How to choose a child car seat?

Every parent wants to take care of the reliability, comfort and safety of their baby while traveling and traveling in the car. But how to make your choice correctly? Are all car seats equally safe? The range of children's car seats is incredibly large, so it's worth figuring out what to look for and what nuances to consider when choosing one.

Age groups

All models of car seats are divided into groups and selected according to the age, weight and height of the child.
There are three main age groups: 0+, 1, 2-3. And two universal ones, combining several groups at once, are 0+1, 1-2-3 and 2-3.

The online store presents all categories and types of child car seats, and we invite you to get to know each group in our catalog better.

Group 0+ (Or Car Seats 0-13 kg)

Group 0+ - from the birth of the child until the weight reaches 13 kg, up to the age of 12-15 months, height 45-87 cm.
This is a group of car seats, the so-called baby carriers. They provide the maximum possible inclined (lying) position for the child. The main load is distributed evenly over the back, the head is conveniently placed.
The advantage is lightness, compactness and ease of use. The carriers have a handle; you can put the baby down at home and then carry him straight into the car in the chair, or pick up the sleeping person after a trip without removing him from the chair.
Fixed with a standard seat belt or on a base with the Isofix system. It is necessary to place the baby exclusively with his back in the direction of movement of the car in order to protect the child’s fragile neck and spine. Can be installed in the back seat of a car or in the front seat (if the manufacturer declares this) with the airbag turned off.
The car seat can be installed on the stroller frame using a special mount (stroller adapters). Many manufacturers produce group 0+ car seats for use with their strollers, for example: Britax Romer Baby-Safe i-size car seat, Cybex Cloud Z i-size, Junama Diamond S-line, Maxi-Cosi brand and others.

Group 0+1

Group 0+1 - for children from birth to 4 years old, height 45-105 cm, with a maximum child weight of 18 kg.
Car seats in this category are very popular and in demand. The main advantage is the long service life. These car seats must have 5-point seat belts, head protection, lateral support and seat backrest adjustment. The models in this group are some of the most technologically advanced.
Peculiarities:
- adjustable seat backrest (not available for all categories of seats)
Initially, they are installed facing the direction of travel, but when the baby grows up and turns 15 months old, the car seat can be installed in the direction of travel.
Also, an important advantage of car seats in this group is savings. There is no point in purchasing several car seats when you can get by with one, while safety and comfort indicators remain at a high level.
In the category of car seats from birth to 4 years, models with a 360-degree rotation function are popular. This is convenient for both children and parents; the seat is easy to turn when getting in/out, as well as when fastening a child with the car door open. The best models of car seats with a 360-degree rotation are Britax Romer Dualfix i-size, Joie spin 360, Recaro Salia 360, Recaro Zero 1. The Cybex Sirona M2 i-Size model, instead of a rotation mechanism, is equipped with a fastening slide that allows you to install the seat along or against the direction of movement into the clamps on the base.

Group 1

Group 1 - from 9 months to 4 years, weighing from 9 to 18 kg.
This age group is for children who can already sit confidently on their own. The car seat is positioned in the direction of travel of the car. Many car seats in this group provide the ability to change the angle of inclination from a sitting position to a sleeping position. They have an adjustable headrest.
The classic representative of this group is the Britax Romer King II model. The model is mounted in the car using a standard seat belt, has very good crash test results, and is quite spacious inside.

Sometimes in this group there are models with a table. It serves for additional fixation of the baby. Some of the best results in crash tests are shown by these seats, for example Cybex Juno 2-fix.

The Britax Romer Trifix chair has proven itself to be excellent in terms of safety and convenience for children. Excellent ergonomics, convenient Isofix fastening system with an anchor strap, thoughtful side and front protection, high-quality finish.

Group 1-2-3

Group 1-2-3 - from 9 months to 12 years, weighing from 9 to 36 kg.
The main advantage of these car seats is their long service life. You can travel there for almost 10 years. Installed in the direction of travel. This seat is an excellent purchase after a group 0+ car seat. The car seat can be transformed according to the child's growth. Importantly, despite this versatility, these models receive high marks for safety and usability in independent ADAC crash tests.
A group 1-2-3 car seat has built-in seat belts that are used until the child is 4 years old. Then they are dismantled, and the child is fastened with a car seat belt. Some models of car seats in this category have a table that makes it safer.
Group 1/2/3 car seats are the most popular, but they are absolutely not suitable for newborns and infants up to one year old: the backrest of such a device is practically absent, and the baby will have to sleep sitting up during the trip, in an uncomfortable position.
Universal car seats that “grow with children” must be of very high quality in assembly, because they require a long period of use. In this group, we recommend paying attention to car seat models: Recaro Young Sport Hero, Recaro Monza Nova Is, Britax Romer Evolva, etc.

Group 2-3

Categories:
- Group 2-3 - from 3 to 12 years, weighing from 15 to 36 kg
The peculiarity of this car seat is the absence of internal seat belts; the child is secured with standard seat belts. It is installed exclusively in the direction of travel of the vehicle. The car seat itself can be secured in the car using the Isofix system or using a car belt. In this case, both the seat and the child are fastened with one belt. In essence, the child is completely secured by the car seat belt, and the car seat serves to ensure that the belt, which is designed for an adult, is optimized for the child’s growth.
A characteristic feature of group 2-3 car seats is a wide range of headrest adjustment.
Some models have adjustable backrest position, which allows the child to feel more comfortable.
When the child reaches a weight of 22 kg, you can transform the device into a booster seat (if provided for by the design) by removing the back of the car seat.
These car seats will be very convenient and comfortable until the end of the car seat's life, and your child will be protected.
We recommend paying attention to the basic models of group 2-3: Cybex Solution X-Fix, Maxi-Cosi Rodi XP Fix, Cybex Solution S I-Fix. More sophisticated models, such as the Joie Duallo, have additional side impact protection and adjustable seat interior width. The manufacturer Recaro offers an additional option - audio speakers in the sides of the Monza Nova 2 Seatfix model. The Britax Romer Kidfix 2 R model offers a soft pad on the seat belt and an additional fastening in the groin area for the child’s comfort.

Car seat anchorage systems
Properly installed child car seats reduce the likelihood of death in infants by about 70%, and in older children by 54-80% (data from the World Health Organization).

There are 3 ways to secure a car seat in a car:
- Standard vehicle seat belts;
- Isofix fastening;
- Latch and SuperLatch fastening.

Fastening with car seat belts
Fastening with a standard three-point car belt is used for all age groups. However, there are some peculiarities here. In the “0”, “0+” group, the standard belt secures the car seat in the passenger compartment, and the child is fastened with an internal five-point belt. In groups “1” and above, a standard belt fastens the child, and the seat is fixed due to its weight.
Advantages of this type of fastening:
- Versatility (there is a standard seat belt in every car);
- Profitable price;
- Can be installed on any car seat.

Disadvantages of fastening with a standard seat belt:
- Complexity of the fixation process;
- Not such high safety indicators compared to Isofix and Latch;
- The standard car belt may not fit (it may not be enough).


Isofix mount
The fastening is created as an alternative to seat belts. The system allows you to rigidly attach the seat to the car body. This ensures better protection for the child.

Advantages of Isofix:
- Easy and quick to install;
- The chair is installed rigidly, tipping over and “flying forward” is excluded;
- Guaranteed child protection in case of an accident.

Disadvantages of Isofix:
- Higher cost;
- Heavier than a chair with conventional fixation;
- Installed on certain brands of cars (not all cars are equipped with ISOFIX);
- Possibility of installation only on the rear side seats.

LATCH mount
This system does not have a metal frame, which makes it much lighter. Fixation is carried out using durable belts and carabiners.

Latch and Isofix are fully compatible with each other. This means that if your car has Isofix, you can safely install a seat with Latch mounts and vice versa.

Benefits of Latch:
- Soft fixation, due to which there is no vibration;
- Ease of installation;
- Light weight (1.5 - 2.6 kg lighter than the same with Isofix);
- Guaranteed child protection in case of an accident.

Disadvantages of Latch:
- Small selection of models;
- Not all vehicles have the required Latch brackets;
- High price;
- Possibility of installation only on the rear side seats.


Before you buy a seat, check whether it can be installed in your car. Check whether the standard belt is long enough to secure the restraint or whether there are appropriate fastenings for the Isofix and Latch systems.
A car seat should not only be safe, but also comfortable, especially for long trips.
When it comes to design, it all depends on individual preferences. Today's assortment will satisfy even the most demanding parents who strive to follow fashion trends when choosing a car seat!
As for the price of a car seat, it depends on your financial capabilities. We offer a wide range to suit different budgets. Take care of your baby's life!