10 Best Child and Baby Bike Seats

When buying a child or baby bike seat, there’s a lot to consider, and you have to make sure the seat fits your child and your bike!  We have personally tested over 30 different child bike seats with our own kids to help you find the best. Our list wasn’t complied via Google search, but rather fine-tuned and carefully crafted after years of product testing.

From mounting style (front vs back) to age range (babies to preschoolers), you are sure to find a seat on this list that works best for you! If you’re looking for a baby bike seat for an infant, be cautious. In addition to other safety concerns, a baby needs to have sufficient neck strength to hold up their head while wearing a helmet. We recommend waiting until 12 months old.

10 Best Child and Baby Bike Seats

Want to see these seats in action? Check out our 10 Best Child Bike Seats video below to see our favorite seats while in use as well as learn about our favorite features of each.

After watching the video, be sure to keep reading for even more details on the pros and cons of every seat on our list.

Child Bike Seat Mounting Styles

Before diving into our list, make sure you are aware of the four most common mounting styles of kids bike seats.

1. Rear Frame – Mounts to the frame of the bike in the rear. They offer the best suspension and reclinability but can be harder to fit on some bikes.
2. Rear Rack – Mounts to a rack at the rear of a bike. Many lack the great suspension of rear frame seats but are best if you’re already using a rack, want to use panniers, or your bike frame is not suitable for a frame-mounted seat.
3. Front Frame –  Mounts to the front of the bike near the handlebars.  Always smaller than rear seats, they’re best for babies and small toddlers 9 months – 2 years. Many riders prefer front seats because it’s easier to engage with your baby in front of you.
4. Mid-Mount/MTB – Mounts between your saddle and the handlebars, and consists of a saddle without a seat back or harness. These open-style seats are designed for kids 2 – 5 years old.

If you aren’t sure what type of seat you need, check out our page Child Bike Seats: How to Choose. If you still need a bike for yourself, we’ve tested a lot of great adult bikes and summarize our favorites on our 10 Best Women’s Bikes page.

THE BEST BABY BIKE SEATS

These baby bike seats offer a smaller fit for smaller bodies, generally from about 1 to 3 years old. There are front mounting as well as rear mounting options.

Peg Perego Orion

Best on a Budget – Front Frame Mount

MSRP: $79

AGE RANGE: 12 months – 33 lbs.

MOUNTING INFO: One of few front seats to mount to the frame of the bike, rather than the headset. Accommodates many different frame styles.

FEATURES: Suspension, 3-position adjustable footrest, standard nylon shoulder straps, mounting bracket accommodates many types of bike frames

FULL REVIEW: Peg Perego Orion

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

With the weight of the seat always in the same spot, the center of balance is more consistent, which is an advantage for adult riders that struggle a bit with balance. The seat is small compared to other front-mounted seats so as your child grows, the seat will provide less coverage.

Additionally, the detachable handlebar only works for kids up to 22 lbs., so the Orion does begin to be less of a bargain as your young toddler grows older.

Thule Yepp Nexxt Mini

Most Lightweight – Front Headset Mount

MSRP: $219

AGE RANGE: 12 months – 33 lbs.

MOUNTING INFO: Mounts to headset (threaded or threadless), need 0.83″ of free space

FEATURES: Large vents for keeping toddlers cool, foot straps better than most, variable-height sliding footrests, handlebar to keep toddlers’ hands occupied, 5-point harness

FULL REVIEW: Thule Yepp Nexxt Mini

In addition to being one of the best seats on the market, the Thule Yepp Nexxt Mini is also one of the lightest. It features the high quality and ease-of-use you’d expect from Thule, with foot straps that are more likely to keep your child’s feet secured in place than most other seats. Its large air vents will keep your baby cooler in hot climates.

The Yepp Nexxt Mini’s quick release bracket allows you to snap the seat on or take it off in less than 5 seconds. This makes getting out for spur of the moment rides exceptionally easy. We also love the large handlebar in front to keep little one’s hands occupied and off your handlebars!

Burley Dash

Rear Storage Pocket – Rear Frame or Rack Mount

MSRP: $169 frame, $169 rack, $199 X reclining model

AGE RANGE: 12 months – 40 lbs.

FRAME MOUNTING INFO:  Need 4.1″ on seat tube to mount (clear of wires)

RACK MOUNTING INFO: Rack not included

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

FULL REVIEW: Burley Dash

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

Burley’s 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 bother with a purse or backpack. The other seats on this list don’t have this feature!

2) The 5 point harness system adjusts in length from the top, bottom, and sides. All this adjustability allows you to place the buckle lower or higher on your child’s chest according to your preference. We’ve found that being able to place the buckle higher prevents our devious toddler from wiggling her way out of the harness while we’re not looking.

Hamax Caress

Fits on More Bikes – Rear Frame or Rack Mounted

MSRP: $169 (frame and rack)

AGE RANGE: 12 months – 40 lbs.

FRAME MOUNTING INFO:  Need 3″ on seat tube to mount, compatible with wires along the back of the seat tube

RACK MOUNTING INFO: Rack not included

FEATURES: Variable reclining, dual-bar steel suspension (frame), dual spring suspension (rack), helmet recess, adjustable-height backrest, non-slip straps, variable-height sliding footrest, theft-protection lock

FULL REVIEW: Hamax Caress

What really makes the Hamax Caress stand out is its uniquely universal mounting system. Many bikes have wires on the seat tube that prevent you from using a frame-mounted seat. But the design of the Hamax Caress’ mounting block makes these wires a non-issue, making it compatible with many more bikes than your average frame-mounted seat. And if for some reason your bike still doesn’t work, there’s always the rack-mounted version!

With durable construction, quick and easy adjustments, variable reclining up to 20 degrees, suspension for a smooth ride, and shoulder straps enveloped in soft and slightly tacky foam to prevent them from sliding off little shoulders, the Hamax Caress has plenty of comfort and safety features that make it a worthy investment. We especially appreciate that the Hamax Caress Rack Mounted comes with suspension, which is very rare for rack-mounted seats!

THE BEST TODDLER BIKE SEATS

These toddler bike seats have harnesses that are highly adjustable, making them a great fit for toddlers as young as 12 months until they’re as old as 4 or 5. All of these seats mount behind the adult rider, on a rack or the bike’s frame.

Bellelli Pepe

Best Ventilation on a Budget- Rear Frame or Rack Mounted

MSRP: $89 (frame), $89 (rack)

AGE RANGE: 12 months – 48.5 lbs.

FRAME MOUNTING INFO:  Need ~4″ on seat tube to mount (clear of wires)

RACK MOUNTING INFO: Rack not included

FEATURES: Lightweight, variable height sliding footrest, two buckle depth settings in crotch area of seat, superior ventilation

FULL REVIEW: Bellelli Pepe

At a very decent price, the Bellelli Pepe 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 comfy and safe for your toddler.

We also appreciate the two depth settings in the center of the seat that allows you to get the buckle closer to the crotch of really petite or young riders for a more snug fit. This does help compensate some for the standard nylon shoulder straps that are likely to slide down. The Pepe has 3 shoulder height slots, which is more than the much higher-priced Thule Yepp Maxi.

Topeak BabySeat II

Comes with a Rack for Mounting

MSRP: $209 (rack mount only, includes rack)

AGE RANGE: 12 months – 48.5 lbs.

RACK MOUNTING INFO:  Comes with a rack for mounting. Different options for standard brakes or disc brakes.

FEATURES: Wrap-around design for extra protection, suspension, soft mesh-layered padding, variable-height footrest, easy on and off

FULL REVIEW: Topeak BabySeat II

If you know that your bike doesn’t work with a frame mounted seat and you need a rack mounted seat, the Topeak BabySeat II is a simple choice. It’s the ONLY seat we know of that actually comes with a rack. With all the racks on the market, it can be confusing to find a rack that will work with your child bike seat. Topeak takes that frustration factor out of the equation! 

The BabySeat II is also unique because it attaches to the rack via a proprietary mounting system that simply clicks into place and is much faster to mount and un-mount than other rack-mounted seats.

Thule RideAlong

Best Fit and Most Comfortable- Rear Frame Only

MSRP: $299

AGE RANGE: 1 year – 48.5 lbs.

MOUNTING INFO: >6″ needed to mount bracket on seat tube (clear of wires)

FEATURES: 5 reclining positions, suspension, color-coded adjustment buttons, variable-height sliding footrest, and soft, easy-to-adjust, stay-in-place shoulder straps

FULL REVIEW: Thule RideAlong

The Thule RideAlong is the luxury vehicle of child bike seats – high-quality, durable, and built with the best components. Its harness is by far the best of any child bike seat on the market, with super comfy, padded shoulder straps that actually stay in place! The shoulder straps have sliding height adjustments so that whether your child is 1 year old or 5 years old, it’s easy to get an exact, secure, and comfortable fit.

Our favorite feature is the RideAlong’s five different reclining positions that are suuuuper easy to adjust on the fly to the preferred napping position of your toddler. 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 on which the saddle would normally prevent the seat from mounting safely.

Decathlon Elops 100

Best Quality on a Budget – Rear Frame or Rack Mounted (TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK)

MSRP: $69 (frame or rack)

AGE RANGE: 12 months – 48.5 lbs.

FRAME MOUNTING INFO:  Need 4.1″ on seat tube to mount (wires along back of tube okay)

RACK MOUNTING INFO: Rack not included but is compatible with Decathlon’s Elops 500 Rack ($35)

FEATURES: Quick-release seat for easy on and offs, dual-bar suspension (frame mount), two-hand child-safe buckle, tool-free footrest height adjust

FULL REVIEW: Decathlon Elops 100 Child Bike Seat

A solid-quality child bike seat masquerading as a budget seat, Decathlon’s Elops 100 child bike seat offers excellent quality and performance for its price. Available in frame-mounted and rack-mounted styles, the Elops is compatible with a wide range of adult bikes. As an added bonus, the mounting bracket for the frame-mounted seat is compatible with any wires that run along the seat tube of your bike.

When it comes to child comfort, the Elops shines with dual-bar suspension, padded adjustable height shoulder straps, as well as a lightly-padded seat. Compared to the similarly-priced Bellelli Pepe, the Elops doesn’t have nearly as much ventilation, but it does have slightly more room in the helmet area to prevent the seat from uncomfortably pushing forward on a child’s head. Its buckle is also better quality.

THE BEST CHILD BIKE SEATS

These child bike seats have harnesses that cannot be adjusted as low as our favorites mentioned above. As a result, they are a better fit for children about 2 and older. Both seats below have rear frame or rear rack mounting options.

Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi

Most Lightweight – Rear Frame or Rack Mounted

MSRP: $299

AGE RANGE: 1 year – 48.5 lbs.

MOUNTING INFO: >6″ needed to mount bracket on seat tube (clear of wires)

FEATURES: Large vents for keeping toddlers cool, foot straps better than most, 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 adult rider’s balance. It also has large vents to keep a child’s back cool in hot weather, and a soft, dense foam pad for added bum comfort.

Parents will appreciate the unique, child-proof magnetic buckle and the foot straps that do a much better job than most of keeping little feet secured in place. And of course, made by Thule, the quality and ease-of-use are top notch.

Thule Yepp Maxi

Superior Ventilation – Rear Frame or Rack Mounted

MSRP: $229

AGE RANGE: 1 year to 48.5 pounds

MOUNTING INFO: >6″ needed to mount bracket on seat tube (clear of wires)

FEATURES: 5-point harness, variable-height sliding footrest adjustment, superior 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 Thule Yepp Maxi’s superior airflow will help alleviate uncomfortably sweaty backs. While the seat is durable, comfortable, and super easy to clean (no fabric cushions!), the simple nylon shoulder straps are hard to adjust and can slip down.

Additionally, as is common with child bike seats, the shoulder straps have only two height positions for adjusting for riders from 1 to 5 years old. If climate control is a huge selling point for you, the Yepp Maxi will surely deliver, but the superior strap system on the Thule RideAlong will be a better choice for many families.

THE BEST KIDS BIKE SEAT

Open style seats have much higher weight capacities, making them a great option for parents who want to ride with older kids. Due to the lack of shoulder straps, they are best suited for older toddlers or preschoolers who are sure to keep a grip on the handlebars during a ride. If you’re interested in checking out other open-style front kids bike seats, check out our 8 Best Front Child Bike Seats comparison list.

Mac Ride

On and Off in Seconds

MSRP: $229

AGE RANGE: 24 months – 5 years (up to 60 lbs.)

MOUNTING INFO: Mounts on the headset and the seat post. Headset mounting spacer required.

FEATURES: Open set-up and low-placed saddle provide much more space for the parent rider.  U-shaped saddles keeps kids in place on rougher terrain.  No frame contact.

FULL REVIEW: Mac Ride Bike Seat

The Mac Ride bike seat is a unique “mid-mount” child bike seat that places kids front and center while riding. Originally designed for mountain bikes, the Mac Ride will accommodate a wide variety of frames – from trail bikes to downhill full-suspension mountain bikes.

The Mac Ride is a great choice for any trail riding family, but if your family isn’t quite ready to hit the trails, not to worry! The Mac Ride also makes for a great seat around town and can fit on cruiser style bikes with a quill stem adapter.

The unique mounting system of the Mac Ride allows you to take it on or off your bike in mere seconds, and swap between bikes just as easily.

UrRider

Budget Friendly

MSRP: $94

AGE RANGE: 2 – 5 years

MOUNTING INFO: Rear clamp on seat post, front rests on bike’s top tube

FEATURES: Padded saddle, padded handlebars, footrests and footstraps

FULL REVIEW: UrRider Child Bike Seat

If you’re just riding around town, the UrRider child bike seat is a more budget-friendly open-style seat. Not built with the same precision as the Mac Ride, you wouldn’t want to take this seat mountain biking, but it certainly gets the job done in the neighborhood.

A soft saddle, soft handlebar grips, and foot rests make for a comfortable ride for kids, while parents will appreciate the rubber-lined legs that help protect your frame from scratches.

Child and Baby Bike Seat Comparison Chart

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 need to choose a seat that fits on your bike.

With thousands of bikes on the market, that can be a tricky issue! We cover this in great detail in our article Child Bike Seats: How to Choose and strongly recommend that you read that before you buy!

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

Front or Rear Mounted Kids Bike Seat

Do you want your little nugget up in front with you or behind? Front-mounted seats are fantastic for interacting with little ones, but are much smaller and usually max out at a child weight capacity of 33 lbs, or about 2.5 to 3 years old. Front-mounted seats are best for babies and young toddlers. (Unless you opt for the open-style, no-harness seat for 2 – 5 year olds.)

Rear child bike seats are generally larger and can often accommodate kids up to 5 or 6 years old! If you start with a front-mounted seat, you’ll eventually need to transition to a rear-mounted seat to fit your growing toddler.

Rear seats have two different mounting styles – frame or rack. While 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 bike’s frame.   Rear rack-mounting child seats typically fit on any bike that accepts a traditional bike rack.

Bike Fit Requirements for Different Seat Mount Types

This is where it gets really specific to your particular bike. This is a short summary, but seriously, go read the full version – Child Bike Seats: How to Choose. No matter what type of mounting seat type you’d like to have (front, rear-frame, or rear-rack), your bike may only be compatible with one or two.

If you’re still looking for a bike to buy, check out our 10 Best Women’s Bikes article.

Front Mounted

Front mounted seats attach via a mounting bracket on the stem of the handlebars. The width of that stem and its height will determine if a bike seat can be mounted to it.

Unfortunately, every bike seat’s mounting bracket is different. Some require barely any space to mount, 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 cockpit of the bike. If you are short and have a smaller bike, there may not be enough room for you and your baby without your knees hitting the seat with every pedal stroke. Take this into consideration before deciding on a front-mounting seat.

Rear Frame Mounted

If your bike has an external brake cable on the seat tube, you most likely won’t be able to mount a rear child bike seat to your bike’s frame.

Another mounting issue can occur if your bike’s saddle is set to a low position on the frame. While it varies on different child bike seats, all brands need about two inches clearance below the bike’s saddle for the seat and mounting poles.

Rear Rack Mounted

Rear rack-mounted child bike seats are generally the easiest to fit on the widest variety of adult bikes. You, of course, need a rack to mount the child bike seat to your bike, which requires eyelets for mounting the rack. If you have eyelets, you’re probably good to go!

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

Other Kids Bike Seat Features to Consider

Size and Age of Child

Baby (child) bike seats have age and weight limitations for safe traveling. We encourage you to wait until your baby is 1-year-old before you put them in any child bike seat.

Front-mounted seats are smaller and a toddler will outgrow them more quickly. If you’re looking for a seat with longevity, a rear-mounting seat is your best bet.

As you can see below on the left, the 1-year-old is a perfect fit for the Thule Yepp Nexxt Mini. In the image on the right, the 2.5-year-old is almost too big for a front-mounted seat.

Shoulder Straps – Padded is best

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

Shoulder straps should be set against a high seat back so they won’t slip off a child’s shoulders. Multiple height adjustments for the shoulder straps are preferred so they can continue to fit your child as they grow from baby to toddler to big kid.

Recline – Great for a sleeping child

Higher-end rear child bike seats have recline features that can make a huge difference for the comfort of little ones. Especially if you go on long rides where your child might want to take a snooze, reclining that seat can 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 secure place to rest their feet, and also keep their feet strapped down so they don’t kick parents in the butt!

Baby Bike Seat Age and Safety

You’ll notice that many baby and child bike seats are technically safety rated for infants as young as 9 months old. This doesn’t mean it’s safe to put a 9-month-old on a bike. In many states it’s 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 unsupported. Many other safety organizations agree, including the CPSC. You can read the CPSC’s guidelines for babies on bikes in their official rules.

Related Kids Bike Seat Articles

Child Bike Seats: How to Choose: It’s complicated! Get educated on the proper fit for your child and your bike.

Child Bike Seats: Comparison Chart: To view, sort, and read reviews on even more bike seats.