Comparison El Camino Step ME1017 vs El Camino Smart ME1019

The weight of the child for which the car seat is designed.

In total, there are 5 main weight groups: 0 (0 – 10 kg; a rather rare option nowadays), 0+ (0 – 13 kg), 1 (9 – 18 kg), 2 (15 – 25 kg), 3 (22 – 36 kg). However, many car seats are produced that belong to several groups at once: 0 +/1 (0 – 18 kg), 1/2 (9 – 25 kg), 2/3 (15 – 36 kg), 0 + / 1/2 (0 – 25 kg) and even 1/2/3 (9 – 36 kg) and 0+/1/2/3 (0 – 36 kg). Such versatility affects the price, sometimes quite noticeably. On the other hand, a seat that matches several groups at once remains relevant for a child longer, and it usually costs less than two (or even more) separate products, each for a different weight category.

Note also that the weight group is directly related to age; refer to "Age range" for details.

The age of the child for which the car seat is designed. Many models combine several age groups at once; such products, naturally, cost more, but remain relevant for the baby longer.

Note that this indicator is directly related to the weight group; Here are the main age ranges that are found nowadays, and the weight categories to which they correspond:

— 1 – 6 months (weight group 0); rare today.
— 1 – 12 months (weight group 0+); almost completely replaced the category "0".
— 8 – 48 months (weight group 1).
— 3 – 7 years (weight group 2).
— 6 – 12 years (weight group 3). Note that if only this weight category is indicated for the car seat, then it is a booster: a lining without a backrest, which is placed on the standard car seat and allows the grown-up child to use "adult" seat belts. If the note "6 — 12 years" is combined with another weight category - then we have a full-fledged car seat with a backrest.

In conclusion, it is worth saying that this characteristic is not strictly defined: children of the same age may differ in development and build. So, when choosing a seat, first of all, weight should be taken into account, and then age; and if the seat corresponds to the child's height and build, there is nothing wrong with the age discrepancy.

— Forward facing. Installing the car seat facing in the direction of the car. In this way, car seats of weight groups starting from 1 and above are installed.

— Rear facing. Install the seat facing against the direction of travel of the car. This is how seats of weight groups 0 and 0+ designed for very young babies are installed. These babies have cervical muscles not yet sufficiently developed to hold their head in a more or less severe frontal impact, so when the seat is positioned in the direction of travel, such an impact can lead to damage to the cervical spine, up to fatal. The backrest of the seat prevents critical displacement of the head when positioned against the driving direction.

— Sideways. An option used in some models for very young babies. These car seats are usually elongated carrycots that are difficult to fit into the car in any other way. Some models have a swivel/folding carrycot design, which allows to turn it into a car seat and turn it to be faced against the movement or in the direction of travel; nevertheless, in the form of a carrycot, such devices are still placed sideways, hence the name. Note that from a safety point of view, this option is generally less preferable than a rear-facing position, but such designs perform well in side impacts.

— Backrest tilt adjustment. The backrest tilt can be adjusted. This point is different for various weight groups. In groups 0+ and 1 not the backrest, but the whole seat tilts against the fixed base, and in groups 2 and 2/3 only the backrest tilts. The possibility of adjusting the backrest tilt is important if the child is in the car for a long time – by tilting the backrest you can let the child sleep or rest.

— Headrest height adjustment. According to safety requirements, the child's head should not be more than one third above the headrest, so it is necessary to adjust the headrest as the child grows.

— Harness height adjustment. The ability to adjust the height of car seat harnesses — such a need arises as the child grows.

— Backrest width adjustment. The ability to adjust the width of the backrest allows you to optimally adjust the car seat not only for constantly changing height, but also for the child's complexion.

— Horizontal position of a backrest. The backrest of the car seat is horizontal. The horizontal position is optimal for babies under the age of six months, since it avoids unnecessary stress on the spine, therefore group 0 car seats usually have this function.

— Removable backrest. It is possible to comp...letely remove the backrest of the car seat. This function expands the possibilities of the seat: it can be used both for its intended purpose, with a backrest, and as a booster (for more information on boosters, refer to "Weight group 3").

— Swivel system. The seat swivels relative to a fixed base. This makes it easier to drop off and pick up the child: during these operations, the seat can be turned to face the car door, and when driving, it can be positioned in or against the direction of travel.

The type of harnesses installed in the car seat. The most popular models are 5-point, which can cover absolutely any age category. 3-points are more common in models for newborns. And the bumper is not at all connected with the belts, but it also reliably protects the kid. At the same time, there are also 2-point and 6-point (exclusive rare options for the carrycot) and car seats without belts. More details about each of them:

— 2-point. A harness that covers the child's body around the waist. A rather specific option, found in two types — baby carrycots (refer to "Weight group") and boosters, in which the main fixation is provided by the vehicle's seat belt.

— 3-point. Three harnesses (two across the shoulders, one between the child's legs) that converge in a buckle located near the abdomen.

— 5-point. In addition to the shoulder and crotch harnesses (as in 3-point), they have two additional harnesses at the waist. Such a system is more expensive, but more reliable than a 3-point system.

— 6-point. A distinct format, positioned as a safer alternative to 5-point harnesses, involves harnesses crossing over the shoulders, attaching to special stops on the chair, wrapping around the hips, and securing in a clasp between the child's legs. This configuration aims to minimize the risk of abdominal and ge...nital injuries during a collision by keeping the clasp in the seat. However, due to the increased complexity of setup and use compared to 5-point harnesses, this design is less common.

— Bumper. The bumper, distinct from a harness, is a specialized rigid device covered with soft material for the child's comfort. It securely encases the child's torso, from chest to crotch, leaving the head, arms, and legs free without requiring additional harness straps. This design offers the advantage of distributing impact load evenly across a wide surface area in the event of an accident, unlike narrow harnesses. Some models even feature the bumper as a usable game table. However, drawbacks include weak upper torso fixation and potential discomfort for the child in warm weather.

— None. The complete absence of own harnesses in the design of the car seat. This feature is found in models of older age categories, where it is supposed to fasten the child with a standard car seat harness.