Child Safety Seats: Safety, Price, and Ease of Installation Top Priorities

■ What do people look at when choosing a child car seat?

Child car seats are essential equipment for carrying small children in a car.

That is why deciding on criteria and how to gather information is a surprisingly troublesome issue for families. Some prioritize safety, while others care about ease of installation or price.

So what points do people who have actually used child car seats focus on, and how did they choose?

This time, together with the child seat and baby products brand 'AILEBEBE', we conducted a survey on 'Criteria for choosing child car seats and actual information gathering' targeting 180 men and women nationwide who answered in a preliminary survey that they have purchased or used a child car seat.

※ When quoting the contents of this press release, please comply with the following:

・Indicate that the source is 'a survey by NEXER Co., Ltd. and the child seat and baby products brand AILEBEBE'

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Survey overview: 'Questionnaire on choosing child car seats'

Survey method: Internet questionnaire

Survey period: May 22, 2026 to May 27, 2026

Survey target: Men and women nationwide who answered in the preliminary survey that they have purchased or used a child car seat

Valid responses: 180 samples

Question content:

Question 1: What was the most important point when choosing a child car seat?

Question 2: Please tell us the reason.

Question 3: How did you gather information before purchase?

Question 4: Please tell us the reason.

Question 5: After purchase, did you ever feel you made the wrong choice?

Question 6: Please tell us the trigger for that feeling.

※ In principle, figures are rounded to the second decimal place, so totals may not equal 100%.

■ 63.3% answered 'Safety' as the most important factor

First, we asked about the most important point when choosing a child car seat.

The most common answer was 'Safety' at 63.3%.

Next came 'Price' at 17.2% and 'Ease of installation' at 13.9%.

Safety exceeded 60%, far ahead of other items.

Although price and ease of installation are also concerns, the overwhelming majority prioritize safety first.

We also asked for reasons, and introduce some below.

Those who answered 'Safety'

・To protect small children. (Female in her 20s)

・Because children's lives are at stake. (Female in her 20s)

・Safety is the most important. I checked many things such as whether the child won't slip out in an accident and whether the seat fits tightly. (Female in her 30s)

Those who answered 'Price'

・I wanted a junior seat but planned to replace it soon, so I bought a cheap one. (Female in her 30s)

・It was cheap because it came as a set with a stroller, etc. (Female in her 40s)

・Cost performance is important above all. (Female in her 40s)

Those who answered 'Ease of installation'

・Because some types are difficult to install depending on the model. (Female in her 30s)

・If it's not easy to use, I'll stop using it. (Female in her 40s)

・Because I was looking for something anyone can handle. (Female in her 40s)

The responses show a strong awareness of safety, such as 'to protect lives' and 'in case of an accident'.

Meanwhile, those prioritizing price gave practical reasons like 'will replace soon' or 'set was cheap'. Those citing ease of installation seem to value continued usability and simplicity that anyone can manage.

■ 33.9% said their information source was 'consulting with store staff'

Next, we asked how they gathered information before purchase.

The most common was 'consulting with store staff' at 33.9%.

'Internet search' followed at 21.7%, and 'Other' at 13.9%.

Furthermore, 'Introduction from acquaintances/family' and 'Review sites/reviews' were each 9.4%, 'Manufacturer's official website' at 6.1%, and 'Parenting magazines' at 5.6%.

Although we are in an age where anything can be researched online, in-store consultation was the most common result.

Perhaps because it is a safety-related purchase, people strongly want to see the actual product and ask someone directly.

We also asked why they chose each method, and introduce some reasons.

Those who answered 'Consulting with store staff'

・I wanted to see the actual product and choose. (Female in her 20s)

・I felt asking an expert was best. (Male in his 20s)

・Store staff know best about popular items and product features. (Female in her 30s)

Those who answered 'Internet search'

・I researched a lot of information on the internet. (Female in her 20s)

・Because I think books contain bias. (Female in her 30s)

・It's easy to search online. (Male in his 30s)

Those who answered 'Introduction from acquaintances/family'

・Experienced people's words are insightful. (Female in her 30s)

・I have friends and relatives raising children nearby, so I wanted to hear their opinions. (Male in his 30s)

・Because family members are knowledgeable. (Male in his 30s)

Those who answered 'Review sites/reviews'

・I always check reviews for anything. (Female in her 40s)

・Reviews from actual users are the most helpful. (Female in her 40s)

・I searched for well-reviewed products online. (Male in his 50s)

Voices like 'I want to check the actual product' and 'I want to ask an expert' were prominent.

Installation and compatibility cannot be fully judged from catalog numbers alone. Therefore, many people refer to in-store consultations and opinions of experienced users.

Also, those who answered 'Internet search' show an attitude of not relying on a single source but combining multiple methods to choose with satisfaction.

■ 95.0% answered that they have never felt they made a wrong choice after purchase

Finally, we asked whether they ever felt they made a wrong choice after purchase.

As a result, 5.0% said 'Yes' and 95.0% said 'No'.

Most people seem to be satisfied with their choice. However, a small number did feel regret.

We also asked about the triggers for feeling they made a wrong choice, and introduce some.

Triggers for feeling 'maybe I made a wrong choice'

・When the size didn't fit. (Male in his 30s)

・Difficulty in installation and adjusting the belt. (Female in her 40s)

・After all, there were differences from the actual product. (Female in her 40s)

・I wondered if there might have been a product with better features; since there were things I didn't know, I thought prior information gathering is essential. (Female in her 40s)

・Because it was a type that could not use the seatbelt. (Female in her 60s)

Many of the triggers mentioned include: