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How to Choose the Best Infant Car Seat Think about what you want from your car seat. “If you are looking for a car seat to grow with your child, think about an all-in-one model like the Graco 4Ever DLX,” Saxton advises. The seat has a long rear-facing weight limit and can convert to both an incline-back booster and a backless one. It also scores high for comfort and quality with soft, machine-washable padding. Load legs are a beneficial feature. They are shock-absorbing components that are affixed to the base or car seats and help to limit movement in the event of a crash. Safety They are specifically designed to fit babies of smaller sizes better, and therefore they have more padding than convertible car seats. They are also lighter and easier to remove from your car or attach to a stroller frame which is important because you'll need to carry your child in the car seat outside of the vehicle often. The infant car seats offer the benefit of being designed to last through the first year of your child's life, so you don't need to worry about them outgrowing their weight or height as quickly as convertible car seats can. It is an excellent idea, however, to do some research before you purchase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has strict standards for car seats. Consider reading reviews from other parents and checking out car seat safety guidelines from groups such as Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which have plenty of crash test data to share with families. Find features that can help your family. This could include an easy release of the strap, a no rethread harness or a leveling foot with a spring-loaded mechanism. These features can help you buckle up your child, but keep in mind that even the safest seats are useless when they are not used correctly. The weight and the width of the car seat are also important. A lot of infant car seats are designed to be narrow enough to fit in with older car seats in the back of your vehicle While others can expand with your child and transition to an adult seat at the same time. If you intend to use your car seat for travel or to take taxis, a baby car seat that is installed with only the seatbelt of your vehicle is a convenient alternative. In general, it is recommended to buy the most safe seat that you can afford. The cheapest models may not always meet the most stringent standards of crash safety. For example, it's best to stay clear of models that do not include side impact testing and permit companies to self-certify their products. Convenience The best infant car seats are those that can fit in your family vehicle and are simple to install, and have convenient extras like a built-in jogging stroller or rotation capability. It must also be affordable. Infant seats range in price between $180 and $500. They may cost more when they are convertible and will be used as an infant and toddler seat. Convenience features include how simple it is to set up the seat using either the LATCH system or a seatbelt, and whether you are able to adjust the headrest and harness without taking the infant out of the seat. You need to be able to set up and take it out easily, especially if you switch frequently between vehicles or take Uber rides with your child. The seat must also be lightweight and clearly labeled for installation guidelines and bubble levels so that you can easily install the car seat properly installed. You should be able to adjust the buckles and harness, as well as turn the seat around when it is not in use. Before purchasing an infant car seat, it's important to determine the weight and height limits. Also, think about whether your child will outgrow the seat before they reach their first birthday. It is generally recommended to select the seat for your child that grows with them until they reach the 90% percentile. Some manufacturers go beyond the federal safety standards to incorporate other features, such as crash testing, comfort and convenience in their car seats. The Clek Liing one of the top picks from our gear editors and Consumer Reports, is an excellent example of a highly rated infant seat that offers more than just crash protection. It also comes with an element that helps stabilize the seat during a crash, reducing forces on the child by 40 percent. This alone could save the life of a child, so it's worth the extra cost for a car seat that's safe and has additional safety features. Comfort One of the most important factors when selecting an infant car seat is the comfort, as babies spend a lot of time in their car seats. The most comfortable ones are made of large, breathable fabrics as well as generous padding for the headrest and harness. They are equipped with simple adjustments, like strap covers, buckles and headrest adjustments that don't need to be rethread. The weight and size of the infant car seat can also impact comfort especially if it's going to be used in multiple cars or for frequent travel. Certain models are smaller making it easier to fit in the backseat alongside other car seats or even siblings' seats. Although all have maximum and minimum heights and weight limits, certain models are lighter than others, which could help keep your biceps from getting sore when carrying it between vehicles. Some infant car seats include extra features that make them more adaptable like rotational options or the capability to click into a stroller without the need for extra adapters. Some models are equipped with premium features such as the adjustable no-rethread strap and bar that prevents rebound to give you additional security in the event of an accident. These features aren't required to ensure safety, however they can improve the overall experience. Parents want their babies to have a comfortable, clean car seat. They also care about safety and convenience. Pick a car seat that is machine washable, stain-resistant and easy to take off for cleaning. Some seats can be cleaned using the dishwasher, making it easier to keep them looking new. Certain models go further to ensure that their customers enjoy a safe and comfortable experience. For example, the Graco SnugRide ™ Elite has an anti-rebounding bar and meets Graco ProtectPlus Engineered™ which is designed to stand up to rear and front collisions. The seat features a Silent Shade canopy to keep your baby calm and comfortable, as well an indicator to let you know that the seat is properly attached. Its adjustable harness tightener and carry handle provide easy one-handed adjustments. Design Car seat manufacturers make infant car seats with safety and ease of use in mind, however the myriad of features available can make it hard to determine what's most suitable for your family. You'll want to consider factors such as weight and height limits as well as the number of buckles and belt paths. Additional features such as load legs, anti-rebound bars and no-rethread straps could increase the cost of the seat, but they will improve comfort for your baby. Consider features that make it easier to get your child in and out of the seat, like rotational mechanisms. You should also pay attention to dimensions and base weight, as not all seats are suitable for every car. The ease of attaching and detaching the base is an aspect that is important. The quality of the LATCH connectors, and whether or not they're flexible or rigid, could affect this. It is also important to determine whether the straps are easy to loosen and tighten, and whether there's a single hand release mechanism to install and remove the seat. Certain models allow you to use the seat without a footrest, which is a great option when you plan to switch taxis or cars frequently. Find models with a built-in lock and bubble level indicators to help ensure your seat is installed correctly. Other features worth the cost include a headrest that expands with the growing baby, a five-position recline and an extended canopy that locks in place. Our product testers have noticed that having a seat that can be used as a high-back belt-positioning booster or a backless booster after the infant is done using it is a plus. The Doona is the kind of infant car seat that pampers parents. It's loaded with features that solve nearly every complaint families have about infant car seats, which is why our testers have rated it as top across all categories. For instance, it's certified for airplane travel, has an exclusive handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar. It also transforms directly into strollers (no need to buy a separate stroller adapter). Its crash test result is impressive and it's GREENGUARD Gold Certified.