10 Best Bike Seats for Kids and Babies

When buying a child or baby bike seat, there are many factors to consider and you need to make sure the seat is suitable for your child.

and

your bike! We have personally tested over 30 different child bike seats with our own children to help you find the best one. Our list has not been respected via Google search, but rather refined and carefully compiled over years product testing.

From fitment style (front vs. rear) to age range (infants to preschoolers), you're sure to find a seat on this list that's right for you! If you're looking for an infant bike seat , be careful.In addition to other safety issues, a baby must have

sufficient neck strength to hold the head while wearing a helmet

.We recommend waiting up to 12 months.

10 Best Bike Seats for Kids and Babies

bike seat

Why we love it

MSRP

Rear mounted -

Frame and stand

Bellelli Pepe

Best on a Budget

$139

Thule RideAlong

Best overall (frame only)

$250

Burley Dashboard

Best harness and storage

$149

Hamax Caress

Most universal bike fit

$189

Topeak BabySeat II

Comes with a rack (rack only)

$169

Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi

The lightest

$250

Thule Yepp Maxi

Ideal for hot climates

$250

front mounted

- Baby and mountain bike seats

Peg Perego Orion

Best on a budget

$100

Hamax Observer

Best mid-range

$140

Shotgun for kids

Best Non-Traditional

$150

Thule Yepp Nexxt Mini

The lightest

$189

Want to see these seats in action? Check out our

Video of the 10 best child bike seats

below to see our favorite seats in use as well as learn more about our favorite features of each.

After watching the video, be sure to keep reading for even more details on the ins and outs of each seat on our list!

Child Bike Seat Mounting Styles

Before diving into our list, make sure you know the three different mounting styles of child bike seats.

Rear frame

- Mounts to the bike frame at the rear. They provide the best suspension and lean, but may be more difficult to install on some bikes.

Rear rack

- Mounts to a rack on the back of a bike. Many lack the large rear suspension

Frame

seats, but are preferable if you already use a rack, want to use panniers, or if your bike frame does not fit a frame-mounted seat.

Front frame

– Mounts to the front of the bike near the handlebars. Still smaller than the rear seats, they are best suited for babies and toddlers from 9 months to 2 years old. Many riders prefer the front seats because it is easier to engage with your baby

before

of you.

If you're not sure what type of seat you need, see our page

Bike seats for children: how to choose

BEST CHILD BIKE SEATS: REAR FRAME

WHERE

SHELF

Bellelli Pepe

Best on a budget - rear frame or rack

See on Amazon

MSRP: $115

(Frame)

, $115

(shelf)

AGE RANGE

: 9 months – 48.5 lbs.

FRAME MOUNTING INFORMATION:

Need about 4″ on the seat tube to mount (without wires)

RACK MOUNT INFORMATION:

Stand not included

FEATURES:

Lightweight, sliding footrest with variable height, two buckle depth adjustments in seat crotch area, superior ventilation

FULL REVIEW

Bellelli Pepe

At a very decent price, the Bellelli is a quality seat that offers a comfortable ride. With tons of ventilation, high sideboards for better containment, and variable footrest height adjustment, the Pepe is both comfortable and safe for your little one.

We also like the two depth adjustments in the center of the saddle which allow you to bring the buckle closer to the crotch of really short or young riders for a more comfortable fit. to slide down. The Pepe has 3 shoulder height slots which is more than the much more expensive Thule Yepp Maxi.

Thule RideAlong

Best Reclining Seat - Back Frame

See on Amazon

MSRP:250$

AGE RANGE

: 1 year – 48.5 lbs.

MOUNTING INFORMATION

: > 6″ needed to mount the bracket on the seat tube (without wires)

FEATURES:

5-position recline, suspension, color-coded adjustment knobs and soft shoulder straps that are easy to adjust and stay in place, variable-height sliding footrest

FULL REVIEW:

Thule RideAlong

Like the front-mounted RideAlong Mini, this rear-mounted version is high-quality, durable, and built with the best components. It's also just as easy to use and ride, and has super-comfortable padded shoulder straps that stay in place. place - this is by far the best harness available on a rear frame mounted rack. The shoulder straps are height adjustable so whether your child is 1 year old or 6 years old, the seat fits comfortably and securely .

Our favorite feature is the RideAlong's five different recline positions that are super easy to adjust on the fly to your little one's favorite nap position. It also features the DualBeam suspension system to minimize bumps in the road and maximize comfort. The unique low saddle adapter allows the RideAlong to fit on smaller bikes where the saddle would normally prevent the seat from fitting securely.

Burley Dashboard

Best Harness and Storage - Rear Frame or Rack

View over Burley

MSRP:

$149 frame, $149 rack, $189 X reclining model

AGE RANGE

: 9 months – 40 lbs.

FRAME MOUNTING INFORMATION:

Need 4.1" on the seat tube to mount (without wires)

RACK MOUNT INFORMATION

: Bracket not included

FEATURES:

Rear storage pocket, 5-point harness with higher buckle, optional recline, easy-to-clean padding, variable-height footrest

FULL REVIEW:

Burley Dashboard

If you love Burley bike trailers, you'll love the new Burley Dash child bike seat! Durable and well-designed for a very reasonable price, Dash seats are easy to assemble and use.

Burley child bike seats have two unique features that set them apart from the competition.1) The rear storage pocket is a game-changer for short trips when you just need to bring your keys and wallet and don't want to. not bother with a purse or backpack. The other seats on this list do not have this feature!

2) The 5-point harness system adjusts in length from the top, bottom and sides. All of this adjustment allows you to place the buckle lower or higher on your child's chest depending on your preference. We have found that being able to place the buckle higher prevents our sneaky toddler from pushing his way out of the harness while we're not looking!

Hamax Caress

Most Universal Fit - Rear Frame or Rack

View on Hamax

MSRP:189$

(frame and rack)

AGE RANGE

: 9 months – 48.5 lbs.

FRAME MOUNTING INFORMATION:

Need 3" over the seat tube to mount, compatible with threads along the back of the seat tube

RACK MOUNT INFORMATION

: Bracket not included

FEATURES:

Variable tilt, double bar steel suspension (frame), double spring suspension (rack), recess for helmet, height adjustable backrest, non-slip straps, variable height sliding footrest, anti-theft lock

FULL REVIEW:

Hamax Caress

(Frame),

Hamax Caress

(shelf)

What really sets the Hamax Caress apart is its unique universal mounting system. Many bikes have threads on the seat tube that prevent you from using a frame mounted seat. But the mounting block design of the Hamax Caress makes these threads a non-issue, making it compatible with

numerous

more bikes than your average frame mounted seat. And if for some reason your bike still doesn't work, there's always the rackmount version!

With durable construction, quick and easy adjustments, variable incline up to 20 degrees, suspension for a smooth ride, and shoulder straps wrapped in soft, slightly sticky foam to keep them from slipping off little shoulders, the Hamax Caress offers lots of comfort and safety features that make it a worthwhile investment. We particularly appreciate that the rack-mounted Hamax Caress comes with a suspension, which is

very

rare for rack mounted seats!

Topeak BabySeat II

Comes with a rack for mounting

See on Amazon

MSRP:169$

(rack mount only, includes rack)

AGE RANGE

: 12 months – 48.5 lbs.

RACK MOUNT INFORMATION:

Comes with a rack for mounting. Different options for standard brakes or disc brakes.

FEATURES:

Wrap-around design for extra protection, suspension, soft mesh padding, adjustable height footrest, easy to put on and take off

FULL REVIEW:

Topeak BabySeat II

If you know your bike won't work with a frame mounted saddle and you need a

shelf

seat mounted, the Topeak BabySeat II is a simple choice. It's the ONLY seat we know of that comes with a rack. With all the racks on the market, it can be confusing to find a rack that will work with it.

your

child bike seat.Topeak takes that frustration factor out of the equation!

The BabySeat II is also unique because it secures to the rack via an exclusive mounting system that simply snaps into place and is much faster to assemble and disassemble than other rack-mounted seats.

Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi

Lightest - Rear frame

or Rack

See on Amazon

MSRP:250$

AGE RANGE

: 1 year – 48.5 lbs.

MOUNTING INFORMATION

: > 6″ needed to mount the bracket on the seat tube (without wires)

FEATURES:

Large vents to keep little ones cool, better than most foot straps, variable height sliding footrest, 5-point harness

FULL REVIEW:

Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi

Lightweight with a low center of gravity, we found the Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi to have minimal effect on the balance of the adult rider. It also has large air vents to keep the child's back cool by warm weather and a soft, dense foam cushion for added buttock comfort.

Parents will appreciate the unique childproof magnetic buckle and foot straps that make a

a lot

better job than most of keeping little feet in place. And of course, made by Thule, the quality and ease of use are top notch.

Thule Yepp Maxi

Ideal for hot climates - Rear frame

See on Amazon

MSRP:250$

AGE RANGE

: 9 months – 6 years (or 48.5 lbs)

MOUNTING INFORMATION

: > 6″ needed to mount the bracket on the seat tube (without wires)

FEATURES:

5-point harness, variable height sliding footrest adjustment, top ventilation

FULL REVIEW

Thule Yepp Maxi

(rack version, which is the same except for the mounting system)

So many vents! For families in hot climates, the superior airflow of the Thule Yepp Maxi will help relieve an uncomfortably sweaty back! Although the seat is durable, comfortable and very easy to clean (no fabric cushions !), the simple nylon straps are difficult to adjust and can slip down.

Also, as is often the case with child bike seats, the shoulder straps only have two height positions to adjust for riders ages 1-5. If air conditioning is a big selling point for you, the Yepp Maxi will certainly measure up, but the Thule RideAlong's top strap system will be a better choice for many families.

BEST INFANT SEAT: FRONT FRAME

Peg Perego Orion

Best on a Budget - Before

See on Amazon

MSRP: $110

AGE RANGE

: 12 months – 33 lbs.

MOUNTING INFORMATION

: One of the few front seats to mount to the bike frame, rather than the helmet. Fits many different frame styles.

FEATURES:

Suspension, 3-position adjustable footrest, standard nylon suspenders, mounting bracket fits many frame types

FULL REVIEW:

Peg Perego Orion

For the low price, there's not much to complain about with the Orion. While it's not as high quality as the other seats we recommend, we like its unique mounting system that works for bikes with little to no room on the headset for a mounting bracket. And because it attaches to the bike's head tube instead of the headset, the bike's seat stays still when you turn the handlebars.

With the weight of the saddle always in the same place, the center of balance is more consistent, which is an advantage for adult riders who have a little trouble keeping their balance. The seat is small compared to other seats front mounted and as your child grows the seat will provide less coverage. Also, the detachable handlebars only work for children up to 22 lbs, so the Orion starts to be less of a bargain at as your young child grows.

Hamax Observer

Best on a Budget - Before

View on Hamax

MSRP: $140

AGE RANGE

: 12 months – 33 lbs.

MOUNTING INFORMATION

: Mounts to helmet, needs more room to mount than similar seats

FEATURES:

Adjustable footrest, non-slip shoulder straps, one-handed safety buckle release

FULL REVIEW:

Hamax Observer

Small parents often struggle with front-mounted seats because it gets a bit cramped! The Hamax Observer is narrower than most seats, allowing smaller adults to roll up their arms around it more easily. Because the seat is "small", babies will also get out of it more quickly. later than your average child.

Be aware that the Hamax Observer mounting bracket is larger than others and takes up more space on your helmet. We recommend reading our full review for detailed information on compatibility of the Observer with

your

bicycle.

Thule Yepp Nexxt Mini

Lightest – front

See on Amazon

MSRP:190$

AGE RANGE

: 9 months – 33 lbs.

MOUNTING INFORMATION

: Mounts to helmet (threaded or threadless), requires 0.83″ of clearance

FEATURES:

Wide vents to keep toddlers cool, better than most foot straps, variable height sliding footrests, handlebars to keep toddlers' hands occupied, 5-point harness

FULL REVIEW

10 Best Bike Seats for Kids and Babies

Thule Yepp Nexxt Mini

As well as being one of the best seats on the market, the Thule Yepp Nexxt Mini is also one of the lightest. Also made by Thule, it has similar quality and ease of use features as the Ridealong Mini, but with foot straps that are more likely to hold your child's feet securely in place and large air vents that will keep your baby cool in hot climates.

We don't like the straps as much as the RideAlong's - they only have one height adjustment and are difficult to install initially. But no bike saddle is perfect, and the straps are always much better than the cheaper saddles. Just like the RideAlong Mini, putting it on and taking it off only takes seconds!

Shotgun for kids

Best Non-Traditional – Before

Reviews about Kids Ride shotgun

MSRP:150$

AGE RANGE

: 24 months to 5 years (up to 48 lbs)

MOUNTING INFORMATION

: Mounts to the top tube and down tube. Ideal for use on a bike with a front suspension fork (bikes without a suspension fork often don't have enough space between the front wheel and the down tube) .

FEATURES:

The open configuration provides much more space for the parent rider. The footrests prevent children's feet from hitting the front tires.

Optional mini handlebar set for kids

FULL REVIEW

Shotgun for kids

The Shotgun Seat is a unique "mid-height" child bike seat that puts children front and center while riding. Designed specifically for mountain bikes, the Shotgun will fit a wide variety of frames - from trail bikes to full-suspension downhill bikes.

The shotgun is a great choice for any hiking family, but if your family isn't quite ready to hit the trails, don't worry! will fit virtually any bike with a "mountain bike" style frame.

Due to the lack of shoulder straps, the shotgun is best suited for older toddlers or preschoolers who are sure to keep a grip on the handlebars during a walk. open front bike seats for children, see our

Comparison list of the 8 best front bike seats for children.

BEST CHILD BIKE SEATS: HONORABLE MENTIONS

There are some great child bike seats on the market. Not all of them can make it into the top ten! Here are some additional options to consider. Some of these seats were previously in our top 10 but are currently out of stock or abandoned. If you find a used one, it's a good buy!

Thule RideAlong Mini

Best suspenders – front

See on Amazon

MSRP:190$

AGE RANGE:

9 months at 33 lbs.

FITTING INFORMATION:

Mounts to helmet (threaded or threadless), requires 0.94" clearance

FEATURES

: Soft, easy-to-adjust shoulder straps, color-coded adjustment knobs, handlebar keeps baby's hands busy, variable-height sliding footrest, standard lock to prevent theft

FULL REVIEW

Thule RideAlong Mini

The Thule RideAlong Mini is high quality, durable and packed with easy-to-use features. Comfort takes center stage with backpack-style shoulder straps that are soft, padded, secure, non-slip and have two height positions to adjust as your child grows. (Most front seats only have one position.) The RideAlong Mini's footrests also slide up and down to grow with your baby or toddler. tiny.

Safety-wise, the 5-point safety harness requires two hands to unbuckle (no baby will unbuckle by accident!) and your child has their own handlebars so they don't catch yours! And with a quick release super simple, you can assemble and disassemble the seat in seconds depending on whether or not you take your child for the ride.

Comparison table of bicycle seats for children and babies

child bike seat

Child's age/weight

Mount Type

reclining

Assembly information

Suspension

MSRP

Burley Dashboard

12 months – 48.5 lbs

Rear frame or rack

Optional

4.1" on the seat tube

Nope

$169

Hamax Caress

12 months – 48.5 lbs

Rear frame or rack

Yes

3" on seat tube

Yes

$189

Thule Yepp Maxi

12 months – 6 years (or 48.5 lbs)

Rear frame or rack

Nope

6" on seat tube

Nope

$250

Bellelli Pepe

12 months – 48.5 lbs

Rear frame or rack

Nope

4" on seat tube

Nope

$120

Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi

9 months at 40 lbs.

Rear frame or rack

Nope

Stand not included

Nope

$230

Thule RideAlong

1 year – 6 years (or 48.5 lbs)

Rear frame

Yes

6" on seat tube

Yes

$230

Thule RideAlong Lite

1 year – 6 years (or 48.5 lbs)

Rear frame

Yes

6" on seat tube

Yes

$180

Bell Shell

1 year – 40 lbs.

Rear frame

Nope

6" on seat tube

Nope

$69

Cocoon Bell 300

1 year – 40 lbs.

Rear frame

Nope

Mounts to seatpost and seatstays

Nope

$50

Topeak BabySeat II

12 months – 48.5 lbs

Rear rack

Nope

Stand included

Yes

$170

Thule Yepp Mini

12 months - 33 lbs

Front frame

Nope

0.83" to mount, or special front adapter

Nope

$199

Thule Yepp Nexxt Mini

20 - 33 pounds

Front frame

Nope

1" to mount

Nope

$190

Thule RideAlong Mini

20 - 33 pounds

Front frame

Nope

3/4" to mount

Nope

$180

Hamax Observer

12 months - 33 lbs

Front frame

Nope

1/2" to mount, or special front adapter

Nope

$170

Peg Perego Orion

12 months - 33 lbs

Front frame

Nope

0" to mount

Nope

$80

Tyke Toter

No weight limit

Front, seat post

Nope

Mounts on the seatpost

Nope

$99

Shotgun for kids

Up to 48 lbs.

Mid-mount

Nope

Fits bikes with 35-68mm wide top tubes and 35-100mm wide downtubes

Nope

$150

MacRide

24 months - 5 years

Mid-mount

Nope

Mounts to seatpost and helmet

Nope

$229

do little

Up to 61.8 lbs.

Mid-mount

Nope

Fixed width, but easily mounts to any bike with a top tube under 2" wide

Nope

$140

UrRider

Up to 49" tall

Mid-mount

Nope

Mounts on the seatpost

Nope

$159

How to Choose the Best Baby or Child Bike Seat

Choosing the best child bike seat for your baby, toddler or growing child can get complicated very quickly. Not only do you need to choose a comfortable seat for your child, but you also need to choose a seat that adapted

your

bicycle. With thousands of bicycles on the market, this can be a tricky problem! We cover this in detail in our article

Bike seats for children: how to choose

and strongly recommend that you read it before buying!

Here's a quick summary of what to look for when selecting a child bike seat that's right for your child and your bike.

Front or rear mounted child bike seat

Want your little nugget in front of you or behind you? Front-mounted seats are fantastic for interacting with toddlers, but are much smaller and usually have a maximum weight capacity of 33 lbs, or about 2, Ages 5 to 3. Front-mounted seats are best for babies and young toddlers.

Rear child bike seats are generally larger and can often accommodate children up to 5 or 6 years old! If you start with a front mounted seat, you will eventually need to upgrade to a rear mounted seat to adapt to your growing toddler.

Rear seats have two different mounting styles: frame or rack. Although frame-mounted seats are the most common, they can also be the most difficult to mount due to various features or design elements on the frame of the rear seat. bike. Rear rack mount child seats generally fit any bike that accepts a traditional bike rack.

Bike Fit Requirements for Different Types of Seat Racks

That's where it happens

really

specific to your particular bike. This is a short summary, but seriously, go read the full version -

Bike seats for children: how to choose

.Whatever type of mounting seat you wish to have (front, rear frame or rear rack), your bike may only be compatible with one or two.

front mounted

Front mounted seats attach via a mounting bracket to the handlebar stem. The width of this stem and its height will determine whether a bicycle seat can be mounted on it. Unfortunately, the mounting bracket on each bicycle seat is different. Some barely require mounting space, while others may require a full vertical inch. And then the diameter of the mounting bracket also comes into play.

Because the child bike seat is directly between you and your handlebars, it takes up space in the bicycle cabin. If you are short and have a smaller bike, there may not be enough place for you

and

your baby without your knees hitting the seat with every pedal stroke. Consider this before choosing a front-mount seat.

Rear mounted

If your bike has an external brake cable on the seat tube, you probably won't be able to fit a rear child seat to your bike frame.

Another mounting issue can arise if your bike's saddle is set low on the frame. Although this varies on different child bike seats, all brands need about two inches of clearance below. the bike saddle for the seat and mounting posts.

Rear rack mounted

Rear rack mounted child bike seats are generally the easiest to install on the widest variety of adult bikes. Of course you need a bracket to mount the child bike seat to your bike, which requires grommets for bracket mounting. If you have grommets, you're probably good to go!

Disc brakes can be an issue with rear rack-mounted child bike seats, so if you have disc brakes, look for a disc-brake compatible rack.

Other Child Bike Seat Features to Consider

Child's size and age

Infant (child) bicycle seats have age and weight limits for safe travel. We encourage you to wait until your baby is 1 year old before putting them in an infant bicycle seat.

Front-mounted seats are smaller and a toddler will outgrow them faster. If you're looking for a durable seat, a rear-mounted seat is your best bet. As you can see below left, the 1 year old fits the Thule Yepp Nexxt Mini perfectly. In the picture on the right, the 2.5 year old cart is almost too big for a front seat.

Straps – Best is padded

Shoulder straps are one of the distinguishing features of child bike seats. Padded shoulder straps are more comfortable for toddlers and tend to stay in place better.

The shoulder straps should be positioned against a high seat back so that they do not slip off a child's shoulders. Multiple height adjustments for the shoulder straps are preferred so they can continue to adjust to your child as they grow. grows from baby to toddler to big kid!

Reclining - Ideal for a sleeping child

High-end rear bike seats for kids have reclining features that can make a huge difference to little ones comfort. be a lifesaver!

Adjustable footrests

All of the child bike seats we recommend (but not all of the seats on the market) have adjustable footrests. They give a toddler or child a safe place to rest their feet and also keep their feet attached. so as not to kick the parents!

Baby Bike Seat Age and Safety

You will notice that many infant and child bike seats are technically safety rated for infants as young as 9 months old. This does not mean that it is safe to put a 9 month old child on a bike. In many States, it is illegal to put a child under 12 months in a child bike seat.

The

American Academy of Pediatrics

recommends waiting until a child is 12 months old, and also until they can sit up without support. Many other safety organizations agree, including the CPSC. You can read the

CPSC guidelines for infants on bicycles

in their official rules.