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 price when choosing our top picks. Find out the best infant seat for your family by reading.

Safety

All infant car seats sold in the United States must meet the safety standards of the federal government. Some seats come with extra features above and beyond the minimum standards. These can include load legs, a built-in rethreader, sides that hold the straps, and more. The more features a car seat comes with, the better, according to experts I spoke to.

The more user-friendly a car seat is, the more likely it is that parents will use it correctly. This can reduce their child’s risk of injury during an accident. This is especially important for infant seats, which are meant to be used for a brief period of time. Look for a model with a bubble indicator and a spring-loaded reclining foot for making it easy to set the seat. Also, make sure the base is easy to click into and out of the car.

Other top features that some car seat manufacturers provide include an unrethread harness, magnet buckle holders, and side grips for carrying the seat. These are fantastic but remember that the safety of your car seat is only as secure as the car you're driving in. Check out the car's owner's manual to learn how to secure your infant's seat and to find out more about specific vehicle safety features.

When you're choosing an infant car seat, bear in mind that you'll probably only be able to use it for around two years before your child is ready to switch to an convertible car seat. This is why some families choose to skip the infant car seat and go straight to a convertible seat, which has higher weight and height limits. When purchasing an infant car seat, make sure you consider the dimensions of your vehicle and try various models before settling on one. You can then ensure that the seat is suitable for your child, is a good fit in your car and includes convenient extras like converting into a stroller. Don't forget to look for recalls prior to making a purchase. It's vital to ensure the safety of your child on the road.

Easy of Use

If you're using the seat in a single car or transferring it between many, you need an infant car seat that is simple to set up and remove from the base. Look for clear installation instructions and a smooth operation. Consider how easy it would be to adjust the seat as your child grows and the high-quality materials used.

One of the best car seats for infants features that infant seats have is a load leg, which serves as a brace between the seat's base and the vehicle floor to offer extra stability in the event of a crash. This is a crucial feature for those who drive an older vehicle, since the risk of head injury in a crash is greater when a baby is sitting close to the ground, according to research by Consumer Reports.

Other top features that enhance the infant car seat user experience include a harness with no-rethread and anti-rebound bars, which can prevent the seat from rebounding in an accident. This has been proven by research to decrease the risk for head injuries by up to 43 percent. The Evenflo LiteMax DLX is a fantastic choice for those on a tight budget who want a car seat that's ARC-certified and comes with a number of high-end features. Jennifer LaBracio, Babylist's gear editor, suggests it. The seat has earned an outstanding rating from child safety technicians and features an adjustable, no-rethread harness and five recline positions and an extended canopy that secures with magnets to provide full coverage.

A seat that can be easily installed using only a lapbelt, and without the requirement for the base is an alternative. That's ideal for parents who intend to take taxis or Uber rides, and doesn't require the trip back and forth to the car to install a different seat. For example, the Nuna Pipa Urbn and its corresponding TRIV travel system have an extremely rigid LATCH system built right into the seat's bottom which makes it fast and easy to put in any vehicle. It can also be used rear-facing (for children weighing 4-40 pounds), forward-facing (for children between 22 and 65 pounds) and also converts into a belt-positioning or highback booster for children weighing 40-120 pounds. This is an excellent option for those on a tight budget.

Comfort

If your child is in a car seat for a long period of time, it's crucial that they feel safe. This means padded shoulder straps, plush fabric to feel cozy against their tummy or back, as well as a sturdier headrest. Choose a seat that is easy to adjust as they grow, and.

A seat that has many unique features is often more expensive but also easier to use. When we evaluate a newborn car seat seat for infants, we consider aspects like a single-hand system harness, high-quality LATCH connectors, and harness that doesn't rethread. We also consider dimensions and weight, since a heavy or bulky seat can add stress to your biceps as you carry it in and out of your car or between cars.

Another option is a seat with the load-leg, a security feature which aids in stabilizing the car-seat in the event of an accident. It's typically found in more expensive seats, but we've seen a few budget-friendly choices that have this additional safety feature.

The limits on height and weight are also crucial. You'll need to ensure that the seat is safe for your child once they reach their maximum growth. It usually occurs around the age of 2 or 3. You should also consider convertible infant car seats that can be converted into a toddler seat. This gives you more flexibility and is ideal for families who frequently change vehicles or travel.

Our testers loved the Doona, which combines an infant car seat and stroller in one. It's a great choice for parents on the go, especially those who commute to work or school by public transport. It's also easy to put in, and our expert testers praised the ease of using the one-handed latch system and the shoulder straps that are padded. Our product testers also commented on 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 major advantage for parents who are concerned about their baby's health and the environment.

Convenience

The best infant car seats are simple to use. From buckles that are soft and easy to tighten and loosen to harness height adjusters that automatically increase as your child grows, the best infant car seats have convenience features that allow parents to get into and out with a minimum of hassle. Be sure to consider whether the seat can be cleaned by machine (to facilitate cleaning) and if it has a canopy. This is useful in the car as well as on a stroller.

A feature on the base can save a great deal of time and headaches. It lets you know if it has been installed correctly. The line should be parallel to the ground and is situated on the base. It's especially useful in the event that you'll be changing the car seat between vehicles frequently, or if you are planning to travel with your child and require the seat in taxis or Ubers.

Another benefit is the ability to connect an appropriate stroller directly to the infant carrier seat car seat which makes it easier to carry your sleeping bundle of joy from the car to the store or on errands without having to wrestle with an additional carrier. This is a life-changing option for parents looking for a way to return to normal following a long journey or a long commute with a baby.

If your baby is likely to grow quickly, select an infant car seat with an increased weight and height limit than the one recommended by the manufacturer. This way, you will be able to keep the car seat in use longer.

All car seats sold in the United States must comply with federal safety regulations however that doesn't mean they are all created equal. Certain models have features that go beyond, like load legs that support the car seat's base for extra stability, and anti-rebound bars that decrease the risk of injury to the head in crashes. Some additional features can make the ride more comfortable for you and your baby, and make you as a parent feel more comfortable and more confident.