Whether your kid loves to throw cereal or your dog endlessly sheds, car seat protectors are the best way to keep your car seats clean. That’s why we’ve searched the web to bring you a list of the best car seat protectors. Now, instead of fretting about the mess, you can keep your seats protected. The best car seat protectors increase the longevity of your car seats while making messes much easier to clean up.
Car seat protectors help shield your seats from stains, scratches, and general wear and tear. They’re ideal to use in conjunction with front-facing or rear-facing child car seats. With car seat protectors, you can easily remove and clean them in the event of spills, dirt, or grime. And car seat protectors will save you both time and money, making it easy to clean up messes and helping preserve the resale value of your car. Along with car seat protectors, you can also invest in one of the best car seat covers for even more protection for your interior.
The 10 Best Car Seat Protectors on the Market Today
When it comes to finding the best car seat protectors, the options truly come in all shapes and sizes. Below, we’ve outlined all the best car seat protectors that money can buy. We’ve included single-seat and bench-seat protectors, “bucket” seats for the front seat, kick mats, car seat protectors for pets, and car seat protectors for kid’s car seats.
Many car seat protectors have added pockets and compartments for storage. The material, design, and other features are unique to each product so be sure to read through the product specifications to get a good understanding of all the features.
Along with our comprehensive buying guide showcasing a variety of all the best car seat protectors, we’ve answered your most frequently asked questions surrounding the best car seat protectors. After this article, you’ll be able to confidently buy the ideal car seat protector to fit your unique needs. Without further ado, let’s check out the best car seat protectors of all time!
Coming in at the top of our list, the Lusso Car Seat Protector is a simple, high-quality option. The durable, thick material is waterproof and the corners are made of reinforced PVC leather to keep the car seat protector securely in place. Depending on your car’s interior and personal preferences, you can choose black, tan, red, grey, or brown. The materials are completely odor-free and easy to clean.
In terms of installation, this car seat protector has a user-friendly adjustable headrest strap and anti-slip seat straps that hold it in place. Whether you have a leather or fabric interior, you’ll be protected from scratches or tears, UV rays, and spills with this amazing car seat protector. And thanks to its three built-in pockets, you can also optimize storage in your car.
Lusso backs all their products with a 1-year money-back guarantee. Depending on your needs, you can pick the Lusso car seat protector that is designed for sitting comfort or use with a child’s car seat.
If you want to add extra comfort, don’t forget to check our list of the best car seat cushions.
If you drive a compact car (we’re looking at you, sports car dads), this is the perfect solution to protect your car while saving space. The last thing you want is a damaged interior or scratched leather from installing or moving your kid’s car seat.
This protector’s non-skid textured material and textured corners will help keep the car seat in place and protect your interior from any unwanted wear and tear. The protector has a convenient front mesh storage pocket where you can keep your kid’s favorite toy and sippy cup handy at all times.
To clean, simply spot clean with warm water and mild soap. The Munchkin Auto Seat Protector is secured to the car seat with a LATCH anchor system. This car seat protector is best used with front-facing car seats since it does not have a full back.
This car seat protector is an absolute must for any pet owner. Simply put, if you bring your four-legged companion with you anywhere, your car will get dirty. And while it’s worthwhile to take your pup along for all your adventures, no one wants to deal with a damaged and dirty interior. Luckily, with a car seat protector for dogs, you can have the best of both worlds.
The OKMEE dog car seat protector is incredibly versatile and durable. Depending on the needs of both you and Fido, this car seat protector can be converted between a “dog hammock,” a bench car seat protector, a front pet seat cover, and even a cargo liner. If your dog tends to try to jump on your lap while you’re driving, the “dog hammock” feature will keep both of you safe and keep him secure in the backseat. And there’s even a mesh window so your dog can have peace of mind and keep an eye on you on all your road trips.
The material is waterproof and scratch-proof. To keep it secure, it comes with four headrest snap buckles, two-seat anchors, and even two dog seat belts. When it comes time to clean the cover, you can clean it while it is still in the car with a vacuum and wet cloth. If it needs a deeper clean, it is machine washable with a laundry bag.
For more useful products that will help you keep your seats clean, check out our guide to the best car seat shampoos.
If you’re looking for a simple car seat protector that blends style and functionality, these sleek and durable car seat protectors from Lyork should fit the bill. You can from black, gray, or brown to best complement your interior. Installation is quick and easy. To secure the car seat protector, simply buckle the adjustable safety strap to the headrest and tuck in the fastening pads.
The backside of the cover is made of nonslip mesh — the perfect material for gripping and protecting leather seats. These will fit on both front and rear seats. They are multifunctional and great for use with kids, dogs, or just for added protection. The front features two spacious mesh storage pockets. The material is water-resistant. You can wipe the protectors clean with a damp cloth.
It is important to note that these car seat protectors are not a universal fit. They should fit most vehicles with standard measurements, such as a compact sedan, medium or large SUV, and trucks. They are guaranteed to fit the Toyota Sienna, Rav4, 4Runner, Highlander, Honda Accord, CRV, Odyssey, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Jeep Wrangler, as well as most Volkswagens, Teslas, Subarus, Audis, Chevrolets, and BMWs. If your car make and model are not on that list, check the car seat protector measurements before purchasing to ensure a proper fit.
If you have leather seats, be sure to also check out our guide for car leather cleaners to help you keep them as clean as possible.
With the Whew Car Seat Protector and Kick Mat Car Seat Organizer, you truly get the best of all worlds when it comes to coverage and value. The front car seat protector and kick mat are both made of high-quality Oxford fabric and PVC leather. To install, you can easily buckle the quick-release adjustable strap to the headrest. The anti-slip bottom grips the seat with no additional installation.
The car seat protector features side slots that can accommodate both LATCH anchors and seat belts. This set is also great if you are looking for added storage and a way to stay organized on the road. The car seat protector has two front pockets. The kick mat further protects your interior while giving you more storage pockets for kid’s toys, books, electronics, food, and more.
Both the car seat protector and the kick mat fit most vehicles. With that being said, check the measurements to ensure a proper fit for your car. And in the event of any messes or mishaps, you can easily spot clean the protectors with a rag, mild soap, and water.
6. Munchkin Brica Elite Seat Guardian Car Seat Protector
Made from extremely durable vinyl, this is one of the best car seat protectors to protect your car’s interior against damage done by car seats. This is a great choice especially for rear-facing car seats because the long back also serves as a kick mat.
Along with the adjustable headrest buckle, it also has dual-grip traction to help keep your child’s car seat securely in place. The thick vinyl material can withstand kicking, spills, and more. It is very easy to spot clean using a rag, mild soap, and warm water.
This Munchkin Brica Car Seat Protector is safety-rated and crash-tested. It is guaranteed to keep your child’s car seat more secure. The protector is 45-inches long by 20-inches wide, so be certain to measure your car seat and child seat before purchasing to make sure this protector will work for you.
7. Lusso Gear Heavy Duty Kick Mats Back Seat Protector
If you already own car seat protectors or car seat covers, but you are still looking to protect the backs of your seats, these Lusso kick mats are a great addition. In addition to preserving the longevity of your car’s interior, these back seat protectors also provide additional storage.
Each kick mat has an adjustable headrest strap and seat strap so it doesn’t move around. Along with that, the reinforced corners prevent sag, especially when the storage pockets are full. The three large mesh pockets can hold electronics, toys, and snacks. The waterproof material allows for easy maintenance and cleanup.
This two-pack of kick mats will fully cover the backs of both your front seats for the best protection regardless of your child’s age. Depending on your style and car interior, you can choose either tan, black, red, grey, or brown kick mats. With each purchase, Lusso offers a lifetime money-back guarantee.
The Skip Hop Clean Sweep Car Seat Protector is the perfect solution for a clean and organized car. In addition to the car seat protector, it also comes with a cleaning brush and a removable crumb catcher.
The Skip Hop car seat protector is crash-tested for safety. It can easily attach to most car seats with the adjustable headrest buckle. It is suitable for use with both rear-facing and front-facing car seats. The cushioned foam material is very durable and thick enough to protect your car’s interior from spills, dirt, and other messes.
Along with a car seat protector, Skip Hop also makes a high-quality backseat organizer that has two insulated bottle pockets, clear pockets, and mesh pockets if you are looking for additional storage.
Why leave your dog in the back of the car when they can happily ride shotgun? With this car seat protector, your lifelong companion can go everywhere with you and you can keep the dog hair and slobber to a minimum.
This car seat protector from Active Pets is waterproof, durable, and the answer to your messy pet problems. For easy and secure installation, it has an adjustable headrest buckle, a middle snap buckle, seat anchors, and non-slip backing. In terms of maintenance, you can easily clean it with a wet towel or vacuum. Or if you need a deeper clean, Active Pets advises you to rinse it in the shower.
While this seat protector is designed to fit most cars, check the measurements to be certain you will have a proper fit. You can choose from a black car seat protector with orange, black, or pink accents.
If your pet still proves to be extra messy, make sure to combine this with a great car seat cleaner from our list.
This car seat protector from Britax definitely stands out in terms of design. It provides full coverage for your car seat’s base with the main purpose of protecting against indentations from kid’s car seats.
Also, the raised edges contain spills, crumbs, and other messes. Because it is made of waterproof rubber, cleaning it up is a breeze. All you need is a rag with some soap and warm water.
The car seat protector is designed to grip onto the car seat for added security. It is crash-tested and approved. Also, the car seat protector is LATCH compatible. Along with this great quality car seat protector, Britax also sells a two-pack of waterproof kick mats with a pocket storage organizer if you want added interior protection.
Maintain Your Car’s Value With The Best Car Seat Protectors
Life is more fun when you don’t constantly stress about the messes that are bound to happen. With the best car seat protectors, cleaning and maintaining your car’s interior become much easier. After all, kids are kids, and dogs are dogs!
Along with the best car seat protectors to keep your car in top condition, check out our buying guides for the best car vacuums. And follow our step-by-step cleaning guides on how to clean car carpet and how to disinfect a car for a sparkling clean interior in no time flat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I install car seat protectors?
The installation process depends on the particular car seat protector that you purchase. Typically, car seat protectors fasten around the headrest. Along with that, there are inserts to fit the seatbelt or car seat. Often, there are anti-skid features to help keep the car seat protectors in place. Your car seat protector should come with instructions on how to install it properly and securely.
Do car seat protectors interfere with airbags?
The best car seat protectors will be designed in a way that does not hinder the deployment of side airbags. To be certain, check with the manufacturer prior to purchasing.
Do all car seat protectors have storage compartments?
No, not all car seat protectors have a design that allows for storage. There are a few car seat protectors that just cover the bottom of the seat and do not have storage pockets. To be sure, check the product photos and description if you are looking for additional storage features. If you have kids, storage pockets can be extremely convenient for storing toys, food, bottles, and more for long road trips.
What car seat material is waterproof?
If you’re especially worried about liquid spills, the best material for car seat protectors is neoprene. It is easy to clean and water-resistant. If you have leather seats, neoprene is also a great option.
Can I use a car seat protector with a kid's car seat?
Yes, you can. In fact, there are numerous car seat protectors specifically designed to work well with car seats — rear-facing and front-facing. When finding the right car seat protector for your child’s car seat, check to make sure it is suitable for use with a car seat and the correct size. You’ll want to look for protectors with good traction, easy access to safety belts, and crash-test ratings.
How do I clean car seat protectors?
Many car seat protectors can be spot cleaned or are machine washable. If you just need to spot clean the cover, you can use a microfiber cloth along with lukewarm water and mild soap.
Joybeth Sullivan is an accomplished content creator. She does it all as a writer, photographer, and videographer. Her work has been published in local and international outlets. She graduated from the University of Georgia in May of 2020 with a dual-degree in English & Film. Today, she is based out of Denver, CO. When she isn't writing, you can find her on long drives in the mountains with her husky, Newman, riding shotgun.
