Choose the right group: As highlighted above, in the 15kg to 36kg range, you're typically looking at Group 2/3 car seats. These seats are mostly forward-facing (apart from some models like the Axkid ONE 2 that’s rear-facing until age seven) and use the car’s seat belt or a three- or five-point harness system to ensure your child is secure throughout the journey. For more trusted car seat advice and recommendations, we also have Mumsnet guides to the best baby car seats, the best toddler car seats, and the best 360 car seats. If you need to kit out your car with child-friendly accessories, we have a handy round-up of the best car sunshades for babies. Best car seats for age 4+ at a glance Cybex manufacturer’s claim that the car seat’s innovative, full-body airbag technology offers up to 50% higher safety levels when compared to a general forward facing car seat with a harness. Should the airbag deflate, it’s designed to form a C-shape around the safety shield to stop your child from moving forward, plus it lessens any pressure on the tummy area, and prevents your child from being thrown left or right. Although we found the ISOFIX connectors stiff to use at first, the Kore is both simple to use and install. Our tester, Jemma, thought it would be very difficult to make a mistake when installing this seat, even in a hurry, as belt routing is generally very intuitive. Yes, it may be pricey for parents on tighter budgets, but we think the BeSafe iZi Flex Fix i-Size is nevertheless a great choice for busy families. It even has a nifty handle that allows you to carry it seamlessly between cars.

Car Seats for 4 Year Olds 2023: Tested By Parents - Mumsnet Best Car Seats for 4 Year Olds 2023: Tested By Parents - Mumsnet

While the Maxi-Cosi Kore Pro i-Size is competitively priced, it doesn’t compromise on safety. Like all the Maxi-Cosi car seats currently on the market, this model has been rigorously tested for safety according to the R129 regulations, which means it’s had forward, rear, side and rollover testing to ensure it’ll protect your child in all types of impact. It also has superior side protection features built into the car seat.The armrests, deep seat padding, wide seat and side impact protection features are not only comfortable but help to secure your child and keep them safe while in the car. Design-wise, this car seat is light, sleek and practical for any compatible car, and we like the reversible covers to keep your small passenger happy and your car completely stain-free. Laura Westerman is an editor, writer, Deputy Head of Editorial Content at Mumsnet and mum to a one-year-old. With a passion for car seat safety, she has created trusted car seat buying advice for the last five years, working with experts and testers to bring parents the most up-to-date car seat guidance and product recommendations. While we also tested and liked the Maxi-Cosi Kore Pro i-Size (see our full review below), an updated version of the Kore i-Size, which has additional features and premium bamboo fabrics, we felt the value and the simplicity of the Kore (often a benefit when it comes to car seats) was something not to be ignored.

globalkids Isofix Baby Car Booster Seat - Group 3 (6 to 12

We spend hours researching, speaking to parents, analysing data and listening to experts before we test out the products on our shortlist.

Heritage Accessories

Tammy is a distinguished researcher and writer in the field of child safety, with a notable focus on the critical domain of car seats. Her extensive expertise and commitment to child safety have made her a trusted authority in providing comprehensive insights and guidance to parents and caregivers looking for the right car seat for their children. As a mum to an eight-year-old, Tammy has personally tried and tested numerous car seats over the years, across all age categories. About the editor