How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat

Consider what you'd like from your car seat. "If you're looking for a car seat that can grow with your child, then consider an all-in one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton recommends. The seat comes with a long rear-facing weight limit, and it can convert to both a high-back and backless booster.

It also scores well for comfort and quality with soft cushioning that is machine washable. Other useful features include load legs which are shock-absorbing components on the base of the car seat that help to limit the movement of the car seat in a crash.

Safety

They are designed to fit babies with smaller sizes better, which is why they are more cushioned than convertible car seats. They also tend to be lighter and easier to lift out of the car or set on a stroller frame rather than convertible car seats, which is important because you'll probably be required to transport your baby in the car seat often outside of your vehicle. Dedicated infant car seats also have the advantage of often being built to last for your child's first year, so you don't have to worry about them outgrowing their height or weight limits as fast as a convertible car seat may.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's standards for car seats are stringent however it's an excellent idea to conduct your own research before buying. You might want to read reviews from other parents and looking at car seat safety guidelines from organizations like Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both have crash test results that can be shared with families.

Find features that can be useful to your family. This could include the ability to release the strap, a no-rethread harness or a leveling foot with a spring-loaded mechanism. These features can make it easier to buckle up your child, but remember that even the most secure seats can be dangerous if they are not used in a proper manner.

Other things to consider are the size and weight of the car seat. A lot of infant car seats are designed to be small enough to fit in with older car seats in the back of your car, while others can grow with your child and then transition to an adult seat simultaneously. If you plan to use the car seat to travel or to take taxis and taxis, then an infant car seat that can be installed by using only your car's seatbelt will be a convenient choice.

In general it's a good idea to purchase the most secure seat you can afford, as the cheapest models usually don't meet the highest safety standards for crash safety. Avoid models that do not have side impact crash tests, and allow manufacturers to self-certify.

Convenience

The best infant car seats cheap car seats are those that can fit in your family vehicle and are easy to install, and come with useful extras like a built-in jogging stroller or a rotation feature. It should be reasonably priced. Infant seats range in price between $180 and $500. If they're convertible and will be used for both infants and toddlers The price could be higher.

The convenience features include the fact that the seat can be fitted using the LATCH system, or a seatbelt. Also it is possible to adjust the headrest and harness without having to remove the baby from the seat. You need to be able to set up and remove the seat with ease and quickly, particularly if you need to switch frequently between vehicles or take Uber rides with your child. The seat should be lightweight and have clearly labeled instructions for installation and bubble levels to assist you in quickly install the car seat.

You should be able to adjust the buckles and harness and also rotate the seat when not in use. It's also important to know the height and weight limits of the infant car seat before you purchase it, and consider if your baby will outgrow it by the time he turns one. A good guideline is to select a car seat that will grow with your baby car seat until they reach the 90th percentile.

Some manufacturers go over the federal safety standards to include additional features such as crash-testing, convenience and comfort in their car seats. The Clek Liing is a top choice by our gear editors as well as Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of an infant seat that provides more than just excellent crash protection. It also has a leg that stabilizes the seat during crashes, reducing the forces on the child by 40%. That feature alone could save the life of a child, which is why it's worth paying more for a car seat that is safe and has additional safety features.

Comfort

Comfort is a major factor to consider when selecting an infant car seat, since babies spend the majority of their time in the car seat. The most comfortable car seats feature large, breathable fabrics and generous padding on the headrest and harness. They are equipped with simple adjustments, like strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustment mechanisms that don't require the rethreading.

The weight and size of the infant car seat will also affect comfort, especially if it is going to be used in multiple cars or for frequent travel. Some models are more narrow than others, making them easier to fit in the back of the car with a car seat or siblings seats. And, while they all have minimum and maximum height and weight limits, some are lighter than others, which can help save your biceps from aching when carrying it between vehicles.

Some infant car seats have extra features to make them more adaptable. For instance they can be rotated or be converted into a stroller without need for adapters. Some models come with premium features such as an adjustable strap that doesn't rethread or bar that prevents rebound to give you extra security in the event of a crash. While these additional features aren't essential to the safety of your ride, they can contribute to the overall experience of using the seat.

Parents want their infants to be comfortable and have a clean car seat. They also value safety and convenience. Select a seat that is machine washable, stain-resistant and easy to take off for cleaning. Some seats are even dishwasher safe, which makes it easier to keep them looking new.

Some models go beyond to ensure that their customers' experience is safe and smooth, such as the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, that comes with an anti-rebound bar and meets Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand rear and front collisions. The seat features a Silent Shade canopy to keep baby quiet and comfortable and also an indicator to let you know that the seat is properly secured. Its adjustable carry handle and harness tightener provide easy one-handed adjustments.

Design

The manufacturers of infant car seats create them with safety and convenience as their primary objectives. However, the wide selection of features makes it difficult to determine which one is right for your family. Consider factors like the weight and height limits and the number of belt paths and buckles. Other features such as anti-rebound bars load legs, harnesses with no-rethread straps can increase the cost but could also increase the comfort of your baby. Consider features that make it simple to get your child into and out of the car seat, such as rotational mechanisms. You should also be aware of the dimensions and the weight of the seat as not every seat will fit in all vehicles.

The ease of attaching and detaching the base is an aspect that is important. The quality of the LATCH connectors and whether or not they are flexible or rigid, could influence this. It is also important to determine whether the straps are easy to tighten and loosen, and whether there is a single-hand release mechanism to install and remove the seat.

Certain models allow you to use the seat without a footrest, which is convenient for those who plan to change taxis or cars frequently. To make sure that your seat is securely installed be sure to look for models that have bubble level indicators as well as a integrated locking mechanism.

Certain features could be worth the extra expense for example, the headrest that grows with your child, a five-position recline feature, and a canopy that extends and secures in the correct position. Our product testers also noted that having a seat which can be used as highback boosters with belt positioning or a backless booster once the infant has finished using it is a nice bonus.

Doona is a newborn car seat insert seat for infants that will delight parents. It's packed with features that address almost every issue families have with infant car seats, which is the reason our test participants have rated it as top across all categories. It's approved for travel on air, has an anti-rebound handle, and can be converted directly into a stroller. Its crash test result is excellent and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.