The 10 Best Infant Car Seats
This wiki has been updated 26 times since it was first published in March of 2018. Infant car seats are designed to click in and out of a base that stays installed in your vehicle, which makes quick work of transferring your baby to the house or a stroller. The models featured here are tested extensively for safety and durability, and are relatively easy to set up and use. Many also offer conveniences like ergonomic carrying handles and canopies that block the sun’s rays. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Chicco KeyFit 30
2. Evenflo SafeMax
3. Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4/35
Editor's Notes
June 13, 2020:
These infant car seats are designed to attach easily into their corresponding bases with a simple click, and they’re just as easy to remove when your ride is over. Each of them conveniently can be attached to one or more stroller models, so you won’t need to disturb your child when you arrive at your destination. Today we swapped in several updated models to the list, the first being the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4/35, which can be set to six positions that don’t require rethreading. This makes it simple to adjust as your little one grows. Like the Britax B-Safe Endeavours, this one is designed to be used with or without the base, which makes it convenient for anyone who frequently uses taxis or ride sharing services. Another updated model is the Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 Platinum XT, which can be adjusted easily with just one hand, so the other one is freed up to attend to your child. The canopy can be unzipped for added air circulation, and a removable leg cover can provide some extra warmth on cold days.
For a selection that’s compatible with more than 50 stroller travel systems, check out the Maxi-Cosi Mico Max Plus, which comes with a flip-away buckle to ensure it’s easy to get your little one in and out without too much fuss. Its patented technology ensures side-impact protection around your baby’s head, and its plush self-wicking fabric keeps him or her cool and comfortable. The Bugaboo Turtle is new to the list, and replaces the Combi Shuttle, which we removed since it’s a bit bulky and hard to carry, and the crotch strap is not adjustable. We felt the Bugaboo was a better choice, thanks to an array of user-friendly features like an extendable visor with a peekaboo window, as well as height-adjustable head support.
For more choices for newborns that include both travel systems and bassinet strollers, see our list of the best strollers for newborns. Note that for safety’s sake, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises not to allow infants to sleep in a car seat when not traveling. The safest place for a baby to sleep is on his or her back, on a firm, flat surface such as a crib or a bassinet, according to the AAP.
4. Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 Platinum XT
5. Safety 1st OnBoard 35 Air 360
6. Bugaboo Turtle
7. Britax B-Safe Endeavours
8. Maxi-Cosi Mico Max Plus
9. Uppababy Mesa
10. Cybex Aton 2 SensorSafe
Karen Bennett lives in Chicago with her family, and when she’s not writing, she can usually be found practicing yoga or cheering on her kids at soccer games. She holds a master’s degree in journalism and a bachelor’s in English, and her writing has been published in various local newspapers, as well as “The Cheat Sheet,” “Illinois Legal Times,” and “USA Today.” She has also written search engine news page headlines and worked as a product manager for a digital marketing company. Her expertise is in literature, nonfiction, textbooks, home products, kids' games and toys, hardware, teaching accessories, and art materials.