learned along the way.

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers!

A: All car seats come with guidelines to show you a weight and age limit for the specific model. Experts suggest infants and toddlers ride in rear-facing car seats until they are two years old or outgrow the weight and height limits of the seat.

A: Most, if not all, car seats have an expiration date listed somewhere on the car seat. In general, car seats can last up to six years before they expire. This can mean, for example, that the material has lost its durability and is deemed too dangerous for use.

A: Parents should always buy brand-new car seats if possible. They are in the best possible condition and offer the most up-to-date safety features. , Plus every single U.S.-compliant car seat comes with a manufacturer's sticker that includes several key pieces of information: the manufacturer's name, contact information, and the seat's expiration date, which is generally 7-10 years from the date of manufacture.