While other brands may get the spotlight, Safety 1st is dedicated to providing high-quality yet affordable products for children and families. Safety 1st car seats meet or exceed industry standards for safety in construction, durability, and materials, while also providing a more accessible price point for some budgets.
Safety 1st uses a QuickFit Harness system which allows parents to adjust the headrest and harness in one easy step. There is no rethreading needed as your child grows. The harnesses also have an upfront adjustment so you can quickly change the fit around a coat, for example.
Parents who are concerned about the chemical composition of the car seats should rest easy knowing that the Safety 1st car seats are among the companies that use the least amounts of flame retardant materials in the car seat fabrics.
The NTSB requires manufacturers to include some fire retardant on all automotive upholstery, and Safety First uses only one component to meet this requirement.
Our research and thorough testing led to the conclusion that the Safety First Grow and Go Best 3-in-1 seat is the best choice for a Safety 1st brand car seat. This seat has excellent safety ratings and fits into most budgets. It is suitable for children 5-100 pounds.
In addition to exceptional safety and comfort for your child, this car seat has a machine washable cover and takes up less room in the back seat than other car seats providing both comfort and convenience for parents.
We have narrowed down our choices for Safety 1st car seats to the top 5. Read on for details and safety ratings about this practical and affordable line of car seats.
Best Safety 1st Car Seats
| Name | Weight Limit | Height Limit | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safety First OnBoard 35 Air 360 | 4-35 lbs. | 32" | Only Rear-Facing |
| Safety First Grow and Go | 5-100 lbs. | 49" | Both Rear-Facing/Forward-Facing |
| Safety First Guide 65 Convertible Seat | 5-65 lbs. | 49" | Both Rear-Facing/Forward-Facing |
| Safety First Continuum 3-in-1 Convertible | 5-80 lbs. | 49" | Both Rear-Facing/Forward-Facing |
| Safety First Grand Booster | 30-120 lbs. | 49" | Forward-Facing with Harness and Belt Positioning Booster |
1.Safety First OnBoard 35 Air 360– All-Around Safety
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It comes with removable pillows that can be inserted for smaller infants around 4lbs, in order to keep them more secure and comfortable.
It also uses special cushioning to provide protection in the event of an accident. The seat is designed to direct the energy from a collision around the child’s torso, in order to reduce the potential for injury.
Exceed the US and European Standards
The OnBoard 35 Air 360 has surpassed the US standards for car seat safety and has also passed stricter European standards. The car seat is crash-tested from every single angle: front, rear, side, and rollover.
This can provide parents with extra peace of mind while driving. In addition, the lower price point can be appealing to parents who may not be able to afford higher-priced car seats. The OnBoard 35 Air 360 received an 8.6 out of 10, on bestcarseatshub.com, and four stars from customers on Amazon.
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Amazon.comPros
- Specifically Designed for Protecting Infants
- Crash Tested from Every Single Angle of a Car
- Provides Maximum Safety
Cons
- Complains About the Canopy Not Staying Up
- Hard to Protect the Baby from the Rain or Sun
- The Seat is Bulky
- Does Not Fit Well in Smaller Vehicles
- Parents Have to Buy a Separate Forward Facing Car Seat
2.Safety First Grow and Go – Best 3-in-1 Seat
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Once your infant gets older, it can be used for older children as a forward-facing seat, for kids between 22lbs and 65lbs. Lastly, it provides protection as a booster seat for children between 40lbs and 100lbs.
The QuickFit Harness
The Grow and Go 3-in-1 boasts features such as side impact protection and an easily adjustable harness and headrest called the QuickFit Harness. In the rear-facing position, it offers special pillows to keep infants comfortable. The seat is designed to take up less room, which makes it ideal for smaller vehicles.
Furthermore, the seat pad is machine washable and dryer-safe, making it easy to keep it clean and fresh. The NHTSA gave the Grow and Go 3-in-1 average ease of use rating of three stars, citing some issues in setting up the harness properly.
Meanwhile, many car seat websites gave the seat a safety rating of 9.1 out of 10. On the manufacturer’s website, the seat received a 3.9 out of 5 stars. The Grow and Go 3-in-1 has also rated 4.4 stars on Amazon.
Pros
- Ideal for Parents as One-Time Investment
- Simple and Easy Installation
- Easy Maintenance and Cleaning Process
Cons
- Difficult and Time-Consuming Installation Process
- Need Two People to Install
- The Seat is Too Heavy
- Not Easy to Move the Seat from One Car to Another
3.Safety First Guide 65 Convertible Seat – Best Space Saver
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Designed for smaller cars, this seat will fit three across most backseats. Measure first, but this could be a lifesaver for large families!
It’s a narrower and more lightweight option that doesn’t skimp on safety, with side-impact protection, a 5-point harness with front adjustment, and thick protective padding. In terms of comfort, there’s an adjustable headrest, removable body pillows, and a cup holder. As is common with Safety First, installation can be a bit of a struggle.
Amazon.comPros
- Lightweight at just 15 pounds
- Can fit three car seats across
- Padded and comfortable
- Inexpensive
Con
- Hard to install
4.Safety First Continuum 3-in-1 Convertible – Long Lasting
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Similar to the Grow and Go 3-in-1, the Continuum is usable in three different stages of your child’s development. First, it can be used rear-facing for infants between 5 lbs and 40 lbs.
Then, it can adjust to a forward-facing position for children between 22 lbs and 50 lbs. Finally, the Continuum works as a booster seat for children up to 80 lbs.
Fits in Smaller Cars
Similar to the Grow and Go 3-in-1 and Guide 65, the Continuum 3-in-1 is made to work well in smaller vehicles. It is also easy to clean, with a seat pad that is machine washable.
The Continuum 3-in-1 utilizes the QuickFit Harness, which is designed to secure your child by making the headrest and harness adjustable in one step. It is rated three stars on Safety First’s website, and 4.3 stars on Amazon.
Pros
- The seat exceeds the federal safety standards
- The best choice for parents looking for quality protection
- The seat is very lightweight
- A preferred choice for parents
- Can be multi-used as rear-facing, forward-facing, and as a booster
Cons
- Not much padding as other car seats, especially around the headrest area
- Difficult to install and get the straps properly tightened
5.Safety First Grand Booster – Best Booster Seat
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The Grand Booster can fit three across most vehicles and has a soft, machine-washable cover and two dishwasher-safe cup holders. If you’re the carpool mom, look no further!
The fabric is comfortably plush, and the adjustable head and neck pillow provides extra support on long car rides. This seat is also lightweight and easy to move from car to car as needed. This has all the convenience and ease of a booster, with the added perk of a 5-point harness.
Pros
- Ergonomic head, neck, and shoulder support
- Easy to clean
- Not bulky
Con
- Cannot be used as a backless booster
Are Safety 1st Car Seats Non-Toxic?
We as parents worry about whether our children are safe in their car seats. It’s no exception when it comes to a car seat being non-toxic. Currently, NHTSA requires all car seat manufacturers to meet a mandatory flammability regulation before a car seat can be released into the market. Therefore, Safety 1st uses a minimal amount of fire retardant on all of their seats.
All their car seats are made of synthetic and natural cotton neoprene blend. Consequently, none of their Safety 1st car seats are completely non-toxic.
However, they are still considered safe even for a newborn since they only use a minimal amount of flame retardant that is required by law in the US.For more info on which car seats are non-toxic, check out our Best Nontoxic Car Seats Reviewed.
Buyer’s Guide
This buyer’s guide will take a look at the durability, intended years of use, and most importantly, the safety ratings of car seats from the Safety First brand.
Each seat will be ranked based on these factors so that you get a clear idea of each seats’ advantages and disadvantages. This will ultimately allow you to choose the best option for you and your child.
Durability
A car seat’s durability is based on how much weight it can support, and its resistance to the impacts of a collision. Most of the car seats in the table below work in two different positions: rear-facing for infants, and forward-facing for older children.
Others also function as a booster side for children up to 100 lbs. Generally, in the rear-facing position, the seats below can support an infant weighing up to 40lbs. In the forward-facing position, the seat can protect a child weighing up to 65lbs.
Intended Years of Use
The intended years of use will let you know how long the seat lasts until it expires. Just like any other product, car seats have a shelf life. The special materials in the product that are used to keep your child safe, will eventually break down as it becomes used and worn.
To make sure that your child is receiving the maximum level of protection from their car seat, it is best to be aware of its expiration date. The date can often be found online on the manufacturer’s website, or on the product itself.
Safety Ratings
Other ratings from both Amazon.com and the manufacturer’s website are included to give you a clear overall idea of how well the product functions. In addition, an ease of use rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is also included. This will let you know how simple the installation process is for each product on the list.
Why Safety First Car Seats Are A Great Option?
While every car seat included on this list is a great option to keep your child safe, each one has its own unique features designed to provide safety and comfort. In the end, we chose the Safety First Grow and Go 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat as the top option.
Its high-functioning safety features and good price make it a good choice for parents looking for protection that will last them in the long run. But as you explore the list above, you may find that another option better suits the needs of both you and your child.
Each Safety First car seat is an excellent choice when it comes to providing your child with the best safety and protection possible when you are out on the roads together.
