Car Seats are things that many car drivers take for granted. That is until they have children who need safe and comfortable baby car seats. If that sounds like you, then you may want to know how to pick the best baby car seats Australia has to offer.
The best car seats are those that provide you with a balance of safety, convenience, comfort, and affordability. When it comes to the best car seats in Australia, you can trust brands like Big W, Target, Baby Bunting, and KMart.
As you read this guide, you’ll first discover the legal requirements for baby car seats in Australia. Then, you'll gain a few valuable tips on picking the best car seat and which brands to shop from.
What Is the Legal Requirement for Child Car Seats?
Let's be clear about one thing. In Australia, the law requires you to have child car seats for your children. Not only that, it also states that you must comply with the specified type of seat and restraints for kids of different ages.
Of course, the law shouldn’t be your most significant concern. Riding in a slow-moving car is dangerous enough for adults, what more for little kids?
In any case, you can check out our previous article about the legal requirements for child’s car seats in Australia. It dives into a lot of detail, but here’s the gist of what you need to know:
- Back in 2010, Australian states agreed on common child restraint laws. So, car seats for toddlers are a legal requirement no matter where you are in the country.
- The requirement for child car seats by age progresses up several tiers until the child is 16 years of age. Each tier specifies the type of seating and restraints your child should have.
Again, you can check out our previous article to deep dive into the legal aspects of having child car seats in Australia.
How Do I Choose a Baby Car Seat?
Choosing the best baby car seat should balance safety, convenience, and of course, budget. So, here are a few tips you can use to help you shop for yours.
1. Check Your Car
Before you go shopping for a baby car seat, you first need to check your car. The gold standard, in this case, are ISOFIX car seats. However, these car seats are only compatible with your vehicle if the vehicle has ISOFIX tether points as part of its frame.
Don't worry if your car isn't ISOFIX-compatible because you can also use non-ISOFIX baby car seats and secure them with your car's seat belts.
The quickest way to find out about your car’s baby seat-related features is to check the user manual.
2. Consider a Convertible Car Seat
As your baby grows, two things change.
Firstly, the legal requirements for their seating and restraints changes. For instance, newborns must first use a rear-facing seat. Once they turn 4 years old, you can switch them to a front-facing seat.
Secondly, kids grow, and they grow fast. Before you know it, yours will likely outgrow the first car seat that you bought.
That’s why you should consider a convertible car seat. These kinds of baby car seats take those two changes above into consideration. So, they can switch from rear-facing to front-facing without a problem.
Plus, you can adjust the harnesses and restraints to keep your child comfortable even as they grow bigger.
3. Consider Car Seat Stroller
One thing that many car owners aren’t aware of is the existence of stroller car seats. The name says it all: these are baby car seats that you can attach to a stroller when you take your child out of the vehicle.
These strollers combine two different baby products that you're likely to spend money on. So, think of the money you'll save, but also think of the convenience you'll enjoy.
4. Compare the Safest Car Seats
Naturally, cost and convenience aren't the only factors you'll consider. After all, you likely clicked on this article because you're interested in finding the safest car seats Australia has to offer.
Well, here’s the thing: there isn’t just ONE safest car seat in all the land. The fact of the matter is that many leading names in the market produce incredibly safe car seats for your child.
The problem here is that you’ll be bombarded with opinions from all sides telling you which car seats are the safest. So, it can be challenging to know which one to choose.
The best thing you can do for yourself is list down all the safest car seats you're aware of and compare them one by one.
5. Shop New Baby Car Seats
Another thing to consider when picking the best baby car seat is to buy a new one if you can. Of course, this isn’t a feasible option for many people. That’s especially true if money is tight, and you still have many other baby necessities to pay for.
Still, if you can afford it, it's best to buy a brand-new baby car seat. The quality and safety of child car seats evolve so rapidly. So, when you buy a new one, you can rest assured that you're getting cutting-edge safety features.
What Is the Best Car Seat to Buy in Australia?
As you’ve seen above, many excellent car seats are available in Australia. However, choosing the ‘best’ one will require you to do some homework. That way, you can find the one that suits your needs the best.
To help you get started, you can check out:
- Big W car seats
- Target car seats
- Baby Bunting car seats
- KMart car seats
We're not experts on child-care here at CarPart AU, but we know a thing or two about cars. Check out our blog to find more educational articles to help make you a better car owner.
Ray Hasbollah