It’s no secret that having a baby can put a strain on your finances with the never-ending list of must-haves to buy, but you can get the best budget car seats without spending a fortune or compromising on safety. All car seats have to meet certain safety regulations to ensure children will be adequately protected during an accident, regardless of price.
Whether you’re taking your baby on their first car ride home from the hospital or heading on a short journey to meet family and friends, toddler and baby car seats are there to help transport your little one safely to their destination. In the UK, car seats are a mandatory requirement, not only for babies but for all children who are under the age of 12 (or less than 135cm), so over the years, you’ll be needing many a car seat as they grow.
The best car seats for toddlers and babies can be a high-ticket item, and as you need to change them every time they enter the next stage of their life, the cost will certainly add up. That’s why the more affordable car seats are available to keep your little one safe and comfortable, but at a fraction of the cost compared to more premium options. Take a look at our top choices for the best budget car seats below.
Best budget car seats at a glance:
• Best overall budget car seat: Graco Enhance Baby Car Seat – Buy now from Amazon UK
• Best lightweight budget car seat: Joie Baby iSnug 2 i-Size Baby Car Seat – Buy now on John Lewis
• Best budget car seat under £100: Maxi-Cosi CabrioFix Baby Car Seat – Buy now on Amazon UK
Best budget car seats 2024
Best overall budget car seat
Pros
- Can be used as a forward or rear-facing car seat
- Has side impact protection
Cons
- Installation can be a bit tricky
| Suitable for: | Birth to 25kg |
| Dimensions: | 65.1 x 57.5 x 50cm |
| Item weight: | 8.95kg |
Best lightweight budget car seat
Pros
- Lightweight
- Curved base allows for rocking and relaxing
Cons
- Only suitable for up to approx. 12 months
| Suitable for: | Birth to 13kg |
| Dimensions: | 65 x 43.5 x 57cm |
| Item weight: | 3.35kg |
Best budget car seat for side protection
Pros
- Comfortable padding
- Side protection system
Cons
- Base has to be bought separately
| Suitable for: | Birth to 13kg |
| Dimensions: | 66 x 44.5 x 57cm |
| Item weight: | 3.51kg |
Best budget car seat with a base
Pros
- Includes seat, base and sun canopy
- Suitable from birth until two years (depending on your child's weight)
Cons
- Only available in one colour
| Suitable for: | Birth to 24 months (depending on your child's weight) |
| Dimensions: | 66 x 44 x 39cm |
| Item weight: | 3.9kg |
Best budget 360 car seat
Pros
- Smooth swivel action that locks in whatever position your child needs to face
- 10 recline positions
Cons
- Heavy
| Suitable for: | Birth to 18kg |
| Dimensions: | 60.7 x 54.8 x 45.3cm |
| Item weight: | 12.9kg |
Like the sound of a swivel car seat? Take a look at our round-up of the best 360 car seats for more options.
Budget car seat FAQs
Are budget car seats safe for my baby?
For a car seat to be sold in the UK, it has to be crash tested and put through its paces to ensure it will keep your baby safe in an accident. Whether you opt for a budget car seat or a high-end car seat, all of them must be ECE R44/04 or R129 compliant. That’s why the best budget car seats are completely safe for your little one.
What is the difference between budget and premium car seats?
Both budget and premium car seats have to meet safety standards and pass crash tests in order for them to be sold in the UK, so you may be wondering what exactly the difference is between cheap car seats and ones at the higher end of the budget scale. While there is no difference in safety, there is a variation in the features offered. Budget car seats are first and foremost designed for affordability (after being safe, of course), while premium car seats tend to have more advanced features, such as one-handed adjustments, extended weight and height limits, and the option to use them as part of a travel system, that sets them apart from the cheaper seats.
What should you look for when choosing a cat seat for a baby?
Making sure you’ve got the right car seat for your little one is vital for their safety and comfort whenever they’re travelling in the car. There are a couple of things you’ll want to keep in mind when choosing the best budget car seat that meets the needs of both you and your baby.
Age, weight, and height
As your little bundle of joy grows, their needs for a car seat changes, so that’s why there are different types of car seats to cater for specific age ranges, weight limits and height restrictions. Make sure you opt for a seat that is appropriate for your baby’s current age and size.
Safety standards
Car seats have to undergo and pass rigorous testing to make sure they conform to safety standards to keep your baby as safe as can be. Therefore, when you’re choosing a car seat, make sure they are ECE R44/04 or R129 compliant.
Type of car seats
Car seats are designed in different stage groups, depending on the age, weight, and height of your child. You’ll want to keep your baby in the right stage group seat to make sure they have optimal safety features.
These are the different stage groups:
• Group 0+/1/2 car seats: Is suitable from birth to 25kg, approx. 6-years-old.
• Group 1/2/3 car seats: Is suitable for children 9-36kg, approx. 9 months to 12 years.
• Group 2/3 car seats: Is suitable for children 15-36kg, approx. 3-12-years-old.
• Group 3 car seats: Based on safety regulations launched in 2017, group 3 car seats, i.e. new booster seats on the market, are limited to children who are taller than 125cm weighing more than 22kg.
Ease of installation
It’s vital that you make sure your car seat is compatible with your car and that you follow all of the instructions given for installation to ensure its properly and safely fixed in.
We know that some car seats can be a little tricky to install yourself, especially some ISOFIX car seats. If you’re unsure or have any questions, the retailer you bought it from should be able to answer any questions you may have, or you may want to seek a professional to install it for you.
Comfort and padding
To ensure your little one is comfortable for the whole duration of your car journey, make sure you choose a seat that is made from breathable materials with cushioned areas to keep them cosy. It shouldn’t be too padded, though, as your baby needs to be snuggly secured inside.
Washability
When travelling with a baby, there’s no limit to the mess they can make, so when looking for your next car seat, consider one with removable, machine-washable covers to make cleaning up little accidents, spills and leaks as simple as possible.
Weight and portability
If you need to move your child’s seat from car to car or carry it anywhere, bear in mind the weight of it and how easy it is to manoeuvre.
How we choose
All of these budget car seats have been hand-selected by our team of experts, who have spent hours investigating and researching budget car seats to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we’d never recommend a product we don’t believe in.
Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about.
Rosie Floyd is a Commercial Content Writer for Parkers, specialising in baby seats and pet carriers. When she’s not tapping away at her laptop or endlessly scrolling Instagram and TikTok for content inspiration, you’ll usually find Rosie cuddled up to her three dogs, watching the Mamma Mia films on repeat or singing along to 90s and 00s pop.
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