In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician
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After spending tens of thousands of dollars on crash testing car seats in a certified testing lab, we discovered that not all car seats are equal, despite their ability to pass basic federal crash tests. Since 2014, we've tested over 100 seats, including crash testing, to help you determine which car seat is the best for your baby, toddler, or child. We purchase each seat and conduct intensive side-by-side testing, including crash tests at the exact location used by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). We combine crash test results with our extensive hands-on testing to analyze which competitors are the top performers.
The Graco 4Ever DLX is our favorite convertible car seat. This option pairs an excellent crash test analysis score with an easy-to-use seat that has a reasonable price. If a rotating seat has you curious, the Chicco Fit360 is an uber easy-to-install seat that is comfy and easy to use.
The Clek Liing is a standout infant car seat we think is a perfect fit for most families with better crash tests results, a load leg, and easy LATCH installation. It doesn't pair with very many strollers, but the Chicco Keyfit 35 is less expensive and pairs with some of the most popular strollers.
Over time, you will need three different kinds of car seats based on your baby's age and size (height and weight). If you know the kind you need, you can check out our comparison test ratings on the best infant car seats, best convertible car seat, and booster seat. These reviews include more products in each category than in this comprehensive review.
Editor's Note: We updated this car seat review on November 27, 2024, after new convertible car seat testing of options by Britax, Graco, Chicco, and more.
The Clek Liing is a well-designed infant car seat with a load leg. T It is also the easiest to install using LATCH, with color-change indication of connection on rigid LATCH connectors that are unbelievably easy to use. This seat is easy to install no matter what method, and it offers above-average quality and features for comfort.
Our favorite thing about the Liing is the better-than-average crash test analysis results. The Liing offers impressive crash test sensor results, with some of the lowest in the group (lower is better) and one of the highest analysis scores.
The Liing is a cozy and easy to install seat we think is a good fit for those seeking an additional margin of protection over the basic seat.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
For parents who want the best crash test analysis over all other factors, the Liing is the one. It is also easy to install, and if safety is job one, then an easy installation is key. Studies indicate that correct installation is important during a crash to help prevent injury or potential death.
The Liing is expensive. Unless your budget can stretch, it might be a deal-breaker to spend this much on a product you only use for 9 months. If you have the tightest budget but don't want to sacrifice crash test analysis results, the Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX offers good crash test results for a budget price, but it is harder to install. It also isn't the easiest seat to use, and it doesn't pair with many strollers, unlike the Chicco Keyfit 35. We would love to see a non-rethread harness adjustment on a seat in this price range, but we can accept its absence, given the ease of installation. As one tester remarked, “The lack of non-rethread adjustment is a bummer, but most parents will only need this once or twice.” Overall, there is no better infant seat if your goal is the crash test best, and the installation will keep you smiling.
The Clek Liing had the best crash test performance in our tests. And, if you are anxious about installing your car seat properly, the Clek Liing rigid LATCH with color indicators makes it a breeze.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Baby Wearing
If you don't plan to use your infant car seat carrier with a stroller or won't carry it often or far, you might want to consider a top-ranked baby carrier. Wearing your little one close (in a baby carrier) is a wonderful way to facilitate bonding and often keeps babies calm and soothed. This practice often reduces crying or emotional moments. Many modern carriers keep your hands free to get things done with your baby on board without needing a bulky or expensive stroller!
The Chicco Keyfit 35 is a higher quality infant car seat with an easy LATCH installation with the SuperCinch center pull strap. This option has a polished look with a rubbery grip handle and a headrest with a non-rethread harness adjustment. The Keyfit 35 earned better crash-test analysis than most infant competitors and works well with various award-winning strollers.
The Chicco is an easy-to-use seat with features that work well and as you'd expect. Given that some features require daily use, it is important that a seat have an easy harness adjustment, like the non-rethread headrest assembly that moves smoothly on the Chicco, and a buckle and chest clip that doesn't hurt your fingers to operate.
The Keyfit 35 is an easy-to-use seat with a non-rethread harness adjustment and intuitive features.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Keyfit is a good seat for those who want a reasonable price and vast potential for stroller compatibility. Most major stroller manufacturers offer adapters for the Keyfit line of seats, making it a good choice if you aren't sure which stroller you want but hope to pair your infant car seat carrier with a stroller.
The Keyfit 35 is somewhat heavier, which could be a deal-breaker if you plan to carry your baby in it. One tester said, “I think if I had to carry this frequently, I'd be looking for a matching stroller.” Overall, we believe this top-ranking infant seat is ideal for most families regardless of their infant seat goals, and it is compatible with various strollers from multiple manufacturers. If your goal is the top-scoring crash test analysis car seat, then the Clek Liing should make your shortlist of considerations.
The Chicco Keyfit 35 is better than much of the competition, with an attractive price, better than average crash test performance, easy LATCH installation and high compatibility with award-winning strollers.
The Graco 4Ever DLX is one of those rare products that seems like nothing can go wrong. This reasonably priced convertible seat has the group's best crash test analysis and performed well in the remaining metrics. The 4Ever is easy to install using LATCH, significantly easier than the average seat for belt installation, and has super easy-to-use features like a non-rethread harness height adjustment. It is hard to go wrong with the 4Ever. Our top tester said, “If a seat could be perfect, this one is pretty darn close.”
The 4Ever has some of the best-combined sensor results from our crash testing. This gave it one of the highest scores for crash test analysis in the group. With lower G forces recorded than most of the competition for both the HIC and chest clip sensors, it could potentially provide an additional margin of protection.
The 4Ever is a stand-out seat that has impressive test results in most metrics while still keeping the price in a reasonable range.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
This should be a go-to option for parents prioritizing the best crash test analysis results over other factors. However, that isn't the only reason to choose it over others, it is easy to use, easy to install, and reasonably priced for what you get.
This Graco is not the most comfortable or budget-friendly. The Graco SlimFit 3-in-1 is less expensive and offers more padding for comfort while maintaining a similar crash test profile. If you want the best for comfort and budget isn't a concern, then the Nuna Rava is a high-quality option with ample comfort padding and soft fabric, but the entry price is steep. Overall, we think the 4Ever DLX is the perfect choice for most.
The Graco Extend2Fit 3 in 1 is one of our favorite convertible car seats. It has a very reasonable price tag (it is often on sale) and one of the highest crash test analysis results in the convertible lineup. This Graco is comfortable, with supportive padding that decreases pressure points and a headrest suitable for road trip napping. Our tot tester said, “I could totally nap in this seat.”
The Extend2Fit offers a nice balance between impressive crash test analysis, comfort and quality, and a better price below the average for the group. It is hard to say there is one favorite thing about the Extend2Fit because everything is kind of great, but perhaps it would be the extendable leg room and the potential to sit rear-facing longer. Since sitting rear-facing is considered safer, the longer your little one sits in that direction, the better.
The Extend2Fit is a generally wonderful seat that is above average in performance with a better crash test analysis score.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Parents looking for a seat with safety in mind should consider the Extend2Fit. While the crash test analysis is one of the highest, it also allows for longer rear-facing installation and is easy to use. Each of these factors can help improve overall safety, so finding a seat with all of them plus a lower-than-average price is a winner in our book.
This option isn't as easy to install using either method as the Graco 4Ever DLX or the Chicco Fit360, but it isn't challenging compared to lower-ranking contenders. It also isn't as easy to use as those with slightly more thoughtful designs like the Nuna RAVA or Chicco Fit360. Overall, we think the Extend2Fit is a great all-around choice for many families, offering enough to keep both parents and toddlers pleased.
The Graco Extend2Fit offers a leg extension component that could potentially make rear-facing more comfortable or allow staying rear-facing longer (follow the user manual).
The Graco SlimFit 3-in-1 is a budget choice that excels at the most important metrics, like crash testing and installation. It is a lightweight option with more comfortable padding than some of the other Gracos we tested, and it has easy-to-use features. Our tester said, “This is a great option for those with smaller spaces or need a lighter seat to carry.”
The SlimFit is designed for those who want to fit multiple seats in a row. While it is not the narrowest in the group, it is a higher-ranking narrow option with a width under 19 inches. Depending on your vehicle, it could translate to two seats and a person or three seats in larger spaces. Parents who need a narrow option could find it works, but if your car is compact, it might not be the best.
The SlimFit is a great seat that brings a lot to the table for a lower price.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The seat is best for families with a smaller budget who want something with higher crash test analysis results. In our tests, this seat earned great scores for ease of use and comfort while maintaining a relatively lighter weight of only 18.5 lbs.
This seat has great crash test results, but if you want the absolute best, the Graco 4Ever DLX is the better bet. Also, if you want to try a rotating seat, the SlimFit isn't going to fit the bill, and the Cybex Sirona S might be better. However, this is a great option for most families with performance results and a price combination that can't be matched.
The Graco SlimFit offers more for comfort and quality than some of the other Gracos we tested. Paired with better crash test results and easy installation its a win for most families.
The Chicco Fit 360 is a rotating convertible seat that is one of the easiest car seats to install in our review. Our Senior tester said, “This is my favorite seat of the 360 options we've tested.” We like the convenience of adjusting the harness with the passenger facing out and think it could be a game-changer for those who struggle to get little ones in the car.
One of our favorite things about the Fit360 is the one-time installation of the base that works both forward and rear-facing. The ability to rotate the seat around on the base is cool for ease of getting little ones in and out and for switching to forward-facing when the time is right.
The Lever Lock system on the Fit360 makes it super easy to install using LATCH or a vehicle belt.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
This seat is best for those who want a rotating seat or who have anxiety about installation. Because correct installation can impact the potential crash performance of the seat, it is super important that seats are installed perfectly. The Chicco makes this easy and stress-free with a straightforward process that does the hard work for you. It earned one of the highest scores in our installation tests.
The seat comes in two parts, and in our testing, each part weighs 16.2 lbs, making a final weight of 32.4 lbs. If you set it and forget it, this could be no big deal, but if you need to take it on travel, it could be a no-go since it is heavy and cumbersome and lacks a carry handle. The Graco SlimFit 3-in-1 is much lighter and weighs 18.5 lbs. It is also one of the longest option from front to back in rear-facing, this could be prohibitive if your vehicle is smaller or the parents are taller as there won't be enough room between the back of the car seat and the front vehicle seat. The Graco 4Ever DLX is not as long and could fit where the Fit360 doesn't. It measures only 25.3 inches.
The Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1 is the one booster that does it all well and does it for a below-average price. With higher crash test analysis results and an easy-to-use design, this higher-quality option is a shoo-in for your shortlist.
We love that the Air Plus has a zip-off cover and a padded leg lounger feature, and it is installed using LATCH. Our testers said, “The leg lounger is really cool and a great addition for those with comfort on the brain.” This feature helps prevent the discomfort of dangling legs that testers complained about during the testing of other seats.
Little ones love the covered storage on the Chicco KidFit Zip Air.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
This is a great all-around booster for families focused on safety and comfort at a reasonable price. With features like the covered snack container, a padded leg rest, and an easy-to-remove cover, we think parents and little ones can find something to love.
This option is not the best for travel, and parents might consider a backless option like the BubbleBum instead. Alternatively, if you want the highest crash test results or the easiest option to use, and your budget is bigger, then the Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 is one to consider. Because the KidFit Zip Air Plus ranks so high and has a buyer-friendly price, it is hard not to recommend it as the right choice for most families.
The Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 is an impressive high-backed booster that offers exceptional adjustability, the best crash testing analysis for booster seats, and is of higher quality than other competitors. Our senior tester said, “There isn't much to dislike about this booster.”
We love the expanding wing sides, the two-point height adjustment, and the tapered seat for easy buckling. Unlike many seats that just offer a one-size-fits-most design, this booster gives more opportunity to work for children of all sizes. It is a great way to get a high-backed booster for children who might not fit in a traditional non-adjustable option.
The Peg Perego has wings that can spread wide for those with wider body types.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
This is the best booster for those worried about crash test results and who have a larger budget. The Peg is high-quality and has some of the best analysis results; we think it is worth it if you can afford it.
The Peg is expensive, with a price almost twice that of the next highest scoring seat, the Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1. It also doesn't have armrests, which some kids might think is a deal breaker. However, our tester felt it was one of the most comfortable in the group, and parents and kids thought the loss wasn't a problem. Overall, the Peg might not be for everyone because of the higher price, but it performed so well in all metrics that we believe it is a top contender for anyone whose budget allows.
The Diono Cambria 2 is our budget-friendly, high-backed booster review option. This seat has a lower price paired with a higher crash analysis result. We love the idea of an economical booster that provides an additional protection margin over lower-scoring seats.
Our favorite thing about this booster is its very reasonable price, which allows parents to save money without sacrificing the crash test analysis results. This is a combination we can get excited about, even if the seat is on the boring side.
The Cambria is not the most comfortable seat we've tested, but the padding and fabric are what you'd expect in this lower price range.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
While it might not be our go-to for a primary seat, the Diono could be a good secondary option or the perfect choice for families on a tighter budget. Our tester said, “For the price, this offers better crash test analysis, but wouldn't be my top choice if I could afford more.”
The Cambria 2 did not score well overall or in key metrics like ease of use or quality. It is hard to get excited about features that pale in comparison to other options. But it aligns with what you'd expect for the price. The Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1 offers more in every metric and could be one you try to stretch your budget for if you hope for more beyond crash scoring. However, if your budget is tight and you can't find a good sale or need a second seat for occasional use, the Cambri is one parents can feel good about. If you need to save money and want something travel-friendly, the BubbleBum is a Top Pick for travel in our book.
The Cambria 2 struggled in some metrics like comfort and quality, but it excelled in our crash testing with an analysis result that is higher than most.
Credit: GearLab & MGA Research
For crash testing, we work with MGA Research, the same certified testing lab the US Government relies on for their safety certification tests.
Credit: MGA Research
How We Test Car Seats
Our testing protocol for car seats is intense and highly detailed. We've conducted more than 6,000 individual tests to evaluate the more than 200 safety seats we've tested since 2014. Our tests show that car seats vary significantly in their performance. To help you determine which option is the best for you, we purchase two seats of every brand and model ourselves for testing. We do NOT accept free products from manufacturers to assure our readers that our opinions are independent and unbiased.
We commissioned professional lab crash testing in the certified crash test facility of MGA Research so that BabyGearLab could evaluate the performance of each seat in our review in an objective manner.
Credit: GearLab & MGA Research
We send one car seat to the same professional crash test facility the National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA) uses for testing. The seats undergo professional crash testing using the appropriate size crash test dummies and sensors. We run a slightly hotter (faster) test than the federal standard and use a more modern-style crash sled to better mimic late-model vehicles. We believe this kind of testing provides critical information that helps differentiate the options. We use the sensor data to conduct a side-by-side analysis of the G forces recorded in the sensors during testing.
We keep the other seat in-house for over 45 detailed scientific tests on each seat. In-house, we use and assess all features and functionality, from the stiffness of the buckle and how challenging it is to change shoulder strap height to the difficulty of installation for every method possible. Our extensive, months-long testing process means you can feel confident in our test results and analysis to help you find the best car seat for your family and budget.
Installing the Graco Extend2Fit using LATCH is pretty straightforward, and you can tighten it by pulling two sides instead of one. We installed each seat in multiple vehicles using multiple testers to get an average assessment of the process.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Car seat testing is divided into five test metrics (with some variation based on car seat type):
Crash Test Analysis (based on professional, 3rd party tests by MGA Research)
Ease of Installation (every configuration in multiple vehicles)
Ease of Use
Comfort/Quality
Weight & Size
Over time, we've tested hundreds of different car seats across categories, including the infant car seats seen here.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Our exhaustive testing and rating process provides the information you need to make your family's best car seat purchase. Each metric's weighted contribution to the overall score is based on how important we believe it is to the purchasing decision. Weighting varies somewhat for each car seat category, as some features or functionality could be more critical from one product type than another.
A collection of some of the convertible options we've tested recently.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Why Trust GearLab
With over 100 car seats under our testing belt, it is easy to say you're in good hands with an expert crew for safety seats and crash testing. This team is led by our founder, Dr. Juliet Spurrier uses her experience as a board-certified pediatrician to select products with safety and installation in mind, as these are the key factors in creating a safe car environment for little passengers. Bob Wofford, father of 7, Senior Review Analyst and Certified Passenger Safety Technician, leads the in-house testing team with extensive side-by-side testing for ease of installation and more. Given our test process of installing every seat in at least three different vehicles and Bob's seven years of seat testing prowess, you can rest assured that Bob has more installation and car seat experience than probably anyone on the planet. Wendy Schmitz, mom of two boys and Senior Review Editor, takes part in score analysis as well as hands-on testing and installation with over six years of experience testing seats of every kind. Abriah Wofford, Senior Review Analyst, rounds out the team and provides another set of hands and alternate experiences to give more insight on installation and ease of use. Abriah has been testing car seats since 2016.
We've tested a variety of safety seats over the years, including options from the infant, convertible, and booster seat categories.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
How to Pick the Best Car Seat
If you are a new parent, the world of car seats could be brand new and somewhat daunting. We remember all too well wondering what to choose, when to switch to a new seat, and why installing them was so darn complicated. Luckily, we have the information you need to decide which safety seat is right for your little one.
Infant car seats allow you to remove the carrier portion holding your baby from the base which remains in the car.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Infant Car Seats
Parents must have a safe car seat when leaving the hospital with their new baby. Infant safety seats are designed with consideration for tiny baby bodies and developing systems. From proper positioning to avoid positional asphyxiation to narrower shoulder harness straps, serious engineering goes into a safe infant car seat. Infant safety seats combine a carrier and a base to create a system that allows you to install the base in your car once, carry your infant in the carrier to and from the car base, or attach it to a compatible stroller. Unlike “all-in-one” seats or convertible seats that claim suitability for infants, infant car seats are only for infants and babies typically up to about nine months or 30-35 lbs. We believe they are uniquely qualified to potentially better protect your little than a seat designed for children from 4-80 lbs. Most parents feel infant carriers are valuable tools and are grateful for the ability to leave a child to sleep while running errands using a stroller or the carrier handle.
Below is a chart with the overall performance scores of all the infant car seats in our current review of the best infant car seats available today.
Convertible car seats are perfect for older babies and toddlers with a more upright posture and useful features.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Convertible Car Seats
Convertible seats are for older babies (around nine months) and can last until your little one is about 3-7 years old, depending on the model and your child's size. The seat starts facing the vehicle seat or backward (the safest position for little ones). Depending on the manufacturer's recommendations, you turn the seat to face forward when your child reaches a certain weight or height range. The moniker “convertible” is related to the seat facing backward and then “converting” to a forward-facing seat.
Below are the scores from our comprehensive review of the best convertible car seats you can buy today.
Booster safety seats come in all shapes and sizes with options for just about every goal and budget.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Booster Car Seats
Once your baby outgrows their convertible seat, they're ready for the big kid favorite booster seat. This transition will depend on the manufacturer's guidelines and your child's size. Pay special attention to weight and height restrictions, as most children outgrow one before the other. Depending on the seat, your child will likely need a booster around 5-7 years old, but child size is more of a factor than age. Just as you wanted to stay rear-facing as long as possible, we think keeping your child in a convertible seat as long as the seat user manual allows before swapping it for a booster is wise. We believe the 5-point harness and side shell of the convertible seats potentially offer more protection.
Below is a summary chart from our review of the best booster car seats.
We don't care for a one-and-done style car seat and believe an infant car seat should be your child's first car seat from birth until they meet the limit of the manufacturer's guidelines.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Can One Product Do it All?
While convertible seats can work for babies from 5 - 50 lbs and beyond, we don't believe it is good to choose a one-and-done seat regarding safety.
Why?
Infant seats are designed for smaller newborn bodies. These seats are configured for a baby's anatomy and provide posture positioning for optimal breathing and protection in a crash. The harness design is narrower and more appropriate for an infant than that on a convertible seat, designed for older babies and modified for infants.
Tiny infants deserve to have a car seat designed specifically for their body size and needs for better potential protection in a crash or to help avoid positional asphyxiation.
Older babies and toddlers are best suited to a convertible car seat with its more upright posture and useful additional features for comfort and functionality.
Many convertible car seats have an infant insert to make the car seat more suitable for smaller passengers. We believe it is smart to purchase car seats specifically for each age/size instead of opting for one product that can accommodate a baby but isn't explicitly designed for infants. If you want to save money on baby gear (don't we all?), we do not think car seat purchasing is the time to do it, given the potential safety implications.
The UPPAbaby Vista can be used with 2 infant car seats for easy transportation of up up to 2 infants. This photo shows the Vista with two UPPAbaby Mesa infant car seats.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
The other advantage of infant seats is they are handy. Infant seats have a carrier with a handle for easy carrying from one location to another.
Infant car seats allow you to carry your baby in the seat so you can transition sleeping little ones to a compatible stroller without waking them.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
This design allows you to move a sleeping infant from a car to a stroller or car without disruption. This functionality may seem insignificant before your baby is born, but trust us, you'll be grateful for the carrier.
Crash test results are important, so we invest tens of thousands of dollars to crash test every seat. But crash testing isn't the whole story. It also is important how easy a seat is to install since installation mistakes can create an unsafe riding environment.
Credit: GearLab & MGA Research
Is Ease of Installation or Crash Test Results More Important?
While many parents are concerned with crash test safety (as you should be), few know that improperly installing a seat or not using it as indicated is a significant cause of infant injury in car accidents. In our research on car seat safety testing, safety engineers at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) emphasized that improper use is a more significant safety concern than the differences in crash test performance results.
In fact, an NHTSA study showed that 79% of infant seats exhibited a critical misuse related to either installation of the seat or incorrect restraint of the infant, or both. Another study by Portland's top Children's Hospital followed 267 families as they left the hospital with their infants after birth. The study showed that “93% made at least one critical error — a mistake that put their infant at increased risk for injury in a crash — when positioning their infant in a car safety seat or installing the safety seat in their vehicle.”
The "linear side-impact protection" on the Cybex is a nice to see feature but its true efficacy is difficult to determine without more information on the testing of this feature and how the 25% claim was assessed.
Installing the Advocate is very easy using LATCH and it earned a perfect score during testing.
Ninety-three percent is a significant number. That is why we feel that ease of use and installation are critical components of seat safety, potentially more so than the crash test results. So, while crash test analysis is important, it should not overshadow how challenging a seat is to use or install. Many award-winning seats are easy to install, with at least one installation method. Some even have perfect scores and are practically foolproof or as infallible as possible.
In our commissioned crash tests, the Graco 4Ever had some of the lowest recorded sensor results in the group (lower is better). The sensor data was used to determine the crash test analysis result.
Credit: GearLab & MGA Research
All of the Safety Seats Offer a Basic Level of Protection
All seats for sale in the United States and our reviews should have passed federal safety standards for crash testing. As a result, the products we tested can be considered safe and provide a basic protection level required by US Federal law. With this in mind, our focus for crash test scoring is to identify safety seats with crash test results that go beyond the federal requirements and exceed the crash test performance of the competition. As a result, these seats can be considered as providing an extra margin of protection based on their crash test performance.
Parents who frequently ride in taxi cabs or use services like Uber, will want to look for a car seat that offers easy installation without the base, just using the seat belt.
Your lifestyle might be a consideration in your selection process for a new car seat. Suburban parents typically have a personal car and a semi-permanent location to install their seats with limited alterations. Other parents might live in a larger city where they frequently use Uber and taxis, requiring a relatively mobile option with frequent installations in multiple vehicles. Therefore, a lightweight, easy-to-install car seat is more critical to urbanites than others. If you aren't carrying your seat frequently, you have more options because weight is less of a determining factor. Some heavier products are likely non-starters if you need to carry the seat frequently.
We weighed every seat across categories to help parents determine which might be good for different goals.
Credit: Natalie Nealan
The weight of your booster seat could play a role in your decision-making if you carpool or travel. Your child may need a booster seat in some locations to participate in camp vanpooling or sharing rides with friends from school activities. A heavy steel frame seat like the Clek Oobr is a beast and isn't something you want to move very often. It is a poor choice for carrying or stuffing in a backpack without the back. The Evenflo Spectrum is significantly lighter and can go backless for even easier carpooling.
The Evenflo Tribute is one of the lighter seats in the convertible car seat group.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
A convertible seat's weight is less of a consideration for most people because it typically spends most of its life installed in a single location. However, if you need to catch a taxi with your seat and your baby, you will likely prefer the lightest seat possible.
For infant seats, the weight of the carrier can play a role for similar reasons. Carriers can be cumbersome when combined with the baby's weight. If you plan to attach your carrier to a stroller, the weight is less critical, but if you plan to hold your carrier or travel frequently, its weight plays more of a role.
The Keyfit 35 is easy enough to install without the base and uses the European belt pathway. Plus, it is compatible with many strollers (including frame strollers), making it good for urban living.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Are you an urban dweller looking for an infant carrier? Then, you should consider the ease of installation without the base, as you are more likely to install the seat in an Uber without the base than you are to carry the base. This installation style is a safe practice, and the seats have a method for this practice. However, some seats are significantly more straightforward to install without the base than others, so choosing the easiest, high-ranking option could make your life easier. Alternatively, the Doona is easy enough to install without the base and includes an attached stroller that takes the weight off you and puts it on wheels.
What About Weight Range?
Infant seats claim to be appropriate for a baby from 4 lbs to typically up to 30-45 lbs; convertible seats also have limits, usually between 5 to 55 lbs (or higher, depending on the seat). Manufacturers advertise these ranges and make them seem very important. Should this weight range be a consideration when making your purchase? No, probably not.
Why no?
Despite the manufacturer's focus on weight, most babies will outgrow the height limits before reaching the weight limit for most infant seats. The same is typically true of convertible seats.
According to the CDC's infant boy age vs. weight growth chart (pdf), a 95th percentile baby boy (which means a baby growing faster than 94 babies out of 100) will still weigh under 28 lbs and be close to 32 inches on their one year birthday. Based on height, most infants will transition out of their infant seat and into a convertible seat between 9-12 months. You can see from the data that even the fastest-growing boy will fail to exceed the maximum weight of the majority of seats in our tests, but he might grow too tall, which means a transition to the following safety seat style before his weight impacts a change. So, while having a general idea of how long your baby can use a seat is helpful, it is only an estimate.
Ultimately, the restrictions have more to do with height than weight. For this reason, we wouldn't necessarily make the weight range a deciding factor in your buying decision unless it is below 30 lbs for an infant seat (very rare). Even if your little one is exceptionally tall, you will simply move to a convertible seat sooner than other babies of the same age, which isn't a big deal, is safe, and will occur eventually, no matter what.
Rear-Facing Installation
Your baby should stay rear-facing as long as possible. This position will be determined by your baby's weight/height and the manufacturer's recommendations, as not all safety seats allow for extended rear-facing time. The laws in most areas require that babies sit rear-facing until two years old, but it is ideal for children to sit in a rear-facing seat as long as the manufacturer says it can. Even if your toddler's legs are longer, rear-facing is still the safest installation within the seat's limitations.
There are many varieties of combinations when it comes to strollers and their car seat counterparts, and many strollers will work with a variety of seat options with the purchase of the appropriate adapters.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
What About Travel Systems?
A travel system is a package deal that includes an infant car seat and a compatible stroller. These combinations are traditionally a predetermined set from the same manufacturer. Pre-arranged sets (in our experience) often include less impressive choices than you get if you create your own combination, so we prefer to create our own. Alternatively, you can skip the pre-packages to create your own mix where you purchase a seat and compatible stroller separately (which may require buying adapters). Manufacturer sets, however, may be less expensive.
Because safety is paramount, we believe you should choose your car seat before a stroller. We think choosing the right infant seat before selecting a must-have compatible stroller is wise. Most infant safety seats are compatible with at least a couple of strollers; if they aren't, you can still wear your baby in a carrier.
The car seat recommendation from the NHTSA website
Credit: NHTSA Website
How to Choose
You can narrow your options to a handful of top contenders by considering how you plan to use your seat and how easy it is to install. First, you should choose a seat corresponding to your child's age and size. We strongly encourage you to resist the temptation to buy an “all-in-one” or “lifetime” product for your infant. You can narrow your search by the crash test analysis results from there. Last, while we understand budget can be a concern, and some new parents have the tightest of budgets, we believe that car seats are not the right product type to try to save a few bucks. Our tests reveal that there are affordable seats that are easy to install with impressive crash test analysis results in every category. However, they could still be slightly more expensive than the cheapest options.
Finding the right car seat for the right life stage doesn't have to be a chore when you have all the information you need to make the best choice for your little one.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Conclusion
The award-winning car seats in this lineup are exceptional options with impressive features and functionality appropriate for various lifestyles and car seat goals. Because every family and lifestyle is different, there is no perfect seat for everyone. The seats in this round-up encompass a wide range of prices, providing products for almost every budget in each safety seat category. We believe the details in this review can help you choose the perfect car seat for your needs, your baby's age/size, and your wallet.
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Juliet Spurrier, MD, Wendy Schmitz & the BabyGearLab Testing Team
