Best Infant Seat Features

While all infant seats comply with federal safety standards, some go above and beyond. Our Best of the Bump winner includes a variety of features that parents will love with extra padding, a cushioned inlay for babies and the ability to raise or lower the headrest, with no rethreading.

When deciding on our top picks, we took into consideration factors like weight (without base) stroller compatibility, special features, and price. Find out the best infant seat (click through the following article) for your family by reading.

Safety

All car seats for infants sold in the United States must meet the safety standards of the federal government. Certain seats have additional features that go beyond the minimum requirements. Some of these features include load legs and a rethreader integrated strap-holding sides, and more. The more features a car seat has, the better, according to experts I spoke to.

The more comfortable a car seat is for users, the more likely parents are to use it properly and decrease their child's risk of injury in a crash. This is particularly important for infant seats, which are only meant to be used for a short period of time. Look for a model that's easy to install with a recline foot that is spring loaded and a bubble indicator to help get the seat in a perfect position. Make sure the base can be easily pushed into and out of the vehicle.

Other top rated infant car seats features that some car seat manufacturers offer are a no-rethread harness, magnetic buckle holders and side grips to carry the seat. Remember that even though these features are great, a car seat's safety is only as good as the vehicle in which you drive. You can find helpful tips in the owner's manual on how to secure your infant car seat, and also learn more about the vehicle's safety features.

When choosing an infant seat, keep in mind that you will only be able use it for approximately 2 years before your child is old enough to transition to a convertible seat. That's why some families opt to not use an infant car seat and move directly to a convertible seat, which has greater weight and height limits. When buying an infant car seat, make sure to consider the dimensions of your vehicle and try different models before settling on one. Then, you can make sure the seat is suitable for your child, can fit in your car and has useful features like the ability to convert it into a stroller. Don't forget to look for recalls on the product prior to you purchase it. It's essential to ensure your child's safety on the road.

Easy to Use

Whether you'll be using the seat in one car or moving it among many, you need an infant car seat that is easy to put in and remove from the base. Look for clear instructions on installation and a simple mechanism. Also, think about how it is simple to adjust the car seat as baby grows and the quality of the materials used.

Some infant seats have the load leg. It's a brace that serves as a support between the seat's base and the floor of your vehicle that provides additional stability in the event of a collision. It's an especially important feature to have if you own an older car, as the risk of head injury in a crash is higher when a baby is sitting close to the ground, as per research conducted by Consumer Reports.

Other premium features that can enhance the infant car seat user experience include a no-rethread harness and anti-rebound bar, which help keep the seat from bouncing back in an accident. The latter has been shown to lower the risk of head injury by up to 43 percent. "If you're on a tight budget and want the security of an ARC-certified car seat with several key features that are premium I highly recommend the Evenflo LiteMax DLX," says Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio. The seat was awarded an excellent rating by experts in child safety. It has a non-rethread adjustable harness with five recline positions, as well as an extendable canopy with magnets to ensure full coverage.

A seat that is easily installed with just lapbelts and does not require the need for the base is an alternative. This is ideal for parents who intend to use taxis or Uber rides and doesn't require a return trip to the car to install a new seat. Nuna Pipa and TRIV travel systems, for example are equipped with a sturdy LATCH that's built into the bottom of their seats making them easy and easy to install. It can also be used in a rear-facing position (for children weighing between 4 and 40 pounds) or forward-facing (for children weighing 22-65 pounds) and can be converted into an highback or belt-positioning booster for children weighing 40-120 pounds. It's an excellent choice for families on a tight budget.

Comfort

If your child is in car seats for extended periods of time, it's crucial that they feel safe. This includes padded shoulder straps, plush fabric to feel cozy against their tummy or back, as well as a sturdier headrest. Find an easy-to-use seat to adjust as they grow as well.

A car seat with a variety of features can be more expensive but also easier to use. When evaluating a car seat for babies we look at aspects like a single-hand system harness, premium LATCH connectors, and a no rethread harness. We also consider the weight and size of the seat, as an extremely heavy or bulky seat could strain your biceps when you move it in and out of your vehicle or in between vehicles.

A seat with a load leg -- a safety feature that assists in stabilizing the car seat in the event of a crash, is an alternative. It's typically found in more expensive seats but we've seen few budget-friendly choices that have this safety feature.

Another crucial aspect to consider is the height and weight limits. You'll need to ensure that the seat will still be suitable for your child once they reach their maximum growth stage usually at around the age of two or three. You should also consider a convertible car seat for infants which can be transformed into a toddler's car seat. This option gives you more flexibility and is ideal for families that frequently change vehicles or travel.

Our testers were impressed with the Doona that combines a car seat for an infant and a stroller into one package. It's a great option for parents who are always in motion, especially those who use public transport to commute to work or go to school. It's also easy to put in and our experts who tested it were impressed with the ease of use of the one-handed latch system and the shoulder straps that are padded. Our product testers noted that the seat is small which is crucial for those with limited trunk room. It's also free of flame retardant chemicals, which is a big advantage for parents concerned with their baby's environment and health.

Convenience

The best car seats for infants infant car seats come with features that make it simple to use. The most effective infant car seats are equipped with features that make it easy for parents to get in and out of the seat. Other important things to consider are whether the seat is machine washable (to help with cleaning) and if it comes with a canopy, which can be handy both inside the car and also attached to the stroller.

One feature that might not be a big deal but can save you a lot of trouble is an indicator on the base that informs you when it's been installed correctly. This line is located on the base's side and should be parallel to the ground once you've finished. This is especially useful when you're going to be changing the car seat for newborn seat often or when your child will be traveling with you and you'll need to connect it to taxis or Ubers.

A stroller that is compatible with the infant car seat can be affixed directly to it. This makes it easy to carry your baby to the store, or to run errands. You don't need to worry about the hassle of a separate car seat. This can be a great advantage for new parents looking to get back to their normal routine after an exhausting commute or outing with a baby.

If your baby is likely to grow quickly, you should choose an infant car seat inserts for newborns seat with a higher weight and height limit than the one recommended by the manufacturer. This will allow you to 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 that all seats are made equally. Some seats have extra features, like load legs that brace a car seat's base to improve stability, and an anti-rebound bars that decrease the risk of sustaining head injuries from crashes. A few extras can make the journey more comfortable for your baby, and you as a parent happier and more confident.