Best Infant Seat Features

While all infant car seat cheap seats meet federal safety standards, a few are more than others. Our Best of the Bump winner includes a variety of features that parents will love such as extra padding, a padded inlay for babies 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 choosing our top rated infant car seats choices. Find out the best infant seat for your family by reading on.

Safety

Every infant car seat available on the market must meet the safety standards of the federal government. Some seats come with extra features above and beyond the minimum requirements. They could include load legs as well as a built-in rethreader sides that can hold straps, and more. According to the experts I spoke to the more features a seat comes with, the better.

The more user-friendly a car seat, the more likely that parents will use it correctly. This will reduce the risk of injury to their child in a crash. This is especially important for infant seats, which are meant to be used for a short time. Choose a model that has a bubble indicator and an adjustable foot with a spring to make it easy to adjust the seat. Make sure the base can be easily clicked into and out of the vehicle.

Other features that top-quality car seat manufacturers provide include a no-rethread harness, magnetic buckle holders, and side grips to carry the seat. Be aware that, even though these features are great but the safety of your car seat is only as good as the vehicle that you use to drive. Check out the car's owner's manual for tips on how to properly secure your infant's seat and to learn more about vehicle-specific safety features.

When choosing an infant car seat, keep in mind that you'll only be allowed to use it for approximately 2 years until your child is old enough to switch to convertible car seats. That's why some families opt to skip an infant car seat and move straight to a convertible car seat, which has higher height and weight limits. If you choose to purchase an infant car seat, make sure to consider the dimensions of your vehicle and try a few models in person prior to making a decision on one. You can then make sure the seat is comfortable for your child, is a good fit in your car, and comes with handy features such as the ability to convert into a stroller. Don't forget to look for recalls on the product prior to you buy it. It's vital to ensure the safety of your child on the road.

Simple to Use

If you're planning to use the seat in one vehicle or moving it between many, you need an infant car seat that is easy to set up and remove from the base. Find clearly labeled installation guides as well as a mechanism that works seamlessly. Consider how easy it will be to adjust the seat as your child grows and the quality materials used.

One of the best features that infant seats come with is a load leg which serves as an extra brace between the seat's base and the car's floor, providing extra stability in the event of an accident. It's a vital feature if you drive an older vehicle, since the risk of sustaining head injuries in a crash is greater when a baby is seated close to the ground, according to research by Consumer Reports.

Other premium features can improve 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 to decrease the risk of head injury by up to 43 percent. "If you're on a limited budget and want the security of an ARC-certified car seat with some of the most important premium features I would recommend the Evenflo LiteMax," says Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio. The seat was awarded an outstanding rating by experts in child safety. It comes with a no-rethread adjustable harness that can be reclined in five positions, and an extended canopy that has magnets to ensure full coverage.

Another thing to look out for is the type of seat that can be installed by the lap belt, and doesn't require the use of the base. This is a great option for parents who are planning to take Uber or taxi rides, as it eliminates the need to get back in the car each time to install a new seat. Nuna Pipa and TRIV travel systems for instance, have a rigid LATCH built into the bottom of their seats making them easy and easy to install. It can also be used with a rear-facing (for children between 4 and 40 pounds) and forward-facing (for children between 22 and 65 pounds) and also converts into a belt-positioning or highback booster for children between 40 and 120 pounds. It's a great option for families with a tight budget.

Comfort

It's important that your lightweight baby car seat is comfortable in the car seat, particularly if they are there for a long period of time. This includes padded shoulder straps as well as soft fabrics that feel comfortable against their stomach or back and a growing headrest. Look for a seat that is easy to adjust as they grow, as well.

A seat that has many unique features can be more expensive, but it is also simpler to use. When evaluating infant car seat, we consider aspects like a single-hand system harness, premium LATCH connectors, and a no rethread harness. We also take note of dimensions and weight since an overly heavy or bulky seat can add stress to your biceps as you carry it into and out of your car, or in between cars.

A seat with a load leg - a safety feature that helps stabilize the car seat in the event of a crash, is another good choice. This extra safety feature is typically only found in expensive seats, however there are a few affordable models that include it.

Another crucial aspect to consider is the height and weight limits. You'll need to ensure that the seat will still be safe for your child when they reach their highest growth spurt 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 will allow you more flexibility in your vehicle and is ideal for families that frequently change vehicles or travel.

Our test subjects loved the Doona, which combines an infant car seat and stroller into one unit. It's perfect for parents who are always on the move, especially those who use public transportation to commute to work or go to school. It's also simple to put in. Our expert testers praised its ease of use with the one-handed latching system as well as the padded shoulder straps. Our product testers noted that the seat is incredibly compact which is crucial for those with limited trunk space. It's also free of any flame retardant chemical, which is a big bonus for parents who are concerned with their baby's environment and health.

Convenience

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

One thing that might not be a big deal but can save you a lot of trouble is a meter on the base that will let you know that it's been properly installed. This line should be parallel to the ground and is situated on the base. It's particularly useful if you're going to be switching the car seat between vehicles frequently, or if plan to travel with your baby and you'll need to install the seat in Ubers or taxis.

A stroller that is compatible with the infant car seat can be attached directly to it. This makes it easy to carry your baby to the store or to run the errands. You don't need to struggle with an additional carrier. This is a life-changing option for parents looking for a way to return to normal after a lengthy journey or a long commute with a child.

If you are expecting your child to grow rapidly pick a car seat designed for babies with a higher weight or height limit than recommended by the manufacturer. You can use the car seat 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 made equally. Some seats come with 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 in crashes. Some extras can make the ride more comfortable for you and your baby, making you as a parent are happier and more confident.