TOP 7 best car seats for children from 9 to 36 kg: pros and cons, reviews, price


In the spring of 2021, the next annual test of child car seats was presented, carried out by the independent German automobile club ADAC, together with the magazine Stiftung Warentest and the Swiss automobile club TCS. The test involved 26 models of different age groups, which were checked from the point of view of safety, installation, ergonomics and the content of harmful substances in the cladding materials.

The test result was generally positive: 18 of the tested seats were rated “good”, and three more models were rated “satisfactory”. However, five car seats did not meet all test conditions and were disqualified.

The best car seats

The best chairs for newborns include Maxi-Cosi Tinca (installed separately or on an isofix base), Maxi-Cosi Marble, as well as the Italian model Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Lounge with an i-Size base. These seats are very well adapted to the child’s structure from the first days of life and can be used from the maternity hospital onwards. Parents will appreciate their light weight, portability, ease of maintenance and impeccable safety results.

I was pleased with the high rating in the group of car seats for adult children. A number of representatives of different brands took place on the podium. These are Cybex Solution S i-Fix, Recaro Mako Elite 2 and Joie i-Traver. With different manufacturers' approaches to development and design, the seats combine a full range of the most advanced safety systems, polished finishes that harmonize with modern car interiors, and impeccable workmanship.

In the age group for children from 1 to 12 years old, the Cybex Pallas G i-Size model deserved high praise. A special feature of the seat is an innovative safety table with its own attachment to the car seat. This solution made it possible to abandon the standard car belt and position the table much better relative to the child’s body, taking into account his height and build. However, ADAC experts remind you that any child car seat, especially one with a table, requires mandatory fitting in a store before purchase.

The Britax Römer Advansafix M i-Size model was slightly inferior to Cybex. With a wide range of modern options and protection systems, some comments from experts were caused by the complex installation and heavy weight of the car seat. Ergonomics for a child are at a very high level. The third participant in this group, Recaro Tian Elite, received a “normal” rating. The model's good level of safety in impact tests was slightly reduced due to the difficulty of installing the seat and buckling the child.

Decoding car seat groups

All over the world, it is customary to divide restraint devices into groups based on weight and age.

GroupAge (year) Weight, kg)
0from birth to 6 months0-10
0+from birth to 1 year0-13
1from 9 months to 4 years9-18
2from 3 to 7 years15-25
3from 6 to 12 years22-36

"Bad" car seats

Five car seats, for various reasons, did not fulfill all test requirements and received the lowest rating. The Chicco Kiros i-Size model with the Kiros i-Size base deserved the most criticism. In frontal impact crash tests, the seat separates from the isofix base and flies forward almost unhindered. Thus, in the event of an accident, the child’s life is in serious danger. Such a result directly in the crash tests of the ADAC test program leads to unconditional disqualification of the participant. At the same time, the same Chicco Kiros i-Size model without a base, fastened with a standard car belt, received a “good” rating.

The following four car seats do not meet the strict ADAC criteria for hazardous substances. Osann Oreo 360 chair fabric samples tested contain the plasticizer DPHP, which may have a negative effect on the thyroid gland and hormonal balance. Naphthalene, which is considered carcinogenic, was found in the seat covers of BeSafe iZi Go Modular X1 i-Size and Swandoo Marie 2. All seats with these contaminants were considered failures.

The poor final rating for BeSafe is regrettable, in whose products naphthalene was detected only in information stickers, and not in the case itself. At the same time, the iZi Go Modular X1 i-Size model (with and without a base) was among the best in safety in frontal and side impact tests. According to a BeSafe representative, the company has already changed the supplier of car seat stickers.

It should be noted that four more copies of the specified chair took part in the test. These are Babyzen Yoyo iZi Go Modular X1 i-Size by BeSafe (with and without base) and Stokke iZi Go Modular X1 i-Size by BeSafe (with and without base). All of them are clones of BeSafe iZi Go Modular X1 i-Size and received a final rating of “good”, including “excellent” for environmental friendliness. Thus, harmful substances were detected only in the brand’s flagship model.

Some more best models!

We present to your attention another list of the best models in the following categories:

  • with Isofix fastening;
  • 0+1 (0-18 kg);
  • 0+1-2 (0-25 kg);
  • 1-2 (9-25 kg);
  • 1-2-3 (9-36 kg).

With Isofix mount

Capella S12312i is an excellent option for purchasing a car seat for a small passenger. Equipped with the advanced Isofix fastening system, allowing it to be securely installed in the car. The backrest can be adjusted in 4 levels and the headrest in 5, making it easy to choose the most comfortable position for your child on the road.

Price: 12,900 rubles.

car seat Capella S12312i

0+1 (0-18 kg)

Maxi-Cosi AxisFix Plus is the best choice of transportation for your child! It has a bright design and a high level of comfort! The model has an isofix fastening system and is complemented by a TopTether anchor strap. 4 recline positions, including a deep recline position, will keep your little one comfortable to their destination.

Price tag: 37,120 rub.

car seat Maxi-Cosi AxisFix Plus

0+1-2 (0-25 kg)

Diono Radian 5 is a model from an American manufacturer that has widely established itself as a universal car seat for children from birth to 5 years. Has a special insert for newborns. The frame is made of alloy steel, ensuring the strength of the structure during deformation.

Price: 29,000 rubles.

car seat Diono Radian 5

1-2 (9-25 kg)

Michelin Cockpit car seat is perfect for long-term and safe use. The adjustable backrest position in 4 positions will ensure comfortable movement of the little passenger over long distances.

Price tag: 10,000 rubles.

car seat Michelin Cockpit

1-2-3 (9-36 kg)

The Happy Baby Mustang is fully compliant with ECE R44/03. A safe and comfortable chair with an adjustable backrest in 4 positions is ideal for your child. Secures with standard vehicle seat belts.

Cost: 8,000 rubles.

car seat Happy Baby Mustang

Boosters are for emergencies only!

ADAC has been publishing this call for several years now. The fact is that such seats are becoming more and more popular. Manufacturers are increasingly equipping booster seats with additional isofix mounts, and older children enjoy riding in them because they are not hindered by side protection. But due to its absence, boosters do not protect against side impacts.

Therefore, ADAC reiterates: Boosters are for emergency use only! They do not provide side impact protection and the seat belt is not positioned optimally relative to the child's body. EU legislation has recognized the insufficient security of these restraint devices and limited their use. As of February 2021, booster seat models are approved only for children over 125 cm tall (approximately 7 years). Permits for older models issued before February 2021 will remain valid until further notice.

According to tradition, we translated and voiced a video about how this test took place:

We present the final assessments of the participants, grouped into separate tables according to the age of the child. We remind you that we have translated the original ADAC assessments into our usual form (in Germany, the reverse structure of assessments is adopted: their “one” is our “five”). The ratio of ADAC and Avtochild assessments is shown in the table:

Fines for absence

Every parent should know that transporting children in transport without a special seat is not only dangerous, but also prohibited by law.

According to the traffic police 2021 - 2021, the fine for the absence of a child seat is 3,000 rubles.

Children aged 7 to 11 years old can ride in a car without a car seat only in the back seat and must use standard seat belts.

The use of other available protective equipment for transporting children in a car is prohibited. Such as placing a pillow under the seat belt, carrying a child in your arms and using slings.

Up to 12 months

Babyzen Yoyo iZi Go Modular X1 i-Size by Besafe

20214.0

4.7 protection3.2 installation4.1 comfort5 ecology3.2 care

Babyzen Yoyo iZi Go Modular X1 i-Size by Besafe + iZi Modular i-Size base
20214.3

4.7 protection4 installation3.8 comfort5 ecology4 care

BeSafe iZi Go Modular X1 i-Size
20 300 20210.5

4.7 protection3.2 installation4.1 comfort0.5 ecology3.2 care

BeSafe iZi Go Modular X1 i-Size + iZi Modular i-Size base
20,300 + base price 20210.5

4.7 protection4 installation3.8 comfort0.5 ecology4 care

Maxi-Cosi Tinca
16 900 20214.2

4.7 protection3.5 installation4.4 comfort3.8 ecology3.5 care

Maxi-Cosi Tinca + Tinca Base
16,900 + base price 20214.3

4.5 protection4.1 installation4.2 comfort3.8 ecology4.1 care

Stokke iZi Go Modular X1 i-Size by Besafe
20214.0

4.7 protection3.2 installation4.1 comfort5 ecology3.2 care

Stokke iZi Go Modular X1 i-Size by Besafe + iZi Modular i-Size base
20214.3

4.7 protection4 installation3.8 comfort5 ecology4 care

Up to 1.5 years

Chicco Kiros i-Size

20213.7

3.7 protection3.5 installation4.4 comfort4.4 ecology3.5 care

Chicco Kiros i-Size + Kiros i-Size base
20210.5

0.5 protection4.1 installation4.2 comfort4.4 ecology4.1 care

Maxi-Cosi Marble
Not available in Russia20214.2

4.1 protection4.2 installation4.1 comfort5 ecology4.2 care

Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Lounge
20213.6

4.8 protection2.7 installation4.4 comfort2.9 ecology2.7 care

Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Lounge + i-Size base
20214.3

4.6 protection3.8 installation4.3 comfort2.9 ecology3.8 care

Silver Cross Simplicity Plus
20213.7

4.2 protection3.2 installation4 comfort3.8 ecology3.2 care

Silver Cross Simplicity Plus + Simplifix Isofix base
20214.3

4.4 protection4.2 installation3.9 comfort3.8 ecology4.2 care

Comparison of the presented models

To make your choice easier, we present you with a comparative table of models based on various parameters.

ModelIsofixEmphasis on the floorDimensions, cmWeight, kgAngle of rotationNumber of back positions
Graco Toddler SafeSeatLatch systemNo47x61x7010No5
Chicco Go-OneYesNo41x49x678.5No5
Peg-Perego Viaggio 1 Duo-Fix K TTYesNo63×44×5711.4No5
Inglesina Marco PoloNoNo50×60×688.8No6
Britax Römer EvolvaNoNo52x60x478.1No2
CONCORD Reverso (isofix + i-Size)YesYes76×43×4210.9No3
Britax Römer Swingfix i-SizeYesYes65x45x5410.5903
Cybex Sirona S i-SizeYesYes44x72x6614.6 + 5.536011

Up to 4 years

Osann Oreo 360 i-Size

19 990 20211.4

3.5 protection3.2 installation3.6 comfort1.4 ecology3.2 care

Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 360
20213.2

3.3 protection3.1 installation4 comfort3.2 ecology3.1 care

Swandoo Marie 2
20211.4

4 protection3.2 installation4 comfort1.4 ecology3.2 care

From 1 to 12 years

Britax Römer Advansafix M i-Size

28 499 20213.2

3.1 protection3.4 installation4.1 comfort5 ecology3.4 care

Cybex Pallas G i-Size
37 990 20214.0

3.9 protection4.1 installation4.2 comfort5 ecology4.1 care

Recaro Tian Elite
28 106 20213.4

3.5 protection3.3 installation4 comfort5 ecology3.3 care

From 3 to 12 years

Cybex Solution S i-Fix

21 790 20214.2

4.2 protection4.2 installation4 comfort5 ecology4.2 care

Joie i-Traver
16 000 20214.1

4.1 protection4.1 installation3.9 comfort5 ecology4.1 care

Recaro Mako Elite 2
20 843 20214.0

4 protection4.1 installation4.1 comfort4.4 ecology4.1 care

You can view all crash test results in our ADAC summary table.

How to choose a high-quality safe child car seat

How to choose a high-quality safe child car seat?

In this article, I would like to talk about the existing classification and rules for selecting the child car seat you need using the example of specific models on the market, and show some not entirely obvious aspects of ease of use and safety that only emerge during use.
Any person who is serious about the safety of a child in a car wants to understand the pitfalls and pitfalls when making a choice and not overpay for unnecessary and useless options. So what is a child car seat? Structurally, any car seat is a separate seat, attached in a certain way to the structure of the car. There are several types of fastenings, each of which has its own pros and cons.

The classic option is to fix it with a standard car belt; this type of installation is good because it is possible on almost any car model. It is also important that standard seat belts are designed for the weight of an adult, which means that the safety margin in the event of an accident is more than provided. The downside in this case is the relative complexity of removing/installing the seat on the car, as well as the high probability of incorrect installation, which can cause tragedy in the event of an accident.

Isofix fastenings are an almost universally used standard now. The car seat is attached to specially mounted brackets located at the junction of the backrest and seat cushion of the car. Fixation occurs by snapping Isofix fasteners onto these brackets. Both chairs and bases for cradles are available with the possibility of installation on Isofix.

Design of the Isofix system
Latch fastenings (belt or “soft” Isofix) are the American version of the system. The difference is the use of a belt instead of a rigid attachment to the vehicle's brackets. The advantage is the ease of fastening/unfastening (you don’t need to simultaneously get into both Isofix brackets on the car), a large permissible load on the fastening (as a rule, latch fastenings are designed for a weight of up to 36 kg, in contrast to the “hard” Isofix, designed for a load of up to 18 kg ), the absence of transmitted vibrations from the car body to the car seat. The disadvantage is that the “soft” isofix seat has a slight longitudinal play, which, however, does not affect safety in any way.

Top Tether and ISOFIX fastening systems
The more securely the child car seat is secured in the car, the higher the level of safety, so manufacturers are trying to increase the number of support points. Often, a so-called anchor strap (Top tether) is used as an additional support point for fastening. With its help, the upper part of the seat body is attached to another bracket on the back wall of a standard car seat or on the floor using an additional belt and a metal carabiner.

Another option for additional fastening is a special lever fixed to the base of the car seat and resting on the floor of the car.
It allows you to avoid the extremely dangerous overturning of the seat in a frontal collision. Base with an emphasis on the floor
As you know, in Europe, children's safety is taken very seriously; scientific and statistical research is being conducted on this issue, and the experience of emergency situations is being studied. Based on the results of these studies, child safety experts from the European Commission came to the conclusion that it was necessary to create a standard that ensures the application of the latest advances in the field of child safety and minimizes the possibility of errors when installing a car seat in a car.

The new standard received the designation ECE R-129(i-Size) and all car seats newly released onto the EU market must comply with it. You can find out more about the differences between the new standard and the previously adopted ECE 44-04 here.

As crash protection technology has advanced, more and more sophisticated passive safety systems have emerged. Today, we can identify a number of devices, the presence of which is implied in models that claim good ratings in safety tests.

Side Impact Protection

Allows you to reduce impact energy in a side collision through the use of energy-absorbing elements that come into effect in the first milliseconds of the collision.

Usually it looks like a deformable element that is pulled out to the nearest car door.
Can also be built into the side of the chair. Types of lateral protection

Mechanisms for adjusting the position of head restraints and the volume of internal space

They allow you to maximally adjust the internal dimensions of the seat to the child, thereby achieving not only comfort during the trip, but also proper distribution of the load in the event of a collision.

Mechanisms for adjusting the internal space

Devices that change the seat angle

Correctly calculated inclination reduces dynamic loads in the event of an accident and prevents the danger of “diving” when using a 3-point seat belt. Having a sleeping position helps a lot on a long trip.

Tilt adjustment mechanisms

Various indicators for correct installation

Most premium models use a visual notification system for incomplete or incorrect latching of belts, Isofix fasteners or rotation mechanisms.

Correct Installation Indicators

Belt latched indicator

Level indicators
All manufactured seat models are divided into conditional groups, depending on the anthropometric characteristics of the child. In order to choose a suitable product, you must first determine which group is suitable for a particular baby.

(Group 0)

Car seat for children from 0 to 6 months and weighing up to 10 kilograms. Structurally similar to a stroller basket. Internal seat belts are provided. Installation method: sideways in the direction of travel in the back seat of the car, the cradle is secured with a standard belt. Now this is an extremely rare option; almost all manufacturers have abandoned this design.

(Group 0+ infant carrier)

Used for rear-facing movement of babies from birth to approximately 1 year (if the cradle is designed in accordance with the standard (ECE 44-04)), or up to 15 months (newer ECE R129 (i-Size) standard). Quite a popular design today, it can be used either with or without an additionally installed one.

The price for seats in this group starts from about 3 thousand rubles, for this money you will get a lightweight car seat that is attached to the car with a standard belt and without any special frills. For example, Chinese or more expensive German. These models are easy to carry due to their low weight and are equipped with a sun visor. If you want to use the cradle together with the chassis of the stroller (the cradle is removed from the chassis in one motion and installed on the base in the car, and the baby does not even need to be taken out of the cradle), then a large number of offers await you. The price of the products is, of course, higher, and you must definitely clarify the possibility of installing a specific cradle on the chassis of your stroller, since there are quite a few pairing options. The most popular type of attaching a cradle to a stroller is the design of Maxi-Cosi and Cybex; most branded cradles and strollers are compatible with it using a special adapter. In terms of the ratio of price and consumer characteristics, it is worth paying attention to the i-Size base (Netherlands); together with the base, the i-Size standard cradle costs less than 12 thousand rubles. Also in this range are models (UK),


(Spain), (Germany), (Germany). Separately, it is worth noting the model (Germany) in this list for its unique ability to transform. The cradle bed can be extended so that the child lies almost horizontally (but only when used outside the car). Thanks to this, the baby gets much less tired during long journeys. Standing apart is the transformable car seat, a chair with a built-in chassis from a light stroller, which extends in one motion. Very convenient for short trips to the clinic or shopping center, no need to carry a separate chassis with you.

All listed infant carriers are certified according to current European safety standards; according to independent ADAC tests, all listed models have a good result, with the exception of the Rant and Heyner models, for which tests were not carried out.

(Group 1)

Used to transport children aged from one to 4 years and weighing from 9 to 18 kilograms. A group 1 seat is always equipped with either internal five-point seat belts or a so-called safety table, an additional locking block that holds the child in the seat and is secured with a standard car belt. It can be installed both along and against the direction of movement and, as a rule, has an adjustable bowl. A classic representative of this group can be considered the products of the German manufacturer Britax Roemer models and its modifications, characterized by additional options. The model has an original design for fastening to the car with standard seat belts, has very good crash test results, and is quite spacious inside. Some of the best results in crash tests are shown by seats equipped with safety tables, such as, but practice shows that many children do not always want to sit in a seat with a safety table that restricts movement. I would also like to note that despite the good results in frontal collisions, there are safety issues in the event of a car rollover. The undisputed leader in this group in terms of child comfort and safety can be considered a well-proven chair. Excellent ergonomics, a convenient Isofix fastening system with an anchor strap, thoughtful side and front protection, and high-quality finishing make this chair a bestseller despite the rather high price and relatively short (up to 4 years of age) period of operation.

(Group 0-1)

If you do not need a cradle to carry your baby and you often move for a long time with a small passenger, then this option is just for you.
These seats are designed for use from birth to 4 years, have tilt adjustment and are installed first against the direction of travel, and then, when the baby grows up, in the direction of travel of the car. Models of this group with a rotation function that allows you to easily rotate the seat by 90 degrees when getting in/out, such as the premium class Carmate Kurutto 4i, are quite expensive (from 20 thousand rubles). Such chairs constantly take up space on the car seat, as they are always installed on a base. But at the same time, they provide a very high level of safety and comfort for the baby and convenience for parents. Among these models, it stands out, additionally equipped with a built-in removable cradle, adding to the model the advantages of chairs of group 0+. Models and


Instead of a rotation mechanism, they are equipped with fastening sleds, which allow you to install the chair forward or backward in the latches on the base.

(Group 2)

Car seats for children from 3 to 7 years old and weighing from 15 to 25 kilograms. The child is secured in it with a standard seat belt; there are no internal belts. There is side protection and a headrest.

(Group 3)

Car seats for children from 6 to 12 years old and weighing from 18 to 36 kilograms. Such seats are called boosters; in fact, they are a seat cushion without a backrest, which allows you to compensate for the child’s insufficient height to be secured with a regular belt.

I note that car seats belonging to group 2 or 3 are practically never found in their pure form; usually a model combines one or two neighboring groups, less often three. There are also universal models designed for use from birth to the age when a car seat is no longer required for a young passenger.

The simplest models of group 2-3, such as, have headrest height adjustments and a backrest that changes position in accordance with the tilt of the car seat.

In more complex models, such as additional side impact protection and variable width of the internal space of the chair are implemented.

Also, many manufacturers offer additional options for safety and convenience, such as a headrest with three sleeping positions in the model, audio speakers in the sides


or a soft pad on the seat belt and additional fastening in the groin area


.

Many models have an Isofix mount, but it must be borne in mind that for models of group 2-3 it only serves as a means of fixing the seat in the absence of a passenger in it and, in some designs, sets the angle of the backrest, and also makes it easier for the child to sit down. In this case, it does not affect safety indicators in any way.

(Group 0-1-2)

Recently, universal chairs designed for use from birth to about 6 years of age (, , , and others) have become increasingly popular.

For the little ones, soft removable inserts are provided to regulate the internal space. The internal belts are removable; when the weight reaches 18 kilograms, they are removed and the child is fastened with a standard belt. The chair itself is a rigid bowl attached to a base or base. The bowl usually has several tilt positions and is installed against the direction of travel, and then, upon reaching the age of 1-1.5 years, in the direction of movement.

(Group 0-1-2-3)

The developers of the model went even further - it is designed for both infants and teenagers weighing up to 36 kilograms. This is facilitated by a wide range of headrest adjustments and sidewalls that expand as they grow.

But the undisputed champion in terms of size range should still be recognized as the products of the American company Evenflo - models and. These seats are designed for children weighing from 2.3 to 49.8 kilograms, which covers any possible needs.

However, keep in mind that versatility is always a compromise between conflicting requirements, so in general, when choosing a universal chair, you sacrifice comfort and safety, winning most often only in cost (and not always).

As you can see, there are a huge number of options for purchasing a high-quality safe car seat.
But I will also note that in addition to the certified and tested models presented in the review, the market now offers many often potentially dangerous products from unknown fly-by-night brands. Don’t skimp on children’s safety; buy products from trusted manufacturers! I would also like to wish that you never have to experience the protective properties of a child car seat in practice.

ADAC Video Transcript

When testing child car seats, the most important test is the safety test. The seat must withstand frontal and side impacts in order to provide maximum protection for the child in the event of an accident. But that is not all…

During testing, ADAC evaluates the safety of child car seats in frontal and side impacts. We also evaluate the ease of installing a child seat in a car: we look at how simple and clear the seat is fixed in the car, and the child in the seat. In addition, the comfort for the child and the content of harmful substances in the materials are assessed.

Checks for the presence of harmful substances in seat upholstery are carried out very strictly. Naphthalene, which contributes to the development of cancer, was found in the materials of three car seats. Another sample tested showed the presence of the plasticizer DPHP, which can negatively affect the thyroid gland and hormonal balance. One of the models failed the crash test.

The Chicco Kiros child seat has problems in that the Isofix base does not securely secure the cradle. When tested for a frontal impact, the cradle breaks away from the base and flies forward almost unhindered. This puts the child at high risk of injury in the event of a serious accident.

When installing the cradle on the Isofix base, the fastening indicator does not completely switch to green.

Manufacturers are increasingly offering customers booster seats with Isofix mounts, as some older children prefer chairs without a backrest.

These boosters provide normal protection in a frontal impact. In addition, they do not take up much space in the cabin. For example, you can seat three children abreast in the back seat of a small car. But boosters do not help in a side collision.

All parents need to remember an important rule: buying a good child seat does not solve the safety issue. Only if the child is correctly secured in this car seat is truly reliable protection provided.

Detailed test results can be found on the websites adac.de and avtodeti.ru

Published: 06/15/2021

  • #ADAC
  • #crash test

Subscribe to blog

What to look for when choosing?

Maximum comfort and safety of the child is based on the following points:

  • When choosing a chair, you need to test it on a child. If he cries and wants to get out of there, it means that the baby is uncomfortable in him. And convenience is the main component of choosing the right chair.
  • Choose a model that has natural hypoallergenic fabric. Most babies suffer from synthetic odors.
  • The model must have good air circulation , otherwise the child may get unpleasant diaper rash, and the time spent in the car seat will not bring him positive emotions.
  • Study the assembly and functions of the model . Pay special attention to the number of positions of the child’s backrest and headrest. Any high-quality chair should have at least 5 of them. This is important for long trips.
Rating
( 2 ratings, average 4.5 out of 5 )
Did you like the article? Share with friends:
For any suggestions regarding the site: [email protected]
Для любых предложений по сайту: [email protected]