12 Companies Leading The Way In Best Infant Car Seat

How to Choose the best car seat newborn Infant Car Seat

What do you want from your car seat? "If you're looking for a car seat that can grow with your child, consider an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX," Saxton says. The seat can be converted into a high-back booster, or an unbackless booster. It has a large rear-facing weight restriction.

It also scores high in terms of comfort and quality, thanks to soft, machine-washable padding. Load legs are a useful feature. They are shock-absorbing parts that are affixed to the car seat base and reduce movement during a crash.

Safety

They are designed to fit smaller babies better, and therefore they have more padding than convertible car seats. They are also lighter and easier to take from the car or attach to a stroller frame, which is crucial because you will need to transport your child in the seat outside of your vehicle frequently. The infant car seat is also designed to last your child for the first year. This means you won't have to be concerned about your child growing beyond its weight or height limits.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's guidelines for car seats are extremely stringent however it's a good idea to do your own research before making a purchase. 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 data that can be shared with families.

Find features that will benefit your family. These include the ability to release the strap, a no rethread harness, or a leveling foot with spring-loaded mechanisms. These features can assist in securing up your child, but keep in mind that even the most safe seats are useless if they aren't used properly.

The weight and width of the car seat are equally important. A lot of infant car seat newborn car seats are designed to be narrow enough to be able to sit alongside older car seats in the back of your vehicle Some can grow with your child and transition to an adult seat at the same time. If you are planning to use the car seat to travel or to take taxis or taxis, then an infant car seat which can be installed by using only your vehicle's seatbelt is an ideal choice.

In general, it is recommended to buy the safest car seat you can afford. The most affordable models don't always meet the highest standards of safety in crashes. Beware of models that don't include side impact tests and allow manufacturers to self-certify.

Convenience

The best car seats for infants are those that fit in your family vehicle, are easy to install and have convenient extras like a built-in jogging stroller or rotation capability. It must also be affordable. Infant seats can vary in price from around $180 to more than $500. They can cost more when they're convertible and will be used as a toddler and infant seat.

The convenience features include whether the seat can be installed using the LATCH system or a seatbelt. Also, if you can adjust the harness and headrest without having to remove the baby from the seat. The process of installing and removing the seat should be simple, especially if your child rides in Ubers or you frequently switch between cars. The seat should be lightweight and have clearly labeled instructions for installation and bubble levels to help you quickly install the car seat.

You should be able easily to adjust the harness and buckles and also rotate the seat when not in use. Before you buy an infant car seat, be sure to check its weight and height limitations. Also, consider if your child will outgrow the seat before they reach their first birthday. A good rule of thumb is to select a seat that will grow with your child until they reach the 90th percentile.

While federal safety standards are the minimum, some manufacturers go above and beyond to include additional crash-testing and features for convenience in their car seats. The Clek Ling is a top pick of our gear editors and Consumer Reports is a great example of an infant seat that offers much more than just great crash protection. It also has legs that help stabilize the seat in a crash, reducing forces on the child by 40 percent. That feature alone could save a child's life, so it's worth paying more for a car seat that is safe and has added convenience features.

Comfort

One of the most important aspects to consider when selecting a baby car seat is comfort, since babies spend a significant amount of time in their car seats. The most comfortable ones feature thick, breathable fabrics and plenty of padding in the harness and headrest. They are equipped with simple adjustments, such as strap covers, buckles, and headrest adjustments that don't need rethreading.

The size and weight of an infant car seat can also impact the comfort of your child, particularly in the event that you intend to switch cars or take the seat with you on a regular basis. Certain models are smaller than others, making them easier to fit into the back seat with another car seat or other siblings' seats. While all have minimum and maximum height and weight restrictions, some are a bit lighter than others. This could help keep your biceps from aching when carrying it around town or between vehicles.

Certain infant car seat newborn seats come with additional features that make them more versatile including rotational options or the ability to convert into strollers without the need for extra adapters. Certain models include high-end features, such as an adjustable strap that doesn't rethread or anti-rebound bar to provide extra security in the event of a crash. While these additional features aren't essential to an enjoyable ride, they can contribute to the overall experience using the seat.

Parents want their children to be in a comfortable, clean car seat. They also value safety and convenience. Select a seat that is machine washable, stain resistant and easy to remove to clean. Some seats are even dishwasher safe, which makes it easier to keep them looking fresh.

Some models go the extra mile to ensure that their customers' experience is safe and smooth, like the Graco SnugRide(tm) Elite, that comes with an anti-rebound bar and meets Graco ProtectPlus Engineered(tm) standards to withstand front and rear collisions. The seat features a Silent Shade canopy to keep your baby calm and comfortable and also an indicator to let you know when the seat is securely attached. The seat's carry handle is adjustable, harness tightener, and indicator let you know whether it's securely attached to the base.

Design

Manufacturers of infant car seats design their products with safety and ease of use as their primary goals. However, the wide range of features can make it difficult to decide which one is right for your family. You'll need to take into consideration factors like weight and height limits, as well as the number of belt paths and buckles. Additional features like an load legs that are not bound, anti-rebound bar and straps that do not rethread could increase the cost of the seat, but they will improve the comfort of your infant. Look for features that make it easier to get your child in and out of the car seat, such as rotating infant car seat mechanisms. You should also be aware of the dimensions and the weight of the seat since not all seats will fit in all cars.

The ease of attaching and detaching the base is a feature that is crucial. The quality of the LATCH connectors and whether or not they are flexible or rigid, will influence this. You'll also want to consider whether the straps are easy to loosen and tighten, and whether there's a single hand release mechanism for installing and uninstalling the seat.

Certain models allow you to use the seat with no footrest, which is convenient when you plan to switch cars or take taxis often. Find models equipped with a built-in lock, as well as bubble level indicators to help ensure that your seat is set correctly.

Other features that may be worth paying extra for include a headrest that expands with the infant, a five-position recline and an extendable canopy that locks in the position. Our product testers also noted the fact that a seat can be used as a highback booster with belt positioning or a backless booster once the baby is no longer using it is an additional bonus.

The Doona is the type of infant car seat that pampers parents. It's loaded with features that address nearly every issue families have with infant car seats, which is the reason our testers have rated it as top in every category. For example, it's approved for use on planes, and features an exclusive handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar and converts directly into a stroller (no need to buy a separate stroller adapter). The crash test results are excellent and it is GREENGUARD Gold certified.