Best Infant Seat Features

While all infant seats conform to federal safety standards, a few exceed the federal safety standards. Our Best of the Bump winner has many features that parents will appreciate, including extra padding, a padded inlay for newborns and the ability to raise or lower the headrest with no Rethreading.

We looked at factors such as weight (without base) connectivity to strollers, special features and price when deciding on our top choices. Find out the best infant seat for your family by reading on.

Safety

All cheap infant car seats car seats sold in the United States must meet federal safety standards. But some of the seats have extra features that are beyond the minimum standards. These include load legs as well as a built-in rethreader sides that support the straps, and more. According to the experts I spoke with the more features a seat has, they are more efficient.

The more intuitive a car seat, the more likely it is that parents will use it correctly. This will lower the chance of injuries to their child in a crash. This is especially important for infant seats, which are intended to be used for a short time. Look for a model with an indicator that bubbles and an incline foot that is spring loaded to make it easy to level the seat. Also, ensure that the base can be easily clicked in and out of the car.

Certain car seat manufacturers offer premium features such as the no-rethread strap and magnetic buckle holders and side grips for the seat. Be aware that, even though these features are great the safety of a car seat is only as good as the car that you use to drive. Take a look at the car's owner's manual for advice on how to secure your infant seat and to learn more about vehicle-specific safety features.

When selecting an infant seat, remember that you'll only be able to use it for about 2 years before your child is old enough to transition to the convertible seat. Some families choose to skip the infant car seat completely and choose to purchase convertible cars that has greater weight and height limit. If you decide to buy an infant car seat, make sure to take into account the dimensions of your vehicle and try out a variety of models in person before making a decision on one. You can then make sure that the seat is suitable for the child, fits in your car and also has useful features such as converting it to a stroller. Make sure you look for recalls on the product prior to you purchase it. It's vital to ensure the safety of your child on the road.

Easy to Use

Whether you'll be using the seat in one vehicle or transferring it between several, you want an infant car seat that is simple to set up and remove from the base. Look for clearly labeled installation guides as well as an assembly system that functions seamlessly. Also, consider how it is simple to alter the car seat as your baby grows and the quality of the materials used.

A premium feature that some infant seats include is a load leg, that acts as a brace between the seat's base and the vehicle floor to offer additional stability in the event of collision. Consumer Reports research shows that it's especially important if you have an older vehicle, because the chance of sustaining a head injury is higher if the child is too close to the floor.

Other features that are premium can enhance the infant car seat experience. They include a no harness that can be rethread, and an anti-rebound bar to keep the seat from spinning in the event of a crash. The latter has been proven by studies to reduce the risk of head injuries by as much as 43 percent. "If you're on a budget and want the safety of an ARC-certified car seat that has some of the most important premium features, I would highly recommend the Evenflo LiteMax DLX," says Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio. The seat has received an exemplary rating from child safety technicians and features an adjustable, no-rethread harness and five recline positions, as well as an extendable canopy that secures with magnets to provide full coverage.

A seat that can be easily installed with just a lapbelt, and without the necessity of the base is an alternative. This is a good option for parents who plan to use Uber or taxi rides, since it doesn't require them to go back to the car every time to put in a new seat. Nuna Pipa and TRIV travel systems for instance, have a rigid LATCH that's built into the bottom of their seats making them easy and simple to install. It can also be used in a rear-facing position (for children weighing 4-40 pounds) or forward-facing (for children between 22 and 65 pounds), and it converts into an highback or belt-positioning booster for children weighing 40-120 pounds. This is a great choice if you're on a budget.

Comfort

When your baby is stuck in car seats for extended periods of time, it's essential that they are comfortable. This means padded straps on their shoulders, plush fabric that is comfortable against their back and tummy and a headrest that expands with them to accommodate their growing body. Also, consider a seat you can easily adjust as your child grows.

While a seat that has many special features may be more expensive but they're also generally easier to use. This is why we take into consideration factors like a one-hand harness system, high-quality LATCH connectors, and a no-rethread harness when we evaluate infant car seats. We also pay attention to dimensions and weight, since the weight or bulk of a seat can add stress to your biceps as you carry it into and out of your car, or in between cars.

Another option is a seat with a load-leg, a safety feature that aids in stabilizing the car-seat in the event of an accident. This extra safety feature is typically only available in high-end seats, however there are a few affordable models that include it.

The limits on height and weight are also crucial. You'll need to ensure that the seat will still be suitable for your child once they reach their peak growth rate, which is usually around age two or three. It's also worth looking at a convertible infant car seat for travel car seat that can be converted into a toddler seat. This will allow you a bit more flexibility in your vehicle and is great for families who frequently switch vehicles or travel.

Our test subjects were impressed by the Doona which combines car seats for an infant and a stroller all in one unit. It's a great choice for parents on the go, especially those who commute to work or school by public transport. It is also easy to set up. Our testers who were experts in the field praised its ease of use, including the one-handed latching system as well as the padded shoulders straps. Our product testers reported that the seat is compact and lightweight baby car seat, which is essential for those with a limited trunk space. It's also free of flame retardant chemicals, which is a big bonus for parents who are concerned about their baby's surroundings and health.

Convenience

The best infant car seats are simple to use. The best car seat for newborn infant car seats come with convenience features that make it easier for parents to get into and out of the seat. Other important features to consider are whether the seat is machine washable (to help with cleaning) and if it has a canopy, which can be handy both inside the car as well as attached to the stroller.

A feature on the base can save a great deal of time and headaches. It will let you know when it's been put in place correctly. The line is located on the side of the base and should be in line with the ground once you've finished. It's particularly useful when you'll be switching the car seat between vehicles often, or if you plan to travel with your baby and need to install the seat in Ubers or taxis.

Another feature that is beneficial is the ability to attach a compatible stroller directly to the infant car seat which makes it much easier to carry your sleeping infant from the car to the supermarket or out for errands without having to lug around a separate carrier. This is a life-changing feature for parents who are looking to return to normal after a long trip or commute with a child.

If you anticipate your baby to grow quickly pick the car seat for infants that have a greater weight or height limit than the one recommended by the manufacturer. This way, you can keep the car seat in use for longer.

While all car seats sold in the United States must meet federal safety standards, that does not mean that all car seats are created to be equal. Some have premium features that go beyond, such as load legs that anchor the base of the car seat to provide added stability and anti-rebound bars to reduce the chance of sustaining head injuries in crashes. Other extras, such as a harness that is not rethread and an extendable canopy, can also provide a more comfortable ride for your child and help you to be a happier, more confident parent.