Britax

[Anonymous]

I hated our Britax! Could never understand why people like them. Also my dd at 16 months could unbuckle both buckles (chest and between the legs!), which I discovered while driving in rush hour traffic.

I love our Gracos.

[Anonymous]

Britax is not the safest. The extra you pay for is ease of use (which is a big thing when you're using the car seat a lot), ease of installation, extra padding, fun covers, non-twisty straps. You are not paying for extra safety. If it is easy to use, you are likely to use it correctly every time.

The Cosco (not Costco and it is really Dorel Juvenile Products now) Scenera can be a great seat. Not very expensive at all, but the finish isn't nearly as nice. I've cut my hands (not seriously) fishing the seat belt or LATCH attachments thru Cosco seats which I find terribly annoying. But if the Cosco seat is installed correctly and used correctly, it is just as safe.

As a PP pointed out, the ratings cited are for harmful chemicals in the seats. Most of those ratings have to with chemicals found in the covers of seats. In most cases, you can pick another color that is less harmful.

The same website has a press release concerning Britax's and Orbit Baby's commitment to reduce harmful chemicals.

http://www.healthystuff.org/release.030812.britax.php

The steel versus plastic argument really doesn't hold much weight. The plastic used in car seats is extremely durable. If you feel better with steel, go for it. You're not getting extra safety, but if you feel better, go for it.

[Anonymous]

IMO - they are overpriced and overrated (and huge). I'm not a fan. I also don't think that they are the "safest" (I'm not really sure why people keep saying that).