The 12 Best Car Seats of 2025, According to Pediatricians

The Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX is a solid-value infant carrier that, in our testing, struck a nice balance between convenience and affordability — its lightweight build made transfers easy and it pairs well with Graco strollers for a straightforward travel system. We found the easy-to-read level indicator helpful for correct installation, but head and neck support felt limited for the smallest newborns and canopy/handle interference can be annoying when both are extended. It scored 8/10 overall, supports 0–12 months with four recline positions and a 5-point harness, and is a dependable everyday choice.

The Graco 4Ever DLX SnugLock aims to be a long-term, flexible choice — our experience shows its adjustability across stages is genuinely handy for families with multiple kids and long-term plans. During our review we found the harness and recline options (six positions) offer versatility for rear- and forward-facing use up to 12 years, but material quality felt downgraded compared with previous models and the seat takes up a lot of space, which may be problematic in smaller cars. It scored a solid 7/10 for versatility, with a 5-point harness and both LATCH and seatbelt installation options.

The Chicco Fit360 Cleartex stands out for practical convenience — in our testing the 360° rotation made loading and unloading a toddler genuinely easier and reduced strain on our backs. We found the LeverLock self-tensioning system reassuring for getting a tight installation, and the machine-washable fabrics are a parenting win after spills, but the seat is heavier and bulkier than many competitors and initial installation can be fiddly. It scored 7.5/10 for its thoughtful features, supporting 4–40 lbs rear-facing and up to 65 lbs forward-facing with six recline positions and a 5-point harness.

The Evenflo Gold Revolve360 Extend impressed us with practical features — during our review the 360-degree rotation dramatically simplified getting kids in and out and the extended rear-facing capability (up to 50 lbs and 48 inches) means you can keep your child rear-facing longer, which pediatricians like. We found the quick-clean zippered cover a parenting lifesaver after spills, but the seat is large and can crowd smaller vehicles and the buckle sits low and far back making operation fiddly at times. It earned an 8.5/10 for combining long-term value and user-friendly cleaning with a 5-point harness and four recline positions, though measure your vehicle first to ensure a good fit.

If you need something slim and adaptable, the SlimFit3™ LX 3-in-1 is worth considering — we found its narrow profile makes it one of the few seats that’ll typically fit three across, and the 3-in-1 design grows from infant to booster which adds long-term value. Breathable mesh kept kids cooler on warm drives during our testing, though the seat is hefty at 19.2 pounds and offers only four recline positions with limited rear-facing adjustment and no rear-facing lockoff. Overall it earned an 8/10 for space efficiency and versatility, but expect a trade-off in portability.

The pipa™ aire rx with relx base is impressive for its featherweight build — at about 6.2 lbs without canopy or inserts we found it much easier to carry between cars and to lift in tight spaces during our testing. That lightweight design comes with trade-offs: during our review the high $650 price tag felt steep for the package and some users reported mixed feelings about installation ease, so it didn’t rank as highly overall. It covers infants from roughly 4 to 30 lbs up to 30 inches, offers four recline positions and a 5-point harness, so it’s a great pick if portability is your priority and cost is less of a concern.

The Graco TurboBooster 2.0 is the budget-friendly, grab-and-go option we’d recommend for short trips and daycare drop-offs — in our testing its lightweight, portable design made moving it between cars effortless and quick. Our experience shows the trade-offs are real: it lacks a LATCH system so it can be unstable when unoccupied, offers minimal padding that may be uncomfortable on longer drives, and doesn’t include a harness since it’s a backless booster for ages roughly 4–12 years. It scored 5.5/10 and is best as a low-cost, occasional-use booster rather than an all-day comfort solution.

The Doona Car Seat & Stroller is a brilliant time-saver for parents who live on the go — in our testing the integrated car-seat-to-stroller design eliminated the need to wrestle a separate stroller and made quick trips effortless. We found the washable cushioning especially helpful after messy outings and appreciated that it’s FAA approved for air travel, but the unit is heavier than typical infant seats and the low, non-adjustable handlebar can be awkward for taller caregivers. During our review it earned an 8.5/10 for convenience and travel-friendliness despite offering only one recline position, a 5-point harness, and no undercarriage storage, so factor in a carry bag for essentials.

The liing Pitch Black earned our highest recommendation — it’s one of our top-rated choices with a 9.5/10 and a 5-star safety rating that really shows in real-world peace of mind. In testing we found the rigid LATCH connectors and load leg meaningfully simplified installation and reduced crash forces, while the narrow design made it far easier to fit alongside other seats in compact cars; however, the manual rethread harness is a chore as your baby grows and the unit is heavier and pricier than many infant seats. Overall, our experience shows this is a premium, safety-first pick for newborns up to 12 months with seven recline positions and a 5-point harness.