Choosing the right car seat is a seemingly small but very important practical decision for parents. Whether you’re looking for a versatile all-in-one seat that will grow with your child, a budget-friendly infant seat, or a premium stroller/car seat travel combo, we’ll direct you to the best options — and often at a discount.
The Two Main Types of Car Seat
- Convertible “3 in 1” Car Seats: This is the most common car seat because of its adaptibility and longevity. In one package, it’s rear-facing, then forward-facing, then a booster. You can take your baby home from the hospital in it, and then this seat adapts with them all the way till they grow out of car seats altogether.
- Infant Car Seats: These seats are specifically designed for newborns and young infants. They typically include a detachable base that stays in the car, allowing you to easily click the seat in and out without having to strap and unstrap your child.
Every parent who drives needs a convertible car seat, and then most choose to have an infant car seat as well for their child’s first year or so. Any other car seat you may need or want along the way will be an adaptation of one of these. In this guide, we’ll look at the basics first and then branch out to a few alternate seats for more specific needs.
Factors to Consider When Car Seat Shopping:
- Safety Standards (obviously)
- Fit for Your Vehicle
- Quality of Construction
- Ease of Use
- Price
With all of this in mind, we’ve selected the best of the best across a variety of categories. Below we’ll share our recommendations and then we’ll discuss each in more detail.
The Best Car Seats of 2024
- Best All-Around Car Seat: Graco Extend2Fit Convertible
The most versatile and reliable option for most families. A balance of reasonable cost and exceptional quality. - Best Premium Car Seat: Graco Turn2Me 3-in-1 Convertible
Of course you could spend more, but this is the best car seat money can buy before you start hitting diminishing returns. - Best Budget Car Seat: Safety 1st Guide 65 Convertible Car Seat
This simple, straightforward seat fulfills its purpose effectively at a very affordable price point. - Best Infant Car Seat: Chicco KeyFit 30 Car Seat and Base
This is the ideal seat for newborns and young infants, offering comfortable safety for baby and simplicity for parents from day one. - Best Budget Infant Car Seat: Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX
This option provides excellent safety and ease of use at a more affordable price point. - Best Stroller/Car Seat Travel System: Doona Infant Car Seat & Latch Base
This complete system conveniently combines everything you need to easily get around with your baby. - Best Budget Travel System: Evenflo Pivot Modular Travel System
A lower cost stroller/car seat combo that doesn’t sacrifice safety. - Best Car Seat for Small Cars or Multiple Kids: Graco SlimFit3 LX 3-in-1 Car Seat
If you have a tight space or need to fit three across, this is what you’re looking for. - Best Car Seat for Travel: WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat
If you need a car seat for planes and other travel, this is the absolute best (if price is not an issue). - Best Budget Car Seat for Travel: Cosco Onlook 2-in-1 Convertible Car Seat
A very affordable option if you need a car seat that’s easy to travel with
Alright, let’s look at each of these, so that by the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear understanding of what yoou want and which car seat will best meet your needs.
Best All-Around Car Seat: Graco Extend2Fit
4.8 ⭐️ // 60,970 ratings
6,000+ bought in the past month
Despite the many quality options to choose from, the immense amount of positive feedback from thousands of happy parents makes the Graco Extend2Fit an easy call as the best all-around car seat for 2024. Offering an ideal combination of safety, versatility, and value, it’s designed to grow with your child from infancy to beyond toddlerhood, making it the perfect choice for most families.
Key Features and Benefits:
Extended Rear-Facing: Supports rear-facing up to 50 lbs, keeping your child in the safest position longer than many other seats.
4-Position Extension Panel: Adds up to 5 inches of extra legroom, ensuring comfort for taller toddlers while rear-facing.
Versatility: Transitions from rear-facing (4-50 lbs) to forward-facing harness (22-65 lbs), covering key stages of your child’s growth.
Easy Adjustments: The Simply Safe Adjust harness system lets you adjust the harness and headrest in one motion as your child grows.
Durable and Safe: Built with a steel-reinforced frame for long-lasting safety and peace of mind.
The Graco Extend2Fit is a top pick for families seeking a dependable car seat that balances advanced features with affordability, ensuring safety and comfort through multiple stages of growth.
Best Premium Car Seat: Graco Turn2Me 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat
4.7 ⭐️ // 2,075 ratings
2,000+ bought in the past month
The Graco Turn2Me 3-in-1 stands out as the best premium car seat on the market due to its luxurious features and exceptional convenience. There are more expensive options, but none that offer such a perfect blend of versatility, ease of use, and high-end comfort at this price point. Designed for parents who are willing to pay a bit more for the best in safety and convenience, this seat combines versatility with high-end comfort.
Key Features and Benefits:
360-Degree Rotating Seat: The feature that gives this seat its name is what really sets it apart. This seat makes it incredibly easy to get your child in and out by allowing you to rotate the seat to face the door, a standout feature for daily convenience.
Three Modes: Transitions from a rear-facing seat (4-40 lbs) to a forward-facing harness (22-65 lbs) and finally to a highback booster (40-100 lbs), ensuring long-term use.
No-Rethread Harness: The Simply Safe Adjust system lets you adjust the harness and headrest in one motion, keeping up with your growing child.
Plush Comfort: Features multiple recline positions and premium padding to keep your child comfortable on every journey.
Enhanced Safety: Built with a steel-reinforced frame and side-impact protection, providing top-tier safety throughout all stages.
Is it worth it? The average parents put their child in and out of a car seat 5,000 times. If you pay the extra money for this rotating car seat, it works out to about 3 cents per use. It’s safe to say this is a premium purchase that justifies its cost, offering unmatched safety, comfort, and convenience for years of use.
Best Basic Car Seat: Safety 1st Guide 65 Convertible Car Seat
4.6 ⭐️ // 4,100 ratings
2,000+ bought in the past month
The Safety 1st Guide 65 is the best budget convertible car seat we’ve seen, offering essential safety and versatility at a remarkably affordable price. It’s an excellent choice for families seeking a reliable seat that can transition from infancy to toddlerhood without breaking the bank.
Key Features and Benefits:
Convertible Design: Transitions from a rear-facing seat (5-40 lbs) to a forward-facing harness seat (22-65 lbs), covering your child’s early years.
Compact and Lightweight: Ideal for smaller cars and easier to transfer between vehicles, making it perfect for families on the go.
Side-Impact Protection: Provides added safety with built-in side-impact protection, ensuring your child is secure at every stage.
5-Point Harness: Includes an adjustable 5-point harness that keeps your child safely restrained as they grow.
Affordable Quality: Delivers dependable performance and essential features at a price point that’s accessible for budget-conscious parents.
The Safety 1st Guide 65 is a smart, budget-friendly option for parents seeking a convertible car seat that offers safety and versatility without the high cost.
Best Infant Car Seat: Chicco KeyFit 30 Car Seat and Base
4.9 ⭐️ // 4,000 ratings
400+ bought in the past month
The Chicco KeyFit 30 is the best infant car seat for 2024, offering exceptional safety and ease of use from day one. Designed with newborns and young infants in mind, it’s a trusted choice for parents who want to ensure their baby’s comfort and protection.
Key Features and Benefits:
Top-Rated Safety: Known for its excellent crash-test ratings, the KeyFit 30 provides peace of mind with its energy-absorbing foam and side-impact protection.
Easy Installation: The ReclineSure leveling foot and RideRight bubble level indicators make it easy to achieve the correct angle in your vehicle, ensuring a secure fit every time.
Newborn-Friendly: Includes a removable infant insert for smaller babies, ensuring a snug and safe fit for infants as small as 4 lbs.
Compatibility: Works seamlessly with Chicco strollers, allowing for easy transitions from car to stroller without disturbing your baby.
Lightweight and Portable: At just under 10 lbs, it’s easy to carry, making it convenient for parents on the go.
The Chicco KeyFit 30 is a top-notch choice for new parents, combining unbeatable safety, comfort, and convenience in one of the most trusted infant car seats on the market.
Best Budget Infant Car Seat: Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX
4.8 ⭐️ // 4,900 ratings
4,000+ bought in the past month
Save a little money without compromising on quality by going with the Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX, the best budget infant car seat for 2024. It’s ideal for parents who want a reliable, cost-effective option without cutting corners on the essentials.
Key Features and Benefits:
Lightweight Design: Weighing only about 7 lbs, this seat is easy to carry and transfer between vehicles, making it convenient for parents on the move.
Rear-Facing Safety: Designed for infants from 4 to 35 lbs, it offers solid protection with its energy-absorbing foam and 5-point harness.
Easy Installation: The adjustable base and level indicator help ensure a proper fit in your vehicle, simplifying the installation process.
Machine-Washable Cover: The seat pad is removable and machine-washable, making cleanup after spills or accidents a breeze.
Compatible with Graco Strollers: Easily clicks into Graco strollers to create a convenient travel system, enhancing its versatility.
The Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX is a smart, budget-friendly choice that provides all the essential features new parents need, making it a reliable and affordable option for keeping your baby safe.
Best Stroller/Car Seat Travel System: Doona All-in-One Car Seat & Stroller
4.8 ⭐️ // 14,750 ratings
3,000+ bought in the past month
The Doona Infant Car Seat & Stroller combo is the best stroller/car seat travel system available right now, offering unparalleled convenience by combining a car seat and stroller into one seamless product. It’s perfect for parents who need a highly portable and efficient travel solution.
Key Features and Benefits:
2-in-1 Design: Transforms from a car seat to a stroller in seconds, eliminating the need for separate bulky gear and making travel incredibly easy.
Compact and Lightweight: Designed for urban living and travel, the Doona is compact and lightweight, making it easy to maneuver through tight spaces and store in small trunks.
Safety Features: Built with a 5-point harness, anti-rebound bar, and side-impact protection, ensuring your baby is safe whether in the car or on the go.
Ease of Use: The one-touch brake and handlebar adjustments make it easy to switch between modes, providing convenience at your fingertips.
Travel-Friendly: FAA-approved for air travel, making it an excellent choice for families who fly frequently.
The Doona Infant Car Seat & Stroller is an exceptional all-in-one solution that combines convenience, safety, and portability, making it the ultimate travel system for parents on the move.
Best Budget Travel System: Evenflo Pivot Modular Travel System
4.6 ⭐️ // 15,250 ratings
3,000+ bought in the past month
The Evenflo Pivot Modular Travel System is the best budget travel system for 2024, offering a versatile and affordable solution without sacrificing quality or safety. It’s an excellent choice for parents looking for a full-featured travel system at a more accessible price point.
Key Features and Benefits:
Modular Design: The Pivot Modular includes a car seat, stroller, and a SafeMax infant car seat base, allowing for multiple configurations, including a bassinet mode and forward- or rear-facing toddler seat.
Lightweight and Maneuverable: The sleek frame and large cruiser tires make the stroller easy to maneuver, providing a smooth ride over various terrains.
Parent-Friendly Features: Includes a large storage basket, a removable child tray with cup holders, and an adjustable handle, making outings with your baby more convenient.
Easy Car Seat Transfer: The SafeMax infant car seat easily clicks into both the car seat base and stroller, ensuring a smooth transition from car to stroller without waking your baby.
Safety and Comfort: The SafeMax car seat is designed for infants from 4 to 35 lbs, with advanced safety features like side-impact protection and an anti-rebound bar.
The Evenflo Pivot Modular Travel System is a fantastic budget-friendly option, offering the convenience and versatility of a high-end travel system at a fraction of the cost.
Best Car Seat for Small Cars or 3 Across: Graco SlimFit3 LX 3-in-1 Car Seat
4.8 ⭐️ // 47,900 ratings
1,000+ bought in the past month
The Graco SlimFit3 LX 3-in-1 Car Seat is the best choice for small cars or fitting three across in 2024, offering a compact design without compromising on safety or comfort. It’s ideal for families who need to maximize space in the backseat.
Key Features and Benefits:
Slim Design: The SlimFit3 LX is designed to be 10% slimmer than the original SlimFit, making it perfect for fitting three car seats across or for use in smaller vehicles.
Three Modes: Functions as a rear-facing seat (5-40 lbs), forward-facing harness seat (22-65 lbs), and highback booster (40-100 lbs), providing long-term use as your child grows.
Space-Saving Features: Rotating cup holders and a slim profile help to save space without sacrificing the features you need.
Safety First: Built with Graco ProtectPlus Engineering, which includes rigorous crash tests for frontal, side, rear, and rollover impacts, ensuring top-notch safety.
Ease of Installation: Features a no-rethread harness system and InRight LATCH system, making it easy to install and adjust as your child grows.
The Graco SlimFit3 LX 3-in-1 Car Seat is an outstanding option for families needing a space-efficient car seat that delivers on safety, versatility, and comfort.
Best Premium Travel Car Seat: WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat
4.4 ⭐️ // 650 ratings
700+ bought in the past month
The WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat is easily the best travel car seat at the moment, offering a lightweight and portable design without compromising on safety. It comes at a premium price, but if that fits your budget, it’s perfect for families who frequently travel by plane or need a compact seat for on-the-go use.
Key Features and Benefits:
Ultra-Portable Design: Weighing just 8 pounds and folding down small enough to fit in an overhead bin or carry-on, the Pico is incredibly easy to transport, making it ideal for air travel and car rentals.
FAA-Approved: Certified for use on airplanes, the Pico ensures your child’s safety in the air and on the ground.
Durable and Safe: Built with an aerospace-grade aluminum frame and a 5-point safety harness, providing strength and protection in a lightweight package.
Compact Fold: The Pico’s foldable design makes it easy to store and carry, whether you’re boarding a plane or stowing it in a small car.
Sustainable Materials: Made with eco-friendly, breathable mesh fabric that’s both comfortable and sustainable.
The WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat is the ultimate premium choice for traveling families, combining top-tier safety and portability in a compact, easy-to-use design.
Best Budget Travel Car Seat: Cosco Onlook 2-in-1 Convertible Car Seat
4.4 ⭐️ // 850 ratings
100+ bought in the past month
The Cosco Onlook 2-in-1 Convertible Car Seat is truly bare bones, but that may be exactly what you’re looking for in a travel car seat. Simple to carry, simple to install. And due to its extreme simplicity, it’s also very affordable, making it the best budget travel car seat right now. It is an affordable and lightweight choice for families who need a reliable, cost-effective car seat for taking on the go.
Key Features and Benefits:
Lightweight and Portable: Weighing just 11 pounds, the Cosco Onlook is easy to carry through airports or transfer between vehicles, making it perfect for travel.
2-in-1 Design: Functions as a rear-facing seat (5-40 lbs) and a forward-facing harness seat (22-40 lbs), providing flexibility as your child grows.
FAA-Approved: Certified for use on airplanes, ensuring your child’s safety during flights.
Compact Size: The slim design fits well in smaller vehicles and tight spaces, while still providing adequate protection and comfort.
Budget-Friendly: Offers essential safety features at an affordable price, making it accessible for families who need a travel car seat on a budget.
The Cosco Onlook 2-in-1 Convertible Car Seat is an excellent budget-friendly option for families seeking a lightweight, travel-ready car seat that doesn’t compromise on safety or convenience.
Conclusion — The One Seat You Can’t Go Wrong With
If you’ve gotten this far and you still don’t know which seat you want, we get it. There are so many options — many of them very nice!
So let us simplify it for you. If you’re uncertain, there’s one car seat that’s almost guaranteed to be what you want — the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible. Over 2 million parents have purchased this seat, and it has maintained a customer satisfaction rating of 94%. To make this many concerned parents happy is an astonishing feat and a true testament to its value.