At four years old, your little one may be feeling all grown-up compared to their baby self. Not only are they heading to 'big' primary school, but they may have also outgrown their car seat along the way with most baby/toddler car seats being best suited for children up to the age of three or four. Not the most helpful for a fast-sprouting four-year-old!
We've done the research and found the best car seats for four-year-olds. We've included some Mother&Baby Award winners that have been reviewed by our real parent testers, and that'll last for years to come.
What car seat should a 4-year-old be in?
When looking for a car seat for your four-year-old, you should be looking for their 'stage group' based on their weight, rather than their age. The stage groups for little ones are broken down as follows under ECE R44 regulations with different seat designs as a result.
It's recommended that you should try to keep your child in the lowest stage group for as long as possible to give them the optimal safety features. But all of these group stages would be suitable for a four-year-old:
Group 0+/1/2 car seats
This car seat group is suitable from birth to 25kg, approx. six-years-old.
Group 1/2/3 car seats
This car seat group is suitable for children 9-36kg, approx. nine months to 12 years.
Group 0+/1/2 and Group 1/2/3 are classed as multi-stage car seats. They’re designed to carry your child from baby to the booster-seat stage. Yes, these are initially more expensive compared to other car seats on the market. That said, they prove to be great value for money because of their extended use.
These car seats come with padding, and a five-point safety harness, and most of these seats will fit children up to 18 or 25kg.
Group 2/3 car seats
This car seat group is designed as a high-back booster seat and is suitable for children 15-36kg, approx. three to12-years-old.
The next best choice if your little one has outgrown their existing car seat, this seat will lift your child up to use the vehicle seat belt and comes with a high back and side padding for safety and impact protection.
i-Size car seats (Height-based system)
Expected to eventually be adopted across all new car seats sold, i-Size was introduced in 2013 as safety regulation ECE R129 with rigorous testing through impact crash trials and new state-of-the-art Q dummies to test impact.
Using a height-based system, i-Size car seats have been designed to take the guesswork out of choosing the right fit, provide better protection from side impacts, and keep children rearward-facing for longer, until at least 15 months or 75cm to protect their fragile heads and necks.
Can a 4-year-old use a booster seat?
Based on new safety regulations launched in 2017, group 3 car seats i.e. new booster seats on the market, are limited to children who are taller than 125cm, weighing more than 22kg. The average height and weight of a four-year-old in the UK fall below these requirements so it's likely they would not be able to use a booster seat until they are bigger.
Read next: Car seats for 5-year-olds to keep them safe and secure
Previously, these car seats were approved for use by children weighing between 15-36kg, but they've been deemed by the UN as being unsuitable for protecting smaller children from side-on collisions as they have fewer safety features.
Best car seats for 4-year-olds
1. Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 Car Seat
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Awarded Gold for Best Multi Stage Car Seat at the 2022 Mother&Baby Awards, the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 Car Seat is soft and breathable with natural bamboo fibres and comes with plenty of safety measures. Little ones will stay protected with every journey thanks to the Side Protection System, the ISOFIX keeps the seat firmly locked in place, and it's the first rotating car seat of its kind to meet the latest R129 (i-Size) regulation.
Specification
Type: Multi-stage car seat
Suitable for: Height 40-145cm, birth to approx. 12 years
ISOFIX compatible? Yes
Our mum tester Maria said: "The 360 capabilities is revolutionary. I know friends of mine who 7/8 years ago said this feature on a car seat was unheard of, so I feel very lucky to have this type of car seat on the market during my young children’s lives. I love that I can pop my LO in and out of the car without having to strain my back and especially during postpartum recovery, it’s an additional help – I can see all the straps directly in front of me and am able to secure LO into her seat as safe as possible and without the stress of leaning into the car."
Read more of our real parent tester review for the Silver Cross car seat.
2. Cybex Gold Pallas G i-Size Child’s Car Seat
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In second place, winning Silver at the Mother&Baby Awards 2022, the Cybex Gold Pallas grows with your child to provide optimum support, protection and comfort. Available in a range of colours, the front impact shield has been tested to provide over 40 per cent less strain on the neck compared to a harness system. And don't worry, when they get too big, this can be easily removed.
Specification
Type: Multi-stage car seat
Suitable for: 9-50kg, approx. 15 months to 12 years
ISOFIX compatible? Yes
**Our mum tester Claire said:** “Overall, the seat is very easy to set up and use. It's not as heavy as the previous seats I've had. The locking mechanism is very easy to use and inspires confidence. As the front restraint can be removed, it makes it easy to get our child in and out. Just be sure to follow all instructions before initial use.”
Read more reviews from our mum testers.
3. Chicco Seat4Fix Group 0+/1/2/3 Car Seat
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The Chicco Seat4Fix is a super versatile multi stage car seat that can be used from birth all the way up to approximately 12-years-old. Winning Bronze at the Mother&Baby Awards 2022, it features clever air pockets for enhanced airflow and optimum comfort all year round and even a removable sun canopy to keep the rays out of their eyes. It also comes with an additional side safety system and has ISOFIX for easy installation.
Specification
Type: Multi-stage car seat
Suitable for: Birth to 36kg, approx. 12 years
ISOFIX compatible? Yes
Our mum tester Charlotte said: "This car seat is amazing for every stage of your child’s development. I really liked the spin option as it makes getting your child in and out of the car so much easier. It has an Isofix base attached to it so no faffing around with having to strap the seat down which is obviously much easier for busy mums."
Read more reviews of the Chicco Seat4Fix from our mum testers here.
4. Joie Every Stage FX Group 0+/1/2/3 LFC Car Seat
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The Joie Every Stage comes with Guard Surround Safety panels that provide extra side protection and fold into seat when not in use. The AutoAdjust side wings and Grow Together multi-height headrest and harness enables easy adjustment of the seat as your child grows from baby all the way through to tweens.
Specification
Type: Multi-stage car seat
Suitable for: Up to 36kg, approx. birth to 12 years
ISOFIX compatible? Yes
**Our mum tester Adelle said:** “I am really impressed with this product so far. We have another Joie car seat and they have always seemed to perform well. Easy to clean and look comfy. The seat was easy to install with an Isofix base and sits nicely on the backseat without movement. It is great if it does last until they are a lot older but difficult to know just yet.”
Read more reviews from our mum testers.
5. Nuna Tres LX i-Size Children's Car Seat
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Using the i-Size system, the Nuna Tres LX is an all-in-one car seat that's comfy and practical with side impact protection, adjustable headrest, expanding shoulder width, and harness storage as they grow. It goes from cradling your napping newborn to supporting your independent tween in what feels like the blink of an eye.
Specification
Type: Multi-stage car seat
Suitable for: Overall height range 40-145cm, approx. birth to 12 years
ISOFIX compatible? Yes
**Our mum tester Margo said:** “This product makes my life easier as a mum as it grows with my child and means I don't have to keep buying different seats as they get older. It has plenty of space and fits well in all types of cars so can easily be transferred between family cars if they are looking after the child. I also like the safety features of the car seat.”
Read more reviews from our mum testers.
6. Halfords Group 2/3 Highback Booster Seat
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If you're looking to get a new car seat for your growing four-year old, the Halford’s Group 2/3 Highback Booster Seat is suitable from 15kg (approx. 4-years-old) and very affordable. It has Side Impact Protection, an adjustable headrest, simple 3-point seat belt installation, and even has a retractable cupholder for their favourite drink (or snacks!) on the move.
Specification
Type: High-back booster seat
Suitable for: 15-36kg, approx. 4-12 years
ISOFIX compatible? No
Mum Ayesha said: “Simple stylish safe and most importantly my daughter says it's really comfortable with plenty of room to move legs. Dead easy to fit. I am replacing my last seat that was the same one as we were in an accident and can say am confident this seat will keep my child safe. Amazing price was well.”
7. Joie for Halfords Transfix i-Size Group 2/3 Car Seat
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This i-Size car seat has a secure seat belt installation system and three layers of protection; the Tri-Protect headrest with memory foam, Guard Surround Safety panels, and ISOFIX connectors. Your child will be nice and comfy on the move with the padded armrests and it's fully adjustable to suit their growing body.
Specification
Type: High-back booster seat
Suitable for: 100-150cm, approx. 3-12 years
ISOFIX compatible? Yes
One reviewer said: “Bought a couple of weeks ago, grandson loves his big boy chair and seat belt, chair is ISOFIX for extra safety and is really easy to remove, store in boot then put back in when carrying an adult, it is also joie with Halford, so has all their knowledge of child safety to back it up.”
8. Joie Traver Group 2/3 Toddler Car Seat
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Perfect for three-year-olds and up, this travel buddy has seven different height positions that can be adjusted using just one hand (ideal if you're juggling other little menaces!) The seat comes packed with protection with the Guard Surround Safety side impact panels for full-body impact protection and ISOSAFE connectors.
Specification
Type: High-back booster seat
Suitable for: 15-36kg, approx. 3-12 years
ISOFIX compatible? Yes
One reviewer said: “Perfect for a growing toddler following a standard baby seat. Isofix makes it really easy to install and gives you a peace of mind that it's firmly in place (although I believe the isofix doesn't actually add to the safety of the seat as that's done by the seatbelt). Armrests and easy height adjustment, nice touches. Overall, one very happy camper in the back in a 'big seat'.”
9. Cybex Silver Solution X-Fix Child's Car Seat
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This sturdy high-back booster from Cybex comes locked and loaded with built-in side impact protection, Patented reclining headrest, ISOFIX, an 11-position height adjustable headrest, and adjustable backrest. Available in six colours, we don't think your little one will struggle taking a nap in one of these.
Specification
Type: High-back booster seat
Suitable for: 15-36kg, approx. 3-12 years
ISOFIX compatible? Yes
Mum Sarah said: “We had this seat for both my kids (4&6). Yesterday a drunk driver hit us and we were flipped clean over. We walked away without a mark and the police say the only reason they were unharmed was the quality of these seats. They were very impressed by how they performed. Needless to say I have already ordered two more for when we get a new car.”
10. Graco Junior Maxi Lightweight Highback Booster Car Seat
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This basic and affordable option is highly rated by parents and grandparents alike on Amazon. With height adjustable armrests and headrest, it provides side impact protection and the thrill of retractable cupholders for your child. Plus, the cover is machine-washable for any spillages that happen as a result!
Specification
Type: High-back booster seat
Suitable for: 15-36kg, approx. 3-12 years
ISOFIX compatible? No
One reviewer said: “Great car seat sturdy and easy to assemble. My 4-year-old loves the two drink holders... they are now sweet holders! Highly recommend at such a good price! Very happy!”
Does my child need a car seat?
If they’re four years old, absolutely! In the UK, it’s a legal requirement for children to use a child car seat or booster seat until they are 12 years old or 135cm in height.
What is ISOFIX?
For a car seat that’s seamless to install, ISOFIX is a must. ISOFIX compatible car seats have two arms that lock onto small metal bars located in the seat of your vehicle to anchor the car seat into place. No seat belt threading necessary – and they’re accompanied by install indicators so you can be sure it’s correctly connected.
Most new cars since 2013 have a pair of ISOFIX anchor points. But, it’s something worth checking in your car if you want to reap the benefits.