The 20 Best Infant Car Seats for Newborns to 12 Months & Beyond
SSC Team Sep 29, 2023 7:07 AM
What are the best infant car seats for your little kids? How to check if they are good enough?
Car seats are intended to keep your infant secure while traveling in a car. The seat you pick will depend on your baby's age, weight, and height. Some people also like it to be removable for more convenience.
Safe Start Center will name the best 20 infant car seats with their remarkable features. Check all the pros and cons carefully before making your mind.
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Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX Infant Car Seat, Baby Car Seat Featuring TrueShield Side Impact Technology
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Graco SlimFit 3 in 1 Car Seat -Slim & Comfy Design Saves Space in Your Back Seat, Darcie, One Size
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Graco SnugRide SnugLock Extend2Fit 35 Infant Car Seat | Ride Rear Facing Longer with Extend2Fit, Haven
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Graco, Modes Element Travel System Includes Baby Stroller with Reversible Seat Extra Storage Child Tray and SnugRide 35 Lite LX Infant Car Seat, Canter
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SSC Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more
- BrandGraco
- Prime
- SCORE9.6SSC Score
SSC Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more
- BrandGraco
- SCORE9.6SSC Score
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Last update on 2023-09-29 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
You'll find a variety of baby car seats. What you choose will depend on your own tastes, financial constraints, and your baby's age.
Here are some of the names you'll encounter on different models to help you figure out what you're looking for.
Rear-facing seats
Rear-facing seats are ideal for newborns weighing about 4 to 40 pounds, depending on the type. These chairs are often small, attached to the base, and feature carrying grips.
Booster seats
You can only use the booster seats when the child is facing forward. These seats need your baby to weigh at least 30 to 40 pounds. This minimum weight may vary from model to model.
Convertible seats
Convertible seats are exactly what the name implies. They change from back to forward-facing in most cases and may even work as a booster seat.
All-in-one seats
All-in-one seats can be forward-facing and rear-facing seats.
You may find an all-in-one that changes to a booster with a maximum weight of up to 120 pounds sometimes, such as Britax One4Life.
With so many options on the marketplace today, it might be tough to choose one that meets your family's exact requirements. Here's what you should think about to make a wise decision.
Size
Car seats are available in a variety of sizes. Some are just too large to fit into compact or small vehicles.
It's far more vital to know if several seats will work in the backseat if you need them. If you have a small vehicle, take measurements of the backseat first and compare them to the size of the car seat.
Safety
All car seats on our list have met or even outperformed strict government safety standards. Crash foam and anti-rebound bars are common safety features marketed on seats. However, you also need to check these features carefully.
Installation
Many parents make the same mistakes when installing infant seats.
Make sure that you go for the seats that are simple to install. If not, you may find them harder to use later.
Harness
Fastening the harness should be a quick and straightforward task that you can accomplish one-handed if possible.
With a one-strap and front-adjust tightener like that on the Graco SungRide35, you can quickly and simply fasten the harness.
Removability
You may want to remove the seat when they are not necessary. Not all infant seats come with this feature. So, please put it in your checklist as well.
Material
Infant skin is sensitive. Hence, choose fabrics that are high-quality, durable, and breathable. It would be best to opt for some extra pudding to bring your infant a high level of comfort.
Tests are essential to determine if the product you choose can meet your requirements or not. Let's go through all of these criteria:
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Check every component of the chair. It should be in good condition.
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Check if the chair can fit the car's backseat.
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The chair has to match your kid's height and weight. You may drive for a long time, so your kid should be comfortable in the car.
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While driving, the chair shouldn't be shaking a lot. It must be secure in place.
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Check the material. This factor varies due to customers’ requirements. In general, most people like the seat to be durable and breathable. So, we focus on these features while testing.
- Check to see whether the automobile has Isofix (1) connections. They make it easier to install infant and kid car seats.
Parents have shown their concerns about choosing the car seat for their infants. Here are some frequently asked questions to choose the best infant car seats.
1. What is the most affordable infant car seat?
Graco SnugRide is a great budget option. Aside from the price, the simple installation also helps it win a point to users.
2. How long can an infant car seat last?
You can use the seat until your child exceeds the product's maximum weight or height limits.
3. Are infants safe in convertible car seats?
Convertible car seats intended for an infant's particular weight and height are safe to use. Of course, make sure that the seats are rear-facing and properly installed.
4. Do I have to use a base for the seat carrier?
No. Bases help the installation of the carrier easier and faster. It's OK to secure the seat with the seatbelt.
5. Where should I install the infant car seat?
For any baby under the age of 13, the center of the rear seat is the safest spot to travel.
Suppose your automobile lacks the necessary anchors to securely and adequately install a seat in the center area. In that case, you can mount the seat on the opposite side using the seatbelt or the bottom anchoring system.
You can learn more tips about installing an infant car seat via this video.
Choosing an infant car seat is not only about style or durability. You need to prioritize safety and security first.
To put it in a nutshell, here are our top recommendations:
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Best for Safety: Clek Liing Seat
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Best for Budget: Graco SnugRide
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Best for Design: Peg Perego Primo
Hopefully, you will find this article helpful. If you need any further information, please feel free to ask. Thank you for reading!