Key takeaways
- Cheapest pick worth buying: Graco TurboBooster Highback Booster Seat ($50 – $80).
- All-in-one seats last from baby to booster.
- Check the safety standard for your country and your car's fitting system.
In this article
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You do not need to spend a lot to get good car seats. These are the cheapest car seats we would still buy in the US, sorted by typical price.
Prices are typical ranges, not live prices. The button on each pick opens the current price.
Budget picks at a glance
| Product | Verdict | Score | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graco TurboBooster Highback Booster Seat | Buy | 8.0/10 | $50 – $80 |
| Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat | Buy | 8.9/10 | $230 – $280 |
| Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 Car Seat | Buy | 8.6/10 | $280 – $330 |
Budget picks in detail
Graco TurboBooster Highback Booster Seat
Big kids who have outgrown a harness · Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.0/10 · Typical price: $50 – $80
Why we like it: Low-cost belt-positioning booster.
Pros: Inexpensive · Converts to backless for older kids · Light and easy to move for carpools
Cons: No harness, so not for younger kids · Basic padding
Buy it if your child has outgrown the forward-facing harness limits and needs help fitting the adult seat belt.
Skip it if your child still fits a harnessed seat; keep them harnessed until they reach its limits.
Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat
Newborns and infants · Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.9/10 · Typical price: $230 – $280
Why we like it: Easy, level installs with a rear-facing infant fit.
Pros: Bubble level and spring-loaded leveling foot help a correct install · Rear-facing from 4 to 35 lb · Anti-rebound bar on the base · Clicks into Chicco strollers
Cons: Outgrown in the first year or two · Heavier to carry than some rivals
Buy it if you want a well-reviewed infant seat that clicks into a base and many strollers, and is easy to install correctly.
Skip it if you want one seat to last from birth to booster; a convertible seat costs less over time.
Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 Car Seat
One seat for the long haul · Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.6/10 · Typical price: $280 – $330
Why we like it: Four modes from rear-facing to backless booster.
Pros: Rear-facing to backless booster in one seat · Graco lists 10 years of use · Machine-washable cover · Good value for its lifespan
Cons: Large and heavy to move between cars · Not a carrier for newborn outings
Buy it if you want one seat that goes from rear-facing to booster and stays usable for years.
Skip it if you need a newborn seat you can carry, or have a very small car.
How to save money
All-in-one seats last from baby to booster.
The deepest discounts usually arrive during the big summer sales in July, the October sales events and Black Friday through Cyber Monday in late November.
Where not to cut corners
Check the safety standard for your country and your car's fitting system.
Common mistake: Using a second-hand seat with an unknown history.
Compare more options
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Related reading
Frequently asked questions
What are the best cheap car seats in the US?
The cheapest model we would still buy is Graco TurboBooster Highback Booster Seat, typically $50 – $80.
Are cheap car seats worth it?
All-in-one seats last from baby to booster. Do not compromise on the basics, though. Check the safety standard for your country and your car's fitting system.
When are car seats cheapest in the US?
The deepest discounts usually arrive during the big summer sales in July, the October sales events and Black Friday through Cyber Monday in late November.