Where to start when choosing a car seat
A car seat is not an accessory but a piece of passive safety equipment that, in a crash, absorbs forces dozens of times greater than your child's body weight. A mistake in choosing or installing it cancels out even the most expensive model. That's why a seat must be matched on three dimensions at once: height, weight and your child's real proportions, not just their age on paper. As a manufacturer, we at VELANO see that more than half of returns are seats bought "to grow into" or, conversely, ones the child has already outgrown.
Car seat groups: the classic classification
The R44 standard splits seats into four groups by the child's weight. Understanding these groups is the basis of correct selection, even if you plan to buy a modern i-Size seat.
- Group 0+ — birth to 13 kg (roughly up to 12–15 months). An infant carrier, installed rearward-facing only, so the baby's neck is protected from a sharp forward jolt.
- Group 1 — 9–18 kg (≈1–4 years). A seat with an integrated five-point harness.
- Group 2 — 15–25 kg (≈3.5–7 years). The car's own belt restrains the child; the seat only positions it.
- Group 3 — 22–36 kg (≈6–12 years). Essentially a high-backed booster.
Combination groups (0+/1, 1/2/3, 2/3) are common. They save money, but versatility almost always means a compromise in protection at the extreme age limits. The VELANO car seats catalogue lists the real working range for each model, not just the group name.
Selection table by age, weight and height
| Group | Weight | Approx. age | Height | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0+ | 0–13 kg | 0–15 mo. | 40–87 cm | Rearward |
| 1 | 9–18 kg | 1–4 yrs | 76–105 cm | Rear/forward |
| 2 | 15–25 kg | 3.5–7 yrs | 100–125 cm | Forward |
| 3 | 22–36 kg | 6–12 yrs | 125–150 cm | Forward |
i-Size or universal seat
Two standards run in parallel today. Universal seats under R44 are classified by weight. i-Size seats under the newer R129 standard are classified by height in centimetres, must pass a side-impact crash test, and require rearward-facing travel until at least 15 months. If you are buying a seat today, choose i-Size: it is safer and easier to fit correctly. Read more about the difference in our article on the i-Size (R129) standard.
Attachment type: ISOFIX or the car's belt
ISOFIX is a rigid connection of the seat to metal anchor points in the body shell. It removes the leading cause of injury — incorrect installation. Belt fitting is cheaper and more universal but demands care every time. If your car has ISOFIX anchors (almost always on cars built after 2011), choose a seat with this system. We describe the process step by step in our article on how to install ISOFIX.
When to move to a booster
Moving to a booster is appropriate only once the child has outgrown a Group 2/3 high-back seat in height and weight (usually from 22 kg). A backless booster comes even later — it simply raises the child so the belt runs correctly across the shoulder and hips rather than the neck and stomach.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Measure and weigh your child today, not "for the future".
- Check the seat's compatibility with your car (vehicle list or ISOFIX anchors).
- Confirm an R129 or R44/04 certificate is present.
- Make sure the headrest adjusts without re-installing the seat.
A correctly chosen seat serves for years. Browse certified VELANO models and pick the option that matches your child's exact measurements.
