The car seat test results are in. Take the guesswork out of protecting your most precious cargo with these Good Housekeeping Lab-tested picks and must-know safety tips.
GH’s engineers vetted 22 seats, evaluating how easy it was to properly install the seat (key for safety!) as well as how simple it was to secure the child. We also looked at the ease of releasing and carrying the seat, and more.
Car seat primer
Before you head off to buy a seat, use our guide to figure out the type that suits your child’s age and stage. Having the right seat is crucial in helping to ensure the security of your little one in a collision. Although motor vehicle fatalities for children under 12 have decreased 43 percent throughout the past decade — due in part to increased correct use of car seats — motor vehicle accidents still are a leading cause of death. And 3 in 4 seats still aren’t used correctly.
Try it out: Check the store's return policy — not all car seats fit in all cars. We tested seats in a midsize car (Ford Fusion) and an SUV (Ford Expedition).
Lock it down: To ensure that a seat is secure, use the inch test: Jostle it — if it moves more than an inch in any direction, it's not properly installed.
Top car seat picks
Infant-Seat Favorite: Chicco Keyfit 30 Magic, $210 (4 to 30 lbs.): This was a dream to install, thanks to a centered pull strap, requiring less strength than others. It's also compatible with many strollers (with an adapter), and it's light. Your baby will outgrow this, but infant seats are much easier to transport than convertibles.
Easy-To-Install Convertible: Britax Advocate Click Tight, $420 (5 to 65 lbs.): We were impressed with the ClickTight technology, which makes it simple to install the seat — press down until it locks with a click. The shoulder straps adjust readily; the harness-release button is a cinch for you to access, but likely not your kid.
Budget-Buy Convertible: Graco Contender 65, $140 (5 to 65 lbs.): Installation is straightforward, and its wider frame makes for better access to baby when in a rear-facing position (often a problem with large convertible seats). Also, the headrest is very easy to adjust.
