Buying guide for best car seat protectors
Across the nation, commute times are at an all-time high. If you’re like most people, you’re spending more hours per week in your car than ever. It’s only natural that you want your car to say as neat as possible. Your vehicle is one of your biggest investments, after all. Keeping it clean helps preserve its value and your peace of mind. Unfortunately, with today’s lengthy commutes, coffee and drive-thru meals often help preserve your peace of mind, too. Can these competing needs co-exist? They can, thanks to car seat protectors.
Car seat protectors are designed to do just what the name says: protect the upholstered or leather seats in your vehicle. While many are intended to protect rear seats from child-related messes, a number help defend against adults’ leaky lattes, too.
If you or someone you know are a frequent spiller and need help, keep reading to learn about the best car seat protectors on the market today.
Key considerations
There are many factors to keep in mind when shopping for car seat protectors. One of the most important factors is the size of the seat you’re trying to protect. Some models are intended for bench seats that fit more than one passenger. Others are designed to fit individual seats. As far as height goes, some protectors go halfway up the seat and are intended for use with booster seats for older children. Others cover the entire back and work best with high-back seats or rear-facing car seats. Regardless, you’ll need to find one that’s large enough to cover the area you want to protect.
You’ll also want to consider the method used to attach your cover to your seat. Most protectors loop over a headrest and hang down over the seat. Others resemble large, elastic pillowcases that envelop and cover the entire seat. While the latter style provides more protection, they are usually more customized and expensive. They may also block access to LATCH car seat anchors. So, if you’re trying to keep costs down, or if you need to use the LATCH system to secure a child’s safety seat, you’re probably better off using the first style.
The material used to construct the protector is another major factor. Some materials may transfer dye or powder onto the very seat you’re trying to protect. Some fabrics protect against crumbs and debris but allow liquids to soak through. Make sure you specifically check for waterproofing if that’s important to you.
Seat protectors made of thick PVC provide more protection against moisture than some other types. They can be slippery, though, and a child’s car seat could potentially slide on a mat unless it’s outfitted with grippy material. Be sure that the material, or the force of the child’s weight in the seat, doesn’t cut into your leather or create permanent marks in your upholstery.
Not every passenger is a human child; some drivers need seat protection for their fur babies. Mats that protect car seats against pets will need to be waterproof and durable enough to withstand claws. Washability is especially important for these protectors, since pet hair is a major concern.
Features
If you’re looking to protect your front seat, padding and support should be considerations. You spend a lot of time in your vehicle, and your car seat protection should make it more pleasant, not less so. While lumbar and neck support usually require additional purchases, seat protectors may have padding in strategic areas to prevent pain and relieve fatigue.
If you’re looking for protectors for children, storage pockets are a convenient extra. These pockets provide a good place for kids to keep toys, books, or electronics. Having a dedicated spot for these items means you won’t be trying to look for them while driving 70 miles per hour, too.
Kick mats will also help to preserve your car’s condition. These mats often come with car seat protectors and attach to the seat in front of your child to protect it against damage from little feet.
Look for kick mats that attach securely without causing discomfort to the front seat occupant.
Did you know?
At least 20% of meals in America are eaten in the car.
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Car seat protector prices
Car seat protectors are a decent investment because they are a fraction of the cost of deep-cleaning your seat. Even high-quality car seat protectors shouldn’t break the bank, which is good, since you often need to buy them in multiples.
The least-expensive car seat protectors cost around $10 — or $20 for a pack of two. At this price, it’s likely that they will not cover your entire seat, and they may be damaged relatively easily. These protectors may stay in place on the seat, but they will not have special material patches ensuring they don’t skid in an emergency. Some may have small pockets for toys, books, or electronics.
Mid-range car seat protectors usually cost $20 to $25 and feature higher-quality construction and padding for comfort. They should protect the entire seat and have non-skid pads to help keep a child’s car seat in place. At this price, car seat protectors should be water-resistant or waterproof. Most will have storage pockets, and some may come with kick mats.
Car seat protectors of the highest quality often cost $30 to $40. At this price, car seat protectors should provide full coverage and be constructed from material that’s waterproof and non-staining to your car’s upholstery. They should be non-skid on both sides so both the mat and the child protective seat don’t move. Protectors in this price range are focused on safety rather than convenience and may not include storage pockets, oddly enough. Be sure that they are not so heavy-duty that they leave lasting marks on your vehicle’s seat when combined with the weight of your child.
"Recent census data shows that the average American commute to work is closing in on 30 minutes. "
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Tips
- Make sure your car seat protector doesn’t interfere with the LATCH attachments on your child’s safety seat.
- Some seat protectors arrive with plastic or chemical smells from packaging and shipping. Allow time to air them out before use.
- Make sure your child knows how to reach toys stowed in pockets before the trip begins.
FAQ
Q. Why don’t all pediatricians recommend car seat protectors?
A. It’s a matter of safety. In some cases, car seat protectors without anti-skid construction can cause child safety seats to slip and slide, compromising the seat’s full ability to protect. As a result, some experts are wary of anything that might come between the bottom of the seat and the vehicle seat it’s intended to fit. This is especially a concern in booster seats for older children, which are often held in place by weight and safety belts instead of LATCH anchors. If you want to use seat protectors along with child safety seats, be sure to look for seat protectors with an anti-skid design.
Q. How can I find out if I’ve installed my child’s safety seat correctly over the seat protector?
A. Many local fire departments will help you install your car seat; this may be a good place to start. But there’s no guarantee you’ll find someone with experience on duty when you arrive. Alternatively, you may wish to schedule an appointment with a certified technician from Safe Kids. Most appointments take 20 to 30 minutes and are much more thorough than a stop at the fire station.
Q. Can I use car seat covers with any child safety seat?
A. For the most part, yes. High-end safety seat manufacturer Britax is an exception to that rule. Britax recommends using its own specially manufactured car seat protector with the child safety seats the company manufacturers. Britax car seat protectors are designed specially to fit their line of car seats and have been crash-tested to guarantee they are slip-free. In addition, Britax car seats are notoriously large and heavy; these protectors help prevent indentation marks in your vehicle’s seat. Of course, you could always give an off-brand car seat protector a try, but if you’re already shelling out the money for a Britax, you might as well protect your investment.
