Top Rated Infant Car Seats
A good infant car seat is a safety necessity, but not all infant car seats are in the same way. The best ones have features that improve the performance of crash tests, such as load legs, which are shock absorbing components on the base of the seat that reduce movement in collisions.
A favorite among CPST instructors is the Chicco KeyFit, which has a high rear-facing weight limit and height limit as well as bubble level indicator and the reclining foot is spring-loaded, which makes it easy to install.
Graco Mesa Max
The Graco Mesa Max is one of the top infant car seats for ease of use. It is an easy-to-use design and top fabrics. It also has an excellent feature that lets you attach the child's harness directly to the headrest. It also comes with a large hideaway canopy that allows you to keep your baby cool during travel. The only drawback is that it is a bit heavier than normal, which might be a problem if you are planning to transport it or want to use it with your UPPAbaby stroller, which is a winner.
Mesa Max's impressive performance in crash tests show its dedication to safety. It scored highly in both the frontal and side impact tests, meaning that your baby will be protected from both sides of a collision.
The anti-rebound feature is a notable safety feature. It helps reduce the forces of rebound in a crash and safeguards the child's head. This feature is unique among infant car seats and makes the Mesa Max standout among its competitors.
Graco Mesa Max can easily and securely be fitted into your vehicle with LATCH when it is used in conjunction with the base. The load leg, recline angle adjustment and the indicator for tightness ensure an accurate, quick installation. The base weighs 12.6 pounds, which is slightly heavier than the average infant car seat but not enough to cause an issue.
Like its predecessor, UPPAbaby Mesa V2, the Mesa Max uses dual-knit fabric that is free of chemicals that cause fire. It also comes with an infinitely adjustable headrest as well as an infant insert that enhances the body's fit and positioning for infants weighing between 4-11 pounds. The fabrics are GREENGUARD gold certified, which ensures low VOCs and chemical emissions.
The UPPAbaby UPPAmax Mesa Max may be slightly more expensive than other models but it offers top features and the latest technology to ensure the most secure travel experience. The base is included and comes in a variety of fashionable colors. This is a great addition to the value proposition. Its thoughtful features and durable design provide parents with peace of mind for every trip.
Britax Boulevard ClickTight
The Britax Blvd ClickTight is a fantastic choice for parents who are looking for a car seat they can expand with. The rear-facing limit is 40 pounds, which is greater than the majority of infant car seats, and it can be used as a forward-facing car seat until your child reaches 65 pounds.
Its most prominent selling point is the ClickTight Installation System, which is the most secure and user-friendly available. The seat belt can be tightened by pressing a red release button and pulling the harness strap. This makes it unnecessary to unwind and rethread the seatbelt. This minimizes the possibility of a mistake when tightening the belt that is the primary cause of car seat failure.
Another safety feature is the EZBuckle Pad, which keeps the buckle out of the way when you're putting your child in the car seat. This feature along with beltpath cutouts that are located on the sides of the seat makes it easy to get your child into and out of the car.
All three ClickTight convertible seat models (Boulevard CT, Marathon CT, Advocate CT) share the same features. They include the ClickTight Installation System and an impact-absorbing base with 7 recline positions, a rip-stitch energy-absorbing tether, HUGS harness pads as well as a steel reinforced frame and EPP energy-absorbing foam.
It's a hefty seat, so it may be worth considering a lighter alternative in case you plan to use it for frequent car swaps or traveling. The seat is also big, so it may not be a good fit in smaller vehicles, especially when it's rear-facing.
If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, but with the same quality, check out the 4Ever DLX by Graco. It has lower crash test scores than the Boulevard but is still a great option for your child.
The Graco also comes with LATCH connectors that can be pushed on, which make it easier to take the seat off. Boulevard's LATCH connectors have a different release mechanism that requires you to pull the webbing, then press the gray button. This isn't easy if the webbing is tense. This seat comes with a convenient storage compartment for the belt straps.
Clek Liing
If you're looking for a baby car seat that has everything -style, safety convenience, and luxury- you'll love the Clek Liing. This rear-facing car seat is easy to install, comes with an excellent crash test rating and a wide range of features.
The Liing is constructed with features that surpass US and Canadian safety regulations. It is designed for easy and secure installation in all seating positions. It also has advanced safety features like an energy-absorbing metal foot and a two piece shell lined with EPP for increased side impact protection. The base features seven recline positions and an indicator bubble that lets you know that the seat is just the perfect angle for your child.
The Liing is modern and sleek stroller that parents are raving about. It is equipped with innovative safety features like rigid lower anchors which are easier to attach than hook-and loop connectors. The Liing comes with a single-handed release, making it simple to remove the base and connect it to strollers that are compatible with it. With less than 17 inches in width it's just narrow enough for 3-across in the majority of vehicles. It also fits nicely into many convertible car seats as a booster.
This infant seat is rated first for its unique rigid-LATCH system of installation. The lower anchors of the Liing click right into the vehicle's lower seat belt slots. Additionally, the top tether strap snaps onto the headrest of the vehicle to create an extremely secure, tight fit that eliminates the risk of the child being thrown around in a crash.
The base weighs 9 pounds, and the carrier weighs 10.5 lbs. Other rear-facing seats weigh more, but the difference isn't noticeable if you plan to carry the car seat and base around. ).
Parents love the Liing's integrated canopy and 100+spf of protection from the sun with the mesh peekaboo. Caregivers love the merino-covered cover that keeps babies warm, and they also like the seat's handle's ability to pivot past the canopy and make it easier for them to grab whenever they need.
lightweight baby car seat LX is a 3-in-1 car seat that converts from rear-facing infant, to forward-facing harness, and finally to highback booster. It comes with the SnugLock installation system which allows for a smooth and easy install with either vehicle seat belt or lower anchors. It has the option of using the top tether when in booster mode. (We suggest using the lower anchors to provide extra security.)
We love that this chair can be used by children of different age groups. It has an infant insert designed for younger babies that supports their necks and backs. As they grow older the insert can be removed and the seat used as a regular car seat for toddlers. This car seat is among the few that allow you to use the top tether in booster mode, which we highly recommend.
Its base is compact from front to back, which means it shouldn't have any issues fitting into the majority of vehicles. It requires the headrest to be raised, in order to provide a clear path for the lower anchor webbing. Fortunately, there's a headrest adjustment knob that allows you to do this, and also observe the position of the headrest in the display window.
The SnugLock system is one of the most unique features of this seat. It's an anchor that is located within the belt path. Installing this car seat using lower anchors is simple, and is almost as easy as putting it on the car's seat belt.
The manual offers a wonderful illustration of how to run the lower anchor connectors correctly through the new belt path which at first can be confusing. Keep them clear of the chest clip and crotch loop to avoid interfering with the buckle system.
The Graco Trio Grow is part of the Protect Plus Engineered family, which means it's been tested to some of the most rigorous crash tests in the world. This includes side, rear and rollover crashes, as well as frontal impact tests.