Best Car Seats For Infants and Babies
While convertible car seats are ideal for kids who are growing, an infant seat is best for infants and newborns. They are also lighter and easier for you to attach to strollers than their larger counterparts.
CPST instructor Kecia Healy was impressed by the Chicco KeyFit’s recline foot with springs and bubble indicator on the base, in addition to its ease of use (the more user-friendly a car seat is and the more likely parents are to install it correctly). The model can also be used with three across in a variety of mid-sized automobiles.
1. Clek Liing infant car seat
The Canadian manufacturer Clek is renowned for its best-rated convertible car seats and the infant Liing is among their best infant seats. It is a top-of-the-line safety features, including a steel load leg with easy, user-friendly installation, and 7 different recline positions that can be adjusted to the slope of your vehicle seat. A simple bubble indicator makes it easy to ensure the seat is in the correct angle prior to your child’s first ride in it.
The base of the Liing is easy to install with the help of LATCH connectors that slide into the lower anchors of your car, making it easier to fix the seat. The Liing is a great choice for families who intend to frequently switch cars or want a simple, reliable way to install car seats for their infants. If you prefer, you could utilize the belt-tensioning system included to secure your child’s seat.
One of the things that sets the Liing apart from other infant car seats is its 2 piece Newborn Support System. This includes a lower insert that slides over the crotch buckle as well as an attachment for the head that connects to the harness to help to prevent babies from sagging or bending their heads forward while in the seat. It’s a game changer for small infants and preemies and is among the few rear facing infant car seats that provide this kind of support.
The Liing’s metal crash-test framework reduces crash forces up to 40% when compared to other infant seat. The shell of the Liing is padded with EPP foam to safeguard your child’s head and body, which are most vulnerable in the event of a collision. The base of the Nania Children Booster Seat Beline Mickey – Group 1/2/3 is constructed with a load leg made of metal that absorbs energy and helps reduce crashes, as well.
2. Chicco KeyFit
This is the most highly rated infant seat. It’s simple to set up, simple to use and can grow with your child. It can also be used in conjunction with strollers to create an travel system.
The KeyFit is an excellent option for parents who want an affordable, safe and easy-to-use seat. It scores a top score in crash tests, is light and comfortable to carry, and has a good range of weight and height limits. It was also designed to guarantee the comfort of babies. The click-in point has soft materials surrounding it so that your baby isn’t burned by metal, the newborn insert has an enclosed head-skirt to protect their little heads and the seat pad that babies sit on has cushioned foam that absorbs energy for comfort.
It’s also one of the most simple infant seats to install correctly–every time. It is crucial to install the infant seat correctly, as incorrect installation can increase the chance of getting injured. The KeyFit’s premium LATCH connectors and a SuperCinch tightener ensure a secure fit that requires minimal effort. The base also has a ReclineSure leveling feet and two RideRight bubble-level-indicators to ensure that the vehicle’s angle is correct. And for alternate installation with the vehicle seat belt clear belt routing and lock-offs make it simple to position, install and tighten the car seat belt.
It does lose some points in the ease of use category because of the rethread type harness height adjustment, which is a standard feature on a lot of Chicco seats (and as well on their OG Keyfit model). This means that you must detach and manually re-thread the straps from one level to another, which takes longer than other adjustments. This is a minor sacrifice for the ease of use of this seat.
3. Joie i-Snug 2
The lightweight Joie i-Snug 2 is an i-Size infant car seat that is built to the most stringent safety standards. It comes with a no-rethread strap and is compatible with Joie Strollers that 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 also has a convenient canopy that protects your child from the sun.
The i-Snug comes with an ISOFIX vehicle base that permits a secure vehicle attachment. It can also be used in conjunction with an appropriate stroller to create an entire travel system. This rear-facing infant seat provides maximum cervical and head protection for newborns. The exclusive Tri-Protect Headrest features a layer Intelli-Fit Memory Foam to shield your child from side-impact crashes.
You’ll need a new infant car seat as soon as your Nania Topo Child Booster Seat in Blue reaches the weight and height limits or their first birthday. You can then upgrade to convertible car seats or an all-in one car seat. This allows your child to be rear-facing for longer and is safer.
A convertible car seat has a greater rear-facing weight and height limit than an infant car seat and typically has a larger, more spacious interior. To prevent your child from getting out of the seat in a hurry, it’s best to change to a car seat that can be converted as quickly as you are able to. In some cases parents can transition their baby into an all-in one car seat without the need to purchase another infant car seat. That’s why it’s important to choose the best convertible car seat for your family. Our comprehensive guide will provide you with all the details you require to make a wise choice.
4. Nuna Pipa Aire RX
Nuna Pipa RX is a highly-rated infant seat due to its safety features, lightweight design, and its flexibility. It can be installed with rigid lower anchors in the seats that are outboard of most vehicles, and with the seat belts of vehicles using Euro Routing (which utilizes the entire length to anchor the seat). It also comes with an organic GOTS baby insert, which is a great choice for parents who are environmentally conscious and prefer organic products for their child.
The Pipa Aire RX weighs only 6 pounds. without the canopy or inserts. It’s among the lightest infant car seat on the market. Aeroflex foam is extremely light and robust, but also extremely light, helps to minimize the force that is transferred to your child during the event of a crash. Other safety features include a 5 second steel-reinforced True base lock installation, side impact protection and a multi-position stability leg with a crumple zone that limits forward rotation to provide greater rear-facing security.
The ergonomic aluminum handle is lightweight and luxurious, with leatherette accents that provide the perfect grip and a great option to carry the bag. A buckle holder with a magnetic buckle keeps straps from getting in the way when buckling your child in and color-coded indicators for installation confirm that the belts are properly connected. The low-profile base allows for super-fast loading, and the open belt pathway with lock-offs secures lap and shoulder belts.
Cleaning up after a messy child shouldn’t be. The inserts and fabrics of the Pipa Aire RX are machine washable so 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 excellent alternatives, the new Pipa Urbn takes it all to a new level. The ultralight infant car seat is incredibly easy to carry, weighing less than 7 pounds when the canopy and insert attached. It also has a luxe user-friendly design with practical features like buckle holders with magnetic buckles to keep straps from getting in the way while you’re buckling baby in and a green/red indicator to tell you that the installation is secure (we would like to see all car seats had this feature! ).
This innovative pipaFIX system allows it to be used without the base, unlike Pipa RX or other base-compatible PIPAs that require a base to be installed. This makes it a great option for parents who frequently use rideshare, taxis or travel.
Like other Nuna products, the Pipa Urbn is designed with environmentally-friendly materials that are free of added fire retardant chemicals, and is GREENGUARD Gold certified. These green-friendly materials include a Merino Wool and Tencel branded blend of lyocell fibres as a headrest, as well as an waterproof machine washable cover.
The Pipa Urbn has an upper weight limit of 30 to 35 pounds when used rear-facing. This means that you might need to upgrade to a convertible seat sooner than with other brands. It is still a top option for the majority of babies. This car seat is equipped for travel and can be used with all Nuna strollers. You just need to click it on or attach via the rings adapter.
