![]() ![]() The biggest difference here is the height and weight requirements: The KeyFit 35 is suitable for children up to 35 pounds or 32 inches tall, which makes it an extended-use infant car seat for only $40 more. Note that the Chicco KeyFit 35 is a slightly more deluxe version of the (equally safe and excellent) KeyFit 30. Parents also appreciate the newborn insert for little ones 4 to 11 pounds and the UPF 50+ canopy. The installation process is so simple, mom and Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) Sylvia Fallas says she has installed this seat in under 30 seconds! It's easy to nail the correct recline angle, thanks to a built-in bubble level indicator, and the One-Pull Harness makes tightening the straps simple. The Chicco KeyFit was voted Best Infant Car Seat in our 2022 What to Expect Mom Must-Have Awards - and for good reason. (To make the process easier, you can also purchase a travel system.) Even if they can't be attached out of the box, some strollers have adapters for common car seats. If it's important that your car seat clips into your stroller, check with both manufacturers before settling on a stroller-car seat combo. Also, consider meeting with a local certified child passenger safety technician (CPST) to make sure you know how to properly install it before your little one arrives.Ĭompatible strollers: Not every stroller can attach to every infant car seat. ![]() All of our picks have an overall ease of use rating of four stars or higher from the NHTSA (and many have five stars). This handy chart from the NHTSA rates the ease of use for various car seats. All of the car seats on our list can be used until your baby is 32 inches long.Įase of installation: Some infant car seats have extra features that help ensure your seat is properly installed. Most infant car seats can be used until your baby is at least 30 pounds, but we prioritized models below that have the highest maximum weights on the market, between 32 and 35 pounds. Weight and height limits: You want to keep your baby rear-facing for as long as possible, and you'll also want to get the most time out of your investment. We prioritized infant car seats that were less than $600, and most are in the $200 to $300 range. Some infant car seats boast extra features that result in a higher cost, but know that more affordable car seats are equally safe. Price: Infant car seats are available at a wide range of prices. If you're planning to travel with your infant car seat or will often switch it between cars, you may want to choose a lighter-weight model. Size and weight: A narrower infant car seat can be helpful if you have a small car or need to fit three children into your backseat (particularly important if you’re expecting twins or multiples). Per the guidance of leading experts, a member of the What to Expect Medical Review Board, as well as What to Expect staffers and community members, we evaluated and selected the best infant car seats based on the following criteria: “Often, they will have lower weight and height limits, less cushioning and a more involved installation.” Since they must meet the same federal regulations, the cheaper seats are perfectly safe - just more basic, says Chan. Car seats come at a wide range of prices, but the more expensive seats aren’t necessarily better. Still, that doesn't mean all baby car seats are the same. “As long as the car seat meets federal motor vehicle safety standards and has a five-point harness, it is considered safe,” says Chan. How we chose the best infant car seatsĮvery car seat sold in the United States must adhere to the safety standards set forth by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Many parents consider this a huge convenience, since it’s such a big time-saver - especially if you have other kids you have to buckle in and out every time you get out of the car. Unlike convertible car seats, infant car seats can be easily removed from the car and carried, and some can even clip onto your stroller. It comes down to personal choice and cost when opting to get an infant car seat over a convertible car seat. That said, both infant and convertible car seats provide the same amount of safety, says Suzanne Chan, a pediatric nurse practitioner, certified child passenger safety technician (CPST) and member of the What to Expect Medical Review Board. ![]() While young babies can also ride in a convertible car seat, an infant car seat is specifically designed for newborns. Car seats are essential - you won't be able to drive away from the hospital without a rear-facing car seat on hand or installed in your car. ![]()
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