Finding the perfect forward-facing car seat for your child can be tricky. There are so many child car seats on the market, all claiming to be the best; combing through them to find the right one would take weeks!
Luckily for you, you only need to read this one guide! We have done the hard work for you and are proud to bring you ten of the best forward-facing car seats on the market. Each child car seat included today comes packed with excellent safety features, adjustability, and comfortable padding to keep your child safe and secure in the car. Keep reading to find your new approved child car seat today.
We conduct our best forward-facing 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 forward-facing car seat” for everyone, and what is best for one baby might not be suitable for another. With this in mind, we assessed forward-facing 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:
Kicking off our list is the Maxi Guard Pro TEX from Britax. This car seat features an easy installation, allowing you to have the seat in your car in minutes. The dual-layer Side Impact Cushion Technology provides enhanced protection in a collision, offering you peace of mind while you drive.
The fabrics are super resistant to moisture and stains, reducing the cleaning time and keeping your baby sweat-free, even on hot days.
Age suitability | 6 months to 8 years |
Dimensions | 68 x 86.5 x 46 cm |
Car seat weight | 8.6 kg |
Isofix compatible | No |
Inbuilt harness | Yes, six-point |
Side impact protection | Yes |
Colours | Black
Graphite |
Adjustable Headrest | Yes |
Accessories | 2 cup holders |
Travel System Compatible | No |
Buyers were impressed with the high-quality design of the seat, especially the moisture-resistant fabrics. They found their children were content in the seat on long drives, reducing any travel-related stress. They also noted how easy the seat was, using their car seat belt to install the seat in minutes. While some customers found the seat was tricky to fit in their smaller cars, most had no issues with the installation.
Below, we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
The Maxi Guard Pro TEX is ideal for parents with larger cars and deep space between the front and back seats, allowing for an easy installation process. It is perfect for families who want a low-maintenance seat that will provide years of room and adjustability for their child.
Next is this fantastic car seat from Joie. The Centra offers Guard Surround Safety, providing extra side impact protection you can individually activate when needed. The steel inner seat shell makes this super durable, allowing you to drive with peace of mind.
The various adjustable features help keep your baby comfortable as they grow. The removable cushion insert is perfect for smaller babies, and the multi-height headrest protects your baby’s head as they grow.
Age suitability | 12 months to 8 years |
Dimensions | 58 x 50.5 x 70-86 cm |
Car seat weight | 10.51 kg |
Isofix compatible | No |
Inbuilt harness | Yes, five-point |
Side impact protection | Yes |
Colours | Coal
Thunderstorm |
Adjustable headrest | No |
Accessories | Side storage pockets |
Travel system compatible | No |
Customers loved the harness, especially how smooth it was to secure and adjust using one pull motion. Combined with the simple installation process, they found the car seat incredibly easy to use. They found the seat comfortable, with their children falling asleep quickly, especially when the seat’s recline positions were used.
While the back height bar is tricky to adjust in taller cars, taller parents or those with shorter cars should not have this issue.
Below, we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
The Joie Centra car seat is the ideal child restraint for parents with shorter cars. The adjustability makes it perfect for parents who want a car seat that will last years, grow with their baby, and offer excellent value for money.
The Luna Pro is a wonderful car seat with excellent comfort and enhanced side impact protection. The adjustable headrest and easy adjust harness will protect your baby as they grow and allow you to easily take them in and out of the seat.
The Luna Pro features a removable and washable seat cover, which will help you keep the seat stain-free and fresh. The included cup holders are a fantastic extra, making it easier for your child to stay hydrated on 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 |
Accessories | Cup holder |
Travel System Compatible | No |
Buyers loved the seat, especially the chin support and the added comfort it brought their baby while they were sleeping. The chin support also provided extra support, reducing the chances of your child hitting their head.
They found the harness straps did not twist, helping them adjust the harness with minimal effort. While the headrest did move sometimes, this issue was not reported by many parents.
Below, we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
The Luna Pro is perfect for parents who want an easy installation. The adjustable armrests, superior side impact protection, and chin support make it a fine choice for anyone who wants their children to be comfortable and well-supported.
Parents looking for a comfortable and supportive car seat will love the B-Grow ClickTight car seat. The seat features an adjustable crotch buckle with an easy-to-use press and slide function, making securing your child into the car seat easy.
The seat features stain and moisture-resistant materials to keep your baby cool and fresh during long drives. The stain-resistant fabric is ideal for parents after a low-maintenance seat that requires little cleaning.
Age suitability | 6 months to 8 years |
Dimensions | 68.8 – 83.8 x 47.2 x 55.1 cm |
Car seat weight | 9.9kg |
Isofix compatible | No |
Inbuilt harness | Yes, six-point |
Side impact protection | Yes |
Colours | Black Tex |
Adjustable headrest | Yes |
Accessories | Pop out cup holders |
Travel system compatible | No |
Buyers found the car seat tricky to install, with some finding that it rocked in the car and needed to be professionally installed several times.
Customers found the seat comfortable and were happy with its head support, especially when their baby was sleeping in the car. The recline positions were also a crowd-pleaser, making it easier to tailor the seat to suit their babies needs.
Below, we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
The Britax car seat is best suited for anyone choosing to have the car seat professionally installed. The tricky installation process is best left to the experts, although this requires additional costs that you should factor into your budget.
Next, we have this fantastic convertible car seat from Mother’s Choice. The seat can be used with the harness until four years of age before converting it to a booster seat, offering plenty of protection for your baby.
The one-handed adjustment on the headrest is ideal for parents who never have two hands-free and want to adjust the seat without taking it out of the car. The two cup holders are suitable for giving your toddler independence, while the narrow design of the car seat makes this beautiful for growing families.
Age suitability | 6 months to 8 years |
Dimensions | 44 x 40 x 77 – 85 cm |
Car seat weight | 5.8 kg |
Isofix compatible | No |
Inbuilt harness | Yes |
Side impact protection | Yes |
Colours | Black |
Adjustable headrest | Yes |
Accessories | Cup holder
Seat insert Armrest |
Travel system compatible | No |
Buyers loved the affordable price of the booster seat, finding that they did not need to compromise on quality when looking to save money. They found the narrow design allowed them to fit multiple car seats in the car, and its compact size meant it did not impact how far forward the front seat could be. While the harness straps needed re-threading, installation was easy, and the padding guarantees a comfortable ride in the Mother’s Choice Levi.
Below, we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
Parents looking for convertible car seats will love the Mother’s Choice Levi. With the harness and side impact protection, they can keep their child safe in the forward-facing position for years. The car seat is perfect for growing families who will need several booster seats, as the narrow design allows you to fit three comfortably across the back seat.
The Comfi Astra is another wonderful booster seat to consider. The slim shell design makes it perfect for smaller or families with multiple car seats. The integrated Air Cocoon Technology will protect your baby in a collision, offering peace of mind.
The high backrest offers space for your baby to grow, with five shoulder slot heights keeping your child comfortable for years. The shoulder height is easy to adjust, and the shoulder height marker clearly shows you when the convertible car seat should become a booster, so you never need to second-guess.
Age suitability | 6 months to 8 years |
Dimensions | 47.5 x 43 x 78 cm |
Car seat weight | 6.89 kg |
Isofix compatible | No |
Inbuilt harness | Yes, five-point |
Side impact protection | Yes |
Colours | Grey
Purple Aqua |
Adjustable headrest | Yes |
Accessories | Padded seat inserts |
Travel system compatible | No |
Buyers liked the variety of colours, allowing them to find one their toddlers would like. They were impressed with the padding used, keeping their child happy and comfortable for years.
While some found the car seat packaging to be flimsy, it arrived in good condition and was easy to install. The Comfi Astra also features machine-washable fabrics, which helps busy parents keep the seat clean without spending evenings washing or scrubbing stains. They also found the washing instructions clear to follow, reducing the chances of damaging the fabrics.
Below, we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
The Infasecure Comfi Astra is ideal for parents after a comfortable, safe, convertible booster seat. The large side wings, integrated side impact protection, and the high backrest will keep your baby safe and well-protected for years. Adjusting the seat is easy, too, making it perfect for parents who don’t want to spend ages fiddling with seats.
The Babylove harnessed car seat perfectly blends comfort and protection to keep your baby safe during long drives. The deep side wings offer additional side impact protection, keeping them safe in a collision. The adjustable headrest provides room for your baby to grow and offers extra protection, with EPS foam cushioning protecting your baby from any impact.
The included armrest will keep your child comfortable, and the shoulder pads prevent the harness from irritating. The padded insert is ideal for smaller babies or provides extra comfort so your child can sleep comfortably.
Age suitability | 12 months to 8 years |
Dimensions | 68 – 87 x 47 x 38.5 cm |
Car seat weight | 6.5 kg |
Isofix compatible | No |
Inbuilt harness | Yes |
Side impact protection | Yes |
Colours | Black |
Adjustable headrest | Yes |
Accessories | Armrest
Padded insert Shoulder pads |
Travel system compatible | No |
Buyers were impressed with the Babylove car seat, especially how easy it was to adjust, allowing them to keep their children safe as they grew. Some customers reported issues with the straps not tightening, but this was not a widely reported issue.
Customers loved the seat’s comfort, making it easier for their baby to fall asleep during long drives. The recline positions helped to keep them comfortable, too, with parents being able to adjust the recline positions with one hand. The compact size was also a crowd-pleaser, making the Babylove Ezygrow II perfect for smaller cars.
Below, we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
Parents who want a comfortable, safe, harnessed car seat will love the Babylove car seat. The budget-friendly seat will be perfect for most families, and the enhanced side impact protection will give you peace of mind while driving. The seat is ideal for families with small cars, especially if you want to expand your family, as you can fit multiple seats across the back of your vehicle.
This lightweight car seat by Mother’s Choice is perfect for parents after a slimline car seat. The narrow design allows you to fit the car seat in any size car and even fit three car seats across the back seat. You don’t need to worry about swapping car seats or vehicles if you choose to extend your family.
Despite the narrow design, the seat is super comfortable and will give your baby plenty of room to grow. The seat can be adjusted easily, with a five-position headrest offering enhanced comfort and protection. The headrest also features Air Protect technology, protecting your little one in a collision.
Age suitability | 6 months to 8 years |
Dimensions | 44 x 77 – 85 x 40 cm |
Car seat weight | 5.8 kg |
Isofix compatible | No |
Inbuilt harness | Yes |
Side impact protection | Yes |
Colours | Titanium Grey
Black Space |
Adjustable headrest | Yes |
Accessories | Cup holders
Armrests |
Travel system compatible | No |
Buyers were impressed with the Mother’s Choice Kin Ap. They found the slimline design perfect for fitting in small cars or placing multiple booster seats across a back seat. They also enjoyed the approved child safety harness, praising how easy it was to use and adjust.
While installing the car seat was tricky, it felt sturdy when installed, meaning they did not need to make adjustments if the seat was installed correctly. A good option with this seat would be to have it professionally installed, but this is an expense you will need to budget for.
Below we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
The Mother’s Choice Kin Ap best suits families with multiple children. Despite the slim design, the seat offers plenty of room for growing children, and three seats can easily be fitted along the back seat of a car. The seat’s compact design also allows the driver and passenger to sit comfortably without having their seat too far forward.
The tricky installation process makes this seat better suited to families paying to have the seat professionally installed.
That’s right, we have another excellent choice from Britax. The harnessed car seat will provide your child with years of comfort and safety so you can drive worry-free.
The choice of two-recline positions makes it perfect for children sleeping in the char, while the padded insert will bring extra comfort and protection to smaller babies. The shoulder pads prevent discomfort from the harness, and the armrests will keep your baby comfortable, no matter how they sleep in the seat.
There are plenty of safety features to enjoy like the deep side wings offering extra protection in a side impact and the EPS foam built into the headrest to protect your baby’s head. The headrest adjusts quickly, keeping your baby safe and protected should anything go wrong.
Age suitability | 6 months to 8 years |
Dimensions | 87 x 47 x 38.5 cm |
Car seat weight | 6.5 kg |
Isofix compatible | No |
Inbuilt harness | Yes, five-point |
Side impact protection | Yes |
Colours | Black |
Adjustable headrest | Yes |
Accessories | Armrests
Padded insert Shoulder pads |
Travel system compatible | No |
Overall, buyers were impressed with the Britax Safe-N-Sound Urban Gro II car seat. They enjoyed how easy it was to install the car seat and use their car seat belt. The easy installation allowed them to spend less time in the car seat and more time heading off on adventures with their child.
They found the car seat easy to adjust, with the harness growing with their child and the headrest adjusting easily. Customers also found the shoulder height markers easy to read, allowing them to see easily when the seat required adjusting.
While there was a report of the seat cracking during use, we have found no other reports, so parents don’t need to worry about their child’s safety in the car seat. Britax offers excellent customer service, too, so any issues will be resolved quickly.
Below, we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
The Britax Safe-N-Sound Urban Gro II car seat is ideal for parents who want a comfortable and secure seat for their baby. The car seat is perfect for parents who wish to protect their child’s head while driving and keep their child’s head safe as they grow. The comfortable insert makes this a fine choice for parents with smaller babies worried about fitting in other car seats.
Completing our list today is the SecureSafe Shield Elite car seat. The reasonably priced car seat has plenty of features to keep your child comfortable and safe at all times. The Protect Plus safety system guarantees your child’s safety, with features like the side impact pod, active air pad, and armour tech ensuring that any impact forces will be directed away from your baby and that their head and torso will be protected.
Adjusting the car seat is easy, with one-handed harness and headrest adjustments. Parents who never have two hands-free can easily secure their child into the car seat and adjust it to keep them comfortable as they grow.
Unlike other car seats, you get unrestricted recline positions, helping you to tailor the seat to suit your child perfectly. Now they can sleep in peace, and you can focus on the road ahead. The seat protector is a wonderful addition and ensures that your vehicle seat is not damaged or dirtied while the car seat is in use. Other accessories include the cup holders and armrests, giving your toddler independence and keeping them comfortable.
Age suitability | 12 months to 8 years |
Dimensions | 50 x 49 x 75 cm |
Car seat weight | 10 kg |
Isofix compatible | No |
Inbuilt harness | Yes, five-point |
Side impact protection | Yes |
Colours | Onyx |
Adjustable headrest | Yes |
Accessories | Armrest
Cup holder Seat protector Storage pocket Seat insert |
Travel system compatible | No |
Buyers were pleased with the comfort the SecureSafe Shield Elite car seat provided their children. The Cocotex covers use premium quality charcoal fabric to help draw moisture away from your child while keeping them comfortable and cushioned. The covers are contoured, too, providing ergonomic support and comfort.
Customers praised the easy installation process and how well the seat would fit in most cars. Despite not being a slim-fit car seat, the SecureSafe should fit in SUVs and smaller cars comfortably. The one-handed adjustments were also a crowd-pleaser, especially with busy parents who always have their hands full.
Belo,w we have listed pros and cons based on real buyer feedback:
The SecureSafe Shield Elite car seat best suits families with one child. The car seat isn’t as slim as others on the market, and you might struggle to fit multiple car seats across your back seat, especially in smaller cars.
The seat is ideal for parents who only want to buy one seat, as you can easily make adjustments as your child grows to keep them safe. The added accessories offer good value for money and will also enhance your child’s experience with the car seat, keeping them safe, comfortable, and content.
Choosing a forward-facing car seat for your baby is a big decision. You must ensure it has the correct safety features and will keep your baby comfortable during long drives. To help make the right choice for your baby, ask yourself the following questions:
That brings us to the end of our guide today. As you can see, there are plenty of brilliant forward-facing child restraints on the market that will provide you with years of protection and worry-free use. Whether you want a booster seat, convertible car seat, or a narrow seat, the right car seat is waiting for you.
The question now is, which will you choose?