Hellobee Boards Topic: Is a more expensive carseat safer than a cheaper one?

Hellobee Boards Topic: Is a more expensive carseat safer than a cheaper one? https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 20 May 2026 02:48:41 +0000 Mrs. Pen on "Is a more expensive carseat safer than a cheaper one?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-more-expensive-carseat-safer-than-a-cheaper-one#post-655580 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 16:08:12 +0000 Mrs. Pen 655580@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @zippylef: oooh hahah! right, ok. I know you're not supposed to use both conjointly :) yeah, that's my concern... it does just seem so cheap. Before I even saw it online/the price. I've seen some great carseats like yours and others at target for $100 or less that seem WAY better than the one we currently have. Actually J is still in his bucket seat because of my hesitancy!! I'm probably being way over paranoid. loveisstrange on "Is a more expensive carseat safer than a cheaper one?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-more-expensive-carseat-safer-than-a-cheaper-one#post-655555 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 16:02:14 +0000 loveisstrange 655555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Mrs. Pen: We use a rolled towel to keep hers at the right angle also. And no, I don't use both. lol. I use the seatbelt normally but I've used the LATCH in my neighbor's car. I just meant that I have installed it both ways. I will say, we looked at those COSCO ones too and they seemed cheapy to me too. I was not a fan. Mrs. Pen on "Is a more expensive carseat safer than a cheaper one?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-more-expensive-carseat-safer-than-a-cheaper-one#post-655546 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 16:00:38 +0000 Mrs. Pen 655546@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @winniebee: ahh you are correct. I wasn't sure what brand it was because it doesn't say on the carseat and it took some looking around online to find out what it was. It appears the DJG usa is the parent company that owns cosco, safety first, eddie bauer, maxi cosi etc. This is the free carseat I have: <a href="http://coscojuvenile.djgusa.com/en/djgusa/scenera-reg%3B-convertible-car-seat-22197azs--1" rel="nofollow">http://coscojuvenile.djgusa.com/en/djgusa/scenera-reg%3B-convertible-car-seat-22197azs--1</a> @zippylef: I bought that EXACT seat for my sister! My 18 mos old nephew is in it and we've used it a few times and I like it. The only thing I don't like it that it doesn't really recline much, but if we owned it, I'm sure we'd roll up a towel to keep it at the right angle for his age. You use BOTH the seatbelt and LATCH at the same time? red_seattle on "Is a more expensive carseat safer than a cheaper one?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-more-expensive-carseat-safer-than-a-cheaper-one#post-655533 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:57:20 +0000 red_seattle 655533@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I used Consumer Reports, NHTSA safety ratings, and the Baby Bargains ratings to make this decision. Some cheaper brands held up better in comparison to the the more expensive ones. We ended up with a The First Years True Fit Premier because it had the same or (in a category-- ease to install) better ratings than the Britax Marathon, and was cheaper. So more expensive does not always mean better/safer. As for the side impact thing: <a href="http://news.consumerreports.org/baby/2010/04/side-impact-protection-tested-infant-convertible-car-seats-collision-crashes.html" rel="nofollow">http://news.consumerreports.org/baby/2010/04/side-impact-protection-tested-infant-convertible-car-seats-collision-crashes.html</a> Basically, Consumer Reports says that "side impact technology" isn't tested by anyone besides the company. There's no body making sure they're doing the tests correctly or to the same standards, or that one company's standards are the same as another's. There's no objective body to say whether it does make kids safer or not, or whether a particular brand does it better than another. In the end, it's just a marketing claim. So I just dismissed that whole question. winniebee on "Is a more expensive carseat safer than a cheaper one?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-more-expensive-carseat-safer-than-a-cheaper-one#post-655485 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:40:59 +0000 winniebee 655485@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Mrs. Pen: I thought you said it was COSCO? My sister has that brand for both of her girls and my mom has same at home for the kids. loveisstrange on "Is a more expensive carseat safer than a cheaper one?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-more-expensive-carseat-safer-than-a-cheaper-one#post-655478 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:38:33 +0000 loveisstrange 655478@https://boards.hellobee.com/ So, I had this debate with myself about a month ago when we had to switch C. I was SET that I wanted a Britax Marathon 70-GS. I kept putting it in my cart and then chickening out when it came time to press submit. I was having trouble spending that much. Honestly? I ended up buying a Safety 1st Alpha Omega Elite as a temporary seat while I decided what I was going to do because C needed out of her infant seat... and I'm probably just going to keep it. I paid $100 for it. The material is nice and soft and feels comfortable. I found it easy to install with both LATCH and seatbelt. It's big but still fits in my UK spec car plus it's convertible all the way up to a booster and your child can use it until 100lbs. It came with the cupholder and snack attachement too, which I thought was nice. The straps are also really easy to adjust and the non-bucket design makes getting her in and out while she's asleep SO much easier. I feel like it's just as nice and the Britax ones I looked at when I was in the states. I found out after I bought it that several of my mom friends have owned one and loved them. It has really good reviews too. Mrs. Pen on "Is a more expensive carseat safer than a cheaper one?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-more-expensive-carseat-safer-than-a-cheaper-one#post-655476 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:36:56 +0000 Mrs. Pen 655476@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @winniebee: it is made by djusa but they make TONS of car seats including all if the safety first seats. @prettylizy: really?! Interesting... I wonder if that's true. winniebee on "Is a more expensive carseat safer than a cheaper one?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-more-expensive-carseat-safer-than-a-cheaper-one#post-655464 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:33:47 +0000 winniebee 655464@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I doubt it. I know the brand that you got for free. My sister has plenty of cash and she still bought the brand that you have. prettylizy on "Is a more expensive carseat safer than a cheaper one?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-more-expensive-carseat-safer-than-a-cheaper-one#post-655460 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:33:11 +0000 prettylizy 655460@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I've heard (so take this with a grain of salt) that the more expensive seats go through more rigorous testing. Personally, I went by feel and ease of use. I really like Britax, they are easy to install, easy to get her in and out of, to tighten and loosen and they feel sturdy. We bought a second seat for DH's car and it was basically the cheapest one we could get (he drives her 3 blocks to daycare on his way to work) and we both agree that you get what you pay for. He much prefers the seat in my car. tororojo on "Is a more expensive carseat safer than a cheaper one?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-more-expensive-carseat-safer-than-a-cheaper-one#post-655458 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:32:20 +0000 tororojo 655458@https://boards.hellobee.com/ They all have to pass the same tests, so I doubt the expensive ones are more safe, although I imagine they're more comfy! I wouldn't stress about it or break the bank. Mrs. Pen on "Is a more expensive carseat safer than a cheaper one?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-more-expensive-carseat-safer-than-a-cheaper-one#post-655453 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:30:04 +0000 Mrs. Pen 655453@https://boards.hellobee.com/ In your honest opinion- are they?? I know all carseats have to pass safety standards so in theory they should all be "equal", but I have to be honest, I don't feel they are!! We registered for the safety first onboard air ( <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002TZA536)" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002TZA536)</a>. It's a bucket seat and retail was about $180, with our completion discount and a trade in coupon I think we paid about $120 or something like that... Anyhow I felt that the frame was much sturdier than some cheaper bucket seats, it's heavier and not flimsy. I also liked what I read about the side air technology and it did make me feel that my son would be safer in it. There were many features to consider and I felt this gave me peace of mind, a carseat wasn't something to skimp on, for myself personally. Now we are at the point of transitioning to a convertible seat and spending another $200+ is stressing me out. We were actually blessed that by attending a carseat safety class we were issued a free carseat through the state. However it is THE most basic seat and I can't help but feel my son isn't as safe in this seat as he could be in another seat. The frame feels more flimsy than our bucket seat and other convertible seats, there is extremely limited padding and I wonder if DS is even comfortable, no side air impact technology, etc... I am wondering if I should dole out money for a carseat that is nicer and feels more safe. Am I crazy? Is this free seat just as safe as a $200-$300 seat? Do you think some of the more expensive seats are safer?