Best Infant Seat Features

All infant seats have to meet federal safety standards. However some seats go above and beyond. From extra padding to baby inlay that is padded to the ability to raise and lower the headrest with no needing to rethread our Best of the Bump winner includes a variety of features parents will love.

When selecting our top picks, we took into consideration factors such as weight (without base) stroller compatibility, special features and prices. Find out which infant seat is suitable for your family.

Safety

Every infant car seat available on the market must meet the safety standards of the federal government. Certain seats have additional features that go beyond the minimum standards. These can include load legs and a built-in rethreader sides that support the straps and more. According to the experts I spoke with, the more features a chair has, they better.

The more user-friendly a car seat is, the more likely it is that parents will use it properly. This will lower the chance of injuries to their child in the event of a crash. This is particularly important for infant seats, which are only designed to be used for a limited period of time. Find a seat with bubble indicators and a spring-loaded reclining foot for making it easy to adjust the seat. Make sure the base can be easily clicked into and out of the vehicle.

Some car seat manufacturers offer premium features such as a no-rethread strap as well as magnetic buckle holders and side grips that carry the seat. These are wonderful but remember that the safety of your car seat is just as secure as the car you're driving in. You can find helpful tips in the owner's manual about how to secure your infant car seat, and also learn more about the vehicle's safety features.

When you're choosing an infant car seat, bear in mind that you'll likely only be able to use it for around 2 years until your child is ready to switch to a convertible car seat. This is why some families choose to not use an infant seat and move directly to a convertible seat, which has higher weight and height limits. When buying an infant car seat, make sure to take into consideration the dimensions of your car and test various models before settling on one. You can then ensure that the seat is suitable for your child, fits inside your car and also has 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 the most crucial factor in ensuring your baby's safety on the road.

Easy of Use

Whether you'll be using the seat in one vehicle or moving it among several, you'll need an infant car seat that is easy to put in and remove from the base. Look for clearly labeled installation guides and a mechanism that works seamlessly. Consider how easy it will be to adjust the seat as your baby grows and the high-quality materials used.

A great feature that many cheap infant car seats seats have is a load leg that acts as an extra brace between the seat's base and vehicle's floor to provide additional stability in the event of an accident. Consumer Reports research shows that it's especially important if you have an older vehicle, because the chance of suffering a head injury is higher if the child is too close to the floor.

Other premium features can improve the baby car seat (Suggested Looking at) experience. These include a no rethread harness, as well as an anti-rebound bar that helps keep the seat from spinning in a crash. This has been proven to lower the risk of head injuries by up to 43 percent. "If you're on a limited budget and you want the security of an ARC-certified car seats with a few key premium features I highly recommend the Evenflo LightMax DLX," says Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio. The seat has earned an exemplary rating from child-passenger safety technicians and comes with an adjustable no-rethread harness and five recline positions, and an extended canopy that can be secured by magnets to ensure complete coverage.

A seat that is easily installed with lapbelts and does not require the need for an additional base is a different option. This is ideal for parents who plan to take Uber or taxi rides since it doesn't require them to get back in the car each time to install a new seat. For instance the Nuna Pipa Urbn and the counterpart TRIV travel system feature an extremely rigid LATCH system integrated into the bottom of the seat, making it quick and simple to install in any vehicle. It can also be used both rear-facing (4-40 pounds) and forward-facing (22-65 pounds) and converts to an highback booster or a belt-positioning booster that is backless (40-120 pounds). It's a great choice for families on a tight budget.

Comfort

When your baby is in a car seat for long periods of time, it's important they feel safe. This includes padded shoulder straps as well as soft fabrics that feel comfortable against their stomach or back, and a growing headrest. Choose an easy-to-use seat to adjust as they get bigger, as well.

While a car seat with a lot of special features might cost more but they're also generally easier to use. When we evaluate a car seat for infants we look at factors such as a one-hand system harness, top LATCH connectors, and a harness that doesn't rethread. We also consider dimensions and weight, since the weight or bulk of a seat could put stress on your biceps as you carry it into and out of your car seats newborn or between cars.

Another good choice is a seat that has a load-leg, a safety feature that assists in stabilizing the car seat in the event of an accident. It's usually found in expensive seats however we've seen a few budget-friendly choices that have this extra safety measure.

Another thing to consider is height and weight limits. You'll need to make sure that the seat is suitable for your child when they reach their maximum growth. This typically occurs around the age of 2 or 3. It's also worth looking at convertible infant car seats that converts into an adult car seat. This will allow you a bit more flexibility when you drive and is great for families who often switch vehicles or travel.

Our test subjects were impressed by the Doona which combines the car seat of an infant and a stroller all in one unit. It's a great choice for parents on the go particularly those who commute to work or school on public transport. It's also simple to set up, and our expert testers were impressed with the ease of use of the latch that is one-handed and the padded shoulder straps. Our product testers also noted how compact the seat is, which is a must for those with limited trunk space. It's also free of flame retardant chemicals which is a huge advantage for parents concerned about their child's environment and health.

Convenience

The best infant seats have features that make it simple to use. From buckles that are easy and easy to tighten or loosen, to harness height adjusters that automatically move up as your child grows, the best infant car seats come with convenience features to help parents get into and out with minimal amount of effort. Check if the seat is able to be washed by a machine (to make cleaning easier) and if it has a canopy. This is helpful both in the car and on a stroller.

One thing that may seem like a small difference but can save you a lot of trouble is a meter on the base that lets you know whether it's been put in place correctly. This line is on the side of the base and should be parallel to the ground when you're done. This is particularly useful when you're going to change the car seat frequently or if your baby will be traveling with you and you need to set it up in Ubers or taxis.

Another benefit is the ability to attach a compatible stroller directly to the cheap infant car seats car seat making it easier to transport your baby's infant from the car to the store or out on errands, without having to wrestle with a separate carrier. This can be a great advantage for parents with newborns who want to return to their normal routine after an extended commute or a trip with a newborn.

If your baby is likely to grow rapidly, choose a car seat for infants that has more weight and height limit than the one recommended by the manufacturer. This way, you can keep the car seats newborn seat for longer.

While all car seats sold in the United States must meet federal safety standards, that does not mean that all car seats are made equal. Some come with features that go beyond, including load legs that anchor the car seat's base for extra stability, and anti-rebound bars that reduce the risk of head injury in crashes. A few accessories can make the journey more comfortable for your baby, making you as a parent happier and more secure.