Safety is always the first consideration when selecting a car seat for your child. It can be difficult to choose the best option with so many available. Crash tests fill that need by assisting parents in determining which models offer the best protection in the event of an accident.
We’ll examine some of the best and safest kid car seats on the market in more detail in this post. These models have undergone extensive testing and been shown to adhere to the strictest durability and safety regulations.
With this guide, you can make an informed decision that prioritizes your child’s safety, regardless of whether you’re a first-time parent or looking to upgrade your current seat.
- What is it?
- Safety standards
- Video on the topic
- Crash tests of ADAC child car seats 2025#1 in Russian
- Crash tests of ADAC child car seats 2025#1 in Russian
- Crash tests of ADAC child car seats 2025#1 in Russian
- Crash tests of ADAC child car seats SPRING 2025 (in Russian)
- Crash tests of ADAC child car seats 2025#1 in Russian
What is it?
Parents generally believe that a child is safest and most comfortable in their arms when they are in a car. This is essentially incorrect because there is a very high chance that a child will sustain a spinal fracture, bruising, or traumatic brain injury in a high-speed collision. A parent carrying a child in their arms falls on that child, and the child’s chances of not surviving are very high.
The primary responsibility of parents is to safeguard their child’s life to the fullest extent possible.
Some parents choose not to use car seats because they think they won’t often drive their kids and because expensive accessories have a limited lifespan despite their high cost. How can one select a high-quality infant car seat from the plethora of models available on the global market? Which one will reduce the chance of harm and offer your baby the highest level of safety?
Price does not always equate to the best quality; the priciest car seat is not always the best. In order to prove the quality of their products, manufacturers carry out extensive, rigorous testing – crash tests – in collaboration with outside experts. They make it easier to select the best model from a range of options, demonstrate a model’s quality in detail, and motivate manufacturers to closely check the quality of their output.
You can consider information from the following professional organizations when choosing a car seat.
- ADAC – automobile club from Lahnberg, Germany. Representatives of the club annually test child car seats for various characteristics.
- ANWB – automobile union from Holland, testing child seats.
- TCS – automobile club from Switzerland. The organization tests seats according to two criteria: reliability and ease of use.
- WARENTEST – German magazine, which regularly tests restraints together with ADAC. The main aspects of the test are safety and comfort.
- RACC – automobile club from Spain, testing the reliability of child car seats in accordance with the parameters of the ADAC organization.
There are comparable organizations in Finland, Spain, Italy, and other nations. There are standard evaluation criteria that all car clubs adhere to, but each organization also has its own. Of course, this has to do with the young passenger’s safety. The distance to which the car seat will shift in a frontal impact at 50 km/h is the most crucial indicator to consider when conducting a crash test. A maximum of 55 cm is allowed for an indicator.
To guarantee the safety of young passengers, crash tests of child car seats are essential because they show which models offer the best protection in everyday scenarios. The best and safest models are distinguished by their superior comfort and durability, as well as their capacity to absorb shock and lower the risk of injury. These tests give parents peace of mind for every car ride by helping them select car seats that go above and beyond safety requirements.
Safety standards
Since 2009, car seats have been subject to European regulations requiring compliance with the unified standard ECE R44/04. The safety of child seats is determined by a wide range of factors. Europe has adopted the world’s most stringent and demanding safety standards. For instance, this standard stipulates that the vehicle must be tested at a speed of 50 km/h and that the internal seat belt widths for categories "0+" and "1" and categories "2" and "3" must be greater than 25 mm and 38 mm, respectively. According to the rules, it is not acceptable to have metal or other sharp objects near a child.
The safety of the seat in side impacts is not yet governed by these regulations, though. Concurrently, the majority of manufacturers started adding strengthened side inserts to chairs to safeguard kids in case of an emergency. There is always a round ECE R44/04 conformity mark on high-quality seats. It is orange and has the country index and the letter E on it. The tests were conducted in that country. A six-digit number beginning with 04 or 03, which corresponds to the numbers of the last two editions of this Standard, should appear at the bottom of the mark.
The car seat should come with illustrated operating instructions attached to the side of the seat in addition to the operating instructions. Should the child seat have an Isofix mount, it should also list the vehicles in which it is approved for installation. Such a certification attests to the fact that the item
- is equipped with belt fasteners and a special tensioning mechanism;
- is resistant to corrosion, temperature and dirt.
While ADAC test symbols are frequently attached to seats by manufacturers, only ECE R44 is required. It is against the law in Europe to transport children without a chair that complies with ECE R44/04 regulations.
| Car Seat Model | Crash Test Rating |
| Britax Römer Kidfix III S | 5 stars – Excellent protection and comfort |
| Cybex Solution Z-Fix | 4.5 stars – Great overall safety, easy to install |
| Joie i-Spin 360 | 4 stars – Good impact protection, convenient rotation |
| Maxi-Cosi Pearl Pro i-Size | 4 stars – Strong safety features, adjustable headrest |
| Graco SlimFit | 3.5 stars – Solid protection, compact design |
One of the most crucial choices a parent must make is selecting the best and safest child car seat available. Crash tests provide insightful information about how various models function in practical situations, assisting families in making well-informed decisions.
Strong safety features, user-friendliness, and comfort for the child are all combined to create the best car seats. A few of the best-performing models are distinguished by their sophisticated side-impact protection, safe harness systems, and adaptability to different kinds of vehicles.
In the end, it’s critical to take into account both your unique needs and the test results when choosing a car seat. Crucial elements include your child’s comfort level, age, and a suitable fit for your car. Selecting models that have demonstrated superior performance in crash tests is a significant step toward guaranteeing your child’s safety while driving.
