Best Infant Seat Features
All infant seats have to meet federal safety standards. However some seats go above and beyond. Our Best of the Bump winner comes with a host of features that parents will love such as extra padding, a cushioned inlay for newborns and the ability to raise or lower the headrest with no rethreading.
When deciding on our top choices, we looked at factors like weight (without base), stroller compatibility, special features, and price. Read on to see which infant car seat is the best fit for your family.
Safety
All car seats for infants sold in the United States must be in compliance with federal safety standards. However, some seats come with additional features that go beyond the minimum standards. Some of these features include load legs and a rethreader integrated strap-holding sides, and so on. The more features a car seat comes with, the better, according to experts I spoke to.
The more user-friendly a car seat is, the more likely that parents will use it correctly. This will reduce their child’s risk of injury in a crash. This is especially important with an infant seat, since it's designed for only a brief period of time. Find a seat that is easy to install, with a spring-loaded recline foot and bubble indicator to ensure that the seat level. Make sure that the base can be easily pushed into and out of the vehicle.
Some car seat manufacturers offer high-end features like the no-rethread strap and magnetic buckle holders and side grips for the seat. top rated baby car seats are wonderful, but don't forget that a safe car seat just as secure as the car you're driving in. You can find helpful tips in the owner's manual on how to secure your child's car seat and find out more about the vehicle's safety features.
When selecting an infant seat, keep in mind that you'll only be able to use it for approximately 2 years before your child is able to transition to an convertible seat. Some families skip the infant car seat completely and choose to purchase a convertible car that has a higher weight and height limits. If you decide to buy an infant car seat, be sure to take into account the dimensions of your vehicle and test out several models in person before committing to one. You can then ensure that the seat is safe for the child, fits in your car and comes with useful features like converting to a stroller. Also, make sure to look for recalls prior to making an purchase. It's the most critical factor in ensuring your baby's safety on the road.
Simple to Use
If you're using the seat in one vehicle or moving it among several, you'll need an infant car seat that is simple to put in and remove from the base. Look for clearly labeled installation guides as well as an assembly system that functions seamlessly. Consider how easy it will be to adjust the seat as your child grows and the high-quality materials used.
Some infant seats come with the load leg. This brace that acts as a support between the seat's base and the vehicle's floor, providing extra stability in case of a collision. Consumer Reports research shows that it is particularly important if you have an older car, since the likelihood of suffering a head injury is greater if the child is too close to the floor.
Other features that are premium and can enhance the infant car seat user experience include a no-rethread harness and an anti-rebound bar that help keep the seat from rebounding in an accident. The latter has been shown by research to decrease the chance of head injuries by up to 43%. The Evenflo's LiteMax DLX is a great option for those on a limited budget who want a car seat that is ARC-certified and comes with a few top features. Jennifer LaBracio, Babylist's gear editor, suggests it. The seat received an excellent rating by safety experts for children. It comes with a no-rethread adjustable harness with five recline positions, as well as an extendable canopy with magnets to ensure full coverage.
A seat that is easily installed with just lapbelts and does not require the requirement for a base is another option. This is a good option for parents who plan to take Uber or taxi rides, since it doesn't require them to go back to the car each time to install a new seat. For instance the Nuna Pipa Urbn and its equivalent TRIV travel system come with a rigid LATCH system that's integrated into the bottom of the seat which makes it fast and easy to install in any car. It also can be used both rear-facing (4-40 pounds) and forward-facing (22-65 pounds) and can be converted to an highback booster or a belt-positioning booster with a backless design (40-120 pounds). This is an excellent option if you're on a budget.
Comfort
If your child is in a car seat for long periods of time, it's essential that they are comfortable. That means padded straps on their shoulders, a plush fabric that is comfortable against their back and stomach and a headrest that grows with them to support their growing body. Also, consider an easy-to-reach seat that you can alter as your child grows.
A seat with many special features is usually more expensive, but it is also simpler to use. When evaluating a car seat for babies we look at factors such as a one-hand system harness, premium LATCH connectors, and a harness that doesn't rethread. We also pay attention to dimensions and weight since a heavy or bulky seat could strain your biceps as you carry it in and out of your car or moving between cars.
Another good choice is a car seat with the load-leg, a security feature which assists in stabilizing the car seat in the event of an accident. It's usually found in expensive seats, but we've seen a few budget-friendly choices that have this extra safety measure.
Another thing to consider is height and weight limits. You'll need to ensure that the seat is safe for your child once they reach their maximum growth. This usually happens around the age of 2 or 3. You should also consider convertible infant car seats that converts into a toddler seat. This will allow you a bit more flexibility when you drive and is ideal for families that frequently change vehicles or travel.
Our testers loved the Doona that combines an infant car seat and stroller into one. It's the perfect pick for parents who are on the move, especially those who commute to work or school via public transport. It's also easy to put in and our experts who tested it were impressed with the ease of use of the one-handed latch system and the shoulder straps that are padded. Our product testers also remarked how small the seat is it is essential for those with a limited trunk space. It's also free of harmful chemicals, which is a huge bonus for those who are concerned about their baby's health and the environment.
Convenience
The best infant car seats come with features that make it easy to use. The best infant car seats are equipped with convenience features that make it easy for parents to get in and out of the seat. Other important things to consider are whether the seat can be washed in the washing machine (to make cleaning easier) and if it has a canopy that can be useful both inside the car as well as attached to a stroller.
One feature that might not seem like a big difference but can save you a lot of hassle is an indicator on the base that informs you whether it's been put in place correctly. The line should be parallel to the ground and should be situated on the base. This is especially helpful in the event that you will change the car seat frequently, or if your baby will be traveling with you and you need to connect it to Ubers or taxis.
Another feature that is beneficial is the ability to connect a compatible stroller directly to the infant car seat which makes it much easier to carry your sleeping infant from the car to the store or out for errands without having to wrestle with an additional carrier. This can be a huge advantage for new parents looking to return to their day after an extended commute or a trip with a baby.
If your baby is expected to grow rapidly, choose an infant car seat that has an increased weight and height limit than the one recommended by the manufacturer. You can use the car seat for longer.
While all car seats sold in the United States must meet federal safety standards, that doesn't mean that all seats are created to be equal. Some come with features that go above and beyond, including load legs that brace the base of the car seat to provide additional stability and anti-rebound bars to reduce the risk of injury to the head in crashes. Some extras can make the ride more comfortable for you and your baby, and you as a parent are happier and more confident.