Finding a car seat to keep your baby safe and fit your tight budget can be tricky. There are many affordable car seats on the market, but cutting through the endless reviews and long specification lists can seem impossible, especially when you need a car seat quickly.
Luckily for you, we are here to help! We have 10 of the best cheap car seats on the market, including the Maxi Cosi Luna Pro, the Mother’s Choice Adore, and Joie Armour FX. Let us jump into our guide and help you find your new pram today.
We conduct our best cheap car seat reviews through a combination of product testing, individual research, real buyer feedback and certified paediatrician approval.
We understand that there is no such thing as a “best cheap car seat” for everyone, and what is best for one baby might not be suitable for another. With this in mind, we assessed cheap car seats by comparing different features and specifications, and have highlighted the buyer we believe the product is best suited to.
We considered the following criteria below:
First up, we have this fantastic car seat from Maxi Cosi. The Luna Pro will keep your child safe for years, offering side impact protection and plenty of comfort. The adjustable headrest provides plenty of room for your baby to grow, and the easy-adjusting harness makes it easy to take your child out of the seat and tailor the harness to fit them perfectly.
The anchored car seat offers a removable and washable seat cover, allowing you to keep the car seat fresh and stain-free. The cup holders are a fantastic addition, too, keeping your growing child hydrated during long drives.
Age suitability | 6 months to 8 years |
Dimensions | 73.5 x 47 x 43.7 cm |
Car seat weight | 10.5kg |
Isofix compatible | No |
Inbuilt harness | Yes, six-point |
Side impact protection | Yes |
Colours | Onyx |
Adjustable Headrest | Yes |
Facing | Forward-facing |
Travel System Compatible | No |
Customers were thrilled with the Maxi Cosi car seat. They loved the chin support, praising how comfortable it kept their baby, especially while sleeping in the car. It offers extra support, too, so you don’t need to worry about their heads hitting anything as you drive.
Customers also praised the harness, finding it easy to adjust. They noted how the straps don’t twist, making securing their child in the seat easier. They also noted that the seat was easy to install and adjust, making it ideal for first-time parents.
Below, we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
The Luna Pro is ideal for parents who want to keep their child in the forward-facing position. The advanced side impact protection means you don’t need to worry about your child’s safety, allowing you to drive worry-free. It is ideal for parents who want an easy installation, using the car seat belt to secure the child’s car seat.
Next, we have the lightweight Ezyone2 car seat. The convertible car seat can be used from birth, making it a fine choice for parents who only want to purchase one car seat. The seat offers deep EPS-lined side wings, offering enhanced comfort and protection for your baby. They will provide additional protection in a side impact, reducing the chance of injury and allowing you to drive worry-free.
The choice of two recline positions will keep your baby comfortable while they sleep, and the padded insert and shoulder pads will provide extra comfort and protection, especially for smaller babies.
Age suitability | Newborn to 4 years |
Dimensions | Rear-facing: 57 x 44 x 74.5 cm
Forward facing: 72 x 44 x 40 cm |
Car seat weight | 4.5 kg |
Isofix compatible | No |
Inbuilt harness | Yes |
Side impact protection | Yes |
Colours | Black |
Adjustable headrest | No |
Facing | Forward and rear-facing |
Travel system compatible | No |
Customers enjoyed the slim-fit car seat design, making it ideal for small cars or families with multiple babies. The easy installation of the car seat was another positive, with many parents having the seat installed in no time.
Customers also enjoyed the machine washable cover, making it easy to clean the car seat. The quick washing design makes it perfect for busy parents without time to wash a seat. While the seat wasn’t comfortable for newborns, many positives made this seat a fine choice.
Below, we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
The Babylove Ezyone2 convertible car seat is ideal for parents after a low-maintenance car seat. The budget-friendly option offers plenty of protection with a simple installation process. The harness is easy to adjust, and the slim design of the car seat makes it perfect for smaller cars or families with multiple car seats in their cars.
The Britax Safe N Sound Maxi Rider is one of the best convertible booster seats on the market. It can be used for years, offering value for money while priding itself on premium child safety. The active head restraint will provide protection during an impact, so you don’t need to worry about your baby.
The headrest adjusts easily, keeping your baby comfortable and well-supported as they grow. The two recline positions are a fantastic feature, too, helping your baby sleep comfortably during long drives. You can adjust the harness easily, keeping your baby safe and secure for years.
Age suitability | 12 months to 8 years |
Dimensions | 68 x 46 x 50.5 cm |
Car seat weight | 6.1 kg |
Isofix compatible | No |
Inbuilt harness | Yes |
Side impact protection | No |
Colours | Grey |
Adjustable headrest | Yes |
Facing | Forward and rear-facing |
Travel System Compatible | No |
Customers were pleased with the Maxi Rider booster seat, offering plenty of comfort and easy adjustments. The seat’s slim design was praised, with customers finding that it fitted into smaller cars quickly and offered other children or passengers in the back plenty of room to relax.
While the installation process was tricky, especially with the seat belt, the harness was easy to adjust, and the children seemed happy to sit in the car seat for long journeys.
Below, we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
The Britax Safe N Sound Maxi Rider is perfect for families with multiple children. The narrow design helps the car seat fit in virtually any car without taking up too much of the back seat, so other children without car seats can sit comfortably. You can also fit car seats side by side with this one, so you can extend your family without needing to replace your car.
The Mother’s Choice car seat is ideal for families who want easy installation. The ISOFIX compatible car seat can be snapped in seconds for a speedy and safe installation. The base requires just one step to have it installed, and the built-in rebound bar offers peace of mind that your baby is safe.
The seat can be used from birth and features an infant insert and head pillow to provide extra protection and comfort for small babies and newborns. The crotch buckle and harness pads add extra comfort, too, reducing the chance of discomfort on long journeys.
Age suitability | Newborn to 4 years |
Dimensions | 56 x 47 x 73 cm |
Car seat weight | 8.8 kg |
Isofix compatible | Yes |
Inbuilt harness | Yes |
Side impact protection | Yes |
Colours | Black |
Adjustable headrest | Yes |
Facing | Forward and rear-facing |
Travel system compatible | No |
Customers were pleased with the car seat, noting how easy it was to install and remove it from the car when necessary. The easy-to-use base helps here and makes transferring the car seat to other vehicles easy if needed.
Customers loved the comfort the seat provided, especially the extra padding and protection offered to newborns. The fabric covers can all be removed and machine washed, too, making it super easy for busy parents to remove stains and keep the seat fresh.
Below we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
The Mother’s Choice Harmony convertible car seat is perfect for parents who want an easy-to-use and installed car seat. The slim design makes it perfect for small cars or growing families without sacrificing your baby’s comfort.
The easy adjustment features also allow you to use the car seat for years without any issues, providing families on a budget with outstanding value for money.
Parents after a stylish car seat will love the Joie Armour Fx. The three colour choices are stunning, offering a two-tone car seat that is both practical and beautiful. Your child has to have a car seat, but why not make it stylish, too?
The steel-reinforced shell will offer plenty of protection during an impact without making the seat too heavy to lift. The choice of recline positions, easy installation, and enhanced side impact protection for the head, body, and hips make this a super safe seat in your car.
Age suitability | Newborn to four years |
Dimensions | Rear-facing: 70-80 x 48-53 x 56-66 cm
Forward facing: 50 x 48-53 x 67-85 cm |
Car seat weight | Rear-facing: 10 kg
Forward facing: 9.4 kg (with cushion removed) |
Isofix compatible | Yes |
Inbuilt harness | Yes |
Side impact protection | Yes |
Colours | Coal
Shale Lagoon |
Adjustable headrest | Yes |
Facing | Forward and rear-facing |
Travel system compatibility | No |
Parents were impressed with the safety features and adjustability of the seat. They loved the retractable guard surround safety and one-handed height-adjustable headrest. Not only was their baby safe, but adjusting the car seat to keep them safe as they grew was easy.
The newborn insert was another crowd-pleaser, with three customisable options to give their baby plenty of support. The adjustability of the infant insert helped it grow with the baby, making it fantastic for premature or small babies.
Despite the ventilation panels in the back of the seat, some customers found that the fabric was not breathable, causing their baby to be hot and sweaty, even during cool weather.
Below we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
The Joie Armour FX car seat is best suited for parents who want a car seat with lots of adjustability. The headrest, harness, sides, and newborn insert can be adjusted, giving your baby plenty of room and providing parents with years of use.
The car seat is also perfect for parents after a quick installation, as the ISOFIX installation can be done in minutes! Plus, it is combined with a top tether to provide unparalleled levels of safety.
The Adore AP is one of Mother’s Choice’s selling convertible car seats, and it is no wonder why! The seat features their patented Air Protect technology, offering superior side impact protection, so you never need to worry about your baby in a collision. Energy is transferred away from your child’s head, keeping them safe and reducing the chance of injury.
The seat features soft-to-touch wicking fabric that draws moisture away from your baby to keep them cool and dry. Newborns are kept safe, with the plush insert to keep them safe and comfortable. A feature we love is the large seating depth, as it offers more room for older children to be comfortable, guaranteeing you years of use from the car seat.
Age suitability | Newborn to four years |
Dimensions | 45 x 69 x 57 cm |
Car seat weight | 9.8 kg |
Isofix compatible | Yes |
Inbuilt harness | Yes |
Side impact protection | Yes |
Colours | Black Space
Titanium grey |
Adjustable headrest | Yes |
Facing | Forward and rear-facing |
Travel system compatible | No |
Customers were impressed with the many benefits the Adore AP offered. The ISOFIX base makes installation a breeze, plus it is easy to see if the seat is installed correctly, reducing the chances of the seat tipping.
Parents were pleased with the adjustability of the car seat, too, especially the headrest. It could be adjusted without needing to remove the seat from the car, making adjustments on the go a reality. The recline positions were easy to change, too, keeping your baby comfortable while sleeping in the car.
Below we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
The Mother’s Choice Adore is perfect for parents who want a high safety rating without the hefty price tag. The variety of safety features will keep your baby safe, allowing you to focus solely on driving.
The large seat depth makes it a good choice for larger babies or those who want a car seat they can use for years. Despite its large depth, the slim-fit car seat won’t take up much room, allowing you to fit three seats across the back of your car if needed.
Maxi Cosi is known for its fantastic baby car seats, and the Velia Slim AP is no exception. The slim design allows you to fit the seat in any car, even rear-facing, making it ideal for parents with small cars. It also lets you fit three car seats across the back seat, so you can grow your family without replacing your vehicle.
The car seat has several safety and comfort features you will love, like the Air Protect Superior Side Impact Protection, the cool baby-wicking fabrics, the harness guides, and the rearward-facing foot cover. These will keep your baby safe and comfortable, even on long journeys. The padded belt mates and choice of three adjustable recline positions help your baby sleep comfortably in the car, making long rides easier for parents and babies!
Age suitability | Newborn to four years |
Dimensions | 46cm x 49 cm x 63-75 cm |
Car seat weight | 7.3 kg |
Isofix compatible | Yes |
Inbuilt harness | Yes, five-point |
Side impact protection | Yes |
Colours | Concrete Grey
Black Raven |
Adjustable headrest | Yes |
Facing | Forward and rear-facing |
Travel system compatible | No |
Customers liked the variety of safety features the car seat offered, giving them peace of mind while driving. Parents praised Maxi Cosi for offering wonderful customer support, especially when installing the car seat or replacing parts. Most replacements are covered under their extended warranty, regardless of where you purchase the seat.
The added extras like shoulder pads, padded belts, and foot covers provided value for money and reassured parents that their baby would be comfortable at all times.
Below we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
The Maxi Cosi Vela Slim AP is a fantastic convertible car seat for parents who want to keep their baby safe and comfortable. It is an excellent choice for those looking to keep their child rear-facing for longer without worrying about the bulky size of a car seat filling up their back seat.
The Infasecure car seat is a wonderful option for parents on a budget. You can keep your baby safe in rearward facing for a year before switching to forward facing. Both modes will keep your baby safe, though many parents prefer to keep their baby rearward facing for longer.
The seat features Air Cocoon Technology, providing your baby with enhanced side impact protection. Combined with the blow moulded design, the entire seat is impact-resistant, reducing the force your child would feel without needing additional protection.
Adjusting the seat is easy, with five shoulder slot heights and two recline positions. You can create the perfect space for your growing baby, keeping them safe and comfortable for years.
Age suitability | Newborn to 4 years |
Dimensions | 45 x 65 x 55 cm |
Car seat weight | 7.5 kg |
Isofix compatible | No |
Inbuilt harness | Yes |
Side impact protection | Yes |
Colours | Black |
Adjustable headrest | Yes |
Facing | Forward and rear-facing |
Travel system compatible | No |
Anchored | Yes |
Buyers were pleased with this baby car seat from Infasecure. They found the seat easy to install, making it suitable for first-time parents or those in a rush. The slim fit design was a crowd-pleaser, as was the lower seat height, allowing front drivers and passengers to recline their seats without hitting their baby. This also makes it the ideal car seat for compact cars with limited space between the front and back seats.
Customers were also impressed with the sleek and stylish car seat design. Sure, car seats must be practical, but why not add style with this sleek black car seat from Infasecure?
Below we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
The Infasecure Serene is ideal for parents with a tight budget, as it is one of our list’s most affordable car seats. Despite its low price, it has all the safety features you need, providing parents with peace of mind. It is the ideal car seat for parents who don’t want to keep their child in rearward facing for long but still want to get years of use from their car seat.
The added comfort features make it perfect for babies who like to sleep in the car, keeping them comfortable and safe without compromising your little one’s safety.
Parents will love the Babylove Ezyfix after a low-maintenance car seat. As its name suggests, it is easy to fix and maintain in your car. The washable fabrics will help you keep it clean, and the easy adjustments mean your baby can use the seat for years.
The seat is ISOFIX compatible, or you can use a seat belt to have the seat installed and secure in minutes. You don’t need any prior experience to fit this car seat into your car. Its compact design allows you to fit three across the back seat, making it perfect for growing families.
Age suitability | Newborn to four years |
Dimensions | 28.5 x 40 x 72 cm |
Car seat weight | 6 kg |
Isofix compatible | Yes |
Inbuilt harness | Yes |
Side impact protection | Yes |
Colours | Black |
Adjustable headrest | Yes |
Facing | Forward and rear-facing |
Travel system compatible | No |
Buyers were impressed with the car seat’s safety features and comfortable design. It is stylish and practical, offering a safe space for your baby as you drive. Customers loved the removable fabrics, which helped them clean the seat easily between uses.
The seatbelt installation allowed parents to install and secure the car seat quickly, even if they had never installed a seat before, making it ideal for first-time and experienced parents. They were also impressed with the adjustability of the harness, finding the four slot positions easy to use allowing their child to grow in the seat comfortably.
Below we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
The Babylove Ezyfix convertible car seat best suits families who want an easy-to-use car seat. The narrow design and easy installation make it ideal for growing families, while the removable fabrics allow you to clean the seat with minimal issues.
The padding on the seat and optional inserts allow you to keep your baby comfortable from birth, offering excellent value for money.
Completing our list today is the Britax Safe N Sound Brava. The compact seat is a brilliant option for large families as you can comfortably fit three across the back seat. Installing the seat is easy, with an ISOFIX base speeding the process up, while all adjustments can be carried out quickly and easily without needing to remove the seat from the car.
The active head restraint has been designed with deeper side wings, offering enhanced protection should your baby be in a collision. It will minimise impact forces during a side impact to reduce the chance of injury, keeping your baby safe and providing you with peace of mind.
Age suitability | Newborn to four years |
Dimensions | 68.5 x 42.5 x 44 cm |
Car seat weight | 7.8 kg |
Isofix compatible | Yes |
Inbuilt harness | Yes |
Side impact protection | Yes |
Colours | Black
Grey |
Adjustable headrest | Yes |
Facing | Forward and rear-face |
Travel system compatible | No |
Customers were impressed with the Britax toddler car seat, noting its easy installation. An ISOFIX base tended to speed up installation and was a crowd-pleaser with many customers. They were also impressed with the compact size of the car seat, allowing them to fit multiple car seats across their backseat. The compact size also meant front passengers could recline their seats without hitting the car seat.
Customers were also impressed with the amount of padding in the car seat, keeping their baby comfortable and well-protected. The material used is not bamboo, so it does not pull moisture away from your baby, so you may notice they sweat more than usual.
Below we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
The Britax Safe N Sound Brava is an excellent option for families needing multiple car seats or with small cars. The compact and narrow design helps you fit three car seats in the back without impacting the front and passenger seats.
The seat is ideal for anyone looking for an easy installation, with plenty of safety features and enhanced padding to keep their little one comfortable and safe.
Cheap baby car seats can sometimes come with vital features missing, putting your baby at risk in the car. To help you make the right choice when choosing between convertible car seats, ask yourself the following questions:
That brings us to the end of our guide today. Finding the right car seat can seem tricky, but you can choose from many fantastic child car seats. Whether your baby car seat needs plenty of adjustability, an easy installation process, or extended rear-facing, there is a car seat for you.
Today’s guide has shown you ten of the best seats to keep your baby safe without breaking the bank. Consider all the positives and negatives mentioned for each car seat to help you narrow your choices and find the right car seat. Which one will you choose today?