The Best Infant Car Seat Pros, Cons & Recommendations

 

Welcome to the Best Infant Car Seat Awards!

I’ve spent the last month testing the best 6 infant carriers by looking through reviews, talking with other moms, checking recalls, and actually driving my 4-month-old daughter around; meanwhile, my husband was kicking back and relaxing, honey, you owe me a big one…

Look:

Finding the perfect infant car seat is hard and takes a lot of time. I know because it’s my 3rd rodeo. This is why I’ve decided to share my experience so you can make the right choice without spending weeks on end researching.

I’ve left no stone unturned and evaluated everything: safety features, comfort, ease of washing, how many times I’ve cursed during installation, crying-to-sleep ratio.

So I’m ranking these 6 infant seats by all these criteria. There’s one thing you need to know, and that’s that no matter which one you pick, it will be a winner, and it will protect your little one no matter what happens.

Let’s see those infant seats already!

 

 

#1 Britax B-Safer Gen 2 – Best Overall Infant Car Seat

We have a WINNER!

Britax did a phenomenal job with this car seat. It has every safety feature imaginable. While most car seats offer one layer of side impact protection, this one has multiple.

I have peace of mind when my little one is riding in this car seat. I know she is protected, and she will be safe.

With the new Gen2 version, they went overboard in the comfort department. It’s way better than the previous generation. My daughter was snug and comfy during my test. She loved it so much that she had fallen asleep multiple times.

The bane of our existence is the installation which couldn’t be simpler. Base or without it, it’s easy to do all it takes a few minutes, and your little one will be riding safely and in style.

There’s a no-rethread harness! So the straps adjustments are a breeze; no more ripping the seat apart just to adjust the straps. Plus, it’s stroller compatible, so you don’t have to carry it far.

This is why this car seat got top of my list:

  • In a Protective Cocoon: Impressive protection, to say the least. I have no doubt that the steel reinforcements, crumple zone, and other safety features will keep my little one safe and sound even if the worse happens.
  • Easy to install as 1-2-3: Yes, that’s right, you can install it by following the simple steps. Plus, you don’t necessarily need a second base either.
  • Comfy and Snug: This car seat is so comfy that my baby enjoys riding in the car, even on long trips. Best of all, the breathable fabric does its job, and she doesn’t overheat or sweat.

A few drawbacks I’ve found

Brace yourself. You will need a budget for this seat. I mean, you don’t need a second mortgage, and it’s worth every penny because you’re getting the very best protection for your little one.

This car seat is heavy, so you need some strength to move it around. Also, look up YouTube on how to properly hold an infant carrier because 99% of people are doing it wrong.

All in all, this is the best bang for your buck car seat you can get. It has everything to keep your little one safe and comfy. Britax established them as the leading car seat manufacturer in safety. So we shouldn’t be surprised that they are in high demand.

You need to move fast because there were only a few left in stock when I last checked, and if you don’t want to wait weeks on end, grab one while you can.

If you want something cheaper, then check out #2 on my list.

 

#2 Chicco Keyfit 30 –

There’s no other way of saying that it’s a beautiful car seat. There’s much more than just the looks. It’s one of the safest car seats you can buy, and this is why it’s highly rated on Consumer Reports.

Finally, a car seat that is lightweight so you can easily move it in and out of the car and stroller. The installation is a breeze. You can do it in 5 minutes or less. Best of all, you can install it without a base, so it’s perfect for the sitter or the grandparents.

After the install, the biggest issue is how do you clean it? Well, the Chicco made it super easy. I mean, if you get the zip version, then you just unzip it. If you get the other version, that’s easy as well, so no matter the diaper blowout or road sickness after a good wash, it will be good as new.

The main reason why this infant carrier is high on my list is how quiet it is. No matter if you’re clicking in or out your baby or moving the canopy, it’s so quiet that they won’t get their sleep disturbed.

This is why it’s a must-buy:

  • Highest Rated on Consumer Reports:  This Chicco carrier has a lot of safety features, so no wonder it got high rankings. Plus, the crash test results showed an impressive score, so your little one will be safe and sound.
  • You can install it in 5 minutes or less: You don’t need any special skill or experience, and in a matter of minutes, you will have your little one locked in tight.
  • Comfy, Comfy, and Very Comfy: They managed to find the perfect cushion that is soft and has the right firmness. Plus, it’s a quiet seat, so clicking in and out and moving the canopy won’t wake your sleeping precious.

Here are a few drawbacks to consider

This is not the smallest infant carrier you can get. If you happen to have a smaller car, then the passenger will have to move the chair upwards.

A few moms mentioned that their baby got hot. This might happen with the older version. The new design is super comfy, and it ventilates perfectly.

All in all, the Chicco Keyfit is a great choice for many parents. Best of all, it’s not an eyesore of a car seat. It looks cool and keeps your little one safe and sound and in comfort.

Since it’s such a popular car seat, it’s flying off the shelves. You need to move fast if you want to get one. Here’s a pro tip if they are out of stock, look around for different configurations. It’s better than waiting for weeks.

 

#3 Graco Snugride –

This car seat is absolutely fantastic. Besides the top of the line safety features, it’s super comfortable and won’t bleed your wallet dry.

It allows extended rear-facing for a long time up to 35 pounds. So your baby will be in the safest position for longer. Plus, it has an ARB (anti-rebound bar).

That’s not all. It’s well-padded and has a great cushion to keep your little one nice and comfy. The breathable fabric makes it super easy to drive around even on the hottest days; there will be no complaints from the back.

I can’t get enough of the canopy. Even though it has a fatal design flaw which I will detail later, it’s simply perfect. The canopy goes down totally, so there will be no sunlight waking up your little one. Also, it’s great for privacy.

This is why it’s a must-buy:

  • The Best Safety Features: Graco allows rear-facing up to 35 pounds in this seat. It’s the safest way to ride, plus there’s more than enough padding to have your little one safe and comfortable.
  • Love at First Sight: It looks like luxury without breaking the bank. The stock photos are poorly done in reality; it’s a beautiful car seat.
  • Life Saver Design: One-click release for the carrier is one of the best ideas ever. It has made life easier for so many parents.

Here are a few drawbacks to consider

My biggest issue with this carrier comes from a bad design. There’s so little space between the handle and the canopy that the fingers won’t fit. They should fix it, and it would be higher on my list.

This is not a light car seat and factoring in your little one’s weight, get ready for a real workout, especially on distances.

All in all, the Graco Snugride is an excellent car seat for your baby. It’s perfect for people on the budget or who have to buy multiple ones while offering excellent protection and telegraphs luxury.

It’s one of the hottest selling car seats on the market. The good news is that the last time I’ve checked, there were a few more left. The bad news is that these will be gone soon. So you will have to move and act fast if you don’t want to wait weeks on end.

 

#4 Doona Infant Car Seat –

Holy Smokes, this is the best thing after sliced bread! Finally, someone managed to create a car seat that is perfect for babies, plus it makes the life of parents easier.

This is a two in one car seat that turns into a stroller. I can’t compliment the design enough. It has blown my mind because moving around with my little one is a breeze.

No matter if I’m in the house and have to take her from one room to the next or do some shopping, this seat is small and flexible. It doesn’t take up a lot of space, while you can move it almost effortlessly.

If you’re on the move a lot and using Uber or similar services, the drivers will be extra happy. They don’t have to get out of the car, they don’t have to pop the trunk, plus the installation can be done by you without any assistance.

This is one of the coziest infant seats I’ve used, and it’s my 3rd baby. My little one is comfy and sleeps without head flops. Did I mention it’s preemie-friendly?

This is why it’s a must-buy:

  • Best investment in baby safety: it’s one of the safest and most comfortable seats you can get to protect your little one. Plus, it makes the parent’s life a lot easier.
  • It transforms into a freaking stroller: No more hauling a stroller around this has built-in, plus the deployment couldn’t be simple.
  • The Ultimate 3-in-1 baby seat: It’s an infant car seat, then it can be turned into a stroller with ease, plus there’s a third hidden feature. This hidden feature is the rocking chair mode.

Here are a few drawbacks to consider

There’s no beating around the bush. This car seat is expensive. However, if you do the math, you will see that by buying a stroller next to an infant seat, you’re almost there in price, but you have to carry the stroller when it’s not in use.

This infant seat is not on the light side. Weighing 35 pounds and the baby’s weight, it will be difficult to move around. Luckily 98% of the time, you can just roll it around.

The Doona car seat is one of a kind. It gives you the safety and protection for your baby while offering you easy transportation, no matter if you’re going through the airport or running chores.

Even if this car seat is a bit on the expensive side, it’s a best seller. People are going nuts about it, and lately, there have been supply issues. Now, if you want to get his infant seat, you need to move. There are more than 100 people buying this every day. If you want to have, it buy it right now.

Pros:

Safe and comfy, and it’s good for preemies

Turns into a stroller, a true technical innovation that makes life a lot easier

It’s the most versatile, multi-use, and making your life comfortable infant car seat that I’ve ever seen

Cons:

It’s heavy, and luckily, it turns into a stroller

No storage space; you have to buy it separately

 

#5 Maxi Cosi Mico 30 –

This is a fantastic car seat to own. Babies love it because it’s fluffy, and they dose off so fast.

Besides the comfort, it’s a super-safe car seat. Better yet, the safety ratings are one of the highest ones. Not long ago, some friends of mine had an accident with their 5-month-old aboard. The parents got off with some cuts and bruises while their pride and joy slept through the whole thing.

This is what it means to get the best protection possible and install it correctly. Did I mention how braindead simple the install is? Every time when you install it, there’s a reassuring click letting you know that it’s done correctly.

This infant carrier comes with a load leg and rollover protection as standard, so you name it, this carrier will handle it.

Diaper blowouts and road sickness is common, so Maxi Cosi delivers on this front as well. The material is easy to remove and wash. Also, it’s just as easy to reassemble.

This is why it’s a must-buy:

  • Absolute Protection: This infant carrier has it all, from the stability leg to rollover protection which means that your little one will be protected even if the worst happens.
  • Super Easy Install: On the first try, I was worried that I’d installed it incorrectly because it went so easy.
  • Nothing but Quality: Finally, a car seat that isn’t an eyesore to look at. The colors are alive and looking good, while the material is soft and not scratchy. Just perfect for my little one.

Here are a few drawbacks to consider

It doesn’t have the friendliest release mechanism from the base. Besides needing two hands, you need to move quickly, or it will reconnect.

The canopy hasn’t been designed properly since it makes a loud sound that wakes up my baby. Just for the record, my baby is a good sleeper.

Besides these drawbacks, this car seat is a good choice. As you have seen, it has top-of-the-line protection, plus it’s an eye-catcher, so no wonder that there are only a few left in stock.

Just in case you don’t have the exact colors that you want, do check out other versions, or you have to wait weeks on end for new shipments.

 

#6 Uppababy Messa –

If you want to have zero regrets and peace of mind while driving with your little one, then this car seat is the best choice.

Here’s why I love this Uppababy infant carrier. It has all the safety features that you will ever need. Your baby will be in a safe cocoon, so they will be protected all the time.

Sometimes we all need to get some errands done. This is the ideal car seat for that because you can easily remove it and attach it to a stroller. No more hauling 50 pounds just for fun.

My baby loved it, and it was lights out after a few minutes of driving. Best of all, there are no head flops whatsoever.

This is why it’s a must-buy:

  • Peace of Mind: This carrier is one of the safest ones on the market today. It has all the safety features to keep your little one safe no matter what happens.
  • Hospital Installer’s Top Pick: Many hospital installers recommend this car seat as their #1 pick. You can go wrong with it.
  • Designed by Parents: Uppababy did a great job with this seat. Everything is designed with a purpose, so you get the most use out of it. Everything is there where it should be. It makes your life super easy.

Here are a few drawbacks to consider

This car seat is expensive. There’s no way around that. On the other hand, you’re getting a ton of value and a happy baby who loves to travel.

They could’ve done a better job with the material. It’s not breathable, so your baby might get hot.

All in all, this car seat is a real gem. It offers a lot of protection, and it’s comfy and sufficiently padded, so your baby enjoys every ride.

It’s quite a popular car seat even at this price tag, so expect shortages and frequent out-of-stock signs. There were still a few left, so you need to move if you feel that this is the fit for your needs.

 

Conclusions for the Best Infant Car Seat Review

We have reached the end of this award ceremony. I hope you have learned a lot from my post. I’ve done everything that I could to show you which car seat would be the best fit for your needs.

As you have seen, there’s quite a selection of infant carriers. All of these car seats have the best safety ratings, so your little one will be safe even in the worst circumstances.

When I’ve created this car seat list, I’ve included everything from the top of the line to budget car seats so you will find your perfect one. I had fun with these car seats, and my little one didn’t fuss too much during this month.

By now, you should know which one is the best fit. No matter which one you choose, make sure you buy it fast because stocks are limited.

If you have questions or tips, let me know. I will do my best to help you out.

Catch you next time!

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

What is the safest car seat for newborns?

 

What seat is best for infant car seat?

 

What is the safest car seat on the market?

 

How long do infant car seats last?

Infant car seats typically last for 6 years. Graco is the exception where their infant car seats last for seven years.

Last Updated on November 7, 2023 by Brian Beasley

Written by Linda Reid

Hey there, I'm Linda, a mom of three cool kids. I've tried so many car seats, you could call me a "Car Seat Detective." Searching for the perfect car seat can feel like finding a needle in a haystack, but don't worry! I've committed to researching and reviewing car seats that are super safe, cozy, and great for growing kids. Together, we'll find the perfect car seat that keeps your child safe and cozy, and makes you feel like a super-parent!