Shopping cart covers can be a lifesaver — literally.
We all know the importance of handwashing and sanitizing. But spend a few minutes in a public bathroom, and you’ll see that not everyone cares. Your baby’s immune system isn’t as developed as yours, and germs and bacteria lingering on shopping carts can be a real threat to their safety.
Shopping cart covers create a barrier between those germs and your precious baby. And most come with a built-in safety belt that’s far more effective than the dirty strap with the broken clip you see on too many carts.
We’ve scoured the internet to find the best shopping cart covers to keep your baby safe, comfortable, and germ-free while you shop.
The only thing they don’t do is prevent your baby’s grocery store tantrums. We wish you the best of luck with that.
- Comes in 3 different designs
- Fits any large-sized cart
- Gives baby total protection from germs
- Large storage pocket
- Soft, minky fabric
- Includes interactive ribbons & toys
- Front loops to hold toys
- Really soft fabric
- Padded seat and leg holes
Product Reviews
Here are some great shopping cart covers to consider.
Suessie 2-in-1 Shopping Cart Cover
Best 2-in-1 Shopping Cart and High Chair Cover
This cover works on shopping carts and high chairs, which is useful when you plan a shopping day and need to grab lunch at a food court. It protects your baby from those high chairs that are hastily wiped down in restaurants and could potentially be carrying a lot of germs.
Because babies have roving hands, it’s best to find covers that protect your baby from all the cart’s surfaces within their reach. This one gives complete coverage, so fewer germs will find their way into your baby’s mouth.
It also has two loops for toys and a built-in teether to keep your baby entertained and happy during your shopping trip.
When you’re done using it, it rolls up into a bag with a carrying strap, so it’s ready to go next time you need it.
Pros
- Has a strap for your child’s sippy cup.
- Comes with a see-through phone window.
- It’s pretty affordable.
- Machine washable.
Cons
- It doesn’t contain much padding.
Our Ratings
Summer Infant 2-in-1 Cushy Shopping Cart Cover
Best for Infants
The child’s seat in a shopping cart is gigantic for infants but too small to hold a car seat or baby carrier comfortably. Use this cushy cart cover to guarantee your little one’s safety, and shop in peace.
Each cover includes an infant positioner to prop up younger babies so you can keep them safe and secure. It’s fully cushioned and offers support around your infant’s back and both sides of their body. The material also helps protect against germs.
As your baby gets older, the positioner can be removed easily. The remaining portion of the cover is padded to guarantee your baby’s comfort.
You can also keep your child entertained with their favorite apps or videos on your smartphone. A vinyl pocket will keep it in place while protecting the screen. There are also two loops to attach toys.
It fits most retailer and grocery store carts and restaurant high chairs. No matter your child’s age, they’ll love settling into this cover.
Pros
- Infant positioner keeps small babies safe, comfortable, and germ-free.
- You can easily remove the infant positioner as your child grows.
Cons
- Moms would love more pockets and storage space.
Our Ratings
Boppy Cart and Chair Cover
Best Large Shopping Cart Cover
This cover is big enough to handle oversized shopping carts, giving your baby 360-degree protection.
The slide line system stops your baby’s toys from hitting the ground, and it even comes with a crinkly toy that should keep them busy for a few minutes during your trip.
The safety straps will keep your child in place, which means you can spend more time shopping and less time worrying your baby will fall out.
If your baby gets the cover filthy after repeated uses, you’ll be glad to know you can toss it in the washing machine, and it’ll be just fine.
Pros
- It comes in three different patterns and colors.
- It should fit any oversized cart.
- It gives your baby total protection from germy surfaces.
Cons
- Although it works for some, it doesn’t fit well over all styles of high chairs.
- No elastic on edges to keep it secure, so it slides around a bit.
Our Ratings
Boppy Luxe Shopping Cart Cover
Best for Playtime
Grocery shopping with an active child can lead to a lot of stress. If your baby is full of energy, this shopping cart cover will help distract and entertain them while you shop.
The extra-large design allows for a number of add-ons, including a patented slide system so you can attach your baby’s favorite toy directly to the cart. You won’t have to worry about losing it or having it thrown into a stack of cans. It also comes with crinkle toys and bright finger ribbons.
The entire cover is made of a machine-washable, super-soft minky fabric. Because of its extra-large design, you get 360-degree coverage on all shopping carts and high chairs. When you’re done shopping, the entire thing folds down into an integrated travel pouch you can easily leave in your car or place in your diaper bag.
Pros
- Allows you to attach and secure your baby’s favorite toy to the cart.
- Soft, minky fabric ensures comfort.
- Includes interactive ribbons and crinkle toys.
Cons
- Folding and unfolding this bulky cover is a bit of a hassle.
Our Ratings
Skip Hop Compact 2-in-1 Shopping Cart Cover
Best Compact Shopping Cart Cover
This compact cart cover also doubles as a high chair cover, and it will fit most sizes of shopping carts and high chairs. It only takes a minute to attach it to the cart. One strap anchors the cover to the cart, and another strap keeps your baby attached to the cover.
When you’re done shopping, it will fold up into the stretchy pouch that’s built into the cover. The pouch includes a wrist strap, making it easy to hang onto when your hands are full of groceries and your baby.
It has light padding to keep your baby comfortable and a machine-washable liner.
Pros
- It has two front loops to hold toys.
- The fabric is really soft.
- Padded seat and leg holes for extra comfort.
Cons
- The straps aren’t attached, making it easier to misplace them.
Our Ratings
Kids N’ Such 4-in-1 Shopping Cart Cover
Best Multipurpose Shopping Cart Cover
This is another highly versatile shopping cart cover. It can also be used as a high chair cover, scarf, nursing cover, car seat cover, changing pad, or blanket.
While it doesn’t have any padding, the soft fabric feels comfortable against their skin.
You won’t even have to pack this cover in the diaper bag to take it in to the store with you. You can wear it around your neck as a scarf, making for one less thing you have to carry in your arms.
Because the fabric stretches so well, it fits most cart sizes.
Pros
- It has a lot of uses.
- This cover is affordable.
- Choose from several prints.
Cons
- It won’t offer your child any padding.
Our Ratings
Lakeson & Co. 4-in-1 Shopping Cart Cover
Best Shopping Cart Cover for Twins
This stretchy grocery cart cover can also function as a car seat cover, nursing cover, and stroller blanket or cover. You can also wear it as an infinity scarf until it’s time to put it into action.
It works for twins while covering shopping carts because it doesn’t have any designated leg holes. It leaves the leg area free while protecting all the bars your kids would be grabbing. As long as your children can fit side-by-side in the child seat, this cover will work for both of them.
With every purchase, this company also either plants a tree to help keep the air clean or plants a packet of wildflower seeds to promote the health of bees.
Pros
- Extremely versatile.
- Really affordable, especially considering how many uses it has.
- Fits snugly on shopping carts.
Cons
- This only comes in a girly floral pattern.
- There are no safety belts on this cover.
Our Ratings
Do I Really Need a Shopping Cart Cover?
Kids have a truly astonishing talent for getting sick. While it might seem a little paranoid to worry about the germs on a shopping cart, you only need to consider that your alternative might be days of dealing with a snotty, unhappy child.
When you’re a mom, prevention becomes your middle name, and using shopping cart covers is just one way to stay on top of things.
How to Choose a Shopping Cart Cover
Here are some factors you’ll want to consider when buying a shopping cart cover.
Comfort
Sitting in a shopping cart isn’t exactly fun for kids. Sure, there’s a lot to look at to keep them entertained, but those carts are hard and uncomfortable during an extended grocery shopping trip. A cover with extra padding means your baby will be more apt to sit happily until you’ve gathered all the groceries you need.
Straps
If you’ve ever wrestled with a toddler in a shopping cart, you’ll understand the need for a shopping cart cover with straps. Safety straps will keep both the cover and your child attached to the cart.
Durability
Your child will likely suck on and pick at your shopping cart cover, and it may rub up against other carts or displays as you shop. You’ll also want to wash it often to keep the germs at bay.
The best shopping cart covers are made with durable fabric that can hold up to heavy use.
Color
If you will use your shopping cart cover for more than one child, you might want to choose gender-neutral colors and patterns. Gender-neutral items can also be easier to sell when you no longer need them.
Affordability
You don’t have to spend an obscene amount on a shopping cart cover. But sometimes, the more expensive covers will come with extra features like pockets, toy straps, or extra padding.
Ease of Cleaning
You have enough on your plate without having to handwash your shopping cart cover. The best shopping cart covers are machine washable to make your life easier.
Shopping Cart Cover FAQs
Are Cart Covers Safe?
Yes, shopping cart covers are generally safe and can provide a protective layer between your child and the shopping cart, helping to protect against germs. Just make sure to always properly secure your child in the cart seat with the safety straps provided.
What Age Are Shopping Cart Covers for?
Shopping cart covers are generally designed for infants and toddlers who can sit upright unassisted, typically starting around 6 months of age. But always check the product’s recommended age before you use it.
Can You Use a Nursing Cover As a Shopping Cart Cover?
Some nursing covers are designed to be multi-functional and can be used as shopping cart covers. But not all nursing covers will fit securely or cover the shopping cart adequately. Always check the manufacturer’s guidelines.
How Do I Protect My Baby in a Shopping Cart?
A shopping cart cover can protect your baby from germs on the cart.
It’s also a good idea to use the provided safety straps to secure your child, never leave your child unattended, and never put the infant car seat on top of the cart because it can make the cart top-heavy and unstable.
How Do You Use a Goldbug Shopping Cart Cover?
The specific steps may vary by model, but typically, you unfold the cover, place it over the shopping cart seat and handle, then secure it with any provided straps or fasteners. Make sure all areas are covered and the safety straps are accessible.
Then, you can set your child in the cart seat and securely fasten the straps. Always refer to the product’s instructions for the best results.
The Bottom Line
While the Suessie 2-in-1 cover is a little light on padding, it’s still one of the best shopping cart covers we’ve tried.
It gives your baby a lot of protection from all the germs that surround them, and it doubles as a high chair cover. That means you’ll get double the protection for the price of one cover.
It’ll keep your baby’s toys within reach if you use the loops that come with it. Plus, the safety harness keeps your child in place so they won’t get hurt.
