Jenny's Recommended Seats List

[scatterbunny]

This is my list of recommended (harnessed) seats. I should have a list of recommended boosters and a list of good options for preemies/low birthweight babies up soon, too.

There are other seats that are perfectly safe and fine to use that did not make my list. All seats on the market must pass the same testing in order to be sold. The seats I chose for this list tend to stand above the rest for a variety of reasons, which I listed. If you own a seat that is not on this list, but it fits your child, fits your vehicle and is used properly every time, then you have a seat that works just fine for you. :)

The seats I recommend are generally easier to use and/or install than others and/or generally have more growing room (either rear-facing, forward-facing or both) than others due to taller harness slot height and/or higher harnessed weight limits. I hope my list helps someone!

Infant Seats

Graco SnugRide
Minimum weight requirement of 5 pounds
22 pound weight limit (models manufactured prior to May 2005 have 20 pound limits)
Handle can be up or down
Some models have rear harness adjusters (these models are harder to use and should be avoided)
Shorter shell, tends to be outgrown by height before weight
Most new models have EPS foam
No built-in seatbelt lockoff
$80-$150

Graco SafeSeat 1
Minimum weight requirement of 5 pounds
30 pound weight limit
Handle can be up or down
Built-in seatbelt lockoff
EPS foam
Harness may not be a good fit for small newborns
$130-$190

Chicco KeyFit
Minimum weight requirement of 4 pounds
22 and 30 pound weight limit (depending on model)
Handle can be up or down
EPS foam
Built-in seatbelt lockoff
$160-$170

Combi Connection
No minimum weight requirement
22 pound weight limit
Handle must be up
EPS foam
Built-in seatbelt lockoff
Puzzle buckle
$160-$190

Convertibles

Britax Marathon
33 pound rear-facing weight limit
65 pound forward-facing weight limit
17 inch top slots
EPS foam
Built-in seatbelt lockoff
Rear-facing top tether
Well-padded
Four sets of harness slots
$220-$270

Britax Decathlon
33 pound rear-facing weight limit
65 pound forward-facing weight limit
17 inch top slots
EPS foam
Built-in seatbelt lockoff
Rear-facing top tether
Well-padded
Four sets of harness slots
Three crotch strap positions
Infant insert
Push-button harness adjuster (to tighten/loosen straps)
Harness adjuster is difficult for some
$240-$285

Britax Boulevard
33 pound rear-facing weight limit
65 pound forward-facing weight limit
17 inch top slots
EPS foam
Built-in seatbelt lockoff
Rear-facing top tether
Well-padded
Infant insert
Side impact protection
Infinitely adjustable, no re-thread harness height (turn a knob to raise it up or down)
$270-$300

Britax Roundabout
33 pound rear-facing weight limit
40 pound forward-facing weight limit
15.5 inch top slots
EPS foam
Built-in seatbelt lockoff
Rear-facing top tether
Well-padded
Three sets of harness slots
Push-button harness adjuster
Shorter seat shell means it will be outgrown by height rear-facing sooner than others
Lower top slots and lower weight limit mean it probably won’t be the last harnessed seat you’ll need
Probably won't be the last harnessed seat you’ll need due to lower top slots and lower weight limit
$200-$220

Sunshine Kids Radian 65
33 pound rear-facing weight limit
65 pound forward-facing weight limit
18 inch top slots
EPS foam
Rear-facing top tether
Well-padded
Five sets of harness slots
Three crotch strap positions
Steel alloy frame (making it heavy)
Folds for travel
Very narrow (good for three across)
Difficult to install in many vehicles
$180-$200

Safety 1st Uptown
recently discontinued, so harder to find
35 pound rear-facing weight limit
40 pound forward-facing weight limit
16 inch top slots
EPP foam (like EPS foam)
Well-padded
Four sets of harness slots
Three crotch strap positions
Harder to find in stores
Probably won't be the last harnessed seat you’ll need due to lower top slots and lower weight limit
$90-$110

Cosco Scenera
35 pound rear-facing weight limit
40 pound forward-facing weight limit
14.5 inch top slots
Four sets of harness slots
Very lightweight
Probably won't be the last harnessed seat you’ll need due to lower top slots and lower weight limit
$40-$50

Evenflo Triumph Advance
35 pound rear-facing weight limit
50 pound forward-facing weight limit
17 inch top slots
EPS foam
Infinitely adjustable harness height
Well-padded
Short tether strap may not reach tether anchors in vehicle (can order longer strap from Evenflo)
Wide seat
$130-$180

Recaro Como
35 pound rear-facing weight limit
70 pound forward-facing weight limit
18-19 inch top slots
EPS foam
Well-padded
$250

Recaro Signo
35 pound rear-facing weight limit
70 pound forward-facing weight limit
18-19 inch top slots
EPS foam
Well-padded
$290

Combinations/Harnessed Boosters

Recaro Young Sport
40 pound harnessed weight limit
17 inch top slots
EPS foam
Well-padded
Side impact protection
Converts to good long-term highback booster once harness is outgrown
$250

Graco CarGo
40 pound harnessed weight limit
17 inch top slots
EPS foam
Some models have rear harness adjusters (these models are harder to use and should be avoided)
Does not make good long-term booster once harness is outgrown since it may not position seatbelt properly; this seat is only recommended as a harnessed seat
$80-$100

Graco Nautilus
65 pound harnessed weight limit
18.5 inch top slots
EPS foam
Converts to good long-term highback booster and backless booster
$150

Evenflo Chase
40 pound harnessed weight limit
17 inch top slots
Unique harness adjuster located on harness
Highback booster mode does not last long because back does not adjust taller
$60-$70

Evenflo Generations
40 pound harnessed weight limit
16.5 inch top slots
Unique harness adjuster (knob on side of seat)
Converts to good long-term highback booster once harness is outgrown
$100

Cosco Apex/Safety 1st Biltmore
65 pound harnessed weight limit
17.5 inch top slots
Some models have EPP foam
Must always have vehicle support behind the headrest for safety, in both harnessed and booster mode
Wide seat
$100-$130

[tjham]

Well done! Thanks!

[brightredmtn]

Awesome! Thanks!

[Patriot201]

Wonderful!

That was cool... I added rep for this post and watched the squares light up. :cool::cool:

[AdventureMom]

Hmmm... so where's the Regent? :)

[Stretchy Glue]

Nice, sums things up and includes all the important info.

[scatterbunny]

Hmmm... so where's the Regent? :)

I didn't include the Regent because it doesn't neatly fit into any of the categories, and it's the only FF-only/harnessed-only seat I routinely recommend. I may add a "niche seat" category to the list and include the Britax Regent, Safeguard Go, Ride Safer Travel Vest and EZOn 86Y.

[CPSDarren]

Incidentally, Ulrike's old list ( http://www.car-safety.org/carseats.html ) was quite a bit out of date. With the new website updates, Jenny agreed to take over so we could have a basic list for members to reference. Ulrike's list, along with Suvsafety.info, are no longer updated and will eventually disappear completely. Thanks to Jenny and others who gave her input!

[azgirl71]

Great list, Jenny!! CAn I save it and use it?

[jka1217]

Are you still planning on adding information on recommended booster seats? There are some moms in my playgroup with kids ready for boosters and I don't know a lot about boosters yet to give good recommendations.

[scatterbunny]

Yes, I'll try to have the booster seat info posted in the next couple of days. :)

[azgirl71]

Are you still planning on adding information on recommended booster seats? There are some moms in my playgroup with kids ready for boosters and I don't know a lot about boosters yet to give good recommendations.

Jen, when you say ready for boosters do you mean they are at least 5 yo and 40 lbs (tech recommendations) or thier parents say they are ready for a booster? I know you know what is best. Want to make sure they know just because the booster says 3 yo it is still not recommended. A child needs to be able to sit still in the booster and a 3 yo most likely would not.

[capeKO71]

What about the britax frontier? I know there were install issues... but it seems that's fixed with the LBP installs...

[scatterbunny]

What about the britax frontier? I know there were install issues... but it seems that's fixed with the LBP installs...

The Frontier hadn't been released yet when I compiled this list. ;) I will be revising it in the near future. :)

[pastrygirl]

Is this the kind of list that we as techs can hand out? At private or public checks, at car seat safety info sessions for parents groups, and/or to friends/family? I plan to be involved with all of the above. :)

I reformatted the list into table format for side-by-side comparisons on printed paper. I can post it if anyone's interested! (Obviously I take ZERO credit for the content!!)

[CPSDarren]

Is this the kind of list that we as techs can hand out? At private or public checks, at car seat safety info sessions for parents groups, and/or to friends/family? I plan to be involved with all of the above. :)

I reformatted the list into table format for side-by-side comparisons on printed paper. I can post it if anyone's interested! (Obviously I take ZERO credit for the content!!)

I asked Jenny to update Ulrike's original list at Car-Safety.Org as part of our forums, to be used primarily for reference in other posts. We would appreciate that it not be reprinted for distribution.

Of course, you are welcome to produce a similar list of your own. Since the NHTSA started rating seats a few years ago, I see no reason technicians can't rate them and give recommendations, also.

[southerngal]

Great list! We actually have the Chicco Key Fit and have been wondering which to buy next.

[evansmom]

great list!! thanks..

any input on the First Years True Fit car seat?

[ctbcleveland]

Just got through reading this list. It would be great to update the SSK Radian and Britax listings for the higher RF limits where appropriate.

[Pufferfish]

Thanks!

[stayinhomewithmy4]

I just wanted to add that in the manual for my Combi Connection (DOM 2-13-08) it shows that the handle can be in any position in the car. :thumbsup:

[tjham]

Is there a booster list yet? :whistle:

[scatterbunny]

I've been holding off because the booster market is so up in the air right now. :o So many boosters being discontinued, so many scheduled to hit the market soon. I'll try to get something up here about boosters over the weekend. :thumbsup: