When to Get the Best Deals on Car Seats Throughout the Year

From the first day you bring your little one home, the car seat you choose will be one of the most essential pieces of baby gear you’ll purchase (or add to your registry). And, if we’re being honest, it will likely be one of the bigger investments you’ll make in the baby gear department. Whether you opt for an infant car seat with plans to transition into a convertible car seat down the line or jump right to an all-in-one car seat, it can be costly. 

The good news is that car seats go on sale throughout the year, so you can likely grab the one you’ve been eyeing at a discount. While some brands go on sale less often than others, there’s almost always an opportunity within the year to save a few bucks on a car seat that will house your kiddo for the next few years or so. 

As the commerce editor here at Babylist and a mom who loves to both shop and save, I tapped into my shopping expertise (professional and personal) to give you the deets on when the best times are to shop for a car seat deal. 

Black Friday/Cyber Monday: November

Some would call Black Friday and Cyber Monday the Olympics of sales events, and I’d agree. Not only are brands running sales directly on their website, big box retailers like Amazon, Target and Walmart also offer huge price drops. Just about every car seat brand will have some type of discount during this time, so if you’ve been eyeballing a usually-pricey car seat that rarely goes on sale (like the Doona, which was $100 off last year), Black Friday is typically your best shot at catching a discount (even if it isn’t a large percentage knocked off). 

Amazon Prime Day: July

Amazon started the Prime Day sale, which is exclusive to Prime Day members, nearly a decade ago, and it’s become one of the most anticipated sales events of the year. Big-ticket items like electronics, products for your home and baby gear are usually on sale. In my experience, mid-range car seats (think Graco, Evenflo, Chicco and Safety 1st) are typically the most discounted in the category (between 20 and 35 percent off). So, if you have your eye on a rotating car seat or Babylist’s favorite infant car seat, Prime Day, which typically happens mid-July, is the time (here’s our Prime Day deals article so you can stay on top of the sales this year).

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: July-August

If you’re in the market for a higher-priced car seat from a brand like Nuna, Doona or Cybex, the sad reality is that they rarely go on sale—except during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Happening in the summer, it’s the perfect time to splurge while saving a few dollars on the car seat or travel system of your dreams. Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale is a tiered event, opening early for their highest-ranked card members. The sale usually happens mid-July through the first week of August—this year it is running from July 9 through August 4 (we’ll be surfacing the best deals during the sale) but for now, you can preview what will be discounted (though your access is dependent on your membership status). 

Target Car Seat Trade-In Event: April

Whether you're a seasoned parent with an unused, retired or expired car seat hanging around or a new parent moving from an infant seat to a convertible one for the first time, Target’s yearly trade-in event should be on your calendar. During the event, you can trade your old car seat in for two separate 20 percent off coupons that can then be used on a new car seat (or other select baby gear) in the store and online. Even if your old car seat has been in an accident, is expired or you just have a lonely base left—they all qualify. As far as the type of car seats Target carries, you’ll find mid-range and affordable options from brands like Chicco, Graco, Baby Trend and Britax. 

Babylist Shop Sales: Throughout the Year

Throughout the year, the Babylist Shop participates in sales events like Memorial Day and Black Friday while also running independent sales events. You can save on most brands, including Nuna, UPPAbaby, Chicco, Graco and more. And if you miss a sale but still have your registry completion discount, you can use it to save 15 percent with your registry completion coupon on a Babylist Shop purchase. 

Brand Sales: Throughout the Year

A less common sale opportunity can happen directly from the brand’s website. While most well-known car seat brands run their sales concurrently with big box retailers, some brands offer coupon codes or have seasonal sales throughout the year that are exclusive to their site. While there isn’t a way to nail down exactly when these sales are likely to go down, my best advice is to sign up for your favorite brand's mailing list to stay in the know.