While many parents drive safely to protect their young children, some car accidents aren't avoidable. Fortunately, a child restrained in a safe car seat is less likely to become injured or die in the event of a serious accident. Many car seats pass basic safety examinations, but some go above and beyond the call of duty: In addition to having five-point harness systems that buckle between a child's legs and cover his hips, shoulder and collar bones, the top-rated car seats are durable, adaptable and comfortable for small passengers.
Evenflo Symphony Surelatch
This car seat was designed to adapt to a child as she grows and her safety needs change. It can be used as a rear-facing seat for children up to 35 pounds, be turned forward with a five-point harness for children between 20 and 65 pounds, and finally, be adapted to a booster seat for children between 30 and 100 pounds. If it is well taken care of, this seat can be the only one needed for a child until she is tall enough to sit in the car with just an adult seat belt. Moreover, this car seat was tested to be protective in the event of side impact, and it received a National Parenting Publication Awards Gold Prize for being of such high quality.
Britax Marathon
This convertible car seat can accommodate rear-facing infants between 5 and 35 pounds as well as older babies and toddlers between 20 and 65 pounds facing forward. It also features a protective foam liner, as well as a trademarked "HUGS" (Harness Ultra Guard System), which is said to reduce a baby's forward head movement and cushion his chest if impact occurs. This car seat is also user-friendly, claiming to sport harness straps that will never tangle. Finally, the seat is conveniently certified for travel on an airplane.
Recaro Young Sport
For parents looking to transition their baby into a forward-facing seat only, this car seat is a helpful and cost-effective option, as it doubles as a forward-facing seat with a five-point harness for children up to 40 pounds and a booster seat for children up to 80 pounds. It has a sturdy steel frame and broad side wings that will keep a child's head and shoulders safe. It also comes with a knob that allows parents to recline the seat when their little one is ready for a car-ride nap.
Safety 1st Intera
This convertible car seat can be so snug that it can accommodate a 5-pound infant, yet is so sturdy that it can accommodate a child who weighs up to 100 pounds. Its first setting, rear-facing, is for babies between 5 and 35 pounds. It can then be transformed into a forward-facing seat for a baby between 22 and 40 pounds. Finally, it can be a belt-positioned booster seat for a child between 40 and 100 pounds. It also offers three levels of recline for children who nap during car rides.
