Best Car Seat for 3 Year Old
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What is the Best Car Seat for a 3 Year Old
I am currently looking for the best car seat for a 3 year old (my son) and this articles shares my research.
Ideally, the best car seat for a 3 year old would have the following features:
Comfortable with head support so that my 3 year old is able to sleep on long journeys.
A car seat that will adapt as my son grows bigger so that I don't have to replace it in the next few years.
Suitable for daily use (ideally easy to clean, wipe down etc).
Easy to transport between different cars so that I can use it in other people's vehicles when needed.
Read on for my research on the best car seat for a 3 year old.
Top tips when buying a car seat for a 3 year old
Britax and Graco seem to be the most respected brands when buying car seats for 3 year olds.
When choosing your car seat you will need to go by the weight and age of your child. In the USA, laws vary between the states. Some states require a child to be 3 year and 30 pounds before using a booster seat. Other states require a child to be 4 years and 40 pounds before using a booster seat, so if you're in the US you need to check.
 | This Graco seat is for kids 3-10 years old, from 30-100 pounds and 38" to 57" tall.
Once your child gets older it converts to a backless booster for years of use.
Height adjustable head support grows with your child
Padded, height adjustable armrests are extra comfortable
Open loop belt guides easily position your vehicle's seatbelt
Its also a very reasonable price. So far, I think it fits all my personal requirement for a car seat for my 3 year old. Amazon Price: $57.55 List Price: $59.99 |
Britax Frontier 85 Combination Booster Car Seat
 | This is perfect for 3 year olds from 25 pounds. It can be used with a harness until they are 85 pounds (or 120 pounds without a harness if you convert the seat to a booster).
It has good reviews. It really does grow with your child, ensuring they are in comfort at each stage. Features include:
Tangle free, 5-point harness with 10 harness height positions (up to 20") and three buckle positions for a snug and secure fit as your child grows.
Safety Features include:
True side impact protection distributes crash forces, shields from vehicle intrusion, contains the head and body, and keeps the head, neck and spine "in true" or aligned, to limit injury
Patented versa-tether introduces a staged-release tether webbing that anchors the top of the child seat at two points to minimize forward movement in a crash
Amazon Price: $192.99 List Price: $299.99 |
 | This is a great car seat that will last from toddlers until they are about 8 years old.
It covers the weight range between 20 and 100 pounds.
Extended 5-point harness for children 20-65 pounds
Converts to High-back belt positioning booster for child 30 pounds to 100 pounds
Converts to backless booster for child 40 pounds to 100 pounds
Durable and looks very comfortable too. Amazon Price: $127.98 List Price: $189.99 |
Evenflo Big Kid Booster Seat
 | This is the best priced car seat suitable for a 3 year old. It is side impact crash tested. It is height adjustable for comfort and safety and can be removed as your child gets older. Recommended for children between 30 and 100 pounds. Also has dual cup holders and pivoting arm rests. Currently only $39.99. Amazon Price: $59.99 |
Moon Daisy Level 5 Commenter 24 months ago
A very useful hub. It came at just the right time, as my daughter (who's 4) will soon be growing out of the seat she's got at the moment.
You've given me some idea of what's around and what I should be looking out for, thanks! :)