Are you trying to find travel car seat 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 travel car seat 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 24 hours of research and did 72 travel car seat 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 travel car seat you can buy today
- To keep little ones safe, returned car seats with open boxes must be destroyed (per industry standards). So, before you unbox your Pico, please make sure it's the exact item you intended to purchase and wanted for your on-the-go needs. Thanks for doing your part to keep car seats out of landfills and on to new adventures with your family!
- ANYWHERE YOU GO: Pico travel car seat is ideal for kids ages 2+ and within the range of 22-50 lbs. and 30-45 inches. Whether you’re ridesharing or road-tripping, Pico’s 5-point safety harness has you and your little ones covered. Each bundle comes with a Carry Bag where Pico can be stored and carried as a backpack, with the carrying handle, or slipped on the handle of rolling luggage.
- DESIGNED FOR SAFETY: Pico meets all U.S. safety standards regulated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration, so it’s ready for road or air travel. FAA approved sticker is located on the bottom of the seat (see image for detail).
- LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN: Weighing just 8 pounds, the Pico travel car seat makes it easy to travel light. Our AeroWing aerospace-grade aluminum frame offers lightweight strength, and the AstroKnit performance wool/polyester mesh fabric cover keeps kids cool and comfortable. The Pico Carry Bag is responsibly made with 100% bluesign certified recycled polyester; no PU, EVA, or EPS foams
- FOLD & GO: Pico is easy to carry and stow! Folding down to a compact 11.6" L x 14.5" W x 18.9" H, the Pico car seat can fit into overhead bins and is easily carried while walking through the airport or to-and-from the car
- 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 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.
- Convertible Design: Transforms from rear-facing harness (5-40 pounds), to forward-facing harness (22-65 pounds), to highback booster (40-100 pounds)
- Slim Fit: Rotating cup holders and 10% slimmer design saves valuable backseat space
- Safety Assured: Graco ProtectPlus Engineered for rigorous crash tests; frontal, side, rear, and rollover crashes
- Effortless Adjustability: No-rethread Simply Safe Adjust harness system and 10-position headrest adapts to your growing child
- Comfortable: 4-position recline ensures comfortable journeys and better installation
- Easy Installation: InRight LATCH system for a 1-second attachment with an audible click
- Eco-friendly: Meets or exceeds all safety standards set by the US government and is rigorously crash tested to meet or exceed US industry standards.
- Harness storage compartment keeps the harness safely stored while in belt-positioning booster mode
- Steel-reinforced frame provides strength and durability for 10 years of use
- Easy-to-read level indicator helps eliminate installation guesswork
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- PORTABLE AND PACKABLE | Car seats no longer have to be heavy, bulky and impractical. The hiccapop UberBoost portable car seat inflates with only a few breaths (takes less than 20 seconds), and installs easily and quickly. Deflates and rolls up tightly in its own travel bag for compact fit in suitcases, carry-ons, large purse or backpack.
- CERTIFIED SAFE FOR YOUR MOST PRECIOUS CARGO | Your child deserves a comfortable and safe car seat for those quick journeys in rental cars, taxis, Uber rides, on school trips or in car pools. Meets or exceeds all federal standards for car seat safety (FMVSS213 Federal Motor Safety Standard for USA).
- STURDY, STABLE, SECURE | Non-skid base is designed to sit firm and steady on leather, vinyl or cloth seats. Provides soothing stability while riding and limits movement in case of an accident. Gentle on your upholstery.
- PRACTICAL DIMENSIONS | Narrow yet roomy design allows you to fit 3 UberBoost inflatable car seats across the back seat of smaller vehicles, or fit 1 in between 2 traditional car seats. Perfectly accommodates large families, car poolers and busy soccer moms!
- SECURITY AND COMFORT | Buoyant and extra comfy for small bottoms. (Your little one will love the ultra cushiony design!) Positioning clips ensure that child’s belt fits properly and comfortably across the lap rather than dangerously digging into the stomach, preventing internal damage in the event of an accident.
- The Ultimate Travel Booster Car Seat: Unlock the convenience of the USA’s Original backless inflatable booster seat. BubbleBum is the only inflatable childrens booster seat for your car with a patented system to guarantee stability and comfort on every journey.
- Safety You Can Count On: BubbleBums patented ComfortMax technology exceeds all US federal car safety standards (FMVSS213) for booster car seats 40 lbs and up to 100 lbs. Your car booster seat comes with a seat belt positioning clip for optimal seat belt fit and comfort.
- Take Anywhere Travel Car Seat: Your inflatable carseat is perfect for everyday use, car rentals, taxis, vacations and carpooling. Take your new backless booster seat on all your school trips and adventures. Perfect for your little toddlers, girls and boys aged 4 to 11 years old.
- Easy Installation: Simply blow into the air valve until the BubbleBum is fully inflated, or until you can no longer inflate it by mouth. Twist the valve to close tightly, and place BubbleBum on your car seat. Width 12 Inches, Length 12 Inches, Depth 4 Inches.
- Global Award Winner: BubbleBum has won the ‘Mom's Best Award,’ and the ‘Parent Tested Parent Approved' award, plus dozens more. Ask our millions of happy car seat customers how much they trust the BubbleBum name. Your Bubblebum Car Booster Seat also comes with a lifetime guarantee.
- 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.
- Leading Consumer-Rated: Top-rated by leading consumer magazines and publications
- Graco ProtectPlus Engineered: Provides robust protection in frontal, rear, and rollover crashes
- Height Adjustable: Comes with height-adjustable armrests for superior comfort levels
- Proper Seating Position: Helps to seat your growing child at the proper height for the seat belt
- Modern Design: Equipped with unique modern design elements and hide-away cup holders
- For Ages 4 -10: Safely transports your big kid from ages 4 -10, from 40 - 100 pounds and up to 57 inches tall
- Extreme Temperature Tested: Additional testing based on the New Car Assessment Program and for extreme car interior temperatures
- Engineered and crash tested to meet or exceed US standard FMVSS 213. Designed to be the kind of stylish, comfortable seat your child will actually want to ride in
- 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
- ADJUSTABLE BOOSTER – The hifold booster seat is the world’s most adjustable booster, with unique “multi-fit” technology that can be adjusted to 243 individual settings. This car seat is designed for kids aged 4 and up, 40-100 lbs., and 43 to 59 inches tall.
- PORTABLE BOOSTER FOR TRAVEL AND MORE –The world’s most portable booster. The “multi-fold” system quickly folds down to a compact and convenient size for storage, travel, carpooling, and more. It is lightweight and includes a convenient carry strap.
- KEEPS CHILD SECURE – hifold kids booster seat not only grows with your child but ensures optimal seatbelt fit and comfort while they grow. It can be adjusted in 4 areas: the seat, body, head width and height. Ultra-lightweight EPE (Expanded Polyethylene) foam for superior impact resistance.
- SAFETY TESTED – This portable car seat meets or exceeds NHTSA standard FMVSS 213 and is regulated for global use, so it can be taken and used everywhere in the world except Australia and Taiwan.
- CONVENIENT AND NARROW BOOSTER SEAT – This travel booster seat is easy to use and has won many awards, including the 2019 Creative Child Product of the Year Award. Use this car booster seat for older kids, grandparents' cars or for fitting three children in a row.
- Wide Compatibility: Enhance your travel experience with 17"(L) * 17"(W) * 28"(H) YOREPEK Car Seat Bags designed specifically for air travel; With ample space to spare, Car seat travel bag effortlessly accommodates car seats from most major brands, except for some of the larger car seats, Not for evenflo envolve 360, NOT for UPPABABY Knox, ensuring a hassle-free journey for you and your little one
- Effortless Mobility: YOREPEK infant car seat travel bag simplifies carrying your baby's car seat during travels; Equipped with padded backpack straps and a waist strap, car seat bag for airplane travel provides a comfortable, hands-free carrying option for parents on the go, allowing you to focus on your young ones, pull luggage, or maneuver a stroller
- Safety Protection: Travel car seat bag for airplane ensures the safety of your convertible or booster car seat, saving you from rental fees; Carseat cover for airplane travel features interior wings and an internal fixing strap to secure the infant car seat in place; Elastic pockets on both sides offer extra space for essentials like diapers, towels, clothing, and more. There isn't padding in the front
- Premium Quality: YOREPEK car seat cover for air travel is crafted from water-resistant polyester, with protective feet; It shields baby car seats and baby travel essential from scratches and dirt; The car seat travel bag offers dual zipper convenience; Elevate your travel experience with YOREPEK
- Convenient Storage: Easy to fold the car seat airplane travel bag into a flat shape to facilitate the next use; YOREPEK carseat bag for travel contains a small transparent name card slot, you can easily find your car seat backpack travel bag in airport
- 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
- 3-in-1 Usage: Grows with your child from infant to preschooler with rear-facing, forward-facing and highback booster capabilities
- Ultimate Safety: Graco ProtectPlus Engineered for rigorous crash protection
- Adjustable Comfort: No-Rethread Simply Safe Adjust Harness System and a 10-position headrest
- Convenience: 6-position recline for better installation and an easy-to-read level indicator to eliminate guesswork
- Built to Last: Features a steel-reinforced frame for long-lasting use
- Snack Ready: Comes complete with 2 cup holders and a machine-washable seat pad
- Convenient Storage: Includes integrated harness storage compartment and removable plush head and body inserts for comfort
- 2 easy-to-clean cup holders keep your child's drinks and snacks close at hand
- Easy-to-read level indicator helps eliminate installation guesswork
- Steel-reinforced frame provides strength and durability for 10 years of use
- 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.
- 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
How to choose a good travel car seat
Does the idea of finding a fantastic travel car seat 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 travel car seat. 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 travel car seat 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 travel car seat 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 travel car seat 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 travel car seat 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 travel car seat 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 travel car seat, 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 travel car seat.
Durability: Durability and reliability are closely related concepts. You will benefit from a strong and long-lasting travel car seat 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 travel car seat. 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 travel car seat 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 travel car seat.
