Recommended Canadian Seats

[Pixelated]

This list will be updated as products change and more feedback develops on a particular seat. If you feel a seat shouldn't be on this list please say why. If you think something is missing please say that too!

If there is something that's too critical, too editorial, not in the same format...I'd appreciate comments on that as well.




INFANT SEATS:

Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35

• ~$220 at Babies R Us
• 4-35lbs or 32″ tall
• very light weight
• narrow base with straight sides making it a good choice for tight seating situations
• some models come with a lock-off on the base, harness covers, and more body padding
• fits small babies very well
• expires in 7 years

Safety 1st Comfy Carry Elite/Light 'N' Comfy

• ~$99 at Walmart, Sears
• 4-22lbs or 29″ tall
• light weight
• most user-friendly front-adjust seat under $100 (others in this price range are rear-adjust – avoid a rear-adjust seat if at all possible)
• narrow base with straight sides making it a good choice for tight seating situations
• fits small babies very well
• expires in 6 years

Chicco Keyfit

• ~$220 at Babies R Us, Amazon.ca and specialty stores
• 4-22lbs or 30″ tall
• very simple base installation with UAS (latch) design
• built in lock-off for lap/shoulder belts
• very narrow base with straight sides making it a good choice for tight seating situations
• fits small babies very well
• fairly compact front to back
• expires in 6 years

Graco Snugride Classic Connect 35

• ~$220 at Babies R Us, Sears, Amazon.ca and specialty stores
• 4-35lbs or 32″ tall
• base has built-in lock-off for exceptionally simple seat belt installation if needed
• fits small babies very well
• expires in 7 years

Graco Snugride Classic Connect 30

• ~$160 at Babies R Us, Walmart, Amazon.ca
• 4-30lbs or 30″ tall
• narrow base with straight sides making it a good choice for tight seating situations
• fits small babies very well
• expires in 7 years

Safety 1st OnBoard/OnBoard Air/OnBoard 35/OnBoard Air 35

• ~$150-200 at Canadian Tire, Babies R Us, Sears, Amazon.ca
• 4-22lbs or 4-35lbs and 29″ tall
• deeper seat gives ample leg room
• fits small babies very well
• built-in lock-off for seat belt install
• expires in 6 years

Britax B-Safe

• ~$200 at Babies R Us, Amazon.ca
• 4-22lbs and 32″ tall
• fits small babies well
• fairly compact front-to-back
• built-in lock-off for seat belt install
• straight sides of base make it narrow and 3-across friendly
• expires in 6 years

 

[Pixelated]

INFANT/CHILD SEATS:

Evenflo SureRide/Titan 65
Features:

• ~$140 at Babies R Us, Bestbuy.ca, Sears / Titan 65 exclusive to Walmart with different cover/soft goods for $99
• rear faces to 40lbs and 40″ tall, forward faces to 65lbs
• expires 6 years from the date of manufacture
  

Pros:

• Fits newborns, even small ones, exceptionally well
• Fits in small spaces and compact cars
• Lightweight and narrow
• Very high top harness slots will fit even very tall children until they’re ready for a booster
  

Cons:

• Rear-facing children at the top end of the height limits, especially those long in the torso, may find the harness is too low on the shoulders to be comfortable or to stay safely in place.
• Forward-facing children at the top end of the height or weight limits may find there isn’t enough harness length to comfortably or easily buckle.
  

Safety 1st Guide 65
Features:

• ~$125 at Amazon.ca, Babies R Us, Walmart
• rear faces to 40lbs or 36" tall, forward faces to 65lbs
• two recline settings for younger/older children when rear facing
• expires 8 years from date of manufacture

Pros:

• high top harness position so it will fit forward facing for a long time (forward facing you want the harness at or ABOVE the shoulders)
• fits especially well in small spaces and compact cars

Cons:

• the lowest harness position is quite high, so it doesn’t fit small kids – you want the harness at or BELOW the shoulders when rear facing – if the bottom position is too high, the child doesn’t fit the seat yet.
• has an overall height limit of 36″ for rear facing – check your child’s size on a growth chart to determine if that is sufficient rear-facing height for age
• design of the head rest can push some kids’ heads forward more than is comfortable but this varies greatly by child

Learning Curve/First Years/Lamaze/Tomy True Fit (it has a variety of brands but they all end with True Fit)
*discontinued in Canada - most recent dates of manufacture will be early 2013*
Features:

• ~$190-220 at Babies R Us, Zellers, Walmart.ca, Amazon.ca, Target, Canadian Tire, specialty stores
• rear faces to 35lbs, forward faces to 65lbs
• fits rear-facing until child’s head is within 1″ of the top of the (very tall) shell
• has a removable top section of the seat to make it shorter, and takes up less room, if your baby is 22lbs or less, and fits in the smaller portion
• no-rethread harness, meaning you can adjust the harness height without taking the straps out
• built in lock-offs
• anti-rebound bar for rear-facing
• expires 7 years from date of manufacture

Pros:

• fits newborns well
• high top harness position so it will fit forward facing for a long time (forward facing you want the harness at or ABOVE the shoulders)
• range of recline angles permitted for younger/older children when rear facing

Cons:

• wide and not suitable for most tight three-across situations
• 35lb weight limit while rear-facing – check your child’s size on a growth chart to determine if that is sufficient rear-facing weight for age

Graco MyRide
Features:

• ~$180 at Babies R Us, Walmart, Amazon.ca, Target, Costco.ca, specialty stores
• rear faces to 40lbs, forward faces to 65lbs
• fits rear-facing until child’s head is within 1″ of the top of the hard shell
• expires 7 years from date of manufacture

Pros:

• fits especially well in small spaces and compact cars
• range of recline angles permitted for younger/older children when rear facing
• fits newborns well

Cons:

• some people don’t like how reclined it is when forward facing, but that depends very much on the vehicle, so we would suggest trying to install it that way as well if you look at this one

Britax Marathon/Boulevard/Pavilion/Advocate
Features:

• ~$300-400 at Babies R Us, Amazon.ca or specialty stores
• rear faces to 40lbs, forward face to 65lbs
• fits rear-facing until child’s head is within 1″ of the top of the hard shell
• built-in lockoffs for seat belt installs
• no-rethread harness
• expires 7 years from date of manufacture

Pros:

• fits newborns if a separate infant foam insert is purchased from Britax
• easiest install you could imagine (usually!)
• range of recline angles permitted for younger/older children when rear facing
• fits especially well in small spaces and compact cars

Cons:

• the shortest shell of most of the ones listed here (but still tall enough for most kids)
• less leg room while rear-facing than many seats listed here

Diono Radian (R100, R120 RXT, or GTX)
Features:

• ~$280-380 depending on which version, at specialty stores and Babies R Us, Amazon.ca, Sears
• rear faces to 40/45lbs, forward face to 65lbs
• standing height limit of 44″ while rear-facing plus requires 1.5″ of hard shell above the head
• expires 8 years from date of manufacture in harness mode; 10 years in booster mode

Pros:

• fits newborns well but must be able to install naturally at a 45* recline for babies – nothing can be used to increase the recline
• range of recline angles permitted for younger/older children when rear facing
• very tall seat, and very narrow – you would be able to sit next to it in the back seat, or fit three across a back seat even in small vehicles
• high top harness position so it will fit forward facing for a long time (forward facing you want the harness at or ABOVE the shoulders)
• ideal for 3 across situations

Cons:

• converts to a booster, but don’t expect to be able to use the booster portion. You can’t until 50lbs, at which point most kids will be too tall for it.
• can be quirky to install rear facing depending on the car; there is a part you can get just for that seat called the angle adjuster which forces it to install more upright

Evenflo Triumph – 40lb rear-facing version only
Features:

• ~$170 (Babies R Us, Amazon.ca, Sears, possibly others but look carefully for the 40lb rear-facing weight limit)
• rear-faces 5-40lbs, forward-faces 22-65lbs
• standing height limit of 37″ for rear-facing
• no-rethread harness
• harness is tightened and loosened with a knob on the side of the seat; this may be an issue on vehicle seats with very scooped/contoured seats if the knob sits in an awkward spot once installed
• the seat must be installed with the indicator line level to the ground at all times but internally the angle changes as the child grows, resulting in more reclined for babies and more upright for older toddlers/preschoolers
• expires 6 years from date of manufacture

Pros:

• fits newborns well with the included infant padding
• reasonably tall harness height will last many kids to booster readiness, but probably not those tall kids with long torsos
• high belt path makes it ideal for vehicles with long buckle stalks
• lots of leg room for rear-facing kids

Cons:

• harness is tightened and loosened with a knob on the side of the seat; this may be an issue on vehicle seats with very scooped/contoured seats if the knob sits in an awkward spot once installed
• wide seat not ideal for tight seating scenarios
• has an overall height limit of 37″ for rear facing – check your child’s size on a growth chart to determine if that is sufficient rear-facing height for age

Clek Foonf
Features:

• ~$450-500 depending on cover (Amazon.ca, Babies R Us, specialty retailers)
• rear-faces 14-40lbs, forward-faces 22-65lbs
• rear-facing height limit of 43″
• built-in lock-offs for seat belt installations, flexible UAS for rear-facing installation, and rigid UAS for forward-facing installation
• anti-rebound bar for rear-facing
• expires 9 years from date of manufacture

Pros:

• very narrow seat makes it ideal for 3-across situations
• very tall seat will get most kids to booster readiness

Cons:

• does NOT fit newborns (by height or weight)

Evenflo Tribute
Features:

• ~$100 (Babies R Us, Canadian Tire, Amazon.ca)
• rear faces to 5-40lbs, forward faces 22-40lbs
• rear-faces to 37″ standing height
• expires 6 years from date of manufacture

Pros:

• fits newborns well
• relatively narrow seat, lightweight, great for traveling, for spares, or for every day use

Cons:

• outgrown quickly forward-facing due to low top harness height and low weight limit, so a different harnessed seat for forward facing will likely be needed before a child is booster ready

Peg Perego Convertible
Features:

• ~$400 (Babies R Us, specialty stores)
• rear faces to 45lbs, forward faces to 65lbs
• standing height limit of 47" but requires 1" of hard shell above the head
• built-in lock-offs for seat belt installations in the forward-facing mode
• anti-rebound bar for rear-facing
• no-rethread harness
• expires 7 years from date of manufacture

Pros:

• fits newborns well with the included infant padding
• range of recline angles permitted for younger/older children when rear facing
• fits especially well in small spaces and compact cars

Cons:

• narrow belt path for rear-facing can make it difficult to impossible to route a larger, chunky latch plate through the opening
• shipping from Italy means a long wait time for replacement parts

Britax Classic Marathon
Features:

• ~$220 at Target only
• rear faces to 35lbs, forward faces to 65lbs
• fits rear-facing until child’s head is within 1″ of the top of the hard shell
• built-in lock-offs for seat belt installations
• expires 7 years from date of manufacture

Pros:

• range of recline angles permitted for younger/older children when rear facing
• fits especially well in small spaces and compact cars
• fairly tall shell

Cons:

• 35lb weight limit while rear-facing – check your child’s size on a growth chart to determine if that is sufficient rear-facing weight for age

Diono Rainier, Pacifica, Olympia
Features:

• ~$300-380 depending on which version, at specialty stores and Babies R Us, Amazon.ca, Sears
• rear faces to 45/50lbs, forward face to 65lbs
• standing height limit of 44″ while rear-facing plus requires 1.5″ of hard shell above the head
• expires 8 years from date of manufacture in harness mode; 12 years in booster mode

Pros:

• fits newborns well but must be able to install naturally at a 45* recline for babies – nothing can be used to increase the recline
• range of recline angles permitted for younger/older children when rear facing
• very tall seat, and very narrow at the base, wider at the shoulders/head
• high top harness position so it will fit forward facing for a long time (forward facing you want the harness at or ABOVE the shoulders)
• ideal for 3 across situations IF not all in the same direction (i.e. alternating rear- and forward-facing)

Cons:

• converts to a booster, but don’t expect to be able to use the booster portion. You can’t until 50lbs, at which point most kids will be too tall for it.
• can be quirky to install rear facing depending on the car; there is a part you can get just for that seat called the angle adjuster which forces it to install more upright

Clek Fllo
Features:

• ~$370-400 depending on cover (Amazon.ca, Babies R Us, specialty retailers)
• rear-faces 14-40lbs, forward-faces 22-65lbs
• rear-facing height limit of 43″
• built-in lock-offs for seat belt installations
• anti-rebound bar for rear-facing
• expires 9 years from date of manufacture

Pros:

• very narrow seat makes it ideal for 3-across situations
• very tall seat will get most kids to booster readiness

Cons:

• does NOT fit newborns (by height or weight)

 

[Pixelated]

I see the Pioneer is now in Canada - if anyone wants to do up a write-up of it in the same format as the below I would not object in the slightest. Otherwise I will get to it in a few days.


Child/Booster Seats

Evenflo Maestro
Features:

• ~$120 at Walmart, Babies R Us, Sears
• top harness height of ~18″
• forward facing harnessed to 47lbs or 50lbs – check boxes carefully as newer ones will harness to 50lbs
• use as a high-back booster from 40-100lbs
• expires 8 years from date of manufacture

Pros:

• inexpensive tall seat ideal for lighter weight children (note maximum weight of 47lbs/50lbs in harness mode)
• narrow, ideal for tight seating arrangements
• can use UAS (latch) anchors and top tether in booster mode to keep it from becoming a projectile when not occupied

Cons:

• tends to be outgrown by height around the same time in both harness and booster modes because the belt guide for the shoulder belt does not adjust any higher
• closely spaced harness is too narrow for some kids and may bother their neck

Graco Nautilus
Features:

• ~$220 at Walmart, Babies R Us, Superstore, Amazon.ca, Sears
• top harness height of ~18.5″
• forward facing harnessed to 65lbs
• converts to a high-back booster, and then a backless booster
• use as a booster from 40-100lbs
• expires 10 years from date of manufacture

Pros:

• smooth harness adjuster
• one of the tallest harnessed seats available
• can use UAS (latch) anchors and top tether in booster mode to keep it from becoming a projectile when not occupied

Cons:

• some children in some vehicles are prone to ‘head slump’ when sleeping – this is hard to predict in advance.

Britax Frontier XT or SICT (discontinued although super sale prices can still likely be found)
Features:

• ~$300+ Discontinued – expect sale prices to be $200-250 at Babies R Us, Amazon.ca and specialty stores
• top harnessed height of ~20″ (tallest harnessed seat currently on the market and ideal for tall and/or long-torsoed kids)
• forward facing harnessed to 65lbs; minimum to use is 2 years old AND 25lbs
• use as a booster from 40-120lbs; in booster mode it’s the tallest booster available on the market
• expires 9 years from date of manufacture

Pros:

• can use UAS (latch) and top tether in booster mode to keep it from becoming a projectile when not occupied
• has a no re-thread harness to adjust harness height without undoing straps (usually must be uninstalled or partially uninstalled to access it though)

Cons:

• width can make it harder to fit next to other seats, especially the SICT version

Britax Frontier CT or Pinnacle
Features:

• ~$340 at Babies R Us, Amazon.ca and specialty stores
• top harnessed height of ~20.5″ (tallest harnessed seat currently on the market and ideal for tall and/or long-torsoed kids)
• forward facing harnessed to 65lbs; minimum to use is 2 years old AND 25lbs
• use as a booster from 40-120lbs; in booster mode it’s the tallest booster available on the market
• Pinnacle has air bags on the outer shell by the child's head for extra side-impact protection
• expires 9 years from date of manufacture

Pros:

• can use UAS (latch) and top tether in booster mode to keep it from becoming a projectile when not occupied
• has a no re-thread harness to adjust harness height without undoing straps
• exceptionally easy and fast seat belt installation method (“click-tight” technology)

Cons:

• width can make it harder to fit next to other seats, especially the Pinnacle version
• not approved for use on airplanes because of how the click tight feature closes over the belt; the buckle on the plane belt would prevent the mechanism from closing

Evenflo SecureKid 300/400
Features:

• ~$180-200 at Babies R Us, Sears, Amazon.ca, Walmart
• top harnessed height of ~18″
• forward-facing harnessed to 65lbs
• use as a booster from 40-100lbs
• expires 6 years from date of manufacture
• 300 model has basic UAS connectors; 400 model has premium self-ratcheting SureLatch connectors and extra side-impact protection in the head wings

Pros:

• can use UAS (latch) and top tether in booster mode to keep it from becoming a projectile when not occupied

Cons:

• closely spaced harness is too narrow for some kids and may bother their neck
• overall harness length is shorter so a child may run out of harness room before reaching height or weight limits

 

[Pixelated]

Dedicated Booster Seats

Graco Turbo Booster

• ~$75 for the high back model, ~$35 for the backless (different levels of comfort padding) but often on sale for less (Toys R Us, Walmart, Real Canadian Superstore)
• consistently good lap belt fit and shoulder belt fit; a favourite for fitting slim children
• the back can be removed and it can be used as a no back booster
• fairly slim which can be good for 3 across situations
• lightweight booster but can NOT be latched-in so always advised to buckle up the booster when not in use
• not the highest high back booster but it should last many kids to 7 as a high back booster with a easy lever for adjusting seat belt guide height
• need to assemble the armrests which are mandatory and you must ABSOLUTELY install the screws into the armrests before using this booster
• does not need reinforcement of headrest so a good choice for vehicles that do not have head support for the child
• expires ten years after date of manufacture
• 40-100lbs

Diono Monterey

• ~$170 (Amazon.ca, Sears, specialty retailers)
• one of the tallest adjustable boosters available in Canada
• requires in-vehicle head support up to at least the top of the child's ears (not suitable for vehicles with low seat-backs or forward-leaning head rests)
• good lap belt and shoulder fit with ample leg support
• high back portion can be removed and used as a no back booster
• can be latched into vehicle so it does not become a projectile in a crash
• comfortable padding and premium material covers available
• height easily adjustable as are the side wings around the shoulder area allowing comfort with broad shoulders
• expires 10 years after date of manufacturer
• 40-120lbs

Britax Parkway SG/SGL

• ~$139 for the SG version and ~$169 for the SGL version - Babies R Us, Amazon.ca, specialty stores
• one of the tallest adjustable boosters available in Canada
• good lap belt fit and shoulder belt fit although it may not fit well with smaller booster riders
• high back portion can be removed and used as a no back booster
• narrow and sometimes can be beneficial in 3 across situations
• comes with an optional Slide Guard(SG) clip that attaches to the lap belt which may prevent the child "submarining" under the seat belt
• SGL version can be latched onto the UAS of a car, SG version can not so needs to be buckled in when not in use
• height easily adjustable and has generous leg support
• expires 6 years after date of manufacturer
• 40-120lbs

Clek Oobr

• ~$325-$350 depending on the cover option, at specialty retailers, Babies R Us, Amazon.ca
• tall adjustable booster
• good lap and shoulder belt fit but shallower seat may be uncomfortable for children with longer legs.
• can be latched in using rigid latch
• recline feature for car sleepers (this feature can only be used if the seat is latched into the vehicle)
• high back can be removed and the seat used as a no back booster
• heavy booster seat
• expires 9 years after the date of manufacture
• 40-100lbs

Harmony Youth Booster Seat (previously called Harmony Lite Rider)

• ~$18 at Walmart
• backless booster
• great lap belt fit on most kids
• narrow seat making it a good choice for 3-across or tight seating arrangements
• lightweight booster but can NOT be latched-in so always advised to buckle up the booster when not in use
• 40-100lbs

Clek Ozzi or Olli

• ~$70-130 at specialty retailers (Ozzi available at Canadian Tire), Amazon.ca
• backless booster
• good lap belt fit on most kids
• rigid UAS for installation in vehicle (no need to rebuckle seat when it's empty)
• 40-120lbs

Graco Affix

• ~$50 at Babies R Us, Sears
• backless booster
• good lap belt fit on most kids
• flexible UAS for installation in vehicle (no need to rebuckle seat when it's empty)
• 40-100lbs

 

[Pixelated]

Sept 26 - added Evenflo SureRide to the infant/child list and removed the Complete Air, added 'cons' to the Peg.