| 1 | Cybex | Top scores based on crash test results |
| 2 | Silver cross | Premium brand. The undisputed winner of ADAC 2020 |
| 3 | Evenflo | The most reliable manufacturer |
| 4 | Britax-Römer | Best value for money |
| 5 | Maxi cosi | High-tech products. Compliance with new standards |
| 6 | Carmate ailebebe | Japanese quality. 360 ° swivel models |
| 7 | Recaro child safety | Especially lightweight and comfortable models |
| 8 | Chicco | The most popular brand in Russia |
| 9 | BeSafe | Cooperation with research institutes and medical institutions |
| 10 | Graco | The best prices. Testing in our own laboratory |
The promotion of child safety in Russia is slowly but surely yielding results: more and more parents are striving to purchase high-quality car seats for their children. They study the key parameters of the choice, get acquainted with brands, look for crash tests of the models they like … And suddenly they realize that they are even more confused. It turns out that even eminent firms are releasing “losers” on the market, and the price of a car seat does not always correlate with impeccable safety characteristics. Our ranking includes the most reliable manufacturers, whose products earn high marks in independent tests and are certified by ECE 44, ECE 129 i-Size, ADAC, Stiftung Warentest, ANWB and others.
TOP-10 best manufacturers of car seats
10. Graco
The best prices. Testing in our own laboratory
Country: USA
Rating (2020): 4.1
The Graco brand debunks the myth that reliable car seats have to be expensive. The average price of American products does not exceed 11 thousand rubles, while saving at the expense of quality will not be necessary. High-quality odorless plastic, orthopedic filler, eco-friendly and easy-care textiles, comfortable armrests with retractable cup holders – this is how the entire Graco range is equipped. All devices provide a comfortable fit and a wide view around.
In terms of safety, crash tests have shown that the 9-36kg Graco Nautilus model withstands moderate side impacts, but does not perform well in frontal impacts. Another drawback of this particular model is that there is not enough free internal space, which can make it cramped for large children. However, the company is famous for the fact that it constantly maintains feedback with its customers, is well aware of their opinion and modernizes products in accordance with it. Subsequently, the design goes for testing to the test center, where the final revision is made.
9. BeSafe
Cooperation with research institutes and medical institutions
Country: Norway
Rating (2020): 4.3
The BeSafe brand belongs to the Norwegian company HTS. In this country, they are sensitive to safety issues in general, and to the safety of newborns and older children in particular, and the company, which previously was engaged in the production of car equipment, gradually concentrated on the manufacture of child car seats. The firm invests significant sums in development, actively cooperates with European research institutes, medical institutions, organizations promoting road safety. As a result, its sales offices are located in 40 countries of the world, and its products attract attention with safety features, acceptable cost and futuristic design.
The BeSafe iZi Flex FIX i-Size is the first child seat for 9-36 kg to fully comply with the new, more stringent ECE 129-02 standard. Its main advantage is the presence of a modular protection system consisting of several elements: pillows for supporting the head and body and special shoulder and hip guides. The device received the title of laureate at the prestigious international exhibition Kind + Jugend for its comfort and high safety performance.
8. Chicco
The most popular brand in Russia
Country: Italy
Rating (2020): 4.4
Chicco is almost the first word that millions of children in 130 countries around the world see on toys, strollers, bicycles and car seats. Since its inception, the company has received many titles and international awards “Product of the Year”, “Best Educational Product”, and its founder, Pietro Catelli, became a Cavalier of Labor for his contribution to the development of the Italian children’s goods market.
Russian consumers also hold the Kikko brand in high esteem, with its help they demonstrate their concern for their beloved child.
Relatively recently, the company introduced to the market a new, successfully developing class of car seats with a folding structure. Unlike boosters of similar purpose, such models are a permanent, not a temporary solution, and are especially convenient for transporting small passengers in rented vehicles.
So, the Chicco Fold & Go i-Size car seat is designed for children with a height of 100-150 cm, has side protection and allows optimal positioning of the seat belt. It folds very easily, is easy to carry and can be easily stored in the trunk or at home.
7. Recaro Child Safety
Especially lightweight and comfortable models
Country: Germany
Rating (2020): 4.5
Before the start of the production of child car seats, Recaro had been in the business of car seats for racing cars for several decades. It was thanks to her that they acquired their present forms – before her, the chairs in car salons looked like home chairs.
Together with specialists in the field of medicine, ergonomics and biomechanics, Rekaro created a completely new design with lateral and shoulder support, and in 1998 came out with a proposal for children. She also holds the lead in inventing the world’s first growing category 9-36 car seat.
Today, all Recaro child car seats are manufactured not in their historical homeland, but in Italy. The most popular models are Guardia (for newborns) and Monza Nova 2 (for children 15-36 kg).
The main advantage of the Guardia is its minimal dead weight, only 4.1 kg. During the crash test, she showed high safety for the child from all sides. “Monza Nova” is interesting with the Recaro Sound System built into the headrest, an inflatable pillow and the ASC ventilation system.
There are many reviews for these and other products of the company, mostly positive. The comfort on long trips and the durability of the covers are often praised.
6. CarMate Ailebebe
Japanese quality. 360 ° swivel models
Country: Japan
Rating (2020): 4.5
The hard work and creativity of the Japanese are legendary, they make super-quality products, and Japanese CarMate car seats are no exception.
The company started producing them in 1986 and one of the very first Kurutto NT2 models immediately received 4 stars from the leading British laboratory TRL.
It was tested according to a rigorous method (frontal crash test at a speed of 65 km / h), and the design showed the highest level of safety. Style, quality, versatility – it is no coincidence that Carmeit Curutto is still popular with customers.
However, CarMate doesn’t stop there. In new models, the body is made of special high-strength plastic, a ventilation system and shock-absorbing elements are provided to eliminate shaking on the road.
A unique function is the ability to rotate the chairs 360 °, thanks to which it is easy to set it against or in the direction of travel, communicate with the child, put it on or off with one movement. When using a car seat for newborns, the bowl takes an almost horizontal position; for their comfort, the set includes an anatomical insert with a “hug” effect.
5. Maxi Cosi
High-tech products. Compliance with new standards
Country: Netherlands
Rating (2020): 4.6
Maxi Cosi strollers and car seats are considered the standard of quality in Russia. The brand belongs to the Dorel concern, which also includes other well-known manufacturers of such devices – Quinny, Safety 1st and Bebe Confort.
The corporation owns its own test center and invests about $ 20 million / year in the development of new technologies. Many of them are being adopted by other firms.
An example is the Air Protect system with gel cushions in the headrest to absorb side impact energy and maximize the comfort of the baby’s neck.
One of the newest developments is the Maxi-Cosi Kore i-Size car seat for young children. Its features are a deep V-shaped headrest to support the baby’s head during sleep, soft hypoallergenic upholstery of the cover, an additional isofix fastener.
According to ADAC estimates, the model received a solid four, which indicates a high level of safety, ergonomics and ease of installation. Also “Maxi Cozy” is a pioneer in the implementation of the ECE 129 i-Size standard, which replaced ECE 44.
4. Britax-Römer
Best value for money
Country: Germany
Rating (2020): 4.7
The brand was formed as a result of the merger of two industry leaders – Britax (UK) and Römer (Germany). The rich experience of both companies and the basic philosophy based on the importance of child safety have determined the impeccable quality of the car seats produced by the company.
This is repeatedly confirmed by independent crash test results carried out by the German consumer information institute Stiftung Warentest. Of the 535 models that he has tested since 2009, Britax-Römer is in the top spot.
Today, Concert develops restraints for all age categories, including the most versatile 9-36 and infant car seat. The standard equipment includes branded security systems – SICT (adjustable side protection), Top Tether (additional fixation of the seat to a special bracket in the trunk), SecureGuard (4th point of the standard belt attachment).
Thanks to innovations, the car seat is able to protect the vulnerable spots of the child in the event of an accident. It is noteworthy that the Britax-Roemer models belong to the premium category, but at a price they are quite affordable for families with average incomes.
3. Evenflo
The most reliable manufacturer
Country: USA
Rating (2020): 4.8
Over the 100-year history of development, Evenflo has never given a reason to doubt the conscientiousness of its approach to the production of baby products, in particular, car seats for transporting children.
Their main feature is manual assembly on a tape container with mandatory step-by-step quality control with a scanning device. The production where the seats are assembled is located in America, Ohio, Piqua – the famous brand does not trust OEMs.
It also has its own laboratory for thorough and repeated testing of products according to its own, much more stringent than state standards. The company has developed its own unique crash test with vehicle rollover 140 ° and 90 °. As a result of the tests, important structural elements of car seats were finalized, after which the improved models received the Rollover Tested marking.
Evenflo is so confident in their 100% compliance with safety requirements that it provides a 10-year warranty. But complaints, judging by the reviews, are rare.
2. Silver Cross
Premium brand. The undisputed winner of ADAC 2020
Country: Great Britain
Rating (2020): 4.9
Silver Cross as a manufacturer of baby strollers appeared in the distant 1877 in Great Britain, and in 1920 it received the title of Manufacturer No. 1 for the Royal family. In 2020, it is still listed as a premium brand, and its products are chosen by many world celebrities – Victoria Beckham, Brooke Shields, Sarah Jessica Parker and others. The popularity of the company’s car seats is due not only to the name, but also to the high quality of workmanship. Some of the production steps are carried out by hand in a state-of-the-art facility.
The best materials are used: English leather, high-quality steel, high-strength plastic, modern lacquer coatings. The high safety of the structure can be seen in the ADAC test in spring 2020. The Silver Cross Dream infant car seat became the leader with a rating of “very good” in all categories. Its performance proved to be excellent in relation to the ECE 129 i-Size standard, making it ideal for newborns. The only negative is that the brand is rarely presented in regular stores.
1. Cybex
Top scores based on crash test results
Country: Germany
Rating (2020): 4.9
Cybex makes car seats that are rated at least “good” in ADAC and Stiftung Warentest. The devices are manufactured from the latest materials, taking into account the latest developments.
To develop the design, the company invited the Koncern industrial creativity studio, with which world giants such as Panasonic collaborate. Thanks to her, the models received bright colors and branded smooth forms of the design.
It is not surprising that they are in demand not only in Germany and Russia, but also in the Scandinavian countries, as well as in Poland, Czech Republic, Spain.
In the assortment, the most popular lines are Solution, Pallas, Sirona. The Cybex Pallas B-Fix is designed for children weighing 9-36 kg (from 9 months to 12 years).
A child weighing up to 18 kg is offered to be fixed in a chair using a safety table with an ergonomic inner part, after 3 years it can be held by standard harness straps.
Special attention should be paid to the proprietary LSP side protection, which is structurally linked to the headrest and ensures a safe tilt of the back of the child’s head.
