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).
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3 – 7 years (weight group 2).
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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.
