20+ Car Seats on Amazon for Under $150
Car seats have become quite the topic in the past few years.
With new recommendations and laws being put in place, it can be a daunting task to find a car seat for your little one. It can seem even more difficult when you’re on a budget, because society has planted the misconception that cheap = not good.
To clear the air: every car seat on the market has to pass the same safety tests. So, whether you spend $50 or $250, rest assured that your child will be safe in any seat you choose. The only way your child would be unsafe is if you use the seat incorrectly.
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Here are the current American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines on car seats:
This post isn’t technically about car seat safety, but I want to stress the importance of following current guidelines and laws. For more info, check out these links:
Car Seats: Information for Parents
Product Listing for 2018
Car Seat Checkup
Car Seat Laws by State
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Okay, on to the main topic of this post!
When it comes to shopping for car seats, Amazon is the last place I thought of. But it turns out that Amazon actually has some of the lowest prices (not to mention their fast shipping).
Searching for and comparing seats can be quite the task, so I put together this round up of the highest rated car seats under $150 for those of you looking for a great seat on a budget! The seats are categorized by type and are in order from most to least expensive. I’ve also listed some key stats for each seat, including the height and weight limits.
Infant Seats – rear facing only, for infants from birth to 22-40 lbs (depending on the seat)
Rear-facing from 4 to 35 lbs. and up to 32″
Adjustable base with 6 recline positions
Seat weight: 7.5 lbs.
- Maxi-Cosi Mico AP – $120
Rear-facing from 5 to 22 lbs. and up to 29″
Seat weight: 8 lbs.
- Graco SnugRide SnugLock – $110
Rear-facing from 4 to 30 lbs. and up to 30″
Adjustable base with 4 recline positions
Seat Weight: 13.2 lbs.
- Safety 1st Onboard 35 LT – $100
Rear-facing from 4 to 35 lbs. and up to 32″
Adjustable base
Seat Weight: 14.99 lbs.
- Evenflo LiteMax 35 – $100
Rear-facing from 4 to 35 lbs. and up to 32″
Adjustable base with 4 recline positions
Seat Weight: 16 lbs.
Convertible Seats – rear facing/forward facing, for infants & children from birth to 50 lbs (rear facing) and 22 to 85 lbs. (forward facing, depending on the seat)
- Maxi-Cosi Vello 65 – $150
Rear-facing 9 to 40 lbs.
Forward-facing 22 to 65 lbs. and up to 52″
- Graco Contender – $145
Rear-facing from 5 to 40 lbs. and up until head reaches 1″ below handle
Forward-facing from 20 to 65 lbs. and up to 49″
Adjustable harness and headrest with 8 positions
Rear-facing from 5 to 40 lbs. and up to 40″
Forward-facing from 22 to 65 lbs. and up to 52″
Belt-positioning booster from 40 to 100 lbs. and up to 52″
Adjustable harness and headrest
3 position recline
- Evenflo Triumph LX – $130
Rear-facing from 5 to 40 lbs. and 37″
Forward-facing from 22 to 65 lbs. and 50″
Adjustable harness
Multi-position recline
- Disney APT – $65
Rear-facing from 5 to 40 lbs.
Forward-facing from 22 to 40 lbs. and up to 43″
Lightweight
Harness Booster Seats – forward-facing only, for toddlers & children from 22 to 120 lbs. (depending on the seat)
- Evenflo Evolve 3-in-1 – $130
5-Point Harness: from 22 to 65 lbs. and up to 50″
Belt Positioning Booster: from 40 to 120 lbs. and up to 57″
No Back Booster: from 40 to 120 lbs. and up to 57″
Adjustable harness and headrest
One position recline
- Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 – $100
5-Point Harness: from 22 to 65 lbs. and up to 49″
High Back Booster: from 30 to 100 lbs. and up to 57″
No Back Booster: from 40 to 100 lbs. and up to 57″
Adjustable harness and headrest with 8 positions
- Evenflo Maestro – $75
5-Point Harness: from 22 to 50 lbs. and up to 50″
Belt Positioning Booster: from 40 to 100 lbs. and up to 57″
Adjustable harness
- Cosco Finale 2-in-1 – $60
5-Point Harness: from 30 to 65 lbs. and up to 49″
Belt Positioning Booster: from 40 to 100 lbs. and up to 52″
Fits 3 across in most vehicles
Lightweight
High Back Booster Seats – forward facing only, for children ages 4+ who weigh 40 lbs. or more
- Chicco KidFit Zip – $130
Weight: 30 to 110 lbs.
Height: 38 to 57″
SuperCinch LATCH tightener
10 position side protection
2 position backrest
Fold away cup holders
- Britax Parkway SGL G1.1 – $120
Weight: 40 to 120 lbs.
Height: 38 to 63″
ISOFLEX LATCH system
SecureGuard Belt Positioning Clip
Quick-adjust headrest
Retractable cup holders
Weight: 30 to 100 lbs.
Height: 38 to 57″
Adjustable headrest
Hide away cup holders
Padded armrests
- Evenflo Big Kid – $40
Weight: 30 to 110 lbs.
Height: 40 to 57″
Adjustable height
Dual cup holders
Built-in belt guides
Backless Booster Seats – forward-facing only, for children ages 4+ who weigh 40 lbs. or more. these seats are to be used until your child meets ALL criteria to stop using a booster seat.
*check to see if your child passes the 5 step test here.
- Clek Ozzi – $60
Age: 4+
Weight: 40 to 120 lbs.
Height: 40 to 57″
Rigid LATCH Connectors
Additional layer of padding for extra comfort
Age: 4+
Weight: 40 to 100 lbs.
Height: 43 to 57″
Folds 50% smaller via the Fast Action Fold
Space saving cup holders
- Chicco GoFit – $40
Age: 4+
Weight: 40 to 110 lbs.
Height: 38 to 57″
Removable, fold away cup holders
Convenient carry handle
- Evenflo AMP – $30
Age: 4+
Weight: 40 to 110 lbs.
Height: 40 to 57″
Built-in belt clip
Dual cup holders
- Cosco Topside – $25
Age: 4+
Weight: 40 to 100 lbs.
Height: 43 to 57″
Fits 3 across in most vehicles
Lightweight
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Now, keep in mind that these are just a few of the hundreds of car seats on the market. Each seat is a bit different, so be sure to compare a few and make sure they meet all your “must haves”. Also, many of these seats are able to grow with your child, so you can save a bit of money that way. Before picking a seat, be sure to get your child’s current height and weight. You’ll also want to check your car and see what seats may or may not fit!
I hope this post was helpful for those of you trying to find that “perfect” car seat for your little one!
