Best Car Seats For Infants and Babies

While convertible car seats work great for growing children but an infant seat is best for babies. They're also lighter and easier to click into a stroller than their larger counterparts.

CPST instructor Kecia Healy was impressed by the Chicco KeyFit's spring-loaded recline foot and bubble indicator on the base, as well as its user-friendliness (the more user-friendly a car seat can be, the more likely parents are to put it in the correct position). The model also fits three across in most mid-sized vehicles.

1. Clek Liing Infant Car Seat

The Canadian manufacturer Clek is known for their best-rated convertible car seats and the infant Liing is among their top infant seats. The seat comes with the best safety features available, such as a metal load-leg, and easy installation. It also features seven different recline positions that can be adjusted to match the slope of your vehicle's seat. Additionally, a simple bubble indicator makes it simple to ensure the seat is at the correct angle prior to your child's first ride in it.

The base of the Liing is easy to put in by using LATCH connections that are rigid and slide into the lower anchors making it easy to anchor. This makes the Liing an ideal choice for families who plan to switch vehicles frequently or looking for a fast, reliable way to install their child's car seat. You can also utilize the belt-tensioning system included to buckle your child.

The Liing's 2-piece Newborn System is one of the features that sets it apart from other infant car seat models. It has a lower insert that slips over the crotch buckle as well as a head support that attaches to the harness to help prevent newborns from sagging or bending their heads while in the seat. It's a game changer for tiny babies and preemies and is one of the only rear facing infant car seats that provide this kind of support.

The Liing's crash-test framework made of metal reduces the force of crash by 40% compared with other infant seat. The seat's shell is reinforced with EPP foam that protects your child's head and body in an accident. The base of the seat has a load leg made of metal that absorbs energy, and also assists in reducing the risk of crashes.

2. Chicco KeyFit

This is the most highly rated infant seat. It's easy to install, easy to use and can grow with your child. It also pairs well with strollers to create an overall travel system.

The KeyFit is an excellent option for parents looking for a safe, flexible and user-friendly seat. It scored a high score in crash tests, is lightweight and comfortable to carry, pushchairsandprams.uk and has a good range of height/weight limits. It was also designed to ensure the comfort of infants. The click-in area is surrounded by soft materials to protect your baby from being burnt by metal. The insert for babies comes with a head-cover that protects their tiny heads. The seat pad, which the baby car seat sits on, nestles them in foam cushions.

Installation is extremely simple. This is important because incorrectly installed infant seats increase the chance of injury to your child. The premium connectors of KeyFit's LATCH with a SuperCinch tightener ensure the safety of your child's seat while requiring only minimal effort. The base also has a ReclineSure leveling foot as well as two RideRight bubble level indicators to ensure the correct angle for the vehicle and quick installation. For alternate installation, clear belt routing, lock-offs and the car seatbelt make it easy to place and tighten.

However, it isn't as good in the ease of use category due to the rethread style harness height adjustment, which is a standard feature on a lot of Chicco seats (and as well on their OG Keyfit model). This means you have to manually re-thread the straps to move from one level to another. This is a minor sacrifice for the ease of this seat.

3. Joie i-Snug 2

The lightweight Joie i-Snug 2 infant car seat is built to the most stringent safety standards. It features a no-rethread belt and is compatible with Joie Strollers that accept Maxi Cosi style adapters. The installation guide is clearly labeled and bubble levels are built in to aid in aligning the seat. The car seat is comfy, with plenty of padding. It also comes with a handy canopy to shield your baby from the sun.

The i-Snug 2 has an ISOFIX base for secure vehicle attachment and can be used with a stroller compatible to create an entire travel system. This rear-facing infant car seat provides the highest level of cervical and head protection for infants. The exclusive Tri-Protect Headrest comes with a layer Intelli-Fit Memory Foam to shield your child from collisions with the side.

You'll need a brand new infant car seat once your child is at the weight and height limits or their first birthday. In the meantime, you can upgrade to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat, which allows children to ride rear-facing longer and is safer for them.

A convertible car seat newborn seat is more spacious and has a higher rear-facing weight and height limit than an infant seat, and typically has a larger and more spacious interior. To stop your child from getting out of the seat too quickly, it's best to change to a car seat that converts as quickly as you can. In certain instances parents may be able to transition their baby to an all-in-one car seat without ever having to purchase another car seat for their infant. That's why it's crucial to pick the best convertible car seat for your family. Take a look at our comprehensive guide for all the info you need to make the right decision.

4. Nuna Pipa Aire RX

Nuna Pipa RX is a highly-rated infant seat because of its safety features, lightweight design and flexibility. It can be used using rigid lower anchors in the seats that are outboard of most vehicles, and with the vehicle seat belt using Euro Routing (which uses the entire length to secure the installation). It also includes an organic cotton infant insert, making it an alternative for parents who prioritize organic choices for their child.

At only 6 lbs without the canopy and inserts, the Pipa Aire RX is among the lightest infant car seats on the market. Aeroflex foam is a lightweight material that is robust, but also extremely light, helps to minimize the force that is transferred to your child in the event of a crash. Other safety features include a 5 second steel-reinforced True base lock installation, side impact protection and a multi-position steel stability leg with crumple zones that limit forward rotation, resulting in greater rear-facing security.

The ergonomic aluminum handle is lightweight and luxurious, adorned with leatherette accents that provide an ergonomic grip and a great option to carry the bag. A magnetic buckle holder keeps straps from getting in the way when buckling your child in and color-coded indicator for installation ensures that the belts are properly connected. The low-profile base enables quick, easy loading and the open belt path with lock-offs secures shoulder and lap belts.

Cleaning up after a messy parent should not be a hassle. The fabrics and inserts of the Pipa Aire RX can be machine washed so that your car seat looks like it did following each use.

5. Nuna Pipa Urbn

Nuna's PIPA air Rx and PIPA Rx car seats are excellent choices. However, the recently launched Pipa Urbn is a step beyond. The ultralight infant car seat is super easy to carry, weighing less than 7 pounds with the canopy and insert. It's a user-friendly, luxurious design with features like magnetic buckle holders that keep straps out the way when buckled in your baby, and a green/red indication to inform you if the installation is secure. ).

The unique pipaFIX technology allows it to be used without a base, unlike Pipa RX or other base-compatible PIPAs that require one to be installed. This makes it the ideal choice for parents who frequently take taxis or rideshares as well as for those who need the ability to move their car seat more quickly and easily.

Like other Nuna products, the Pipa Urbn is designed with environmentally-friendly materials that are free of added fire retardant chemicals, and is GREENGUARD Gold certified. The green-friendly materials include a Merino wool and Tencel branded lyocell blend headrest, as well as a machine washable, water-resistant cover and body insert.

The main drawback of the Pipa Urbn is that it has the rear-facing weight limit of 30 to 35 pounds. This means you might have to change to a convertible car seat sooner than other brands. It is still a top option for the majority of babies. This car seat is also compatible with travel systems and works with any of Nuna's strollers. Just click it on or connect with the ring adapter.