Car Seats Buyers Guide
Find the best car seat with a little help from Halfords
Children's car seats are a legal necessity with car seat law saying children should be in an appropriately sized seat until they're 135cm in height (150cm in ROI) or 12 years old, whichever comes first.
In this article, we will answer the following questions:
- What is a child car seat?
- Can I take my child in a car without a car seat?
- How do I choose the right car seat?
- What is ISOFIX?
- What is Impact Shield Technology?
- What is an i-Size car seat?
What is a child car seat?
Children's car seats are a legal requirement designed to keep children safe in the car.
As car seats, seatbelts and safety equipment like airbags are designed with adults in mind from both ergonomic and safety perspectives, child safety seats are needed to give children the same level of comfort as adults and often improved safety.
Car seats are made from a mixture of:
- Robust materials
- Impact-absorbing foams
- Comfortable child-friendly fabrics are usually mounted to a sturdy frame
Can I take my child in a car without a car seat?
The short answer is no.
Any child up to either 12 years old or 135cm/150cm in ROI (whichever comes first) must be seated in a suitable car seat on every journey, no matter how short it is, how busy the road is, or where they're sitting in the car.
You can face a fine for breaking the law, so you must ensure you're complying every time you drive with your child in the vehicle.
How do I choose the right car seat?
To choose the right car seat, use our guide below:
Seat
Size
Guide
- Age
- Weight
- Height
- Group
What is ISOFIX?
No matter which type of car seat you choose, it will need to be securely fastened in your vehicle. Many seats use a seatbelt and a support leg that braces against the floor to keep the seat stable, but ISOFIX works differently.
An ISOFIX system allows the child seat to attach directly to the vehicle's seat frame.
Most modern cars (produced since 2013) have a pair of ISOFIX anchor points built into the rear seats. These connect to a separate ISOFIX base (often included with the car seat, but always check the packaging or product description), creating a strong and secure installation. The child seat then clicks into the ISOFIX base, removing the need to route seatbelts through the seat or adjust support legs.
All i-Size car seats are compatible with vehicles that have ISOFIX anchor points. If you want to use an ISOFIX system, always check the product description or packaging to confirm that the seat is designed for ISOFIX installation.
What is Impact Shield Technology?
Impact shields are one of the newest safety features available, and the technology is being used on most car seats.
Otherwise known as safety cushions, impact shields fasten around the front of your child while they're in their car seat. They act like a pre-inflated airbag and help to spread the forces generated during a collision over a wider area.
This feature helps to:
- Reduce strain on key areas of the body
- Helps keep your child safe during accidents
- Helpful when it's not possible to use a rear-facing seat
Learn more about impact shield technology
What is an i-Size car seat?
i-Size car seats are selected based on your child's height.
This means you'll need to crack out the tape measure or use a chart if you have access to one – we have this available in our stores too.
All i-Size seats are rearward-facing up until 15 months old, helping your child stay safer for longer.
i-Size seats come in three different sizes:
- 0-85cm (approximately G0+) – rear-facing baby carrier or baby seat using a harness
- 0-105cm (approximately G0/1/2) – rear-facing baby seat until your child is at least 76cm, then forward-facing
- 100-135cm (UK)/150cm (ROI) (approximately G2/3) – forward-facing child seat
Learn more about i-Size car seats
How can Halfords help me decide?
Hopefully, you now feel a bit more clued up. However, we have lots of fully trained staff members in stores who will be more than happy to guide you through this big decision.
To make it really easy for you to choose the right car seat for your little one, we have also broken down all the features of our car seat range into the following categories:
Look out for these icons when choosing your car seat to ensure you're getting all of the features that are important to you.
If you're still unsure and would prefer to talk this through with one of our experts, simply get in touch or visit your local store.
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