With so many brands, variants and other alternatives popping up almost every year, even the seasoned shopper has her challenges when looking for the best car seats for their toddler. Add to that the holiday season is now upon us and if you are like me who sometimes does her shopping in retail stores, I often get impatient when it comes to long lines in the checkout, lots of people crowding the place, and unusually heavy traffic going to the mall and driving back home. Hey, it’s almost Christmas! What can you expect?
Good thing I’ve gotten used to online shopping and can now checkout from the convenience of my home. I’m able to take my time and make better choices and informed comparisons. Having said that, this not so novice parent has also come up with a list of the best car seats of the year to save you time - whether you’re a newbie dad or mom, or someone who’s already been there, done that but looking for something better for their kid. Understandably, while safety is our number one priority, as parents we all have different needs.. something that this top list hopes to accomplish.
The verdict is in, let’s get the best seats in the car rolling:
(1) Chicco KeyFit 30
If you’ve already had the experience before, you know there’s nothing more stressful than having your first baby, taking him out of the hospital and having to put complete trust in your car and car seat just to get him home.
Don’t make the same leap of faith again, or ever. Thanks to the Chicco KeyFit 30, you can take your toddler in style without the worry and stress. Voted as the Gold Award Winner (#1) of the Top Ten list in Baby Car Seats Review, this thing is the best overall pick for balancing ease of use, crash protection and vehicle fit for infant seats that exceed a 22-pound capacity.
Get it on Amazon: Chicco Keyfit 30 Infant Car Seat and Base, Sedona
(2) Britax Marathon
“Best car seat ever.” “I love that I can install it myself.” “Britax is the only brand I trust.”
All of those reviews spoken like true mothers. After all, the Britax Marathon is the 2014 Mom’s Pick on Best Car Seat and it’s been a long-time favourite as well. Armed with high caliber safety features and garnered highest for overall appearance, it is most recommendedd for toddlers ranging from 5 to 65 pounds.
As a mom, one thing I love about this are the integrated chest pads and steel bars that give resistance to forward movement.
Get it on Amazon: Britax Marathon ClickTight Convertible Car Seat, Verve
(3) The Graco Nautilus
Time and time again I’ve seen this car seat make the highly recommended list. Consistency is key, and the probable reasons why parents love the #1 Best Seller in Forward Facing Child Safety Car Seats goes beyond just the look and feel. It’s a 3-in-1 seat that can actually serve as your last car seat purchase after your toddler says goodbye to his infant car seat.
For a multi-purpose seat (transitioning to a high-back booster and then a backless booster) and with harness straps that are usable from 20 to 65 pounds, the Graco Nautilus surprises many with its reasonably great price.
Get it on Amazon: Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat, Matrix
(4) Britax B-Safe 30
If you’re the parent who’s always on the go and wanting to take your baby with you no matter what, this seat’s your best choice.
With a width of only 17.5 inches and picked as the lightest car seat (only 9.8 pounds), it’s a perfect companion as well for airplane travel. Your toddler can fit nicely into it without adding extra carrying weight (and extra costs). The Britax B-Safe 30 is suitable for family trips too.
Get it on Amazon: Britax B-Safe Infant Car Seat, Red
(5) Clek Foonf 2014 Convertible Car Seat
And then of course, there’s the “splurge pick” of the year. We just got to admit there are dads and moms who simply want the best for their baby. And by best I mean more than the usual features and accessories (think Iron Man suit.. or better yet, a suit upgrade).
If you’re that type of parent, then the Clek Foonf convertible seat fits the bill. It has an energy-absorbing foam, a rigid substructure, and an anti-rebound bar suited for rear-facing mode. Environment-friendly (completely recyclable), be ready to shell out around $450 for this baby.
Get it on Amazon: Clek Foonf 2014 Convertible Car Seat, Blue/White Blue Moon
And there you have it - the best of the best from this parent’s perspective. Whether you’re looking for a seat for that memorable trip with your newborn back home from the hospital, or something that a number of moms can vouch for, perhaps a seat that has it all, or something for the jetsetter in you, or maybe a seat to impress Tony Stark… choosing the one that’s right for you doesn’t have to mean sacrificing on having fun in the process. Enjoy and cherish every moment with your baby.