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As of 2018, the global baby car seat market was valued at 7 billion dollars. That’s a lot of car seats! With so many car seat brands to choose from, you want to make sure your big purchase is with a reputable and safe brand. Based on our research, Britax, Chicco, Graco, Safety 1st, and Maxi-Cosi are the top 5 car seat brands that offer infant car seats, convertible/all-in-one car seats, and booster car seats. 

1. Britax

Britax began as one of Europe’s best-selling car seat brands over 50 years ago and was finally established in the US in 1996. Since then, Britax has developed a huge variety of car seats, from infant car seats (up to 35 pounds), to convertible/all-in-one car seats (up to 120 pounds), to booster car seats (up to 120 pounds). 

The booster seats are designed with harnesses or seat-belt positioners, giving parents the best and safest option for the stage of life their child is in. Britax also has safety features such as ClickTight Installation, a safe and easy way to install a car seat, and SafeCell Technology, which helps absorb energy in accidents for better impact protection. 

Popular Britax car seats

2. Chicco

Founded in 1958, the Chicco brand has grown to serve 120 countries. They don’t offer as many car seats as some other car seat brands, but they do offer quality car seats up to 100 pounds. 

Parents can choose between two types of booster seats: harness booster seats or self-positioning booster seats. Chicco features ClearTex® products that meet flammability standards and many car seats are GREENGUARD Gold Certified. This certification means each certified product has passed a thorough chemical emissions test so that the air around baby is healthier. 

Another cool thing about Chicco is its Sustainable Parenting Initiative. Through this initiative, Chicco manufacturers car seats with respect to the environment and their impact on it.

Popular Chicco car seats

3. Graco

Graco was founded in 1942 but they didn’t start producing baby products until 1953 after Rex Thomas invented the first baby swing. Nowadays, Graco offers more than baby swings including all sorts of baby products and a wide range of car seats. 

The best-selling SnugRide® SnugFit 35 DLX features SnugLock Technology, allowing parents to easily install the car seat with a seat belt or LATCH system. An Anti-Rebound Bar on the car seat is another safety measure that Graco takes on their infant car seat. Unlike some car seat brands, Graco’s convertible car seats only fit babies up to 65 pounds. But, they do offer all-in-one car seats for kids up to 120 pounds. Graco also offers booster seats with harnesses or for seat belt training. 

Popular Graco car seats

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4. Safety 1st

Safety 1st began in 1984 and provided parents with bright yellow “Baby on Board” signs that were meant to be hung in the back window of vehicles in case of emergencies. Since then, Safety 1st has expanded its selection of baby products to include car seats from the infant stage up to 120 pounds and is one of our top 5 car seat brands to purchase. 

You’ll find the onBoard™35 Air 360 Infant Car Seat includes 360 Protect™ (5 protective layers) and GCell® HX technology (impact protection). Safety 1st’s convertible car seat selection is the largest compared to infant and booster seats. The popular Grow and Go™ All-in-One Car Seat is made for a little one to use from 5 to 100 pounds all while meeting Federal Safety Standards. Since the convertible car seats can also transition into a booster seat, Safety 1st only offers one seat that is solely a booster seat, the Grand 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat.

Popular Safety 1st car seats

5. Maxi-Cosi

For the last 35 years, Maxi-Cosi has been developing durable and reliable car seats and travel systems. They offer 3 infant car seats with the Coral XP Infant Car Seat being the most popular. Parents have the option to carry this car seat more comfortably with the cross-body flex strap. They can also utilize the lightweight inner carrier which allows parents to carry baby without lugging around a heavy car seat. 

Maxi-Cosi’s 5-in-1 convertible car seat, the Magellan®, holds children from 5-120 pounds and features a convenient LATCH (installation) system. As for booster seats, the RodiFix Booster Car Seat features Air Protect® for safe traveling and a Front-Access Recline System for kids to sit more comfortably. 

Popular Maxi-Cosi car seats

Great car seat brands not only provide comfort for your child and makes installation easy, but it also holds child passenger safety to the highest standard. You’ll want to make sure you read information about each car seat to make sure you’re aware of height and weight minimums and maximums. In addition, the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) provides car seat recommendations to help parents find the best and safest car seats for their children.