Clarissa Lahey

Best Infant Seat Features

While all infant seats comply with federal safety standards, some are more than others. From extra padding to cushioned inlay for newborns to the ability to raise and lower the headrest without needing to rethread our Best of the Bump winner has many features that parents will love.

We took into consideration factors such as weight (without base) connectivity to strollers, special features and prices when selecting our top choices. Find out what infant car seat is best for your family by reading on.

Safety

Every infant car seat available on the market must meet the safety standards of the federal government. But some of the seats come with additional features that are beyond the minimum standards. Some of these features include load legs as well as a rethreader that is built-in, strap-holding sides, and more. According to the experts I spoke with the more features a chair comes with, the better.

The more user-friendly a car seat, the more likely that parents will use it correctly. This will lower their child’s risk of injury during the event of a crash. This is particularly important for the infant car seat, as it's designed for an extremely short time. Choose a model that has bubble indicators and a spring-loaded reclining foot for making it easy to level the seat. Also, make sure the base is easy to click into and out of the car.

Some car seat manufacturers offer premium features, such as a no-rethread strap, 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 in which you drive. You can find tips in the owner's guide on how to secure your child's car seat, and also learn more about the car's safety features.

When you're choosing an infant car seat, keep in mind that you'll probably only be in a position to use it for approximately two years before your child is old enough to switch to an convertible car seat. This is why some families choose to not use the infant car seat and go straight to a convertible seat, which has greater height and weight limits. If you choose to purchase an infant car seat, make sure to take into account the dimensions of your vehicle and test out several models before making a decision on one. You can then ensure that the seat is suitable for your child, fits well in your car, and comes with useful features like the ability to convert it into a stroller. And, don't forget to check for recalls before making an purchase. It's the most crucial aspect in ensuring your child's safety on the road.

Easy to Use

Whether you'll be using the seat in a single car or moving it among several, you'll need an infant car seat that is simple to set up and remove from the base. Look for clearly labeled instructions for installation and an assembly system that functions seamlessly. Also consider how easy it is to alter the Spiderman Nania Car Seat: Group 1/2/3 for Kids seat as your baby grows. Also, consider the quality of the materials used.

A great feature that many infant seats have is a load leg that acts as a brace between the seat's base and the vehicle's floor to provide extra stability in the event of an accident. This is a crucial feature if you drive an older car, as the risk of head injury in a crash is higher when an infant is seated close to the floor, according to research conducted by Consumer Reports.

Other features that are premium and can improve infant car seat user experience include a no-rethread harness and an anti-rebound bar that help keep the seat from rebounding during a crash. This 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 security of an ARC-certified car seat with a few key premium features I would recommend the Evenflo LiteMax," says Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio. The seat has received an exemplary rating from child-passenger safety technicians and comes with an adjustable no-rethread harness and five recline positions, and an extended canopy that is secured with magnets to ensure complete coverage.

A seat that is easily installed using only lapbelts and does not require the need for an additional base is a different option. This is ideal for parents who intend to use taxis or Uber rides, and doesn't require the return trip to the car to install a different seat. Nuna Pipa and TRIV travel systems for instance, have a rigid LATCH built into the seat's bottom making them easy and easy to install. It also can be used both rear-facing (4-40 pounds) and forward-facing (22-65 pounds) and can be converted to an highback booster or a belt-positioning booster that is backless (40-120 pounds). This is a great choice for those on a tight budget.

Comfort

When your baby is in a car seat for long periods of time, it's essential that they feel safe. This means padded straps on their shoulders, a plush fabric that is soft against their back and tummy and a headrest that expands with them to support their growing body. Look for a seat that is easy to adjust as they grow as well.

A seat with many special features is usually more expensive, but it is also simpler to use. This is why we consider aspects like a single-hand harness system, premium LATCH connectors, and a no-rethread harness when evaluating infant car seats. We also pay attention to the dimensions and weight, as a heavy or bulky seat could strain your biceps as you carry it into and out of your car or between cars.

Another option is a seat that has the load-leg, a security feature that assists in stabilizing the car seat in the event of an accident. It's typically found in more expensive seats however we've seen a few budget-friendly choices that have this extra safety measure.

Another thing to consider is height and weight limits. You'll want to ensure the seat will remain safe for your child after they reach their maximum growth rate, which is usually around age two or three. It's also worth looking at a convertible infant car seat that can be converted into a toddler seat. This gives you more flexibility and is perfect for families who often change vehicles or travel.

Our test subjects loved the Doona, which combines an infant car seat and stroller in one. It's ideal for parents who are always in motion, especially those who use public transportation to commute to work or to school. It is also easy to put in. Our expert testers praised its ease of use and its one-handed latching mechanism and the padded shoulders straps. Our product testers also noted how the seat is compact it is essential for those with limited trunk space. It's also free of any flame retardant chemicals which is a major bonus for parents who are concerned about their baby's surroundings and health.

Convenience

The best infant car seats are simple to use. From buckles that are soft and easy to tighten or loosen, to harness height adjusters that automatically move up as your child grows the top infant car seats come with convenience features that allow parents to get into and out with minimum of hassle. Other important things to consider is whether the seat can be washed in the washing machine (to make cleaning easier) and if it comes with a canopy, which can be useful in the car and attached to a stroller.

A feature on the base can save you a great deal of time and headaches. It lets you know if it's been properly installed. The line should be parallel to ground and should be located on the base. It can be particularly helpful if you're going to be changing the car seat frequently, or if you plan to travel with your child and need to install the seat in Ubers or taxis.

Another feature that is beneficial is the possibility of attaching an appropriate stroller directly to the infant car seat which makes it much easier to carry your sleeping child from the car to the supermarket or on errands without the need to carry the separate baby carrier. This can be a game changer for new parents looking to return to their day after an extended commute or a trip with a newborn.

If your baby is likely to grow quickly, select an infant car seat with a higher weight and height limit than that recommended by the manufacturer. You can use the car seat for longer.

All car seats sold in America must conform to federal safety standards, but that does not mean they are all created to be the same. Certain models have features that go beyond, such as load legs that support the base of the car seat for extra stability, and anti-rebound bars to reduce the chance of sustaining head injuries in crashes. A few extras can make the journey more comfortable for your baby, and make you as a parent feel more comfortable and more confident.