Finally Revealed The Best Car Seats for Infants
There were three kids in the back… she notices the stopped cars too late… hitting the brakes made the SUV rollover and over….
Accidents can happen without warning.
There’s no way to know when it will come your way. The only defense you have is to be prepared. This means that you have to get the best protection that you can get for your infant child.
The market is full of car seats. Which is the best? How do you choose?
Look:
I know how hard it is to find the best car seat. I’ve been doing this for years. This is why I’ve created the Best Convertible Car Seats For Infants article. I want to help you to save time. Typically this quest takes up to a few weeks to a month of your time.
We are all busy parents, so any time-saver is welcomed. Now by reading this post until the end, you will know exactly which car seat is the right fit for you.
Not only that, but I will share with you everything there’s to know about the accident above. You will find out which car seat was involved and how did it perform with those three kids.
Stick with me for a bit, and you will know everything.
Let’s get this best article started.
#1 Britax Advocate Clicktight Convertible Car Seat – Best Convertible Car Seats For Infants
This incident happened with my cousin. She had three kids in the back, and they were going camping. Little did she know that there was an accident up ahead on the highway.
She was traveling around 70-80 mph. It was too late when she saw the stopped cars. The only thing she could do was to slam the brakes as hard as she could and hope for the best. It’s impossible to get the SUV to a dead stop at that speed.
She turned the wheel, so she missed the queue of cars. Things turned to worse.
She lost control over the car and started rolling over. According to eyewitnesses, the SUV rolled at least 5-6 times. Their dog Coco was projected out of the car. All the unsecured stuff like phones and tablets turned to lethal projectiles.
Finally, the SUV stopped on the side. The Britax Advocate saved three lives that day. They all walked away alive with a few cuts and bruises. They found Coco safe and sound.
Britax Advocate won the Best Convertible Car Seats For Infants award.
This car seat has been tested in a real-life situation. All the safety features did a spectacular job keeping the kids alive. This is why I recommend it for infants. There are 3 layers of side impact protection. Plus, you can keep your little one rear facing up to 40 pounds.
Since we’re talking about infants, you have to know that the material is easy to remove, and it’s machine washable. No matter the spill or the diaper blowout, it will be clean after a good wash.
It’s the safest convertible car seat you can get for an infant.
Pros:
It’s a fortress which provides both front-facing and rear facing mode
According to a policeman parent, it’s absolutely the best
It’s easy to understand thanks to the well-assembled manual
Cons:
It’s heavy once you have installed you won’t move from the car
ARB looks like an afterthought a bit flimsy
#2 Chicco Nextfit Convertible Car Seat – Best Convertible Car Seat For Baby
This accident was close to home. My brother was out with his son on a shopping trip. He just pulled over and left his son playing in the back.
A minute later, he heard a loud crash. Fearing the worse, he dropped everything and ran out of the store.
He couldn’t believe his eyes. His car got T-boned by another one. The impact was on the same side where his son was sitting. Panic hit and started running towards the car.
He ripped open the door on the other side. Then he saw his son. He was still playing with his stuffed animals as if nothing has happened.
When he saw his dad’s panic-ridden face started crying. He wasn’t hurt in that horrible crash.
Chicco Nextfit won the Best Convertible Car Seat For Baby award. Just look at this convertible car seat. It’s built like a tank, and it has a great cushion to make it comfortable.
The Chicco Nextfit is one of the highest-rated car seats on Consumer Reports.
The safety features did an amazing job keeping my nephew safe. The steel frame didn’t move an inch. So you can rest assured that your baby will be safe as well.
Being a convertible, you can install it rear facing mode. The lowest weight allowance is 4 pounds. So you can easily take your newborn home from the hospital. And you can do extended rear facing up to 40 pounds. The upper weight limit for forward-facing is 65 pounds. You’ll get a lot of mileage out this convertible car seat.
The fabric can be easily removed, and machine washed. Babies tend to have spills and diaper blowouts. Fear no more because it will be good as new after a good wash.
Chicco NextFit is the best choice for your baby.
Pros:
By looking at your child you know, they are safe it’s like a protective shell
The frame is made out of reinforced solid steel, that’s safety in my book
It’s very comfortable on long rides
Cons:
It’s a TANK very heavy and bulky
It’s hard to move from car to car once it fixed. It stays there.
#3 Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 3-In-1 Convertible Car Seat – Best Convertible Car Seat For Newborn
This incident happened with some friends of mine.
They were off to their regular road trip. It was uneventful. Their son was asleep in the back. All of a sudden, the unthinkable happened.
A tractor-trailer smashed into them from behind. All that weight hit them at 70 mph. The trunk vaporized instantly. The father tried his best to keep the car under control. He eventually lost. Their car started skidding left and ride on the road.
Finally, they came to a stop in the ditch. Their first reaction was to check on their son. To their relief, he was fine. He was wide-eyed and scared, but he wasn’t injured.
As you have seen, the Maxi Cosi did an excellent job of protecting the child. It’s an excellent choice for a newborn. The lower weight limit is set to 4 pounds. This means that you will be able to take your newborn home from the hospital.
It gives you a lot of mileage because you can use it up to 100 pounds. In the long run, it is an excellent money saver.
Finally, we see some innovation in the car seat world. Maxi Cosi is the first one to use magnetic buckle holders. This means that you won’t have to fish out the buckles under your baby’s bum anymore.
It has the fastest cover removing process ever. Then you throw it in the washing machine. Also, keep in mind that you can use the dryer for quick drying. So no matter the spill or the blowout, your newborn will be in a clean car seat in record time.
The Maxi Cosi Pria is an excellent choice for a newborn.
Pros:
It comes with magnetic clasps so no more fishing for the buckles
No straps rethreading ever
It’s easy to clean, and it’s dryer friendly.
Cons:
This is a big 3 in 1 seat not meant for small kids or a small car
It’s extremely wide it will take a lot of space
#4 Britax One4Life – Best Car Seat To Grow With Baby
Britax One4Life won the Best Car Seat To Grow With Baby award.
I feel your pain. This car seat either are outgrown too fast, or their expiration date is too short. No matter which happens first, these car seats are expensive. The only way to save some money is to buy getting a car seat that grows with your baby.
The One4Life does just that. Your baby won’t be able to outgrow it. The upper limit is set to 120 pounds. So this will be the first and the last car seat that you have ever to buy. The lower limit is set to 5 pounds so you can easily take your newborn home from the hospital.
If you value extended rear facing, then this car seat has real value. It allows rear facing up to 50 pounds. That’s around a 4 year birthday. It’s comfortable and has a lot of legroom for your growing baby.
Now there’s been an ongoing joke with Britax. They can make a car seat that can handle anything besides the washing machine. Earlier models only allowed hand washing. Finally, they managed to fix it. No matter the spill or the blowout now, you can get it cleaned with the washing machine. No more hand scrubbing.
This Britax car seat is the best choice for your growing baby.
Pros:
It’s easy to install, and it’s impossible to mess it up
Extremely durable it will last for ten years and serve several kids
Finally, a Britax car seat that allows machine washing the material
Cons:
It’s pricey and if you plan to buy more than one you need a serious budget
It’s large and heavy anything for safety
You may also like: Top 6 Graco car seat reviews (Buying Guide)
#5 Graco 4Ever DLX All-in-One Convertible Car Seat – Best Growing Car Seat
“Mommy, what was that Big Bang?”
This incident happened with my sister in law. She was taking her 4-year old daughter home. It was the usual commute. Then all of a sudden, an SUV smashed into them head-on.
The impact was loud. The airbags exploded, protecting the mother. The front of the car twisted and bent to an unnatural angle. It wasn’t over yet.
There was so much energy during the crash that the car spun out to oncoming traffic, and all their tires exploded.
When everything went quiet, then the little girl asked what has happened. She was the lucky one. There wasn’t a scratch on her. Her mother wasn’t that lucky. She had a broken nose and a few cuts, so she ended up in the hospital. My niece was going to kindergarten the next day.
Graco 4Ever DLX won the Best Growing Car Seat award.
Car seats cost a lot of money. And I feel for you if you have a big family. This is why the Graco 4Ever is so good for your child. It can be the first and last car seat that you will ever have to buy. The lower limit is set to 4 pounds, so it’s ideal for newborns.
The upper limit is set to 120 pounds. This will be perfect for young adults as well.
It will keep your child safe no matter what. Plus, in the long run, it will save you money; this is why it’s the best growing car seat.
Pros:
It’s easy to install might be the easiest of them all
No more rethreading the straps ever
The fabric removal is super-fast
Cons:
The straps tangle up too fast, and it’s a pain to undo them with a protesting child
The cup holders fall off way too easily.
#6 Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat – Best Budget Convertible Car Seat For Infants
This incident happened with some friends of mine.
They were heading home from the grand parent’s house. Their little one, 11-month old boy, was sleeping in the back. All of a sudden, a drunk driver slammed into them head-on.
The impact was so powerful because the other driver was speeding. The impact was loud. Metal bent and deformed the airbags exploded, protecting the parents from harm.
There was so much energy that the car did a 180. When it finally stopped, the parents immediately checked on their son. He was crying because he was scared. There wasn’t a scratch on him.
It’s the best budget car seat that you can get for your infant child. Besides, it’s affordable; it’s jam-packed with features. My personal favorite is that you can do extended rear-facing up to 50 pounds.
This car seat has a footrest that can be adjusted according to your child’s height. It’s a convertible car seat so it can be installed both front and rear-facing.
It’s a comfortable car seat because it has enough cushion and the fabric is soft. It has enough recline, so your infant child won’t suffer from head slumps.
The material can be removed, and machine washed. So that’s good to know before the accident happens.
If you’re tight on the budget, this car seat is perfect for an infant.
Pros:
It’s one of the easiest to install can be done in less than 5 minutes
There’s no manual rethreading of the straps ever
The fabric is easy to wash even after a vomiting incident
Cons:
The release button is hidden, and if you have big hands it’s hard to reach
You need to watch videos to put the fabric back into place
Related article: Top car seats for 6 year old with harness revealed
Buyer’s Guide
That was a long journey, wasn’t it? I always like to over-deliver. So I thought that I would surprise you with a buyer’s guide. Maybe shortly, you will have to do this whole thing again.
By reading this buyer’s guide, you will be able to quickly eliminate unwanted car seats and only spend time on those that actually are a fit.
Before we could get there, I want to share with you two important tips.
The first one is related to the position of the car seat. When you get it, you have to decide where you will install it. Now the safest place for your child is in the middle of the car. I know, I know it’s not possible for everyone. So here’s the second safest place which is behind the driver.
My second tip is related to the install. It’s critical to get the perfect install. If there’s too much wiggle room, the car seat won’t provide the necessary protection. And I won’t continue this thought.
After you’ve done the install, you can always ask for help from a licensed professional. Also, I’ve just noticed that Amazon is offering installation for a fee. Now there’s no reason why not to get the best install possible.
Let’s get to the buyer’s guide.
Safety
Safety is top of my list. All the parents value this the most. The good news is that all car seats are safe. If there are issues, they get immediately recalled.
The bad news is that there are a few brands that barely pass the government tests. I only recommend those brands and car seats that have been proven to go the extra mile.
If you want the best protection possible, get the most layers of side impact protection. Or choose those brands that offer rollover protection. Now I know that rollovers are only a handful, but they contribute the most to the death toll.
Size Limits
This is the best place where I can save money. There’s no guilt what so ever because I’m not compromising on safety. The secret is to plan ahead. If the car seat is in use for many years, you’re saving money.
It’s that simple. Now for maximum safety, check if the car seat allows extended rear-facing. It’s highly recommended to keep you, child, in this mode until their second birthday. In some countries, the limit is set to the fourth birthday. This is the safest way for kids to ride.
Install
This is the hardest part of car seats. They tend to be a chore. Now recently, all the brands have made great achievements in this field. They are getting easier to install, and they remove the human error element.
You’re the safest bet is the latch system. That’s the easiest to go with.
Fabric
Since we’re talking about infants, then blowouts and spills will be all too common. This is why you have to know in advance how easy it is to wash the car seat cover.
From the list above, I’ve only picked those car seats that are parent-friendly. You will be able to remove the cover with ease and clean it as well.
Conclusions
We have reached the end of the Best Convertible Car Seats For Infants article. It was a hell of a ride. By now you should know which car seat is the best fit for you.
Now it’s your turn dear reader pick the right car seat. Last time I’ve checked, the stocks were running low, so you have to move quickly.
I would love to hear from you. Share your thoughts below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Are convertible car seats safe for infants?
Yes convertible car seats are safe for infant. They cater to infants who are at least 5 pounds in weight. Also you will be an infant insert which can be used up to 11 pounds to make them comfy and snug.
Is it better to get an infant car seat or convertible?
It depends on the infant car seat is good since you can carry it around with ease. This is specifically good for people who live in colder climates. Infant car seats are outgrown fast. If you want to save money in the long run then the convertible car seat is a better option.
When should I put my baby in a convertible car seat?
Convertible car seats caters to infants as low as 5 pounds in weight. They all come with an infant insert which can be removed after 11 pounds.
Which car seats didn’t make it on the best convertible seat for infants list?
These car seats didn’t make the cut: nuna rava infant car seat, Britax boulevard clicktight infant car seat, clek foonf infant car seat, Diono radian infant car seat, safety 1st grow and go infant car seat, evenflo everystage toddler car seat, clek foonf high back booster. The Diono Radian 3RXT has passed all government safety standards.
What are the weight limits for these best convertible seats for infants?
For rear-facing position the lower weight limit is 5 pounds. All infant car seats have this limit. For example there are a few that instead of 5 pounds they go to 4 pounds. 5 pounds limit is good for preemies as well. The upper level of rear facing is 30 to 50 pounds. For forward facing the weight range is 22 to 65 pounds. This means that it will fit in smaller cars every time. Take a look at these car seats for the top car seats for small cars. The weight limit for infant car seats is up to 30 pounds. Typically the weight limit for rear facing is 40 pounds (40 lbs). They weight range for rear facing mode is 4 pounds all the way up to 40 pounds. The weight limit for forward facing is 65 pounds. The weight range for convertible car seats is 22 pounds up to 65 pounds.
Can you fit three across with a convertible seat for infants?
Yes you can do three seats across if they are narrow enough. If you want to find the perfect narrow convertible seat then check out my best list over here.
What are the car seat safety standards for convertible car seats for infants?
No matter if you have a backless booster seat or a convertible safety matters. First of all, make sure that you’re installing these on the back seat. The magnetic chest clip is important and functional. Make sure that the seats have features like side impact protection and energy absorbing foam. These seats typically cater to a few months old up to a few years old. All the seats above have passed the crash test. The seat also should have an infant insert and ease of use. No matter if your convertible is a 4 in 1 car seat it should have a steel frame for maximum protection. If you’re looking for the safest seat this has to be included. They are not the budget friendly ones. All in one car seat is known to have these features. The extension panel also known as leg rest may offer extra leg room for your child. The convertible forward facing car seat can be considered as an infant seat. The booster seats are left for older kids. The harness system can keep your child safe in a crash. Also you can keep your little one safe in a harness system for a long time. For easy install you can use the anchors and tethers they provide safety as well.
How do you install these best convertibles for infants?
Depending on what you’re using rear facing or forward facing get ready for some easy installation. With the seat belt or the lower anchors latch system. Both versions worth with a rear-facing car seat and a forward-facing car seat. With the seat also adjust the recline positions and the chest clip. The seat belt is an option but it’s more difficult to use and you have to feed it through the belt paths. The rear facing seat can be secured both with the seat belt and the latch system. It’s also a good idea to only use just one. There are multiple car seat types with different installation system and harness system. To have an easy to install make sure you check out the manual.
What other features should you check out with these convertible car seats?
Well cup holder is a must. Then depending on how many inches tall your baby is multiple headrest positions (position headrest) would be nice. Other things to take into count: harness straps, harness holders, harness system, shoulder strap positions. If there’s enough cushion on the seat’s seat pad because there are multiple car seat types. The fabric should be machine washable. If you have a diaper blowout then you need machine washable solution. The easy to install is a great plus for the infant seat. Also check for the rethread harness. Typically more expensive seats have no rethread harness. The higher the weight limit the more use you’re getting out of it. Aim for 40 pounds in rear facing and 65 pounds in forward facing mode.
It looks like Britax and Maxi Cosi are some of the best car seat brands. If we compare Britax vs Maxi Cosi which is the better choice?
In most cases Britax is the better choice, but it really depends on what you are looking for in a car seat.
Last Updated on October 25, 2023 by Brian Beasley