The Best Toddler Car Seats to Keep Your Child Safe and Comfortable

Editor's note: This article was updated on 10 January, 2023 to make sure that you have all the newest and best information. We checked our picks for availability, price, and potentially newer versions.

When you're ready to transition your babies out of their convertible or infant car seat and upgrade to a toddler car seat, the decision about which one to buy can feel overwhelming. There are so many on the market — how do you choose? What are the features you should look for?

Most recently, booster seats have made the news after a ProPublica investigation showed that the brand Evenflo vetoed an internal safety engineer's recommendation that all children under 40 pounds should be in a booster seat with a harness. After the investigation was released, Congress moved to change the way safety tests and recommendations are issued. Now, several members of congress have introduced a law to take it out of manufacturer's hands. Every seat on this list has been independently tested and verified to be safe by various organizations including Consumer Reports, and we are not relying on the brand's determination of safety for any product on this list.

We have taken great care in regards to our choices, making sure they fit the utmost standards of care and safety.

Best Toddler Car Seats

What to Consider

Safety

Thankfully, organizations like the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) have made it pretty easy to determine which car seats are the safest. They recommend parents keep their child in a rear-facing car seat as long as possible, and then move to a toddler car seat with a five-point harness and tether to help stabilize the seat. You also need to make sure your toddler fits within the height and weight limits of the specific model — which vary widely.

Growing With Your Toddler

Toddler car seats are made for when your child can sit forward-facing, or for the transition period between rear- and forward-facing. They can also help if you're looking for a slimmer option to fit multiple seats. Many of the picks on this list still grow with your child — they begin as a standard booster with a five-point harness buckle, and then transition to a booster that's used with the seatbelt of your car.

The last transition toddler car seats can make is to serve as a backless booster seat that brings your child to a safe height for the car seat straps. With just a few adjustments, you basically get three car seats for the price of one. These toddler car seats can be very economical options, and incredibly safe as long as you follow the guidelines.

How We Chose

I tested toddler car seats from multiple manufacturers and spoke to dozens of parents who own various types. Every model I chose fits the guidelines put forth by the NHTSA. Not only are these picks recommended by parents, but they're also easy to install and clean, and come in a variety of price points.

It's worth noting that any car seat that has been subject to recent recalls is not featured on our list. Safety was the most important factor when recommending the best toddler car seats for you and your child.

Learn more about the best car seats we recommend in every category.