Traveling with kids isn’t easy if you don’t have proper planning in place.
Being a mother of 3 adorable kids, I can affirm that my traveling took a backseat when my kids were toddlers.
At that point in time, finding a perfect traveling car seat for my kids wasn’t easy, information wasn’t readily available as it’s today on YouTube, Instagram, and other social media sites.
However, it wasn’t impossible either.
After putting in loads and loads of hard work in terms of research and connecting with the other parents, I finally ended up buying a value-for-money car seat.
Today, things have changed, ample information is available about different types of car seats including infant, toddler, convertible, and booster seats.
Needless to say, the title of this post is self-explanatory, today I’ll walk you through various aspects of a travel car seat for a 3-year-old kid in order to help you make an informed buying decision.
But, before we dive deep into the discussion, do let me know your view on the best travel booster car seat in the comment section.
So, without any further ado, let’s begin…
Best Travel Car Seat For A 3-Year-Old Review
First and foremost, our core team does the brainstorming and comes up with a series of evaluation parameters on which they evaluate the products.
Each evaluation parameter is assigned a certain weightage depending upon its ability to influence a buyer’s decision.
During the evaluation process, each product gets a score across the evaluation parameters depending on its performance.
Note: The scores are relative and NOT ABSOLUTE.
Finally, the core team of izzysmarthomeguide.com sum up the scores and shortlists the top performers for review.
We’ve tried to explain our evaluation process in the simplest way that we could.
However, if you still have any doubts or queries then please feel free to reach out to us via the contact form of izzysmarthomeguide.com.
Does it make sense?
What’s the best travel car seat for a 3-year-old?
Frankly speaking, there are quite a few travel car seats that have performed extremely well in our evaluation process.
Below is the list of top performers, and you can check their prices on Amazon by clicking their names.
- Baby Trend Trooper – medium size, 10 lbs
- Evenflo Sonus 65 Convertible Car Seat – rear-facing, forward-facing, 11 lbs
- Evenflo SureRide DLX Convertible Car Seat – rear-facing, forward-facing, 10 lbs
- Evenflo Maestro Sport Harness Booster Car Seat – forward-facing, high-back booster, 9 lbs
- Cosco Finale Dx 2-In-1 Booster Car Seat – forward-facing, high-back booster, 8 lbs
Before you make a purchase decision, my simple request would be to visit the NHTSA recommendations as it will help you in making an informed buying decision by simply negating the unwanted noises around you that can influence your purchase decision.
As per the NHTSA recommendation, a child must be rear-facing till the time he or she reaches the age of 3 years.
At izzysmarthomeguide.com, we recommend our clients keep their children rear-facing for as long as possible.
In fact, the middle location of the back seats is the safest one.
All the travel car seats for a 3-year kid that made our list are of high quality and worth consideration.
In fact, we’re reviewing here only those travel car seats that we’ve been recommending to our clients for quite some time.
The feedback that we’ve received so far is positive and promising except few outliers or exceptions.
Baby Trend Trooper 3 in 1 Convertible Car Seat
The Baby Trend Trooper 3 in 1 Convertible Car Seat is perhaps my top pick on this list, and trust me, there are numerous reasons for it.
First and foremost, it grows along with different phases of your child’s growth.
The name is self-explanatory when it comes to the mode of use.
It operates in three different modes, that is, rear-facing infant mode, rear-facing toddler mode, and forward-facing toddler mode.
The weight ranges for rear-facing infant mode, rear-facing toddler mode, and forward-facing toddler mode are (4-18lbs), (18-40lbs), and (22-65lbs) respectively.
On top of it, the seat is compact, portable, and uniquely designed in such a way that it can fit three across in most mid-sized vehicles.
The installation process is quick, easy, and less time-consuming.
In fact, a built-in bubble level indicator is right in place to help you find the correct angle.
Moreover, the seat is also equipped with a lightweight shell that allows you to use latch installation up to 55 lbs.
In order to enhance the convenience and usability of the end users, the manufacturer has inculcated shoulder and crotch buckle adjustments.
In simple words, 5-position shoulder height adjustment and 3- positions crotch buckle for seat adjustment make your child comfortable during long road trips or otherwise.
Also, the seat provides you with effective side protection, thanks to the super-deep side wings that it comes with.
And, the best part is, the car seat provides you with no-twist harness indicators.
For small kids and newborns, the manufacturer has also inculcated removable seat inserts, interesting, isn’t it?
For carrying toys, water bottles, snacks, etc for your kid during long road trips, a convenient integrated cup holder is present on the side.
All in all, a value-for-money convertible car seat that you’ll never regret investing in.
Evenflo Sonus 65 Convertible Car Seat
The Evenflo Sonus 65 Convertible Car Seat is yet another premium quality car seat on our list that is not only reasonably priced but also equipped with almost all the essential ingredients that you might be looking for in your favorite convertible car seat.
We’ve been recommending this car seat to our clientele for quite some time and trust me, the feedback that we’ve received so far is really promising and exciting.
The feature that puts this car seat in a different league altogether is the extended use.
In simple words, it offers extended harness use for your little one.
In order to provide your child with a perfect fitting, the manufacturer has inculcated six shoulder harness positions.
I’m sure as an informed parent you would be well aware of the importance of right and correct fitting during a car crash or any other unprecedented situation.
Don’t worry about your kid’s snacks, toys, etc as dual cup holders will take care of it, all you need to do is to focus on the road if you’re driving your car.
The fabrics are of high quality as well as easy to clean, thanks to their easy-to-removal characteristic.
Since the Evenflo Sonus 65 is FAA approved car seat so you can carry it on an airplane.
In order to help you get correct angles in both airplanes as well as cars, the manufacturer has included a two-position recline wedge.
In simple words, Evenflo Sonus 65 is a one-stop solution for your 3 years old child in terms of safety, security, and comfort.
Last but not least, in spite of being packed with idiosyncratic superlative features, the seat is reasonably priced and will not make a dent in your pocket for sure.
Evenflo SureRide DLX Convertible Car Seat
The Evenflo SureRide DLX Convertible Car Seat is quite popular among our clients because of numerous reasons including idiosyncratic features and reasonable price.
Like the aforementioned convertible car seats, Evenflo SureRide DLX also grows along with the different phases of your child’s growth.
Your child can use it in both rear-facing as well as forward-facing modes.
For your infant to use this convertible car seat in rear-facing mode, he or she must weigh in the range of 5-40 pounds and the height should fall in the range of 19″ & 40″.
On the other hand, for the toddler to ride on this car seat in forward-facing mode, he or she must weigh in the range of 22-65 pounds and their height should fall in the range of 28″ & 54″.
The side impact protection provided by this car seat is of high standards and meets Evenflo’s Side Impact Test Standard for Structural Integrity.
Also, it meets or exceeds all applicable Federal Safety Standards.
In order to provide your child a perfect fit for long-ride, the manufacturer has inculcated the 5-point harness system with 6 shoulder strap positions.
Of course, the seat is lightweight, compact, and portable so it could be a viable option for smaller vehicles as well as moving it between vehicles or taxis is a hassle-free task.
The seat pads are cozy, comfortable, removable, and easy to clean.
Not only is the seat equipped with lower anchors and tethers but also is easy to install.
In simple words, this idiosyncratic superlative convertible car seat is a unique blend of comfortability and safety.
Last but not least, even though you’re on a budget you can easily buy this reasonably priced car seat.
Evenflo Maestro Sport Harness Booster Car Seat
The Evenflo Maestro Sport Harness Booster Car Seat can be used in two modes, that is, forward-facing, and belt-positioning.
In order to use Evenflo Maestro Sport in forward-facing mode, your child must weigh in the range of 22-50 pounds.
On the other hand, any child whose weight falls in the range of 40-110 pounds can use it as a booster seat.
Two cup holders are in place so that your kid’s toys, snacks, water bottles, etc don’t interrupt your concentration while trying to concentrate on the road.
Not only is the installation process quick and easy but it provides you with front access to the harness adjuster so that you can easily adjust the harness for a perfect fit.
Personally, I like the shoulder belt guide feature as it automatically positions the vehicle belt in the proper orientation for your child.
All in all, the car seat is uniquely designed to give your child comfort, security, and safety.
WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat
The WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat comes with a standard carrying bag and is equipped with almost all the essential and idiosyncratic features and could be a viable option for airplanes, rideshares, and road trips.
In order to ride on this Pico travel car seat, your kid should be more than 2 years and weighs in the range of 22-50 lbs as well as height should fall in the range of 30-45 inches.
Also, the Pico seat comes with a 5-point safety harness in order to give optimum safety to your child by providing him or her with adequate safety.
The seat is lightweight, compact, and portable, thanks to the carrying handle and standard travel bag.
In fact, it can be stored and carried as a backpack.
The manufacturer gives top priority to your safety and security and thus has inculcated safety features accordingly.
In fact, it meets all U.S. safety standards regulated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration and as a result, the seat could be a viable option for road trips as well as air travel.
Just for your information, the seat is FAA-approved so carrying it on flights shouldn’t be an issue for you.
The AeroWing aerospace-grade aluminum frame offers lightweight strength.
Similarly, the AstroKnit performance wool/polyester mesh fabric cover keeps your kid cool and comfortable.
The travel bag is unique and is made up of durable blueSign-certified recycled polyester.
Not only is the car seat easy to carry but also easy to store.
In fact, you can be folded and stored in overhead bins.
CYBEX Sirona S Convertible Car Seat
The CYBEX Sirona S Convertible Car Seat could be a viable option for anyone who loves a car seat with advanced safety features including a 360-degree rotating car seat, SensorSafe Chest Clip, etc.
If I’m not wrong then CYBEX Sirona S is the first car seat in the United States that comes with an innovative 360 degrees rotatable seat.
What I actually like about this idiosyncratic technically advanced car seat is its ability to switch quickly between rear-facing and forward-facing positions in a completely hassle-free manner.
EasyLock bar is yet another feature that puts this convertible car seat in a different league altogether.
Needless to say, it makes the installation process quick, easy, and less time-consuming.
In fact, the seat comprises dual-seat indicators that ensure that your car seat is at the correct recline angle.
If you’ll ask me which one feature I love the most then it is none other than SensorSafe protection.
This feature is unique in the sense that it provides the parents with which an app alerts if the child unbuckles themselves.
Some other scenarios in which the feature will alert you include the back seat having become too warm or too cold, a child having been seated for too long, or the driver accidentally leaving the child behind.
It goes without saying the car seat provides superior protection.
In fact, the linear side-impact protection absorbs up to 25 percent more impact in a collision than its competitors that don’t have linear side-impact-protection features.
In order to reduce the car rebound movement in the event of a crash, the anti-rebound design is in place.
Furthermore, in order to provide a perfect fit for your child as well as make him or her totally comfortable during long rides, the manufacturer has inculcated 12 different headrest positions, interesting, isn’t it?
All in all, an innovative outstanding car seat that you’ll never regret investing in.
KidsEmbrace 2-in-1 Harness Booster Car Seat
The KidsEmbrace 2-in-1 Harness Booster Car Seat exceeds Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS 213).
Moreover, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety “Best Bet” rating when this seat is used as a belt-positioning booster seat.
For holding snacks and drinks, the seat is equipped with two cup holders that are easy to clean.
In order to deal effectively with unprecedented situations such as car crashes, the car seat is equipped with energy-absorbing EPS foam.
Furthermore, in order to enhance your child’s convenience and safety during long road trips, feature such as a three-position adjustable height headrest is inculcated.
On top of it, this little beast provides your child with 5-point harness security.
This car seat can be operated in two modes, that is, forward-facing, and belt-positioning booster seat.
In order to ride on this seat in a forward-facing mode, your child’s weight and height should fall in the range of 22 and 65 pounds & 29 to 49 inches respectively.
On the other hand, if your child’s height falls in the range of 38 to 57 inches and weighs between 40 and 100 pounds, then he should use this seat in a belt-positioning booster mode.
Definitely a viable option for growing kids.
Viaggio Flex 120 Booster Car Seat
The Viaggio Flex 120 Booster Car Seat is yet another premium quality product that you’ll never regret investing in.
Not only is the seat made in Italy but also equipped with 4D total adjust technology.
In layman’s terms, this seat can be adjusted in four different directions, and the best part is each one of them are independent of one other.
In simple words, this seat is a unique blend of design, safety, and most importantly, security.
Furthermore, in order to make the installation process quick, easy, and less time-consuming, rigid LATCH-integrated rigid LATCH is in place.
Storing this car seat isn’t a problem at all as it is easily foldable and can be stored in a small and compact space, interesting, isn’t it?
In simple words, this car seat falls in the category of easy storing and transporting.
In terms of safety, the manufacturer has done a tremendous job as the car seat has proper safety features in place for both rear-end & front-end collisions.
For example, an aluminum-reinforced backrest not only provides extra safety but also protection against whiplash.
On top of it, the car seat is equipped with unique and superlative features that will increase your child’s comfort and convenience multifold.
For example, the reclining seat can be set into five different positions irrespective of the positions of the car’s backseat so that your child can relax comfortably even during long road trips.
Do I still need to convince you?
Diono Monterey XT Latch 2 in 1 High Back Booster Car Seat
The Diono Monterey XT Latch 2 in 1 High Back Booster Car Seat is known for its expandable height and width.
In simple words, the Diono Monterey car seat grows along with the different phases of your child’s growth by providing him or her with an approximately 69 percent increase in occupancy.
The two retractable cup holders have enough space for your child’s snacks, toys, etc, and are easy to clean as well.
It goes without saying that the manufacturer gives high importance to the safety and security of your child and for the same reason has inculcated superior side impact protection.
In order to provide superlative side impact protection to your child, the seat comprises reinforced high-impact aluminum to cover and protect the kid’s head, shoulders, and torso.
Needless to say, the seat is lightweight, compact, portable, and easy to install.
In order to provide your child with superlative convenience and comfort, 11-position headrests are in place.
In fact, the easy one-hand adjustment provides up to 6.5” in height to grow with your child.
All in all, a reasonably priced car seat is equipped with almost all the essential features required for your child’s safety and comfort, and the best part is, that it is reasonably priced.
Graco TriRide 3 in 1 Car Seat
As the name suggests, the Graco TriRide 3 in 1 Car Seat operates in three modes so it grows along with different phases of your child’s growth.
In layman’s terms, the Graco TriRide 3 in 1 Car Seat is a unique blend of safety, security, and comfort.
The weight limits of rear-facing & forward-facing are (5-40) lbs & (22-65) lbs respectively.
On the other hand, the weight limit for a high back booster is (40-100 lb).
The manufacturer has emphasized the safety and security features and thus has inculcated the Graco ProtectPlus feature for protecting your child in frontal, side, rear & rollover crashes.
And, the best part is, you can easily adjust the headrest and harness together in one motion, interesting, isn’t it?
In order to give your child a perfect fit, you can adjust the headrest height in ten different positions.
Of course, the installation process is quick, easy, and less time-consuming, thanks to the LATCH that the car seat is equipped with.
On top of it, an easy-to-read indicator helps completely eliminate guesswork related to installation.
Furthermore, in order to give your child enhanced comfort and convenience, the manufacturer has provided you with 6 recline positions to choose from.
For keeping your child’s snacks and toys, two easy-to-clean cupholders have been inculcated in the car seat.
The car seat is robustly constructed, highly durable, and long-lasting, thanks to the steel-reinforced frame and the fabrics used in the unit.
Definitely, one of my favorites on the list.
Do I still need to convince you?
Diono Radian 3R 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat
The Diono Radian 3R, 3-in-1 is one of the best convertible car seats that I’ve come across in recent times.
Personally, I’ve been recommending this car seat to my clientele for quite some time and the feedback that we’ve received so far is promising and positive.
Moreover, the seat is uniquely designed to keep your child rear-facing for a longer duration of time.
In fact, your child can ride this idiosyncratic car seat in the rear-facing mode till the time she is approximately 4 years of age and weighs up to 50 lbs.
Since it’s a convertible car seat so it grows along with different phases of your child’s growth.
In fact, your child can ride on this car seat in high back booster mode up to 120 lbs.
The seat is lightweight, compact, durable, and long-lasting, thanks to the reinforced steel core that it comes with.
In order to give your child superlative protection, the reinforced steel core is made from automotive-grade high-density plastic and steel.
Since the seat is FAA certified so you can easily carry it on the airplane.
Cleaning is quick and easy, thanks to the easily removable and machine-washable covers.
In short, if you’re looking for a single car seat that can take care of your child from the time he or she is born to the time she is a teenager then this Diono Radian 3R could be a viable option.
Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat
The Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 is definitely a value-for-money booster car seat on our list and comprises almost all the essential features that you might be looking for in your favorite seat.
Moreover, the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 is a unique blend of safety, security, and comfort.
First and foremost, it provides you with extended use, that is, in forward-facing mode, your child can use this car seat if his or her weight falls in the range of 30-65 pounds.
Secondly, 40-100 pounds is the weight limit for the belt-positioning booster.
Since the car seat is lightweight, compact, and durable so moving it from one car to another shouldn’t be an issue at all.
On top of it, the car seat comprises of deluxe fabric so your kid will be comfortable even during long road rides or even otherwise.
And, the best part is, the car seat gets the IIHS best bet rating for use in booster mode.
For keeping snacks and toys, the easily detachable dishwasher-safe cup holder is also integrated.
Since the car seat is made in the United States so you can trust its quality without any confusion.
Evenflo GoTime LX Booster Car Seat
The Evenflo GoTime LX Booster Car Seat could be a viable option in case you’re looking for a reasonably priced seat that is equipped with almost all the essential comfort and safety features.
Not only is it lightweight, compact, and portable but also provides a perfect fit for your kid.
In terms of safety, it meets or exceeds all applicable federal safety standards.
In fact, it allows you to adjust height in 7 different positions so that your child can get a perfect fit and is also comfortable during long road rides or otherwise.
It can operate in two different modes and the transition from one mode to another is quick, easy, and hassle-free.
You can carry the seat with you and can be easily transported from one car to another.
Also, equipped with two built-in cupholders for carrying snacks, toys, and other items.
In simple words, it’s one of the best safety child seats for small cars.
Buyer’s Guide
Trust me, irrespective of whether you’re a first-time or a seasoned professional, the piece of information that I would be sharing with you would be of great help for sure.
We’ve thoroughly discussed the important buying parameters so that you can make an informed buying decision.
Price
To be honest, price is an important buying parameter and it has the capability of either making or breaking a buying decision.
Correct me, if I’m wrong.
The good news is, most of the car seats that made it to our list are reasonably priced, and definitely will not make a dent in your pocket.
Always look for a car seat that not only caters to your requirements but also falls well within your budget.
Trust me, the costliest car seats aren’t always the best and the cheapest ones aren’t always the waste either.
However, I wouldn’t recommend you to go for either, rather buy a car seat that comes with essential safety and security features as well as falls well within your budget.
Warranty
Another important parameter to look for in your car seat is a warranty.
The longer the warranty duration the better it is.
A car seat that comes with a longer duration of warranty clearly depicts the trust and confidence of the manufacturer in its offering.
For example, if two car seats are having slight differences in price and the one that is priced high comes with a longer duration of warranty then you should opt for it.
Safety Features
As a responsible parent, you shouldn’t compromise on safety features.
Make sure you buy a car seat that is equipped with almost all the essential safety features including side impact protection.
It goes without saying that some car seats are more robust as compared to their competitors so look for the one that comes with a steel frame and other safety features like a 5-point harness, etc.
Side impact protection is a must as it safeguards your child during a side collision.
Similarly, car seats that come with Energy absorbing foams are good at dealing with external forces during a collision.
In simple words, never compromise on safety features even though you’ve to pay some extra bucks for superlative safety features.
An FAA-approved car seat is a must if you want to carry the car seat on a flight.
Additional Features
Look for car seats that are compact, portable, and easy to store.
Fortunately, some of the car seats that were made to our list are foldable and can be easily stored in small and compact spaces.
Another important feature to look for is a handle.
A car seat that comes with a handle makes transportation quick and easy.
It is good to have a car seat that comes with additional accessories such as a carrying bag.
Also, car seats with easy-to-clean integrated cup holders will enhance convenience and help the driver to concentrate on the road.
The fabrics used in the car seat should be comfortable so that your child can ride in the seat for long hours without any issues.
Choose a car seat that can operate in multiple modes as it will grow along with your child’s growth.
For example, if a car seat operates in rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster mode then you’ll NOT have to buy multiple car seats for your growing.
In fact, one single car seat will take care of your child in his or her different growth phases, interesting, isn’t it?
It’s A Wrap
First and foremost, I would like to thank you for being with us till the end.
Secondly, I would like to bring to your notice that I along with my core team have put loads and loads of effort into coming up with this idiosyncratic superlative piece of information.
And, in case, you liked our effort and want to appreciate us then please do share this post with like-minded people and the ones who are searching for it.
After all, sharing is caring, isn’t it?
Cutting long-story-short, all the car seats that made it to our list are of high quality and worth consideration.
Not only are they reasonably priced but also equipped with almost all the essential safety and comfort features.
On top of it, we’ve received positive feedback about the aforementioned car seats from our clientele so you can think of choosing the one that not only caters to your requirements but also falls well within your budget.
That’s all, as of now :):):)
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