Whether you are only tooling around town to park play dates and to the grocery store, or traveling hours away to visit the grandparents, having the right car seat can mean the difference between a pleasant drive and a hair-pulling, crying-induced anxiety attack.

With baby in back and Mommy or Daddy way up front in the driver’s seat – and not exactly within arm’s reach – parents need to feel confident that their little one is safely secure and content.

The last thing any parent wants is to have a child in the car seat in the back seat who screams or cries during the entire ride because he is uncomfortable or just otherwise unhappy being buckled in. And worse, no parent can drive contently while worrying that her child can easily squirm out of the car seat, or that it won’t hold him in if there’s a crash.

While safety is definitely a priority when choosing the right car seat, finding one that is not too expensive is an added bonus to most families, given the current struggling U.S. economy. Depending on the style and brand, many car seats can cost hundreds of dollars.

One option many parents choose is a convertible car seat that can be used for several years. Many fit newborns and adjust to fit toddlers as they grow.

Below are three of the most affordable and safest car seats on the market today.

1. Safety 1st OnSide Air Protect

This convertible car seat sells for about $90. Other highlights include:

• Rear-facing for babies and toddlers up to 40 pounds

• 5-point harness

• 3 buckle locations

• Features an air protect technology to help protect the baby’s head

• Many parents who own a Safety 1st OnSide Air Protect car seat say it’s easy to install and fits in even smaller compact cars.

• Comfy
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