10 Best Car Seat For 5 Year Olds 2025 in the United States

The Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 car seat is a versatile choice for parents looking for a long-term solution, as it transitions from a rear-facing car seat for infants to a backless booster seat for older children, offering up to 10 years of use. This car seat is designed to meet high safety standards, featuring Graco ProtectPlus Engineering that provides protection in various types of crashes including frontal, side, rear, and rollover incidents. This should offer peace of mind to parents concerned about their child's safety.

Additionally, the car seat features a simple-to-adjust harness system with 10 positions, making it easy to get a snug fit as your child grows. The 6-position recline adds to the comfort, ensuring that your child remains comfortable during long journeys. Installation is made easy with the InRight LATCH system and an integrated belt lock-off which ensures a secure fit in your vehicle. For convenience, the car seat includes a RapidRemove cover that can be machine-washed and quickly removed without uninstalling the seat. This makes cleaning a breeze, a feature that parents will likely appreciate.

On the downside, the car seat is relatively bulky and weighs 22.8 pounds, which might make it less portable if you frequently switch vehicles. Its size could also be a challenge in smaller cars, especially when configured in the rear-facing position. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 car seat is highly rated, with an impressive 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 24,000 reviews, highlighting its popularity and reliability among users. It also ranks #9 in convertible child safety car seats, emphasizing its strong standing in the market. The Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 car seat is a highly adaptable, safe, and user-friendly product that can serve your child's needs from infancy through to early childhood.

The Britax Grow with You ClickTight Harness-2-Booster is a solid choice for parents looking for a car seat that grows with their child, suitable from about 25 to 120 pounds and up to 49 inches tall—covering the typical size of a 5-year-old and beyond. Its standout safety features include a strong steel frame, side impact protection, and a patented tether system, which provide excellent security in case of a crash. The 5-point harness is secure and adjusts as your child grows, easily converting to a booster seat when harness use is no longer needed. Installation is made simple with Britax’s ClickTight system, which guides you through a straightforward 3-step process, reducing the chance of mistakes.

Comfort is another strong point thanks to the Cool N Dry mesh fabric that improves airflow and wicks away moisture, helping to keep your child comfortable during longer rides. The seat also offers nine recline positions, allowing for better adjustment to your child’s comfort needs. Weighing 27 pounds, it’s a bit on the heavier side, which might make moving it between vehicles less convenient. While the fabric is designed to manage moisture, cleaning still requires removing the cover, which is not always as quick as wipe-clean surfaces.

For families prioritizing safety, comfort, and ease of installation in a car seat that adapts from harness to booster mode, this Britax model is a reliable and well-rated option.

The Graco Extend2Fit Kenzie is a versatile 2-in-1 convertible car seat designed to grow with your child, fitting infants from 4 pounds up to toddlers weighing 65 pounds and up to 49 inches tall. This wide weight and height range makes it a great option for 5-year-olds, who often fit comfortably in the forward-facing position this seat supports. Safety is a clear strength here, with sturdy steel construction, compliance with US crash test standards, and a 5-point harness system that provides secure restraint. The seat also passed side-impact tests, adding extra peace of mind.

Installation is straightforward thanks to the Push-button InRight LATCH system, which locks in place quickly and audibly, helping ensure the seat is securely attached. For comfort, it offers extra legroom when used rear-facing and multiple reclining positions, which can be useful for longer trips. The no-rethread adjustable headrest and harness mean you can easily adapt the fit as your child grows without hassle. Additionally, harness storage pockets keep straps out of the way, making it easier to get your child in and out.

The seat is relatively compact and weighs under 20 pounds, which is light enough for most parents to handle during installation or moving between cars. Its polyester material is standard and should be fairly easy to clean, although it doesn't highlight any special removable or machine-washable covers. One consideration is that while the seat is designed to accommodate toddlers, very tall or heavy kids near the upper limits may find some seats with more legroom or padding more comfortable. Also, this model is forward and rear-facing but does not convert to a booster seat, so eventually, you would need a separate booster for older children. The Graco Extend2Fit Kenzie is a dependable, safety-focused car seat that fits well for 5-year-olds within its weight and height limits, offering convenience and comfort that make everyday use easier for families.