What Baby Car Seat Should You Buy?
Congratulations on the new addition to your family! Finally, after months of anticipation, your baby has arrived into the world. Taking care of a newborn can be such a stressful and scary job, especially since your baby now relies on you to keep them safe and healthy. You have to make decisions about what toys will be the best for their development, or whether breast-fed or bottle-fed is better. You have to make appointments for photoshoots and doctor’s visits. And you still have to keep the house running on top of all that. Caring for a baby is never an easy task, no matter how much experience you have, and what makes it even worse is all the conflicting ideas and theories that you get told when you’re expecting. Everyone has different opinions on raising a child, which is why we designed this site to be a comprehensive guide to help you care for your baby the best way possible. Feel free to have a look around and use this information as a jumping-off point for the rest of your child-rearing journey. Do keep in mind that, at the end of the day, you are the parent and as long as you have your baby’s best interests in mind, then you are already off to a great start.
The Best Car Seats For Your Baby
The birth of your baby is, without a doubt, an exciting moment for everyone involved. Friends and family all want to meet them, siblings are ready to be big sisters or big brothers, and you as parents are simply in awe of your stunning creation. We can imagine that you can’t wait to take them home to meet the family. That brings one of the most important decisions of all - which car seat should you choose? There are so many options in the market, and each one has different pros and cons. When choosing car seats for newborns you need to consider the practicalities such as budget, compatibility with your vehicle, and whether or not it’s suitable for your child’s height and weight. The level of safety and comfort it provides your child is also something to keep in mind. So, whether you’re looking for a newborn baby car seat, baby car carrier, or something like a booster seat to last past toddlerhood, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best car seats in 2020. Do note that this list is not everything in the market, however, it is a good place to start looking for the best portable car seat Australia has to offer.
1. Mothers Choice Avoro Convertible Car Seat Newborn to 4 years, Black
The Mother’s Choice brand has been awarded No 1 in the Baby Car Seat Category by Cantar. The brand has been creating Australian baby products for over 40 years and is known for its range of great value and quality products. In particular, Mother’s Choice range of baby car seats is the best that suits all budgets. If you are looking for cheap baby car seats that do not compromise on quality, we highly recommend looking at the various car seats that this brand has to offer. The affordable range is suitable for newborns upwards and includes options for a convertible car seat, convertible booster seat, or unharnessed booster seat.
The Avoro is a convertible car seat that will last you for years, as it is suitable for babies from birth to approximately 4 years of age, or until their shoulder reaches the upper height marker. This model offers great value and is full of features, including ease of installation, easy-care fabric, and a multi-position headrest. It can be installed to be rearward or forward-facing, and the forward-facing option has 2 reclining positions for greater comfort. The seat has an easy to remove and machine washable cover so there’s no need to worry when the inevitable messes or spills occur. The best part of this car seat is that it is certified to the latest AS/NZS 1754:2013 standard of safety.
For your peace of mind, you can always rely on the Mother’s Choice Avoro Convertible Car Seat to keep your child safe while on the go. It has a very lightweight build, which makes it easy to carry. Certainly, it is the most decent portable car seat Australia has on the market. Other mum’s love how easy it is to fix and how long-lasting it is. This newborn car seat grows with your child to become a toddler car seat so you won’t have to buy another when your baby becomes a toddler. You can use this from the day you bring your baby home from the hospital, and it’s durable enough to be used for the next child as well.
If you are a parent looking for an inexpensive, practical, and quality car seat, the Mother’s Choice Avoro Convertible Car Seat is the way to go. The monochrome colour scheme complements any car interior, the padding is thick and soft to keep your baby cozy and safe, and a 6-year warranty ensures that you’re getting your money’s worth.
Get the Mother’s Choice Avoro Convertible Car Seat in Black through Amazon here.
2. Maxi Cosi Moda Convertible Car Seat - Graphite
If you need a convertible car seat that is extremely safe, easy to use, easy to clean and is trusted by many parents, check out the Maxi Cosi Moda Convertible Car Seat. The Moda car seat is the latest evolution of safety, quality, and style by Maxi-Cosi. It features Maxi-Cosi’s signature easy installation method, ISOFIX, which makes installation it a simple process. Safety is also a priority with the award-winning safety innovations including the GCELL side impact protection technology and air protect side impact protection.
The Moda is a baby infant car seat suitable for newborns until they turn approximately 4 years old. It offers extended rearward facing so your baby is in the safest position possible until they reach 30 months. After that, you can turn it into a forward-facing car seat until they outgrow it. The car seat comes with a built-in harness to prevent your child from wriggling out, keeping them safe and secure at all times. The GCELL next generation crash absorbing technology provides a crumple zone for superior full-body protection, to ensure that your baby is safe even in the worst-case scenario.
The stylish monochrome colour scheme goes well with any car interior, and once it’s installed you don’t need to take it in and out to adjust headrest or shoulder height, since the QuickFit harness system allows you to raise head and shoulder height with one quick motion without having to uninstall the car seat. It’s easy and hassle-free, and you don’t have to worry about buying a car seat once your child hits a new stage of life. The Moda Convertible Car Seat grows with your child, which means it can be a newborn car seat, a car seat for baby boys or girls, and is even one of the best toddler car seats in the market.
The Moda doesn’t only keep your child safe, but it also keeps them comfortable. The removable newborn infant insert cocoons your baby and keeps them cozy, and padded belt mates prevent any rough fabric from rubbing against skin and causing irritation. The fabric is Cool Baby wicking fabric with bamboo to keep your baby cool on hot days. The best part is, the headrest cover is easy to remove and wash, so you can keep the car seat clean and smelling fresh.
For safe and comfy infant car seats, Maxi Cosi has always been a tried and true brand. With a lifetime warranty of 10 years on the hardware and 3 years on the fabric, and an accident exchange service, the Moda is worth looking into.
Get the Maxi Cosi Moda Convertible Car Seat in Graphite through Amazon here.
3. Safety 1st Solo Convertible Booster
Parents with lots of little ones know that chunky car seats do not maximize the car space, meaning that things can get a bit cramped and uncomfortable. Safety 1st’s Solo Convertible Booster is a great looking booster seat that has a slim build, allowing for up to 3 seats to be fitted across in most cars without sacrificing comfort. It is one of the toddler car seats that have both a toddler mode and a booster mode to accommodate your growing child. Toddler mode is suitable for use in a forward-facing position with the built-in harness from around 6 months to 4 years of age, or until your child’s shoulders reach the upper shoulder height marker. After that, the booster mode is suitable for use with a lap-sash seatbelt until your child is 8 years old or reaches the upper shoulder height markers. This is made possible since it features a 5 position headrest adjustment.
Additionally, the Solo Convertible Booster has removable infant inserts to keep your child comfortable, large side wings for maximum impact protection, a reclinable backrest to fit a wider variety of vehicles, and a seat sash belt guide to keeping the seat belt away from your child’s neck. It also has large retractable cup holders on both sides which are perfect for long day trips or rides out of town and machine washable, easy to remove seat covers so the seat stays clean and messes are no trouble at all.
If you are in need of an affordable, no-fuss convertible booster seat, then we highly recommend the Solo Convertible Booster. This works especially well for parents with a lot of kids to keep safe on drives, or for families with smaller cars to maximize space. Since it is a convertible booster car seat, we also recommend this to parents who want to keep their children extra safe for even longer, since the booster mode provides you with that option.
Safety 1st is a great brand for those who are looking for both safety and affordability. Their products are always built to last and are designed to keep your children safe and comfortable and offer hassle-free products so you no longer have to worry about your baby’s safety. Their Solo Convertible Booster seat is meant to last you at least 8 years and will surely become a reliable travel companion on all your trips. It maximizes space while keeping your baby safe, and what more could you ask?
Get the Safety 1st Solo Convertible Booster through Amazon here.
4. InfaSecure Kompressor 4 Astra Isofix Convertible Car Seat, Grey
The InfaSecure Kompressor 4 Astra is ISOFix compatible. The ISOFix connectors were designed with a unique pull-loop release which makes uninstalling the seat much easier than the more commonplace, counter-intuitive push-to-pull button release connectors. The swing base is anchorage points without a big bulky base getting in your way. When not in use, the ISOFix newly patented, ultra-narrow, and has an ultra-low recline which gives easy access to the ISOFix compatible connectors can be hidden in compartments inside the seat base to keep your space clean and tidy.
Aside from being easy to install, the Kompressor 4 Astra is also designed with your baby’s safety in mind. It features trademarked Air Cocoon Technology, which helps keep you baby unharmed during a crash. The technology enhances side impact protection through a blow moulding design. The blow moulded shell greatly reduces the forces on your child’s head and body in the case of a side-impact incident.
It is a car seat designed with your convenience in mind. The easy-care Active Fabric covers on the Kompressor 4 are durable and hard-wearing while still being cool and breathable. The press-stud covers can be easily removed for cleaning without having to uninstall the seat, and both the covers and the shoulder pads are machine washable.
The Kompressor 4 Astra is one of the best baby & toddler car seats in the market. It can last until your child turns 6. It comes with a shorter backrest for a better rearward-facing fit, which has one recline position and is the best way to position your car seat for newborn to large 30-month-old babies. After that, you can install the car seat to be forward-facing. It comes with an internal harness that fits up to a large 4-year-old to an average 6-year-old, and 9 different recline positions. To keep your child comfortable, the comfort insert and head pillow has been redesigned for maximum softness and padding.
InfaSecure’s Kompressor 4 Astra is one of the car seats baby can use until they are big enough for a booster. Its compact design is great for 3 across seat belt install. The easy to use harness adjuster, the inclusion of the SafeGrip Belt Clamp, Air Cocoon Technology, and anti-rebound design make it an excellent choice to keep your baby safe while their body is most vulnerable.
Get the InfaSecure Kompressor 4 Astra Isofix Convertible Car Seat in Grey through Amazon here
5. Maxi Cosi Rodi AP Booster - Cabernet
Maxi Cosi boasts that the new Rodi AP Booster is the safest and most comfortable booster in the market. The high backed booster car seat can be used for children approximately 4 years to 8 years old, and it grows with your child with just one hand. The backrest is soft and not rigid, so it adjusts to fit the backrest of your car, and the headrest can be easily adjusted by simply pressing a button at the top. The headrest also has a belt guide to keep the car’s seat belt away from your child’s neck and positioned correctly over their shoulder. The well-padded seat and extra recline position give your child added comfort, and the Air Protect technology keeps your child safe at all times.
The Air Protect Superior Side Impact Technology ensures your child’s safety by reducing head impact by over 50%, so you can be sure that your child travels in the safest and most comfortable car seat on the market today. It is the latest state of the art technology that is specifically designed to shield your child’s head from side impact forces through a precise release of air. It cushions the head while reducing the forces around your child’s head by diverting them away and absorbing them into the headrest. The air-release system works by increasing ‘ride-down’ time, which is the time it takes for a person to come to a complete stop after an accident, to reduce the risk of injury. The Air Protect Technology offers excellent protection for a belt-installed high back booster seat.
The Rodi AP features one of a kind, never before seen advancements in booster seat technology. To ensure that your child feels comfortable no matter their size, the Rodi AP has a two-position recline - 1 sitting, and 1 relaxing position. Expandable side wings have a narrow fitment to keep your child snug while still accommodating your growing child. It also comes with an easy belt path which allows you to quickly buckle up your child before each and every ride.
The headrest can be adjusted to six different positions to provide utmost comfort and protection, while the innovative anti-vibration dampener ensures that the seat stays perfectly still when not in use.
Maxi Cosi’s signature Cool Baby Wicking fabric with bamboo means that your child is cool and comfortable even on the hottest summer days. It draws moisture away from your child’s skin, preventing skin irritations and increasing airflow as much as possible.
The Roda AP Booster is yet another excellent product from Maxi Cosi. It’s perfect for once your child has outgrown a baby car chair and needs to transition into a booster seat. If you have already tried the Maxi Cosi brand before, then you know their dedication to quality, safety, comfort and convenience is what sets them apart. The Roda AP Booster is covered by a lifetime warranty of 10 years on the hardware and 3 years on the fabric, and the company also has an accident exchange service if that ever does happen. We recommend the Maxi Cosi Roda AP Booster to parents whose little one is slowly becoming a big kid.
Get the Maxi Cosi Rodi AP Booster in Cabernet through Amazon here.
6. InfaSecure Achieve Premium Convertible Car Seat 0 to 8 Years, Day
InfaSecure’s Achieve Premium Convertible Car Seat is the brand’s next evolution of their groundbreaking Birth to Eight Years Type A4/G Convertible Car Seat. It offers the absolute best practice safety to protect your child through all stages of their development and is the only restraint you’ll ever need. Why buy a separate baby carrier seat, newborn car seat, or booster seat when you can have all in one? The Achieve Premium model is aptly named because it is made from premium materials and comfort, premium safety, and premium convenience. Truly, it is a car seat that has it all.
The Achieve Premium is made from premium materials for premium comfort. It features the new Active Bamboo covers. Active Bamboo is a high performance, premium quality bamboo charcoal fabric. It is gently woven and meant to wick away moisture so that your child is kept cool and dry. The covers have been completely redesigned to utilize the highest levels of craftsmanship, and the new modular infant insert offers support and comfort to smaller babies. The covers are meant to be soft and smooth and overlay an unprecedented level of padding (up to 3 times more padding than InfaSecure’s previous child restraints). All of these, plus the removable shoulder pads and adjustable crotch buckle make this the perfect car seat for naps on the road.
For premium safety, Achieve comes with InfaSecure’s Air Cocoon Technology and Secur-air work hand in hand to dramatically reduce crash energy to the child’s head. Air Cocoon technology enhances side impact protection through a blow moulding design. The blow moulded shell greatly reduces the forces on your child’s head and body in the case of a side-impact incident. The addition of Secur-air means that your restraint gains a third layer of protection for your child’s head, keeping them even more safe in case of an accident.
Achieve Premium comes with plenty of features designed to make travel easier, for your premium convenience. You can say goodbye to constantly installing and uninstalling the car seat just because it needs to be cleaned. And you won’t have to worry about straps getting in the way of securing your child either, since buckle holders keep them out of the way. The straps are also twist-resistant to ensure that the harness fits safely and comfortable every single time. All parts are labelled to make it easier to understand and use. Every Premium restraint also comes with a free In Case of Emergency label, to ensure that emergency services have all the information they need should you ever be in an accident.
Other features of the Achieve Premium are the nine levels of recline available in forward-facing mode. Twist & Lift allows for one-handed adjustment of the headrest and harness from the front of the restraint. This means you still get the perfect fit in seconds without having to rethread straps or uninstall the seat. It also comes with a fabric seat protector and a free SafeGrip Belt Clamp.
The Achieve Premium Convertible Car Seat is suitable from birth to a large 8-year-old. Extended rearward-facing is suitable until your child hits around 30 months of age, then you can transition to extended forward-facing mode with an internal harness until they no longer need the car seat. If you have multiple kids or a small vehicle, the ultra-compact build means you can fit 3 car seats in a row in most vehicles.
Get the InfaSecure Achieve Premium Convertible Car Seat in Day through Amazon here.
7. InfaSecure Kompressor 4 Astra Isofix Convertible Car Seat for 0 to 4 Years, Aqua
Another great car seat from InfaSecure is the Kompressor 4 Astra. It is ISOFix compatible, and the connectors were designed to make uninstalling the seat much easier than other brands. They have a unique pull-loop release which is easier to understand and more intuitive than the more common push-to-pull button release connectors. The swing base allows access to the anchorage points without a big bulky base getting in your way. The ISOFix compatible connectors can be hidden in compartments inside the seat base to keep your car clean and tidy when not in use.
Aside from the easy installation feature, the Kompressor 4 Astra is also designed with your baby’s safety in mind. The trademarked Air Cocoon Technology keeps your baby unharmed during a crash by using a blow moulding design. The blow moulded shell reduces the crash forces on your child’s head and body in the case of a side-impact accident. This makes it a car seat baby will be safe in.
It is also designed to be convenient for you to use. The Active Fabric covers on the Kompressor 4 are durable and long-lasting and are also cool and breathable. They are easy to care for because both the fabric covers and the shoulder pads are machine washable. The press-stud covers can be easily removed for cleaning without having to uninstall the seat.
It is a car seat designed with your convenience in mind. The easy-care Active Fabric covers on the Kompressor 4 are durable and hard-wearing while still being cool and breathable. The press-stud covers can be easily removed for cleaning without having to uninstall the seat, and both the covers and the shoulder pads are machine washable.
The Kompressor 4 Astra is a great car seat for newborn babies to large 4-year-olds. Some families find that it can even last until your child turns 6. It comes with a shorter backrest for a better rearward-facing fit. The rearward facing mode has 1 recline position and is the best way to position your baby until they are around 30 months old. After that, you can install the car seat to be in a forward-facing position with an internal harness until your child outgrows it. The forward-facing mode has 9 different recline positions, a new and improved comfort insert, and a redesigned head pillow for your child’s comfort.
The InfaSecure Kompressor 4 Astra is one of the car seats your baby can use until they are big enough to transition to a booster. It has a compact design, which is great for a 3 across seat belt installation. With it’s easy to use harness adjuster, SafeGrip Belt Clamp, Air Cocoon Technology, and anti-rebound design make it an excellent choice to protect your baby while their developing body is most vulnerable.
Get the InfaSecure Kompressor 4 Astra Isofix Convertible Car Seat in Aqua through Amazon here.
8. MAXI COSI Titan Pro Convertible Booster Seat suitable approx. 6 months to 8 years, Nomad Steel
The Maxi Cosi Titan Pro Convertible Booster Seat is designed to grow with your child while still providing superior safety features and extreme comfort. As a convertible booster seat that is suitable for children 6 months to 8 years of age. It can be used as a harness seat until your child reaches the middle height marker, then it should be used with a lap slash seat belt until your child reaches the highest height marker.
Safety features include Maxi Cosi’s new Safety Shield technology, which offers tailored and patented Air Protect and GCELL head and torso protection. The Air Protect Superior Side Impact Technology keeps your child safe by reducing head impact by over 50%. It is the latest state of the art technology that cushions the head while reducing the forces around your child’s head by diverting them towards the headrest, thus reducing the risk of injury.
It’s comfort features include 3 recline positions, 11 headrest positions (7 in harness mode and 4 in booster mode), and a baby and toddler insert for superior comfort up to 3 years of age. It is also designed for convenience, to save busy parents some time.
With an easy in-car, one-handed recline adjustment and intuitive design, installing the Titan Pro Convertible Booster Seat is no trouble at all. It comes with an in-built harness adjustment for 6 months up to 4 years of age, and easy belt guidance to help older children gain more independence. Plus, it’s designed to be easy to climb in and out of every day. With removable and machine washable seat covers, this booster seat will be part of your family for many years.
We recommend this booster seat to parents whose car seat was only suitable up to toddlerhood since this will last well into the preschool years.
Get the Maxi Cosi Titan Pro Convertible Booster Seat in Nomad Steel through Amazon here.
9. InfaSecure Attain Premium Convertible Car Seat, Day
The InfaSecure Attain Premium Convertible Car Seat sets a new standard in the 0 to 4 years car seat category. It has all the features of the brand’s premium line but packed in the slimmest child restraint offered. With Extended Rearward Facing to 30 months, and Forward Facing to a large 4-year-old, it's a very little child restraint, but a very big deal. It measures only 420mm approx. at its widest point in both rearward and is the brand's narrowest child restraint with an in-built harness as of right now. It also features an ultra-compact rearward facing depth, which is perfect for smaller vehicles or taller front seat travellers.
The Attain Premium comes with the brand’s signature Active Bamboo covers, which are high performance, premium quality charcoal fabric. It keeps your child cool and comfortable even on the hottest of days while offering a soft, smooth surface. The new modular infant insert offers support and comfort to smaller babies. Both the covers and the infant inserts are made with the highest levels of craftsmanship.
This restraint has 3 layers of protection for your child’s head. Secure-air works hand in hand with Air Cocoon Technology to dramatically reduce crash energy to the child’s head. Air Cocoon Technology is a standard feature of the Attain, and now with Secure-air, you can be sure that your baby is safe at all times.
It is also ultra-convenient, with a whole host of features designed to make travel easier. Buckle holders keep straps out of the way when placing your child in the seat. It also comes with a free In Case of Emergent label, which ensures that emergency services have all the needed information if worst comes to worst. Twist & Lift allows for one-handed adjustment of the headrest and harness from the front of the restraint, which means no need for rethreading straps or uninstalling while trying to get the perfect fit. The Attain Premium also comes with a fabric seat protector and a free SafeGrip Belt Clamp.
For parents who are considering the Achieve Premium, the Attain Premium would also be a good product to inquire about.
Get the InfaSecure Attain Premium Convertible Car Seat in Day through Amazon here.
10. InfaSecure Versatile Folding Booster Car Seat for 4 to 8 Years, Black
Last but not the least is another product by InfaSecure. Their Versatile Folding Booster Car Seat is another great option in the 4 to 8 years old range. Designed for ease of use and portability, it is super lightweight, which makes it fantastic for surprise child guests, grandkids, nieces, and nephews. The folding feature, in conjunction with its lightweight and built-in carry handle make storage and transport quick and easy.
Hundreds of hours of design and engineering went into the development of the Versatile because children deserve only the best. It is an injection moulded plastic Booster Seat with a full backrest and side-impact protection and still weighs less than 2kg. It requires no top tether strap, mean installation is even more quick and easy- just place it on the vehicle seat, and use a lap-sash seatbelt to secure your child and the booster seat. It’s been newly designed with a taller backrest and higher shoulder height markers so kids can use it for an added 1 to 3 more years, depending on how fast your child grows. It passes the same Australian Standard criteria that all other Booster Seats must pass, so there's absolutely no need to worry about safety.
We recommend the Versatile Folding Booster Car Seat to parents who don’t necessarily get to see their child every day. It’s easy to install and take off, meaning it doesn’t have to stay inside your vehicle when not in use. This is also a good car seat to take along on trips where you may need to rent a vehicle and thus not have access to your regular car seat set up.
Get the InfaSecure Versatile Folding Booster Car Seat in Black through Amazon here.
Have You Found The Perfect Baby Car Seat?
Hopefully, this article has given you a good idea of what to look for when shopping around for a car seat. There are so many options out there, from the basic baby carrier seat to convertible seats, and even car seats that will last you way past toddlerhood, so we know how confusing it can get. Being able to explore the world as a family and take your baby out of the house are daily activities that you should be able to do safely, without having to worry about causing any harm to your precious bub. It is even more important in the first few months of life when appointments and check-ups are endless, and you are going back and forth from doctor’s visits to photo shoots, to family dinners, and even lunch out with friends. Everyone wants to meet your new baby, and with a car seat that will keep them safe and secure, there’s absolutely nothing stopping you from introducing your child to the most important people in your life!
Congratulations once again on the new (or upcoming) addition to your family! Being a parent can be such difficult work, but it always pays off in the end.