Best Infant Seat Features

All infant seats have to meet federal safety standards. However some seats go above and beyond. Our Best of the Bump winner has many features that parents will love such as extra padding, a padded inlay for infants, and the ability to raise or lower the headrest, with no rethreading.

We considered factors like weight (without base) connectivity to strollers, special features and prices when deciding on our top choices. Find out the best infant car seat cheap seat for your family by reading.

Safety

All infant car seat in front seat car seats sold in the United States must meet federal safety standards. Some seats offer extra features that are above and beyond the minimum requirements. Some of these features include load legs, a rethreader built in, strap-holding sides, and so on. According to the experts I spoke with, the more features a chair comes with, the better.

The more intuitive a car seat, the more likely it is that parents will use it correctly. This can reduce the chance of injuries to their child during the event of a crash. This is especially true for an infant car seat since it's only designed to last for only a brief period of time. Find a seat with a bubble indicator and an adjustable foot with a spring to make it easy to set the seat. Make sure that the base can be easily pushed into and out of the vehicle.

Other premium features that some car seat makers offer include an unrethread harness, magnet buckle holders and side grips to carry the seat. These are fantastic, but don't forget that a safe car seat only as secure as the car you're driving in. There are tips in the owner's manual about how to secure your child's car seat, and also learn more about the safety features.

When selecting an infant car seat, keep in mind that you'll likely only be in a position to use it for approximately 2 years, until your child is old enough to move to a convertible car seat. That's why some families opt to not use an infant car seat and move directly to a convertible seat, which has greater weight and height limits. If you choose to purchase an infant car seat, be sure to consider the dimensions of your vehicle and test out several models before choosing one. You can then ensure that the seat is safe for your child, fits in your car and comes with useful features such as the ability to convert it into a stroller. Be sure to check for recalls on the product prior to you purchase it. It's crucial to ensuring the safety of your child on the road.

Easy to Use

You're looking for a car seat for your baby that is easy to attach and remove from the base, regardless of whether you plan to use it in just one vehicle or move it between several. It is important to look for clear installation instructions and a smooth mechanism. Also, consider how it is easy to adjust the car seat as baby grows and the quality of the materials used.

Some infant seats include the load leg. It's a brace that provides support between the seat base and the floor of your vehicle and provides extra security in the event of a collision. It's a vital feature to have if you own an older vehicle, as the risk of sustaining head injuries in a crash is higher when a child is seated close to the ground, as per research by Consumer Reports.

Other premium features that can enhance the infant car seat user experience include a no-rethread harness and an anti-rebound bar that help keep the seat from rebounding during an accident. The latter has been shown to lower the risk of head injury by up to 43 percent. "If you're on a budget and want the security of an ARC-certified car seats with several key features that are premium I highly recommend the Evenflo LiteMax," says Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio. The seat received an exemplary rating by safety experts for children. It has a no-rethread adjustable harness that can be reclined in five positions, and an extended canopy that has magnets to ensure complete coverage.

Another thing to look out for is a seat that can be installed by the lap belt and does not require the base. That's ideal for parents who intend to use taxis or Uber rides and doesn't need a return trip to the car to install a different seat. For instance, the Nuna Pipa Urbn and the corresponding TRIV travel system have a sturdy LATCH system that's built right into the seat's bottom, making it quick and easy to put in any vehicle. It can also be used in a rear-facing position (for children between 4 and 40 pounds) and forward-facing (for children weighing 22-65 pounds) and also converts into a belt-positioning or highback booster for children weighing 40-120 pounds. This is an excellent option if you're on a budget.

Comfort

If your child is in car seats newborn seats for long periods of time, it's crucial that they feel comfortable. This means straps for the shoulders that are padded as well as soft fabrics that feel snug against their stomachs or back, as well as a sturdier headrest. Also, look for an easy-to-reach seat that you can alter as your child grows.

While a seat with lots of features may be more expensive, they're also often easier to use. When evaluating a car seat for babies we look at factors such as a one-hand system harness, premium LATCH connectors, and no rethread harness. We also consider the weight and dimensions of the seat, because the weight or size of the seat can put stress on your biceps as you move it in and out of your vehicle, or even between vehicles.

A seat with a load leg--a safety feature that aids in stabilizing the car seat in the event of a crash, is another good infant car seats choice. It's usually found in expensive seats however we've seen a couple of budget-friendly options that have this extra safety measure.

Another crucial aspect to consider is the height and weight limits. You'll want to make sure that the seat will still be safe for your child when they reach their highest growth stage, which is usually at around the age of two or three. Consider a convertible car seat for infants that could be transformed into a toddler's car seat. This option gives you more flexibility and is ideal for families that frequently change cars or travel.

Our test participants were impressed with the Doona that combines a car seat for an infant and a stroller in one package. It's the ideal choice for parents on the go particularly those who commute to work or school on public transport. It is also easy to set up. Our expert testers appreciated its user-friendlyness, including the one-handed latching mechanism and the padded shoulders straps. Our product testers also noted that the seat is incredibly compact and lightweight, which is essential for those who have a small trunk room. It's also free of any flame retardant chemical which is a major advantage for parents concerned about their baby's surroundings and health.

Convenience

The most effective infant car seats are simple to use. From buckles that are smooth and easy to tighten and loosen to harness height adjusters that automatically move up as your child grows the top infant car seats come with convenience features that help parents get into and out with a minimum of fuss. Other important aspects to look at is whether the seat can be washed in the washing machine (to make cleaning easier) and if it comes with a canopy, which is useful in the car as well as attached to a stroller.

A feature on the base can save lots of time and headaches. It shows you when it's been properly installed. This line should be parallel to ground and is situated on the base. This is especially helpful when you're going to change the car seat frequently, or when your child will be traveling with you and you need to install it in Ubers or taxis.

A stroller that is compatible with the infant car seat can be attached directly to it. This makes it easy to transport your sleeping bundle to the grocery store, or to run around. You don't have to carry a separate carrier. This could be a huge advantage for new parents who want to return to their normal routine after an extended commute or a trip with their newborn.

If you are expecting your baby to grow quickly pick a car seat for infants with a higher weight or height limit than that recommended by the manufacturer. This way, you will be able to keep the car seat in use for longer.

All car seats sold in the United States must comply with federal safety regulations however that doesn't mean that they're all equal. Certain seats come with additional features, such as load legs that support the base of a car seat to increase stability and anti-rebound bars that decrease the risk of sustaining head injuries from crashes. Other extras, such as the no-rethread harness or an extendable canopy, can also make for a more relaxing ride for your baby and allow you become a more relaxed and more secure parent.