A good car seat is critically necessary — and it’s usually one of the first items you purchase as a new parent. Not only are infant car seats fantastic for carrying your kid and protecting your child in the case of a collision, but they are also an urgent requirement since hospitals will not release a child unless you have one. Choosing one seems daunting — and it is — but we’re here to help you choose the best model for your family.
With so many baby seats on the market, deciding which one to buy might be difficult. Not to mention the startling price range for these chairs, which vary from under $100 to close to $500. What distinguishes each one as specifically suited to your requirements? Let’s work this out together.
WHY IS AN INFANT CAR SEAT REQUIRED?
You’re probably asking why you need a specific infant car seat when there are so many convertible seats on the market that can accommodate even the smallest newborns. The truth is that an infant car seat is as much about comfort as it is about safety. You can’t simply pull out a convertible seat and drive away. There is also no way to reposition the seat when the infant is inside. Infant car seats are made specifically for this purpose. With click-in infant car seats, you can simply transition from the vehicle to the stroller to the living room floor while baby is sleeping or joyful – and there’s nothing more handy than that.
They’re meant to be rear-facing, which the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends since it protects their necks and skulls in the case of an accident.
HOW WE DECIDED
I’ve personally tried some of the models on this list, talked with manufacturers from Clek, Graco, Chicco, and UPPAbaby about their designs and procedures, and interviewed parents who use these seats on a daily basis. I made certain to select the top baby car seats on the market right now, however we do recommend that you hire a car seat installation specialist in your region to ensure that it is correctly placed after your purchase.
We did not include any car seats that have recently been recalled or have been recalled many times. Unfortunately, this can and does happen, therefore we’ve removed them from our list in order to choose only the seats we feel are the utmost safest.
WHAT TO THINK ABOUT
Every car seat on this list meets NHSTA requirements and is not subject to any Consumer Product Safety Commission recalls. (Which, regrettably, occurs with disturbing frequency.) Aside from safety, there are a few other factors you should consider before clicking “purchase.”
Size
Infant car seats may be surprisingly hefty, which might be an issue if you have three kids in the rear of your Subaru Outback. Car seats like as the Clek Liing and the Chicco KeyFit 35, on the other hand, are narrow enough to accomplish exactly that.
Compatible with Strollers
Not all baby seats work with all strollers. Many strollers are only compatible with a few (or just one) types of strollers, or they need extra adapters. With a popular car seat, like as the Maxi-Cosi, you can obtain an adaptor for almost any stroller.
Fabric/Cleaning Power
This is, without a doubt, one of the most significant factors to consider. I can tell you from personal experience that if it’s difficult to clean, you should toss it away. Another thing to consider with cloth is breathability and durability. Babies sweat like crazy, and a swamp-bootied baby is a cranky baby, therefore it’s better to choose for breathability.
Weight
Infant car seats may be hefty, so if you have a terrible back or know you’ll grow tired of carrying it, go for a lighter one, such as the Graco SnugRide.
Connectivity for Seat Belts
You may not always be in the vehicle with the car seat base fitted. If that’s the case, you’ll need to know whether or not it can be placed properly with merely a vehicle seat belt. How simple is this?
1. BEST CANOPY: Chicco KeyFit 35 ClearTex Infant Car Seat – Shadow | Black
Pros:
- Affordable
- Ideal for long-term usage
- Excellent sun protection
Cons:
Heavy Handle is not as simple to use as others.
The sleeker, lighter profile of the 17-pound car seat makes it a popular for families with smaller vehicles or many car seats. The harness tightens easily, and installation is simplified by bubble leveling devices and a robust lock with an anti-rebound bar. I like that you can purchase numerous bases for this car seat at a low cost, which allows grandparents and parents to each have a base securely placed in their vehicle.
The new ClearTex Key Fit 35 features an extensible canopy that offers additional sun protection while maintaining optimal breathability. It’s also a “extended use” car seat since it’s suitable for kids as tiny as four pounds but as big as 35 pounds and 32 inches tall thanks to its clever inserts that provide baby with vital support.
Testers admire how simple the Chicco is to put up, how affordable it is, and how beautiful the canopy is, stating, “it’s honestly the greatest one we’ve ever seen.” And? It can be machine-washed.
2. AFFORDABLE: GRACO SnugRide SnugLock 35 Infant Car Seat
Pros:
- Simple to use
- Many strollers are compatible with it.
- Fabrics that are machine-washable
Cons:
- A little clumsy
- There aren’t many color options.
For many years, the Graco Snugride was the only car seat available. It’s what I used for my children, and it’s still a great, easy-to-install, easy-to-clean baby car seat, but it’s more safer and more secure today.
The three-step locking mechanism, bubble leveling, easy-latch, machine-washable seat cushion and canopy (holy amazing! ), and cheap bases are among my favorite features. It’s safe and economical when compared to others, works with a variety of strollers, and is still widely regarded as the gold-standard baby car seat.
Parents who are aware are aware. They will tell you how you may think you want the more expensive option, but this is a large-family, experienced-parent buy.
3. MOST INNOVATIVE: Cybex Aton M Sensorsafe Infant Car Seat & Base
Pros:
- Innovative technological integration
- Light
- Simple to use
- Machine-washable
- A big canopy
Cons:
- Installing is difficult and expensive.
People who adore their Cybex car seat adore it. And, to be honest, it’s quite awesome, and here’s why: It’s the only vehicle on our list with SensorSafe technology, which informs you through your phone if you’ve mistakenly left your youngster alone in the car, if your child has unbuckled themselves, or if the temperature is too hot or too cold for your child. Everything is controlled via a sensor attached to the base, a harness point at the chest, and an app that you download. It’s straightforward and intuitive, and it immediately puts you at ease.
This baby car seat also includes a leg load for further stability, an 11-point adjustable height, an easy click-in mechanism, and a sturdy one-handed latch system – and it only weighs 11 pounds.
The primary advantage parents report is the peace of mind it provides, but it’s also machine-washable, and the canopy is rather large in comparison to others.