Best Car Seat Protector

It’s often a sad fact of parenthood that your car’s interior cleanliness takes a nosedive once you have a child.

Fortunately, you don’t have to be doomed to a life of scratchy cracker crumbs, sticky spots from mystery substances or mud stains on the back of the front seats. Car seat protectors cover strategic areas of your vehicle to help cut down on cleaning work while also preserving your interior upholstery.

There are a few variations of these protective covers, so your particular car model and needs will determine which one is the best car seat protector for you. Let’s take a closer look at these covers in general and several models in detail.

Our Top Picks at a Glance

• Munchkin Brica Elite Seat Guardian
• Summer ELITE DuoMat
• Lusso Gear Car Seat Protector
• Munchkin Auto Seat Protector
• Royal Oxford Luxury Baby Car Seat Protector
• BRONZEMAN 100% Waterproof Bench Car Seat Protector
• YESYEES Waterproof Bench Seat Cover
• petalage Bench Car Seat Cover
• Enovoe Kick Mats – 2 Pack
• MyTravelAide Kick Mats with Car Backseat Organizer
• Lusso Gear Heavy Duty Kick Mats
• ALTITACO Car Seat Protector + X-Large Kick Mat

Note: There’s a lot more information below but clicking the above links will take you to current prices, further information and customer reviews on Amazon.

What Are Car Seat Protectors?

Young children often lack physical coordination and situation awareness, and that could lead to a few of the following unwanted substances getting on your car’s seats:

• Crumbs
• Chunks of easily-squished food
• Drinks
• Sand
• Dirt
• Mud
• Bits of dried leaves
• Potty accidents
• Vomit

Car seat protectors are removable, waterproof covers that act as a barrier between all manner of ickiness and your car’s upholstery.

Installing a car seat protector might be an especially good idea if you lease your car. These products can help prevent staining and scuff marks, and they also offer a measure of protection against indentation marks left by the pressure of a tight-fitting child car seat. While it’s not a guarantee, using a protector might help you return your leased vehicle in the best possible condition.

What Types Are Available?

Back of Seat Protectors

Also known as kick mats, these protectors fit over the back of your front seats to create a barrier between the upholstery and the bottoms of your child’s dirty shoes. An added bonus is that these mats often have a few pockets for organizing small items.

These covers may come in extra handy if you live in a rural or wooded area where your child is more likely to walk through dirt or sand. Even if you’re an urban parent, however, you might still appreciate some extra protection if you and your child make frequent trips to parks or nature trails.

Bench Seat Protectors

Bench seat protectors are the largest of the three options. They cover the entire lower and back portions of a full-sized bench seat, so crumbs, spills and dirty shoes are no match.

If you have multiple car seats in one row, bench seat protectors offer the most coverage with the least amount of pieces to deal with.

Bucket seat protectors

Bucket seat protectors offer single-seat protection. They cover the entire lower and back portion of the seat, and they are usually long enough to extend past the seat’s lower edge.

Whether your child rides in a rear-facing car seat, a forward-facing one or is old enough for a booster seat, a bucket seat protector is great at catching crumbs and spills while also shielding the seat edge from your child’s muddy shoes.

Additionally, the fact that you don’t have to worry about your toddler ruining your seatback might help you feel more comfortable keeping your child in a safe rear-facing position for longer.

Some Things to Consider When Buying a Car Seat Protector

Slots for Seat Belts or LATCH Anchos

Pre-made openings for seat belts or lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) can make your life a lot easier when it’s time to get your child’s car seat in or out of your vehicle. Not every protector comes with openings, so you definitely want to read the product details thoroughly to make sure you know what you’re buying.

Most protectors have slots in the side edges that accommodate seat belts and LATCH anchors, but the internal belt clasps or anchors may be harder to access with a bench seat cover in place.

Look for a protector with pre-made openings that let you easily reach the securing pieces you need. Keep in mind that even if a cover has a pre-made opening, it may still be fairly small and a little hard to work with. Protectors with the largest possible openings tend to be more convenient.

The Protector’s Thickness

A thick protector may seem like a good idea since it might provide a more comfortable ride for your child and last longer. However, there is the danger that the cover’s material could compress over time and cause your child’s seat to lose a safe, tight installation fit.

Beware of any covers that boast of extra thickness, and look for the thinnest one available.

Ease of Cleaning

Many protectors are very easy to vacuum and wipe clean, so you probably won’t spend too much time on clean-up no matter which one you pick.

However, if your child tends to get carsick easily or spills entire cups of liquid frequently, a protector that is machine-washable might be a wise choice.

The Size of Your Vehicle

Many protectors fall into a general size category that should be compatible with most vehicles.

However, if your vehicle is either very large or very small, you may want to spend extra time measuring your dimensions to make sure you get the coverage and fit you want.

The Typical Number of Passengers

Bucket seat protectors are great for families with just one car seat, while full-bench models make more sense for families that have two or more car seats in the same row.

As mentioned previously, not all covers let you access the middle seat belt, so make sure you read all the details if you want a bench seat protector and you need to seat three passengers in one row.

Ease of Installation or Removal

Most covers involve adjusting and fastening a couple of straps, while a few rely solely on a non-slip backing to stay in place.

If you plan to install your protector and leave it in place for months or even years, you probably won’t mind spending a few extra minutes getting the initial installation just right. On the other hand, you may prefer a cover that takes the bare minimum of time to set up if you plan to use the protector in multiple cars or otherwise move it frequently.

Our Choices for the Best Car Seat Protector

Bucket Type

Munchkin Brica Elite Seat Guardian

The top priority for parents is the safety of their child, and the Seat Guardian from Brica delivers with rubberized grips and secure installation.

With a generous width of 20 inches, this protector should be wide enough to accommodate most children’s car seats with room to spare. The edge of the lower cover also has a lip that helps trap any crumbs or drips that get away from your child.

Even if they’re properly installed, some car seats or booster seats have a nerve-wracking way of sliding around on the vehicle seat’s surface, and this can be especially true on leather seats. Thanks to rubberized grips on the top and bottom of the Seat Guardian’s lower portion, your child can stay firmly in place. One downside to this design is that the grips on the underside may leave indentations on some types of leather seats.

The Seat Guardian’s long length is equally appropriate for rear-facing and forward-facing passengers. The upper portion covers the entire seatback, so you don’t have to worry about your toddler leaving muddy footprints. The lower portion is long enough to fold over the seat’s edge and offers extra protection for forward-facing little passengers.

With an adjustable clip latch the fits around the seat headrest, the Seat Guardian is easy to install. The surface has a liquid-repelling layer that catches wet messes and is a breeze to wipe clean.

Manufacturer’s Specs

• Dimensions: 45 inches long and 20 inches wide
• Securing method: Adjustable strap buckles around the headrest
• Cleaning: Wipe clean
• Openings for seat belts or LATCH anchors: Yes

Summary

The Seat Guardian lives up to its name whether your child rides rear-facing or forward-facing, and smart design is easy to secure in a variety of car size classes.

Click for More Info / Buy from Amazon

Summer ELITE DuoMat

The Elite is an upgrade from Summer’s original DuoMat, and this new model offers several convenient and truly useful features.

The Elite DuoMat is about 6.5 inches longer than the original, and the flexible material offers effective coverage over both your car’s upper and lower seats.

As far as installation goes, using the Elite DuoMat could not be easier. The protector’s back has a full rubberized backing that grips the vehicle’s seat to stay firmly in place, so the set-up process is as simple as placing the mat onto your seat and installing your child’s seat over it. One gripe is that the grippy material may break down or transfer to some types of upholstery, especially in very hot climates.

Whether you use seat belts or the LATCH system to secure your child’s car seat in place, the Elite DuoMat’s generous strap slots ensure that the protector won’t get in the way of a safe, tight fit.

Elasticized storage pockets on the bottom of the lower portion give you a handy space to stash small items like toys or diapers.

A waterproof coating on the Elite DuoMat’s surface keeps liquid spills off your upholstery, and a damp cloth is all you need to keep your protector clean.

Manufacturer’s Specs

• Dimensions: 41 inches long and 19.5 inches wide
• Securing method: No securing latch, but the rubberized backing keeps the it in place
• Cleaning: Wipe clean
• Openings for seat belts or LATCH anchors: Yes

Summary

Even though Elite DuoMat has a simple look, the easy installation, generous length, waterproof surface and lower storage pockets make it a great choice for infants, toddlers or older kids.

Click for More Info / Buy from Amazon

Lusso Gear Car Seat Protector

With its squared-off corners and sleek faux-leather surface, this protector from Lusso looks great in any vehicle.

At 49 inches long, you shouldn’t have to worry about messy footprints on your seats whether your child rides rear-facing or forward-facing. The rectangular shape provides maximum coverage for most vehicles, and the faux-leather surface adds a touch of luxury that also provides some softness.

Nine thin layers of material provide cushioned comfort, and a mesh storage pocket at the bottom of the lower portion lets you stow small items conveniently within reach yet easily out of the way.

The adjustable upper strap fits around the headrest to let you easily get a secure fit. There is an additional fabric flap on the protector’s underside that fits into the space between your upper and lower car seat to provide an extra measure of security. The underside uses heat-resistant rubberized dots to provide traction that keeps the protector firmly in place. One thing to be aware of is that these grippy dots may not work as well on some types of leather seats.

Cleaning up spills, crumbs or dust is a breeze with a vacuum, and the fabric surface has a waterproof treatment that contains liquid spills and easily wipes clean with a damp cloth.

Manufacturer’s Specs

• Dimensions: 49 inches long, 18.75 inches wide
• Securing method: Adjustable strap buckles around the headrest and lower security flap
• Cleaning: Wipe clean
• Openings for seat belts or LATCH anchors: Yes

Summary

This protector does a great job of covering a large area of your car’s seat, and the faux-leather fabric is soft and easy to keep clean.

Click for More Info / Buy from Amazon

Munchkin Auto Seat Protector

With a shorter back portion and full-size lower portion, this seat protector offers great protection for appropriate children’s car seats.

The back portion is several inches shorter than most full-size models, so this cover probably won’t be very helpful if your child is still in a rear-facing car seat. However, the lower portion is a standard size that shouldn’t have trouble containing messes for forward-facing children.

Another plus to this cover is that it costs less than the typical full-size cover. Especially if your child is already a little older and possibly less prone to making messes, a smaller investment could be a smart choice.

Installation is truly a snap. Slide the securing flap into the space between the upper and lower seat, position the protector where you want it and let the grippy backing take care of the rest. Munchkin made the rubberized backing in light, off-white color, so you don’t need to worry about any black marks if you have light leather seats.

The lower mesh storage pocket lets your little one bring along a few essentials and keep them close at hand.

You can use a little extra water and soap to get this cover clean in the event of a big mess, but a wipe down with a damp cloth should be enough to deal with the typical daily business.

Manufacturer’s Specs

• Dimensions: 35.5 inches long and 19.5 inches wide
• Securing method: Lower security flap
• Cleaning: Wipe or spot clean
• Openings for seat belts or LATCH anchors: Yes

Summary

If your child has already started using a forward-facing car seat or booster seat, this smaller seat protector can provide you with all the coverage you need with less cost and bulk.

Click for More Info / Buy from Amazon

Royal Oxford Luxury Baby Car Seat Protector

Given that its name includes the words “royal” and “luxury”, it’s really no surprise that this protector offers sharp, upscale styling and quality construction.

The surface fabric is a combination of faux-leather panels and waterproof, heavy-duty canvas. The leather-like details add softness and style, while the canvas stands up to whatever your child tracks or spills on it. Thanks to its waterproof coating, the surface is easy to spot clean or wipe with a damp cloth, and you can even throw the entire piece into the washer in the event of a truly epic mess.

A lower mesh pocket has three small compartments, so you can organize any snacks, diapers or small toys and keep them from rolling around your car.

Installation requires you to adjust a strap around the headrest and click it into place, and a security flap provides an extra element of stability. Deep side slots also make it easy to access LATCH anchors or seat belts.

The entire back panel features raised grippy dots that hold your cover firmly in place. The rubberized material is a light tan color that shouldn’t leave marks even on dark leather, and the heat-resistant dots won’t melt or transfer even if your car’s internal temperature gets high in the summer.

One downside is that this protector is a bit on the small side, particularly if your child’s car seat is a little wider than average.

Manufacturer’s Specs

• Dimensions: 22.5 inches long, 18.5 inches wide
• Securing method: Adjustable strap buckles around headrest and security flap
• Cleaning: Machine washable or wipe clean
• Openings for seat belts and LATCH anchors: Yes

Summary

Made of heavy-duty, high-quality materials and solid construction, this protector does a great job of holding up well even with heavy use. The contrast stitching and leather-like panels also add some visual interest.

Click for More Info / Buy from Amazon

Bench Type

BRONZEMAN 100% Waterproof Bench Car Seat Protector

No matter what type of vehicle you drive, this bench seat protector offers great coverage and works for either a single child’s car seat or multiple small passengers.

Wide slots on each outer side of the cover give easy access to the outer seatbelts and LATCH anchors, and Velcro slits let you attach to the inner seat belt clasps or anchors with just a little extra effort.

While installation requires you to complete three steps, each step should be easy and quick. Two adjustable straps buckle around the headrests, and two anchor straps go in the space between the car’s back and lower seats. Finally, fit the elastic side around the edge of the seat and pull all seat belts through. The lower seat portion also has a rubberized underside for extra grip and stability.

Waterproof fabric keeps drinks and other fluids safely away from your upholstery, and cleaning up small spills is easy with a damp cloth. For deeper cleaning, you can also machine wash this Bronzeman on a gentle cycle.

Two attached storage compartments let you easily stow some small essentials, and white contrasting trim lends a slightly sporty look.

Manufacturer’s Specs

• Dimensions: 49 inches long and 56 inches wide
• Securing method: Adjustable straps click around headrests, seat anchors and elasticized corners
• Cleaning: Vacuum, spot clean or machine wash gentle cycle
• Openings for seat belts or LATCH anchors: Yes

Summary

This large protector is easy to install and offers convenient built-in storage. Waterproof material catches spills before they reach your upholstery, and small-scale or large-scale cleaning is a breeze.

Click for More Info / Buy from Amazon

YESYEES Waterproof Bench Seat Cover

If you prefer a slightly more upscale look as opposed to a sporty one, this seat cover might be just your style.

With a black fabric quilted surface and black trim, this protector has a monochromatic color scheme that can appear to be more of a sleek design element than a necessity.

The entire seam between the cover’s upper and lower portions is one long strip of Velcro that allows for easy access to all seat belts and buckles. Especially if you plan to have three passengers, this feature can prove to be incredibly handy.

The surface fabric has a waterproof layer that keeps moisture trapped, and the bottom layer also has a waterproof material for an extra measure of protection.

YESYEES built in the standard bench seat protector attachment pieces of two headrest straps, two security anchors and corner elastic. Installing the cover is simple and shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.

In the inevitable event of messes, this cover is easy to wipe or spot clean when needed. You also have the option of throwing the cover into a gentle machine wash cycle and laying it flat to dry.

While this product does a great job of keeping your car seats clean, the construction is thinner than some other models and certain types of leather may still get a few indentation marks from your child’s car seat.

Manufacturer’s Specs

• Dimensions: 49 inches long and 56 inches wide
• Securing method: Adjustable strap buckles around headrest, seat anchors and elasticized corners
• Cleaning: Vacuum, spot clean or machine wash gentle cycle
• Openings for seat belts or LATCH anchors: Yes

Summary

This protector offers great coverage and waterproofing. The center Velcro opening makes it easy to seat three in the row, and the all-black color scheme looks sharp.

Click for More Info / Buy from Amazon

Petalage Bench Car Seat Cover

With a full-coverage design, waterproof fabric and unexpected style details, the YESYEES looks great while keeping your upholstery pristine.

Young children often favor bright colors, and the vibrant green trim will probably be a hit with your little one. The color scheme also lends the protector and your car a fun and sporty look.

One thing you need to carefully consider with this protector is the number of passengers you typically transport. While there are two side slots and two small openings for LATCH anchors on the outside seats, there is no opening for the center seat belt. As a result, you should be able to fit two passengers or car seats easily, but you won’t be able to seat anyone in between.

This protector’s installation process is very standard for bench-size models. After clipping the straps around the headrest and adjusting them to the proper length, place the seat anchors in the space between the upper and lower car seats, Finally, stretch the corner elastic around the seat edge and pull all seat belts through.

Spills or liquid pool quickly on the waterproof fabric, and the material is easy to wipe clean with damp or run through a washing machine on a gentle cycle.

Manufacturer’s Specs

• Dimensions: 50 inches long and 56 inches wide
• Securing method: Adjustable straps buckle around headrests, two seat anchors and elasticized corners
• Cleaning: Vacuum, spot clean or machine wash gentle cycle
• Openings for seat belts or LATCH anchors: Yes, but only for the two outside seats

Summary

Whether your primary concern is stray snack crumbs, liquid spills or dirty shoe marks, this protector’s large size and easy care make it a great choice for up to two passengers.

Click for More Info / Buy from Amazon

Kick Mats

Enovoe Kick Mats – 2 Pack

This two-pack of kick mats from Enovoe do a great job of keeping your interior clean without a lot of extra bells and whistles.

Two layers of thin, flexible material create a waterproof barrier without added bulk, and the lack of storage pockets makes for a sleek and low profile. The fabric readily wipes clean, even if your child leaves muddy or sandy shoe marks.

Adjustable straps on the upper and lower edges of the mats let you get a snug, flush fit. The installation process is easy, but we have a couple of concerns about the lower strap design. An elastic band between the fabric and the buckle helps ensure a tight fit, but the seams that attach the elastic to the rest of the strap seem to be potential weak spot that may rip if your child pulls on it excessively. Another possible issue is that the lower strap may not be long enough to reach around larger seats.

Manufacturer’s Specs

• Dimensions: 24 inches long and 18 inches wide
• Securing method: Two adjustable straps buckle around front-seat headrest and seat base
• Cleaning: Wipe clean
• Openings for seat belts or LATCH anchors: Not applicable

Summary

These kick mats are quick to install, easy to wipe clean and offer a good amount of coverage. However, they are probably most ideal for small cars, and you’ll probably want to teach your child not to use the mat as a handle for getting into the car.

Click for More Info / Buy from Amazon

MyTravelAide Kick Mats with Car Back Seat Organizer

Aside from protecting your car’s interior, this set of two kick mats also give you and your child several convenient organization options.

One of our favorite things about these kick mats is the variety of storage pockets. You have two smaller mesh pockets on the protector’s upper portion that can be ideal for snacks and small toys. A larger pocket on the bottom portion easily houses larger items like full-size books, tablets or even a laptop, and it has a Velcro closure that helps keep your belongings secure.

These kick mats have two adjustable straps that make installation quick and easy. Secure the upper strap around the headrest, and place the lower strap around the base of the front seat. This protector is a bit less rigid than some other models, so it may have a tendency to droop or sag a bit in some cars. While sagging shouldn’t affect the function of the mat or organization pockets, the look can be a little less sleek.

If your mat gets dirty, unfasten it and bring it in the house for a quick hand wash, then lay it flat to dry.

Manufacturer’s Specs

• Dimensions: 24 inches long and 18 inches wide
• Securing method: Two adjustable straps buckle around front-seat headrest and seat base
• Cleaning: Hand wash in warm water
• Openings for seat belts or LATCH anchors: Not applicable

Summary

Even if your child wants to bring along a tablet or a few books, these kick mats can accommodate larger items while helping you keep your car clean and organized.

Click for More Info / Buy from Amazon

Lusso Gear Heavy Duty Kick Mats

With an easy-cleaning surface, strong construction and convenient storage, these kick mats offer reliable protection and accessible organization.

Three mesh pockets let your little one bring along some small toys or a snack. Since the pockets are at the top of the mat, older children should be able to reach their belongings independently, and a front passenger should also be access stored items easily. The only thing we would change would be the addition of a large pocket for bigger items.

Four layers of material with a sturdy canvas surface offer excellent seat protection and also help the mat maintain a close fit with the front seat. Reinforced upper corners also resist flopping or sagging even after months of use.

The canvas outer later has a waterproof treatment, so any moisture on your child’s shoes stays safely off your upholstery. A quick wipe with a damp cloth or sponge is all it takes to keep these mats clean.

One thing that can be annoying about car seat protectors is that you usually have limited color options to pick from, and you may end up with something that is starkly different than your car’s interior color scheme. Lusso lets you avoid that problem by offering these kick mats in several color choices in both light and dark shades.

These mats have the standard two adjustable straps that fit around the headrest and seat base, so installation is a snap.

Manufacturer’s Specs

• Dimensions: 25 inches long and 19 inches wide
• Securing method: Two adjustable straps buckle around front-seat headrest and seat base
• Cleaning: Wipe clean
• Openings for seat belts or LATCH anchors: Not applicable

Summary

These protectors feature solid construction and smart pocket placement. With several colors to choose from, you should be able to find the one that coordinates with your car’s interior.

Click for More Info / Buy from Amazon

ALTITACO Car Seat Protector + X-Large Kick Mat

If you’re trying to decide between a bucket seat protector or a kick mat, ALTITACO eliminates the guesswork by offering both pieces in one set.

The bucket seat cover buckles easily around the headrest and has a grippy backing that keeps it in place. A lower storage pocket also gives you a place to stash small items.

The kick mat is a bit larger than most other models, so you shouldn’t have to worry about any gaps that muddy shoes can get to. However, if your car has very low seat construction, you may want to take measurements to make sure the mat won’t be too long.

Two adjustable straps on the kick mat let you get a tight fit that stays firmly in place. Four small mesh pockets easily hold snacks or toddler cups, and the larger center pocket with Velcro tab closure houses larger toys or books. One very unique and useful feature is the 10-inch tablet holder. Positioned in the upper center area of the mat, your child’s tablet is at eye-level for watching movies or other entertainment on the go.

The bucket seat protector has a waterproof Oxford fabric surface, so you can clean up crumbs or spills with a damp cloth. The kick mat’s PVC material is also waterproof to keep your upholstery clean and dry, and you can use the same damp cloth to wipe it clean.

Manufacturer’s Specs

• Dimensions: Kick mat is 27 inches long and 19 inches wide, and the bucket seat protector is 48 inches long and 18.9 inches wide
• Securing method: Two adjustable straps buckle around front-seat headrest and seat base to secure the kick mat, and the bucket seat protector has an adjustable strap that buckles around the headrest and lower security flap
• Cleaning: Wipe clean
• Slots for seat belts or LATCH anchors: Yes

Summary

The combination of a bucket seat cover and a kick mat in the same set make it easy for you to protect your car regardless of your child’s current age, and the multitude of pockets help you get organized at the same time.

Click for More Info / Buy from Amazon

Conclusion

Regardless of your car’s size, your child’s age or the number of passengers you need to accommodate, you have several good car seat protector options available to you.

Smart waterproof fabric, quick clean-up, easy installation and built-in storage pockets all work together to help you maintain your car’s interior with less time and effort from you. Here’s to a clean, organized car that can make life on the road a little bit easier and tidier!

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Did you use a car seat protector? What kind did you choose, and do you think it made a significant difference? Do you have any other tips for keeping a family car clean? Share your experience in the comments!