ZT: recommanded car seat in car-seat.org

This is my list of recommended (harnessed) seats. I should have a list of recommended boosters and a list of good options for preemies/low birthweight babies up soon, too.

There are other seats that are perfectly safe and fine to use that did not make my list. All seats on the market must pass the same testing in order to be sold. The seats I chose for this list tend to stand above the rest for a variety of reasons, which I listed. If you own a seat that is not on this list, but it fits your child, fits your vehicle and is used properly every time, then you have a seat that works just fine for you.

The seats I recommend are generally easier to use and/or install than others and/or generally have more growing room (either rear-facing, forward-facing or both) than others due to taller harness slot height and/or higher harnessed weight limits. I hope my list helps someone!

Infant Seats

Graco SnugRide
Minimum weight requirement of 5 pounds
22 pound weight limit (models manufactured prior to May 2005 have 20 pound limits)
Handle can be up or down
Some models have rear harness adjusters (these models are harder to use and should be avoided)
Shorter shell, tends to be outgrown by height before weight
Most new models have EPS foam
No built-in seatbelt lockoff
$80-$150

Graco SafeSeat 1
Minimum weight requirement of 5 pounds
30 pound weight limit
Handle can be up or down
Built-in seatbelt lockoff
EPS foam
Harness may not be a good fit for small newborns
$130-$190

Chicco KeyFit
Minimum weight requirement of 4 pounds
22 and 30 pound weight limit (depending on model)
Handle can be up or down
EPS foam
Built-in seatbelt lockoff
$160-$170

Combi Connection
No minimum weight requirement
22 pound weight limit
Handle must be up
EPS foam
Built-in seatbelt lockoff
Puzzle buckle
$160-$190

Convertibles

Britax Marathon
33 pound rear-facing weight limit
65 pound forward-facing weight limit
17 inch top slots
EPS foam
Built-in seatbelt lockoff
Rear-facing top tether
Well-padded
Four sets of harness slots
$220-$270

Britax Decathlon
33 pound rear-facing weight limit
65 pound forward-facing weight limit
17 inch top slots
EPS foam
Built-in seatbelt lockoff
Rear-facing top tether
Well-padded
Four sets of harness slots
Three crotch strap positions
Infant insert
Push-button harness adjuster (to tighten/loosen straps)
Harness adjuster is difficult for some
$240-$285

Britax Boulevard
33 pound rear-facing weight limit
65 pound forward-facing weight limit
17 inch top slots
EPS foam
Built-in seatbelt lockoff
Rear-facing top tether
Well-padded
Infant insert
Side impact protection
Infinitely adjustable, no re-thread harness height (turn a knob to raise it up or down)
$270-$300

Britax Roundabout
33 pound rear-facing weight limit
40 pound forward-facing weight limit
15.5 inch top slots
EPS foam
Built-in seatbelt lockoff
Rear-facing top tether
Well-padded
Three sets of harness slots
Push-button harness adjuster
Shorter seat shell means it will be outgrown by height rear-facing sooner than others
Lower top slots and lower weight limit mean it probably won’t be the last harnessed seat you’ll need
Probably won't be the last harnessed seat you’ll need due to lower top slots and lower weight limit
$200-$220

Sunshine Kids Radian 65
33 pound rear-facing weight limit
65 pound forward-facing weight limit
18 inch top slots
EPS foam
Rear-facing top tether
Well-padded
Five sets of harness slots
Three crotch strap positions
Steel alloy frame (making it heavy)
Folds for travel
Very narrow (good for three across)
Difficult to install in many vehicles
$180-$200

Safety 1st Uptown
recently discontinued, so harder to find
35 pound rear-facing weight limit
40 pound forward-facing weight limit
16 inch top slots
EPP foam (like EPS foam)
Well-padded
Four sets of harness slots
Three crotch strap positions
Harder to find in stores
Probably won't be the last harnessed seat you’ll need due to lower top slots and lower weight limit
$90-$110

Cosco Scenera
35 pound rear-facing weight limit
40 pound forward-facing weight limit
14.5 inch top slots
Four sets of harness slots
Very lightweight
Probably won't be the last harnessed seat you’ll need due to lower top slots and lower weight limit
$40-$50

Evenflo Triumph Advance
35 pound rear-facing weight limit
50 pound forward-facing weight limit
17 inch top slots
EPS foam
Infinitely adjustable harness height
Well-padded
Short tether strap may not reach tether anchors in vehicle (can order longer strap from Evenflo)
Wide seat
$130-$180

Recaro Como
35 pound rear-facing weight limit
70 pound forward-facing weight limit
18-19 inch top slots
EPS foam
Well-padded
$250

Recaro Signo
35 pound rear-facing weight limit
70 pound forward-facing weight limit
18-19 inch top slots
EPS foam
Well-padded
$290

Combinations/Harnessed Boosters

Recaro Young Sport
40 pound harnessed weight limit
17 inch top slots
EPS foam
Well-padded
Side impact protection
Converts to good long-term highback booster once harness is outgrown
$250

Graco CarGo
40 pound harnessed weight limit
17 inch top slots
EPS foam
Some models have rear harness adjusters (these models are harder to use and should be avoided)
Does not make good long-term booster once harness is outgrown since it may not position seatbelt properly; this seat is only recommended as a harnessed seat
$80-$100

Graco Nautilus
65 pound harnessed weight limit
18.5 inch top slots
EPS foam
Converts to good long-term highback booster and backless booster
$150

Evenflo Chase
40 pound harnessed weight limit
17 inch top slots
Unique harness adjuster located on harness
Highback booster mode does not last long because back does not adjust taller
$60-$70

Evenflo Generations
40 pound harnessed weight limit
16.5 inch top slots
Unique harness adjuster (knob on side of seat)
Converts to good long-term highback booster once harness is outgrown
$100

Cosco Apex/Safety 1st Biltmore
65 pound harnessed weight limit
17.5 inch top slots
Some models have EPP foam
Must always have vehicle support behind the headrest for safety, in both harnessed and booster mode
Wide seat
$100-$130