When your child outgrows a car seat, it's vitally important to get a new one to ensure your child's safety.
While some parents prefer to pick a convertible car seat for their child from a young age - one that will swap from a rear-facing car seat for an older baby, to a forward-facing car seat and booster seat as their child grows in a few clicks and movements - others prefer prefer to purchase a dedicated infant car seat for their age and size.
Whether you're need to buy a bigger car seat or you're looking to upgrade to the best toddler car seat, we've got your covered.
Over the course of this guide, we'll bring you everything you need to know about infant car seats.
Table Of Contents
Our top three car seats for three-year olds
How to choose the best infant car seat for a three-year old
It's important to find the right car seat for your child's size to ensure your child's safety. But how exactly do you do that?
There are a few simple (but important) things you need to consider when you're searching for the best toddler car seat, whether you're making an online purchase through a reputable and responsible parenting website for modern-day dads, or browsing the shops in-store.
All car seats must comply with safety standards, regardless of where in the world you are. In the UK, you're looking for R44.04 certification, which has been brought in line with the EU's new i-size safety standards for car seats. In the US, car seats are required to meet FMVSS 213 federal safety standards.
Getting the size or category size of your toddler car seat right is definitely on of the biggest questions you need to find the answer to. Even if an infant car seat is considered the safest on the market and it's otherwise used correctly, it will not keep be able to keep your child safe if it's not the right size.
Check out the next section, which goes into more detail about types of car seats, their sizes and what you need.
This isn't necessarily something everyone thinks about. We all just expect that all car seats are suitable for every car. But it's not always the case. Cars can have different ISOFIX points and seat belt anchor points in different places, so it's not always guaranteed that your brand new card seat will fit.
And the last thing you want to do is shell out for an expensive car seat, only to find that it doesn't fit in your car!
Often a big consideration for parents, you typically want a convertible car seat that adapts as your child grows. Particularly at this age, your child is likely to move from a five-point harness to a high-backed booster seat using the car's seat belt, to a backless booster seat in the next few years. It's more than likely than you want one car seat that adapts with your child, rather than having to buy other car seats at each milestone.
The 15 best car seats for three-year olds
1. Chicco MyFit
Editor's Review
“My oldest has had her [MyFit] for 3 years and at a very petite age 6.5, she has a few more years of fitting in the harness. They are slim, easy to fit three across in our Ford Expedition and my kids love them."
Our pick as the 'best overall' car seat for three-year olds, the Chicco MyFit offers great quality and easy installation at the mid-market price range. It's a forward-facing car seat that easily converts from a five-point harness to a booster seat. The steel frame and DuoGuard headrest provide plenty of protection in the event of a collision, while there's plenty of adjustment with four-position recline and nine-position headrest.
Type: Forward-facing
Weight range: 11-45kg (roughly 12+ years)
Height range: 4ft 9"
Key features
- Superior DuoGuard with EPS energy-absorbing foam
- Four-position recline and nine-position headrest
- Zip Wash covers
PROS
CONS
Editor's Review
“It is lightweight and easy to install. It's easy to carry and buckle, and safe, sturdy and comfortable. I'm very pleased with this seat!"
Our pick for the 'best budget' car seat for three-year olds, the Evenflo Chase offers plenty of protection for your little one with a reinforced metal frame, and great ease of use for you, at a fraction of the cost of some of its rivals. It's easy to install, easy to adjust and easy to clean. Like the Chicco MyFit, it's a forward facing convertible car seat, transforming from a harness to booster seat with no trouble.
Type: Forward-facing
Weight range: 10-50kg (roughly 14+ years)
Height range: 4ft 9"
Key features
- Metal reinforced frame
- Crotch buckle adjustment
- Dual cup-holders
PROS
CONS
Editor's Review
“This is my second Britax ClickTight harness to booster seat because I love it so much. It's heavy, but extremely sturdy and is one of the safest seats you can buy. I love that it isn't bulky and is extremely easy for my small 4 year old to climb into and buckle on his own."
Our pick as the 'best luxury' car seat for three-year olds, the Britax Grow With You ClickTight Plus is easily one of the best toddler car seats around, but it comes with a hefty price tag. It's another forward-facing car seat that converts from a harness to booster seat. However, this one can convert to a backless booster, too. It's arguably the best car seat for protection, thanks to an industrial-strength metal frame, three layers of collision side protection and a patented 'SafeCell' crumple zone.
Type: Forward-facing
Weight range: 11-54kg (roughly 14+ years)
Height range: 5ft 4"
Key features
- Patented 'SafeCell' crumple zone
- Patented v-shaped tether
- Three layers of collision protection
- Industrial-strength metal frame
PROS
CONS
Editor's Review
“The best thing about this car seat is that is can be used from six months until four years! It's a true 'value for money' car seat which provides comfort and safety at the same time."
The first rear-facing to forward-facing car seat to make the list, the Maxi-Cosi Pearl Pro2 is a great option if you want to keep your little one facing backwards for longer. Unlike the first three on this list, this car seat is suitable from birth up to the age of four. It's has an extra padded comfort cushion for under two year olds, while the combination of high density seat padding and breathable mesh fabric ensure your child is kept cool in summer and cosy and warm during winter.
Please note - this seat can only be installed with an ISOFIX base, which requires an additional purchase
Type: Rear-facing to forward-facing convertible car seat
Weight range: 0-18 (roughly 4 years)
Height range: 3ft 4"
Key features
High density seat padding with breathable mesh fabric
Four recline positions
Extra padded comfort cushion
PROS
CONS
Editor's Review
“[My only regret] is not getting this car seat sooner! Wonderful quality, easy to put seat belt on and for my son to sit down. Love this car seat!"
The Graco Tranzitions is an all-in-one car seat in the forward facing position, easily switching from a harness booster seat, to a high-backed belt booster, to a backless booster. While it's not a class leader in any areas, it does everything to a good standard. It's quite easy to install and convert, it's durable, easy to clean and it's got two cup holders (although they are a little small).
Type: Forward-facing all-in-one car seat
Weight range: 10-45kg (roughly 12+ years)
Height range: 4ft 9"
Key features
- Open loop seat belt guides
- Eight-position adjustable headrest
- Dual cup holders
PROS
CONS
Like the Tranzitions, the Graco Nautilus 65 is an all-in-one car seat in the forward-facing position. So 'why do we have two of essentially the same product on this list?', you ask. This one offers a bit more to younger passengers with the shape of the seat and its padding, whereas the Tranzitions works better as a booster. This has five headrest positions and three recline positions, as well as a removable body support.
Type: Forward-facing all-in-one car seat
Weight range: 10-54kg (roughly 14+ years)
Height range: 4ft 9"
Key features
- Three-position recline, and five-position headrest adjustment
- Removable body support
- All-in-one convertible car seat
PROS
CONS
Editor's Review
“Sturdy, safe, east to install. The 360 makes for easy exit and entry. Easy to clean."
This Joie car seat is the first on this list to offer 360 spin°, meaning you can spin the seat to the side for easy entry but also spin it from a rear-facing seat to a forward facing car seat without taking it out and reinstalling. It's got an integrated ISOFIX base that doesn't require a separate purchase, while Guard Surround Safety™ panels and Tri-Protect™ headrest offer plenty of protection. It also has an unmatched amount adjustability, with six different recline positions and a whopping 19 leg support positions.
Type: Rear-facing convertible car seat
Weight range: 15months*-19kg (roughly 5+ years)
Height range: 3ft 5"
*Joie doesn't offer a minimum weight limit on this product, instead opting to provide a minimum age
Key features
- 360-spin base
- Integrated ISOFIX
- Guard Surround Safety™ panels
PROS
CONS
Editor's Review
“A great car seat for holidays or travelling, it's smaller in general so more compact. The travel bag is attached to the seat so that creates more ease, literally folds over the car seat."
The Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus is a lightweight option that is very popular with regular travellers. It weighs around 4kg thanks to a smaller seat base and thinner side protection (don't worry, it does meet safety standards), folding compactly with a carry handle and zip-bag. It's perfect for when you need to take a car seat on holiday with you, but doesn't offer the comfort and protection required for an every-day car seat.
Type: Forward-facing
Weight range: 9-18kg (roughly 4+ years)
Height range: 3ft 4"
Key features
- Ultra lightweight
- Compact fold and zip-bag
- Reinforced side protection
PROS
CONS
Known for making great value products at the lower end of the market, Safety 1st's Grow and Go car seat is no exception. Unlike most on this list, the Grow and Go will stay with you right from birth, through the forward-facing harness stage to the adult seat belt phase. It has two layers of padding for newborns that can be easily removed as your child grows. It has dual cup holders, and small holders to keep the harness straps out of the way when putting your child in and out of the seat.
Type: Rear-facing all-in-one
Weight range: Birth to 45kg (roughly 12+ years)
Height range: No height range listed
Key features
- All-in-one from birth to booster
- QuickFit harness
- One-handed headrest adjustment
PROS
CONS
Editor's Review
“Great car seat, easy to fit and move between vehicles. The seat has a better recline than expected and the fastening is easy to buckle. My son says it's comfy, too!"
The Britax Romer Advansfix IV R is another solid convertible car seat that will stay with your child from around nine months until they're ready to go without a car seat. It has an integrated ISOFIX base for the early years and 'Side Impact Cushion Technology', offering advanced protection. There are also visual indicators (green/red) for installation, meaning it's nearly impossible to install incorrectly. And there's ample adjustment options with three recline positions and easy headrest adjustment.
Type: Forward-facing
Weight range: 9-36kg (roughly 11+ years)
Height range: 4ft 9"
Key features
- Side Impact Cushion Technology
- SafeGuard lap belt positioner
- Integrated ISOFIX base
PROS
CONS
11. Graco Extend2Fit
Editor's Review
“We LOVE this car seat. We have bought it for two kids and will get another for our third. It is so easy to install! I love the double cup holders, too."
The Graco Extend2Fit's party piece is the four-position extending leg support that allows children to remain rear-facing for longer - roughly six years old. It can be used from birth, as a rear-facing harness booster, and a forward-facing harness booster. The No-Rethread Simply Safe Adjust™ harness system and InRight™ LATCH system also make installation super quick and easy.
Type: Rear-facing convertible car seat
Weight range: Birth-29kg (roughly 9+ years)
Height range: 4ft 9"
Key features
- Adjustable leg support
- No-Rethread Simply Safe Adjust™ Harness System
- InRight™ LATCH system
PROS
CONS
Editor's Review
“I love this car seat. It is so easy to install and is very comfortable for my daughter. We purchased this when she outgrew her Chicco KeyFit at 8 months, and it is so well-constructed that she is still able to sit comfortably rear-facing almost two years later."
The Chicco NextFit Max ClearTex could probably be described as Chicco's competitor to the Chaco Extend2Fit. It's a primarily rear-facing convertible car seat that allows your child to stay rear-facing until around the age of six. It has nine recline positions, meaning this seat can be used from birth, and the ReclineSure® levelling system helps you to find the right position for your child every time.
Type: Rear-facing convertible car seat
Weight range: Birth-29kg (roughly 12+ years)
Height range: 4ft 1"
Key features
- DuoGuard® rigid shell and EPS energy-absorbing foam
- GREENGUARD Gold certified product for low emissions
- ReclineSure® levelling system
PROS
CONS
13. Joie Elevate 2.0
Editor's Review
“My son has been in this car seat for about five years since he grew out of his baby car seat. For the price, I can't fault it. It doesn't have the most padding, but he's never complained about being uncomfortable, even on our regular long journeys."
The Joie Elevate 2.0 is a brilliant budget option that simply does what you need it to. It's an all-in-one forward facing car seat that converts from a harnessed car seat for babies over 9kg, to a high-backed booster seat, and eventually a backless booster. The ventilated side panels ensure your child stays cool during the summer months, and the integrated headrest and harness makes it really easy to adjust as your child grows.
Type: Forward-facing all-in-one
Weight range: 9-36kg (roughly 11+ years)
Height range: 5ft 0"
Key features
- Ventilated side panels
- 10-position headrest adjustment
- Integrated cup holder
PROS
- Really budget friendly
- Headrest and harness are adjusted simultaneously without the need to remove the seat
- Easy installation
CONS
- Lacks padding
- Cup holder can be tricky to remove if you need a bit of extra space
- No rear-facing option
14. Nuna RAVA
Editor's Review
“Our daughter hated being in the car previously but loves her RAVA. It is super comfy and very easy to install/adjust. She's used other in our parents' cars and they aren't comparable."
The Nuna RAVA is consistently one of the best performing car seats when it comes to safety and ease of use. The EPO energy-absorbing foam and 'Side Impact Protection' pods make it one of the top scorers in safety tests, while installation is an absolute breeze. It's another of the primarily rear-facing convertible car seats suitable from birth right up until your (not so) little one is ready to go without a car seat at all. Its premium moisture-wicking fabric does a great job of regulating temperature and ensuring a comfortable ride. All that does come at a cost, however - this is the most expensive car seat on our list.
Type: Rear-facing convertible car seat
Weight range: Birth-29kg (roughly 12+ years)
Height range: 4ft 1"
Key features
- EPO energy-absorbing foam and Side Impact Protection pods
- Simply™ secure installation
- Premium moisture-wicking fabric
PROS
CONS
Editor's Review
“A really good car seat and keeps our son safe and sound on long car trips. The spinning feature also make it really easy to get him in and out, too."
The Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 360 is a primarily rear-facing convertible car seat that uses a Turn & Go system to make getting your child in and out of the car easier. It comes with an 'Anti-Rebound Bar' to offer protection from rear collisions and 'Kinetic Pods' work to move the forces of an impact away from your child. It is quite pricey against comparable car seats on the market, however.
Type: Rear-facing convertible car seat
Weight range: Birth-18kg (roughly 4+ years)
Height range: 3ft 4"
Key features
- Anti-Rebound Bar
- Turn & Go 360 system
- Kinetic Pods
PROS
CONS
Types of car seats
There are three main types of infant car seat, which are then further categorised by how adaptable they are and their size.
Rear-facing car seats
These are the car seats used from birth, held in place (or 'tethered') either by an ISOFIX base or the seat belt which fits across and around the back of the seat, while your baby is secured using a five-point harness. The cradle provides plenty of neck and head support to newborns and young babies in the event of a crash.
Your child must ride rear-facing until they reach at least 9kg, which is typically before the first birthday.
Forward-facing car seats
The forward-facing position sees children sat more upright. Babies and young toddlers are secured using a five-point harness, while a forward-facing seat for older children may offer a three-point harness.
Booster seats
Booster car seats are used for older children who need a little assistance raising their body so that the seat belt fits properly over the hips and chest. While a booster car seat is typically considered to be just the base of a seat with no backrest, there are also 'high-backed' booster seats, which also offer head and neck support.
Convertible car seats
As the name suggests, convertible car seats convert from one stage to another. For example, from a rear-facing car seat to a forward-facing seat with a five-point harness. However, convertible car seats may also be designed specifically for older children, so may convert from a forward-facing car seat with five-point harness to a backless booster seat.
All-in-one car seat
Again, as the name suggest, the all-in-one car seat does everything. It can transform from a rear-facing car seat for a baby/young toddler, to a forward-facing seat, and eventually a booster seat.
Because these transform to each stage, they typically allow children to remain in the rear-facing position longer.
Car seats by weight limits
Infant car seats are categorised by 'groups', which depend on your child's height and weight.
It's important to check your child's height and weight in order to determine which car seat group is suitable. Of course, you can definitely get an infant car seat that covers more than one group or even adjusts to all of them.
Group 0 - 0-10kg - Rear-facing car seat that sees the baby 'lie' in a reclined position. There is also a Group 0+, which has a slightly higher weight limit.
Group 1 - 9-18kg - Can be forward-facing or rear-facing position using a five point harness
Group 2 - 15-25kg - Can be rear-facing or forward-facing high-backed booster seat using a five point harness
Group 3 - 22-36kg - Typically forward-facing high-backed booster seat using either an integrated safety harness, or the car's seat belt. But some do provide the rear-facing position.
At this point, it is recommended that your child uses a backless booster car seat and the car's seat belt until the required legal limits.
FAQs
Is it safe to buy a used car seat?
Absolutely not. Every child safety expert will warn you to never buy a second hand infant car seat. This is because, while a car seat may look in good condition, it is often very difficult to asses the structural integrity of it. As a result, it's extremely difficult to tell if a car seat has been involved in a crash.
While the car seat may have been able to keep the child safe on that occasion, structural damage would put your child at great risk of harm in the even of another collision.
How long do kids stay in toddler car seats?
Toddler car seats, or infant car seats, are the more upright ones typically used when your baby grows too big for the lateral car seats used from birth.
How long your child stays in that car seat can depend on where you live. For example, in the UK, the law states that all children must be seated in a car seat or booster seat until the age of 12, or until they reach 135cm in height - whichever comes first. In the US, however, children older than eight years old or weighing more than 65lbs can simple use the vehicle's seat belt without any type of car seat.
Can my child ride in the front seat?
This depends on both where you are in the world, and the circumstances.
In the UK, the general rule is that children should not sit in the front seat until they reach the age of 12 or 135cm in height. However, there are circumstantial exceptions. The US also requires children to be older than 12 years-old to ride in the front seat.
For example, in situations where you are transporting three children over the age of three but cannot fit three infant car seats onto the back seat safely, two should sit in their respective car seats in the back, while the third can either sit in the back seat using the car's seat belt, or sit in the front seat using the car's seat belt.
It's important to switch off the passenger air bags in circumstances where a young child is using the front seat. There is a danger of death, should the air bag go off.
How old should my child ride in a rear-facing position car seat?
Legally, babies weighing more than 9kg can sit in a forward-facing car seat. However, many child safety experts often recommend keeping your child in a rear-facing car seat until they are four-years old, stressing that keeping them in the rear facing position longer will not only keep your child safe but aid the development of their bones and muscles.
