16 Best Travel Car Seats For Babies & Toddlers (UK, Europe & USA)
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When travelling internationally between the UK, Europe and the USA we struggled to find a car seat for our son that was approved in every country that was also lightweight and compact. Both international travel and domestic travel with little ones require a significant number of products to keep them safe, entertained and comfortable.
As such we spent endless hours on an evening scouring the internet for information, frustrated by the lack of consistency and clarity. So, we created a guide of our own along with a list of the best travel car seats to hopefully help travelling parents moving forward.
Certification: To use a child car seat on an aeroplane it has to be CAA (UK Civil Aviation Authority), FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), or TÜV approved.
Meets Car Seat Laws: The USA requires the USA FMVSS 213 regulations. Only EU-approved height-based child car seats can be used in the UK. These have a label showing a capital ‘E’ in a circle and ‘R129’. Only EU-approved weight-based child car seats can be used in the UK. These have a label showing a capital ‘E’ in a circle and ‘ECE R44’.
It’s worth noting that we do not cover any booster seats in this article. In the UK children over 15kg are eligible to use either a high-backed booster seat or booster cushion using a seat belt, harness or safety shield from 15kg and Europe has similar rules and regulations.
However, in the USA the general rule is that boosters can be used from age 4 years although regulations vary between states and can also depend on a child’s height and weight. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you keep your child in a car seat for as long as possible provided that they fit within the manufacturer’s height and weight requirements.
1. Maxi-Cosi Nomad
👶 Weight Limit: 40 lbs
📏 Height Limit: 40 inches
⚖️ Product Weight: 9.4 lbs
🏅 Certification: FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approved
🇺🇸 Meets Car Seat Law USA: Yes
🇬🇧 🇪🇺 Meets Car Seat Law UK/EU: Meets all ECE R44 and R129 standards.
The Maxi-Cosi Nomad is in our opinion the best travel car seat and our choice for our son now he’s over 9 months old. We’ve used this car seat in the UK, Spain, California and Hawaii without problems.
At 9.4 lbs, the Maxi-Cosi Nomad is one of the lightest car seats on the market (roughly one-third of the weight of most regular toddler seats). This portable car seat is also ultra-compact and easy to fold, with a built-in handle and its own water-repellent travel bag, so it’s easy to carry with you and even store in the overhead bin on a flight.
This lightweight car seat is suitable for children between 9 months and 4 years, the front-facing car seat has reinforced Side Impact Protection, a 5-point safety harness, and an extra-comfy padded seat.
The seat fits easily into most car and plane seats and is quick to install (it takes less than 30 secs), allowing your child to travel safely and comfortably no matter where you decide to go on your next adventure.
2. Doona Infant Car Seat
👶 Weight Limit: 29 lbs
📏 Height Limit: 32 inches
⚖️ Product Weight: 16.5 lbs
🏅 Certification: FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and TÜV approved
🇺🇸 Meets Car Seat Law USA: Yes
🇬🇧 🇪🇺 Meets Car Seat Law UK/EU: One of the only seats to meet ECE R44, EN1888, and EN12790 standards.
Before our son Oliver was 9 months old and subsequently able to use the Maxi-Cosi Nomad we used the Doona Infant Car Seat.
At 16.5 lbs, the Doona is one of the heavier and more expensive FAA-approved infant car seats on the market. But its myriad of practical, safety, and comfort features are certainly worth the extra expense.
One of the top-selling points of the Doona is that it’s the world’s first complete and fully integrated travel system, meaning that it’s both a car seat AND a stroller!
No additional gear is necessary. The integrated wheels fold up when in car seat mode, then with a click of a button, the wheels pop out and the handlebar extends to transform into a stroller.
This handy 2-in-1 system saves you the effort of lugging around two pieces of bulky equipment. You can use the stroller to transport your baby through the airport to your gate, then quickly tuck the wheels away while you board the plane without waking the little one.
The Doona is also one of the safest FAA-approved car seats on the market, with unique 3-layer side impact protection, anti-rebound bar crash technology, and plenty of other great features.
The only downside? The car seat is only suitable for babies and toddlers up to 29 lbs. So it’s best suited for jet-setting families who fly regularly and will get the most out of the seat before your baby grows out of it.
3. WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat
👶 Weight Limit: 50 lbs
📏 Height Limit: 45 inches
⚖️ Product Weight: 8 lbs
🏅 Certification: FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approved
🇺🇸 Meets Car Seat Law USA: USA – NHTSA approved. Meets all FMVSS 213 and FMVSS 302 standards.
🇬🇧 🇪🇺 Meets Car Seat Law UK/EU: ?
The WAYB Pico is a unique car seat that was specifically designed for travel. And at only 8 pounds, it’s one of the lightest seats on this list. It’s so light that a child could carry it!
Not only is the seat extremely lightweight, thanks to its durable AeroWing aluminium frame, but it’s also super narrow and can easily be folded down to a portable carry size for travel.
So no more lugging bulky car seats through the airport and starting your vacation with a sore back.
The WAYB is an FAA-approved car seat, so it can be used on the plane. Or you can pack it away into its compact travel bag and place it in the overhead bins until you reach your destination.
The seat is forward-facing and can hold children between 22-50 lbs or 30-45 inches in height (roughly 2-6 years old). Unfortunately, it’s not suitable for babies or younger children.
It’s also super quick and easy to install using a car’s LATCH system or seatbelt, making it a convenient option for moving between rental cars, taxis, and other forms of transport while travelling.
4. Maxi-Cosi Mica
👶 Weight Limit: 40 lbs
📏 Height Limit: 40 inches
⚖️ Product Weight: 33 lbs
🏅 Certification: No, not with the base.
🇺🇸 Meets Car Seat Law USA: Yes
🇬🇧 🇪🇺 Meets Car Seat Law UK/EU: Meets all ECE R44 and R129 standards.
Suitable for newborns (thanks to the soft inlay) up to 4 years old, The Maxi-Cosi Mica is one of the best car seats for new parents heading on their first family vacation.
The seat has an easy one-click 360° rotation for easy baby placement and can recline for extra comfort. While innovative G-Cell technology offers maximum impact absorption to protect your child against injury in a side collision.
The Mica also has advanced Clima Flow technology, a type of built-in back ventilation that pumps air through the seat and helps control your baby’s temperature.
This feature is ideal if you’re travelling to a hot destination and want a seat that will stop your little one from getting overheated on plane and car journeys.
5. Graco Snugride Snuglock
👶 Weight Limit: 35 lbs
📏 Height Limit: 32 inches
⚖️ Product Weight: 7.5 lbs without base, or 14.7 lbs with base
🏅 Certification: FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approved
🇺🇸 Meets Car Seat Law USA: NHTSA approved. Meets all FMVSS 213 and FMVSS 302 standards.
🇬🇧 🇪🇺 Meets Car Seat Law UK/EU: ?
The Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 is one of our top picks for new parents who want a safe and easy-to-use travel car seat for a newborn or smaller baby.
The car seat is designed to be used from birth up to 18 months, with removable head and body supports to keep newborns secure and comfortable.
It’s super lightweight, at just 7.5 lbs. And while it can’t be folded down, the secure handle means you can carry your baby through the airport and onto the plane without removing them and disturbing their sleep.
The car seat can be paired with a Graco base for easy one-click attachment. However, the base doubles the weight of the seat and can’t be used on a plane (it’s not FAA approved), so you probably won’t want to take this on a flight with you.
Fortunately, you can also secure the seat using a car or plane seat belt, which takes under a minute to do.
Graco’s Click Connect system also means that the Snugride car seat doesn’t need any extra adapters to attach to the brand’s strollers as part of a travel system, meaning there’s less to take on your trip with you.
A rotating canopy also provides shade and sun protection while in the car, transporting the seat, or using it with the stroller once on vacation.
6. Evenflo Tribute LX
👶 Weight Limit: 40 lbs
📏 Height Limit: Rear-facing 37 inches, forward-facing 40 inches
⚖️ Product Weight: 9.29 lbs
🏅 Certification: FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approved
🇺🇸 Meets Car Seat Law USA: ?
🇬🇧 🇪🇺 Meets Car Seat Law UK/EU: ?
The Evenflo Tribute LX is a safe, comfortable, and affordable car seat that’s perfect for parents who want a reliable and cost-effective option for travelling with younger children.
The convertible car seat offers 2 seats in 1; rear-facing for babies and smaller toddlers (you’ll need the removable head pillow for newborns), and forward-facing for toddlers and children 2 years and older.
The 4 shoulder strap positions and 2 crotch buckle positions let you adjust the harness to fit your child comfortably as they grow, so you can continue to use the seat from birth until they’re around 4 years old.
And at just $80, you’ll definitely get value for your money, even if you only use it for a few trips before your little one outgrows it.
The car seat is FAA-approved and compact enough to fit in the majority of cars and aeroplane seats. Its plastic body also means that it’s lightweight, easy to carry, and straightforward to get through airport security.
7. Graco Contender Slim
👶 Weight Limit: Rear-facing 40 lbs, forward-facing 65 lbs
📏 Height Limit: 40 inches
⚖️ Product Weight: 16 lbs
🏅 Certification: FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approved
🇺🇸 Meets Car Seat Law USA: NHTSA approved. Meets all FMVSS 213 and FMVSS 302 standards.
🇬🇧 🇪🇺 Meets Car Seat Law UK/EU: ?
The Graco Contender Slim Convertible Car Seat is one of the best rear-facing car seats on the market and an updated, sleeker version of the popular Graco Contender 65.
As the name suggests, the Contender Slim is slightly narrower and more compact than the tried-and-tested family favourite, meaning it’s easier to transport and will fit into the majority of plane and car seats.
At 16 lbs, the Contender is one of the heavier car seats on this list. But it makes up for its extra pounds in its durability and longevity.
The ergonomic design of this car seat means that it can grow with your child from birth until around 6-7 years old, with adjustable rear-facing harnesses for younger children and forward-facing harnesses for bigger kids. As such you won’t have to keep buying new seats as they grow.
The headrest and harness even adjust together in one simple motion, allowing for a comfortable fit for every child and less messing around with adjustments for parents.
The removable infant inserts and toddler headrest also ensure a comfortable ride for little ones, while the 2-position recline helps prevent babies’ heads from rolling forward.
The seat is equipped with a variety of great safety features, including side-impact protection, which will give you peace of mind while you’re on the road.
8. Safety 1st Jive 2-in-1 Convertible
👶 Weight Limit: Rear-facing 40 lbs, forward-facing 65 lbs
📏 Height Limit: 40 inches
⚖️ Product Weight: 14.25 lbs
🏅 Certification: FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approved
🇺🇸 Meets Car Seat Law USA: Meets FMVSS 213 standards
🇬🇧 🇪🇺 Meets Car Seat Law UK/EU: ?
The Safety 1st Jive 2-in-1 Convertible Car Seat is another great option for travelling families. The rear-facing position can hold little ones up to 40 lbs (approx. 4 years), while the front-facing position’s maximum weight limit is 65 lbs (approx. 6-7 years).
With its ultra-slim fit, at just 17.5 inches in width, the seat is one of the best options for fitting 3 seats across in the back of your car. Perfect if you’re travelling with a larger or extended family and need to fit multiple children into your rental car.
The Safety 1st Jive is also one of the more affordable travel car seat options that is FAA approved for use on a plane and meets all basic and mandatory safety standards. There are no fancy bells and whistles on this seat, but it’ll definitely keep your little one safe.
The car seat has a removable cup holder for storing drinks and snacks during longer journeys. The smart design means that the cup holders sit to the front without adding extra width to the seat, so it’ll still fit easily into most car and plane seats.
9. Cosco MightyFit 65 DX
👶 Weight Limit: Rear-facing 40 lbs, forward-facing 65 lbs
📏 Height Limit: Rear-facing 40 inches, forward-facing 49 inches
⚖️ Product Weight: 12.76 lbs
🏅 Certification: FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approved
🇺🇸 Meets Car Seat Law USA: NHTSA approved.
🇬🇧 🇪🇺 Meets Car Seat Law UK/EU: ?
The MightFit 65 DX is another great choice, this FAA-approved travel seat is by the popular US car seat brand Cosco Kids and is lightweight, compact, and simple to install, making it quick and easy to move from one vehicle to another.
The MightFit 65 DX infant seat also has top-notch safety features, including side impact protection and an adjustable 5-point harness.
While this seat does work in the rear-facing position, it’s much easier to install forward facing, making it a better option for slightly older children 2 years and older.
It’s also a little taller than many other car seats in its price range, with a height limit of 49 inches, so it’ll last slightly longer – especially if your child is already outgrowing their peers.
10. Graco SlimFit 3-in-1
👶 Weight Limit: Rear-facing 40 lbs, forward-facing 65 lbs, booster 100 lbs
📏 Height Limit: Rear-facing 1 inch below the handle, forward-facing 49 inches, booster 57 inches
⚖️ Product Weight: 19.47 lbs
🏅 Certification: FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approved
🇺🇸 Meets Car Seat Law USA: Meets FMVSS 213 standards
🇬🇧 🇪🇺 Meets Car Seat Law UK/EU: ?
The Graco SlimFit 3-in-1 is the longest-lasting car seat on this list and one of just a handful of 3-in-1 child car seats currently on the market.
The seat has three different modes of use to support children from 5-100 lbs; rear-facing for babies and toddlers, forward-facing for small children, and a highback booster for bigger kids up to around 12 years old.
The first two modes feature a 5-point harness so are FAA approved to be used on a plane. The booster mode can’t be used on a plane, but you can still easily take it onboard to use in your rental car or taxi at your final destination.
The durability and longer lifespan do mean that the seat is slightly heavier and bulkier than other travel car seats. But it is still lighter and cheaper than most of its 3-in-1 competitors.
If your car seat doesn’t come with a car seat bag then we highly recommend purchasing one. Not only does this make transporting your car seat easier but it also helps to protect it if you choose to put it in the hold with other baggage during air travel.
In our opinion, the best car seat travel bags come with shoulder straps / backpack straps so that the car seat can be carried either like a tote bag or a backpack.
11. Evenflo Sonus 65 Convertible
👶 Weight Limit: Rear-facing 40 lbs, forward-facing 65 lbs
📏 Height Limit: Rear-facing 40 inches, forward-facing 50 inches
⚖️ Product Weight: 11.5 lbs
🏅 Certification: FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approved
🇺🇸 Meets Car Seat Law USA: Meets FMVSS 213 standards
🇬🇧 🇪🇺 Meets Car Seat Law UK/EU: ?
The Evenflo Sonus 65 Convertible is an affordable and lightweight travel-friendly car seat that doesn’t compromise on safety or comfort.
One of the best things about the Evenflo Sonus 65 Convertible Car Seat is how easy it is to install and adjust. The car seat has a one-hand adjustable headrest and a harness that adjusts with a simple tug.
It also has a slightly wider seat base than many of its competitors, while still maintaining its slim and compact size, so that the seat can fit a broader range of children.
The seat has a built-in ventilation system to help control your child’s temperature. This feature is ideal if you’re travelling to a hot destination and want a seat that will stop your little one from overheating on a long plane and car journeys.
12. Graco Size4Me 65 Convertible
👶 Weight Limit: Rear-facing 40 lbs, forward-facing 65 lbs
📏 Height Limit: Rear-facing 1 inch below the handle, forward-facing 49 inches
⚖️ Product Weight: 19.3 lbs
🏅 Certification: FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approved
🇺🇸 Meets Car Seat Law USA: Meets FMVSS 213 standards
🇬🇧 🇪🇺 Meets Car Seat Law UK/EU: ?
The Graco Size4Me 65 Convertible is a durable and easy-to-clean car seat that grows with your child. Its two seating modes (rear and front-facing) and adjustable harness and headrest help protect children up to 65 lbs (approx. 6-7 years).
Its energy-absorbing foam base and side-impact absorption provide ultimate safety, while removable head/body support, 3 recline positions, and 2 buckle positions are designed to keep little ones comfortable no matter where you go.
The seat’s InRight one-click LATCH system makes it simple to move between vehicles. There’s even an easy-to-read level indicator and audible click so that you know the seat has been installed correctly.
The Size4Me 65 also features Graco’s Rapid Remove cover, which lets you quickly remove the machine-washable seat cover without uninstalling the entire seat. So you can quickly clean up any spills or stains and be ready for your next adventure without any extra hassle.
13. Nuna Pipa Urbn
👶 Weight Limit: 28.6 lbs
📏 Height Limit: 30 inches
⚖️ Product Weight: 7.3 lbs
🏅 Certification: FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and TÜV approved
🇺🇸 Meets Car Seat Law USA: ?
🇬🇧 🇪🇺 Meets Car Seat Law UK/EU: Complies with European standard: ECE R129/03
The Nuna Pipa Urbn is one of the newest additions to the child car seat market, but it’s already had a huge impact.
Suitable for babies and toddlers up to around 2 years (depending on weight), the Pipa Urbn is a high-end, luxury car seat for parents looking for ultimate safety, comfort, convenience, and style.
The revolutionary seat features a built-in ISOFIX system that’s integrated into the car seat itself. This means you don’t need a separate base like with most other infant seats.
This baseless installation allows for secure and stress-free installation in just two seconds, so you can quickly move the seat from car to plane to taxi. The Pipa Urbn is ultralight at just 7.3 lbs and has a luxe leatherette carry handle.
The sleekly designed car seat also has a variety of premium features, including a memory foam headrest, a full-coverage canopy to protect against the sun, a flip-out eyeshade, and a large peek-a-boo window for checking on the little one while they’re sleeping.
The seat is compatible with all Nuna strollers, including the Nuna TRVL stroller which folds down small enough to be stored in most plane’s overhead bins. It’s so simple and easy to connect the Nuna car seat and stroller that you can do it with just one hand.
14. Maxi-Cosi Romi Convertible
👶 Weight Limit: 40 lbs
📏 Height Limit: 46 inches
⚖️ Product Weight: 7.8 lbs
🏅 Certification: FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approved
🇺🇸 Meets Car Seat Law USA: Yes
🇬🇧 🇪🇺 Meets Car Seat Law UK/EU: Meets all ECE R44 and R129 standards
Weighing just 7.8 lbs, the Romi Convertible is one of the lightest seats in the popular Maxi-Cosi car seat range. Not only is it super lightweight, but the seat’s top connectors also double as a convenient strap that attaches to the shell, so you can carry it backpack-style as you walk through the airport and to your gate.
The seat itself is designed with a one-click LATCH system for quick and easy installation in any car.
It can also be secured using a vehicle seat belt, with a belt path that feeds through the shell of the seat, preventing bulky aeroplane buckles from sitting uncomfortably in your child’s back while flying.
The seat works in both the rear-facing and front-facing position, and the removable infant insert and adjustable harness and headrest help to keep your child safe and comfortable as they grow. However, the compact size means the seat is only suitable for smaller children up to 40 lbs, so you will need to upgrade as your child outgrows it.
15. Century Drive On 3-in-1
👶 Weight Limit: Rear-facing 40 lbs, forward-facing 65 lbs, booster 100 lbs
📏 Height Limit: Rear-facing 1 inch below the handle, forward-facing 49 inches, booster 57 inches
⚖️ Product Weight: 13.7 lbs
🏅 Certification: (Federal Aviation Administration) approved
🇺🇸 Meets Car Seat Law USA: Meets FMVSS 213 standards
🇬🇧 🇪🇺 Meets Car Seat Law UK/EU: ?
The Century Drive On 3-in-1 is another fantastic all-in-one travel car seat, with rear-facing, front-facing, and booster seat modes that can accommodate kids from birth until 12 years.
The seat is lightweight but still offers plenty of great features, such as the no-rethread harness, which means you can move the headrest and harness up or down with the squeeze of a handle for the perfect fit during every ride.
The seat is part of Century’s Happy Planet Collection, meaning the fabrics are made with recycled materials, making it one of the best eco-friendly car seat options.
As well as the basic grey, the seat also comes in a beautiful berry pink and vibrant splash blue, so you can customise it to fit your little one’s style.
16. Britax Allegiance Convertible
👶 Weight Limit: Rear-facing 40 lbs, forward-facing 65 lbs
📏 Height Limit: 49 inches
⚖️ Product Weight: 18.5 lbs
🏅 Certification: FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approved
🇺🇸 Meets Car Seat Law USA: ?
🇬🇧 🇪🇺 Meets Car Seat Law UK/EU: Meets ECE R44 and R129 standards
The Britax Allegiance Convertible is another compact car seat that’s designed to fit easily into most vehicles, making it perfect for travel. You can easily fit it into a small car or on an aeroplane seat without any hassle – although you may have to lift the armrests on some planes.
The seat’s high-strength steel frame means that it’s a little heavier than some of its competitors at 18.5 lbs. But it does increase its durability and makes the seat a good choice for an everyday and travel car seat.
The seat features SafeCell Technology that acts as a crumple zone and energy-absorbing side impact protection, for ultimate safety in the event of an accident.
It also has quick-push LATCH connectors for easy and quick installation, and plush foam padding and fabrics for a cosy and comfortable journey no matter where you go.
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