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It’s only natural for parents to want the best for their children, but “the best” is a phrase that’s open to
interpretation. As far as car seats go, the best one is the one that’s safest and most comfortable for your child. Finding that point is the challenge, not because
it doesn’t exist but rather because there are so many choices.
There are a few different avenues for determining what car seat is the best: you can look at
government-sponsored ratings through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), you can consult consumer-advocacy organizations that are not
supported by advertising, or you can ask other parents. The World Wide Web is a universal source, with all of the above accessible. It’s also a good place to
virtually shop before heading out to the brick-and-mortar stores to see the products in all three
dimensions.
Seats can be rated according to safety as well as their degree of user-friendliness. The NHTSA began rating
children’s car seats in 2002, the same year it implemented the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system for consumer vehicles. Any car seat you buy in
the United States should have already passed safety approval (look for this information clearly displayed on the seat’s packaging), meaning it offers adequate
protection in government-run crash tests.
While safety approval is conducted on a pass-fail basis, some parties, including the government, evaluate
child seats for their user-friendliness. Simplicity in installing the seat in the car and then the child in the seat is critical in the devices’ effectiveness and
number of injuries and deaths prevented. The NHTSA’s 2007 ratings for Ease-of-Use include 101 child restraints (combination, convertible, and booster seats
included) representing 19 manufacturers, the great majority of which—82 percent—earned a grade of A, meaning that they received the highest possible rating in each
category.
Consumer Reports conducted ease-of-use tests on 11 2007-model infants seats, with prices ranging from $50 to
$220. Their top pick was the Chicco KeyFit, which earned an overall score of 88 out of 100 and was the only seat of the 11 to merit Excellent ratings in both Ease
of Use and Fit to Vehicle. Special notice for exceptional value went to the Baby Trend Flex-Loc Adjustable Back and the Graco SnugRide with
EPS, each with a suggested retail price of $90. Here’s some reliable evidence that the most expensive seat is not necessarily the best you can buy. Consumer Reports
has published a 368-page book, Consumer Reports Best Baby Products, so you might want to consider that as a resource when shopping for your child’s car seat.
Anecdotal evidence from
parents who were consulted for this article and from various Internet forums look favorably toward one car seat in particular, Britax,
which they tout for its quality, plushness, multitude of features, and ease of cleaning. The current favorite Britax model seems to be the Boulevard, a convertible
seat that costs a pretty penny—in the neighborhood of $250. But with its convertible design (meaning it is first used as a rear-facing seat but is easily switched
to forward-facing when the child is large enough) and height-adjustable features, it provides years of fine protection.
Graco is also highly-rated by those in the know: the parents who use them. This manufacturer offers a nice, high-quality seat at a reasonable price for all stages
of a child’s life. Their booster seats are well-regarded by parents and children alike, and they come with useful perks like cupholders. Other manufacturers,
including Cosco, Evenflo, and Century, were frequently praised in online consumer forums as well.
Purchase a quality car seat at a great price here! |