The 5 best car seats of 2023

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Car seats are a UK legal requirement for children under 12 years of age or 135cm in height. But which is the best one for your child?

Suitable for all stages

Easy to adjust to accommodate your child's growth

Made from safe, high quality materials

Does not rotate

A bit heavy

Affordable

Adjustable armrests

Lightweight

Lap belt only

Not a lot of padding

Designed specifically for babies

Machine washable cover

Compatible with both three point seat belt and ISOFIX

ISOFIX base must be purchased separately

Cannot convert to a booster seat

Buying a car seat is not a decision that should be taken lightly. Not only do they ensure your little one is safe and secure, but selecting the right one can be the difference between an uncomfortable, grumpy child or a sleeping, contented one during a long journey.

Children grow at different rates but whether a parent, guardian or simply the person transporting someone else's child, car seats are legally required to be used until your child reaches a certain height. On the utility side, they sometimes include features such as cup holders and extra padding to take the stress out of your ride.

We’ve shopped around and pulled together our five best car seat picks that offer quality and safety. Whether you’re after something perfectly designed for newborns, or are looking for a super accessible 360° rotating seat, take a look at our favourites and shop now.

Read more: Top 10 baby carriers new parents should buy this year

Age: Birth to 12 years (36kg)

Dimensions: H76 x W58 x D54.5cm

Weight: 8.92kg

Kids grow so quickly, which is why this car seat from Joie is a fantastic investment. It can be used through all stages as it adapts to fit your child, from a rear-facing seat for the tiniest tots to a high-backed booster for older children.

It has a ton of useful features, such as the AutoAdjust™ side wings and headrest that easily adapt to your child's growing body, as well as integrated mesh storage pockets. It also has a secure five-point harness that can fasten simply with only one pull. The plush padded cushioning and six recline positions keep little ones comfy on long car rides, too.

Suitable for all stages

Easy to adjust to accommodate your child's growth

Made from safe, high quality materials

Does not rotate

A bit heavy

Age: Four to 12 years (36kg)

Dimensions: H81.7 x W40.8 x L53.4cm

Weight: 3.52kg

Graco's car seat is small on price but big on safety. It's suitable for ages four to 12 (known as group 2/3) and has an adjustable headrest to make sure it always fits your child perfectly. It even has a handy retractable cup holder to keep drinks within easy reach.

The seat is installed using your car's three point seat belt, and includes red markers that make it easy for you to buckle up correctly. It's super lightweight which makes it simple to assemble and switch between cars.

Affordable

Adjustable armrests

Lightweight

Lap belt only

Not a lot of padding

Age: Birth to 12-15 months (13kg)

Dimensions: H35.5 x W44 x D73cm

Weight: 3.2kg

Newborns require extra-special care, and this car seat from Maxi-Cosi is perfectly designed to keep the littlest babies safe. The rear facing design, one-pull harness and ultra-padded cushioning ensure your child is secure and comfortable at all times.

Weighing just 3.2kg, this car seat is a breeze to transport. It also includes a sturdy handle which means it can easily be used as a baby carrier, and it fits with most Maxi-Cosi strollers for added transport options.

Designed specifically for babies

Machine washable cover

Compatible with both three point seat belt and ISOFIX

ISOFIX base must be purchased separately

Cannot convert to a booster seat

Age: Birth to four years (18kg)

Dimensions: H63.5, W43, D70cm

Weight: 14.1kg

The Cybex is a fantastic option if you’re after a car seat with a 360° rotate feature. This function allows you to position the seat as you like – driver side or passenger side – and also means you can change between rear facing and front facing with ease. There's less hassle when moving your child in and out of the car, as the seat can always be rotated towards you for simple entry and exit.

This product also has an adjustable back and headrest that can be modified as your child grows, as well as an easy-click safety harness. It's padded for comfort and has a shock-absorbing side impact protection system.

Easy to adjust positions

Rear facing up to four years

Comfortable and offers a lot of legroom

Expensive

ISOFIX base sold separately

Age: Four to approx. 12 years

Dimensions: H36 x W16 x D40cm

Weight: 1.7kg

If you’re always on the go, this Trunki car seat is for you. It's a kids’ backpack and portable booster seat all in one, which makes it perfect for travelling. No more stressing about transport options, you can simply convert the car seat from the handy bag to a seat that can be used in taxis and hire cars wherever you are.

It has an adjustable seat belt that can be altered to suit your child's height, and an ergonomic backrest designed to reduce strain and encourage better posture. As for the backpack part, it has a generous 8L of packing space and a sturdy internal shell for protection.

Very lightweight

Portable and ideal for travel

Fun, kid-friendly design

Low backrest

Padding is a bit thin

Purchasing a car seat is a big decision, as you never want to compromise on your child's safety. That's why there are a few features you should always consider:

Size. Car seats are designed to fit children based on either weight or height. Most seats are for a particular group, although a few do cater to all kids. So it's important to check if the seat you’re buying is suitable for your child.

Adjustable positioning. Seats that have adjustable head and armrests not only allow you to alter the seat for a perfect fit, they help keep little ones comfy on your journey.

Car compatibility. The majority of car seats can be installed using your car's seatbelt, but some require ISOFIX installation only. Check whether your car is compatible with this type of seat before purchasing.

Portability. If you regularly go on trips, or your child often travels in different cars, a car seat that is easy to transport and swap between vehicles is ideal. Look for carry handles and a light weight.

If you’re looking to buy a car seat, all our picks are fantastic options. However, we think the Joie Baby Every Stage Group Car Seat is a great, all-round seat. It delivers on quality and safety, and will last you the entire time your child requires a car seat. We also love the Trunki BoostApak for a fun and handy seat that is super portable.

Prices updated on 04/04/2023. We are not responsible for any changes on the prices mentioned above.

Always up to date with the latest shopping trends, Christina Constantinou is keen to share her love for quality products with Best Buy's readers. She has experience writing for the tech industry and enjoys browsing deals on gadgets and fashion accessories.