Choosing the best car seat for your little one isn't easy. There are several different types of car seats available, each with their own weight, height, and age recommendations. Understanding what each one has to offer will help you choose the best car seat for your child.

So, what else do you need to know before you buy a car seat, aside from the different types? First of all, you need to know what the current car seat laws are in your state. Some states are different, but as a standard, most states require that your child ride rear-facing until they reach the age of 1 and 20 pounds.  Failing to follow your states child safety seat laws will result in a fine, so be sure to brush up on your states laws before you buy a car seat. Click here to see your states car seat laws.

Although it is not a requirement in most states, the new recommendations issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) state that you should keep your child rear-facing for as long as possible, up to the age of 3 or 4. The new recommendations also advise keeping your child harnessed forward facing from 4 to 7 years old. Keeping your child harnessed for as long as possible is extremely important for his or her safety. From the ages of 8 to 12, the NHTSA recommends a child booster seat, or at least until your vehicles seat belts fit properly.

Different Types of Car Seats

Infant Car Seats are designed for infants up to 20 pounds, and they are rear-facing only. All car seats sold in the U.S. must pass the same federal crash tests, however, some of the best infant car seats have added safety features that surpass federal requirements. Most infant car seats offer either seat belt installation or LATCH installation, however, some only offer LATCH installation, therefore it's important to know whether or not your vehicle is LATCH friendly. Most newer vehicles come equipped with a LATCH system, and older vehicles must rely on seat belt installation.

Convertible Car Seats allow you to keep you little one rear-facing for as long as possible, and then can be turned around and used as a forward-facing car seat for older children.  The best convertible car seats are designed to carry your infant from 5 pounds all the way up to 70 pounds. Also, the best convertible car seats allow your child to ride rear-facing up to 40 pounds. These seats also allow your child to ride forward-facing and harnessed for as long as possible, which follows the NHTSA new car seat recommendations. These convertible car seats also vary as far as installation goes. Most have the option of either LATCH or seat belt installation.

Booster Seats are designed to work in conjunction with your vehicles seat belt restraints, however, some of the best booster seats offer a forward-facing harness. Most vary when it comes to weight recommendations, but the best booster seats allow your child to ride forward facing, and harnessed, from 25 pounds and 2 years, all the way up to 85 pounds, and then convert into a belt-positioning booster seat that can be used from 40 pounds up to 120 pounds. Some booster seats do not come with a harness system, and therefore can only be used from 40 pounds up to 120 pounds.

For more information on some of the best, and safest car seats available, visit http://thebestcarseatsreviews.com for FULL in-depth reviews on infant car seats, convertible car seats, and child booster seats. Watch video demonstrations, and read customer feedback. Find the BEST car seat for your little one.