A car seat is a must to keep your child safe when you’re traveling, but transporting most traditional car seats to the airport and strapping them to an unknown rental car can be a real challenge. That’s where car seats come in: The most productive car seats are much lighter than traditional car seats, but they offer many of the same comfort and convenience features. Our most sensible pick is the Evenflo Sonus 65 convertible car seat for its easy adjustment and moderate price.
Car travel seats are meant to be lightweight, compact, and easy to install, making life on the road less complicated. “There are a lot of features that are lightweight and less difficult to carry,” says Michelle Pratt, a qualified child protection technician and founder of Safe In The Seat. But it’s vital that your child stays within the length and weight limits of the seat you’re considering, says Benjamin Hoffman, M. D. , F. A. A. P. , an expert in car seat protection. professor of pediatrics at the University of Oregon College of Health and Science Medicine. “You’ll also want to feel comfortable installing the seat,” he says, so he recommends practicing installation before you hit the road. Beyond that, what makes an ideal car seat largely has features that meet your individual desires and those of your child.
These are the most productive car seat features out there today, according to our safety experts and well-behaved parents.
Seat Weight: 11. 5 lbs | Maximum child height: 40 inches (rear-facing); Five0 Inches (Forward Facing) | Minimum child weight: five pounds (backward); 22 lbs (Forward Facing) | Maximum child weight: 40 pounds (rear-facing); 65 lbs (forward-facing) | Seat Width: 19 inches
The Evenflo Sonus is packed with features that make it a wonderful car seat, whether or not it’s not, at a price point that may appeal to many families. The harness can be adjusted from the front, so you can put your little one at ease without having to do confusing stunts. The six shoulder harness positions give your child plenty of room to grow (and get a comfortable fit), while the dual cup holders keep drinks and snacks close at hand on the go.
Weight recommendations range from five to six and five pounds, allowing for smart mileage with this seat. The canopy is detachable and the device can be cleaned for easy cleaning once you get home – a big plus. Weighing in at just over 11 pounds, the seat has a moderate weight to carry. an airport terminal and hop on and off a rideshare.
Amazon
Seat Weight: 14 lbs | Maximum child height: 40 inches (rear-facing); 49 inches (forward-facing) | Minimum child weight: five pounds (backward); 22 lbs (Forward Facing) | Maximum child weight: 40 pounds (rear-facing); 65 lbs (forward-facing) | Seat Width: 21. 5 inches
The Cosco Mighty Fit 65 DX comes at an incredibly low price for its quality. This seat has two modes: a rear-facing mode for infants and toddlers weighing up to 40 pounds, and a forward-facing mode for children between 40 and 65 pounds. Its compact design can be compatible on an airplane seat and in the aisle. A five-point harness helps keep even squirming children safe, while three buckle positions allow for excellent adjustment potential.
Note: You can have compatibility with 3 of the Might Fit 65 DX in the back seat of most cars, giving you features with a rental car. The seat has padding to keep your child comfortable on long trips, as well as a removable seat that can be machine washed. Washable canopy once finished. It weighs 14 pounds, it’s heavier than our most practical pick, but it’s nothing parents can’t stand.
Seat Weight: 17 lbs | Maximum child height: 32 inches | Minimum child weight: four pounds | Maximum child weight: 35 pounds | Seat width: 17. 4 inches
The Doona has built-in wheels, allowing you to go from car seat to lightweight stroller in a single motion. If you’re lucky and your baby fell asleep in the car, this smoother, less difficult transition can help you stay asleep. The knitted harness and three-layer look have an effect on coverage, help keep your baby safe, and the car seat is FAA approved for airplanes. Materials like comfortable bamboo fabric and memory foam support keep your little one comfortable, whether they’re strapped into an airplane seat or walking around the terminal.
Keep in mind that this seat only works for toddlers weighing between four and 35 pounds, so you may not be able to squeeze as many years out of it as the other options. It also doesn’t have built-in storage. However, the 2-in-1 stroller/car seat combo is much lighter than most strollers and means one less object to take care of your trip.
Baby Albee
Seat Weight: 27. 2 lbs | Maximum Child Height: 49 inches (Rear & Forward Facing) | Minimum Child Weight: Five Pounds | Maximum child weight: five0 pounds (face back); 65 lbs (forward-facing) | Seat Width: 19 inches
The Nuna Rava is more expensive than other car seats, but it’s packed with features worth considering. The seat can accommodate children aged five to six and five pounds, allowing for several years of use. It is also qualified for aeronautics and is easy to install. , so you can set up and temporarily protect your child, whether they’re on a plane or in a car. The seat is designed to have up to 2 inches of extra legroom when rear-facing, which means you probably won’t want to place it on the airplane seat to make it compatible. Cup holders on both sides fold down when you have room and fold down when you want to save space around the seat. Ten recline positions make it easy to find an angle that works for your little one. We also like the fact that this seat is Greenguard Gold rated and made with no flame retardants.
Walmart
Seat Weight: 5. 1 lbs | Maximum Child Height: 57 inches | Minimum Child Weight: 40 lbs | Maximum Child Weight: One Hundred Pounds | Seat Width: 16 inches
The Graco Turbobooster is almost undeniable to use. Just place it on the seat, fasten your child with the car’s shoulder belt, and start your journey. Pop-up cup holders give you extra area for drinks and snacks when there’s space, and are temporarily stowed away when there’s little seating space. The padded armrests and comfortable seat cushion ensure that your child feels comfortable, even on long journeys. Weighing only five pounds, it’s undeniable that it can be attached to the most sensitive part of your suitcase when you cross the airport. The booster seat is designed for children weighing between 40 and 100 pounds, so your child can safely use it for several years after they outgrow a five-point car seat.
Amazon
Seat Weight: 16 lbs | Maximum Child Height: 49 inches | Minimum child weight: five pounds (backward); 22 lbs (Forward Facing) | Maximum child weight: 40 pounds (rear-facing); 65 lbs (forward-facing) | Seat Width: 18. 9 inches
The Graco Contender Slim is designed to take up little space, saving space whether you’re traveling by plane or car. The seat can accommodate children weighing between five and six five pounds, and the seat itself weighs 16 pounds, so it’s soft enough to carry from one position to another. It is rated for use in airplanes, so you can fly with it without any problems. Included latches and point signals allow you to install the seat temporarily and efficiently. The included cup holder is detachable for tight areas and can even be placed in the dishwasher. A non-rescrewed harness allows for quick seat adjustments.
Amazon
Seat Weight: 1. 3 lbs | Maximum Child Height: Not Indexed | Minimum Child Weight: Pounds | Maximum Child Weight: 11o lbs | Seat Width: 14. 5 inches
For those times when you really need to travel with minimal luggage, the Hiccapop booster seat. It’s inflatable and undeniably inflates in 20 seconds or less while you’re waiting for a car service to come or go. The booster seat doesn’t have a sliding base to keep it in position on leather or cloth seats, and it may not clutter the back seat; It can have 3 compatibility on the back row of most cars. Positioning clips help your child have comfortable seat belt compatibility. The seat comes with its own travel bag for undeniable carrying: just deflate and roll it up, then place it in the bag or car. It’s that undeniable.
The team of children examined by Forbes
For this article, we spoke to fitness and protection experts for tips on what to look for in the best car seats to make sure they’re safe for baby. This includes Michelle Pratt, a qualified child protection technician and founder of Safe in the Seat. and Benjamin Hoffman, M. D. , F. A. A. P. , professor of pediatrics in the University of Oregon College of Health & Science College of Medicine.
This story is reviewed for accuracy and was last updated in March 2024.
To choose the best car seats, we consulted with car seat protection experts to learn about the important features to look for in those protective features.
We then asked parents for their recommendations and researched the most productive car seats on the market to determine must-haves, such as easy installation, lightweight materials, and compact size. We examined the most popular seats on the market, searched for reviews, and relied on parent feedback to determine our options. We also looked at reviews from genuine parents to get a better idea of how those seats will perform on the road and how they will hold up over time.
There’s no reason why you can’t do it with your usual car seat, booster seat, or stroller combination, says Dr. Benjamin Hoffman, an expert in car seat protection. However, he notes, your main seat may be too bulky or too big to drive into an airport with the rest of your luggage. Some traditional car seats aren’t even compatible in the narrow aisle of an airplane.
This is where a car seat shines. While the number one car seats can weigh between 20 and 30 pounds, a seat can weigh less than 10 pounds. Having an extra car seat for the air also means you can keep your primary car seat installed in your vehicle at home, and it saves you from having to take it off and put it back on every time you’re with your child.
Safety experts emphasize the importance of getting your child to comply with the height and weight rules set by the car seat manufacturer.
If your child is under the age of 2 and you’re thinking about buying them their own airplane seat, they’ll need a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved car seat. Most car seats are FAA-approved, but it’s sensible to check before you buy. Many fitness and protection experts agree that it’s safer for young children to fly in their own seats than on the lap of their parents or car sitters.
Overall, “there’s no explanation for why you should think of a car seat any differently than a regular car seat,” Hoffman says. All car seats sold in the U. S. The U. S. Department of Homeland Security will have to meet the same standards of protection, he notes, and therefore will have to be safe to use in cars. Basically, if your car seat is properly installed and your child is safe in it, they deserve to be safe. However, buying your seat from a well-known logo like Graco, Evenflo, and Nuna can help you get back to safety.
Many, though not all, car seats can be transported on an airplane. “Most seats have been approved for use through the FAA, but not all are,” Hoffman says. Pratt agrees. There are a handful of seats that are not approved for airplanes,” he says. “Usually, as long as the car manufacturer chooses an airplane seat with movable armrests, there probably won’t be any issues with the width of the car seat. “
Just keep this in mind, according to Pratt: “Rear-facing car seats should probably be straighter on the plane than is allowed in the vehicle to fit. “
There are a few things to consider. ” If you want a seat at your destination, it’s surely worth bringing a seat on the plane,” Pratt says. “This ensures that the car seat is not damaged during transport. “
If your child is considered a lap baby (i. e. , if they’re under 2 years old), it’s understandable that you need to save money by not having to buy a second seat, Hoffman says. However, he recommends at least considering giving your child their own seat, if they can. “The merit of having a younger child in a car seat is that in the event of severe turbulence, a parent may not be able to restrain their child due to force. “or a baby during the entire flight can also be exhausting and uncomfortable for parents, even on short trips.
But, Hoffman notes, buying an extra seat is “prohibitively expensive for many families. “
All car seats can be checked in with your luggage or transported on a plane free of charge, in accordance with TSA regulations. However, keep in mind that some seats are approved by the FAA for boarding planes. “There will be a sticker on the seat that says it’s FAA-approved,” Pratt says. “There will also be a page in the car seat manual that shows how to install the seat on an airplane. “If your car seat doesn’t have this designation, you may want to check it in with your baggage.