Looking for the best travel car seat can become such a hassle when there are so many questions to consider: can my toddler simultaneously be safe and comfortable, will the seat fit in my luggage when travelling, and can I bare the taxi driver’s look while I’m trying to secure the damn seat and not lose my child at the same time.
I’ve looked through and tested the best travel car seats for your toddler and below is a list of my suggestions that will solve all of your problems.
The list of the best travel car seats for toddlers in 2023:
- Pico™ Portable Car Seat (for toddlers between 10-22kg)
- Bubble Bum (for toddlers from 18 kg)
- Urban Kanga (for toddlers between 9-18kg)
- Mifold Comfort Grab-and-Go (for toddlers from 18 kg)
- Doona Car seat (for babies from birth to 16kg)
- Chicco Fold & go (for toddlers between 15-36kg)
After reading through the detailed descriptions, you will find a comparison table with the specifications (weight, category, dimensions, etc.) of the travel seats mentioned which will enable you to reach a decision much easier.
1. Pico™ Portable Car Seat (for toddlers between 10-22kg)
Pico is a portable car seat that folds into one piece and is light enough to not become a hassle to carry wherever you travel. For more convenience, the company offers easy-to-follow installation videos on their support page.
Pros & Cons of Pico™ Portable Car Seat
| PROS | CONS |
| Folds down and fits in most aeroplane overhead bins | Only available in black |
| Approved for air travel | The crotch buckle is not adjustable |
| Can be installed with lap only seat belt | Not too comfortable to sleep in because of how straight it is |
| Child does not slide out | The headrest doesn’t have side cushions |
| Easy to install and switch from car to car | |
| Light, compact, and effortless to use |
2. Bubble Bum (for toddlers from 18 kg)
Bubble Bum is an inflatable backless booster seat designed for children ages 4-11 years. It’s a lightweight product that can fit in a rucksack or handbag and has been trusted by parents for over 12 years.
Your toddler will be able to choose from several colours and designs. It takes about 15-30 seconds to fill it and undo the nozzle to deflate it and roll it up.
Pros & Cons of Bubble Bum booster seat
| PROS | CONS |
| Fits easily in a suitcase, backpack or a purse | May get deflated if during your trip gets damaged |
| Fits on all three back seats allowing three kids to sit at the back of almost any car | Might not be suitable for your kid’s size as they might slide off or the booster seat might move if attached incorrectly |
| Extremely light and comes with a carrying bag |
3. Urban Kanga (for toddlers between 9-18kg)
Urban Kanga is a foldable car safety seat used for children in Group 1 (under 18kg). Weighing only 3 kg, it’s a lightweight travelling alternative to regular children’s car seats.
Pros & Cons of Urban Kanga foldable car safety seat
| PROS | CONS |
| Easy to install, only takes about 60 seconds | Not suitable for use on aeroplanes |
| Fits in most standard suitcases or as carry-on luggage in overhead compartment | The seat can be loose and become unsafe if attached incorrectly |
| Height-adjustable headrest, 2 positions to choose from | |
| Seat padded with memory foam and Integrated air cushions in the headrest for more safety and comfort | |
| Water-repellent mesh backrest, prevents discomfort from sweating | |
| A carry bag included |
4. Mifold Comfort Grab-and-go Car Booster Seat (for toddlers from 18 kg)
Mifold Comfort Grab-and-go Car Booster Seat is a small, foldable car booster seat/cushion that ensures optimal seat belt fit for your child’s height. The compact and portable backless alternative can easily fit even inside your kiddo’s backpack.
Pros & Cons of Mifold Comfort Grab-and-Go Booster Seat
| PROS | CONS |
| Anti-slip pads | Keeps the child low in the seat |
| 10 times smaller than traditional booster | Works better with kids that sit still |
| Easy to use, break down, and store | Not too comfortable for a longer ride |
| Makes switching cars and transportation easy, great for taxis |
5. Doona Car seat (for babies from birth to 13kg)
Doona Car Seat and stroller is an amazing, fully integrated travel system that can be changed from a stroller to a car seat in seconds.
With this seat, you don’t need to worry about waking your baby up while switching from a stroller into a car seat with them still sleeping inside.
Doona Car Seat is a great alternative while travelling as it takes much less space than a car seat and a stroller together and yet is a substitute for both.
Doona Car Seat is available in six vivid colours.
Pros & Cons of Doona Car seat
| PROS | CONS |
| Vehicle Seat Protector available | Requires Latch Base |
| Removable and washable stretch material canopy | Child outgrows it quickly |
| Can also be used as an on-the-ground rocker | You may find it heavy to lift in higher cars |
| Ensured that your baby’s neck and back are ergonomically aligned | The attachment for the storage costs extra |
| Fits in the aeroplane seat |
6. Chicco Fold & Go (for toddlers between 15-36kg)
Chicco Fold & Go is a foldable i-Size reclining baby car seat. It has been designed in such a way that it follows the growth of the child from 100 to 150 cm, always offering the perfect fit.
Chicco Fold & Go can be folded and carried easily as it has a convenient handle. It doesn’t take up much space when stored.
Pros & Cons of Chicco Fold & Go car seat
| PROS | CONS |
| Reclines in 4 positions | Doesn’t fit all cars so it’s important to check for fitting suitability on the cars you intend to fit the seat to |
| Lightweight & easily folded with one hand | Much larger than the alternative travel car seats |
| Height and width of the backrest can be independently adjusted | |
| 3D channel mesh fabric improves ventilation throughout seat and backrest | |
| Fit-Kit label on the seat to show how to use the car seat | |
| Safe Pad to ensure an additional chin and chest protection | |
| Washable covers | |
| i-Size compliant |
Travel car seats’ specification comparison table
| Doona car seat | Urban Kanga | Pico™ Portable car seat | Chicco Fold & Go | Mifold comfort | Mifold Original | Bubble Bum | |
| Category (toddler weight) | 1.8-15.8 kg | 9-18kg | 10-22 kg | 15-36 kg | 18-35 kg | 18-35 kg | 18-35 kg |
| Weight of the seat | 7.8 kg | 3 kg | 3.6 kg | 6.2 kg | 730g | 770g | 450g |
| Product dimensions | 56.9 x 44 x 66 cm | 56 x 33 x 51 cm | Folded: 29.5 L x 36.8 W x 48 H cm Unfolded: 38 x 28 x 51 cm | 47 x 84 x 54 cm | 25 x 23 x 6.6 cm | Folded: 5 x 25.4 x 12.7 cm Unfolded:21.3 x 23.6 x 37.5 cm | 27.9 x 27.9 x 11.43 cm |
| Safety | Tested and meets the strictest US & EU standards for car seats, strollers, and hand-held carriers. FAA aircraft approved for travel. | Tested and certified to meet ECE R44/ 04 European Safety Standard | Passes all safety testing according to US standards regulated by the NHTSA and the FAA. | Tested and recommended by TCS according to ECE R129/03 (100-150 cm) | Tested to FMVSS 213 in the US and is globally regulated | Meets or exceeds NHTSA standard FMVSS 213 in the USA | Meets all US federal car safety standards and European regulations. |
| Harness type | 5-point | 5-point | 5-point | 5-point | 3-point | 3-point | 3-point |
When it comes to car seats, it really depends on how much space you are willing to have for it while travelling.
Are you going to spend prolonged periods of time with your baby snoozing at the back of the car which means a comfy seat is key to your toddler’s (and your) happiness or will you hop in and out of cars so inflatable boosters will be perfect to stuff inside your backpack during your journey?
Personally, I don’t have much patience for products that stop working when I need them to, so I opt for heavier foldable car seats (Chicco Fold & Go or Pico™ Portable car seat) instead of inflatable backless ones (Bubble Bum) that can deflate unexpectedly. Though I must say I’m impressed by how little space they take up.
However, if one magical day my toddler decides to no longer run a marathon in the back seat of the car, a lightweight foldable booster (Mifold Comfort ) will be first on my shopping list.
As for my baby, the Doona car seat is the one that makes me the happiest when I watch the little one snooze while I smoothly transform the stroller into a car seat, strap him on, and ride to the next destination.
I’m already imagining the smile on your toddler’s face when you’ll be strapping them in in your new travel car seat chosen from this list during your next trip with toddler.
Time to choose the travel car seat for your next trip with toddler!
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