Rating of TOP 7 car seats for newborns: classification, design features, tips for choosing, comparison of popular models, reviews

The transportation of small children in a car without a car seat is officially prohibited by the traffic rules of the Russian Federation, and since 2017 any traffic police inspector has every right to issue a fine for such a fine. Unfortunately, many drivers and parents still view buying a car seat as a duty and do not pay enough attention to the selection process, choosing the cheapest, often used option. These people should be aware that a properly sized and installed seat significantly reduces the risk of death or serious injury to a child in the event of an accident. For newborns, it becomes a salvation in 70% of cases.

Remember that even the most careful driver is not immune from meeting on the road with inadequate, drunk or simply inattentive road users. Only a trained weightlifter can hold the baby in his arms upon impact. A simple person is guaranteed not to cope with a jerk, and the likelihood that the baby will hit the back of the front seat or fly out through the windshield becomes not only high, but very high. The right car seat protects against frontal, side and rear impacts, hard braking and maneuvers. In this article I will try to tell you how to choose the right car seat for the most vulnerable category of children under the age of 1 year.

Rating TOP 7 car seats for newborns

While selecting products for this rating, I gave preference to classic wireframe models. The rating includes both classic cradles and combined models that can be transformed to meet the needs of older children. The main selection criterion was the reliability and safety of the seats. That is why the rating does not touch on newfangled frameless chairs. Despite their low cost, I do not recommend them for purchase because they do not meet basic safety standards.

BRITAX ROMER Dualfix i-Size

A universal chair that allows you not to think about replacing it for 4 years. Installed on Isofix mounts, equipped with soft pads for seat belts, orthopedic insert. The chair can be rotated 360 degrees without unfastening it - this will allow parents to comfortably seat and take out the baby, and serve him during the trip. The model perfectly protects against side collisions. Additional emphasis on the floor provides stability to the structure. The chair allows you to flexibly adjust the position of the back and headrest, adjusting it to the age and size of the child.

Bought when the baby was 5 months old. I liked that the headrest and backrest tilt can be adjusted, there is a special stand that supports the baby's head. The high armrests provide all-round protection and the straps hold you well without causing discomfort. With sudden braking, the chair remains in place, and the child continues to sleep. The cover is made with high quality, it has already been washed 10 times, it has not lost its shape / color. There is a red insert on the leg, focusing on it, the chair was installed in 5 minutes.

Recaro Young Profi Plus Isofix

Classic carrycot of class 0+, which allows you to carry a child under the age of 1-1.5 years. Installed strictly against the direction of movement of the vehicle. Reliably envelops the passenger, protecting him not only from frontal, but also from side impacts. Convenient handle, fixed in several positions, makes it easy to carry the chair with your child. The delivery set includes a removable orthopedic insert, which provides the child with the correct position and back support. The manufacturer has provided a ventilation system, thanks to which the child will not sweat in the heat.

I liked the chair for its good quality, quality of materials. The decision to buy this chair was made after reviewing the crash test results and trial use. The 2 week old baby slept well in it. Trips around Moscow region traffic jams 2-4 hours, the child tolerates calmly, waking up only for feeding. The chair is comfortable, when traveling empty does not rattle (a friend has a chair of another company, the car turns into a "Zhiguli"))))). After the age of the baby 2-3 months. the gasket in the chair begins to press, it is pulled out, and it is more comfortable for him. Now the baby is 8 months old. Sits spaciously, drive - enjoy! Judging by the ratio of age and weight - take weight as a basis! Children up to 9-10 kg. this chair is definitely enough, up to 13 kg. unlikely.

Maxi-Cosi Pebble

A quality carry chair from a renowned Dutch brand, winner of a number of prestigious international awards. The chair meets modern safety standards, reliably protects the child in any accident. The model is installed strictly against the direction of movement of the machine. It is equipped with an orthopedic pillow. A sun awning will make it easier for your child to stay in sunny weather, especially if the chair is used as a carrier. The seat depth can be adjusted according to the passenger's weight. The five-point belts keep the child securely in place, but do not crush thanks to the wide padded pads.

Ideal for an autumn and winter child! A newborn in a warm overalls in a chair is very comfortable, like a mother's on the arms. It is very convenient to use as a carrier. I use it as a travel system with a bumbleride indie stroller. Now we are 7 months old and we are not large, but tall. Height 72cm, weight 7100. The legs of the chair are already sticking out decently. But on the belts we still calmly fit in a demi-season suit. Once the husband fell on the street with a carrier in his hands - the child did not even cry, although the car seat fell on its side. This is an indicator that the belts are ideal for securing the child and the chair is very soft and comfortable inside.

BRITAX ROMER Baby-Safe i-Size + Flex Base

A modern category 0+ car seat that meets the new European safety standard ECE 129 (i-Size). Supplied with a base equipped with an Isofix attachment. Can be used as a carrier or as a stroller stroller (wheelbase adapters sold separately).Has a sun-protection awning, orthopedic removable insert. Soft pads on the belts will not allow those to injure the child in an accident. The model allows you to adjust the height of the headrest.

We use the car seat both when traveling in a car and in a stroller, there is a mount on the chassis. The chair is comfortable, the child in it can withstand not only long walks, but also have a good sleep. In the car, it is attached with isofix, backwards, and this is additional security. The hood reliably hides the son from the sun.

Happy Baby Skyler V2

Car seat of domestic production, corresponding to the European standard ECE 44/04. The model is lightweight, weighs only 2.5 kg, which makes it much easier to carry your baby in it. The chair is equipped with all the necessary functionality: a removable sun awning, an orthopedic insert, strap pads. The base of the cradle is made rounded, which will allow the child to rock in it.

In terms of reliability, this carrycot meets the standards required for the transportation of category 0+ babies. In terms of comfort, our baby felt comfortable in it and almost always immediately fell asleep in it, there is a special pillow in the infant car seat that allows the baby to take a comfortable position and again meets the standards so that the child does not have a load on the spine. Also, this cradle is mobile, it is easy to install and also easy to remove and take it with you to the clinic, guests or home. She sways cool and the baby can sleep in it!

Happy Baby Unix Isofix

A seat of domestic production that allows you to transport a child from birth to 12 years. Can be secured with regular seat belts or by means of the Isofix system. Complies with the modern European standard ECE 44/04. Can be installed facing in the direction of travel or against the direction of travel. The swivel mechanism on the built-in base makes it easy to rotate the chair 360 degrees. The chair cover can be easily removed for washing.

Satisfied with the chair. We do not use the swivel mechanism at all. Convenient to attach. The child likes it. We went to the sea, no problem. More than 5 hours a child in a chair without screaming and psychos.

Evenflo Symphony e3 DLX Platinum Series

Car seat from the famous American brand Evenflo Symphony. (Recognition of this brand in the United States is 90%.). Designed to transport children from birth to 12 years old. The SureLatch mount increases the passenger's allowable weight by up to 50 kilograms. This will allow you to comfortably accommodate the child, even if he is wearing a tight winter overalls. The model is equipped with a cup holder, which will be convenient for older children. The manufacturer uses a fabric with a thermoregulatory function, so the child will not freeze or overheat.

Yes, the chair is big. a child in a chubby winter suit fits into it without any problems. It takes 1.5 places on the back sofa, it is problematic for two adults to sit in a B-class sedan next to a child in a chair. It's good that everyone in our family is pretty compact. Two grown men won't fit. belt adjustment, the ease of fastening is 5+, everything is fine. I am very glad that the shoulder straps are inserted into the center one separately. no need to catch and combine them two at once.

comparison table

A ranking of newborn car seats would be incomplete without a good comparison chart. When choosing, it is the technical characteristics that come to the fore, and with the help of the table I have compiled, the reader will be able to quickly compare the main parameters of all the seats presented in the top.

What are the car seats for newborns?

There are 5 main groups of car seats in total:

• Group 0 - designed for children aged from birth to 6 months and weighing up to 10 kg. They look like cradles, installed sideways in relation to the direction of travel. They are not very popular, since their service life is very limited.
• Group 0 + - intended for children under one and a half years old and weighing up to 13 kg. Equipped with a handle, can be used as a carrier. Also, the handle can be used as an additional stiffener when installed on a chair, and pendant toys can be attached to it. Some models can be transformed into a stroller by connecting to the chassis using special adapters. Such chairs are installed facing the opposite direction of movement.
• Group 1 - intended for children aged 1 to 4 years and weighing from 9 to 18 kg. They can be installed both in the direction of travel and against the direction of travel;
• Group 2 - for children aged 3 to 7 years and weighing from 15 to 35 kg.
• Group 3 - booster seats for children from 6 to 12 years old. The recommended weight of a child here is from 22 to 36 kg.

For newborns, chairs of categories 0 and 0+ are intended, providing them with the correct physiological position, back and neck support.

In addition to the "clean" groups, many manufacturers offer combination chairs such as 0 + / 1, 0 + / 1/2, or even 0 + / 1/2/3. These models are real "transformers" who "grow" together with the child. Buying such a chair allows you to significantly save money, but it should be remembered that more universal designs are usually more difficult to accurately "fit" the child's dimensions, so it is possible that there may be problems with insufficiently dense belts or too high a headrest. Universal models are a good choice if the family finances are very tight, or if the child occasionally drives in the car. They can also become a real godsend for a taxi driver who wants to safely carry passengers with children - their specifics of work will not allow carrying separate seats for each age category.

How to choose a car seat for a newborn

The main task of the car seat is to ensure the complete safety of the child while driving, therefore this criterion is the main one. You should also pay attention to such points as the convenience and ergonomics of the chair, the ways of its attachment.

Chair safety

As already mentioned, it is this parameter that is the main one when choosing a car seat for a newborn.Before purchasing, be sure to check that there is an orange badge with the letters ECE 44 or ECE 129 (i-Size) on the structure frame. Their presence means that this product meets European quality standards and has been tested, confirming the ability of the model to reliably protect a child in a frontal or side impact.

Compliance with the ECE 129 (i-Size) standard is considered preferable: it is newer and takes into account a number of shortcomings characteristic of ECE 44. In particular, the new standard pays more attention not to the weight, but to the height of the child, which makes it possible to more accurately select a model for its parameters ... In addition, the seats of the new standard must be tested for their ability to resist side impacts - previously, this test was optional. ECE 129 was developed in collaboration with car manufacturers and many modern cars are designed to fully unleash the protective potential of the seat.

The ECE 44 standard is also valid, but in the future it will gradually move in favor of i-Size. The Russian analogue of ECE 44 is GOST R 41.44 - 2005, however, I would advise you to choose the seats on which the European standard is indicated - so you are guaranteed not to have problems when crossing the border with EU countries by car. Border guards of European countries may refuse entry if a child is transported in a car without a car seat, or in a seat that does not meet the standard.

In a good category 0 or 0+ seat, the child should be securely secured with a three-point or five-point harness. Special requirements are put forward for the headrest - it is obliged to ensure reliable fixation of the baby's head, not to let it wiggle and twitch.

Mounting methods

Car seats of category 0 and 0+ are most often fixed in the car with the help of:

• regular seat belt;
• Isofix mounts;
• Latch mounts.

In the vast majority of infant car seats, the baby is secured with a built-in 3 or 5-point harness. A regular car belt is necessary precisely in order to securely fix the seat itself in the car, so that the child does not fly away with him in the event of an impact. This mounting method is most often used in older car models.

More modern cars most often have special Isofix mounts, which allow you to install and remove the cradle much faster. They provide a rigid fixation and do not allow the seat to "fidget" in the cabin. Carrycots with isofix attachment provide better protection, but they are more expensive and heavier by an average of 30 percent due to the metal frame, and can only be installed on the rear outboard seats and only if the automaker has provided special slots. They are often absent on older cars. Fortunately, most models also support the ability to be secured with a seat belt.

Isofix mounts have another drawback - they can be used as the main means of fixing only if the child's weight does not exceed 18 kilograms. This is not critical for category 0+ seats, but many manufacturers are trying to improve this design. One of the best options is the Latch mount - they are fully compatible with isofix, but have a more advanced design, so they can withstand a weight of up to 30 kilograms. Also, chairs with Latch are lighter on average by 2-3 kilograms due to the abandonment of the metal frame - this is convenient if the cradle is also used as a carrier. The main disadvantage is that Latch is an American standard and is relatively rare on the Russian market.

Chair comfort

The car seat should be not only safe, but also comfortable for the passenger, since otherwise children's whims cannot be avoided, and this creates a direct danger, distracting the driver. Before buying, it is better to “try on” - find the model you like in the store, put the child in it and see if it will be convenient for him there.If this is not possible, measure the height and weight of the baby in advance, and do not forget that you will have to sit him in the chair both in summer and in winter, when he is wearing a warm jacket. It's also a good idea to check in advance to see if the carrycot will fit into the car, as some models have a wider base than others.

It is important that the belts of the car seat securely fix the child, do not slip, and at the same time do not press, and the fastener does not rub - for this, it must have a kind of fabric "cover" or pad. Small children often sleep in the car, so the seat tilt function is also useful, as well as the footrest, thanks to which they will not hang out. The chair must have an orthopedic shape and reliably support the baby's back and neck.

When buying, you should think about your convenience. Whenever possible, choose models that will be convenient for you to carry, install and dismantle. The possibility of converting the cradle into a stroller also significantly expands the functionality, however, it is important to choose the right wheelbase for this. Finally, it is desirable to be able to remove and wash the cover - a small child is guaranteed to get it dirty, and more than once.

Choosing between a new and a used chair

Wanting to save money, many parents buy used chairs from their hands. At first glance, this approach really allows you to save money, but there are several dangerous pitfalls. The first of these is an increased risk of developing allergies, since we do not always know if past owners have had pets, or if they liked to sleep in a car seat in their free time.

The second and most important aspect here is safety. Children's car products are inherently disposable. Their task is to take the blow in the event of an accident, but structural damage is almost inevitable, therefore, after an accident, the seats are supposed to be disposed of. When purchasing an infant car seat from a stranger, you cannot know if it has been in an accident, and it is not always possible to externally determine the presence of breakdowns. That's why. If you are not completely sure of the seller, it is better not to save money and choose a new chair in its original packaging.