Are you trying to find lightweight car seats among various brands on the market but aren’t sure where to begin? To assist you in finding the right one, we’ve put together a list of the 7 best to help you pick the perfect one!
We investigated and evaluated a number of the top-selling lightweight car seats on the market in order to create our list of the best. Making a decision among the many options available is never simple. There are an infinite number of models available, each with a distinct price. And as you’ll find out, the best options aren’t usually the ones you imagine! This comparison is rich and relevant because of the numerous factors that were employed. You will find products featured in this ranking not only based on their pricing but also on their features and other customers reviews. To write this review, we completed 11 hours of research and did 15 lightweight car seats tests. You won’t need to pick products at random any more. If you’re unsure of what to look for, browse our list and consult the buying guide!
An overview of our top picks
Table of contents
The best lightweight car seats you can buy today
- MEET THE HIGHLY REVIEWED CAR SEAT WITH UNBEATABLE VALUE: This fan- favorite offers a budget-friendly choice without sacrificing safety, comfort or ease
- TRAVEL SLEEK AND LIGHT: Compact design offers an ideal fit for smaller vehicles, while lightweight design makes this a popular car seat for family travel
- GROW WITH IT: With use from 5 to 40 lb (19 to 40 in. tall), offers rear-facing and forward- facing modes, 5-point harness, plus 4-position shoulder harness
- SECURE YOUR CHILD WITH EASE: Upfront harness adjust makes it easy to get an accurate, snug fit for your child as they grow
- KEEP DRINKS AND SNACKS WITHIN REACH: Removable cup holder is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning
- KEEP IT LOOKING FRESH: Durable, stain-resistant polyester fabrics remove easily for machine-washing and tumble-drying
- IT IS UNCONVENTIONAL and INNOVATIVE. This is a vest type Child Restraint System and uses a revolutionary technology to increase safety for the little traveler by optimizing the adult seat belt fit for their body.
- IT IS SAFE AND LEGAL. This is certified for use in motor vehicles, meets or exceeds all applicable FMVSS 213 requirements so is legal to use in all US states.
- IT IS COMPACT, ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT, AND PORTABLE. This is perfect for a family travel, fits 3-children in the same row of a vehicle with comfort and ease; ridesharing, taxi, or rental car. Great for grandparents and caregivers because it’s lightweight and easy to install and use.
- IT CAN BE USED WITH OR WITHOUT TETHER. This is to use with a vehicle lap belt and top tether by securing the vest with a top tether anchor in the vehicle. Also, this can be used with a lap and shoulder belt only without a tether strap.
- WHO CAN USE IT? The small size is recommended to use 3 years and above and a weight between 30 lbs. and 60 lbs.
- With two modes of use, this extra-comfortable LATCH-equipped Cosco Kids car seat accommodates infants from 5 pounds up to toddlers weighing 40 pounds in rear-facing mode and kids up to 65 pounds in forward-facing mode.
- The five-point harness adjusts easily from the front of the seat and features five heights and three buckle locations.
- Built-in side-impact protection keeps your little one extra secure. Designed to be just the right size, the seat takes up less space while rear-facing so parents can have more leg room.
- Three of these seats can fit side-by-side in the back seat of most cars, perfect for growing families.
- With plush padding and premium fabric, this seat gives your child an extra-comfy ride. Easy to clean, the fabric car seat cover is machine-washable and dryer-safe.
- This car seat meets or exceeds federal, ASTM, and JPMA safety standards and includes a one-year limited warranty.
- For more than 70 years, Cosco Kids has been a leading children’s products brand recognized for its dedication to safety and value. From bouncers to car seats, swings to strollers, and high chairs to play yards, Cosco Kids's essential baby products feature solid value and smart design.
- BOOST YOUR SAFETY QUOTIENT: Features a deep design with overlapping head and body sides, providing added support where it’s needed most; meets or exceeds all applicable federal safety standards
- MAKE ADJUSTMENTS WITH EASE: Allows for easy height adjustment to 7 positions with one hand for better fit for your child as they grow
- SMOOTH THE TRANSITION: Offers two modes of use, easily transitioning from high back to no back booster for kids at least 4 years of age, weighing 40 to 120 lb
- JUST GET UP AND GROW: Allows you to keep your growing child in the booster longer, adjusting as needed to maintain proper vehicle belt fit
- KEEP BEVERAGES HANDY: Features 2 cup holders built into the seat, keeping drinks and snacks close and allowing the driver to stay focused on the road
- Convertible car seat grows with your child from rear-facing harness (5-40 lb) to forward-facing harness (22-65 lb)
- Slim car seat design saves space in your back seat
- Compact and lightweight to easily transfer from car to car
- Travel car seat is certified for aircraft use to help keep your child safe while flying
- Graco ProtectPlus Engineered: a combination of the most rigorous crash tests that helps to protect your child in frontal, side, rear & rollover crashes
- No-Rethread Simply Safe Adjust Harness System allows the headrest and harness to adjust together in one motion
- Choose the perfect headrest height from 8 positions to get the safest fit for your child as they grow
- Removable, dishwasher-safe cup holder can be used on either side of the seat to make room for additional passengers
- LATCH equipped for an easy installation
- Side-impact tested for occupant retention with the built-in 5-point harness system
- GROW WITH ME CAR SEAT: This car seat for newborn to toddler to big kid accommodates your child from rear-facing newborn (5–40 lbs., 19"–40"), toddler forward-facing (30–65 lbs., 34.4"–49"), highback belt-positioning booster seat (40–100 lbs., 43.4"–52").
- GETTING A GOOD FIT IS QUICK AND EASY: The convertible carseat designed with the QuickFit harness simplifies harness and headrest adjustments, making it easy to get your child in and out of the car seat.
- SIMPLE TO CLEAN: The washer-and-dryer-safe seat pad features snaps that make it easy to remove from the convertible carseats, along with 2 dishwasher-safe cupholders for fuss-free cleaning.
- "BUILT TO GROW: The convertible car seat for children from 5–100 lbs. can be used in rear-facing, forward-facing, and belt-positioning booster modes. 2 removable grow-with-me baby pillows for a snug fit; the convertible car seat also has 3-position recline. "
- PARENT-FRIENDLY FEATURES: Getting kids in and out of the car is made easier with harness holders that keep harness straps out of the way whether your using it as a baby carseat, forward facing car seat or highback belt-positioning car seat booster.
- 2-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: This harness booster car seat adapts as your child grows, transforming from a forward-facing car seat with a harness for 30-65 pounds to a belt-positioning booster car seat with back for 40-100 pounds.
- FITS 3 ACROSS: Great for large families or carpools, this 2-in-1 booster car seat for forward-facing with harness and belt-positioning booster with high back is designed to fit three across in the back seat of most vehicles.
- LIGHTWEIGHT & PORTABLE: Easily move this booster car seat from car to car, thanks to its lightweight design, making it ideal for busy, on-the-go families needing versatile booster seats for children 30–100 pounds.
- CUSTOMIZABLE SUPPORT: The adjustable headrest allows for tailored support as your child grows, providing comfort during every ride in this 2-in-booster car seat with a 5-point harness that converts to a belt-positioning high back booster seat.
- EASY TO CLEAN: 2-in-1 booster car seat for forward-facing with harness and belt-positioning booster with high back has a seat pad that is machine washable and dryer safe; two removable cup holders are dishwasher safe.
- FITS 3 ACROSS: The slim car seat design is great for small cars, allowing you to fit three of these baby car seats to big kid forward-facing seat across in the back seat of most vehicles with ease.
- CAR SEAT FOR BABY TO BIG KID: Enjoy longevity of use with this 2-in-1 rear-facing to forward-facing convertible car seat. Use rear-facing for babies from 5–40 lbs. and 19'–40'.and forward-facing for toddlers to big kids 22–65 pounds and 34'–52'.
- EASY TO INSTALL: The Guide convertible carseat for babies and toddlers is LATCH equipped for easy and fast installation. This convertible carseat for use in rear-facing and forward-facing meets or exceeds Federal safety standards
- COMFORT FOR BABY IN EVERY CAR SEAT MODE: Muti-position adjustable headrest, 5 harness heights, 3 buckle locations and a multi-position headrest keep baby comfortable in this convertible car seat rear facing to forward facing
- CONVENIENT CAR SEAT DESIGN DETAILS: Parents love that these carseats include a removable cup holder for on-the-go convenience.
- 10 Years One Car Seat - from Birth to Booster (5 - 120 lb) it's all you will need. Grows with your child, ultimate protection on every road trip. 4 modes in 1 seat!
- Rear Facing for Longer - lovingly engineered to keep your child rear-facing up to 50 lb.
- Fits 3-Across - our famous slim-fit design with zero compromises to safety, space, or comfort.
- Mechanically engineered from reinforced automotive grade high-strength steel, our unique core shell shields and protects your child.
- High-quality ComfortPlus Memory Foam, always included.
- The original and only all-in-one convertible car seat that folds for travel or compact storage. FAA approved for airline use.
- This 2-In-1 combination booster car seat fitting children from 22-110 pounds. converts from a 5-point harnessed to belt-positioning car seat allowing for extended use for your child
- Upfront Harness Adjust: Central, front access to harness adjuster provides an easy way to adjust child's harness for an accurate, snug fit
- This lightweight combination booster car seat comes equipped for latch systems allowing for easy installation and transfer between multiple vehicles. Do not use abrasive cleaners or solvents.
- Buckle Positions: 2 crotch buckle positions to adjust for more seating space as child grows
- Integrated cup holders keep drinks close without increasing the width of the car seat, allowing multiple car seats to fit your back seat. Harness booster age at least two years of age. Fit Tip: Childs ears are below top of child restraint headrest. Seat belt booster age at least four years of age
- No Assembly Required
- 3-in-1 harness booster helps protect your child, from toddler to youth
- Grows with your child from forward-facing harness (22-65 lb) to highback booster (40-100 lb*) to backless booster (40-100 lb) *To continue to meet industry standards, we have increased the weight minimum from 30 to 40 lb
- No-Rethread Simply Safe Adjust Harness System allows the headrest and harness to adjust together in one motion
- Lightweight, portable seat is ideal for busy, active parents
- One-hand, 8-position adjustable headrest grows with your child
- 2 easy-to-clean cup holders keep your child's drinks and snacks close at hand
- Open-loop belt guides help properly position your vehicle’s seat belt
- Seat pad, body support, and harness covers are comfortable and machine washable
- Graco ProtectPlus Engineered: a combination of the most rigorous crash tests that helps to protect your little one in frontal, side, rear & rollover crashes
- Meets or exceeds the child restraint criteria for a frontal crash test under the US FMVSS 213
- VERSATILE USE: The car seat booster transitions from forward-facing harness booster (30–65 lbs., 32"-49") to belt-positioning booster (40–100 lbs., 43"-52").
- LIGHTWEIGHT AND CONVENIENT: Easy to move from car to car, this car seat harness booster seat for cars belt-positioning booster is great for on-the-go families and offers the flexibility of a travel car seat.
- SPACE-SAVING NARROW DESIGN: The narrow car seat design fits 3 across the back seat in most vehicles, great for families needing booster for car pools.
- TRAVEL CONFIDENTLY: This 2-in-1 forward facing booster car seats and belt-positioning booster with a slim profile meets or exceeds Federal safety standards.
- ADDITIONAL FEATURES YOU'LL LOVE: Removable, dishwasher-safe cup holders and removable machine-washable and dryer-safe seat pads.
- MAKES TRAVEL LIGHT AND EASY: As your child grows bigger and heavier, so does their gear, except when you have this lightweight car seat. At only 7.8 lbs., it’s one of the lightest car seats available. Romi gives “travel light” a whole new meaning.
- COMFORT WITH PURECOSI: Our plush, premium PureCosi carseat fabrics are made without wool or added fire retardant treatment, which is better for your child and our planet. All fabric and cushions can be removed and are machine-washable and dryer-safe.
- CARRY IT HANDS-FREE: With Romi, it’s so easy to take this travel car seat with you when you travel or move it between vehicles. Simply attach the top tether to the car seat shell to use it as a carrying strap that you slide over your shoulder.
- OVERNIGHT GROWTH SPURTS, NO PROBLEM: Keep your little one secure and comfy from day one everywhere you go. The baby car seat has an adjustable head pillow that adds support, and the easy-to-adjust harness provides a proper fit as your child grows.
- FEATURES YOU’LL LOVE: Rear-facing 5–40 lbs. converts to forward-facing 22–40 lbs. design. The portable car seat is designed with a 1-click LATCH system. Easy to share with your child’s caregivers. Dishwasher-safe cup holder.
- MEET THE HIGHLY REVIEWED CAR SEAT WITH UNBEATABLE VALUE: This fan- favorite offers a budget-friendly choice without sacrificing safety, comfort or ease
- TRAVEL SLEEK AND LIGHT: Compact design offers an ideal fit for smaller vehicles, while lightweight design makes this a popular car seat for family travel
- GROW WITH IT: With use from 5 to 40 lb (19 to 40 in. tall), offers rear-facing and forward- facing modes, 5-point harness, plus 4-position shoulder harness
- SECURE YOUR CHILD WITH EASE: Upfront harness adjust makes it easy to get an accurate, snug fit for your child as they grow
- KEEP DRINKS AND SNACKS WITHIN REACH: Removable cup holder is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning
- KEEP IT LOOKING FRESH: Durable, stain-resistant polyester fabrics remove easily for machine-washing and tumble-drying
- Infant car seat helps protect rear-facing infants 4-30 lb and up to 32"
- Lightweight infant car seat weighs only 7.2 lb, making it easy to carry baby from car to stroller
- 4-position adjustable base helps ensure an accurate install and helps keep baby comfortable as he or she grows
- Easy-to-read level indicator helps eliminate installation guesswork from the installation process, so you can feel confident it’s installed correctly
- Graco ProtectPlus Engineered: a combination of the most rigorous crash tests that helps protect your child in frontal, side, rear & rollover crashes; additional testing based on the New Car Assessment Program and for extreme car interior temperatures
- Soft knit infant head and body supports provide a snug and cozy fit for infants as little as 4 lb and can be easily removed as baby grows
- Convenient, LATCH-equipped stay-in-car base for easy installation
- Multi-position canopy adjusts to find just the right position to keep baby protected and comfortable in all environments
- Create your own travel system with most Graco strollers through a one-step secure attachment
- Side-impact tested according to FMVSS 213a with the built-in 5-point harness system
- GROWS WITH YOUR FAMILY The Safety 1st Crosstown Slim All-in-One Convertible Car Seat is designed for birth to 10 years: rear-facing (5–40 lbs., 19"–40"), forward-facing harness (30–65 lbs., 34.4"–49"), and belt-positioning booster (40–100 lbs., 43.4"–52").
- FIT 3 ACROSS THE BACK SEAT Our comfortable convertible car seat features a slim 17” design that fits 3 across the back seat of most cars, or creates more space for passengers.
- ADJUST WITH 1 HAND The easily adjustable harness and 8-position headrest help you keep up with growth spurts, providing multiple positions to ensure a proper fit and comfort. All without the need to rethread the harness as you make changes to the height.
- ENJOY SMOOTH TRANSITIONS Easy-to-access belt paths keep car seat installation simple and quick, allowing you to get a secure fit, while the base foot adjusts quickly to transition from rear-facing to forward-facing.
- ADDITIONAL FEATURES YOU’LL LOVE 2 removable, dishwasher-safe cup holders. Machine-washable and dryer-safe seat pad for easy cleaning. Meets or exceeds federal safety standards.
- 2 Modes - Converts to booster: Forward-facing harness with belt-positioning booster supports children 22-110 pounds. The height recommendation of a child in harnessed booster is 28-50 inches and in the seat belt booster mode, it is 44-57 inches
- 5-Point Harness with 50 pounds. Limit: Holds child's body safely and securely in the car seat
- Upfront Harness Adjust: Central, front access to the harness adjuster provides an easy way to adjust child's harness for an accurate, snug fit
- Shoulder Belt Guide: Automatically positions the vehicle belt in the proper position for your child
- Dual Cup Holders: 2 built-in cup holders keep drinks and snacks within reach - allows driver to stay focused on the road
- An extra-comfortable ride that lasts for years: Rear-facing 5-40 pounds and Forward-facing 22-65 pounds
- Fits 3 across in the back seat of most vehicles
- Side Impact Protection
- 5-point harness with easy up-front adjustment
- With two modes of use, this LATCH-equipped Cosco Kids car seat accommodates infants from 5 pounds up to toddlers weighing 40 pounds in rear-facing mode and kids up to 40 pounds in forward-facing mode.
- The five-point harness adjusts easily from the front of the seat and features six heights and three buckle locations.
- In both the rear-facing and forward-facing modes, built-in side-impact protection keeps your little one extra secure.
- Easily remove the machine-washable and dryer-safe car seat pad to clean.
- Perfect for travel, the seat is certified for use on aircraft and gives your child a familiar seat during a flight.
- This car seat meets or exceeds federal and ASTM safety standards and includes a one-year limited warranty.
- For more than 70 years, Cosco Kids has been a leading children’s products brand recognized for its dedication to safety and value. From bouncers to car seats, swings to strollers, and high chairs to play yards, Cosco Kids's essential baby products feature solid value and smart design.
- Multipurpose 3-in-1 Design: Transforms from rear-facing harness (5-40 lb), to forward-facing harness (22-65 lb), and to highback booster (40-100 lb)
- Graco ProtectPlus Engineered: Undergoes rigorous crash tests to ensure your child’s safety in frontal, side, rear and rollover crashes
- No-Rethread Harness System: Allows the headrest and harness to adjust together for added safety
- Adjustable Features: Provides 10 position headrest and 6 recline positions for optimum comfort
- Integrated Harness Storage: Keeps the harness safely stored while in belt-positioning booster mode
- Easy-Cleanup: Features machine-washable seat pad and built-in cup holders for convenience
- Durable Construction: Steel-reinforced frame for long-term use and reliability
- 2 easy-to-clean cup holders keep your child's drinks and snacks close at hand
How to choose a good lightweight car seats
Does the idea of finding a fantastic lightweight car seats make you anxious? When it comes to purchasing this product, specifically when deciding which model to select, has your head been spinning between options? You are not alone if that is the case. We are aware of the pressure involved in the purchasing process!
Your presence here indicates that you are interested in lightweight car seats. Before choosing which product would be the best for your needs after being inundated with information, locate a reliable source with genuine selections. You can get that information from a variety of sources, including buying guides and rating websites, word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family, online discussion forums where users can share their own experiences, product reviews that can be found all over the internet, and YouTube channels. You can only get the right product through exhaustive analysis. But you realize that’s not always simple. In order to ease your concerns, we have taken the time to develop a list of the top lightweight car seats products available right now. You might be wondering how we came up with the list. How was this buying guide developed?
First, we used our algorithms to gather as much reliable data as we could about these products. To verify all the data gathered, we used both artificial intelligence and a lot of algorithms.
Then, our experts used criteria that are recognized in the business to evaluate them according to their quality to price ratio, allowing us to choose the top lightweight car seats on the market right now!
The selection of the goods is not arbitrary. Before creating a list, we take into account a number of factors. Below are some of the criteria discussed:
Brand Value: What happens if you choose a dubious brand just because it appears to be a good deal? So the likelihood of receiving a product with a short shelf life increases. That is due to the fact that well-known brands have a reputation to uphold, while others do not. Top lightweight car seats brands strive to provide some distinctive traits that set them apart from the competition. So, hopefully one or more of the items on our list will be perfect for you.
Features: Useful features are all you need, not tons of them. We consider the important aspects and select the top lightweight car seats based on those.
Specifications: Numbers always help you measure the quality of a product in a quantitative way. We try to find products with higher specifications, but with the right balance.
Quality: A product’s quality may always be quantified with the aid of numbers. We look for goods with better standards that strike the proper balance. The best quality product that gets highly appreciated and recommended by experienced users.
Customer ratings: Would it be accurate to suggest that the lightweight car seats were used by hundreds of customers before you? Superior ratings indicate that many customers had better service.
Customer Reviews: Like ratings, provide you with accurate and reliable information about the product from genuine customers. Customer ratings are very important to all of us because they contain accurate and reliable information about the customer service we received from several hundred customers.
Seller Rank: This is very intriguing! Not only do you need a good lightweight car seats, you also need a product with rising sales that is trendy. It accomplishes two goals. First, the expanding user base proves the quality of the product. Second, given that number, producers must be able to offer greater quality and after-sales support.
Value: You get what you pay for, they say, so consider the value. Cheap isn’t always good and expensive isn’t always bad. However, that does not imply that spending a lot of money on a product that is flashy but underwhelming is a good idea. Before adding them to the list, we make an effort to evaluate how much value you can get for your money from your lightweight car seats.
Durability: Durability and reliability are closely related concepts. You will benefit from a strong and long-lasting lightweight car seats for months and years to come.
Product availability: Products come and go, and new ones replace the old ones. Most likely, a few new features and required changes were made. What use is it to use a supposedly good product if the maker no longer supports it? We make an effort to highlight products that are current and offered by one or more trustworthy sellers, if not more.
Negative Reviews: Yes, we do take that into account as well! The goods with the majority of bad reviews are filtered out and disregarded when we choose the best-rated one on the market.
These are the standards by which we selected our lightweight car seats. Do we end our process there? Hell no. The most crucial fact about us that you should be aware of is that we regularly update our website with current and pertinent information. We have one more layer of filtration since we place the greatest importance on reader satisfaction. Please let us know if any product included here is incorrect, irrelevant, subpar, or simply out of date. We always value your opinions, and we’ll work hard to make any necessary corrections to our list in response to them.
Why should you believe us?
There are now thousands of possibilities for these products on Amazon, but choosing the best one can be difficult and time-consuming. And what lightweight car seats should you purchase in 2022?
This guide is the result of more than 10 years of experience in researching, testing and writing about many topics. Each member of our team is an authority in their area. We read every article we could find online and every consumer review on every retail website for seven hours. Additionally, we discovered a ton of websites that offered helpful resources, including buying tips and thorough information on lightweight car seats.
