What is the Best Car Seat for a 3-Year-Old?

When it comes to your child’s safety, there is nothing more important. If you have a toddler, make sure you've installed the best car seat for a 3-year-old.
Written by Alexandra Maloney
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
The leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13 is car accidents. No matter where you’re headed, it’s important to install the right safety seat to suit your child’s needs on the road.
Jerry
, the
car ownership super app
, gives some
tips
about choosing the best
car seat
for a 3-year-old, looking at the different types on the market.

There are two main types of car seats

It’s no longer suggested for 3-year-olds to sit in forward-facing car seats. According to
The Chicago Tribune
, “In 2018, the American Academy of Pediatrics changed its recommendations on how long a child should be in a rear-facing car seat. It is now recommended that a child be rear-facing until age four, or until the child reaches the maximum height and weight restrictions for a rear-facing car seat.”
If you’re looking for versatility, a convertible seat is your best bet. This type of car seat can “take your infant home from the hospital and then take your four-year-old to preschool,” The Chicago Tribune notes. With a five-point harness, you can install the seat in both a forward-facing and rear seat position. Generally, these seats can accommodate a child between 40-50 pounds.
Forward-facing car seats are also known as combination car seats with a harness. With this option, your child can eventually ride in your vehicle without a booster or additional seat. However, according to The Chicago Tribune, “A three-year-old who is big for their age should not advance to a booster seat before they meet both the height and weight requirements for a booster seat.”
It also has a five-point harness and can support between 40-60 pounds. And, the seat can work with the car’s seat belt once your child outgrows the harness. 
MORE: 8 Helpful Tips for Long Car Rides with Kids
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Best car seats for 3-year-olds on the market

When looking for a new car seat, it’s important to find one with sufficient padding, a secure harness, and a solid back. We also recommended considering the size, maintenance, style, and extra features like the ability to recline. 
According to
The Drive
, for under $100, car seats are “available in both forward-facing and booster seats. The seat will include a harness, neck support, and side-impact protection.” And for over $100, car seats will offer extra padding, and most will convert to a booster.  
The CHASE Harnessed Booster is an excellent value for the price. For added utility, you’re also able to convert it to a booster seat. The headrest is stable and the force is evenly dispersed with easy to adjust straps. However, its light fabric is prone to staining, and cleaning the interior can be an ordeal. But for only $50 on Amazon, it’s hard to go wrong. 
The EVENFLO Maestro Sport Harness Car Seat is available for $90 and is a hybrid booster and car seat. With a strong harness and frame, it’s a design that’s meant to last. It can support up to 50 pounds, and the booster function can accommodate up to 110 pounds. But, since padding is limited, it may not be the most comfortable option for kids on
long road trips
.
For about $140, you can get your hands on the GRACO Tranzitions Harness Booster Seat that can handle up to 65 pounds. Arguably the best car seat for a 3-year-old since it has the best safety seat overall, the GRACO features plenty of protective parts, a sturdy structure, and lots of padding. It also comes with two convenient cup holders. Cons for this seat include challenging maintenance and non-waterproof fabric that absorbs spills.
For the same price as the Tranzitions Harness Booster Seat, the GRACO Atlas 65 2-in-1 Harness is another best-seller. The seat has been rigorously crash tested to meet or exceed US safety standards and features a No-Rethread Simply Safe Adjust Harness System that helps the headrest and harness to adjust together in one motion.
For about $350, the Diono Radian 3 RXT All-in-One Convertible Car Seat sports a 12-position headrest, and it's quite easy to install. For kids up to 65 pounds, it can be used as a convertible car seat, and as a booster for children up to 120 pounds. 
The high-end Peg Perego Convertible Kinetic Car Seat ranges between $400 and $480. For the price, your safety seat includes a LATCH-compatible installation system, an Energy Energy Management System designed to bend and deflect energy during a collision, energy-absorbing foam in the shell, and a contoured steel backplate that minimizes flexing and reduces forward movement upon impact.

Buying a secondhand car seat

If you’d rather buy a previously owned car seat to save money, it’s important to do proper research before making your purchase. 
Consider if the car seat has been involved in an accident. If it has and the seat looks fine, it’s still possible that the integrity of the frame has been compromised. In this case, it’s best to recycle the seat instead.
Next, check if there’s been any
car seat recalls
. If the seat has reached its expiration date, send it to recycling right away. 
And if you’re ever unsure if your child has the proper safety seat, or you need help installing it, visit a local car seat inspection station. Additionally, hospitals, fire stations, and police stations can also provide guidance and support.
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