Car seats provide a safe way for you to bring baby along with you in all your ventures. Most hospitals won’t discharge you without one! That’s why car seats are on the top of our list of baby essentials. With safety at the highest priority, this item will be worth your investment. All car seats sold in the U.S. must meet the standards of National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. Some states also have regulations concerning car seats.
Car seats come in different typesbased on your child’s size. The three car seat categories are:
1. infant car seats
Infant car seats are made for your baby to berear-facing which is the safest position. These seats can detach from the base to carry your baby when you aren’t driving.
2. convertible car seats
Convertible car seats can be used continually from newborn to the toddler stage with a few adjustments as your child grows. Be aware that thistype of seat can’t be detached from the car to carry your baby.
3. booster car seats
Booster seats are for children at least 4 years old and weighing 40lbs. This type of seat helps to “boost” them up so that the safety belts in your car will properly secure your child.
Points to Consider
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Car seat size
Before you buy a car seat, you should consider the vehicle that you want to place the seat. Make sure that the car seat will fit in your vehicle since car seats have different dimensions. -
Expiration date
Car seats often have an expiration date which is usually about 4 years after the production date of the car seat. -
Travel System
A “travel system” is acombination of a car seat and stroller. The carseat is made to attach to the stroller. Some car seats are made to attach to strollers. If you buy them separately, you will need to purchase an additional adapter in order to connect the car seat to your stroller.
To help you navigate this important baby gear decision, here’s our list of favorite car seats.
Happy traveling!
1. Most Loved Infant Car Seat
Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat
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Why We Recommend:
Parents love this car seat because it’s easy to install and easy to use. It has extra cushioning for the baby’s comfort. You can secure the seat to the base with one hand. It comes with extra head and body support padding for newborns that can be removed when no longer needed. Its safety features include an anti-rebound bar.
The car seat has an adjustable headrest to grow along with your child. Besides these great features, the car seat comes with a canopy to help keep the light from bothering your little one.
One mom said, “This seat is well worth the investment to have something that is extremely safe, easy to use, looks sharp, and will outlast other systems with its slightly higher weight rating.”
2. A Top Safety Pick
Britax B-Safe Gen2 Infant Car Seat
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Why We Recommend:
Britax is the brand known for its extra safety measures. This car seat certainly lives up to the reputation. It has a steel-reinforced frame and an extra protective shell. This car seat is easy to install and user friendly with simple safety indicators to follow along the way. You can click baby in and out of the base with one hand. The extra padded seat makes for a comfy ride for newborns. This seat can be used for children weighing up to 35lbs.
One mom said, “Absolutely a Britax fan, the products are well made putting the child’s safety and comfort first. It is so simple to click the baby in, straps stay in place.”
3. The Budget Friendly
Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 Infant Car Seat
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Why We Recommend:
You’ll find this car seat accompanied by a cheaper price tag, but don’t let that fool you. It still has all the safety and comfort measures you might desire. The Graco SnugRide has a SnugFit seat to hold baby securely in place, an anti-rebound bar for added rear-facing stability, and easy to read indicators for installation.
The headrest and harness can adjust with your baby as he or she grows. The Silent Shade canopy can be adjusted quietly without disturbing your sleeping little one.
One mom said, “Have used for almost a year now, and can say I like this one a lot more than my significant other’s cheaper brand car seat. Functionality is practical and gives plenty of support for our baby.”
4. Best Lightweight Infant Car Seat
Stokke PIPA by Nuna Infant Car Seat
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Why We Recommend:
This sleek and stylish car seat is ergonomic and lightweight, combining style and function. Its smart fabric helps to keep the baby cool in warmer temperatures and warm in cooler temperatures. It has easy-to-use safety indicators for installation, extra side impact protection for safety, and a True Lock system allowing easy use in any car. The aluminum handlebar makes this car seat light and easy to carry with you anywhere you go.
One mom said, “This car seat is perfect! The safety and comfort features are everything you want for your newborn. The fact that I don’t need a special adapter for my StokkeTrailz stroller means that I can switch out from car seat to carry to rumble seat super easily!”
5. Most Unique
Doona Doona Car Seat & Stroller
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Why We Recommend:
This mind-blowing invention is an all-in-one car seat and stroller. If you find yourself traveling often, this unique combination may be the right fit for you. The stroller wheels fold behind the carriage to become a car seat. When you’re ready to leave the car, the wheelseasily extend to become a stroller.
One mom said, “Let me clearly state that this has been the best and most satisfying purchase I’ve ever made in Amazon (and probably everywhere else). We have been using the Doona every day and our baby has always felt comfy and happy when we seat him in it. It’s very maneuverable and it has served its purpose for every use we have thought of for it.”
6. Best Overall Convertible Car Seat
Britax One4Life Convertible Car Seat
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Why We Recommend:
Just one glance at this car seat and it’s easy to see why it has thousands of 5-star reviews. With all the safety features of a Britax product, you can use this car seat for up to 10 years. Yes, that’s right…from a 5lb. infant up to a 120lb. child! The ClickTight installation is easy to configure.
There are 9 positions to recline that are user friendly to adjust this seat to your growing child. It has built in cooling vents for air circulation. The cup holders are even dishwasher safe. It seems that they have thought of everything! If you are looking to simplify your car seat decision and buy a seat that can be used as long as your child needs one, this is the seat for you.
One mom said, “I have fallen in love with Britax. This car seat is rear and front facing, very easy to install and adjusts for when your little one gets bigger. Not to mention the great safety rates too. It has 2 open holes on the sides to help keep cool.
And all of the cloth on the car seat comes off so you can wash it. Also, the cup holders come out to clean, too. I recommend this to everyone who has been looking for a car seat. This car seat is good until your little one no longer needs a car seat. I have had this car seat for 3 months now and I cannot find a fault in it!”
7. Best High Back Booster Seat
EvenFlo Big Kid High Back Booster
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Why We Recommend:
This booster seat comes ready to accommodate. It has 6 positions for height adjustment to change with your child’s growth. It is simple in design, easy to clean, and can even become ‘backless’ when your child is ready. The seat belt loop holds the seat belt in proper place, making it easy for your child to use on their own. This product is a booster seat that you won’t regret purchasing.
One mom said, “This was easy to install. Looks great and the quality is amazing for the price. The best part about this booster seat is that it isn’t wide or bulky. Highly recommend!”
8. Best Backless Booster Seat
Graco Backless Turbobooster Booster Seat
Buying Options:
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Why We Recommend:
When you’re ready for a backless booster seat, look no further. This simple seat will provide your child with the “boost” they need to ride safely and securely. It can be moved in and out of your car with ease. When your child is older, it has convenient cup holders to keep your little one satisfied while traveling. This car seat is top-rated across the board. It has been crash tested to meet the US Standard FMVSS 213 for safety.
One mom said, “Perfect! It’s easier to assemble than it is to buckle in the child! It’s super lightweight, very transportable, the cup holders are a great add, and it is SUPER easy to clean!”
