When shopping for a car seat, you’ll want to decide if it’s rear- or forward-facing. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, rear-facing seats are the safest for all kids under 2 years old and most kids under 4 years old. For forward-facing seats, they recommend following the car seat’s weight and length limits. Other important features to look for include a LATCH system, a five-point harness system, ease of cleaning, and more. We researched a variety of options from trusted brands with these features in mind. Here are some of the best travel car seats available now. The seat uses the LATCH system, which makes installation a breeze. It also has a five-point harness (with the option to tuck away behind the child’s back for a booster seat) and an adjustable headrest to grow with your child. The rear-facing harness holds children weighing between 5 to 40 pounds, while the forward-facing harness holds children weighing between 22 and 65 pounds. When used as a booster seat, it can accommodate children weighing between 40 to 100 pounds. The seat itself measures 21.5 x 19.9 x 25.5 inches and weighs around 20 pounds. Reviewers note that it’s easy to carry around, especially in airports. It is FAA certified as well. Your child gets two cup holders with this seat, and they rotate away when not in use to create a slimmer profile for the chair. If there’s a spill you can easily clean it up because the seat cover is removable and machine washable. Price at time of publish: $220 The seat is also very lightweight, making it great for transporting during travel. The cup holder is removable, the seat pads are machine washable, and the seat is designed with a slim frame so that you can safely install three of them across most backseats. Price at time of publish: $80 It has a slim design that doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles but is great for traveling in compact cars. The cover comes in several color options and is removable and machine washable. Price at time of publish: $200 Price at time of publish: $50 Price at time of publish: $550 When it’s not in use, this seat folds down for easy carrying and can fit into most airplanes’ overhead compartments. Price at time of publish: $470 Your kiddo will have a place to store their snacks and sippy cups with the two handy integrated cup holders. For the adventurous family, this car seat is FAA Inversion compliant so you can bring it with you on a plane. Price at time of publish: $80
Size and Weight
Since you will be using this car seat while traveling, be mindful of size to ensure it will easily fit into a variety of car seats and that it’s not too heavy to carry through an airport or city if necessary. If you have plans on taking the car seat on a flight, check with your airline before you make a purchase to ensure you’re choosing one that is compliant with their guidelines. While most car seat brands are designed to comply with the Federal Aviation Administration, it is important that you double-check with your specific airline.
Ease of Installation & Removal
Travel for your family could mean hopping on a plane or jumping in and out of taxis. Depending on your travel needs, you’ll want to prioritize finding a seat that installs and removes easily. To avoid the frustration of having to go through a complicated installation process over and over again, you can opt for a seat that doesn’t need a base and utilizes a LATCH system.
Why Trust Verywell Family?
Ashley Ziegler is a full-time parenting writer, mom to a 1 and a 4-year-old, and she has personal experience in researching and using infant carriers, rear-facing, and forward-facing car seats. Key considerations she focused on when selecting these products include personal experience, safety features, longevity, and user reviews. Stop frequently to let your kids stretch their legs and get some energy out, make sure you have plenty of snacks and entertainment, and ensure the car seat is comfortable enough for your child to stay in their seat when the car is moving.
