As a parent, choosing the right car seat, capsule or booster seat for your child can be a daunting task, especially with the overwhelming number of options available in the market. The safety of your child is of utmost importance, and the right car seat can significantly reduce the risk of injuries during a car accident. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the top choices available and provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision about which car seat is best for your child.
Here is a list of safety aspects to consider when choosing a car seat for your baby in Australia in 2023:
Age and weight of the child: Car seats are designed for different age groups and weights, and it is important to choose a seat that is appropriate for your child’s age and weight.
Australian Standard: Choose a car seat that complies with the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1754. This ensures that the seat has undergone rigorous testing and meets the minimum safety requirements.
Correct installation: Ensure that the car seat is installed correctly, as incorrect installation can significantly reduce the effectiveness of the seat. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and seek professional installation assistance if needed.
Five-point harness: Choose a car seat that has a five-point harness, which includes shoulder straps, waist straps, and a crotch strap. This provides the highest level of protection and reduces the risk of your child being ejected from the seat in the event of an accident.
Side-impact protection: Consider a car seat that offers side-impact protection, which can help protect your child’s head and torso in the event of a side impact collision.
Adjustable headrest and harness: Choose a car seat with an adjustable headrest and harness, as this allows the seat to grow with your child and ensures that the harness is always at the correct height.
Compatibility with your car: Ensure that the car seat is compatible with your vehicle and can be properly installed using the seat belt or ISOFIX anchor points.
Easy to clean: Choose a car seat with removable and washable covers, as this makes it easy to keep the seat clean and hygienic.
Crash test rating: Consider the car seat’s crash test rating, as this provides an indication of how well the seat performs in crash tests. Look for seats that have high ratings from independent testing organisations such as ANCAP. Aim to buy the safest seat you can afford.
See our list of top rated car seats on the market in 2023:
Britax Safe N Sound B-Compaq Ifix+ Car Seat
The Britax Safe-n-Sound B-Compaq iFix Car Seat is a highly-rated car seat – features include:
- Suitable for children from birth to four years of age.
- Easy to install with i-Size compatibility and ClickTight Installation System.
- Offers multiple recline positions and adjustable headrest and harness height to accommodate your growing child.
- Features side impact cushion technology for added protection.
- Comes with removable and washable covers for easy maintenance.
- Perfect for small cars and growing families.
RRP $849
Maxi Cosi Vita Pro Car Seat
The Maxi-Cosi Vita Pro Convertible Car Seat is a premium car seat – features include:.
- Suitable for children from birth to four years of age.
- Offers Air Protect superior side impact protection and G-CELL technology for extra safety.
- Features a unique Cool Baby Wicking Fabric to keep your child cool and dry during hot weather.
- Allows for multiple recline positions and adjustable headrest and harness height for a perfect fit.
- Comes with a cup holder and removable and machine washable covers for convenience.
RRP $849
Babylove Ezyswitch Convertible Car Seat
The Babylove Ezyswitch Convertible Car Seat features include:
- Suitable for children from birth to four years of age.
- Features a unique Ezyswitch combination of rearward and forward-facing modes for flexible use.
- Comes with a five-position adjustable headrest and three-position recline for a customised fit.
- Offers side impact protection and soft plush fabric for added comfort.
- Easy to install with a built-in rebound bar and one-click harness adjustment.
RRP $549
Britax Safe-n-Sound Maxi Guard PRO
The Britax Safe-n-Sound Maxi Guard Car Seat is a highly rated and versatile car seat – features include:
- Suitable for children from six months to eight years of age.
- Features a six-point adjustable headrest and nine recline positions for a comfortable fit.
- Offers side impact cushion technology and patented dual-layer head and torso protection for added safety.
- Comes with easy to adjust, retractable Isofix connectors and a top tether for secure installation.
- Includes two handy cup holders and removable, machine-washable covers for easy maintenance.
RRP $549
Nuna Klik Plus Capsule Caviar
The Nuna Klik Plus Capsule in Caviar is a premium and lightweight infant car seat with advanced safety features:
- Suitable for infants from birth to approximately 12 months of age or 13kg.
- Features a five-point harness system and advanced side impact protection for maximum safety.
- Offers an adjustable headrest and removable infant insert for a customised and comfortable fit.
- Comes with a sleek and stylish design with a no-rethread harness for easy adjustments.
- Includes UPF 50+ canopy with flip out eyeshade and Dream drape™ for added privacy and comfort, and easy installation with built-in rigid LATCH connectors.
- Bubble indicator on the base aids in correct levelling of the car seat, so baby sits comfortably and securely
- Rebound bar
RRP $699
Britax Safe-n-Sound Hi Liner SG Grey
The Britax Safe-n-Sound Hi-Liner SG is a comfortable and versatile booster car seat with advanced safety features for older children:
- Suitable for children from approximately four to eight years of age.
- Features an adjustable headrest and armrests, and a sash guide to properly position the car seat belt.
- Offers SecureGuard technology to keep the lap belt in an optimal position for added safety.
- Comes with deep side wings and EPS foam for maximum protection against side impacts.
- Includes removable, machine-washable covers for easy maintenance and a cup holder for convenience.
RRP $229
*By Law, Children up to the age of 6 months must use a rear-facing child car seat and is a recommendation up to the age of 2 years.
Children aged between 6 months and 4 years must use either a rear-facing child car seat or a forward-facing child car seat with an inbuilt harness.
Children aged between 4 and 7 years must use a forward‑facing child car seat with an inbuilt harness or an approved booster seat.
