The 2 Best Kids Bike Seats of 2025

In late 2020 and early 2021, I researched more than 30 kids bike seats and put 10 top models to the test with my 29-pound 3-year-old near our home in Austin, Texas. To update this guide in 2025, I researched and retested updated models of all three of our previous picks with my second child, a 27-pound 2-year-old.

In both rounds of testing, I assembled each bike seat according to the manufacturer’s instructions, noting how difficult or intuitive the process was. Most of the seats came with an Allen wrench for mounting, and I had no problem assembling each seat within 20 minutes. To determine compatibility, I installed every seat on my own bike, a 54-inch Surly Cross-Check set up as a town bike, as well as my wife’s bike, a 48-inch Cannondale Quick road bike.

All of the bike seats were compatible with our bikes, and I had no difficulties installing frame-mount and rack-mount models. If you have concerns that a bike seat may not work with your bike, which may be the case if you ride a mountain bike or one with a small frame, consult an expert at your local bike shop or even have the seat installed there. This article from Two Wheeling Tots has a lot of great information about matching a seat with the specifics of your bike.

To get a feel for each seat, I pedaled the gritty, off-road path that circles Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin; traveled on the smooth, protected bike lanes of North Austin; and went up and down the hills on the west side of the city. To practice the ease of getting a kid in and out of the seat, I ran errands by bike, toured holiday light displays, and commuted to and from preschool. I observed how smooth and stable each seat felt for the bike rider — and how comfortable it was for the passenger.

Through my research and testing, I developed a list of must-have features, with input from experts, friends, shop owners, and product designers:

A safe and secure ride: Safety is the most important criterion for a good kids bike seat. All of the 13 bike seats I’ve personally tested over the past four years met US (ASTM) and/or European safety standards, which put restrictions on weight, dimensions, means of attachment, and more. Beyond that, a good bike seat shouldn’t wobble or shift, even when you’re cruising over uneven terrain, and there should be no play at the seat’s attachment points. A seat should have an adjustable, five-point harness (two straps at the shoulder, two at the hips, and one between the legs) that cinch in to ensure a snug, custom fit for each little rider.

Easy installation: Good bike seats should not be overly frustrating to install, and they should come with straightforward, easy-to-follow instructions. All tools should be included, and if an adapter is required, figuring out which one you need should be easy.

Comfort: Our passengers had their own opinions about these bike seats, particularly with regard to the seat padding and whether the harness straps dug into their shoulders. We also took into account helmet interference, which can cause a child’s head to tip forward while they’re riding.

Weatherproofing: A solid bike seat should endure rain and sun without wearing down too quickly. A seat left in the sun shouldn’t be too hot to the touch, and a seat left in the rain shouldn’t stay soggy.

Smart design: We knocked off points for design fumbles (like a harness that couldn’t go over a helmet) and added points for smart, unique features (an easy on-off mount, for example). We appreciated details that made the ride more fun for our tiny passengers, such as comfortable handholds, easy-to-use foot straps, and storage space.