No one seat is perfect for everybody, the right one will fit your car, child, lifestyle, and budget. We carefully considered age, height, and weight recommendations, design, material, ease of installation and cleaning, value, and safety when reviewing products. Here are the best infant car seats to keep your baby safe on the road. We named the Chicco Fit2 Infant & Toddler Car Seat our top pick thanks to smart functionality and longevity that allows your baby to be seated safely from day one. It fits both preemies and toddlers, and the base has an anti-rebound bar and well-designed seat belt locking device. The infant seat features a seven-position headrest and padded harness as well as a removable head and body support for newborns and smaller infants. This seat works well for families who will be taking taxis and rental cars, as the carrier features a European belt path, which allows for the safe installation without a base in almost any car in any country. The two-stage base of the car seat converts from infant to toddler position, making it easier for kids to stay rear-facing for the first two years—good news. The two-stage base also offers kids over 9 months old the option of sitting much more upright, or continuing to ride reclined as they have been, all with the flip of a lever on the base. The Fit2 is compatible with most Chicco strollers and can be used with adapters on many other stroller brands. The seat accommodates kids longer than many other infant seats in the United States—safely seating kids up to 35 inches tall and 4 to 35 pounds. Price at time of publication: $330 The carrier offers a European belt path, which some people believe could be safer than the American belt path found on many other infant seats. With the European belt path, the vehicle’s shoulder belt wraps around the back of the carrier for added protection. Measuring 27.7 x 16.9 x 26.8 inches, Clerk Liing takes up less space front to back than other seats, which allows it to safely be placed behind driver or passenger seats (even with tall parents) or fit in smaller cars. Liing is narrow on the outside and roomy on the inside—making it a great option when trying to fit multiple car seats in the back seat. Weighing in at 9 pounds (without the base), the Liing is compatible with many major stroller brands and offers a one-hand release from the Maxi Cosi stroller adapters, making it easy to move from the car to the stroller (and back again). The car seat offers up to seven recline positions, features a three-position adjustable canopy with SPF 100+ protection, a mesh peekaboo window for airflow and visibility into the car seat, and safely seats kids from 4 up to 35 pounds. It comes with a three-year warranty. Price at time of publication: $440 Taking up less space front to back than many other infant seats, these Snuglock models can often be installed behind tall drivers and can work well for putting three car seats across in the back seat. Compatible with most Graco and Baby Jogger strollers (or other stroller systems with an adapter), the Platinum carrier weighs 9 pounds (without the base), so it’s lightweight enough for parents who plan to tote it around. All three models safely fit infants from 4 to 35 pounds and up to 32 inches tall. Price at time of publication: $225 While the LATCH installation is notably easy, the seat belt installation is also easier than that of many infant car seats. Without the base, the seat is much harder to install, so it’s best suited for parents who plan to use it regularly in a single car. The Chicco KeyFit seat features a five-point harness with a one-pull tightener system, a carrier shell lined with EPS energy-absorbing foam for improved impact protection, an easy-to-install American belt path, a removable canopy, and a removable head and body support for newborns. Dr. Baer advises parents to be extra cautious when opting for an American belt path over a European one. “While easy to install, keep in mind that the American belt path doesn’t yield a tight installation in many cars—where a European belt path is much more likely to be secure,” she said. The seat’s padding is quite thick and plush, but the actual fabric is a bit coarse and can make some kids overly sweaty. Compatible with almost all Chicco strollers, the seat also works with an adapter for other stroller brands. Price at time of publication: $230 According to Dr. Baer, because the Doona has lower crash test ratings when used with the base than other infant seats, it is recommended to install the carrier without the base using the European belt path, which is safer and maximizes the protection the seat has to offer. For families using taxis or barely spending time in a car, this innovative choice provides a lot of flexibility. The car seat features a five-point harness, adjustable handlebar, three-layer side impact protection, removable and washable fabric, and fits babies from 4 up to 35 pounds. It weighs 16.5 pounds (without the base), so parents should keep in mind that it’s on the heavier side. Price at time of publication: $550 Liingo is the same carrier as Liing. It has the same great fit for preemies, same straps that pull smoothly and don’t twist, and same European belt path for a secure installation in almost any car in any country. Liingo comes with a lower anchor strap (due to a government rule), but it’s recommended that parents remove it (it’ll make the carrier lighter) and install the seat with the seat belt using the European belt path—an easy way to make baby safest. If your plans change and you end up getting a car or want a base for whatever reason, you can always buy a Liing base to use with Liingo. Weighing in at 9 pounds, Liingo is compatible with many major stroller brands and offers a one-hand release from the Maxi Cosi stroller adapters. The Liingo car seat will hold babies from 4 up to 35 pounds, or up to 32 inches tall. Price at time of publication: $280 The key is making sure the car seat is installed safely. One study found that 9 out of 10 infant car seats are not installed correctly. Consider how easy the car seat it to install as it’s imperative that a car seat is installed correctly to keep your baby safe. If you want to use your infant car seat in a taxi or friend’s car, you’ll have to install the carrier without the base (which is possible for almost all infant seats) and use the vehicle’s seat belt to fasten. At home, fully reading the car seat manual and vehicle manual is a great source of help. For outside assistance, get a local Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) to teach you how to safely install your car seat. Check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website or other local resources to make an appointment for installation.
Size
To choose the right size car seat, you need to consider not only how big your child is but also how big your car is and how many other car seats you need to fit in the car. Some car seats are much bulkier than others and are not allowed to touch another car seat installed in the same backseat. You’ll want to read up on the car seat and your vehicle’s manufacturers’ recommendations. Also, consider the weight of the car seat if it’s one you’ll travel with or frequently move between vehicles. If you’re often on the go, you’ll want something lightweight that’s easy to install.
Versatility
Some infant car seats are made to work with other baby gear, such as strollers and joggers, while others are meant solely for use in the car. If you travel frequently, you’ll want to select one that meets Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards for air travel or consider a car seat that fits into a stroller as well.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of a 10-year-old son, 7-year-old son, and 3-year-old daughter. She’s gone through her fair share of car seats, and right now all three kids sit in different types of seats. Typically, most infant car seats can support babies from 4 to 35 pounds and up to around 32 inches tall. Some brands will allow more room for height, but that’s a general recommendation. Check what your infant car seat’s protocols are to get a definitive answer. Infant car seats typically can last a child up to a year old or maybe further, but after that age, they’ll need a convertible seat as they’ll outgrow the weight and height limits. You don’t have to switch your child from an infant seat until they’ve reached those limits. However, many parents and caregivers find babies enjoy a larger seat once they’re more mobile.
