As a loving and caring parent, it is your responsibility to pick a comfortable car seat that will suit the unique needs of your child. Presently, the market is flooded with numerous car seat models from different reputable brands. Before choosing among them, it is wise that you give careful consideration to the level of safety and comfort they offer.
Talking about safety, do you know that basically every car seat on the market have been subjected to numerous tests and proven safe? This may come as a surprise to you, but it is true. That being said, you need to keep in mind that even if a car seat is safe, it may not be able to cater to the need of your child. That is why you must dig deep and do extensive research before making a final decision.
In this guide, we are going to be looking at five of the best car seats on the market right now. Of course, you have the freedom to opt for any car seat you like, but if you are looking for the best of the best or the ones that are functional and will last for years and years to come, then you should check out the ones we reviewed.
To ensure that this guide is comprehensive, we spent countless hours doing deep and extensive research, we went through hundreds of reviews left by real buyers on reputable sites and scoured the internet to find relevant information. This guide starts with a comparison table that shows some technical details about each of the car seats we reviewed, next is a detailed description of each car seat, as well as their pros and cons, and finally an FAQ section that shed light on the answers to some popular questions about car seats.
Comparison table
Peg-Pérego Primo Viaggio
Peg-Pérego is a reputable brand in the child car seat space. Over the last couple of years, it has made a handful of premium quality car seats that have been applauded by parents and car seat enthusiasts from different parts of the world. Its newest offering, the Peg-Pérego Primo Viaggio is a super sleek, posh, and safe car seat that has a lot of impressive features that will leave you speechless.
As you would expect from a top-notch car seat, the Peg-Pérego Primo Viaggio is built with high-quality materials that can withstand the test of time and protect your little one in the event of a crash. Its energy-absorbing foam is soft and comfortable. Also, it can help protect your kid’s torso and neck from impact force. The special shock-absorbing foam element located at the bottom of the seat is designed to crumple when there is a collision or impact, which will help reduce the stress on your child shoulder and neck.
Obviously, the Peg-Pérego Primo Viaggio is one of the safest child car seats on the market right now. However, it has a few downsides. First, it is super expensive. Also, it doesn’t have a built-in cup holder.
If you are willing to splash some cash on a top-notch car seat that will last for years and years to come, the Peg-Pérego Primo Viaggio is an excellent and stylish choice.
Pros
- Contoured steel backplate
- Shock-absorbing foam
- It is easy to install and maintain
- Washable upholstery
- Sleek design
Cons
- It doesn’t have a built-in cupholder
- Steep price tag
Chicco KeyFit
The Chicco KeyFit is a lightweight, portable, and safe car seat that is perfect for infants. It luxurious upholstery, super comfortable foam, and brilliant finishing are certainly going to wow you.
Unlike model from other brands that can only be used in a car, the Chicco KeyFit is compatible with strollers.
Since it is lightweight, you will be able to move it around with relative ease, without stressing yourself out.
Installing this top-notch child car seat is easy. Its spring-loaded leveling foot will go a long way to help ensure that your kid is comfortable. Even more, it has a newborn positional that help position and support newborns.
The easy to read level indicators are definitely going to come in handy, especially when you are verifying the base angle.
The base of the Chicco KeyFit can be secured either by the seat belt on the back seat of your vehicle or by latch. Once the base is stable, you can place the seat on the base.
Granted, the Chicco KeyFit is an exceptional car seat that has a handful of amazing features, but it has two main issues. The first one is that it is only suitable for infants. So, you will have to purchase a bigger one as your child grows. The second one is that it doesn’t have reinforced steel.
Pros
- It is lightweight
- Easy to install
- Compatible with strollers
- It is durable
Cons
- It is only suitable for infants
- It is not steel reinforced
UPPAbaby MESA
If you are looking for a super comfortable, safe, and modern car seat with a few extra features, then you should opt for the UPPAbaby MESA. Its brilliant design and extraordinary performance are certainly going to leave a smile on your face.
The UPPAbaby MESA features a canopy that will shield your little one from the sun while you are driving. Its breathable and washable cushions are going to make your kid very comfortable. Apart from the fabric of this excellent car chair being comfortable, it is also, stain resistant and can effectively repel juice, milk, and other liquids.
To ensure that this car seat is safe and remains in place, it was fitted with a special tightness indicator on the side of the chair.
This ultra-cool car chair also features an adjustable headrest that will keep your kiddo’s head stationary in case of an accident.
Yes, the UPPAbaby MESA is one of the best infant chairs on the market with functional features, but it has a few downsides. Some customers complained that the straps are way too short. Others complained that the sit is super heavy and is a pain to move around and transfer from car to stroller. These shouldn’t deter you from purchasing it, because its useful features and the benefits it offers far outweighs any issue it may have.
Pros
- Stain-resistant fabric
- Tightness indicator
- Adjustable headrest
- Breathable and machine washable fabric
Cons
- It is heavy and difficult to move around
- Steep price tag
Evenflo Tribute
If you are looking for a functional and comfortable car seat, but on a tight budget, then the Evenflo Tribute is a good place to start. This top-notch car seat is inexpensive and a great option for families on a budget.
With the Evenflo Tribute, you won’t have to keep buying new chair seats as your child grows, as it is spacious and comfortable. Also, it is lightweight and easy to move around.
To ensure that your little one remains comfortable in this chair, it was fitted with an ultra-soft body cushion and a removable head pillow.
With the Evenflo Tribute, you can be confident that your child will be safe in the event of an accident, as it has passed several impact tests. Also, it meets all federal safety standards.
One notable thing about this car seat is that it comes with a 90-day warranty. So, if you notice any issue with it, or it doesn’t function properly, you are protected.
As you can likely tell, the Evenflo Tribute is eye-catching, high quality, and a functional masterpiece. But it has some downsides. First, it is somewhat difficult to install. Also, it isn’t stable, especially when installed in a rear-facing position.
Pros
- Lightweight
- 90-day warranty
- It is budget-friendly
- It comes with a removable head pillow
Cons
- Difficult to install
- It isn’t 100% stable
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Car Seat
Are all car seats safe?
All U.S car seat on the market is safe, regardless of how much they cost. Expensive and inexpensive car seats are required to pass various crash tests before they can be mass-produced and made available to the general public.
How do I know if my child car seat is installed properly?
Most car seats come with a detailed manual on how to install it. Consult a certified child passenger safety technician if you have questions or aren’t sure if your car seat is properly installed.
How to ensure my child’s car seat last long?
Truth be told, car seats aren’t designed to last forever. They expire after a couple of years (6-10 years). However, if you strictly follow the cleaning instructions that come with it, storing it in a cool and dry place, it may last longer.
Conclusion
While we were impressed by all the car seat we reviewed as they are all of very high quality and functional, here are our top 2 picks.
The first-best pick is the Peg-Pérego Primo Viaggio. Its super sleek design and comfortable cushions make it a must-have for parents who are looking for a premium quality chair seat. Yes, the Peg-Pérego Primo Viaggio is somewhat expensive, but if you give thoughts to the value it offers, you will be motivated it purchase it. Our second best pick, the Evenflo Tribute is an affordable car seat that has a lot of incredible features. It is a great option for families looking for a high-quality car seat but on a tight budget.
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
