$4 writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
- Car seats are one of the most critical pieces of gear parents with young kids need, but they're also one of the most overwhelming items to buy.
- We've cut through the myriad options to find the best ones for kids of all ages.
- Among our picks are the $4, the $4, the $4, and the $4, which are seats that are all safe, comfy, and easy to install.
All car seats sold in the US have to meet the same federal safety standards, but that's where the similarities end. Some are better than others for taller kids, some are more comfortable for long-haul trips, and some are much easier to install. It's crucial to have the right car seat because a poorly installed seat can compromise your child's safety. Add all that to the fact that many car seats are expensive, and choosing the right one can feel impossible.
Few baby and kid products are subject to as much scrutiny as car seats, so we had plenty of expert tests and reviews to look at while making our picks. Of course, it's also important to consider real-world use from parents who aren't lab testers or child passenger safety technicians. That includes my own experiences - I've been through six car seats and counting between two children.
All of that feedback led to our picks: an ultra-easy-to-install infant seat, a similarly easy-to-use convertible for older toddlers and preschoolers, a harness-to-booster that can keep kids safe before they're completely ready for a booster, and a versatile booster that might be the last car seat your child needs. We also chose alternative car seats in each category that are less expensive for parents on a strict budget.
Here are our top picks for the best car seats you can buy:
- Best infant car seat: $4
- Best budget infant car seat: $4
- Best lightweight infant car seat: $4
- Best convertible car seat: $4
- Best budget convertible car seat: $4
- Best harness to booster seat: $4
- Best budget harness to booster seat: $4$4
- Best booster seat: $4
- Best budget booster seat: $4
Updated on 06/25/2019 by Les Shu: Updated selections, prices, links, and formatting.
Keep scrolling to read more about our top picks.
$4
Find all the best offers at our $4.
Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the $4 team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com.