Best Infant Seat Features

While all infant seats meet federal safety standards, a few go above and beyond. Our Best of the Bump winner has many features that parents will love with additional padding, a padded inlay for babies and the ability to raise or lower the headrest with no rethreading.

In deciding which of our top picks, we took into consideration factors such as weight (without base) stroller compatibility, features and price. Find out the best infant seat for you and your family by reading.

Safety

Every infant car seat on the market must meet the safety standards of the federal government. But some of the seats come with additional features that go above the minimum standards. Some of these features include load legs and a rethreader integrated, strap-holding sides, and more. According to the experts I spoke to the more features a seat comes with, the are more efficient.

The more intuitive a car seat, the more likely it is that parents will use it correctly. This will lower the risk of injury to their child during an accident. This is especially important with an infant car seat since it's only designed for only a brief period of time. Choose a model that has an indicator that bubbles and a spring-loaded reclining foot to make it easier to set the seat. Also, ensure that the base is easy to click in and out of the car.

Other premium features that some car seat manufacturers provide include an unrethread harness, magnet 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. Go through the owner's manual for tips on how to secure your infant's seat and to learn more about vehicle-specific safety features.

When selecting an infant seat, remember that you'll only be able use it for about 2 years before your child is ready to move to the convertible seat. Some families opt to not use the infant seat entirely and opt for convertible cars, which has greater weight and height limit. When buying an infant car seat, make sure to consider the dimensions of your vehicle and try several models before settling. You can then make sure that the seat is safe for your child, is a good fit in your vehicle and also has useful features such as the ability to convert it into a stroller. Also, make sure to check for recalls before making an purchase. It's the most crucial aspect in ensuring your child's safety on the road.

Easy of Use

You're looking for a car seats for your infant that is simple to attach and take off from the base, whether you plan to use it in a single vehicle or shift it between several. It is important to look for clear instructions on installation and a smooth operation. Think about how easy it will be to adjust the seat as your baby grows, and the high-quality materials used.

One of the best features that infant seats include is a load leg, that acts as a brace between the seat's base and vehicle's floor to provide additional stability in the event of collision. It's a vital feature for those who drive an older vehicle, since the risk of head injury during a crash is much higher when a child is seated close to the ground, as per research conducted by Consumer Reports.

Other features that are premium and can enhance the infant car seat rear facing car seat user experience include a no-rethread harness and anti-rebound bar, which help keep the seat from rebounding in an accident. The latter has been shown by research to reduce the risk of head injuries by up to 43%. "If you're on a limited budget and want the safety of an ARC-certified car seats with several key features that are premium I highly recommend the Evenflo LiteMax DLX," says Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio. The seat has been awarded an excellent rating from child-passenger safety technicians and features an adjustable, no-rethread harness and five recline positions, plus an extendable canopy that is secured with magnets to provide full coverage.

A seat that can be easily installed with a lapbelt and without the necessity of a base is another option. This is a good option for parents who plan to take Uber or taxi rides, because it eliminates the need to get back in the car each time to install a new seat. Nuna Pipa and TRIV travel systems for example include a strong LATCH built into the seat's bottom which makes them fast and easy to put in. It can also be used with a rear-facing (for children weighing 4-40 pounds) and forward-facing (for children weighing 22-65 pounds) and also converts into an highback or belt-positioning booster for children who weigh between 40 and 120 pounds. It's a great choice for families on a tight budget.

Comfort

If your child is in a car seat for extended periods of time, it's crucial that they feel comfortable. This means padded shoulder straps as well as soft fabrics that feel cozy against their tummy or back, as well as a sturdier headrest. Find an easy-to-use seat to adjust as they get bigger, as well.

While a seat that has a lot of special features may be more expensive, they're also often easier to use. This is why we consider things like a one-hand harness system, premium LATCH connectors and a no-rethread harness when we evaluate infant car seats. We also consider dimensions and weight, since a heavy or bulky seat could put stress on your biceps as you carry it in and out of your car or moving between cars.

Another good choice is a car seat with a load-leg, a safety feature that aids in stabilizing the car-seat in the event of an accident. It's typically found in more expensive seats but we've seen few budget-friendly choices that have this extra safety measure.

The weight and height limits are also crucial. You'll need to ensure that the seat will remain suitable for your child once they reach their peak growth rate typically around age two or three. It's also worth considering convertible infant car seat travel car seats that converts into an adult car seat. This option will give you a little more flexibility when you drive and is great for families who frequently switch vehicles or travel.

Our test subjects were impressed by the Doona that combines the car seat of an infant and a stroller all in one package. It's a great choice for parents on the go particularly those who commute to work or school on public transport. It's also simple to set up and our experts who tested it were impressed with the ease of use of the latch with one hand and the shoulder straps that are padded. Our product testers noted that the seat is incredibly compact and lightweight baby car seat, which is essential for those with limited trunk space. Plus, it's free of any flame retardant chemicals, which is a huge bonus for those who are concerned about their child's health and environment.

Convenience

The best infant car seats are 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 come with convenience features that allow parents to get into and out with a minimum of fuss. Other important aspects to consider is whether the seat is machine washable (to help with cleaning) and if it comes with a canopy, which is handy both inside the car and also attached to a stroller.

A feature on the base can save much time and headaches. It shows you when it's been properly installed. This line is on the base's side and should be parallel to the ground when you're done. It's especially useful in the event that you'll be switching the car seat between vehicles frequently, or if you plan to travel with your child and you'll need to install the seat in Ubers or taxis.

A stroller that is compatible with the infant car seats that swivel car seat can be affixed directly to it. This makes it simple to take your baby to the store, or to run around. It's not necessary to carry a separate carrier. This could be a huge advantage for parents with newborns who want to return to their routine after an exhausting commute or outing with their newborn.

If your baby is expected to grow rapidly, choose an infant car seat uk car seat with an increased weight and height limit than that 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 doesn't mean all seats are created equal. Some have premium features that go above and beyond, like load legs that support the car seat's base for additional stability and anti-rebound bars that reduce the risk of injury to the head in crashes. A few extras can make the ride more comfortable for your baby, making you as a parent feel more comfortable and more confident.