“The [American Academy of Pediatrics] recommends that kids ride rear-facing until maxing out the rear-facing capacity of their convertible seat—either reaching the weight limit (usually 40-50 pounds for convertible seats sold today) or the height limit (typically when the child’s head is 1 inch below the top of the seat),” Alisa Baer, MD, pediatrician and co-founder of The Car Seat Lady, LLC, tells Verywell Family. Even if you don’t plan to make it quite that long with your child facing backward, in many states you’ll have to wait until they’re at least 2 years old. There is no such thing as a “forward-facing car seat” exactly. You’ll either be using a convertible car seat (which faces rear and forward), an all-in-one seat (which also converts to a booster), or a harness-to-booster combo. While every car seat on the market meets the same U.S. safety standards, it is important that you shop for one that fits your car, your child, your budget, and most important, one that you will use properly every time. We carefully looked over these factors for you, including design, value, ease of cleaning, material, and age, height, and weight recommendations. Here are the best forward-facing car seats for your child.
The Britax Marathon ClickTight earned our top spot in this list because it’s the complete package when it comes to safe car seats, which will be very comforting when it comes time to turn your child’s seat to the forward-facing position. This well-padded seat has a steel frame, a patented plastic cell shock-absorbing system, and side-impact protection (though this is hard to verify because of an industry-wide lack of side-impact testing standards). ClickTight installation system locks in the car’s seat belt easily and leaves no doubt that you’ve secured it correctly. We love that the seat has seven different recline positions and a harness you don’t have to rethread to adjust when your child grows. Price at time of publication: $340 Product Weight: 27 pounds | Dimensions: 23 x 18.5 x 23.5 inches | Age Recommendation: Not Listed | Weight Limit: 5 to 45 pounds (rear-facing); 20 to 65 pounds (forward-facing) Parent reviewers praise the well-thought-out design and high-quality materials. Recommended for kids from 6 months through 4 years old, your investment can be justified with how long this one seat is useful for. Price at time of publication: $750 Product Weight: 26.6 pounds | Dimensions: 22.5 x 18.5 x 26-33 inches | Age Recommendation: 6 months to 4+ years | Weight Limit: 25 to 65 pounds (forward-facing) and 40 to 120 pounds (booster) Parents love that this seat weighs just 9 pounds, so it’s a breeze to carry through airports or move from car to car. Safe for babies and kids from 5 to 40 pounds, it won’t convert into a booster but is at an ideal price point for a multi-car family. Price at time of publication: $80 Product Weight: 9.29 pounds | Dimensions: 18.5 x 22 x 25.5 inches | Age Recommendation: Not listed | Weight Limit: 22 to 40 pounds (forward-facing) Lightweight and portable, parents find it’s just as comfortable and safe as much higher-priced competitors. The eight-position headrest is easy to adjust with one hand, and kids will appreciate the two (easy-to-clean) cup holders that keep snacks and drinks nearby. Price at time of publication: $140 Product Weight: 14.97 pounds | Dimensions: 19 x 17.4 x 26.5 inches | Age Recommendation: Not listed | Weight Limit: 22 to 65 pounds (Harness) and 40 to 100 pounds (Highback and Backless) A built-in locking device for the seatbelt makes installation easier and more secure. The focus on comfort is not lacking—there are nine headrest positions, four recline positions that are adjustable only before installation, and two collapsible cup holders to keep your kid comfy. Price at time of publication: $220 Product Weight: 25 pounds | Dimensions: 24.5 x 20.5 x 26.25 inches | Age Recommendation: Not listed | Weight Limit: 25 to 100 pounds Parents appreciate that the seat can be secured in the back of the seat via rigid LATCH, keeping it stationary even when there’s no kiddo sitting in it. With an exceptionally well-designed headrest, it’s great for dozing off during a ride. Price at time of publication: $180 Product Weight: 17.25 pounds | Dimensions: 28.5 x 17.75 x 15.2 inches | Age Recommendation: Not listed | Weight Limit: 40 to 120 pounds Narrow on the outside, roomy on the inside, the seat works for bigger kids or crowded back seats. The open-loop belt guides help kids know where to thread the seat belt, and these guides fold flat onto the seat when not in use. Price at time of publication: $50 Product Weight: 1.8 pounds | Dimensions: 11.75 x 12.34 x 2.5 inches | Age Recommendation: 5 to 12 years old | Weight Limit: 50 to 100 pounds
What to Look for When Buying a Forward-Facing Car Seat
Size
When you’re searching for the best forward-facing car seat for your child, be mindful of its size in relation to the size of your backseat. “Car seats are not rectangles, so measuring the car seat at its widest point won’t tell you necessarily if it will fit where you need it to in your car,” Dr. Baer says. If you already have a car seat or two installed, trying to fit in an additional seat might be tricky. “Some car seats are very narrow in certain areas that allow them to fit in different vehicle contours and puzzle nicely next to other car seats better than some,” Dr. Baer adds. Opting for a slim-fit seat like the Chicco MyFit Harness + Booster Seat can help.
Longevity
If you are ready to invest in a car seat that is going to last through your little one’s milestones, it is important that you stay mindful of the seat’s longevity. Car seats that can accommodate your child as they grow from a toddler to a big kid can ensure that you don’t have to repeatedly replace the car seat. The Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 can be converted from a forward-facing seat for your toddler to a backless booster for an older child. “I recommend that parents focus on getting a convertible seat that is narrow on the outside and roomy on the inside that they’ll use until their child is likely around 6 years old,” Dr. Baer says.
Portability
For multi-car families or kids that like to rack up the stamps in their passports, a car seat that can be easily removed and re-installed is essential. Lightweight options are most suitable for families that are always on the move, live in a walking city that relies on taxis and Ubers for further destinations, or simply use multiple cars regularly. Weighing just 9 pounds, the Evenflo Tribute 5 Convertible Car Seat is super lightweight and perfect for moving from car to car.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of a 10-year-old son, 7-year-old son, and 3-year old daughter. With three kids, she feels like her car seat days will never end, so the “mama-mobile” minivan comes in handy.
