Upgrade Pick: Clek Liing
Clek is a Canadian car seat manufacturer best known for its high-end convertible car seats, which have a reputation for weighing a ton and being built like tanks. The company came out with its first infant car seat, the Clek Liing, in 2019, and it has yet to make it onto some peoples radar. But during our recent round of testing, we wereat the risk of gushingblown away by the Liings functionality, engineering, safety features, and overall design.
The instruction manual for this seat is detailed, but dont let the thoroughness intimidate you: Installing the Liing with the base is incredibly straightforward. Like our Graco and Chicco picks, the Liing has additional guides and instructions printed on the seat itself. The Liings on-seat instructions are the most thorough weve seen, and they repeat some of the most essential information from the manual on the part of the seat where it applies. It took me a couple of minutes to install the seat the first time I tried after that, it took about a minute.
To install the base using the seat-belt method instead, you open the belt tensioner with a lever on the base, feed the seat belt through the bright blue plastic threader on the top edge of the base, pull tight, and then close the belt tensioner. Though this install method still felt very secure, it wasnt quite as rock-solid as with LATCH.
Booster Seats For School
- When a child no longer fits in their forward-facing car seat they graduate to a booster seat. This usually happens between the age of 4 or 5 but could vary based on the growth rate of your child.
- Booster seats are either high-back or backless. They do not make use of harness straps and 5-point harnesses. Instead, they use the seat belt in the car and have a mechanism called belt-positioning to make sure the seat belt falls in the right places across the childs body.
- The purpose of the booster seat is to set the child up at the right height so that the seat belt lays correctly across their lap and shoulder.
- When a child is in a booster seat the lap belt should fit snugly across the hips, and the shoulder belt should be secured right at shoulder height.
- Children should use a booster seat until they reach the height limit specified by the manufacturer. This is typically around 4 10 and children reach this height between 8 and 12 years of age. At that point, they are able to sit in a vehicle seat and use the seat belt as an adult uses it.
How To Pick The Perfect Infant Car Seat
To learn more about what to look for in a car seat, check out our full car seat buying guide here. Our hands-on testing and focus groups with over two dozen parents got down to the nitty-gritty on about 15 of the best infant car seats on the market. Every year we’re impressed by the new models hitting the market, and we love getting our hands on awesome new baby gear! A big thanks to the brands that sent us demo car seats for testing this year!
Along with input from very vocal parents, our annual hands-on reviews and ratings help us identify several of the best and safest infant car seats of the year, made not only by the big brands like Britax, Graco, and Chicco, but also by newer, growing, and niche brands like Maxi-Cosi, Peg Perego, Cybex, and Clek. Whether you’re going to buy one yourself or put it on your baby registry, doing the research is critical for finding the perfect car seat for your newborn baby at a reasonable price!
All of the car seats on our list are not only well-rated, safe, and comfortable, but they also pass the test of time: reliability is very important for baby products, and sometimes the best-looking and functioning car seats can lead to disappointment after a few months. For example, malfunctioning chest buckles, finicky harness adjusters, and rips from poor fabric stitching.
Ease of Use
Price
Baby Weight and Height
Safety
Car Size
Stroller Type
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Easy Fit For Narrow Back Seats
Amazon
Weight of car seat: 19.5 pounds | Childs height maximum: 35 inches | Childs weight maximum: 35 pounds | Seat width: 17 inches | Washable cover: Yes | Stroller compatibility: Chicco travel systems | Special feature: Toddler mode accommodates taller kids
It may expand to fit taller kids, but the Chicco Fit2 is actually one of the best car seats out there for narrow back seats . Back to front, it requires less room than most other options, while still offering a comfortable and generous seat for baby. The height max is extended in this car seat model, too, an extra 5 inches over the Chicco Keyfit 30, so you may get another few months of use or even a year out of the Fit2. Theres a base adjustment to be made to move this seat more into older baby or toddler mode that puts it into a slightly more upright position and adds a bit of room. Its machine washable, offers easy LATCH install and includes seven headrest positions.
How Long Does An Infant Car Seat Last
Newborns can safely use infant car seats until they meet the height and weight limit designated by the manufacturer. The best infant car seats can last at least until your child reaches 30.0 pounds or 32.0 inches. A convertible seat can serve as a forward-facing or rear-facing car seat and last for many years.
Depending on the child, the transition to a convertible car seat usually happens around age two. If youre in an accident with a car seat, you should replace it. Keep in mind that car seats have an expiration date. Many infant car seats expire around six years after the manufacture date.
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The Best Infant Car Seats Of 2022
- best overall infant car seatKeyFit 35 Infant Car SeatChicco
The GH Institute tests hundreds of baby and child products every year, and that includes dozens of child car seats. Clearly, GHI lab technicians are experts in the field, and we trust their research and data to be complete, thorough, and correct. This roundup of the best infant car seats you can buy is based on Lab-tested picks, category expertise, and real-life consumer feedback.
The 10 Best Car Seats 202: Crash Tested
Searching for the best car seat for your little one? After spending tens of thousands of dollars on crash testing car seats in a certified testing lab, we discovered that not all car seats are created equal, despite their ability to pass basic federal crash test requirements. Since 2012, we’ve tested over 70 seats, including crash testing, to help you determine which car seat is the best for your baby, toddler, or child. We purchase each seat and conduct intensive side-by-side testing, including crash tests at the exact location used by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration . We combine crash test results with our extensive hands-on testing to analyze which competitors are the top performers. Choosing a safety seat can be challenging, but you can buy with confidence using our detailed test results and analysis to help you. Below is the list of our favorite award-winning seats across all categories.
Car seats come in three basic types based on the age and/or size of your baby . If you know the kind you need, you can check out our comparison test ratings on best infant car seats, best convertible car seat, and best booster seat. These reviews include more products in each category than you’ll find in this comprehensive review.
Editor’s Note: We updated this car seat review on May 5, 2022. This update includes an overview of current pricing and product availability.
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Best Convertible Car Seat: Graco 4ever
This is my favorite seat EVER! It is easy to adjust, easy to install and take out, and the cover is easy to take off for cleaning!
Super easy to install and adjust when kids grow. Also, love the colors it comes in! And we have pukers and its very easy to clean!
Smoothest transitions of any all-in-one car seats.
How To Choose The Most Popular Best Chicco Infant Car Seat
There are three most important factors to keep in mind while deciding on a product: pricing, quality, and popularity.One obvious consideration is price. You must make sure that the price matches your budget.To get the greatest product, you need to pay attention to the quality of the things you are purchasing.When it comes to acquiring new clients, popularity is just as important as pricing or quality, if not more so.
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Which Is The Best Infant Car Seat
The rules and regulations regarding infant car seats are strict and every car seat must meet the same minimum safety standards. Fundamentally, the best infant car seat is one that meets all federal requirements and is correctly installed so a child can ride rear facing in the back seat. A high end seat with all the bells and whistles isn’t safe if it’s not installed correctly. Expensive seats may or may not include additional safety features, but often you’re paying for a brand name or aesthetic.
More Brands We Recommend
In third-party tests, the Primo Viaggio Nido exceeded federal standards for head injury criteria by about 55% and exceeded chest acceleration standards by over 20%.
The Primo Viaggio Nido suits children up to 35 pounds or 32 inches tall. Its relatively lightweight as an infant carrier, weighing around 10 pounds.
Could be easier to use
The Primo Viaggio Nidos main flaw is that its not the easiest to use, at least according to the NHTSA.4 Its report mentions that some labels are missing and that some parts come loose during the rethreading process.
Without clear labeling, your family and friends run the risk of installing the base or car seat incorrectlyor even improperly securing your childif theyve never been trained to do it.
Hand wash only
We think a hand-wash-only car seat liner like the Primo Viaggio Nido is really inconvenient for busy and tired parents. But if you already have a routine for hand washing items, perhaps youll be undeterred.
Otherwise, skip on down to our easiest to clean pick.
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Doona Infant Car Seat: Best For Stroller Conversion
Were disappointed to see the Doona barely squeaked past the minimum federal safety standards according to third-party testing. While it is technically safe because it does meet those standards, other car seats have performed better in crash tests.
Still, the Doona has some noteworthy safety features, including an anti-rebound bar to prevent the car seat from lurching toward the rear of the car. It also includes two layers of plastic and foam for side impact protection.
Good value: Its a two-in-one product
Dont let the nearly $550 price tag make you skip this one automatically. You do get two products in one for that price: a car seat and a stroller. You wont want to use this car seat as a carrier, though, since it weighs a hefty 16.5 pounds. That shouldnt be too much of a problem since it always has wheels ready to go.
Your baby can use the Doona as a car seat until theyre 32 inches tall or weigh 35 pounds. The padding can be washed on a cold cycle but shouldnt be thrown in the dryer.
Easiest To Use: Uppababy Mesa
The UPPAbaby Mesa is an infant car carrier designed for quick and easy installation. Suitable for infants up to 35.0 pounds, the Mesa features an adjustable headrest, no-rethread harness, and side-impact protection. The infant insert is a soft wool blend.
The Mesa is compatible with Vista and Cruz strollers and is available in three colors. To learn all about this car seat, check out our in-depth review guide here.
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How Long Is The Uppababy Mesa Good For
Wondering how long is your UPPAbaby MESA is good for? Just check the back of the seat to find its expiration date, its stamped on the actual seat.
The MESA is good for 7 years from the manufacturing date.
Important to know
Infant car seats have an expiration date. You should never use a car seat that is passed its expiration date as the safety of your child will NOT be guaranteed.
Always check the label on your seat to make sure that its still good to be used. You can also read this article to understand why infant car seats expire.
Do You Need An Infant Car Seat
You have other options when it comes to car seats convertible car seats can hold infants rear-facing, and have higher weight limits so you can use them for much longer. And in general, experts say that infant car seats and convertible car seats are equally safe for babies as long as they are installed and used correctly. So why bother with an infant car seat?
The main reason is convenience. Infant car seats come with two parts: a base that’s secured to your car, and the actual car seat, which snaps in and out of the base. This means you don’t have to unharness your child every time you get in or out of the car. You can snap the car seat off of the base and carry it with you, or snap it into a coordinating stroller.
Convertible car seats don’t have bases and are cumbersome to take in and out of the car. You can’t use them with strollers, either.
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Things To Consider When Shopping For A Car Seat
If you take one thing away from this best car seats article, let it be this: Choose a car seat that fits your specific needs and budget. Cass Herring further recommends that you look for a seat that fits your child. “All car seats have height and weight limits, but beyond that, parents should consider the harness height and features on a seat such as how many crotch buckle positions the seat has or how the seat works to adjust the harness straps,” she says.
It should also fit the vehicles you plan to use it in. “Car seats have different designs and footprints and may not be compatible with every vehicle or fit with other car seats or occupants that currently ride in the vehicle,” says Herring. “When shopping for a car seat, all occupants that ride in the vehicle should be considered.”
“Spacing in a vehicle can also be an issue,” she continues. “If the space in the back seat is limited, parents may have difficulty achieving the recommended installation angle or the vehicle seat in front may interfere with the installation. If the seat is too short for the recommended amount of a car seat’s footprint to sit according to the manufacturer’s instructions, then you will need to look for a seat that is compatible with the vehicle.”
Another important thing to consider, according to Herring, is to make sure the caregiver can use it correctly every time.
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What To Look For When Buying Infant Seat
The most important things to look for when shopping for an infant car seat are safety, ease of cleaning, durability, and pricing. Parents want their baby to be protected. They also want a car seat that lasts and that doesnt need a complicated cleaning procedure. And of course, they want to get a good value.
Safety
Safety is always the number one priority, as it encompasses a car seats primary purpose. All of the infant car seats on our list meet rigorous safety standards. Every infant car seat must meet these standards of protection to be sold. Of course, parents want maximum security when it comes to their babies.
When shopping for an infant car seat, look further than the basic standards. Select a seat with the highest-grade safety features.
Ease of Cleaning
Newborns drool, spit-up, and even have blowouts. In general, they make plenty of messes! Cleanliness also protects from germs. Moms will undoubtedly need to take time to regularly clean their infant car seat.
Therefore, ease of cleaning is an essential factor to consider. Ideally, you will want an infant car seat with removable fabric that can be machine washed.
Even better if smaller spills can be wiped up with a damp cloth. Try to select an infant car seat whose straps remain in place when you remove the fabric to wash it.
Durability
Versatility
When it comes to kids, going out seems like an absolute chore. This makes versatility an essential factor when deciding on any baby item, let alone a car seat.
Best Price
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Understanding Crash Test Results
The NHTSA conducts crash tests on car seats to determine if theyre safe enough to be sold in the US. If too much force is exerted on the dummys head or chest during the crash test, the car seat is deemed unsafe and never hits the shelves.
According to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 , too much force occurs if the chest area accelerates faster than 60 g-units within 3 milliseconds. The heads acceleration is measured over the course of 36 milliseconds and run through a mathematical calculation to determine the head injury criteria . The resulting HIC number must be less than 1,000.25
In other words, lower crash test numbers are better.
The NHTSA keeps its crash test data under wraps, but we found and compared third-party data to help you better compare the relative safety and performance of each car seat. Although theres no guarantee that a child will be totally unscathed after a car accident in any car seat, we believe crash test data will help parents make more informed decisions.
