A quick look at the best baby bike seats:
If you cycle for fun or to commute and bring your baby along for the ride, you’ll need a baby bike seat to do the job as safely as possible. But with such a wide variety of bike seats on the market today, it’s important to do your research carefully, just as you would while researching other products for your baby.
Like any physical activity that you participate in with your baby strapped in, biking comes with its risks.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises parents to be especially careful of instability factors that can occur when a young passenger is strapped onto an adult bike. They also recommend that only children older than 12 months of age sit in a rear bike seat or be carried on a bicycle of any kind.
The AAP also recommends that adults use bike seats with children preferably in parks, on bike paths, or along quiet streets where heavy traffic is at a minimum. Helmets that meet Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards should be worn by young children at all times to prevent injury.
First, you want to determine what kind of baby bike seat you prefer, as there are several types, including front, rear, or mid-mounted.
Front-mounted seats are positioned directly in front of the riding adult but have their own seat and harness, so they’re more suitable for younger children.
Rear-mounted seats are typically larger than front-mounted seats but may have added features such as more adjustability as well as the ability to transition to a reclining position.
Mid-mounted seats are best for children ages 2 to 5, as most are not manufactured with harnesses and position the child between the handlebars and the riding adult.
Also important: Check to make sure the baby bike seat you plan on getting is compatible with the bike you’ll be riding.
An important safety note
The AAP does not recommend bike seats for babies younger than 12 months of age. Make sure that you are following all guidelines and using these seats only with babies older than 1 year.
For this list, we reached out to several new parents to find out what they loved most about their baby bike seats and what features they found to be most important and useful. We also relied heavily on customer reviews.
These are the baby bike seats that made the cut in terms of popularity, ease of use, safety, and overall experience.
Pricing guide
- $ = under $100
- $$ = $100–$200
- $$$ = $200–$300
- $$$$ = over $300
Best front-mounted baby bike seat
Thule Yepp Nexxt Mini Rack Mount Child Bike Seat
Price: $$
With a padded seat and adjustable foot straps, this lightweight, shock-absorbing bike seat should offer your little one a comfortable ride.
It attaches to the front of your bike and has a 5-point harness and a magnetic childproof safety buckle so you can rest assured that your child is securely fastened. It’s definitely best for younger children, as it only accommodates up to 33 pounds, but you can certainly make the most of it during your child’s first few years.
Best back-mounted baby bike seat
Thule Yepp Maxi Child Bike Seat
Price: $$$
If you’re looking for a quality rear-mounted bike seat for everyday rides for children under 40 pounds, consider the Thule Yepp Maxi Child Bike Seat.
It easily mounts to the frame of your bike, has a sturdy, shock-absorbing seat with a 5-point harness and a childproof safety buckle to keep your child securely fastened. Built-in reflectors and a safety light attachment provide added visibility so that other cyclists, pedestrians, and vehicles can better see you riding.
Best mid-mounted bike seat
Mac Ride Child Bike Seat
Price: $$
With a weight limit of 60 pounds, it’s clear to see that this bike seat is made for older kids ages 2 to 5. It’s specifically designed for mountain biking — kids can learn to stand in the stirrups, absorb the bumps with bended limbs, and lean into the turns.
The Mac Ride is compatible with most bikes and can be swapped between them in a matter of minutes thanks to its no-touch mounting system. It also folds up easy, which makes it great for traveling.
Best bike seat for toddlers
Topeak Baby Seat II
Price: $$
This baby bike seat is bigger and heavier than many of its competitors, but it’s hailed for the comfort it provides for little riders. It has a wraparound design that cocoons your child with soft yellow padding and a 6-point harness system that helps keep your precious cargo nice and secure.
The suspension system cuts down on the impact of bumps and jolts in the road and the adjustable footrest makes sure tiny feet stay away from moving wheels. It has a weight capacity of 48 1/2 pounds, so this bike seat will last you well into the toddler years.
Best baby bike seat for mountain bikes
iBert Child Bicycle Safe-T-Seat
Price: $$$
If you’re looking for a baby bike seat that’s particularly great for mountain biking, this is the right one for you. It’s one of the more popular front-mounted seats with a simple design that doesn’t take a rocket scientist to install (which parents can appreciate).
The leg rests keep your child’s feet from getting close to the front wheel or the cable brakes and the seat has a protective panel that prevents rocks and dirt from hitting your child’s face. And, it mounts in the center of your handlebars, so it shouldn’t be a problem with short handlebars. The iBert seat comes in three fun colors — green, pink, and red.
Best bike seat to help kids learn to pedal
Weehoo TURBO Bike Trailer
Price: $$$$
The Weehoo gets its name from the sound of fun — and according to parents who use it, that’s just what the Weehoo offers!
Kids are invited to be an active part of the adventure when they’re on this seat. They can pedal or coast, with the pedals actually helping to propel you forward. The seat is designed for kids ages 2 to 9, and there are double-seaters available on the Weehoo website, too, along with all-weather covers.
Most affordable bike seat
Schwinn Deluxe Bicycle Mounted Child Carrier/Bike Seat
Price: $
The reviews on this frame-mounted rear bike seat truly speak for themselves — it’s a winner. It’s loaded up with safety features, including a quick-release 3-point harness, leg restraints as well as a padded cross bar.
It’s great for children just over 1 year old, with a weight limit of 40 pounds. The seat is also vented to allow wind to pass through comfortably. Parents love the easy installment — all you need is a screwdriver to mount the seat into the bike frame.
Best bike trailer
Burley Bee Bike Trailer
Price: $$$
A bike trailer is great for toting your little passenger around separately from your actual bike. It gives them the chance to fall asleep on long rides and offers protection from the elements along with room for toys or snacks. The trailer simply attaches to the frame or rear axle of your bike and is like a little tent that your child can hang out in while you’re biking along.
This one comes with a comfortable seat for your child to sit in, a 5-point harness, UV-protective windows, and even extra space for you to store a diaper bag or anything else you might be carrying along with you. It also has a weight capacity of 100 pounds, so it can be used throughout most of childhood.
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