Before you choose the safest car seat for your child, you should consider these features, which may be different for every product.
Size:
The size of the car seat will be defined by the height and the weight of your child. Some car seat manufacturers also suggest an age limit, as well.
Not only is the size of your child important, but the size of the car seat is also notable. You’ll want to make sure that the car seat actually fits in your car.
Weight limit
If you want a car seat to last as long as possible (within reason), aim for a car seat that has a bit of a larger weight limit capacity, like the Chicco MyFit, which has 100 lbs weight limit, or the Britax Frontier, which can hold 120 lbs.
Belt:
The belt is also an important feature to check out. The KidsEmbrace Marvel Spider-Man, for example, has a 2-position crotch belt, which really makes your child feel safe and secure in the seat, as well as the car seatbelt that you place over.
Latch connection:
Talk to your pediatrician or check out what other parents are saying about the latch connection. These car seats will either be equipped with a push-on, hook-style, or rigid lower anchor.
Tether strap:
If you’re going to be getting a forward-facing harness seat, you’ll need to see if the seat also includes a top tether strap. This feature will anchor the seat (and your child) to the vehicle seat, which will secure the seat optimally. It will also protect your child against head injuries, which is important in the case of an accident.
Harness system:
The harness system can also be tricky. All of the booster seats on the market will have an adjustable harness system.
What’s important to note here, is that as your child grows, the straps on the harness will need to be adjusted continuously.
Material:
The material of the car seat is also important, since this not only makes it more comfortable for your child to sit in, it also will help keep car damage to a minimum and perhaps even make the car seat machine-washable.
Side protection:
The side protection is another feature that might be overlooked at first. However, making sure that the car seat has it is important not only in the case of an accident but also when the car is moving about
Durability:
Not only will you want something safe and durable for your child, but you’ll also want your investment to last you a few years. The durability of the car seat is also an extremely important feature to consider.
Warranty
It won’t do you any good if you have a durable car seat if you don’t have a warranty to back it up. Unfortunately, when the car seat warranty is specified, most of the ones on the market will only be around 1-year, like the Graco Extend2Fit.
