Are you preparing for the arrival of your bundle of joy?. Is your hospital list complete?. You might realize that one thing you need desperately is a car seat. If you have a car or you don’t, it is a necessity and you need it to carry your infant from the hospital.
There are car seat brands that are considered suitable and there are some that are not. What we will be doing is focusing on the positive and discussing the best infant car seat brands that you should consider buying. These brands on our list are the most suitable to bring your newborn from the hospital.
It could get overwhelming to get the right baby equipment especially for first time parents and if you are on a budget. New parents always get overwhelmed with the right choice of baby gadget they can use. This is where we come in to make your life easier.
Being a mom myself who had to buy this infant car seat, it would be selfish of me not to point other parents in the right direction. Below are things you should know before you acquire an infant car seat brands.
What Is An Infant Car Seat
According to Wikipedia “A child safety seat, sometimes called an infant safety seat, child restraint system, child seat, baby seat, car seat, or a booster seat, is a seat designed specifically to protect children from injury or death during vehicle collisions. Most commonly these seats are purchased and installed by car owners, but car manufacturers may integrate them directly into their vehicle’s design and generally are required to provide anchors and ensure seat belt compatibility”.
In a more easy to understand explanation, an infant car seat is a child protective seat you need to take your newborn from the hospital. In most hospitals in the United States, you won’t be able to leave the hospital with your newborn if you don’t have this with you.
It is installed in the car to protect your infant from accidents whether external or accidents that can occur within the car. Most parents buy this car seat and install it months before their baby is born. There are several car seat brands available in the market and there is also the convertible car seat which is not specifically designed for an infant.
Another thing to note about the infant car seat is that unlike convertible car seats, infant car seats can be easily removed from the car and carried, and some can even clip onto your stroller. It can even be carried out during doctor’s appointment. Many parents consider this a huge convenience, since it’s such a big time-saver.
Things To Consider When Choosing An Infant Car Seat
There are so many factors to consider when choosing an infant car seat. You just don’t buy any infant car seat you see online or when you walk into a store. Below are some of the things you need to consider.
Ease Of Cleaning: If you are a neat freak like me you will think of how easy it is to clean your car seat regularly. We don’t want our infant developing a skin infection or rash from a dirty car seat. While this is not the first thing to consider, I put it first here because of how specific I am about cleanliness.
Safety Feature: This should be the first thing to consider when buying a car seat as safety is the main reason for buying one in the first place. A good car seat must have safety feature that allows your infant to feel secure and you should check that out before buying one.
Easy Installation: You don’t want to buy a car seat that would require you to get a technician to install. Any car seat you decide to purchase should be easy to install. As a matter of fact this should be the quality of a good infant car seat, as it require regular removal, it should be easy to install.
Size Of Your Vehicle: Most good car seat wont take up too much room in your vehicle. You should consider the size of your vehicle before you buy a car seat. If you have a relatively small vehicle then a smaller brand of car seat is what you should be going for.
Size Of The Car Seat: This criteria works with the size of your vehicle. Since we have discussed size of your vehicle we are going to discuss size of the car seat. The car seat is for an infant and therefore shouldn’t be too big and if you are a stylish mama like me it should have a very attractive shape.
Weight Of The Car Seat: You don’t have to worry about this when it comes to the best infant car seat on our list. But as a parent who wants the best for your baby you should consider the weight. It is advisable to go for seats that you can easily carry.
Price: This is last on our list because what we are considering here is the best infant car seat brands. Of course they might be a little pricey but the value you get for them is worth the price. If you want to get a good car seat you should prepare a budget for it.
Best Infant Car Seat Brands
Best Rated Infant Car Seats
Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX
| Brand | Graco |
| Installation Type | Latch |
| Color | Ion |
| Orientation | Rear Facing |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 30.87 x 19.96 x 15.51 inches |
| Item Weight | 9.75 Pounds |
The Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX is the overall best infant car seat available. It has good safety features which makes it a fan favorite for online shoppers. It’s safety feature makes sure that your infant is well secured and safe.
It has a simple base and it is easy to install. Once you open it you can secure it easily in your car. It is also lightweight, making it easy to carry around as well as fit to a stroller. It has a beautiful look and it is quite portable to fit into almost any car.
Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX is also easy to operate and the top part can shield your infant from both sun ray and bright light. It is also an advantage that it comes in black color making it easy to clean. This infant car seat also comes with a seat pad where your child can rest his sensitive head easily. It is the best infant car seat brand available in the market.
Best Newborn Car Seat
Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat
| Brand | Chicco |
| Installation Type | Latch |
| Material | Foam |
| Color | Orion |
| Orientation | Rear Facing |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 27.5 x 16.75 x 24 inches |
The Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat is the best newborn car seat available. It is very easy to install, it has simple, accurate and secure installation. This is not the cheapest car seat available as it can cost up to $229.99 on Amazon. But the quality it possess is worth every penny.
Aside from its easy installation it is compactable with any Chicco stroller. Therefore it can be easily detached from the car and installed to a stroller for parents who like to take walks.
It also has one of the best safety features and your infant can be secured safely in the car. The Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat is safe for your newborn to come home from the hospital.
This car seat also has an adjustable canopy and cushion pad for your sensitive baby to rest on. It is detachable and can be removed and washed. The color is also good on the eyes and it is lightweight making it easy to carry around.
Top Rated Infant Car Seats
Doona Infant Car Seat & Latch Base
| Brand | DOONA |
| Installation Type | Latch |
| Material | Bamboo |
| Color | Nitro Black |
| Orientation | Rear Facing |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 17.3 x 23.6 x 26 inches |
The Doona Infant Car Seat & Latch Base is the top rated infant car seat available. It is also one of the most expensive infant car seat as one of it can cost up to $550. But believe me just like what you see above it is worth every penny.
It is very lightweight and can be easily moved around. The installation process is seamless and can be done in a matter of minutes. It can also be moved from car to stroller in a matter of seconds. The attachment to strollers is fast and secure.
This stroller also comes with a cushion pad for your tender infant, it has tires on giving it the ability to be converted to a stroller in a matter of seconds. The car seat is easy to clean and the color is also easy on the eyes. It is also a plus that the material it is made of is light and breathable.
Most Stylish Infant Car Seat
Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 Nido
| Brand | Peg Perego |
| Installation Type | Latch |
| Material | Foam |
| Color | Mon Amour |
| Orientation | Rear Facing |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 26.5 x 17.25 x 28.5 inches |
The Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 Nido is a rear facing infant car seat and it is the most stylish infant car seat out there. It can adjusts to 6 different positions with no re-threading even with the infant in the seat, ensuring the best and safest fit.
It’s Load Leg can be adjusted 10 different positions and has an Energy Management Foot that absorbs energy by crumpling upon impact. It has an anti-rebound bar attached to base provides superior protection in case of collision.
We call it the most stylish because of the design it has in the interior. It has dual cushion which comprise of Stage 1 for infants 4 lbs and up offers extra support on newborn’s neck and bottom. Stage 2 correctly supports growing baby. They both help to keep baby’s head properly positioned and are made of Fresco Jersey soft and breathable fabric.
It is not the easiest to install but can be done when you follow the instruction in the manual. The European belt path and innovative handlebar belt path allows for easy installation without the base.
While you might spend more time washing this car seat unlike the others, the beauty you are left with after it is clean is worth the time spent. Also a Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 Nido can cost up to $399.99.
Lightest Infant Car Seat
Evenflo LiteMax Infant Car Seat
| Brand | Evenflo |
| Installation Type | Latch or Seat Belt |
| Material | Plastic |
| Color | River Stone |
| Orientation | Rear Facing |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 28.5 x 19 x 24 inches |
Evenflo LiteMax Infant Car Seat is on seat that is good for infant and can be extended use. It has a good safety feature that enables it secure your child. The car seat is easy to install and can be done in minutes. It’s simplicity is one of the biggest asset it has.
It is also lightweight and can be carried on the go. Parents can also easily install it to a stroller and use it for several appointment including a visit to the doctor. This car seat is a good buy for when you want to discharge your infant from the clinic.
The car seat also has a canopy that protect your infant from sun, wind and rain. It has a cushion pad that enables comfort and safety for your child.
Safest Infant Car Seat
Safety 1st Onboard 35 LT Infant Car Seat
| Brand | Safety 1st |
| Installation Type | Latch |
| Color | Monument |
| Orientation | Rear Facing |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 15.75 x 18 x 30.5 inches |
| Item Weight | 14.99 Pounds |
Like the name implies Safety 1st Onboard 35 LT Infant Car Seat is one of the safest infant car seat available. Its safety feature gives your baby a safe and secure fit for travel with this Latch-equipped Safety. This seat can fit your infant from four pounds to toddlers of 35 pounds. It works in rear-facing mode and it can fit in almost any vehicle.
The seat is also easy to install and can be done by any parent that is available without the help of a professional. It is also easy to clean, the seat pad removes easily and is ready to go into the washing machine and dryer.
Safety 1st Onboard 35 LT Infant Car Seat has ultra-lightweight construction using next-generation engineering, this easy-to-carry seat includes side-impact protection. Head and body inserts give newborns added comfort and support.
It can easily be installed to a stroller and when travel takes you away from home, this seat is ready to use on an aircraft. Safety 1st believes parenting should have fewer worries and more joyful moments. As the first and only leader in child safety, safety 1st is here to give you peace of mind so you can spend less time worrying and more time enjoying every first you experience with your child.
Best Affordable Infant Car Seat
Century Carry On 35 Lightweight Infant Car Seat
| Brand | Century |
| Installation Type | Latch |
| Color | Metro |
| Orientation | Rear Facing |
| Item Weight | 7 Pounds |
| Maximum weight recommendation | 35 Pounds |
The Century Carry On 35 Lightweight Infant Car Seat is one of the best affordable car seat available. You can find it on Amazon for as low as $109.99. This car seat has all the features of a good infant car seat.
It has good safety features and its design is made to promote that, therefore parents can be less worried about their child welfare when they are in the car. This car seat has a side impact protection that is tested for occupant retention with or without base.
The car seat is also easy to fix and can be installed in a matter of minutes. It’s fabrics is made with recycled materials as part of our Do More promise to Recycle, Reimagine, and Give Back. It can easily be cleaned and the best part is that when not in use it can be recycled.
When getting an infant car seat you should consider all the variable listed above and better still you should buy any of the seat on our list and you wont regret it.