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Currently, there are many criteria to consider when choosing a car seat for your child, such as the seat’s design, safety materials, etc. After researching, many parents are still unsure which type of car seat is best for their child. Refer to this article about the top best and safest car seats for children below to make the right choice!

1Should you buy a car seat for your child?

In recent years, the number of people using cars has increased. However, car seats are designed to fit adults and older children from middle school age and up. For this reason, most young children and infants under 3 years old are held by their mothers while traveling in a car.

Furthermore, cars travel at an average speed of 48km/h. In the event of a collision or sudden braking, due to inertia, both mother and child will be thrown forward and subjected to a force 30-60 times their body weight. In dangerous situations, it is difficult for the mother to protect the child’s safety.

For these reasons, child car seats were created to ensure the safety of children while riding in a car, minimizing potential risks.

Car seats help children be safer when traveling in a car

Car seats help children be safer when traveling in a car

2Tips for buying a car seat

2.1. Suitable for the child’s weight and age

Parents who intend to learn about car seats for their children should pay attention to two important factors: the child’s age and weight. Manufacturers design products suitable for each age and weight range.

Therefore, when choosing a car seat, parents should know their child’s physique to choose the right product, avoiding cases where the seat is too wide, leading to insecurity, or too tight, making the child uncomfortable.

  • Group 0: Newborn – 10 kg (equivalent to 12 months old)
  • Group 1: 9 – 18 kg (equivalent to 7 years old)
  • Group 2: 15 – 25 kg (equivalent to 1 to 11 years old)
  • Group 3: 22 – 36 kg (equivalent to 3 to 11 years old)

2.2. Seat design

Currently, on the market, there are many types of frames made from various materials such as iron, aluminum, and plastic. It is important to note that you should not choose a plastic frame as it does not ensure maximum safety for your child in case of an accident.

Currently, there are 3 types of car seats for children:

  • Rear-facing
  • Forward-facing
  • Booster seats
Car seat designs for different ages

Car seat designs for different ages

2.3. Safe materials

Parents should also pay special attention to the seat material as it directly affects the child’s skin and safety. Soft and breathable materials will provide a comfortable feeling and will not irritate the sensitive skin of young children.

In addition, seats made of good materials such as high-quality cushions or fabrics will significantly contribute to reducing shaking during travel as well as minimizing impacts and strong shocks to the child’s head.

2.4. Ensuring safe usage

An extremely important note for parents when using a car seat is to install it correctly, following the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure the seat is secure, does not wobble, slide, or rotate.

For greater convenience and safety for the child, parents can also consider choosing a car seat with a 5-in-1 safety harness design with quick opening and closing with just one button press.

Choose a car seat with a 5-point safety harness design

Choose a car seat with a 5-point safety harness design

2.5. Additional features

Besides being used as a seat to ensure the child’s safety, many brands also integrate other features into the seat such as anti-shake and anti-vibration modes.

In addition, manufacturers also equip the seat with accessories such as seat covers in case the child drops food and makes the seat dirty, or a head cover to protect from the sun when sitting in convertible cars, etc.

2.6. Reputable brands

When deciding to buy a car seat, you should prioritize long-standing brands with many years of experience in manufacturing child car seats. Some reputable brands trusted and chosen by many families that you can consider include Combi, Aprica, Zaracos, Chilux, and Gluck Baby.

Choose to buy products from famous and reputable brands

Choose to buy products from famous and reputable brands

2.7. Reasonable price

Currently, there are many manufacturing brands on the market with various price segments for families to choose from depending on their conditions and needs. However, price comes with quality, so you should not choose car seats that are too cheap to ensure your child’s safety.

Choose products with reasonable prices, suitable for children

Choose products with reasonable prices, suitable for children

3Types of car seats for children

3.1. Rear-facing car seats

Rear-facing car seats are usually smaller than the other two types because they are recommended for newborns. In addition, the seats are also equipped with premium cushions to protect the head, neck, and spine of young children.

Rear-facing car seat

Rear-facing car seat

3.2. Forward-facing car seats

Forward-facing car seats are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for children 2 years and older. Most car seats of this type are equipped with safety harnesses attached at the shoulders, hips, and between the legs.

Forward-facing car seat

Forward-facing car seat

3.3. Booster seats and backless booster seats

Booster seats and backless booster seats are recommended for children aged 8-12. Their main function is to secure the child’s body at the thighs and shoulders while the car is moving. To use them, parents simply need to combine them with the existing seat belts in the car.

Booster seats and backless booster seats

Booster seats and backless booster seats

4Top 10 best car seats for children

The list below is taken from the list of products searched on Google on May 23, 2023, and may change over time.

4.1. Joie Child Car Seat

Joie is a child car seat brand from the UK. This is a pioneering brand that meets the I-Size standard – the new European safety regulation for child car seats. Besides car seats, Joie is also known by many consumers for products such as Joie baby bassinets and strollers.

  • Brand: UK
  • Place of manufacture: UK, China, Japan, South Korea, etc.
  • Price: 2,300,000 – 5,300,000 VND (updated May 2023).

Key features:

  • Rear-facing car seat design, for babies from newborn to under 4 years old (equivalent to < 18 kg).
  • Forward-facing Joie seat, suitable for children from 1 to 4 years old (equivalent to 9 – 18 kg).
  • 4 recline positions: 1 position for rear-facing and 3 positions for forward-facing.
  • Joie Coal child car seat with adjustable headrest according to the child’s developmental stage; parents can adjust the headrest as the child grows.
  • The cushion of the Joie Steadi Coal car seat is easily removable and washable, helping to maintain hygiene for the child.
Joie Child Car Seat

Joie Child Car Seat

4.2. Zaracos Car Seat

Zaracos is a famous car seat brand in the US with over 20 years of experience. Zaracos car seats offer exceptional flexibility with 3 adjustable recline modes, a soft headrest, and easy installation in various car models.

  • Brand: USA
  • Place of manufacture: USA
  • Price: 1,600,000 – 2,200,000 VND (updated May 2023).

Key features:

  • Zaracos car seats use high-quality cushion and fabric materials with soft and sweat-absorbent properties, creating ventilation to help children stay comfortable even on hot days.
  • Special premium foam cushion material with unique fire-retardant capabilities. Sturdy frame material with high load capacity.
  • Adjustable to 3 suitable recline levels, combined with armrests on both sides for the child to easily adjust to multiple lying and sitting positions, helping the child feel more comfortable even on long trips.
  • Intelligently designed with a soft headrest that fully supports the spine, neck, and head, creating a scientific sitting posture for the child from a young age, thereby protecting the child’s fragile skeletal system and limiting spinal deformities.
  • Head and neck support cushion prevents the child from dozing off in the car, along with a super soft cushion, helping to reduce shock from both sides.

4.3. Chilux Car Seat

Chilux is a brand specializing in baby utility products pioneering in Singapore and many other countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Chilux car seats meet the German ISOFIX and ECE R44/04 installation standards, providing shock resistance and ensuring a deep sleep for the child even when the car is shaking.

  • Brand: Germany
  • Place of manufacture: Germany
  • Price: 2,800,000 – 6,500,000 VND (updated May 2023).

Key features:

  • 360-degree rotation capability helps parents easily care for their child while traveling in the car.
  • The seat has 5 tilt levels that can be easily adjusted to suit the child’s bone development.
  • 3 layers of soft, thick, and breathable cushions limit shaking and impact.
  • 7 height levels suitable for children from 0 – 12 years old, extending the product’s usage time.
  • Meets ISOFIX standard – compatible with most car types.
Chilux Car Seat

Chilux Car Seat

4.4. Combi Car Seat

Combi is a Japanese brand specializing in baby products with over 60 years of experience. Combi always brings confidence to parents about quality.

  • Brand: Japan
  • Place of manufacture: Japan
  • Price: 4,000,000 – 17,000,000 VND (updated May 2023).

Key features:

  • Soft cushions create a comfortable feeling for the child. Mesh fabric enhances air circulation, and the cushion is easily removable for cleaning and hand washing.
  • The harness is designed with 5 safety points to ensure the child will not slip out of the seat. The harness is made of safe fabric, creating a comfortable feeling for the child.
  • Convenient design: When the child turns 3 years old, parents remove all the newborn cushions and separate harnesses of the car seat.
  • Sturdy seat frame: The seat is designed with a sturdy frame that can be adjusted to recline so the child can lie down comfortably and not get back pain during the journey.
Combi Car Seat

Combi Car Seat

4.5. Gluck Baby Car Seat

The Gluck Baby car seat is a carrycot product integrated as a car seat for newborns from Germany. Gluck’s car seats are certified to European safety standards. Other notable products from the brand include baby carriers and breast pumps.

  • Brand: China
  • Place of manufacture: China
  • Price: 1,000,000 – 2,000,000 VND (updated May 2023).

Key features:

  • The Gluck Baby ZY-02 car seat – gray color has a soft cushion to support the child’s spine, creating a scientific sitting posture, preventing spinal deformities, and preventing suffocation.
  • In particular, the headrest can be adjusted flexibly to suit each stage of the child’s development.
  • The seat has 2 recline levels to ensure a sitting or lying position for small children (or for sleeping), helping mothers choose the most comfortable position for the child regardless of their growth stage.
  • The inner cushion of the Gluck Baby seat is removable for easy movement and cleaning. Large straps, padded softly, do not tighten into the baby’s skin causing pain and discomfort.
  • Compact design, simple and easy assembly.

4.6. Aprica Car Seat

Aprica is a famous car seat brand from Japan, established 60 years ago. The car seat products are meticulously designed in every detail. Aprica has continuously improved and enhanced its technology and techniques to offer products of superior quality such as Aprica strollers, Aprica carriers, baby bouncers, high chairs, etc.

  • Brand: Japan
  • Place of manufacture: Japan
  • Price: 4,500,000 – 14,000,000 VND (updated May 2023).

Key features:

  • Equipped with Dacco cushion, extremely soft and breathable.
  • Flexible headrest design supports the baby’s neck, providing absolute safety.
  • Shoulder design keeps the baby’s shoulders in the correct position, protecting them from external influences.
  • The backrest has 5 flexible adjustment levels, easily raised and lowered, helping the baby feel comfortable in any position.
  • The product is designed according to the child’s development, with 5 height levels adjustable by parents.
  • At the same time, the seat is equipped with an additional leg support, helping the product to be securely installed in the car; the product is installed simply and quickly.
Aprica Car Seat

Aprica Car Seat

4.7. Joie Stages Car Seat

Joie Stages is a car seat product from the UK, belonging to the Joie brand. Stages has a variety of products for each stage of a child’s development, from newborn to 7 years old. Stages is a car seat line designed for the group from newborn to 25 kg.

  • Brand: UK
  • Place of manufacture: China
  • Price: Around 4,000,000 VND (updated May 2023).

Key features:

  • The seat can be used in both rear-facing (from newborn to 18 kg) and forward-facing (children 9 – 25 kg) positions.
  • Sturdy steel frame design with high durability.
  • Soft padding provides a comfortable feeling for the child with a 5-point safety harness and 4 recline modes.
  • Adjustable headrest height according to the child’s development.
  • Easy to clean.
Joie Stages Car Seat

Joie Stages Car Seat

4.8. Graco Car Seat

Graco is a brand specializing in baby care products from the USA. With its efforts and continuous dedication, Graco always brings quality products for babies such as car seats, bassinets, strollers, etc.

  • Brand: USA
  • Place of manufacture: USA
  • Price: 3,900,000 – 7,600,000 VND (updated May 2023).

Key features:

  • Meets European ECE R44/04 (group 0+/1/2) standards and US safety standards for child car seats and has passed crash test simulations.
  • 5-point safety harness design helps protect the child.
  • Seat cushion is made of soft and breathable material that does not cause allergies.
  • The seat frame is made of sturdy steel, resistant to collapse.
  • Can be customized and transformed to suit the child’s development, such as adjusting from an infant seat to a booster seat, thereby saving costs.
Graco Car Seat

Graco Car Seat

4.9. Chicco Car Seat

Chicco is a brand specializing in baby products and care from Italy, established in 1958. Over many years of establishment and development, Chicco has brought consumers many quality products such as: Chicco bath and shampoo products, Chicco perfume, strollers, car seats, etc.

  • Brand: Italy
  • Place of manufacture: Italy
  • Price: 4,000,000 – 14,000,000 VND (updated May 2023).

Key features:

  • EPS shock-absorbing material helps absorb vibration and minimize impact in case of collisions from both sides.
  • Flexible recline adjustment with 4 different levels allows the child to lie down/sit in any position to stay comfortable throughout the journey.
  • The seat is designed to be extremely spacious, providing a comfortable space for the child.
  • Compact seat, suitable for most current car models.
  • Easy to remove and hand/machine wash.
Chicco Car Seat

Chicco Car Seat

4.10. Mamago Car Seat

Mamago is a Vietnamese brand operating in the field of baby clothes and products. Although it has not been on the market for long, Mamago’s products are gradually gaining trust from many parents thanks to their quality and affordable prices.

  • Brand: Vietnam
  • Place of manufacture: Vietnam
  • Price: 1,400,000 – 3,200,000 VND (updated May 2023).

Key features:

  • The seat is designed and manufactured according to European standards.
  • Sturdy iron frame design, highly durable.
  • Soft, breathable, and absorbent seat cushion does not create discomfort for the child.
  • Meets ECE R44/04 standards, passes crash tests in harsh environments.
Mamago Car Seat

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