Test of 26 child car seats: high price does not guarantee good quality
An independent European consumer test evaluated 26 child car seats and infant carriers, finding that even well-known brands do not always ensure safety. One infant carrier with ISOFIX attachment was found to be potentially life-threatening for a child.
Germany's automobile club ADAC, working together with other European consumer organizations, has conducted a large-scale safety test of child car seats and infant carriers, examining 26 different models. The evaluation covered crash protection, ease of installation and daily use, child comfort during travel, and whether the materials used contain substances harmful to health.
About half of the tested models were infant carriers, while nine seats are also suitable for school-age children — depending on the specific model, they can be used for children up to 125 or even 150 centimeters tall.
The most alarming finding
The lowest rating in the test went to a set consisting of the "Kinderkraft Mink Pro 2" infant carrier combined with the "Base Mink FX2" base. During a frontal collision simulation, the infant carrier detached from the base, which was secured in the car using the ISOFIX system, and was thrown around the vehicle's interior — a scenario that in a real crash could pose serious risks to a child's life and health.
Notably, no serious defect was found in the infant carrier itself. When secured in a car using a standard seatbelt instead of the ISOFIX base, it provides good crash protection as well as comfortable travel.
The test confirms that a high price or a well-known brand alone does not guarantee good quality and safety. Parents choosing a car seat are advised to consult independent test results rather than relying solely on a manufacturer's reputation or a product's price.
