The Ultimate Guide to Car Seat Carts for Toddlers

As a parent of two toddlers, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to manage trips with little ones, especially when navigating the bustling environment of an airport and the confines of an airplane. Among the essential items in our parenting arsenal, especially for my youngest, is a car seat cart. We have used a few different carts over the last 4 years and found that these handy devices can help free up your hands. In this blog post, I'll share my experiences with three different car seat carts, highlighting their features, benefits, and drawbacks to help you make an informed decision for your air travel needs.

Why Car Seat Carts Are Essential for Air Travel

Before diving into the reviews, let’s talk about why car seat carts are so valuable when flying. As a parent, you’re juggling a lot—diaper bags, strollers, carry-ons, and, of course, your children. We have found it helpful to carry a car seat for our children onto the plane to simplify our lives (i.e., reduce the stress levels 😊) in the following ways:

• Comfort and familiarity: A car seat offers a familiar environment for your toddler, especially when in unusual places (like an airplane).

• Safety: It is easy to strap your child into a car seat and they are much more secure than with a airplane seat belt sized for adults.

• Better sleep: The familiar environment of their car seats, especially if you travel a lot by car, can provide you with some much-needed rest while flying.

Find more on why car seats can be really helpful on an airplane in this article.

I used to bring both car seats on the plane, but as my daughter grew older, I started checking in one car seat and bring the other one on the plane. My daughter seemed to do well in a regular seat and got more out of an inflatable bed. More on this later!

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of the three car seat carts I’ve tried. As I have two kids, you’ll find that I tried each cart out for one and two car seats.

Summary table

Brand	Samsonite	Mount-it!	GUCHO
Star rating	4 / 5	4.5 / 5	3/5
Dimensions	11”L x 3”W x 19”H	10.5”L x 3”W x 15”H	8”L x 3.5”W x 17”H
Load capacity	70 pounds	77 pounds	90 pounds
Pros	Compact Durable Universal compatibility	Smooth operation  Bungee cord length Sturdiness	Durable orange strap Heavy load rating Narrow
Cons	Handle bends under heavy load lack of locking mechanism	Intricate webbing	Plasticky feel Single bungee cord Orange strap
Price	~$30	~$30	~$60

 
Let's head into the detail review of each car seat cart.

#1: Samsonite compact folding luggage cart

Overview:

Samsonite is a trusted travel brand and this car seat cart doesn’t disappoint. It’s lightweight, super sturdy / made of solid materials, compact, and easy to use. It has two bungee cords that you can use to strap down your car seats. It’s not advertised as a car seat cart, like other brands, but it does the trick very well. 

The basics:

• Dimensions: 11”L x 3”W x 19”H

• Weight: 2.83 pounds 

• Load capacity: 70 pounds

Pros:

• Compact:  It is small, lightweight and folds in on itself in such a way that it easily fits underneath a standard airplane seat. It also fits easily in an overhead bin, though it may slide around if the overhead bin is empty.
• Durable construction: The main body is plastic and the handle appears to be made from aluminum. The plastic seems to be reinforced and it is really strong. The handle operates easily and can be used by short & tall people alike.
• Universal compatibility and more: The width of the handle is the same as a normal carry-on bag. This is helpful as you can stack another backpack or laptop bag on top of the car seat to free up your hands/shoulders even more.

Cons:

• Handle bends under heavy load: the bungee cords are strong, perhaps too strong. With two car seats (or even a bigger box), the handle bends under the strain. This does not cause any problems with using the cart, it just looks funny. It also makes me question if there are any long-lasting effects, although I haven’t discovered any yet.
• Locking mechanism: the handle does not lock into place. Without the bungee cords in place, the handle just falls down. None of this is a real issue I think, because you're using the cart to move your luggage most of the time.
  
  

 

#2: Mount-it! Folding luggage cart

Overview:
Next up is a car seat cart that combines a sturdy design in a lightweight package, featuring longer bungee cords that make it easier for you to strap in your car seat(s). If you're looking for a cart that offers an improved design (in my opinion) over the Samsonite luggage cart, this one might catch your eye.
The basics:

• Dimensions: 10.5”L x 3”W x 15”H
• Weight: 2.8 pounds 
• Load capacity: 77 pounds 

Pros:

• Smooth operation: the handle is very sturdy and it glides smoothly. It just has a nice solid feel to it. Where the Samsonite handle bends under high loads, this one does not.
• Bungee cord length: the bungee cords are a bit longer than the Samsonite version and they also aren’t as stiff. There are multiple attachments points, so even for smaller packages, the longer bungee cords still worked. With two car seats, the cords were easy to install with little strain.

• Sturdiness: While the design is very similar to the Samsonite car seat cart (with the plastic part having a similar textured finish), this design feels like an improved version. The handle locked into place and feels more rigid.

Cons:

• Intricate webbing: the bungee cords are a bit long and the luggage cart comes out of the bag with the cords strapped together in an intricate web. Folding them back together in the same manner takes a bit of practice.

#3: GUCHO – Car seat travel cart for airport

Overview:
The final cart we’ll discuss is a one specifically designed for car seats, whereas the first two were general luggage carts. This model includes a durable orange strap that is meant to secure your car seat in such a manner that lets your child sit in the car seat while rolling around the airport.
The basics:

• Dimensions: 8”L x 3.5”W x 17”H
• Weight: 2.7 pounds 
• Load capacity: 90 pounds

 

 
Pros:

• Durable orange strap: This cart comes with an orange strap that you can also buy separately. It is meant to secure your car seat much like a seat belt in a car. It works well, but does take some time to install. A bit of a pain when you’re in a rush or have children running around when you try to reinstall the car seat after airport security. This cart can also be used with the single bungee cord provided, which I think is actually the better option. It is just simpler and much easier to install.
• Heavy load rating: This car seat cart has the higher load rating, 90 pounds. I think it can handle that, but would not advise to put stack them items to high when they are heavy. This cart is the narrowest of the three and you may run the risk of item toppling over.
• Narrow:  This cart is the narrowest, meaning it does fit nicely in small spaces. It has two handles that fold out making the cart much wider than it originally appears. Those handle also serve as anchor point for the car seat when using the orange strap.

Cons:

• Plasticky feel: this car seat cart feels less study than the other two. It is not flimsy, but I think the other two carts can handle more load, despite the load rating being the highest for this GUCHO model. 
• A single bungee cord: The cart does come with a single bungee cord, that does work well. There is not a centered anchor point for taller loads, which will create an uneven load or a load that may slip out.
• Orange strap: The orange strap works well in theory, but it is smooth and slips easily. Also, it secures the car seat on the bottom, but not on the top, which means the whole thing can topple.
  
  

 

Making the right choice for your air travels

Choosing the right car seat cart for air travel depends on your specific needs and travel habits. Here are a few tips to help you decide:

1. Consider Your Travel Frequency: If you fly often, durability and portability are key. The Samsonite and Mount-it! versions felt the most suitable for this purpose.
2. Check Compatibility: Ensure the cart fits your car seat model and is easy to install and remove when going through airport security. Sometimes the handle is in the way or there is a protrusion that blocks something. The GUCHO car seat cart is specifically design for car seats and its product description lists exactly which car seats it is compatible with.  
3. Price: the Samsonite and Mount-it models are around $30 whereas the GUCHO model is $60. That is a big difference. The latter model does provide a few extra features, with the orange strap doubling as a device that can be used to strapping a car seat around a carry-on suitcase.

All the car seat carts were tested with a three different car seats. I usually travel with my lightweight, travel car seats (as shown in the pictures), because I find regular ones just too heavy to lug around. However, I did test each cart using two other, full size car seats (see below) and the results came out to be the same.

Conclusion

Investing in a good car seat cart can transform your airport and airplane experience with your toddler, making it less stressful and more enjoyable. Each of the models reviewed here has its strengths, catering to different needs and preferences. By considering the pros and cons, you can find the perfect car seat cart that fits your travel lifestyle.

As parents, we’re always looking for ways to make life easier while ensuring our children’s safety and comfort. A car seat cart is one such tool that can significantly reduce the hassle of traveling with a toddler. I hope this guide has provided you with valuable insights and helps you in making the best choice for your family.

Happy travels!