The Top 8 Best Infant Car Seats of 2023
- October 2, 2023
- mommytearoom
If there is one baby gear that you MUST have, it is the baby car seat. You most likely won’t be able to drive back home from the hospital with your newborn without one – that’s how essential it is.
The best Infant Car seats, as they are named, are specifically designed for newborns. While they can also ride in a convertible car seat, an infant car seat is likely still the best option as it provides the assurance that baby is well tucked in and secured in the right position (with the right support) during his/her earliest rides with you.
Generally lighter and smaller in comparison, Infant Car Seats can be popped out of the base and into a stroller (or carry as a carrier) just like that unlike convertible ones where you need to remove baby each time. Many parents consider this a huge convenience, hence the continuous high demand for infant car seats.
The choices are aplenty though, to say the least. Figuring out the best infant car seat that is safe, comfortable and fits within your budget can therefore feel like a gigantic and daunting task which is why we have come up with this guide to help you make the best – and most informed – decision across a range of budgets and styles. Read till the end to find out how we come up with our top picks but for now, let’s dive into it without further ado!
What is the best infant car seat for most families? Our top pick is the Chicco KeyFit 35 – it has everything you’d expect a top-notch infant car seat to have, all at a reasonable price point. For those with a smaller budget, the Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX is an excellent choice for the best value of money while the Clek Liing is the absolute go-to if you’re looking for the best infant car seat for small cars.
In This Article
The Best Infant Car Seats – A Quick Summary
Read This First
Before we start, here are a few things you should know about infant car seats:
- They are meant for newborns/younger babies only (toddlers have their own convertible car seats).
- Infant car seats always only face the rear of a vehicle.
- They can be used from day one until baby reaches the seat’s height or weight recommendation – up to 32 inches or 30-35 pounds generally.
- Most infant car seats attach to a base which is installed in your car – the seat clicks in and out only for easy portability. There are some which can be used without, in which case the seat belt is used to keep it in place instead.
- A newborn requires a semi-reclined position – anywhere between a 40-to-45-degree angle – when travelling in a car seat so a good car seat will offer multiple recline positions for an adequate installation.
- All infant car seats sold in the US must pass the same federal safety standards.
Our Top 8 Best Infant Car Seats Reviews
BEST INFANT CAR SEAT OVERALL
Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat
Dimensions: 28 x 16.5 x 22.5 inches
Weight: 10 pounds – Carrier / 8.5 pounds – Base
Child weight/height limit: 4 to 35 lbs. and up to 32 inches
- Easy to install
- Machine-washable seat pad
- LATCH compatible
- No-rethread harness
- 5 reclining positions
- Extendable headrest
- Anti-rebound bar adds stability and extends legroom
- UPF 50+ canopy with zip-open mesh panel
- Travel system compatible
- Heavier than other models
Why We Love It
It takes a lot to be voted the Best Infant Car Seat but the Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat is every bit deserving with its outstanding ease of use and excellent safety features all-around.
An upgrade of the ever-popular KeyFit 30, it is able to accommodate baby even longer (from 30 increases to 35 pounds now) so you can get more use out of it. Aiding to that is an extendable headrest system and a no-rethread harness for easy adjustments, which make it the best Chicco infant car seat to date.
LATCH compatible, the base is super easy to install with just one tightener in the middle to pull it securely in place. There are two bubble level-indicators to confirm it has nailed the correct recline angle and the car seat? Well, there is that trusty “click” sound to ensure it is properly inserted into the base.
Other much-loved features include an anti-rebound bar (that gives extra stability and more leg room for baby), a UPF50+ canopy and a removable ergonomic newborn positioner for smaller babies. If you get the version that comes with a ‘Zip Privacy Shield’, you don’t have to buy a car seat cover separately – the shield zips up all the way to give full coverage (don’t worry, the sides are mesh panels so there will be adequate ventilation).
Things To Take Note Of
The KeyFit 35 is on the heavy side so that decreases its portability a little compared to other models. Also, it is only compatible with Chicco strollers so there’s some limitations there for parents who’d like to use their infant car seat as part of a travel system, but prefer a stroller from a different brand.
And while you can install it without the base, doing so is rather tricky so we wouldn’t say it makes for the best infant car seat for travel (ride-share, air travel etc.).
VERDICT: If you don’t have any specific or particular requirements (e.g. car size restrictions, air travel purposes etc.), the Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat will be your best bet in terms of securing that best infant car seat.
BEST AFFORDABLE INFANT CAR SEAT
Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX Infant Car Seat
Dimensions: 25.5 x 17.2 x 21.25 inches
Weight: 7.2 pounds – Carrier
Child weight/height limit: 4 to 35 lbs. and up to 32 inches
- Easy to install
