Best Infant Seat Features

All infant seats must meet the safety standards of the federal government. However some seats go above and beyond. From extra padding to baby inlay that is padded to the ability to raise and lower the headrest without rethreading, our Best of the Bump winner has many features that parents will appreciate.

When selecting our top picks, we considered factors such as weight (without base) stroller compatibility, extra features and price. Find out the best infant seat for you and your family by reading.

Safety

All infant car seats sold in the United States must be in compliance with federal safety standards. Certain seats have additional features that are above and beyond the minimum standards. These can include load legs, a built-in rethreader, sides that can hold straps, and more. The more features a car seat has the better, according the experts I spoke with.

The more intuitive the car seat, the more likely that parents will use it properly. This will lower the chance of injuries to their child during a crash. This is especially important for infant seats, which are only meant to be used for a limited period of time. Find a seat that is easy to install with a spring-loaded recline foot and bubble indicator to ensure that the seat level. Also, make sure the base is easy to click into and out of the car.

Other top features that some car seat manufacturers offer are the no-rethread harness, magnetic buckle holders and side grips to carry the seat. Keep in mind that while these features are wonderful the safety of a car seat is only dependent on the vehicle in which you drive. You can find tips in the owner's guide on how to secure your infant car seat for travel's car seat and find out more about the safety features.

When selecting an rotating infant car seat car seat, be aware that you'll only be able use it for a period of about two years before your child is ready to move to the convertible seat. This is why some families choose to leave out the infant car seat and go directly to a convertible seat, which has greater height and weight limits. If you decide to purchase an infant car seat in front seat car seat, be sure to take into account the dimensions of your car and try a few models in person before choosing one. You can then make sure that the seat is safe for your child, is a good fit inside your car, and has convenient features such as the ability to convert it into a stroller. Don't forget to check for recalls before making an purchase. It's the most crucial factor in ensuring your baby's safety on the road.

Easy of Use

If you're planning to use the seat in a single car or moving it between several, you'll need an infant car seat that is easy to install and detach from the base. Look for clearly labeled installation guides as well as an assembly system that functions seamlessly. Also consider how it is simple to alter the car seat as your baby grows. Also, consider the quality of the materials used.

A premium feature that some infant seats include is a load leg which acts as an extra brace between the seat's base and vehicle's floor to provide additional stability in the event of 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 premium features can improve the baby car seat experience. These include a no harness that can be rethread, and an anti-rebound bar that can help keep the seat from bouncing in a crash. This has been proven by research to decrease the risk of head injuries by as much as 43%. "If you're on a limited budget and want the security of an ARC-certified car seats with several key features that are premium I highly recommend the Evenflo LightMax DLX," says Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio. The seat was given an outstanding rating by child-passenger safety experts. It has a no-rethread adjustable harness, five recline positions and an extendable canopy with magnets to ensure full coverage.

A seat that is easily installed with just a lapbelt, and without the need for the base is an alternative. This is a great option for parents who plan to use Uber or taxi rides since it doesn't require them to go back to the car every time to install a new seat. Nuna Pipa and TRIV travel systems, for instance include a strong LATCH that is built into the seat's bottom making them easy and simple to install. It can also be used rear facing infant car seat-facing (for children weighing 4-40 pounds) and forward-facing (for children between 22 and 65 pounds) and also converts into an highback or belt-positioning booster for children who weigh between 40 and 120 pounds. This is a great choice if you're on a budget.

Comfort

It's crucial that your baby feels comfortable in the car seat, particularly when they're in the seat for a long time. This means padded straps on their shoulders, plush fabric that is soft against their back and tummy and a headrest that expands with them to support their growing body. Also, consider a seat that is easy to alter as your child grows.

While a seat that has many special features may cost more but they're also generally easier to use. When we evaluate a car seat for infants, we consider aspects like a single-hand system harness, high-quality LATCH connectors and harness that doesn't rethread. We also look at the weight and dimensions of the seat, as an extremely heavy or bulky seat could strain your biceps while you transport it in and out of your vehicle or between vehicles.

Another good choice is a seat that has a load-leg, which is a safety feature which aids in stabilizing the car-seat in the event of an accident. This additional safety feature is usually only found in expensive seats however, there are a few budget-friendly models that have it.

The limits on height and weight are also crucial. You'll need to make sure that the seat is suitable for your child when they reach their maximum growth spurt. This typically occurs around the age of 2 or 3. Consider a convertible car seat for infants that could be transformed into a toddler seat. This gives you more flexibility and is ideal for families who often change vehicles or travel.

Our test subjects loved the Doona that incorporates a car seat for infants and stroller in one. It's the perfect pick for parents on the go, especially those who commute to work or school via public transport. It's also simple to set up and our experts who tested it praised the ease of using the latch that is one-handed and the padded shoulder straps. Our product testers also noted that the seat is incredibly compact, which is important for those who have a small trunk space. It's also free of flame retardant chemicals, which is a huge benefit for parents who are concerned about their child's health and environment.

Convenience

The best infant car seats best seats have features that make them easy to use. The best infant car seats come with convenience features that make it easier for parents to get into and out of the seat. Other important aspects to look at is whether the seat is machine washable (to make cleanup easier) and if it has a canopy that can be useful in the car as well as attached to a stroller.

One thing that may not seem like a big difference but can save you a lot of trouble is a meter on the base that lets you know whether it's been put in place correctly. This line should be parallel to ground and should be located on the base. It's especially useful in the event that you'll be changing the car seat between vehicles frequently, or if intend to travel with your baby and need to install the seat in Ubers or taxis.

Another feature that is beneficial is the ability to connect an appropriate stroller directly to the infant car seat which makes it much easier to transport your baby's infant from the car to the grocery store or out on errands, without having to wrestle with the separate baby carrier. This could be a huge advantage for new parents who want to get back to their routine after an exhausting commute or outing with a newborn.

If you expect your child to grow rapidly pick a car seat designed for infants that have a greater weight or height limit than that recommended by the manufacturer. This way, you can keep the car seat in use for longer.

While all car seats sold in the United States must meet federal safety standards, it doesn't mean all seats are created equal. Some seats have extra features, such as load legs that brace a car seat's base to improve stability, and an anti-rebound bars that reduce the risk of sustaining head injuries from crashes. Some additional features can make the ride more comfortable for your baby, and make you as a parent feel more comfortable and more confident.