Best Car Seats For Infants and Babies
While convertible car seats work well for growing children but an infant seat is best for infants. They are also lighter and easier to clip into strollers than their bigger counterparts.
Kecia Healy Instructor at CPST Kecia Healy liked the recline leg that is spring-loaded and also the bubble indicator on the bottom of the Chicco KeyFit, as well as the ease of use. (The more user-friendly the car seat, the more likely it is that parents will be able to install it correctly. The model can also be used three across in the majority of mid-sized cars.
1. Clek Liing infant car seat
The Canadian manufacturer Clek is known for their top-rated convertible car seats, and the infant Liing is among their best infant seats. The seat is equipped with top-of-the-line safety features, such as a metal load-leg, and easy installation. It also comes with seven different recline positions that can be adjusted to suit the slope of your car's seat. Plus, a simple bubble indicator makes it simple to ensure the seat is in the correct angle prior to your child's first ride in it.
The base for the Liing is easy to put in using rigid LATCH connections that fit into your vehicle's lower anchors, making the seat easy to anchor. The Liing is a great option for families that plan to switch cars frequently or want a simple and secure method to install a baby's car seats. You can also use the belt-tensioning system that comes with it to secure your child.
car seat for newborn Pushchairs And Prams of the things that sets the Liing apart from other infant car seats is its two-piece Newborn Support System. It includes an lower insert that is able to slide over the crotch strap, and an attached headrest to the harnesses to prevent infants from slumbering forward and pushing their heads backwards while in the seat. It's a game-changer for tiny babies and preemies and is one of the few rear facing infant car seats that provide this type of support.
The Liing's metal crash-test framework reduces the force of a crash by up to 40% compared 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 seat's base is engineered with a metal load leg that absorbs energy and helps diminish the likelihood of crashes, in addition.
2. Chicco KeyFit
This is the most highly rated infant seat. It's quick to put in place, easy to use and will grow with your child. It can also be combined together with strollers to create a travel system.
The KeyFit is a good choice for parents who want an easy-to-use, safe and versatile seat. It was a top performer in crash tests and is lightweight and easy to carry. It also has an extensive range of height and weight limits. It is also designed with babies' comfort in mind. The click-in area is surrounded by soft materials to prevent your baby from getting burned by the metal. The insert for babies includes a head cover which protects their heads. The seat pad, which the baby is sitting on, encases them in foam cushions.
The process of installing it correctly is very easy. It is essential to install the seat correctly as a wrong installation could increase your child's danger of injury. The premium connectors of KeyFit's LATCH with a SuperCinch tightener ensure an ensconced fit with minimal effort. Plus, the base has a ReclineSure leveling foot and two RideRight bubble level indicators that help ensure correct vehicle angle and speedy installation. For alternate installation clear belt routing, lock-offs and the car seatbelt allow for easy positioning and tighten.
However, it isn't as good in the ease of use category because of the rethread type harness height adjustment, which is a standard feature on many Chicco seats (and also on their OG Keyfit model). This means that you must manually re-thread straps to move them from one level to another. This is a minor disadvantage for the ease of this seat.
3. Joie i-Snug 2
The lightweight Joie i-Snug 2 infant car seat meets the most stringent safety standards. It features a no-rethread belt and is compatible with Joie strollers that accept Maxi Cosi style adapters. The installation guide is clearly marked and bubble levels are included to aid in aligning the seat. The car seat has plenty of padding and is comfortable. It has a nice canopy that shields your baby from direct sunlight.
The iSnug comes with an ISOFIX vehicle base that permits an extremely secure vehicle attachment. It can also be used with a compatible stroller to create an entire travel system. This rear-facing infant car seat provides the highest level of cervical and head protection for newborns. The exclusive Tri-Protect Headrest comes with a layer Intelli-Fit Memory Foam to protect your child from side-impact crashes.
As with any infant car seat, you'll have to replace it when your child outgrows the weight and height limits, or when they reach their first birthday. You can then upgrade to a convertible car seat or an all-in-one car seat. This allows your child to be rear-facing for longer and is more secure.
A convertible car seat has a higher rear-facing weight and height limit than an infant car seat and generally has a bigger and more spacious interior. To stop your child from becoming too big for the seat too quickly, it's best to change to a car seat that converts as soon as you are able to. In certain situations, parents can move their child to an all-in-one car seat without the need to purchase another infant car seat. It's therefore important to choose the best convertible car seat for you and your family. Check out our comprehensive guide to get all the information you need to make an informed choice.
4. Nuna Pipa Aire RX
The Nuna Pipa Aire RX is among the most rated infant car seats because of its safety, light design and the flexibility. It can be installed with rigid lower anchors in the seats that are outboard of most vehicles, and with the seat belt of the vehicle using Euro Routing (which utilizes the entire length to anchor the seat). It also includes a GOTS organic cotton infant insert, which makes it a great option for parents who prefer organic alternatives for their child.
The Pipa Aire RX weighs only 6 lbs. without the canopy or inserts. It's one of the lightest infant car seat on the market. Aeroflex foam is a lightweight material that is durable, but also extremely light helps reduce 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 reduces forward rotation to provide greater rear-facing security.
Other highlights include an ergonomic aluminum carry handle that's both light and luxurious with leatherette accents to ensure easy to carry and excellent grip. The magnetic buckle holders keep straps out of from the way when you buckle your child and color-coded indicators for installation confirm correct connections. The low-profile base allows super-fast loading, and the wide belt pathway with lock-off secures shoulder and lap belts.
Cleaning up after a messy family member should not be a hassle. The fabrics and inserts of the Pipa Aire RX can be washed by machine so that your car seat appears like it did 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 new level. This ultralight infant car seat is easy to carry and weighs less than 7 pounds once the canopy and insert are connected. It has a user-friendly, elegant design and features such as magnetic buckle holders that keep straps out the way when you are buckled in your baby, and a green/red indicator to inform you whether the installation is secure. ).
This innovative pipaFIX system allows it to be used without the base, unlike Pipa RX or other base-compatible PIPAs that require one to be installed. This makes it the ideal 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 the Merino Wool and Tencel brand-name blend of lyocell fibres as a headrest, and a water-resistant machine washable cover.
The Pipa Urbn has a weight limit of only 30 to 35 pounds when used rear-facing. This means that you may have to upgrade to a convertible seat sooner than other brands. It is still a top choice for most infants. This car seat is also compatible with Nuna's travel systems and can be attached to all strollers by using the ring adapter.