Before your baby leaves the hospital before it goes home, you need to have an infant car seat installed in your car. While you are driving anywhere with your baby, you are going to want the best infant car seat.
Infant car seats come in many different colors, sizes, and include extra features. Every family and baby is different, so it may be hard to find the best car seat for your infant.
That’s why we did all the research and found the top 10 infant car seats for your little one.
Editor’s Choice
Graco SungRide SnugLock 35 LX
Why is it better?
- TrueShield Technology
- Installs in 1 minute
- Click Connect Technology
- Silent shade canopy
The Lineup At A Glance
| Product | 5-point harness | Weight | Side Impact Protection | Durable | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chicco KeyFit 30 Seat | Yes | 17.15 pounds | Yes | Yes | |
Evenflo LiteMax 35 Seat | No | 16 pounds | No | Yes | |
Disney 22 Luxe Seat | Yes | 14 pounds | Yes | No | |
Graco SungRide SnugLock 35 LX | Yes | 9.75 | Yes | Yes | |
Safety 1st Grow & Go | No | 18.7 pounds | No | Yes | |
Doona Car Seat | No | 35.1 pounds | No | Yes | |
Britax B-Safe 35 Seat | No | 12 pounds | Yes | Yes | |
Maxi-Cosi Mico 30 Seat | No | 15 pounds | No | No | |
Baby Trend Tech 35 Seat | Yes | 18 pounds | Yes | No | |
UPPAbaby Car Seat | No | 19 pounds | Yes | Yes |
Top 10 Infant Car Seats
1. Chicco KeyFit 30 – Safest Infant Car Seat
Installing the car seat base into your car is very simple because of its spring-loading leveling foot.
- Spring-loaded leveling foot
- EPS energy-absorbing foam
- Clear belt routing
- 1 rated
- Top falls back
- Top won’t stay up
- Need more panels on the canopy
!
The safety features on this Chicco KeyFit 30 car seat are a 5-point harness, EPS energy-absorbing foam, impact protection, spring-loaded leveling foot for base angle installation, Latch connectors, and 2-level indicators.
In addition, it has a super clinch tightener, removable head and body support, click-in attachment, one-hand removal, one-pull tightening, an adjustable removable canopy, and clear belt routing.
You can machine wash removable fabrics in cold water on a delicate cycle. Then, it needs to drip dry. Moreover, there are 6 colors for you to choose from. Lastly, it holds babies that weigh 4 to 30 pounds or babies that are 30 inches tall. The car seat weighs 17.15 pounds.
2. Evenflo LiteMax 35 Seat – Best Installation on a Car Seat
This Evenflo LiteMax 35 car seat has buckle pockets, so you can store the metal buckles away while you are not in the car, so it doesn’t get hot under the sun.
- Rollover tested
- 4 recline positions
- Ergo handle
- Buckle pockets
- Shows stains
- Canopy hard to adjust
- Bruises legs while carrying
!
Safety features on this Evenflo LiteMax 35 seat include rollover tested, up-front harness adjustment, reclining base level indicator, and exceeds and meets all federal safety standards.
In addition, the car seat has machine washable pads, ergo handle, 4 recline positions, buckle pockets, belt lock-off, removable head pillow, full-coverage canopy.
You can purchase the base separately. Plus, when you are installing it there is a free live video installation support and real-time chat if you have any questions.
Lastly, you can choose from 3 different colors. It holds babies that weigh 4 to 35 pounds. And, the car seat weighs 16 pounds.
3. Disney 22 Luxe Seat – Most Affordable Car Seat
This Disney 22 Luxe seat is not only adorable but if anything happens to it, then there is a 1-year warranty.
- 1-year warranty
- Adjustable base
- Latch storage
- Not good for big babies
- The straps are too short
- Visor falls apart
!
Safety features on this car seat include 5-point harness, side-impact protection, and exceeds federal safety standards.
In addition, it is latch equipped and has latch storage. Plus, if anything happens to the car seat, it has a 1-year warranty.
The Disney 22 Luxe infant car seat can support babies who weigh 4 to 22 pounds or babies that are 29 inches tall. And, there are 2 colors to choose from. Lastly, the car seat weighs 14 pounds.
4. Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX – Best Infant Car Seat
Safety is the main priority with this Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX seat because it has TrueShield Technology and head and hips protection.
- TrueShield Technology
- 4 position adjustable base
- Head and hips protection
- Holds babies up to 35 pounds
- Handle sticks
- Handle button hard to use
- Hard to unhook from base
!
The safety features on this Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX seat includes TrueShield Technology, advanced side-impact protection for head and hips, 5-point harness, level indicator, and Click Connect Technology.
In addition, it includes 4 positions adjustable base, silent shade canopy, and 1-hand adjustable handle. The car seat and base can be installed in about 1 minute, so it’s easy to take in and out of your car.
Lastly, the car seat supports babies that weigh 4 to 35 pounds or babies that are 32 inches tall. And, the car seat weighs 9.75 pounds.
5. Safety 1st Grow & Go – Best Convertible Car Seat
This Safety 1st Grow & Go converts 3 different ways, so you don’t have to worry about replacing it.
- 3-in-1 convertible
- 2-cup holders
- QuickFit harness
- 3 position recline
- Straps loosen while driving
- Hard to install
!
Car seats are a must for all babies, toddlers, and small children, but they can be one of the most expensive items you buy for them. Save it to all one purchase with this Safety 1st Grow & Go 3-in-1 convertible car seat.
While it is rear-facing, it can hold babies that weigh 5 to 40 pounds. And then, while it is forward-facing it can hold babies that weigh 22 to 65 pounds. Then, while it is a belt-positioning booster it can hold babies that weigh 40 to 100 pounds.
Moreover, the car seat has a QuickFit harness, 3 position recline, and 2 cup holders. All the removable fabric pieces are machine safe and dryer safe. Lastly, it meets and exceeds all federal standards. You can choose from 12 different colors. And, the car seat weighs 18.7 pounds.
Here is the list of the best convertible car seats that you may want to know.
6. Doona Car Seat – Best Car Seat with Wheels
If you want a car seat that converts into a stroller, then this Doona car seat is the one for you because it is integrated wheels.
- Integrated wheels
- Parent console bag
- Attachable changing pad
- Baby can’t face forward
- 35 pounds
!
This Doona car seat is a car seat and a stroller in one. It is perfect for the family who doesn’t want a separate stroller. It doesn’t have a car seat base because it is a European-style car seat.
In addition, the car seat includes integrated wheels, handle that extends upwards, attachable changing pad, parent console bag, complimentary vehicle seat protection, a hood, and a wedge.
It comes in 6 different colors. And since it is narrow, it fits through aisles easily. It also snaps up and down easily. Lastly, the car seat weighs 35.1 pounds.
7. Britax B-Safe 35 Seat – Lightest Infant Car Seat
With this Britax B-Safe 35 seat, it has a reclining base, so you can adjust the seat to fit your baby comfortably.
- Recline base
- Industrial-strength steel frame
- SafeCenter Latch installation
- FAA approved
- Bad customer service
- Bulky
- Doesn’t click into shopping carts
!
The safety features on this Britax B-Safe 35 car seat includes side-impact protection, industrial-strength steel frame, SafeCenter Latch installation, impact-absorbing base, SafeCell impact protection, energy-absorbing foam, and FAA approved.
In addition, the car seat is compatible with Britax strollers. And, it can support babies that weigh 4 to 35 pounds or babies that are 32 inches tall.
Lastly, there are 4 colors that you can choose from, and it is made in the US. The car seat weighs 12 pounds.
8. Maxi-Cosi Mico 30 Seat – Best Weatherproof Car Seat
Maxi-Cosi Mico 30 seat comes with 4 additional items including a clear weather shield, so your baby stays dry from rain and snow.
- Clear weather shield
- Cover
- Flip-out visor
- Canopy doesn’t stay in place
- Hard to latch
- Cheap fabric
!
This Maxi-Cosi Mico 30 has 4 extra features — cosi carry cushion for extra padding on the handle, cosi mico cover to cover your baby from others, a clear weather shield to protect your little one from the weather, and a cosi keeper to store all your belongings.
It also has an expandable canopy, flip-out visor, and base. Lastly, all the removable fabrics are washer safe. There are 5 colors that you can choose from. And, the infant car seat weighs about 15 pounds.
9. Baby Trend Tech 35 Seat – Best Grip Handle on a Car Seat
The handle is comfortable on this Baby Trend Tech 35 seat because of its delta multi-grip carrying handle.
- EPS energy-absorbing foam
- Delta multi-grip carrying handle
- 4 reclining positions
- Handle wiggles
- Straps are too short
- Base is long
Key features & details
That is to say, the safety features on this car seat include side impact protection, EPS energy-absorbing foam, and 5-point harness.
It also includes a 4-piece Grow with Me insert, no-rethread harness, extra-large canopy with a visor, 4 reclining positions, push-button release, and a delta multi-grip carrying handle.
In addition, there are 4 colors that you can choose from. The car seat can hold babies that weigh up to 35 pounds. Lastly, it weighs 18 pounds.
10. UPPAbaby Car Seat – Best Sun Protection Car Seat
UPPAbaby car seat makes installing it to the base easy because it has a visual installation indicator, so you know it is installed correctly.
- Visual installation indicator
- UPF hideaway
- Auto-retracting Latch connectors
- Hard to clean straps
- Baby gets sweaty
- Baby doesn’t look comfortable
!
The safety features on this car seat include a visual installation indicator, side-impact protection, and UPF hideaway canopy.
There are also auto-retracting Latch connectors, no-rethread harness, and one-hand release. In addition, the removable seat fabric is washable.
Moreover, you can choose from 6 different colors. Lastly, the car seat can hold babies that weigh 4 to 35 pounds. And, it weighs 19 pounds.
How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat
An infant car seat is a must-have for every family that has a baby. And, you are going to want the best car seat for your little one. In the car, you also may want to have a good booster car seat for your child.
There are so many out on the market these days that it may be hard to find the best infant car seat. That’s why we made a list of criteria for you to follow while you are on your search.
1. Safety Features
Car seats need to have safety features so you and your family can travel safely to each destination.
Safety features you want to have are side-impact protection, 5-point harness, EPS energy-absorbing foam, Latch connectors and more.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children between the ages of 1 to 4 using a car seat decreases mortality by 71%.
2. Weight
Weight plays an important role when looking for the best infant car seat.
Firstly, you’ll want to find a rear-facing car seat that can hold babies up to 35 to 40 pounds. According to Consumer Reports, children up to 23 months are 75% less likely to sustain serious injuries or die if they are in a rear-facing car seat.
Secondly, you are going to want a light car seat. Carrying around a heavy car seat plus your growing baby in it can be hard on your back or to put in or take out of the car.
3. Baby’s Comfort
While looking for an infant car seat for your little one, comfort plays an important role because they are the ones sitting in it.
You’ll want to make sure there is a head and body support for newborns. Hence, you’ll want to make sure they don’t overheat in the car seat.
While they are in their car seat, lookout for signs of discomfort. According to MedicineNet, signs include a high-pitched cry, irritable behavior, stiffness throughout the body, and/or grimacing facial expressions.
4. Portability
If you are a multi-vehicle household, you’ll want a car seat and base that are easy to move around.
That is to say, you’ll want it to be lightweight and have easy Latch connectors that works for every vehicle.
The car seat also needs to be portable, especially if you go to many places. Hence, you don’t want to tote around a heavy car seat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wash the fabric on the car seat?
If the fabric is removable, you can wash it in the washing machine in cold water on a delicate cycle.
Can I clean the car seat?
You can wipe down the frame and straps with wipes and vacuum crumbs on the seat.
Does it include the car seat base?
Some car seats do include the base, but always read the product description to see if it includes it.
Resources
- Saving Lives with Car Seats and Seat Belts by American Academy of Pediatrics
- Why Kids Should Stay Longer in Rear-Facing Car Seats by Consumer Reports
- Health Tip: Signs That Baby is in Pain by MedicineNet