WHAT IS THE BEST GROUP 3 CAR SEAT? - PARENTHOOD

Group 3 car seat (booster or booster): here are the best models

The booster or booster is the last type of seat to use before seating the child in the car "like the grown-ups", also called a "group 2/3" seat. Up to 135 cm, road safety legislation requires children to travel in an approved car seat suitable for their size or weight.

The purpose of the booster is to lift the baby so that it is at the correct height to be attached to the vehicle's seat belts.

The booster is not equipped with a harness or belt, it is the car seat belt that replaces them. In the case of child seats with backrests, the belts slide into a loop, thus avoiding the risk of strangulation or friction on the neck.

The best child seats certified by official tests
Each year, several accredited testing organizations evaluate a selection of car seats in all categories. The reference bodies for car seats are ADAC and TCS. The car seats in this review are the top rated models since 2017.

The ADAC score is between 0 and 5:

> 0.6 to 1.5: excellent

> 1.6-2.5: very good

> 2.6-3.5: satisfactory

> 3.6-4.5: sufficient

> from 4.6: inadequate

Each model is on offer and available online: add to cart and receive it in 24 hours

BRITAX Römer Kid riser
ADAC Score 1.7> Very good

The Britax Römer Kid III car seat has been the highest scoring model since 2017. Designed for children from 4 years old, it has an additional attachment to the Isofix anchors to improve lateral seat stability.

Our opinion:
Based on the award-winning Kidfix range, the Britax Römer Kidfix III M seat offers exceptional safety features. The industry-innovative SecureGuard system keeps the lap belts in optimal position on the pelvis bones. The side walls are wide and provide the baby with 360 ° protection.

Add to cart at 189 €
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Cybex Solution S-Fix car seat
ADAC score 1.7> very good

The Solution S i-Fix car seat is a car seat that complies with the ECE R129 / 03 standard (for children from 100 to 150 cm). Scalable, it adapts to growth and offers optimal security until it is old enough to sit like adults. Noted for its optimized width, it takes up relatively little space in the car.

Our opinion:
Appreciated for its solidity, this seat is relatively narrow, also suitable for medium vehicles and large families. Its extra wide seat offers quality ergonomics for children aged around 4 to 12. Compliant with the latest safety requirements and the ECE R129 standard, it's a safe bet.

Available at 199.95
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CYBEX Solution MSL child seat
ADAC score 1.8> Very good

The Solution M-SL approved car seat received a score of 1.8 in the latest ADAC tests: the linear and side protectors were praised for their performance. Rather light, it will be easy to place in the vehicle, for children aged 4 to 12 years.

Our opinion:
This brand continues to be among the top rated car seats in the ADAC test, even in other seat groups. Compliant with the R44 standard, this seat has an additional isofix attachment for added stability. Appreciated for its practicality, it is very light, practical in case of a regular change of vehicle or for a trip

Buy it on offer at € 199.48 and receive it in one day

Maxi Cosi / Bébé Confort Black Rodifix Airprotect seat
ADAC 1.8 score> very good

The Bébé Confort Rodifix Airprotect car seat is also one of the few boosters to have achieved a score of 1.8 in the ADAC tests. This group 2/3 booster is suitable for children from 15 to 36 kg. Airprotect technology provides additional head protection by acting as an airbag.

Our opinion:
An interesting evolutionary model for long journeys: the reclining backrest in the rest position is very comfortable and adapts to the vehicle seat. It is certainly a little more imposing than the other products, but it has additional padding in the seat and around the head.

Add to cart at 165 €
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Cybex Solution X-ifix child seat
ADAC 2020 score 2> good

The Solution X-ifix seat is one of the “latest generation” seats, compliant with the i-size R129 standard. It is suitable for children between the ages of 100cm and 150cm or approximately 4 to 12 years old. An ultra resistant and comfortable model with reinforced side protectors.

Our opinion:
The head and shoulder protectors adapt to growth and ensure optimized comfort from 4 to 12 years. The ventilation system integrated into the product allows the child to be comfortable, even in case of strong heat. The R129 homologation is a guarantee of safety, as side impact tests are more demanding.

Buy it discounted at € 119.95
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All Foppapedretti car seats
All Chicco car seats
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When should you start using a riser?

The legislation on car seats is quite specific as two standards coexist: the R44 standard (dating back to 1986) and the R129 standard (which came into force in 2013).

The R44 standard distinguishes car seats by weight group, while the R129 standard only refers to its size:

> The standard R44 car seats are suitable for children weighing from 15 kg to approx. 36 kg.

> The standard R129 car seats can only be used by children who are at least 100 cm tall.

From 2017 it should also be noted that the legislation makes it mandatory to use seats with backrests up to 22 kilos. Backrests are now prohibited for children weighing less than 125cm or 22kg.

Our advice: The indication of 15 kg is a very good minimum, and the legislation requires that the transition to a booster is delayed as much as possible: the child must in fact be mature enough and able to stay in the seat without moving too much. It will be better to wait until you have exceeded 18 kg (about 4 years), in order to maximize the safety of the child.

In terms of road safety and more specifically of car seats, two standards coexist in Italy: the R44 / 04 standard from 1986 and the R129 standard implemented in 2013.

According to regulation R44 / 04, there are 5 groups of seats, each corresponding to a different weight range:

- Group 0+: shell car seat, usable from birth up to 9 kg, only facing backwards. The shell (or so) is easily transportable from the car to the stroller (combined stroller model on approved chassis)

- Group 0 + / 1: intermediate stage before moving to a large size seat, seats are compatible from birth up to 18 kg. Ideally, it is best to wait until 9 kg is reached.

- Group 1/2/3: also called "progressive" seat, it is a car seat designed to follow children from 13 to 36 kg. Quite expensive and large, they are appreciated by parents who want to invest in a single approved product.

- Group 2/3: it is a booster that can be used from a minimum of 15 kg (preferably 18 kg) and up to 36 kg. This seat does not have its own harness, the attachment is provided directly by the vehicle's 3-point belt. In summary, it is necessary to change the car seat at least once: passing from group 0 to group 1/2/3 (progressive seat), or from group 0 + / 1 to group 2/3.

The R129 standard, introduced in 2013, distinguishes child seats based on size, indicating the maximum weight for each category:

- Car hulls: adapted from 40/45 cm to 75/87 cm, for a maximum weight of about 12/13 kg. The shell of a car is always placed back on the road.

- 2nd age child seats: designed with a shield or harness, the seat can be positioned forward or backward. Suitable for children from 61/76 cm minimum to 105 cm, for a maximum weight from 18 to 23 kg.

- Seats with backrest: designed for children between 100 and 150 cm in height, all seats have a backrest from 2017. For seats with removable backrests, the use of a booster without backrest for children under 22 kg (equivalent to group 3)

- Evolutionary seats: group more groups of different sizes, and have the advantage of following the child for a long time, like the seats of group 1/2/3.

What are the criteria for choosing a booster?

In terms of child safety, several certification bodies are accredited to perform crash tests. The best known are ADAC in Germany and TCS in Switzerland. Each year, these independent organizations evaluate a selection of car seats based on strict safety and ergonomic criteria. The seats are subject to lateral and frontal impacts, in conditions similar to those of a road accident.During the tests, dummies of the minimum and maximum recommended dimensions and weights are installed on the seats to certify their safety. The starred seats are considered the best for their category, they are all available in physical stores or on the Internet.
Until 2017, two types of boosters were on sale on the market, those with backrest (from 3 to 8 years) and those without for children of group 3 (from 6 to 12 years). Models without folders are destined to disappear for security reasons. The presence of the backrest allows you to hold the child's body firmly and absorb the kinetic energy emitted in the event of an accident.
Vehicle Compatibility: As with other car seats, some products are not suitable for all vehicles. If in doubt, it is entirely possible to look on the brands site.
The price: Again, the most expensive is not always the best. For a booster it takes an average of 170 to 250 euros for a good model. Most of the starry models are for sale online!
Comfort and ergonomics: a riser is intended to be used for several years, it is important to think about comfort, at 5 years as at 12 years. Remember to check that the side protections of the seat are sufficient to ensure safety in the event of an impact, but not too bulky to the point of preventing the child from seeing the landscape. The position of the child must be similar to the one he is when sitting on a chair: he must have his legs at 90 ° C.
The attachment system: unlike the other seat groups, the seats are not equipped with a harness and the child is secured with the vehicle belts passing over the shoulder and torso. For comfort and safety reasons, the sliding systems allow the belt to slide in a loop on the shoulder.
Easy washing of the covers: all seats are now equipped with washable covers. Also in this case pay attention to the ease of maintenance of the fabrics.
The weight of the seat: an important criterion if you change vehicles often, as the seat will also have to be moved every time.
The brand is the benchmark of the car seat: other models have been awarded by the ADAC tests and have had a great appreciation. For example: Safety 1St Road Fix child seat, Recaro Monza Nova Evo Seat fix, Nuna Aace, Foppapedretti, Chicco.