Confused about how much child car seats cost? Shopping for child car seats doesn’t have to be a nightmare. While there is some truth to the saying that you get what you pay for, the fact is that all child car seats sold in the United States have to comply with federal safety regulations. It’s also a federal law that all children up to the age of four must ride in a child safety seat. To learn about car seats and figure out how much a car seat is for your family, keep reading.
What to consider before choosing a car seat
Some car seats just cost more than others. Like cars, there are budget, affordable, near-luxury and expensive versions of car seats. Also keep in mind that your child will go through several different types of car seats before graduating to a seat belt alone. There are infant car seats, travel systems, convertible seats, harnessed toddler booster seats, belt-positioning booster seats, built-in seats, even seats for kids with special needs. The most important thing to keep in mind about buying a child car seat is that it fits your child’s needs, the vehicle you drive, and your budget.
Affordable vs. expensive car seats
How much does a car seat cost? Here are some examples across a variety of price points. According to Consumer Reports, the best car seats for 2024 vary from $159.00 to $499.99. However, prices vary based on type, retailer, and a number of other factors. For the most part, experts advise, more expensive car seats may carry more prestigious brand names or have more features, but aren’t necessarily safer. It’s more important to put your child in a new, highly-rated car seat from a reputable brand than to buy the most expensive car seat you can find, so if budget is a concern and you can save hundreds of dollars by buying a car seat that is highly-rated, fits well in your vehicle, and is easy to use, that’s more important than buying one with slightly higher ratings.
Best affordable car seats by brands
According to Consumer Reports, there are several brands that show up often in the company’s roundup of the best car seats. The Chicco and Graco brands rate highly for most types and sizes, and other brands worth mentioning include Britain, Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, Peg Perego, and Evenflo.
Best affordable car seats by type
Consumer Reports’ ranking of the best car seats, according to type, is as follows.
The Clek Liing is the best infant car seat ($499.99); the Chicco NextFit Zip is the best convertible car seat ($259.98-$319.99); the Graco Trio Grow SnugLock LX 3-in-1 is the best all-in one car seat ($159.00); the Nuna AACE is the best booster seat ($250.00); and the Graco Nautilus SnugLock Grow is the best harnessed-booster car seat ($249.97-$259.99).
While there may be more affordable seats in each of these categories, these are the best options for each class and all are reasonably priced. For infants, there are several other options, such as the Chicco KeyFit for about $180.00.
Clek Liing infant car seat
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the #1 rated car seat?
According to Consumer Reports, the best car seats are as follows. It’s important to ensure you’re buying the right car seat for your needs and the size and age of your child. The Clek Liing is the best infant car seat, the Chicco NextFit Zip is the best convertible car seat, the Graco Trio Grow SnugLock LX 3-in-1 is the best all-in one car seat, the Nuna AACE is the best booster seat, and the Graco Nautilus SnugLock Grow is the best harnessed-booster car seat.
How can I save money on my car seats?
Shopping around will likely net the best deal on child car seats. Know the brand and model and make sure the car seat fits your child and your vehicle. Check out brick and mortar retailers such as Walmart, Target and Kmart and online retailers such as Amazon and Overstock, as well as stores specializing in baby-related products. Consumer Reports notes that since retail stores stock fewer car seats in store than in the past, shopping online will offer more options. Just ensure you have enough time to return the seat if it doesn’t work for you. Consumer Reports also notes that, according to experts, many families are eager to move their children into the next stage of car seats before it’s necessary. In general, it’s safe to keep children in a car seat longer than the age they’re eligible to move to the next type of seat, as long as they don’t exceed the height and weight limits.
Is it worth getting an expensive car seat?
That depends. If you’re worried about car seat cost, according to Consumer Reports, a more expensive car seat isn’t necessarily a safer car seat. If you want to spend more for features or aesthetics, that’s fine, but it’s not necessary to get a better seat. A notable exception is if the vehicle the car seat is installed in has been in a crash. In that case, it’s better to buy a less expensive, but well rated, new seat than keep a more expensive seat that may have been compromised.
What is the best budget car seat?
Here’s one of the best affordable car seats for a variety of shoppers. If you’re looking for the best affordable car seat, you have options. The Graco Trio Grow SnugLock LX 3-in-1 is versatile and fits a range of ages at an affordable price point of $159.