Children's bike seats tested - our top 5 children's bike seat recommendations

Our 5 recommendations

– Our 5 recommendations –

mother & editor

Kim Riehl

Hi, my name is Kim and I’ve been writing for the parent compass since 2017. If I am not spending time with my one-year-old daughter Mila, I will look for the best baby products for you and share these experiences here. So have fun reading and shopping.

– editor and mother –

KIMS TOP 5 CHILDREN’S BIKE SEAT RECOMMENDATIONS

Jump directly to our recommendations

Thule Baby R >

Iso Trade child bike seat

Britax Römer Jockey Comfort

Hamax Sleepy children’s bike seat

Prophete child safety seat

Quality at a low price

Even if your child is not yet old enough to ride a bike yourself, you do not have to do without trips together.

– the children’s bike seat makes it possible! But like when buying a bike, not only the function plays a role here, but above all the safety. In addition to safety, handling must also be right, because a child’s bicycle seat should make life more beautiful and not more difficult. That is why I am presenting 5 children’s bicycle seats that you can buy with a clear conscience.

I also give you some information on what to look for when buying a bike seat for your child.

Have fun reading and shopping.

Tip # 1

Thule Baby Ridealong child bike seat

from 9 months to 6 years

3-point seat belt

padded strap

footrest

DualBeam suspension

5 levels of tilt function

adjustable foot straps and footrests

Quick release bracket

reflector

removable reversible cover

the cover is machine washable

disadvantage

At just under 5 kg, it is relatively heavy

Tip No. 2

Iso Trade child bike seat

from 9 months to 22 kg

very light at approx. 3 kg

5-point harness

3-way adjustable footrests

easy attachment

reflector

Removable and washable seat cushion

disadvantage

Tip No. 3

Britax Römer Jockey Comfort

from 9 months to 22 kg

9-way adjustable headrest

3-way adjustable footrests

adjustable back

wide shoulder pads on the straps

extra large spoke protector

easy handling

reversible cover

disadvantage

with 5.7 kg comparatively heavy

Tip No. 4

Hamax Sleepy children’s bike seat

Test standard DIN EN14344

from 9 months to 22 kg

3-point seat belt

very light at 1.5 kg

footrest

easy to use

continuous adjustment of the sleeping position

adjustable seating position

adjustable footrests

disadvantage

Tip No. 5

Prophete child safety seat

TÜV and GS checked

from 9 months

very light with 2 kg

3-point belt with quick release

adjustable footrests

disadvantage

Backrest not adjustable

pleasant transport only up to approx. 15 kg

CHILDREN’S BIKE SEAT ADVICE

Which child driver’s seat suits me?

Are you still unsure which child bike seat is the right one for you and your child? No problem. I have already given you all the advantages and disadvantages of the five models, but I would like to offer you a more detailed description of the products. I know from my own experience how unsafe you can be when buying a bicycle seat, after all, the safety factor plays a special role and a bicycle accident can quickly occur.

Of course, I took a closer look at the individual children’s bike seats from my test in order to be able to offer you all the important information about the individual models. In the following I would like to help you to find the perfect child bike seat for you and your child. You only have to answer one question.

Would you like to use the bike seat often and for a long time or only for everyday tasks?

Among my top 5 children’s bike seat recommendations are three bike seats that can be bought for around a hundred euros and two seats that are very cheap. Of course, the price difference has its reasons, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the cheaper models offer less security. As a rule, the high-priced models simply offer more comfort and more functions, making them particularly suitable for frequent travelers.

You want a comfortable child bike seat because you travel a lot by bike?

You are type A!

Many like to do almost all routes by bike and also like to go on long bike rides together. This does not have to end when there is a child. with a good child bike seat you are still mobile. I recommend either the Thule Baby Ridelong, the Britax Römer Jockey Comfort or the Hamax Sleepy child bike seat. All three bike seats are well thought out and offer your little darling plenty of comfort even on long and bumpy routes.

The Thule Baby Ridealong child seat

The child bike seat from Thule is not only very safe, but also very comfortable for your little darling. It has a pleasantly soft seat pad that can also be easily cleaned in the machine. The backrest can be tilted backwards. So your child can take a comfortable sleeping position, which is particularly advantageous on longer bike trips. The DualBeam suspension system reliably absorbs shocks and not only ensures a comfortable sleep, but also reliably protects the spine.

The attachment to the bike is also very easy and, above all, quick and is suitable for most bikes.

The operation of the Thule Baby Ridealong is also very simple. The childproof belt buckle can be closed with one hand. The footrests and foot straps can also be adjusted with one hand. The biggest advantage of the Ridealong is that it can not only be attached to tubular frames up to 40 mm, but also to oval frames. This means he has a lot ahead of the Britax and Hamax models.

A really great and practical children’s bike seat that is perfect for longer bike trips and for frequent travelers.

The Britax Römer Jockey Comfort child bike seat

The Jockey Comfort from the well-known Britax Römer brand also offers super easy handling and great comfort. The headrest is even 9-way adjustable and the backrest can also be brought into a comfortable sleeping position. The seat has an ergonomic shape and both the backrest and headrest can be adjusted with one hand. The straps are well padded and provide additional comfort. The footrests can be perfectly adapted to the size of your child.

Thanks to the foot straps, the small children’s feet remain securely on the footrests and cannot get into the spokes. The stable spring steel bracket dampens shocks and bumps. So your child can enjoy the bike trip comfortably and relaxed.

Thanks to the great ergonomic shape and the possibility of adapting the seat perfectly to the size of your child, the Jockey Comfort by Britax Römer is perfect if you and your child are often out and about by bike >

The Hamax Sleepy bike seat

The Hamax Sleepy also boasts a comfortable sleeping position. During the nap, your child lies particularly comfortably in the ergonomically shaped seat. The seat belt and footrests can of course be perfectly adapted to the size of your child and grow with them. Hamax also offers a comfortable neck pillow, because in the sleeping position it is recommended to support the head with every child’s bike seat.

Attaching to the bike is particularly easy here. with an additional bracket, the seat can be quickly and easily removed from and attached to mom’s bike Papas Wheel attached or vice versa. The Sleepy by Hamax offers a lot of flexibility. I find it particularly pleasant that the children’s bike seat is particularly light. It weighs only 1.5 kg and is therefore a true lightweight, which makes the ride even more pleasant.

You want a safe but inexpensive child bike seat because you only cycle a shorter distance now and then?

You are type B!

Favorable does not mean bad or unsafe for children’s bicycle seats. In most cases, cheaper models simply have fewer functions and, for example, do not have the option of setting a comfortable sleeping position for your child. This function is useful, especially for longer trips, but not necessary if you only travel for an hour or two on a regular basis. They still have to meet certain safety standards so that your child sits safely behind you on the bike at all times.

A cheaper model is useful if you only cycle from time to time or if you want to ride a bike with your child regularly, but not for long distances. The Iso Trade child bike seat and the Prophete child safety seat are perfect for you.

The Iso Trade children’s bike seat

The child bike seat from Iso Trade is the price-performance winner in my top 5 child bike seat recommendations. It can also be perfectly adapted to the size of your child and, above all, is very easy to attach.

The special feature of the Iso Trade child bike seat is the possibility to secure your child with a 5-point belt. This is not possible with other models, so the Iso Trade corresponds more than just the normal security guidelines. The safety click element on the belt prevents your child from being able to unbuckle themselves.

The seat cushion is pleasantly soft and can be easily cleaned in the washing machine. The child bike seat from Iso Trade is a cheap, but comfortable and, above all, safe solution. So you can not only comfortably cover short distances, but also have a lot of fun with your child when it comes to a bigger bike trip.

The Prophet child safety seat

With a weight of 2 kg, the children’s bike seat from Prophete is very light and thus ensures comfortable transport. The big disadvantage compared to other rear models, however, is that it can only be loaded with up to 15 kg and therefore cannot be used for so long.

The bicycle seat by Prophete has a pleasant padding and can be perfectly adapted to the size of your child. The attachment to the bike is also very easy and quick. Simply attach the bracket to the seat and attach the bracket to the wheel with four screws and you’re done. Does that sound kind of uncertain now? No, definitely not, the screws are rock solid and the child bike seat is well balanced.

However, the material of the child bike seat does not look so high-quality, which explains the good price. Therefore, I would simply recommend that you pay attention to how stressed the material is over time and replace the seat if necessary. But if you want to have the seat at home just in case and don’t cycle so often, it offers a good alternative to more expensive models and also meets all safety requirements.

CHILDREN’S BIKE SEAT INFO

Why do you need a child bike seat?

A child bike seat is super practical if you like to go on bike trips or do everyday bike trips. By buying a bicycle seat, your toddler is always with you and also gets a lot of exciting things see.

Another alternative is a bike trailer. In general, this offers even more safety than the children’s bike seat, but it also quickly takes away the flexibility you are used to when cycling and is overlooked more quickly by other road users. Especially if you like to go on longer trips, a child bike seat offers you more comfort.

Small children are allowed to ride in the children’s bike seat from the age of nine months. The prerequisite is that they can already sit independently and the backrest is not too vertical or can be adjusted.

What you should pay attention to when buying a child bike seat

So that you and your little darling can be really safe and comfortable with each other, there are a few things to consider when buying a child bike seat. Here is a brief summary before I go into more detail on the individual points.

mounting form
processing
safe belt system
size adjustment
spoke protectors
reflectors
Removable and washable seat cushion

Handlebar or rear model?

In my recommendations, I only included child bike seats that are attached to the back of the bike. But there are also models for the handlebars that have the advantage that you always have your child in mind. In addition, the weight of the bike on the steering wheel is easier to ride than the rear variant. However, only children up to 15 kg may be carried on the handlebars. Smaller people may also have the problem that their child’s view on the handlebars is restricted too much. Steerability often suffers from the steering wheel models.
Rear models have the disadvantage that the luggage rack is no longer usable and you shouldn’t put on a large backpack, but they make driving easier, unlike the handlebar models. Rear bike seats can usually be loaded up to 22 kg, some models even up to 35 kg. So you have much longer from a child’s bike seat that is attached to the back of the bike and it is also safer, the risk of injury in accidents is much higher with the steering wheel models. Either a bicycle basket for the steering wheel or practical side pockets can be used to transport bags, shopping, etc..

safety

The most important thing when buying a bike seat for your child is safety. The child bike seat should have at least a 3-point belt that can be individually adjusted so that even the smallest children cannot slip out while driving. In addition, the footrests should be able to be adjusted to the size of the child and ideally have footrests so that the small children’s feet cannot get into the rotating spokes of your bike.

Some models have a reclining backrest so that children can sleep comfortably on the go. This is a nice thing in itself, especially on longer bike trips. However, cyclists should note that adjusting the backrest also shifts the center of gravity. It is also advisable to support the child’s head in the lying position with a small bolster so that it cannot move freely.

So that you can also be seen in the dark, the rear child bike seat should be equipped with a reflector.

Material and color choice

There are of course child bike seats in all possible colors, so there is something for everyone. However, there are also some things to consider when choosing a color. The disadvantage of child seats that are too bright is that you can quickly see the dirt that automatically lies on the seat if you travel a lot by bike. Since you should wipe the child bike seat more often anyway, it is not yet so dramatic and more of an aesthetic aspect. What is particularly important to remember is that black bicycle seats heat up particularly quickly in the sun and what should be avoided.

The material should make a stable and not too thin impression, so that a corner does not break off if there is a fall, because this also increases the risk of injury.

Practical extras

Most child bike seats now have a practical handle. The handle is a frequently underestimated aid in everyday life. Vents are still practical or actually necessary if you are cycling in summer. Most children’s bike seats are made of plastic, where the heat builds up particularly well. It quickly becomes uncomfortable – that’s why ventilation slots should be in both the seat and the back surface.

Also beneficial is a Safety bar on the front of the child bike seat. Closed armrests are also a plus when it comes to safety.

Information about the child bike seat

The assembly

In recent years, the assembly of children’s bike seats has become more and more comfortable.

Seats with a plug-in system in particular are particularly easy to install. The seats are really just put on and can be removed easily and quickly.

If you are unsure about installing the children’s bike seat, there is of course the option of having it installed in a bike shop. This usually costs around 10 euros. But all children’s bike seats are made in such a way that self-assembly is actually not a problem. Usually, a clamp is attached to the frame tube, into whose holes the seat holder is inserted.

In general, you should pay attention to a few things when installing the child bike seat. Of course, it should never be attached to moving bicycle parts; a foot part should protect the small children’s feet from getting caught in the spokes while driving.

Models that are mounted behind the saddle are popular. They can usually be used until the child has reached 22 kg. In addition, the back part can often be inclined to ensure a more comfortable sitting position, which is not possible with handlebar models.

During assembly, the bicycle seat is mounted on the frame so that it hovers over the luggage rack. Mounting at the rear is very practical because the bike seat is given extra suspension. In addition, children who are taken behind their parents on a bike are better protected from injuries in accidents.

Models that are attached in front of or behind the steering wheel have the advantage that parents always have an eye on their children while driving. However, the bicycle seat also makes steering difficult and is not recommended for smaller people because the field of vision is restricted too much. Other disadvantages are usually a lower backrest and neck guard and a higher risk of injury in accidents. Children’s bicycle seats for the front may only be used up to 15 kg. Here, too, the attachment to the rear has some advantages.

There are two options for mounting on the front of the bike: either in front of the handlebar or behind. I personally would advise against mounting in front of the handlebars. The child is hardly protected there and many children also feel uncomfortable.

The children’s bike seat is attached directly to the head tube behind the handlebar. You should make sure that your child has enough legroom. In addition, many parents first have to get used to the changed focus and that they have to reach past the handlebars of the child. Many children like this sitting position because on the one hand they feel very secure and on the other hand they enjoy the unobstructed view to the front.

Children’s bike seat – the right care

As with most products, the bike seat needs a bit of care to keep it long and stay safe. Therefore, you should wipe it regularly with a damp cloth and possibly a gentle cleaning agent or detergent. For general hygiene, the upholstery or covers should also be washed.

Especially if the child bike seat has not been used for a long time, you should take a short time and check the screws. It can happen that the screws loosen from time to time, so they should be checked and tightened if necessary.

Child seats are mostly made of plastic and this can become brittle if they are exposed to strong sunlight or cold for a long time. Therefore, especially in winter, the children’s bike seat should be removed from the bike and stored in an interior.

Security and more – you should pay attention to that

When are toddlers allowed to ride in the child bike seat? Most child bike seats are suitable from 9 months. But of course every child develops differently. In any case, it should be able to hold its head. I personally advise you to be on the safe side and get the opinion of a pediatrician beforehand. If nothing speaks against it, the first trip can start. It is best if you first test how short the child feels in the child bike seat. You also have to get used to the fact that you now have a small passenger on your bike. This is not so easy at the beginning, because the center of gravity shifts due to the child bike seat. Therefore: do not plan too much at the beginning, you have to be careful >

Even the little passenger must wear a helmet, because if you tip over with your bike, the child seat will also tip over. Also, you shouldn’t leave your child alone in the child bike seat – not even two minutes. It quickly happens that the little boy shakes his arm or shakes back and forth and the bike gets out of balance.

Child bike seats do not tolerate too much weight, so a child who, according to the manufacturer, exceeds the weight limit for the bike seat, should under no circumstances continue to use the bike seat. Too much weight from shopping bags etc. is extremely dangerous. This point should never be underestimated.

You should also pay attention to the right focus. The cross on the side of children’s bike seats should not be more than 10 cm behind the axle. It is also advisable to wrap open feathers on the saddle because small children like to stretch out their fingers and there is a high risk of injury there.

In contrast to bicycle trailers, child seats do not protect from the sun. So if you are out and about with your child in summer, make sure you have enough sun protection, ideally sun protection factor 50, because children’s skin is particularly sensitive. Even a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor only protects for a limited time, so breaks should be made in the shade if necessary.