car seat rec websites/consumer report

brazzale

Anyone buy a subscription to consumer report to read up on car seats?  I'm looking for unbiased opinions & safety ratings.  I'm so overwhelmed trying to find a convertible seat.  Seems everyone has as many pros as cons. 

Angela814

I've heard that Consumer Reports actually doesn't give good info on car seats because they don't really test them reliably.

I get most of my info from car-seat.org and reviews from carseatblog.com.

ellewoodsSC

Angela814:

I've heard that Consumer Reports actually doesn't give good info on car seats because they don't really test them reliably.

I get most of my info from car-seat.org and reviews from carseatblog.com.

  This and its free!  The last big car seat test Consumer Reports did a few years ago they ended up retracting their results and recommendations because they had alarming results and their testing methodology did not hold up to scrutiny.  Baby Bargains and CR just can't keep up with all the latest seats, especially the convertibles which have some really innovative models recently or about to be released.  

gimmietimmies

ellewoodsSC:

Angela814:

I've heard that Consumer Reports actually doesn't give good info on car seats because they don't really test them reliably.

I get most of my info from car-seat.org and reviews from carseatblog.com.

  This and its free!  The last big car seat test Consumer Reports did a few years ago they ended up retracting their results and recommendations because they had alarming results and their testing methodology did not hold up to scrutiny.  Baby Bargains and CR just can't keep up with all the latest seats, especially the convertibles which have some really innovative models recently or about to be released.  

Ditto all this, or ask to get added to Car Seats for the Littles on FB. Whether there or car-seat.org, be sure to post age, weight, height, shirt size and cars. 

HALFM00N

CR & BB are both biased towards cheaper items. I'd do independent research as recommended. I found carseat.org to be very informative.

FmrAFBrat

I have a membership to CR but I've found it interesting that some of their infant seat top pics were the same as carseatblog.com. FWIW the newer edition of consumer reports pretty much said all of the carseats had excellent or very good crash protection.  The reviews were more on how well seats fit in most vehicles. 

However, the convertible seat reviews on CR left a lot to be desired.  It was actually kinda confusing....most of the seats didn't get great reviews for fit. That being said if I went strictly on CR I would have stuck my nose up at a seat I won.  It actually ended up being a nice seat, easy to install, & fit great in my car. It was rec'd on carseatblog.com though. Another site I looked at was NHTSA.

Rosebud2587

I was going to suggest Car Seats For The Littles on facebook too. It's a great resource. 

GirlWithTheMostCake

Baby Bargains has NO right to publish anything about car seats. They are not certified techs and they do not test the product. Please do not take their advice to heart at all.

 Consumers Reports is FOR PROFIT. They can be biased. They do not properly conduct testing and have been sued numerous times because of it. 

 I think your best advice comes from experienced techs. It's not just the seat but also how it fits into your vehicle. All car seats are not created equally no matter what ANYONE tells you. Some are superior for construction, ease of proper install and additional voluntary testing.

happytotmom

Another source you may want to check out is healthystuff.org which did a report in 2011 on chemicals found in car seats. Safety also includes how toxic the seat is that your little one will be sitting in and this was a great resource for us! https://www.healthyhappytot.com/car-seats/