The best convertible car seat for small cars is the Graco SlimFit 3-in-1, a 10% slimmer take on the standard Graco frame that reviewers specifically call out as fitting three across a sculpted back seat. It covers 5 to 100 pounds, installs with a no-rethread harness, and weighs little enough to carry through an airport. … Read more
The best infant car seat for a newborn is a rear-facing infant carrier that clicks into its own base, and our top pick is the Graco SnugRide Lite LX. It is rated for rear-facing babies from 4 lb to 30 lb and up to 32 inches tall, and Graco publishes a 7.2 lb carrier weight, … Read more
Most parents searching for the best booster seats for 4 year olds are asking the wrong question first. A booster does not restrain your child. It positions the vehicle’s own three-point belt so the lap portion sits low across the hips and the shoulder portion crosses the middle of the chest, which is the geometry … Read more
Are rotating car seats really worth it? Yes, if the way you load your child is the hardest part of your day. A rotating car seat turns toward the open door so you can lift your baby in, buckle them while they face you, and turn them back without twisting over a fixed rear-facing shell. … Read more
The best travel car seats for airplanes are the ones carrying the red label that reads This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft. That single sticker decides whether you can belt the seat into a purchased cabin seat or whether an agent sends it to baggage check at the gate. Weight … Read more
Yes, a child can be too tall for a rear-facing car seat, and it usually happens well before the weight limit. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration both say to keep your child rear-facing until they exceed whichever limit comes first: the seat’s rear-facing weight limit or its rear-facing … Read more