Compare the🏆 best car seats for 3-4-year-olds in 2023 and find the perfect one for your child. Ensure their safety with features like adjustable headrests and straps, comfort, side impact protection systems, and energy-absorbing foam padding, plus ease of use and affordability.
Features to Look For in the Best Car Seats for 3-4-Year-Olds
- Safety Features – The best car seats come with additional safety features such as head impact protection, side impact protection systems, and energy-absorbing foam padding which absorb energy during an accident helping to protect your child from serious injury or harm. Look for seats with high crash test ratings as well.
- Comfort – Make sure your child is comfortable in their car seat by checking reviews from other parents about how comfortable the seat is and how easy it is to adjust it so that it fits your child perfectly.
- Adjustability – Choose a car seat that can be adjusted easily in order to ensure the highest level of safety for your child. Look for adjustable headrests and straps as well as adjustability options that accommodate different heights and weights.
- Ease of Use – It’s important to find a car seat that is easy to install and use – both for you and your child! Check out parent reviews to get an idea of how intuitive each feature of the seat is, as well as how easy they find it is to clip and unclip their child from the seat without having any issues.
Average Height to Weight Chart of a Child
Female Children: 3-4 Years Years (Updated: 2022-10-16, Author: Disabled World)| Age | Weight | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Years | 31.5 lb. (14.29 kg) | 37.0" (94 cm) |
| 4 Years | 34.0 lb. (15.42 kg) | 39.5" (100.3 cm) |
| Age | Weight | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Years | 31.0 lb. (14.06 kg) | 37.5" (95.2 cm) |
| 4 Years | 36.0 lb. (16.33 kg) | 40.3" (102.3 cm) |
Recommended (nhtsa.gov) car seats based on your child’s age and size
Best car seats for 3-year-olds on 2023
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Best booster seat for 3-4-year-old
![Britax Grow with You ClickTight Harness-2-Booster Car Seat, Spark - Premium, Soft Knit Fabric [New Version of Frontier]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41WLD93gC7L.jpg)
✔ The Graco ProtectPlus Engineered is a safe for any child that has been put through the most rigorous crash tests;
✔ It comes with 10 positions, no rethreading harness system which allows you to adjust it easily once its fastened without worrying about losing your place or getting tangled up in all those cords!;
✔ Measures 16.7 inches wide, with a spacious seat for your child's comfort ;
✔ Superior DuoGuard with a deep rigid shell and EPS energy-absorbing foam for head and body support creates two levels of side-impact protection.
✔ The high back booster accommodates your growing child with a 9-position headrest and a 4-position recline.
✔ The extra deep, contoured ErgoBoost seat with dual-density foam padding offers a more comfortable ride in both modes.
✔ Premium, soft touch fabrics: 4-way stretch athleisure fabric combines style and function for a modern look that’s easy to clean
✔ Stay put, soft comfort pads keep your child's neck from rubbing against the harness strap.
✔ With ClickTight, you know it’s right in just 3 easy steps. Open, thread & buckle, close
✔ The Graco ProtectPlus Engineered is a safe for any child that has been put through the most rigorous crash tests;
✔ It comes with 10 positions, no rethreading harness system which allows you to adjust it easily once its fastened without worrying about losing your place or getting tangled up in all those cords!;
✔ Measures 16.7 inches wide, with a spacious seat for your child's comfort ;
✔ Superior DuoGuard with a deep rigid shell and EPS energy-absorbing foam for head and body support creates two levels of side-impact protection.
✔ The high back booster accommodates your growing child with a 9-position headrest and a 4-position recline.
✔ The extra deep, contoured ErgoBoost seat with dual-density foam padding offers a more comfortable ride in both modes.
✔ Premium, soft touch fabrics: 4-way stretch athleisure fabric combines style and function for a modern look that’s easy to clean
✔ Stay put, soft comfort pads keep your child's neck from rubbing against the harness strap.
✔ With ClickTight, you know it’s right in just 3 easy steps. Open, thread & buckle, close
The best car seat for 3-4-year-old on 2023
Advantage
- Attractive design with great features for a growing child;
- Super easy to install;
- Easy to tighten;
- There’s good leg space for my baby;
- The frame is steel;
- Great price.
Disadvantage
- The level attached to your seat is on the opposite side of the tension strap, so when installing you have to be mindful and stay centered while pulling the slack in the belt.
Best Evenflo car seat for 3-4 Years Old
Advantage
- Super cushion
- Cup holders are removable
- Very pleased that it was easy to adjust to her height to buckle her safely.
- Baby sleeps so easily in it when we’re going on long trips, they lounge back well and don’t fuss whatsoever while being in it.
Disadvantage
- There’s no “give” on the belt that you have to pull to tighten the seat down so it’s not moving.
- A downside to this car seat would be not having the sensor-safe clip like we have in our infant car seat.
Evenflo EveryFit 4-in-1: NHTSA Ease of Use Ratings
Best Chicco car seat for 3-4 Years Old
Advantage
- Advances in technology and safety features
- It’s amazingly easy to adjust the harness straps
- The LATCH grips are amazing and the Cinch to Fit system (Installed in my mid-sized SUV, this seat does not move even a fraction of an inch.)
- The seat fits very well in my vehicle.
Disadvantage
- The seat is quite heavy.
Chicco NextFit IX Zip: NHTSA Ease of Use Ratings
Car Seat for 3-4-Year-Olds: FAQ
Choose a car seat with a five-point harness to keep your child safe and secure.
When choosing a car seat for a 3-4-year-old, it is important to select one with a five-point harness. This type of harness will keep your child secure in the event of an accident. The Graco 4Ever All-in-One Convertible Car Seat and the Chicco NextFit Zip Convertible Car Seat both feature five-point harnesses.
Make sure the car seat is easy to install and fits your vehicle properly
When choosing a car seat for a 3-4-year-old, it is important to make sure that the car seat is easy to install and fits your vehicle properly. The Graco 4Ever All-in-One Convertible Car Seat and the Chicco NextFit Zip Convertible Car Seat are both designed to be easy to install.
To find out if a car seat will fit in your vehicle, you can use NHTSA’s car seat fit guide. This guide will help you determine if a car seat will fit in your vehicle based on its make, model, and year.
Tips for using a car seat safely
- Always read the car seat manual carefully and follow all instructions.
- Make sure the car seat is installed correctly and that it fits your vehicle properly.
- Use the car seat in the correct seating position for your child’s height and weight.
- Make sure your child is buckled in correctly according to the car seat manual.
- Do not use a car seat that has been in a car accident.
- Do not use a car seat that is expired or has been recalled.
- Replace any parts of the car seat that are damaged or missing.
Look for a car seat that has been crashing tested and meets safety standards
How We Tested
- We recently tested several car seats suitable for children between the ages of three and four.
- Through our comprehensive testing process, we have identified the perfect seat that meets every safety requirement while being comfortable and fully adjustable.
- We conducted extensive research on each seat to understand its features, performance, weight capacity, and overall fit in a vehicle. All seats were evaluated according to industry standards and guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
- We put each seat through a series of rigorous tests to ensure it would provide maximum protection for 3-4-year-olds.
- This included crash testing with an impact sled simulator, which measured how well the seats managed forces generated in a real-life crash situation. Our experts also examined every strap and buckle for durability and strength.
- In addition to evaluating crash test results, we looked at how easily each seat could be installed into cars. The seats were tested in vehicles from major manufacturers to ensure they fit correctly with all safety features working properly.
- We took notes on installation time, ease of use when adjusting straps or buckles, if any additional parts were required, etc.
Finally, when looking at the comfort levels of each car seat we considered padding materials used as well as overall design elements such as straps that wouldn’t constrict movement too much or become uncomfortable for long drives.
Our test results:
Comparing the Safety Ratings
- Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 Car Seat – This car seat ranks 5 stars out of 5 overall in crash testing. It has excellent side impact protection as well as being easy to use and install correctly.
- Evenflo EveryFit 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat – This car seat also has an overall 5-star rating from the NHTSA. It has great side impact protection and is easy to use and install.
- Chicco NextFit Zip Convertible Car Seat – The Chicco NextFit has an overall rating of 4 stars out of 5 from the NHTSA. It has good side impact protection but is slightly more difficult to use than other models.
- Graco SlimFit3 LX 3 in 1 Car Seat – The Graco SlimFit3 scores 5 stars in overall safety from the NHTSA. It also offers excellent side impact protection and is simple to use and install correctly.
- Chicco MyFit Harness + Booster Car Seat – The MyFIT scores 5 stars overall according to the NHTSA tests. It features strong side impact protection and is very easy to install correctly.
- Britax Grow with You ClickTight Harness-2-Booster Car Seat – This model gives parents added peace of mind as it scores 5 stars in overall safety ratings from the NHTSA tests. Like other models, it offers excellent side impact protection and ease of installation.
Comparing the Comfort Features
- Graco 4Ever DLX 4 in 1 Car Seat – The Graco 4Ever DLX has 9 reclining positions and adjustable headrests offering maximum comfort for your baby or toddler. Its fabric is breathable and plush to provide extra comfort.
- Evenflo EveryFit 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat – The Evenflo EveryFit has 8 reclining positions and easily adjustable headrests providing comfortable seating for your child. Its cushioned fabrics are also soft and breathable.
- Chicco NextFit Zip Convertible Car Seat – This car seat offers 9 reclining positions and adjustable headrests which give added support while on the road. It also has padded fabrics which make it both comfortable and breathable.
- Graco SlimFit3 LX 3 in 1 Car Seat – This car seat has 10 reclining positions and an adjustable headrest so your child is always comfortable while riding in the car. The fabrics are easy to clean as well as being plush to provide extra comfort.
- Chicco MyFit Harness + Booster Car Seat – This seat provides 8 reclining positions as well as easily adjustable headrests for added support during rides. It also has foam padding throughout ensuring maximum comfort for your little one during longer journeys.
- Britax Grow with You ClickTight Harness-2-Booster Car Seat – This booster car seat offers 13 reclining positions and easily adjustable headrests making it ideal for growing kids who need extra support while driving. It also features lots of cushioning around the seat ensuring maximum comfort at all times.
Comparing the Adjustability Features
- Graco 4Ever DLX 4 in 1 Car Seat – The Graco 4Ever DLX has 9 reclining positions and adjustable headrests so you can customize it to your child’s comfort level. Its latch system also allows for easy installation while maintaining optimal safety.
- Evenflo EveryFit 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat – The Evenflo EveryFit car seat has 8 reclining positions and an easily adjustable headrest which provide superior comfort on longer journeys. It also features an advanced LATCH connection system which simplifies installation.
- Chicco NextFit Zip Convertible Car Seat – This car seat provides 9 reclining positions and its adjustable headrest makes it easier to customize your child’s seating position for maximum comfort and safety. Its SuperCinch latch technology ensures secure installation every time.
- Graco SlimFit3 LX 3 in 1 Car Seat – The Graco SlimFIt3 has 10 reclining positions as well as adjustable headrests allowing you to find the perfect fit for your child’s needs. Its one-second LATCH provides an easy no hassle way to securely install it into your vehicle correctly every time.
- Chicco MyFit Harness + Booster Car Seat – This car seat gives parents added peace of mind with 8 reclining positions and easily adjustable headrests that ensure the best fit possible. It also comes with the SuperCinch latch system which makes sure that it is installed properly and securely every time it is used.
- Britax Grow with You ClickTight Harness-2-Booster Car Seat – This model provides up to 13 reclining positions alongside its easily adjustable headrests designed specifically to grow along with your child’s needs. Installation is made effortless thanks to its ClickTight system which ensures proper tightness every single use without the worry of error or misuse.
Comparing the Ease of Use Features
- Graco 4Ever DLX 4 in 1 Car Seat – The Graco 4Ever DLX comes equipped with an adjustable no-rethread harness system which makes it easy to change the height as your child grows. Its latch system also allows for easy installation while maintaining optimal safety.
- Evenflo EveryFit 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat – Parents will find this car seat simple to install with its advanced LATCH connection system and adjustable headrests. It also has 8 reclining positions which can be easily adjusted for maximum comfort on longer trips.
- Chicco NextFit Zip Convertible Car Seat – Parents will love this car seat’s 9 reclining positions and easily adjustable headrests as they provide superior comfort while driving. Its SuperCinch latch technology ensures secure installation every time as well.
- Graco SlimFit3 LX 3 in 1 Car Seat – Installing it is made easier thanks to its one-second LATCH system and 10 reclining positions allow you to find the perfect fit for your child’s needs at any time. Its adjustable headrests ensure maximum comfort for your little one during rides too.
- Chicco MyFit Harness + Booster Car Seat – This model offers parents added peace of mind with 8 reclining positions and simple adjustable headrests that make sure your little one is always comfortable on long trips. Installation is made effortless thanks to its SuperCinch latch system which securely installs it every time without worry or error.
- Britax Grow with You ClickTight Harness-2-Booster Car Seat – This seat provides 13 reclining positions alongside its easily adjustable headrests specifically designed to grow along with your child’s needs making it ideal for growing children who need extra support while driving. Installation is made easy by its ClickTight system which ensures proper tightness without worry or misuse every single use.
Final Thoughts
The Graco 4Ever DLX is one of the best car seats on the market for 3-4-year-olds.
It features a 4-in-1 design that allows you to use it for 10 years and includes many safety features that will help keep your child secure in the event of a crash.
The seat is also very comfortable, with 6 different positions that allow your child to recline. If you’re looking for a high-quality car seat for your 3-4-year-old, the Graco 4Ever DLX should be at the top of your list.
Sources:
- Child Passenger Safety https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/142/5/e20182460/38530/Child-Passenger-Safety
- Why Rear Facing: the Science Junkie’s Guide
- Car Seat Ease-of-Use Ratings https://www.nhtsa.gov/car-seats-and-booster-seats/car-seat-ease-use-ratings
Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1: Does the recline 1,2,3 for rear-facing have a weight restriction?
The Graco 4Ever DLX car seats come with a newborn- friendly design, allowing them to be used in any position and still providing optimal protection for your little one. We recommend having it reclined as far back into its seat belt harness strap notch possible so that there’s no strain on their neck when they’re sleeping or just sitting watching you drive off!
Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 secure when in rear-facing mode or does it slide side to side?
The Graco 4Ever DLX car seat is a breeze to install, and once you get the adjusting done there’s no movement whatsoever. I tried pushing from both sides – not only does this chair not budge; if anything my older grandson was able lean back more securely in his new high tech booster seat! The rear facing position feels very secure so until next time enjoy these seats while they last
Does Chicco NextFit Zip fit in the Chicco travel system?
Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1
No
Where is the strap release button for the Chicco NextFit Zip? Is it under the padding next to the belt?
Chicco has created a clever design feature with their NextFit Zip car seat. The release button for the Chicco’s Installation is hidden under its cover, and it can only be accessed by sticking your finger in between two slots which are very tight spaces that require some effort on behalf of an adult to push down onto them so they will pop open easily when released from their position being depressed against each other due either accidentally or upon intent- this would not bode well if there were smaller children around trying do something as advanced suchafely opening upgear gadgets!
Does the Chicco MyFit Harness have both a super buckle and a premium buckle?
Yes the MyFit harness has Premium LATCH connectors and Super Cinch for a secure fit with a fraction of the effort.