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If you’re in a hurry and just want to find out what the best car seat protector is, I’d recommend the Brica Seat Guardian Car Seat Protector.
In general, babies and toddlers aren’t known for keeping things neat and tidy. Once you have a little one to cart around in the back of your car, it can be a good idea to look into a good car seat protector.
In this article, I am breaking down the best car seat protectors, and in the end, I’ll choose the winner.
Here are the car seat protectors I will be reviewing:
- Britax Vehicle Seat Protector
- Lusso Gear Car Seat Protector
- Brica Seat Guardian Car Seat Protector
- Summer Infant Elite DuoMat for Car Seat
- ROYAL OXFORD Luxury Car Seat Protector
- Baby Caboodle Car Seat Protector
- Munchkin Auto Seat Protector
- Lebogner Car Seat Protector and Kick Mat
- Ohuhu Car Seat Protector With Organizer
- Thick Padded Car Seat Protector By QAQADU
Biggest Benefits Of Car Seat Protectors
After a couple of years carting kids around, there is a good chance that the upholstery in the back seat of your car will be ruined. Unless, of course, you use a car seat protector.
These protectors keep your seats safe from all of the little spills and other messes that will otherwise wind up on your upholstery.
Perhaps even more important is protection from the indentations that car seats can leave in your car. A lot of parents notice these for the first time when they remove their child’s car seat. It turns out that having a hard car seat sitting on your upholstery leaves a deep indentation. In some cases the indentation comes out after a while, and in other cases it’s permanent. With a good car seat protector though, this isn’t an issue.
In general protectors are fairly inexpensive. So, they can actually save you money over time since they can eliminate the need to get your seats professionally cleaned, restored or re-upholstered.
What To Look For In A Car Seat Protector
There are a few key features that you will want to look for when shopping for a car seat protector:
- Coverage. Some car seat protectors only cover the bottom part of the seat. Others cover the back and the front as well. All things being equal, it’s better to have more coverage.
- Non-slip. Look for car seats that have no-slip traction. This will help ensure that the car seat doesn’t move around or slip.
- Storage. With all of the things that you need to carry around for babies and toddlers, it never hurts to have more storage. That said, I consider this to be more of a nice to have feature than a must have feature, since most cars have plenty of storage already.
- Color and style. When you’re thinking about buying a car seat protector, it’s easy to focus on features and forget about appearance. It’s going to be sitting in your car for several years though. So, you will want to find something that you like and that complements the colors in your car.
My Top Car Seat Protector Reviews
I have spent a TON of time analyzing car protectors, and have narrowed the list down to my top choices. The ones included below are all great products, and come with different features. There are also options at different price points, so hopefully there is something for everyone.
Britax Vehicle Seat Protector
Britax has earned a stellar reputation in the world of baby gear. So, it’s no surprise that they have come out with a very nice car seat protector.
This car seat protector has raised edges to catch all of the spills that will happen along the ride. It’s great for catching crumbs that fall too. So, your car will end up being considerably cleaner with this in place.
The protector itself is made of rubber. So, it’s really easy to take out and clean off. The rubber material also helps ensure that your car seat won’t slip.
It’s designed with a front seat guard that hangs over the front of the seat. So, if your little passenger’s feet hang down, they won’t scuff the front part of the seat.
Some parents report that the rubber is a little on the thin side. So, car seats can still leave indentations in some cases.
It’s also worth pointing out that this one only covers the bottom part of the seat. So, if you have your child in a rear facing car seat, there is nothing to protect the seat back from your little one’s shoes.
Pros
- Rubber material means it won’t slip and it’s really easy to clean
- Raised edges catch spills and crumbs
- Front seat guard protects the front part of seat
Cons
- A little thin, so in some cases a car seat will still leave an indentation
- No protection for back of seat
Lusso Gear Car Seat Protector
This seat protector is made of PVC leather which is quite durable and is also easy on the eyes.
It’s thick and sturdy, which means car seats won’t leave an indentation on your seats. This is actually one of the key benefits for any car seat protector, and this one really delivers.
This protector comes with three built in pockets for storage. This can be really useful for keeping things like extra tissues or baby wipes nearby.
One issue that some parents reported is that it can slip a little. I suppose this is a downside of the PVC leather surface. It shouldn’t be too big of an issue as long as you secure your car seat properly. After all, a lot of people use car seats in cars that have leather upholstery.
Pros
- PVC leather is durable and looks good
- Has three built in pockets for storage
- Thick and sturdy, so car seat won’t leave an indentation
- Rear facing kick mat protects back of seat when using a rear facing car seat
Cons
- Slips a little in some cars
Brica Seat Guardian Car Seat Protector
The Brica Seat Guardian is made by Munchkin, and it’s quite impressive. In fact, I think it’s the best car seat protector out there.
This protector is well designed and fits well with most cars. It also has a rear facing kick mat to protect the back of the seat when you’re using a rear facing car seat.
This one has a front seat guard that hangs over the front part of the seat as well. So, it provides protection when your little passenger’s feet hang over the edge.
The material has dual grip traction to eliminate unwanted movement, and ensure that there is no slipping.
This protector does a really nice job of protecting the seats in your car from the indentations that a car seat can leave behind.
The fabric is also easy to clean. This is really nice since spills do happen from time to time.
If there is a knock on this one, it’s that it doesn’t have any pockets for storage. While pockets might be nice, it’s not a deal breaker since most cars have plenty of storage anyway.
Pros
- Dual grip traction eliminates unwanted movement
- Rear facing kick mat protects back of seat when using a rear facing car seat
- Fabric is easy to clean
- Protects upholstery from indentations that car seats can leave behind
Cons
- No pockets for storage
Summer Infant Elite DuoMat For Car Seat
Summer Infant has come out with a nice protector that checks most of the boxes.
It’s made from super grip vinyl. So, you can feel confident that your car seat won’t slip.
The protector itself is quite thick and durable. So, it does a really nice job of protecting your upholstery from the indents that a car seat can leave behind.
This one includes both a back seat protector and front guard. So, your seats will be well covered and well protected.
It comes with pockets for storage, which is a nice bonus.
The one issue with this one is that there is no head rest strap. So, the back part of the protector flops down at times.
Pros
- Super grip vinyl material prevent car seat from slipping
- Thick and durable, so it protects upholstery from indentations that car seats can leave behind
- Has pockets for storage
- Rear facing kick mat protects back of seat when using a rear facing car seat
Cons
- Back part of protector flops down since there is no head rest strap
ROYAL OXFORD Luxury Car Seat Protector
This one is made of premium PVC leather and wins serious style points.
The protector itself is not too thick, and not too thin, but somewhere in the middle. This works well in most cars. However, some parents did report that they wished it was thicker so that it would better protect upholstery from car seat indents.
It has small pouches for storage. So, you will have an extra place to store small items.
Some parents reported that the bottom part was barely big enough to fit a car seat. It would be good if it was a little bigger to provide some margin for large car seats.
Pros
- Premium PVC leather makes for a stylish look
- Has small pouches for storage
- Rear facing kick mat protects back of seat when using a rear facing car seat
Cons
- Some parents report that it doesn’t fully protect upholstery from car seat indents
- Would be good if the bottom was a bit larger
Baby Caboodle Car Seat Protector
Created to fit the entire car seat, this protector provides full coverage and protects your seats from stains and spills. It’s designed to work with both upholstery and leather material seats, so it’s universal and can be taken out and fitted into different cars easily. If grandma is helping out for the weekend but worried about her clean car, she can borrow this for peace of mind.
Designed to stay firmly in place, this protector features straps that tighten around the headrest, and it also has a rubber underlay which grips the car seat and resists movement. It works with seatbelts and doesn’t interfere with the latch system.
The Baby Caboodle protector won’t work with car seats that don’t have headrests, however, so it’s worth bearing that in mind when considering purchasing it.
The protector is black in color and will blend in with all interior car designs. It’s extra-large and will fully cover all seats in all car makes and models.
It’s completely waterproof, so any spillages won’t leak through to your car seat. It can easily be wiped clean, so you’ll spend less time cleaning and more time on the things that matter.
The protector can be used with a booster seat and a rear-facing car seat, so it’s very versatile. Use it from infancy up until dirty seats are a thing of the past.
A handy mesh storage pocket is located at the bottom of the protector, so you can fit any necessities inside that your little one may need for a car journey. It’s roomy enough to fit toys and snacks into the spacious pocket.
Baby Caboodle donate 10 percent of their profits to charity, so you know you’re helping a good cause when purchasing this car seat protector.
Pros
- Durable quality that lasts
- Fully waterproof
- Can be used with all child car seats and booster seats
- Doesn’t interfere with seatbelt use
- Pouches for storage
Cons
- Doesn’t fit large car seats fully
- Can only be used with car seats that have headrests
- Short straps, which makes adjustments difficult
Munchkin Auto Seat Protector
This Munchkin protector is available on its own or in a pack of two if you need protection for more than one seat. It will fit all vehicles with latch technology and won’t interfere with the use of the seatbelt.
It doesn’t cover the back of the seat like other protectors do, which means the back of your car seat is still exposed and at risk of becoming dirty. However, because of this design, it can be used in all cars regardless of whether or not it has headrests.
It can be used with all child car seats and booster seats. The surface layer is textured and therefore non-skid, keeping child seats firmly in place while driving. The back of the protector is lined to keep it in place and resist any movement. A stabilizing wedge also helps to keep the protector securely in place.
You can easily clean this protector by wiping any dirt or spillages from it with a damp cloth. It can also be quickly taken out, have crumbs shaken off, and put back into place without having to unclip lots of different buckles and straps.
A mesh storage pocket is featured at the lower front of the protector, so your little one can fit all of their car journey neck into it. They’ll be able to easily reach the pocket for quick access, so you don’t have to worry about them distracting you for different things while driving.
Pros
- Affordable
- Handy front storage pocket
- Waterproof material makes it resistant against spillages
- Textured corners to prevent it from slipping
- Easy to use and can be used with all child car seats
Cons
- Doesn’t protect the back of the car seat
- Isn’t ideal for leather seats as it can slip
Lebogner Car Seat Protector and Kick Mat
This is a perfectly thought-out car seat protector, as not only does it include a mat to protect the seat that your child is sitting on, but it also includes a kick mat to protect the seat in front of them too. We all know how toddlers love to kick their feet and wipe their mucky shoes on the fabric in front of them.
The protector by Lebogner is easily secured by attaching a strap around the headrest, and it’s large enough to cover the full seat. The kick mat also secures with a strap around the headrest in front and hangs over the back of the seat to protect the seat from all angles.
The kick mat has an additional buckle that fits around the bottom of the seat; however, it is tucked under the seat back so neither the front passenger or the driver can feel it on their back.
Both are easy to clean and fully waterproof, so you have peace of mind knowing that your car seats are well protected. They are also machine washable, saving you time and effort.
Compatible with upholstery and leather material seats, the protector is lined with anti-slip backing to ensure it doesn’t move and stays firmly in place. It can be used with child seats easily, and seat belt latches are easy to reach around the mat.
Both the seat protector and the kick mat have mesh pockets on them, giving you double the storage space of most others. You’ll have room to fit toys, pacifiers, snacks, and more inside the handy compartments, and your little one can easily reach them too.
Pros
- Two mats included, offering full protection of both the seat that the child is sitting on and the seat in front of them
- Lifetime money back guarantee included
- Easy to set up and will fit most cars
- Lots of storage
Cons
- Pricier than other protectors
- Can only be used where headrests are in place and fitted
Ohuhu Car Seat Protector With Organizer
Available in both a singular and double pack, you can choose whether you need one Ohuhu protector or two for your vehicle.
Its double-sided grip traction technology ensures that once fitted, the protector will stay in place and resist any movement. Children can sit directly on the seat, or it can be used with all types of infant car seats and booster seats. The anti-slip lining will ensure that baby seats are secured, and won’t move while driving.
A simple buckle strap clips in around the headrest to provide extra protection and security.
Have peace of mind knowing that this protector has been crash tested and passed. Child car seats stayed in place when tested, and the protector helped with this. It works with both forward-facing and rear-facing car seats effectively.
The design gives you easy access to seat belt latches and doesn’t cover them in any way. You won’t be fighting with the material to find where the belt clips in, as they will be easily visible when the protector is in place.
Your car seat will be fully protected against any spills and crumbs, and the protector can be easily cleaned and wiped down.
A mesh pocket at the bottom is attached to the protector, which is ideal for keeping small toys inside to make car journeys less boring.
The black and grey color design on this seat protector makes it fit in well with any car interior, and will add a touch of style too.
Pros
- Crash tested for added peace of mind and optimal performance
- Headrest belt is adjustable, making it compatible with all cars
- Good value for money
- Easy to install and remove
- Pockets for small objects
Cons
- Doesn’t work so well with leather car seats
- Can only be used in cars with headrests
- Poor quality headrest buckle strap
Thick Padded Car Seat Protector By QAQADU
This premium seat protector by Qaqadu is ultra-thick and designed to protect expensive interiors from being ruined by dirty feet, sticky hands, and spillages. Its classic black design will match most interior designs and keep your car looking fresh.
Its waterproof and dirt-proof design ensures that any mess made doesn’t leak through and destroy your car seats. The protector is easy to clean and can be easily removed and wiped down with a damp cloth.
Designed for SUV cars and trucks, it covers a large surface area, meaning your seats will be fully protected when it’s fitted. The thickness provides ultimate durability and ensures that you aren’t left with a huge cleaning bill when messy accidents occur.
The protector is easy to use and can be installed in a matter of minutes. A handy buckle needs to be fitted around the headrest, and the design ensures that it won’t get in the way of you reaching the seat belt and buckle.
Use it with all types of child car seats, including forward-facing and rear-facing seats as well as toddler booster seats. The ergonomic design ensures that infant car seats won’t slip and will keep them firmly in place at all times.
Two useful pockets are located at the bottom front of the protector, so you can fit in everything your little one may need for their car journey ahead. It’s big enough to fit sippy cups, toys, and snacks inside.
With long-term wear protection, you can be sure that this protector will last for as long as you need it. With a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can test it for a month to ensure it meets your high expectations; otherwise, return it for a full refund.
Pros
- Ideal for all car seat materials including leather
- Made from high-quality material that’s built to last
- Compatible with all types of child car seats
- Simple to install
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Slightly higher price than other single seat protectors
- Has to be used where headrests are present
Final Thoughts
I feel good recommending any of the car protectors in this post. However, my favorite one is the Brica Seat Guardian Car Seat Protector. Having said that, if a different one has a feature you really like or if you just like the style better, by all means go for that one.