Safest Car Seats

In the United States, car seat companies’ products must pass certain crash test and safety ratings in order to be sold on the market.

Unfortunately, it is impossible for us to determine the safest car seats based on these, because the manufacturers are not required to release this information, and they don’t. However, we can be sure that every car seat on the market does meet or exceed United States governmental regulations.

Each year, Consumer Reports does do independent crash test ratings of car seats. It should be noted, however, that these tests are often discounted by scientists for various reasons, including past mistakes, and what they consider poor reporting and poor parameters. However, it may be a good starting point.

Over the years, Consumer Reports has reported its top picks. Keep in mind, however, that the safest car seat is only as safe as its user. If it isn’t installed properly and used properly every time the child is in the car, of course it is quite unsafe.

Consumer Reports’ most recent test included eleven rear-facing infant car seats. It was a retest of the previous year’s test, which had some errors.

All eleven seats met governmental crash test standards when attached using the seat belt and when using the LATCH. (LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children.) Again, we find the United States’ pass/fail system fails to provide us a “best” and “worst” model.

Consumer Reports expands upon this and attempts to identify the safest car seats by adding Ease of Use ratings and Fit to Vehicle ratings, both of which will have an effect on the safety of any car seat.

If it doesn’t fit in the car properly, it’s impossible to install it safely, and the harder a car seat is to install, the more likely that someone will not have it properly and safely installed.

With these guidelines, Consumer Reports rated the Chicco Key Fit as the best or safest car seat, with the Britax Companion coming in second. However, the Baby Trend Flex-Loc and Graco SnugRide were named Best Buys for their features in combination with price.