As a mother, the safety of my child is something that often causes me many sleepless nights. It has been that way from the beginning and I am sure it is something that all parents experience. I was so scared to think about riding in the car everyday and trying to find the right safety seat just about gave me an ulcer. Looking back however, I really did not need to stress out that much.
While the experience of shopping for a new convertible seat was a little time consuming just because of all of the options available, in the end I was extremely happy with the seat that I got. Knowing that you bought something that is safe and something that your child enjoys riding in really is a looking for big relief. So to help pass it forward, I will try and help you narrow down the field to find some of the better convertible car seats that will help you exhale and ride easier.
Which Brands Should I Consider?
I won’t get into individual seats, but I will help steer you towards the more reputable brands and what type of budgets that they will fall into. Budget is often a big factor when buying a child seat, but just because you save a little does not mean that you have to give up something for safety. There are many extremely safe car seats that are quite affordable. To find something in your budget it would be wise to freshen up on some of the latest convertible car seat ratings and reviews. This is where we always start.
Once you find a brand that you are comfortable with then you can find the best convertible car seat for your child. Often car seat makers will have a line of different seats with various features and price points. As long as you go with a trusted name you really can’t go wrong as far as safety goes. It will then come down to usability, style and price.
Graco Child Seats
Graco makes a terrific line of car seats for those that have a some money to spend, but where price still matters. Their mid-range seats are widely popular with parents for their durability and safety. They have a wide assortment of colors and their Size 4 Me seat is probably their best selling model. Graco seats pass all required tests to be able to on the road in the US. They have a great record when it comes to making quality products. We have used one of their convertible car seats i the past and we thoroughly enjoyed how easy it was to use. Our child also really loves riding in it and often falls asleep shortly getting strapped in, which is often a good sign.
Britax Convertible Options
This is another well known company that makes some of the best rated convertible car seats that you can buy. Britax’s line of products has always been widely popular with parents and kids alike. They make some excellent child seats but they are not exactly cheap. If you have a decent budget then they would be a great option as their seats can range from $180 to $300. They have had a few hiccups lately and have had to recall some convertible and infant seats, but they owned up and were quick with a fix. They do have a great safety record despite their recent issues and I would still feel confident with my child riding in one of their products. Their seats quite comfortable and have a host of safety innovations that help set them apart.
Peg Perego Seats
This is for parents that have a healthy budget as their seats typically will run north of $300, but if you can afford it then it will probably be a great investment. Their seats are engineered with race car technology that gives them some very innovative features. Excellent side impact protection, super comfortable and plush materials, and solid construction really makes their seats stand out from the competition. We splurged and went for their Primo Viaggio model seat and we were so impressed. This really put our mind at ease and still does to this day every time we put our child into it. This is probably the best purchase that we made for our child to date.
Other Brands
The above names are just a starting point and there are actually plenty of car seat manufacturers with solid reputations. Evenflo, Diona, and Safety 1st also make high quality options for parent that have received excellent ratings. It may be hard to narrow the field but sticking with trusted companies is the best course of action. Their seats are rigorously tested to be certified safe and meet all of the requirements to be legal in the US.
If you are just starting your quest to buy a new seat for your upcoming family, a little research goes a long way. There are also some useful tips for parents to keep in mind when shopping. Finding the best convertible car seat for your family may take a little of your time and cause you an undo amount of stress, but you should be able to find something that will put your mind at ease.