Picking your category

As mentioned above, car seats are divided into categories depending on your little one's weight, age or height. Here is a short guide to these groupings to get you clued-up before you shop.

baby car seats (group 0+) .Age/weight: from birth to 12 months/13kg

best for: moving between car and foot. These are the perfect seats if you travel by car and then continue your journey by foot. Most models can be attached to a compatible pushchair to form a travel system, and you can also use the seat to carry your baby in - this is ideal if they have fallen asleep on the journey as there is no need to disturb them.

key benefits:

• designed for newborns and younger babies and always used in a rearward facing position. Babies must travel rear-facing until at least 9 months old although it is recommended they travel rear facing until they reach at least 12-15 months old [7] 
• these seats are lightweight and have a carry handle which is useful for transporting your sleeping baby from the car
• most brands of baby car seats are compatible with pushchairs to create a travel system
• many models are compatible with an ISOFIX base to ensure a safe and correct fit on every journey

combination car seats (group 0+/1) age and weight: from birth to 18kg (approx.4 years)

best for: versatility. These seats will last your little one from birth to approx. 4 years old. Your baby travels in the seat rear-facing and can then move to a forward facing position from 9kg (approx. 9 months) if preferred.

many models offer extended rearward facing travel up to 4 years – the safest way for younger children to travel

• reclining seat allows newborns to travel in a more lie-flat position
• unlike a baby car seat, the combination car seat remains in your vehicle - these are a great choice if you don’t plan to use your car seat on your pushchair to form a travel system, and the seat will last your child all the way through their toddler years
• most seats are installed using ISOFIX, the safest and most secure way to fit your car seat

forward-facing car seats (group 1) age and weight: from 9kg to 18kg (approx. 9 months to 4 years)

best for: the next stage up when your little one has outgrown their baby car seat

• most forward-facing seats can be either upright (the best position for playing eye-spy and looking out of the window) or reclined for on-the-move snoozing
• many seats are installed using ISOFIX, the most safest and secure method of fitting your car seat in your vehicle
• most car seats in group 1 are forward facing although some are available that also offer the option of extended rear-facing travel until approx. 4 years old (this is the safest way for young children to travel)

highback booster seats with integral harness (group 1-2-3) age and weight: from 9kg to 36kg (approx. 9 months to 12 years)

best for: longevity. These seats covering all three car seat stages will last your child from 9 months until they no longer need to use a car seat.

• the high back and sides gives extra protection for your child’s chest and head
• younger children are kept safe and secure using the harness which can then be removed for older children (from 15kg) who are secured in the seat using the adult seatbelt[8].
• feature a height-adjustable head rest to keep your child comfortably supported as they grow and ensures the seatbelt (when used from 15kg) is at the correct height to keep them safely seated
• most models can be installed in the car using ISOFIX for a safe and secure fit

highback booster seats without harness (group 2-3) age and weight: from 15kg to 36kg (approx. 4 years to 12 years)

best for: older children who need a boost to ensure the adult seatbelt is correctly positioned to keep them safe.

key benefits:

• models without a harness are designed so children are secured using the adult seatbelt
• most feature an adjustable headrest, and some can also adjust in width or have adjustable legrest to ensure growing children are kept comfortable
• they tend to be lightweight and easy to fit, so are ideal for transferring between cars
• some models can be installed using ISOFIX for an extra safe and secure fit
• features such as armrests and cupholders add an extra touch of comfort

backless booster seats (group 3) age and weight: 22kg to 36kg (approx. 4 years to 12 years)

best for: providing a handy standby seat for older children when taking a taxi or a lifts with friends when your child’s usual seat is not available

Changes to the car seat regulations come into effect on 1st March 2017. Backless booster seats will be only suitable for older children weighing more than 22kg and taller than 125cm. This will only apply to brand new products launched from 9th February 2017 onwards and not existing products.

key benefits:

• convenient to store
• easy to carry around
• child is secured using adult seat belt
• useful back up option

i-Size seats age and height: birth to 105cm (approx. 4 years)

best for: keeping your child rearward facing for longer.

key benefits:

• baby travels rear-facing until at least 15 months. Seat is based on a child’s height and not their weight allowing them to travel rear-facing which is the safest way to travel for younger children
• offer improved protection to the head and neck area from higher forces in the event of either a side of front impact. Studies have shown that babies who are travelling rear-facing are safer in the event of a frontal impact
• installed using ISOFIX to ensure a safe and secure fit
• some i-Size car seats also let children travel rear-facing for even longer, up until approx.. 4 years old with the option of moving to a forward facing position for older children if they prefer
• i-Size seats do not replace the current weight based car seat but offer another option to give you more choice when choosing the perfect seat for your baby