How to Find the Best Car Seat Infant

Infant car seats are available in a wide range of prices, based on the type of material, style and accessories. But you don't have to shell out a lot of money to find a high-quality car seat infant.

Our product testers rated the best-performing infant car seats across five main categories including safety, ease of use, reliability, convenience and adjustability.

Safety Ratings

The best infant car seats are rigorously crash tested. They also come with clear directions and features that make it easier to install the seat correctly, such as bubble levels and padded seating that provides good support for babies. We also found it beneficial when a chair has simple adjustments that don't require the infant out of the car to loosen or tighten them, or use a system of clips and hooks for quick adjustments. If the process is fast and simple, parents will be more likely to keep their the correct fitting harnesses.

We searched for seats that are machine washable and models that could be used with the base to reduce the possibility of a buckle falling off or lost during washing. If you'll be using your car seat a lot and especially on public transportation it might be worth it to invest in an auto-retracting straps and a reclining mechanism to reduce the strain on your back.

It's important to do thorough research prior to making an purchase. Review reviews from other parents, as well as reviews from child safety advocacy groups. Before purchasing a new car seat it is a good idea also to check the manufacturer website and review any recalls.

A car seat for infants is a small, lightweight car seat specifically designed for newborns and babies who are up to their first birthday. They are typically used with a rear-facing. Most children outgrow their car seats at the age of one or, in the case of convertible or all-in one car seats, they are moved to a toddler car seat. Infant-only car seats should be used with the rear facing side until the child is at the maximum height and weight limit set by the manufacturer. After that, they need to be switched over to the car seat that faces forward. The convertible or all-in-one car seat can be used in both directions, however it is safer for your child to remain in the rear-facing position until they are old enough to be able to move forward.

Simple to use

It's important to choose the right car seat that is easy for parents to use, even though safety is the primary factor. We test the buckles as well as the handles and harness adjustments in addition to its ease of fitting into a vehicle. If a car seat is difficult to use, it may end up being used incorrectly and could affect your baby's safety.

Take a look at meeting with a certified child safety technician (CPST) prior to you bring your child home, if you are worried about correctly installing your infant car seat. They'll be able give you an accident test video and teach you how to use your new seat. Don't forget to read your car seat's manual. This will make it easier to avoid common mistakes when installing the seat.

Infant car seats aren't convertible and should only be used until your child has outgrown it or reaches the weight or height limit that is set by the manufacturer. It's a great idea to pick the right seat that can be used as long as possible before switching your little one into a big kid car seat.

Some infant car seats are convertible into strollers, so you'll get more value for your money. It's important to note that car seats that can be used as a stroller weigh more than those that are used as an infant car.

A wide infant car seat can help you fit it into your car, and it may also be compatible with other seats in the back. You should also think about how heavy the seat is, as a lighter seat can be more easy to lift into and out of the car. This is especially important in the event that you plan to use the infant seat frequently and transport it between vehicles. We prefer narrower, lightweight models in our top infant car seat review.

Reliability

Making sure your child is safe is the top rated infant car seats priority. And while every car seat on the market must meet federal safety standards, some go above and beyond. best infant car seat of the Bump winner Clek's Liing for instance is two-stage body support that helps keep small infants comfortable and warm and is compatible with many popular strollers. Consumer Reports also gave it an excellent score in a crash test.

Be aware that even the most reliable infant car seat can only be as safe in the way it is set up and used. A poorly installed or used newborn car seat seat is a major danger for infants as well as children of all ages. Vybiralova Stanton recommends that you read the manual of the manufacturer of your car seat and look for videos on installation online. "You'll find that manufacturers are more concerned with making sure that you have the right seat for your vehicle and baby," she says.

The most secure infant car seats come with features that make them easy to set up and use, including the buckle release for harnesses that can be operated with one hand, magnetic strap holders that don't cling on clothing, and a no-rethread harness. They also have sturdy materials and a wide range of adjustment mechanisms that work seamlessly.

Another feature to look for is whether the infant car seat has a base that is able to be used with or without the use of the use of a vehicle's shoulder belt or LATCH systems. This is helpful for parents who travel by taxi often or use their seats in more than one vehicle.

It is also important to think about how much the car seat weighs and if you are able to carry it comfortably. Some models are heavier than others, and can put a strain on your shoulders and arms when you're carrying other children or traveling long distances.

Ultimately, an infant car seat with a lower price tag will save you money and time. But, don't be tempted to purchase one simply because it's cheap. A price that is low could indicate that the manufacturer has cut corners on quality of materials or safety features. It's always an excellent idea to read reviews and ask for recommendations from other parents prior to making a purchase.

Convenience

The most effective infant car seats make it easy to ensure that your baby is safe. This means they are easy to put in place, have features that allow buckling up and unbuckling much easier, and come with other features that make it easier to use, such as comfortable fabrics and a no-rethread harness. They also come with features that increase their protection in a crash like load legs, which are shock absorbing parts on the base or the car seat that reduce the movement of the seat and consequently reduce the force on your child.

Look for an infant car seat if have a small car or plan to switch vehicles frequently. This kind of seat can fit well in smaller vehicles and most come with a handle, making them easy to carry. These seats are typically lighter than convertible car seat, making them easy to lift to and out of a vehicle.

This infant car seat also converts into a baby stroller without the need for an additional attachment. This is ideal for families that are constantly on the move or those living in cities with public transportation. It's a bit more bulky than a traditional infant car seat, but it's not as large as a convertible model.

It's easy to use, and our testers loved its magnetic buckle holders and no-rethread harness. This makes it quick to get the baby out and in. It comes with many features that make it easy to use, for example the recline that is operated by a button with four positions and steel reinforced connectors for LATCH that pop out of the base once secured.

The choice of the right infant car seat is among the most crucial decisions you'll make as a new parent. This is why it's important to research and read reviews of various options prior to making a choice. You must make sure that the car seat you select is designed with your child's safety in mind, and that it conforms to the standards set by the national safety council.