Best Cars to Fit 3 Across Car Seats
Choosing the best car seat can be a little overwhelming. Which is the best car seat for safety? Which is the best for your child's age? Which seat suits your particular model of car?
All car seats on sale in the US must conform to the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213, including crash tests, so you'll know that you're investing in the safety of your little one no matter which you buy. Some offer additional safety features, others are better looking or more comfortable, and some give you great value for money.
Read on to find out more about US car seat laws, the types of seats available and which models we rate as the best car seats you can buy today.
US car seat laws
Each state has its own car seat laws, but there are a few on top of these that apply across the country. All children must ride facing the rear whenever possible, for as long as possible, and only car seats sold in the US that meet FMVSS 213 standards can be used. It's not legal to use a UK car seat in US cars, for example, nor to use any seat from any region that hasn't met the FMVSS 213. Taxis are exempt from car seat laws, except in California.
If your child has outgrown its car seat but isn't tall or heavy enough to use an adult seatbelt, they must use a booster seat in 49 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. South Dakota is the exception, not requiring a booster seat once a child has outgrown their car seat. However, South Dakota does require car seats for all children under the age of four and weighing less than 40lb, regardless of height. A total of 11 states, including California, Connecticut, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia require children younger than two years old to travel in a rear-facing child seat at all times, regardless of height and weight. In California, Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey and New York, children must wear seatbelts on school buses. More specific details on the quite complex US car seat laws, listed by state, can be found here.
Penalties for failing to comply with these laws include fines of up to $500, or points on your license.
What type of car seat do I need?
There are three types of car seats available, depending on your child's weight and height.
Infant seats
These rear-facing seats are typically suited to babies weighing 35lb or less, depending on the model. Some infant seats are only suitable for babies weighing up to 22lb. They're typically small, with carry handles, and have a LATCH base that's left in the car. Infant seats are those that clip onto strollers. They offer the extra comfort and support needed for younger babies but should only be used for travelling – not sleeping or feeding – due to their typically small compact designs.
Convertible seats
These car seats can be used rear-facing until the child is old enough to face the front, having outgrown either the weight or length limit for rear-facing. Some can still be used by smaller babies, so they're not just for older children, but they do take up a lot more space than infant seats. Convertible seats usually don't come with carrying handles or separate bases and are designed to stay in the car. As they can be used by older children, their maximum weight limit is higher than those on infant seats, and most can be used until your child is 50lb.
3-in-1 seats
3-in-1 seats are a type of convertible seat but can be used rear-facing, forward-facing and as a belt booster. Also known as "forever seats", because they're the only seat you'll need to buy, they suit from babies up to pre-teens, with some weight limits reaching as high as 120lb. They're the biggest seats in the list, which makes them unsuitable for small cars, and they're not the easiest to transport.
How are car seats installed?
To comply with government safety standards, car seats in the US must be secured by either the car's seat belt, or a LATCH system. LATCH stands for "lower anchors and tethers for children". Anchors are found beneath the back seat, where the seat cushions meet, and the tether anchors are located behind the seat. All cars built on or after September 1, 2002 have anchors installed as standard. The LATCH system is seen as a safer, more secure alternative to seat belts. Infant seats typically come with LATCH bases, for example (although the bases are often sold separately) and can be clicked into, and easily taken out of, the car one-handed. The lower anchors are rated for a total maximum weight of 65lb, which includes the seat and child.
For convertible and 3-in-1 seats, seatbelts are generally attached through a panel in the rear of the car seat. The panel is opened, the seatbelt is run through it and the panel is then closed to hold it in place.
Best infant car seats in the US
1. Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant car seat: Best car seat for safety
Price: $200 | Buy now from Amazon
The Chicco KeyFit 30 infant car seat ticks all the boxes marked safety, installation, ease-of-use, portability, and price. Its removable newborn insert provides cushioning and support for babies as small as 4lb up to 30lb, while its five-point harness keeps your little one secure without being too restrictive on movement. The outer shell is lined with energy-absorbing foam to protect your baby from impacts, with the car seat's removable sun canopy offering shade.
Installing the Chicco KeyFit 30 is simple. It has the standard LATCH connectors, plus a proprietary Super Cinch LATCH strap that gives added security, and clips in and out of the base (sold separately) with a single click. This means you can carry your baby into the house or clip them onto a Chicco stroller (sold separately) without disturbing their slumber. Elsewhere, the base has a so-called ReclineSure leveling foot and bubble level-indicators to make sure the seat is angled correctly and, most importantly, safely.
The Chicco KeyFit 30 comes in seven designs (all different variations of grey), and additional models including the KeyFit 30 Magic, KeyFit 30 Zip and KeyFit 30 Air. Each costs $10 more than the one before and for this extra money you get accessories and a slightly different design.
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2. Graco SnugRide 35 infant car seat: Best car seat for comfort
Price: $144 | Buy now from Amazon
Carrying a newborn around in a car seat is one thing; lugging a 22lb, six-month-old baby from the car to the house in a heavy seat is backbreaking. Graco has solved this problem by designing a super lightweight, yet still secure, safe and comfortable infant car seat for babies weighing from 4lb up to 35lb. That's why the tagline for the Graco SnugRide 35 is "super snug, less to lug." The seat weighs just 7.5lb without the LATCH base, or 14lb with. Other car seats in this list average around 23lb. It clips in and out with ease and can also be clipped onto any Graco Click Connect stroller (sold separately). And, because the seat has six recline positions, it's perfect as your child grows and wants to sit up. Available in 10 designs – the majority featuring large panels of black – each model varies slightly in price, with the overall range starting at $143.99.
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3. Graco SnugRide 30 infant car seat: Best car seat on a budget
Price: $77.47 | Buy now from Amazon
If the Graco SnugRide 35's price rules it out, the cheaper Graco SnugRide 30 offers similar features for half the price. Weight-wise, the SnugRide 30 is half a pound lighter than the SnugRide 35 and comes with the same LATCH connectors and safety features. It's cheaper because it's only suitable for children who weigh up to 30lb, rather than 35lb, hence the difference in name. This means the SnugRide 35 will last marginally longer. The SnugRide 30 additionally comes in a range of brighter colors, including pink and turquoise.
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4. Maxi-Cosi Mico AP: Best car seat for style
Price: $199 | Buy now from Amazon
Most car seats come in various shades of black or grey; Maxi-Cosi breaks the mold. Its AP range is available in Bohemian Blue, Bohemian Red, or red. The Bohemian Blue model has a turquoise outer cover and sun canopy, with a cream seat. The inside of the canopy, as well as the lining of the seat, are covered in colorful stripes. The Bohemian Red model is similar, with a red outer cover, and the red model is completely red inside and out. The stripes on the Bohemian models aren't just there to make the seat stand out; they've been designed to entertain your baby and help develop their visual system. The seat is suitable for babies weighing from 5lb up to 22lb and has an Air Protect cushion system designed to protect its head. The benefit of this seat is that it can also be clipped onto a Maxi-Cosi or Quinny stroller.
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Best convertible car seats
1. Graco Milestone All-in-One car seat: Best convertible car seat on a budget
Price: $160 | Buy now from Amazon
The Graco Milestone All-in-One makes our list of the best car seats for three reasons. First, its headrest and harness adjustment provide comfort for a growing baby, its four-position recline allows your child to be secure and comfortable whether its rearward-facing or not, and its three convertible riding modes mean the Milestone can be used for children from birth up to the age of 12. All this means it should be the only seat you'll ever need to buy.
The only real downsides here are that it's actually quite a wide and heavy seat, so you won't want to be taking it in and out of your car too regularly, and narrower cars may not be able to accommodate two seats side-by-side. It's not the best-looking option and doesn't have some of the more curved, comfortable seats that others in this list do. Another small downside is that it has an InRight LATCH attachment that fixes to the LATCH connectors using a strap rather than the full hook connections – the plus side of this is that it makes it easy to switch from one car to another, and we're nitpicking really. For a car seat that lasts 12 years and costs less than many other convertible all-in-one seats on the market, this represents excellent value.
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2. Britax Boulevard ClickTight convertible car seat: Best car seat for safety
Price: $300 | Buy now from Amazon
With a Click & Safe harness and two layers of SafeCell Impact Protection, the Britax Boulevard ClickTight convertible car seat is one of the safest on the market. It's super easy to install, too. Simply open the back of the car seat, buckle the seat belt across and clip it shut. If you've fitted it correctly, you'll hear a click. The SafeCell technology then uses a steel frame, energy-absorbing base and so-called staged-release stitching to reduce the amount of movement during a crash. Like the Graco Milestone, this seat can be used both forward- and rear-facing and has a height adjustable back for your growing child. It's suitable for children up to 65lb. Unlike the Graco, it has a much more comfortable seat and more stylish design. It is the joint most expensive seat in this list, but out of 623 reviews it has been rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon, so you definitely get what you pay for.
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3. Evenflo EveryStage LX All-in-One car seat: Best car seat for all ages
Price: $300 | Buy now from Amazon
For the same price as the Britax Boulevard, you can get the American-made Evenflo EveryStage LX All-in-One car seat – an infant seat, convertible and booster. Suitable for newborns up to 10-year-olds (or a child weighing 120lb), the Evenflo EveryStage LX can be fitted one-handed, and has a clever recline system that means your child can sit rear-facing for more than two years without extending the seat or cramping other passengers. This recline system also makes it more comfortable for smaller babies, supporting their head and keeping their airways clear. It's an incredibly bulky seat, but comes in light green, dark green, pink and black, so at least it looks stylish.
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4. Safety 1st Grow and Go EX Air 3-in-1 convertible car seat: Best car seat for small cars
Price: $140 | Buy now from Amazon
As the name suggests, this car seat is designed to grow with your child as they move from being rear-facing, to forward-facing, and needing a booster, up to a maximum weight of 100lb. At $139.99, it's not a cheap seat, but it does come with a number of small touches that make a big difference. First, it's three inches narrower than the other three convertible seats on this list. It's also curved in a way that makes the depth shorter. This gives up to seven inches of additional legroom for parents in the front seat when the child is sat in the rear-facing position. Both of these make it perfect for small cars, or if you have multiple car seats in the back. It has two cup holders, a QuickFit harness and a harness holder, which makes it incredibly easy to get your child into the seat and strapped in. Moreover, the seat pads can simply be unsnapped and lifted out when they need to be washed. Safety-wise, the seat has Air Protect cushioning which almost doubles the government standards.
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Best Cars to Fit 3 Across Car Seats
Source: https://cdn2.expertreviews.co.uk/baby/1408613/best-car-seats-us-safest-baby-seat
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