Best car seats for 3-year-olds: Expert-tested picks

The Joie Elevate 2 was awarded Gold for Best Multi-Stage Car Seat at the Mother&Baby Awards 2024.

This car seat is a great choice for parents looking for a seat that grows with their child and is suitable for kids up to 36kg. It converts from a five-point harness to a booster seat (15-36kg), offering long-term use through all stages.

Our parent testers liked the safety of the five-point harness, with one mum, Julie, saying, "The harness is an absolute must. So much safer and more secure than using an adult belt."However, some parents raised concerns. Gemma noted, "The seatbelt is a little easy for an inquisitive toddler to undo," making it less ideal for longer trips.

On the plus side, the Joie Elevate 2 shines in safety with full side impact protection and Guard Surround Safety panels, which shield your child from head to hips. Mum Verity commented, “It’s a good price for a solid product lasting many years. It feels secure, robust, and good quality."

Testers also liked the comfort features, including padded materials, ventilated mesh sides, and a built-in cup holder. Hannah loved the cup holder, saying, "It’s really handy for storing snacks and drinks, making journeys less stressful."

Read our full Joie Elevate 2 review.

**The Joie Bold Group 1/2/3 Car Seat, Silver winner for Best Multi-Stage Car Seat at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards, offers three seats in one, covering your child from 9 months to 12 years old.
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While it's forward-facing only, some of our parent testers were disappointed, especially given the recommendation to rear-face longer. However, the side impact protection and Guard Surround Safety provide great reassurance. Victoria, a mum tester, praised its sturdiness: "As a high-back booster, it’s much more solid than other options, and the ISOFIX fittings and anchor belt give great reassurance."

There’s ventilation on the sides and a handy cup holder for drinks on the go. Anna, our mum tester, appreciated this, saying, "The cupholder is a small but brilliant feature. My child can grab her drink without me having to pass it over while driving."

The five-point harness, which is up to 25kg, adds an extra layer of safety, which impressed our mum tester, Sophie: "It keeps my kids securely in the seat for longer." The seat is heavy due to ISOFIX installation, but testers noted it’s lighter than others in its category.

Despite not being suitable from birth, testers felt the Joie Bold offered great value for money, covering all stages until your child no longer needs a booster. Mother&Baby digital writer Laura used it for her two daughters (aged 4 and 7) and found it perfect for both. She said, "It’s easy to install, comfortable, and the covers wash well."

In conclusion, the Joie Bold is a reliable, safe, and comfortable choice for growing families, though parents will need a separate seat for younger babies.

Read our full Joie Bold Group 1/2/3 car seat review.

The Graco Energi is suitable from about 15 months to 12 years (76-150cm tall). It's an affordable high-back booster seat with two options for forward-facing positions. When your child is about 15 months to four years old, use the seat with the harness for added safety and security. Then, when they've grown and until they're about 12 years old, you can use the seat with your car's seat belt. The harness can be stored and tucked away behind the seat padding.

This Graco booster seat features ISOFIX fittings to install the car seat with even more safety; M&B tester and Contributor Sophie Knight commented: "The ISOFIX installation was one of the easiest to use, with simple click buttons to get the seat installed safely and by myself. Having ISOFIX when your child is older and using the booster with the seat belt, not the harness, gives extra peace of mind. There is also a top tether available to fix behind the main car seat, although my car wasn't compatible with this."

There are green indicators to show whether the seat has been installed correctly, and the green fittings to slide the seat belt through are easy to use. The harness connector button can be a little fiddly, however. Sophie continued: "I did find the harness clasp tricky, as the two side sections didn't stay together very easily. It's a small thing, but it can be more troublesome when you've got a wriggly child and want everything to work quickly. But it just takes a bit of perseverance!"

The high-back headrest has 15 positions—more than most booster seats—and the handle for altering the height is easy to use. The seat weighs 7.2kg, meaning it's easy to take out and swap between cars if you need to; Sophie said: "It's lightweight, meaning it's a breeze to move it from my car to my husband's, and it was easy to re-fit."

Graco has made the seat from memory foam, so it's comfy and soft on car journeys. Plus, the covers are removable and machine washable for those inevitable spillages.

Unlike other car seats, the Cybex Silver Solution is available in six different colourways to match your car interiors, which we really like as a change from grey to black. However, this seat is serious about safety, too. One user said that following an impact, her children walked away without a mark, and the police said the only reason was the quality of the car seats. It has ISOFIX connectors, as well as in-built side protection to keep your little one safe. Testers commented on the sturdy, high-quality of this seat.

While it is certainly a secure seat which can installed with ISOFIX and the seatbelt, do bear in mind that it does not come with a harness, which must be purchased separately. This was frustrating for some users who found their little one still needed a harness. Another point is that it is only recommended for children three years or 15kg plus, so you must ensure they are the right weight to use this seat. However, it is suitable for up to 12 years, so it will see you through from three years old until your child no longer needs a car or booster seat.

Once you are happy that this seat suits your child, you can be reassured by the comfort level. One tester, Claire, said, "Shortly after fitting the seat into the car, I took my daughter on a short journey to see how she found it. She loves it! She has said it's very comfy, and she appears safe in it." It also has an adjustable backrest and headrest to ensure ideal positioning for your little one, which we love.

Users were also impressed by the space, commenting that "so much more legroom for someone to sit in the front of our car" compared to other car seats. Another user, Sophie, liked that it was "highly rated by ADAC for safety at a good price." Overall, testers were impressed with this car seat for older children and would recommend it, with one reviewer saying, "This one is so great, colourful, comfy and can adjust nicely for accommodating a sleeping or awake child as necessary." We also liked the removable cover, which made it easy to keep clean.

The stand-out feature of the Cosatto Zoom is the fun designs. We particularly like the fun fox print in navy and orange, but you can also choose llamas, flamingos, unicorns, and dragons. They really do brighten up the back of your car, unlike the standard black or grey car seats. One tester, Sophie, said, "The design is absolutely beautiful and something that will suit a growing boy from a young age until he doesn't need a car seat any more."

More practically, this is also a safe and secure car seat. One feature testers were really impressed by was the anti-escape system on the five-point harness. There is nothing worse than your little one undoing their straps while driving down the motorway, and with this harness, you won't need to worry. Plus, it also features side impact protection, and reviewers said that it "feels very secure and safe."

Unfortunately, this car seat is incompatible with ISOFIX and needs to be secured using the seat belt. Reviewers said it is still easy to install, though, with one customer noting it's a "brilliant seat, easy fitting in under five minutes." However, another reviewer said, "It was a little tricky to install." It is also important to remember that this seat is only suitable for 9kg and can only offer a forward-facing option, which is not ideal for younger children. Testers liked that it can last up to four years, although that does mean you will need another seat or high-back booster as your child grows.

We love the design and the padded seat with adjustable headrest and reversible seat liner, too. One customer, Susan, said, "It was very comfortable for my Granddaughter." Plus, even better, the seat liner and covers are removable and machine washable, so they are easy to keep clean.

Testers were pleased with the price and thought it was a secure, sturdy seat that was "beautiful and serves its purpose well."

The Joie i-Spin XL was awarded Silver for Best Multi-Stage Car Seat at the Mother&Baby Awards 2024.

It's the only car seat you’ll ever need! This is a great car seat because it can be used from birth up until 12 years of age. It rotates to make getting your growing baby or wriggly toddler into their car seat even easier. One tester appreciated this, saying, "I can put my little boy in quickly and every little thing that makes life easier is an added bonus."

Testers liked that this is a secure and sturdy car seat. However, as a result, they did comment that it is really heavy to lift, which isn't great if you are swapping between cars. A mum reviewer said, "The chair is incredibly heavy, but I am on the fence as to whether this is a negative or positive (does it demonstrate that it is sturdier and therefore safer, or is it just a heavy car seat?)," which is a good point.

With a seamless 360º spin and an automatically adjusting harness and headrest, this car seat is easy to use and extremely convenient. We love that it makes getting your little one into their seat stress-free. Testers agreed that it is a very simple car seat, with one commenting, "It's really easy to install and super easy to use. Being able to do everything with one hand just makes life easier." Plus, it is comfortable for your little one no matter their age, and it features several reclining options, which are very useful when your child is taking a nap. One mum tester noted, "The material is lovely to clean, and it was super comfy for my son to use."

We like that the car seat is very easy to wipe clean, which, as one reviewer said, "is a huge bonus point with little ones." Reviewers thought it was more expensive than other car seats on the market; however, it is ISOFIX compatible and ECE R129 & i-Size certified, which gives us peace of mind. Plus, it is suitable for rear-facing, making it suitable for newborns and younger babies.

One mum said, "I do feel the car seat is a little expensive. However, I know you can't put a price on a child's safety."

Read our full Joie i-Spin XL review.

The John Lewis Swivel i-Size Car Seat was awarded Bronze for Best Multi-Stage Car Seat at the Mother&Baby Awards 2024.

The i-Size 360 Car Seat is a standout choice for parents looking for safety and convenience. It offers extended rearward-facing travel for up to four years, providing added head and neck protection. One reviewer, Sasha, said, "The fact you can keep your child rear-facing longer than 15 months provides great flexibility."

Comfort is another highlight, with multiple recline positions and plush, quilted cushions, making it perfect for longer trips. One tester remarked, "The quilted design looks comfortable and would be a priority for longer car journeys." Plus, the removable, hand-washable covers make it easy to keep clean.

The 360-degree rotation feature is a favourite among parents, as it simplifies getting children in and out of the seat, easing back strain. One tester shared, "After having my son, I get sciatic pain, and this rotating seat has saved me from awkward, painful moments trying to get my son into the car."
For installation, the seat uses ISOFIX with a 5-point harness and a removable newborn insert for added safety.

Although installation can be fiddly, testers appreciated the reassuring confirmation lights that let you know the seat is properly installed. Fern, a tester, said, "The seat beeps if something is wrong, so you always know it's secure."

However, its weight and bulk make it harder to move between cars.

Priced competitively, especially given its features, one tester, Gabriella, said, "I’d easily pay the price for this seat and more!"

Overall, this car seat offers comfort, safety, and convenience for families looking for a reliable option from birth to four years.

Read our full John Lewis Swivel i-Size Car Seat review.

**Awarded Gold for Best Multi-Stage Car Seat at the 2022 Mother&Baby Awards
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The Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 Car Seat is the first rotating multi-stage car seat to meet the latest i-Size regulations. It offers extended rear-facing use for up to four years. Suitable for birth to 12 years, it adapts as your child grows, making it a great long-term investment.

Our parent testers loved the comfort, with eight headrest positions and three recline positions. Sarah, a mum reviewer, said, "My daughter looks super comfy in this seat—plenty of padding, and the bamboo fabric is lovely and soft." The bamboo fabric is naturally hypoallergenic and antibacterial, which is a great bonus for families dealing with messes.

The 360-degree spin feature is a hit with parents, making it easier to get squirming toddlers in and out of the car. Our parent tester, Sarah, said, "Being able to spin this car seat to face me has made it so much easier, especially with my daughter’s ‘terrible twos’!"

While ISOFIX installation is easy and the green installation indicator offers peace of mind, one tester, Maria, mentioned frustration with the five-point harness: she said, "The cushioned pad pops off between my little one’s legs. While costly, the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 saves you from buying multiple seats over the years."

Read our full Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 Car Seat Review.

The long-lasting Maxi-Cosi Titan Plus Car Seat has an extra padded inlay, seat and headrest to ensure your little one is comfortable even on long journeys, which we love; plus, it has lots of room to grow.. It also uses special Maxi-Cosi ClimaFlow technology to keep your child at the right temperature while in the car, which we think is a great idea, especially if you will be in the car for a while.

With five recline positions, this car seat makes for a comfortable journey and is suitable for younger children from nine months to 12 years old. Plus, there is a GrowSafe headrest, which we liked. It offers an impressive locking mechanism that will notify you when it requires adjusting and can be extended by up to 5cm.

When your little one is ready to move from using the five-point harness to just the car's seat belt, the harness and clasp are stored neatly away behind the seat padding in special notches underneath. M&B tester and Contributor Sophie Knight said: "This seat is comfy for my daughter and easy to fit, with a smooth transition from harness to seat belt. Getting the harness to tuck away under the padding wasn't much fuss. It was easy to install in the car thanks to the ISOFIX fittings, which were simple to use. It's great that this car seat reclines too, as many car seats don't do that for the older stages."

We like the quality of this car seat and how comfortable it is for little ones, and we also like how easy the seat inserts are to remove and wash. Mum tester Nikki commented, "The seat inserts are very easy to remove and add back in, making it quick and simple to wash them after we head home after a messy play session." She also added that the harness is really easy to adjust, and the button to release the strap is really handy because: "it made it really quick and easy to lift Louie out, especially when he fell asleep in the car seat."

Despite lasting until 12 years old, our testers thought it was still quite lightweight, which they appreciated when moving it between cars. Overall, they were also reassured by the brand, with Nikki saying: "I really like Maxi Cosi as a brand as their car seats are so well made, really sturdy and long-lasting."

Testers were disappointed that there is no spin function and one reviewer said adding a spin function would be the only thing she would change because she found it difficult to lift her son in and out of the seat. However, she did say this would become easier once he is able to climb into the seat himself.

Read our full Maxi-Cosi Titan Plus review.

The Nuna Pruu car seat is an ISOFIX-compatible i-Size car seat suitable from birth to 19kg (about four years old); in the rear-facing-position it’s suitable to 105cm, then transitioning to forward-facing, it’s suitable from 76-105cm. This car seat is another with the game-changing 360-degree seat rotation, making it much easier to get your little one in and out of the seat. M&B tester and contributor Sophie Knight said: “The rotation on this car seat is so smooth, one of the easiest ones I’ve tested. It’s intuitive to use, with side handles to click and swivel the seat around, and the movement glides with ease. There’s a button to slide when you want to swap from rear- to forward-facing.”

Small innovations also help make your life a little easier, with magnetic buckle holders to keep the harness straps out of the way while you’re getting your child in and out. Sophie said: “It’s the small things that make the difference, and while you might not notice if your car seat doesn’t have these innovations when you get a car seat with magnets to keep the harness out of the way, you really notice it. It might not be a ‘must-have’ when you’re shopping for a car seat, but it does make a lot of sense."

This car seat is full of safety tech, with side-impact protection pods that are easily slotted into place, there are coloured indicators to make sure the seat is installed correctly, it’s ISOFIX compatible, the base is integrated so there’s no need to buy it separately, and there’s a sturdy leg with more coloured indicators.

With five recline positions and six headrest heights that are easily adjustable with one hand, there’s plenty of room to make your little one comfy. Sophie continued: “The fabric is super soft against my daughter’s skin, and the padding is very snug and comfy. This car seat is great, and the only downside I could think of is how heavy it is when you’re installing it, but that’s because the base is integrated, and it’s not an issue as this isn’t really the sort of car seat I’d swap between cars.”

It is important to note that unlike some car seats, this one is only suitable for up to four years old, so you would need to purchase another seat when your child reaches this age. This disappointed some parents who prefer to have a car seat that can transition to a high-backed booster seat for older children.

We really liked the safety features on this car seat, in particular the side impact protection pod, which can be fixed to the side of the seat to create an additional safety zone. Surprisingly, testers didn't think this impacted the space in the car and were impressed by this feature. We also liked that it is compatible with ISOFIX and offers rear-facing travel until four years of age.