Best Infant Seat Features

While all infant seats meet federal safety standards, a few are more than others. From extra padding to padded newborn inlay to the ability to raise and lower the headrest without needing to rethread our best car seats infant of the Bump winner includes a variety of features parents will love.

In deciding which of our top picks, we considered factors like weight (without base) stroller compatibility, features and prices. Find out the best car seats infant seat for your family by reading on.

Safety

All car seats for infants sold in the United States must be in compliance with the safety standards of the federal government. But some of the seats have extra features that are beyond the minimum requirements. They could include load legs and a built-in rethreader sides that can hold straps, and more. The more features a car seat has, the better, according to experts I spoke with.

The more user-friendly a car seat is, the more likely parents are to use it correctly and decrease their child's risk of injury in the event of a crash. This is particularly important for the infant car seat, as it's designed for only a brief period of time. Choose a model that has an indicator that bubbles and an incline foot that is spring loaded for making it easy to adjust the seat. Make sure that the base is easy to click into and out of the vehicle.

Some car seat manufacturers offer high-end features like the no-rethread strap and magnetic buckle holders and side grips to carry the seat. Remember that even though these features are great, a car seat's safety is only dependent on the vehicle in which you drive. Check out the car's owner's manual for tips on how to ensure the safety of your infant's seat as well as to learn more about vehicle-specific safety features.

When selecting an infant car seat, keep in mind that you'll likely only be allowed to use it for about 2 years until your child is ready to switch to an convertible car seat. Some families opt to not use the infant seat altogether and opt for convertible cars, which has an increased weight and height limits. When you are buying an infant car seat, be sure to consider the dimensions of your vehicle and try different models before settling on one. You can then ensure that the seat is suitable for your child, is a good fit in your car, and comes with useful features like the ability to convert it into a stroller. Be sure to check for recalls on the product prior to you purchase it. It's the most important factor in ensuring your baby's safety on the road.

Easy to Use

If you're using the seat in one car or transferring it between many, you need an infant car seat that is simple to install and detach from the base. Find clearly labeled installation guides as well as an operation that is seamless. Also, think about how easy it is to alter the car seat as your baby grows and the quality of the materials used.

Some infant seats come with a load leg. It's a brace that serves as a support between the seat base and the vehicle's floor, providing extra stability in case of a collision. Consumer Reports research shows that it's particularly important if have an older vehicle, because the risk of sustaining a head injury is greater if the child is seated too close to the floor.

Other top features that improve infant car seat user experience include a harness that is not rethread and anti-rebound bar, which help keep the seat from rebounding in an accident. The latter has been shown by research to reduce the chance of head injuries by up to 43 percent. The Evenflo's LiteMax DLX is a fantastic choice for those on a tight budget looking for an ARC-certified car seat and has a few premium features. Jennifer LaBracio, Babylist's gear editor, recommends it. The seat was given an outstanding rating by safety experts for children. It has a no-rethread adjustable harness, five recline positions and an extended canopy that has magnets that ensure full coverage.

Another thing to look out for is a seat that can be put in with just a lap belt and does not require the base. This is ideal for parents who plan to take taxis or Uber rides, and doesn't require the journey back and forth to the car to install a new seat. For example, the Nuna Pipa Urbn and its corresponding TRIV travel system have a rigid LATCH system that's integrated into the bottom of the seat which makes it fast and easy to install in any car. It can also be used in a rear-facing position (for children between 4 and 40 pounds) or forward-facing (for children between 22 and 65 pounds) and can be converted into an highback or belt-positioning booster for children between 40 and 120 pounds. This is an excellent option if you're on a budget.

Comfort

It is essential that your child is comfortable in the car seat, particularly when they're there for a long period of time. This means padded shoulder straps, plush fabric to feel comfortable against their stomach or back and a growing headrest. Find an easy-to-use seat to adjust as they grow as well.

While a seat with lots of features might cost more, they're also often easier to use. This is why we take into consideration aspects like a single-hand harness system, premium LATCH connectors and a non-rethread harness when we evaluate infant car seats. We also take note of dimensions and weight, since the weight or bulk of a seat could strain your biceps as you carry it in and out of your car, or in between cars.

Another option is a car seat with the load-leg, a security feature which assists in stabilizing the car seat in the event of an accident. It's usually found in more expensive seats, but we've seen a few budget-friendly options that include this safety feature.

The limits on height and weight are also crucial. You'll want to make sure that the seat is safe for your child after they reach their highest growth rate usually at around the age of two or three. Consider a convertible car seat for infants that could be converted into a toddler seat. This option will give you a little more flexibility when you drive and is perfect for families who often switch vehicles or travel.

Our testers were impressed with the Doona which is a combination of the car seat of an infant and a stroller into one package. It's the perfect pick for parents on the go, especially those who commute to work or school via public transportation. It is also easy to put in. Our testers who were experts in the field appreciated its user-friendlyness with the one-handed latching system as well as the padded shoulder straps. Our product testers also noted that the seat is small which is crucial for those who have a small trunk room. It's also free of flame retardant chemical, which is a big bonus for parents who are concerned about their baby's surroundings and health.

Convenience

The best car seats for infants infant car seats come with features that make it easy to use. From buckles that are soft and easy to tighten or loosen, to harness height adjusters that automatically increase as your child grows the top infant car seats have convenience features to help parents get in and out with a minimum of fuss. Other important features to look at is whether the seat is machine washable (to make cleaning easier) and if it features a canopy, which can be handy both inside the car and attached to a stroller.

One thing that might seem like a small thing, but could save you a lot of headache is an indicator on the base that informs you that it's been properly installed. The line should be parallel to the ground and should be situated on the base. It's particularly useful if you're going to be changing the car seat frequently, or if intend to travel with your baby and need to install the seat in taxis or Ubers.

A stroller that is compatible with the infant car seat can be connected directly to it. This makes it easier to take your baby to the store or for running errands. You don't need to worry about the hassle of a separate car seat. This could be a game changer for parents with newborns who want to get back to their day after a long commute or outing with their newborn car seat insert.

If you anticipate your child to grow rapidly, choose the car seat for babies with a higher weight or height limit than the one recommended by the manufacturer. You can use the car seat for a longer period of time.

While all car seats sold in the United States must meet federal safety standards, that does not mean that all car seats are created equal. Some seats have extra features, such as load legs that brace the base of a car seat to improve stability and an anti-rebound bars that decrease the risk of head injuries from crashes. Other features, such as a harness that is not rethread and an extendable canopy, can help create a more relaxing ride for your child and help you be a happier and more secure parent.