How safe is a car seat in practice? The first Car Seat Test of 2026 once again reveals significant differences between models. Of the 26 car seats tested, six received a ‘good’ rating, while one model was rated ‘poor’. For retailers, the results underline the importance of both a carefully selected product range and expert advice for parents.
The ANWB tests new car seats twice a year. The assessment covers not only safety, but also ease of use, ergonomics and the presence of harmful substances. The test criteria go beyond the legal requirements that car seats must meet before they can be sold on the European market. In the first test of 2026, 26 car seats were assessed. Six models received an overall rating of ‘good’, sixteen were rated ‘satisfactory’, three ‘adequate’ and one ‘poor’.
SIX CAR SEATS RATED ‘GOOD’
The six highest-rated models are the Cybex Sirona Ti, Cybex Pallas G3, Foppapedretti Disk Infant i-Size, Foppapedretti Disk Infant i-Size in combination with the Tech i-Size, Kinderkraft Junior Fix 2 i-Size and Silver Cross Glide Plus 360. Interestingly, the models receiving a ‘good’ rating come from different product categories and price ranges. A higher price therefore does not automatically guarantee a better test result. ADAC, which publishes the same test results, reports that prices for the car seats tested range from less than €70 to more than €500.
KINDERKRAFT COMBINATION RATED ‘POOR’
The biggest concern highlighted by the test is the Kinderkraft Mink Pro 2 in combination with the Base Mink FX2. During the frontal crash test, the car seat detached from the Isofix base. The seat and dummy were subsequently thrown through the vehicle, creating a serious risk of severe injury. Following the test results, the manufacturer took action and is offering consumers the option to return or exchange the product concerned. Interestingly, the Kinderkraft Mink Pro 2 without this particular base received a ‘satisfactory’ rating. The result demonstrates just how important not only the car seat itself is, but also its combination with a base and the way in which it is installed.
TEST PROCEDURE TIGHTENED SINCE 2025
The car seat testing procedure was updated in 2025. The forces applied to the seats during crash tests are now higher, while newer vehicle models are used for installation tests. In addition, upholstery is tested for PFAS content. As a result of these changes, recent test results cannot be directly compared with those from previous years. According to the organisations involved, the stricter testing procedure is designed to better reflect current vehicle technology and the latest insights into safety and harmful substances.
EXPERT ADVICE REMAINS IMPORTANT
The results are particularly relevant to the baby products industry. Parents are faced with a vast range of car seats, different installation systems and models designed to cover multiple stages of a child’s development. An i-Size approval means that a car seat meets the applicable legal safety requirements, but independent tests can reveal additional differences in safety, ease of use and ergonomics. This is precisely where specialist retailers have an important role to play. Not every car seat is equally suitable for every child or every vehicle. Showing parents how to install a seat correctly, allowing them to try different models and explaining issues such as rear-facing travel, Isofix and choosing the correct size can all contribute to a safer choice.
The 2026 results make one thing very clear: when it comes to car seats, the differences can be considerable. Not only between individual models, but even between different configurations of the same car seat.
CAR SEAT TEST 2026 IN NUMBERS
- 6 received a ‘good’ rating
• 16 were rated ‘satisfactory’
• 3 were rated ‘adequate’
• 1 car seat was rated ‘poor’
The car seats were assessed for safety, ease of use, ergonomics and harmful substances. The test criteria are stricter than the legal requirements car seats must meet before they can be sold on the European market.
One notable finding is that price does not tell the whole story: significant differences in test results can be found across different price ranges.