Top 10 Car Seats by NHTSA

Preparing for the arrival of a new family member is a rather difficult task. Between choosing a doctor, buying the necessary supplies, there is always something on your mind. But one of the most important purchases you can make should also include the most attention - a car seat. With so many styles, manufacturers, and prices, choosing the right car seat for your child can be overwhelming for new parents. While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides a wide range of information about different types of car seats, we've compiled a list of the top ten car seats according to NHTSA to make your decision a little easier.

All seats featured on this list and on the NHTSA website have been tested for safety according to Federal Safety Standards: The ratings below are based on ease of use, from labels, instructions and features to how easy it is to protect a child. Each model is a convertible that can switch from rear to front seat - for more information on car beds and extra seats visit the NHTSA website.

While you can see that no car seat is perfect in terms of ease of use, they are all tested to the highest safety standards - their flaws are comparatively minor, and some are easier to deal with than others. They often make up for their shortcomings with affordability, if you're willing to give up convenience for cost. In any case, once you've chosen the perfect car seat, be sure to visit an NHTSA Child Car Seat Checker to make sure the car seat you've chosen is installed correctly - a good car seat is useless if it's not installed correctly.