The 7 Best Rated Infant Car Seats
Infant car seats are usually made to click in, and out of a base, you leave installed in your car for the ease to get the baby into a house or stroller with minimal disruption. That is why car seat safety isn't a child's play; there factors that you need to consider. However, it all boils down to your child's safety and comfort. So here are the seven best rated infant car seats that you might want to consider.
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Evenflo LiteMax DLX Infant Car Seat
Evenflo LiteMax DLX Infant Car Seat is specially designed to impress with notable features not found on most infant seats. It has a telescoping support leg with easy-to-read indicators that helps stabilize the seat base for minimal movement. The Evenflo LiteMax also can accommodate growing children longer.
2018 UPPAbaby MESA Infant Car Seat
The 2018 UPPAbaby MESA Infant Car Seat features a sleek, stylish car seat with some excellent features that have been designed to make installation as intuitive as possible to minimize human error. With its newest addition of naturally fire-resistant materials that don't contain chemical flame retardants, this seat is an attractive choice for parents that are more concerned about chemical exposure.
Baby Trend Secure Snap Tech 35 Infant Car Seat
The Baby Trend Secure Snap Fit 35 Infant Car Seat in Chambray fashion will not disappoint its safety, design, and custom fit. The car seat base, which is already included, has four recline positions that can easily be put with the also included LATCH connectors or the vehicle safety belt using the base's built-in belt lock-off for secure installation in your vehicle.
Maxi-Cosi Mico 30 Infant Car Seat With Base
The Maxi-Cosi Mico 30 Infant Car Seat uses a plush, premium fabrics to keep your little one cozy and secure during the ride. It has a rear-facing from 5-30 pounds and up to 32" and includes a convenient stay-in-car adjustable car seat base.
Safety 1st onBoard 35 Air 360 Infant Car Seat
The Safety 1st onBoard 35 Air 360 features its five layers for safety. The LATCH-equipped Safety 1st car seat fits infants from four pounds to toddlers of 35 pounds in a rear-facing configuration. It's shielded in the deep seat structure. Your baby is further protected by AirProtect advanced side-impact protection alongside the GCell HX patented race car foam for crash energy absorption.
Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX Infant Car Seat
The Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX sports a hand adjust, which provides a hassle-free installation using either vehicle seat belt or LATCH. In just three easy steps, you can feel confident you've got a secure install.
Britax B-Safe 35 Infant Car Seat
Britax B-Safe 35 Infant Car Seat is known for its super easy to install the SafeCenter LATCH system. Like all other car seats on the market, the B-Safe 35 meets the safety specifications from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It features the brand's exclusive SafeCell Impact Protection, well-known for its integrated System of top safety components, which includes a steel frame and impact-absorbing base to reduce the strong forces of a vehicle collision.
Detailed Reviews on the 7 Best Rated Infant Car Seats
Evenflo LiteMax DLX Infant Car Seat
Evenflo LiteMax DLX Infant Car Seat is specially designed to impress with notable features not found on most infant seats. It has a telescoping support leg with easy-to-read indicators that helps stabilize the seat base for minimal movement. The Evenflo LiteMax also can accommodate growing children longer.
Product Highlights
This best rated infant car seats exceed industry safety standards and are rollover tested in the Evenflo tradition. Furthermore, a no-rethread harness and adjustable headrest allow you to instantly adjust for baby's growth without removing and rethreading the harness straps. It has a removable pendulum indicator, head support, machine washable, no-rethread harness, body support, and anti-rebound bar.
The Good
The Evenflo LiteMax DLX features its easy-to-slide harness straps that enable the instantaneous adjustment for baby's growth without removing and rethreading the harness straps. The plush head and body pillow and ergonomic handle offer to deliver the on-the-go comfort for both you and your little one.
The Bad
This car seat may take up a lot of space. Several parents have reported that the Evenflo LiteMax doesn't fit well behind their passenger seat.
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CONs
2018 UPPAbaby MESA Infant Car Seat
The 2018 UPPAbaby MESA Infant Car Seat features a sleek, stylish car seat with some excellent features that have been designed to make installation as intuitive as possible to minimize human error. With its newest addition of naturally fire-resistant materials that don't contain chemical flame retardants, this seat is an attractive choice for parents that are more concerned about chemical exposure.
Product Highlights
For urban families, the 2018 UPPAbaby may be the friendliest for taxis and Ubers as compared to other baby car seats on the market today. Additionally, this car seat also features a SmartSecure system with a tightness indicator and a 4-position adjustable foot on the seat base.
The Good
It can easily be attached to VISTA and CRUZ strollers without adapters. It also has an adjustable headrest specially designed to provide comfort for your baby.
The Bad
As compared to other car seats on the market, the 2018 UPPAbaby MESA Infant Car Seat may be a little bit expensive.
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CONs
Baby Trend Secure Snap Tech 35 Infant Car Seat
The Baby Trend Secure Snap Fit 35 Infant Car Seat in Chambray fashion will not disappoint its safety, design, and custom fit. The car seat base, which is already included, has four recline positions that can easily be put with the also included LATCH connectors or the vehicle safety belt using the base's built-in belt lock-off for secure installation in your vehicle.
Product Highlights
The Baby Trend Secure Snap also has a recline leveling system, a 5-Point Adjustable Harness with one-hand adjustment. Also, it sports a no-rethread harness that allows simple and easy installation. It also comes with an extra-large 3-panel canopy and Delta multi-grip carrying handle.
The Good
This best rated infant car seats feature an EPS energy-absorbing foam for superior side impact head protection. It is an excellent choice for those parents whose primary concern is when their babies usually fall asleep. Additionally, the Secure Snap Fit 35 Infant Car Seat fits securely in any Baby Trend Snap-Fit stroller.
The Bad
Several parents say that the straps are too short, especially the crotch strap part. The hip belt is also hard to pull, making some newborns hard to fit in.
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CONs
Maxi-Cosi Mico 30 Infant Car Seat With Base
The Maxi-Cosi Mico 30 Infant Car Seat uses a plush, premium fabrics to keep your little one cozy and secure during the ride. It has a rear-facing from 5-30 pounds and up to 32" and includes a convenient stay-in-car adjustable car seat base.
Product Highlights
It's the brand's lightest infant car seat in its class. The Maxi-Cosi Mico 30's ergonomic handle provides extra comfort for parents while carrying this lightweight seat. It is super lightweight with a contoured handle that curves around your hip for a more comfortable carry. Further, it has easily removable fabrics for cleaning; innovative design allows for removal without the rethreading harness.
The Good
This car seat also uses a self-wicking fabric. It can deodorize and draw liquids away from the skin to help keep the baby dry and cozy. With its superior side impact protection, it's a guarantee to make every ride safer.
The Bad
The canopy doesn't stay in place on one side. Several parents have also reported that the strap to tighten the harness could easily be jammed.
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CONs
Safety 1st onBoard 35 Air 360 Infant Car Seat
The Safety 1st onBoard 35 Air 360 features its five layers for safety. The LATCH-equipped Safety 1st car seat fits infants from four pounds to toddlers of 35 pounds in a rear-facing configuration. It's shielded in the deep seat structure. Your baby is further protected by AirProtect advanced side-impact protection alongside the GCell HX patented race car foam for crash energy absorption.
Product Highlights
Crash tested from every angle: front, rear, side, and rollover impacts. It also has a stay-in-car base adjust option for a customized fit to your car. When you need to remove the car seat, the Carry Curve Handle with a comfort grip makes it easy to transport.
The Good
The Safety 1st onBoard 35 Air 360 is machine washable and dryer safe seat pad and also sports a reversible pillow for proper fit of babies as small as 4 pounds. This seat also includes soft foam padding throughout the rear for safety and comfort – a reinforced handle adds stability.
The Bad
Parents say that the canopy quickly falls, while the base is hard to get in and out. They also noticed that the crotch buckle digs into the baby's legs.
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CONs
Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX Infant Car Seat
The Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX sports a hand adjust, which provides a hassle-free installation using either vehicle seat belt or LATCH. In just three easy steps, you can feel confident you've got a secure install.
Product Highlights
When looking for best rated infant car seats, the Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX makes an excellent first car seat. It grows with and protects rear-facing infants from 4 to 35 lb and up to 32 inches.
The Good
The car seat also features an easy-to-read level indicator for an easy installation process, so you can feel confident it's installed correctly. It has been engineered, and crash tested to meet and even exceed the US standard FMVSS 213, and side-impact tested for occupant retention solely with the built-in 5-point harness system.
The Bad
Parents have reported that the handle that releases the car seat out of the stroller or base is tough to release fully. Additionally, it also tends to accommodate babies up to 3 months.
PROs
CONs
Britax B-Safe 35 Infant Car Seat
Britax B-Safe 35 Infant Car Seat is known for its super easy to install the SafeCenter LATCH system. Like all other car seats on the market, the B-Safe 35 meets the safety specifications from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It features the brand's exclusive SafeCell Impact Protection, well-known for its integrated System of top safety components, which includes a steel frame and impact-absorbing base to reduce the strong forces of a vehicle collision.
Product Highlights
The brand features it's easy-on / easy-off LATCH Connectors lock into place with an audible click. Further, it also has a SafeCell Impact Protection – a system of patented safety features including SafeCell Impact-Absorbing Base and Impact Stabilizing Steel Frame. Britax B-Safe also has a built-in Lock-offs to ensure a snug vehicle seat belt installation.
The Good
It is spring-assisted recline and has dual level indicators, selecting the proper installation angle a breeze. When talking about safety, it also has a layer of side impact protection, steel frame, and impact-absorbing base.
The Bad
The car seat may not be able to accommodate babies that are more than 25 lbs. As compared to other car seats on the market, Britax B-Safe 35 is a little bit more expensive.
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CONs
Conclusion
By this time, you already know why finding the best rated infant car seats is so important. Although it all boils down to your taste and style, the baby's comfort and security are the top priorities. Finally, the good news is that all car seats on the market today are held to the same safety standards. Some car seat models go beyond the standards with additional features, such as side-impact protection or parent-proof latching systems.