Best Car Seats For Infants and Babies
While convertible car seats are ideal for children who are growing, an infant seat is best for babies and newborns. They are also lighter and easier for you to clip into strollers than their larger counterparts.
CPST instructor Kecia Healy was impressed by the Chicco KeyFit's recline foot that is spring-loaded and bubble indicator on the base, in addition to its user-friendliness (the more user-friendly a car seat can be and is, the more likely parents are to put it in the correct position). The model also fits three across in the majority of mid-sized cars.
1. Clek Liing Car Seat for Infants
The Canadian manufacturer Clek is renowned for its top-rated convertible car seats, and the infant Liing is one of their best infant seats. It is fitted with best-in class safety features including a steel load-leg, and easy installation. It also has 7 different recline positions that can be adjusted to fit the slope of your vehicle's seat. Plus, 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 which makes the seat much easy to anchor. The Liing is a great option for families who plan to switch cars frequently or who want an easy and reliable method of installing a baby's car seats. If you prefer, you could utilize the belt-tensioning system included to buckle your child in.
The Liing's 2-piece Newborn System is just one of the features that set it apart from other infant car seats. It includes a lower insert which slides over the crotch strap, and a headrest that is attached to harnesses to stop newborns from slumping forward or pushing their heads backwards while in the seat. This is a game changer for tiny babies and preemies. It's also one of the few rear-facing infant car seats that offer this level of support.
Another great feature of the Liing is its metal crash-test frame, which reduces the force of a crash by up to 40 percent in comparison to other infant seats. The shell of the seat is reinforced with EPP foam to protect your child's head and torso which are the most susceptible in a collision. The base of the seat is a metal load leg which absorbs energy, and also assists in reducing the risk of the risk of collisions.
2. Chicco KeyFit
This is the most highly rated infant seat. It is easy to set up and use, and it will grow with your child. It can also be used with strollers to create an overall travel system.
The KeyFit is an excellent choice for parents looking for a safe, flexible and easy-to-use seat. It scored highly in crash tests and is light and easy to carry. It also comes with an extensive range of weight and height limits. It was also designed to ensure the comfort of infants. The click-in point is made of soft materials around it so your baby isn't burnt by metal. The infant insert comes with a head surround to protect their little heads and the seat pad that baby sits on has cushions that absorb energy to ensure comfort.
It's also among the most simple infant seats to install correctly--every time. It is important to install the infant seat correctly, as incorrect installation can increase the chance of getting injured. The KeyFit's top LATCH connectors with a SuperCinch tightener ensure an extremely secure fit with little effort. The base also has a ReclineSure leveling foot and two RideRight bubble-level-indicators to ensure the correct vehicle angle. For alternative installation clear belt routing, locks-offs, and the car seatbelt make it easy to place and tighten.
It does lose some points in the ease of use category due to the rethread-style harness height adjustment--a common feature on many Chicco seats (and also on their OG Keyfit model). This means that you must manually re-thread the straps to move them from one level to another. However, this is a relatively minor tradeoff for the ease of use this seat provides.
3. Joie i-Snug 2
The lightweight Joie i-Snug 2 is an infant car seat that meets the most stringent safety standards. It features a no-rethread harness and is compatible with Joie strollers that can accept Maxi-Cosi style adapters. The installation guide is clearly labeled and bubble levels are built in to help align the seat. The car seat has plenty of padding and is very comfortable. It comes with a canopy that shields your baby from direct sunlight.
The i-Snug has an ISOFIX vehicle base that allows for a secure vehicle attachment. It can also be used with a compatible stroller to create an entire travel system. It's a rear-facing infant car seat that provides maximum neck and head protection for infants and newborns. The exclusive Tri-Protect headrest comes with a layer of Intelli-Fit memory foam that protects your baby from side-impact collisions.
You'll need a new infant car seat as soon as your child reaches the weight and height limits, or their first birthday. After that you can upgrade to a convertible or all-in-one car seat that allows children to sit rear-facing for longer and is safer for them.
A convertible car seat is bigger and more spacious than an infant seat, and has a higher weight and height limit when facing rearward. It is a good idea to change to a convertible seat as soon as possible to stop your child from growing out of it too quickly. In some instances, parents can make the transition to an all-in-one car seat without needing to purchase another infant car seat. It is therefore crucial to select the right convertible car seat for you and your family. Take a look at our comprehensive guide to get all the information you require to make the best choice.
4. Nuna Pipa Aire RX
The Nuna Pipa Aire RX is one of the most highly-rated infant car seats due to its safety, light weight design and its flexibility. It is installed with strong anchors for the lower part of the outboard seats of most cars and also with a seat belt for the vehicle that utilizes Euro routing (which uses all of the length of the vehicle's seat belt for the most secure installation). It also comes with a GOTS organic baby insert which is a great option for parents who are eco conscious and want to use organic products for their children.
The Pipa Aire RX weighs only 6 lbs. without the canopy or inserts. It's one of the lightest infant car seat available. Aeroflex foam, which is lightweight and robust, but also extremely light helps reduce the force that is transferred to your child in the event of a crash. Other safety features include the 5 second steel-reinforced True Lock base installation, side-impact protection, and a multiposition steel stability leg with a crumple area to reduce forward rotation, resulting in greater rearward-facing security.
The ergonomic aluminum handle is light and luxurious, with leatherette accents that provide an ergonomic grip and a great way to carry the bag. A magnetic buckle holder keeps straps from getting in the way when you buckle your child in and color-coded installation indicators confirm correct connections. The low-profile base allows for fast loading, and the wide belt path with lock-off secures shoulder and lap belts.
Cleaning up after a messy family member shouldn't be a problem. The inserts and fabrics of the Pipa Aire RX are machine washable, which means you can keep your car seat looking as like new after every use.
5. Nuna Pipa Urbn
While Nuna's PIPA RX and PIPA air RX car seats are both great alternatives, the new Pipa Urbn takes it all to a whole new level. This ultralight infant seat is easy to carry and weighs less than 7 pounds when the canopy and insert are in place. It's a user-friendly, elegant design and features like magnetic buckle holders that keep straps from getting in the way when strapping your baby in and a red/green indication to let you know whether 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 an ideal choice for parents who often take taxis or rideshares, travel, or just need to transfer their car seat between vehicles more easily and quickly.
Like newborn car seat , 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 machine washable, water-resistant body insert and cover.
The Pipa Urbn comes with the weight limit of 30 to 35 pounds when used rear-facing. This means that you will need to upgrade to a convertible seat earlier than with other brands. It is still a top choice for most infants. The car seat is compatible with Nuna's travel systems and can be connected to all strollers by using the ring adapter.