Our Top Recommendations
Infants are the most precious cargo we will ever have. It is hard to trust anyone or anything to have our babies’ best interests at heart.
The marketplace is full of rear-facing infant seats that meet federally mandated safety standards, and it is overwhelming. Every parent has to factor in different and unique features along with the basics.
We will explore what is out there and see what fits you and your little one’s needs.
At a Glance: Safest Infant Car Seats: 15 Best Infant Car Seats for Every Need
Image | Name | Length | Width | Height | Weight | Best For | Header |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 DLX | 30.67" | 18.66" | 15.59” | 17.5 lbs | Hassle-Free 3-Step Installation | |
| BRITAX B-Safe Endeavours | 30” | 17.75" | 25” | 11.5 lbs | Anti-Rebound Bar | |
| Evenflo Gold SensorSafe SecureMax | 26.5" | 16" | 26" | 28 lbs | SensorSafe System | |
| Doona Infant Car Seat | 28" | 21" | 18.5" | 16.5 lbs | From Car Seat to Stroller in Seconds | |
| Chicco KeyFit 30 | 27.5" | 17" | 24" | 19.5 lbs | Recline Sure levelling foot | |
| Maxi-Cosi Mico Max Plus | 28" | 18" | 15.5" | 18.74 lbs | Patented Air Protect technology | |
| Baby Trend Ally 35 | 27" | 18.5" | 25" | 13.23 lbs | Advance Side Impact Protection | |
| Maxi-Cosi Mico Max 30 | 31" | 18" | 16" | 21 g | Air Protect Superior Side Impact Protection | |
| Britax B-Safe 35 Infant Car Seat | 26.6" | 17.9" | 25.85" | 19.91 lbs | SafeCell crumple zone | |
| Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 | 28.5" | 17.75" | 15.59" | 19.1 lbs | Safety Surround |
Safest Infant Car Seats: 15 Best Infant Car Seats for Every Need
Safest Graco Infant Car Seat - Graco Snugride Snuglock 35 DLX
Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 DLX | |
|---|---|
Length | 30.67" |
Width | 18.66" |
Height | 15.59” |
Weight | 17.5 lbs |
The Snugride Snuglock 35 DLX infant car seat stays true to Graco’s brand of making baby-safe products. It has top-end crash test scores. The rear-facing car seat adds to its safety rating with its use of TrueShield Technology.
The LATCH system makes any car seat easier, especially when they have push-on connectors. The Graco Snugride Snuglock 35 DLX has a trouble-free 3-step car seat installation, including the LATCH anchors and vehicle seat belt installation. It has an exceptional fit-to-vehicle score that goes a long way towards its parent-friendly use.
Additional Safety Features:
The Graco Snugride Snuglock 35 DLX is a basic infant car seat model. It does have a sturdy and helpful Silent Shade Canopy to protect your baby from UV rays and the dangers of the sun. The car restraint is super light, too, making it ideal for a stroll in the park.
Pros
Cons
Parents with infants that regularly carpool or use public transportation tend to benefit the most from the Graco Snugride Snuglock 35 rear-facing car seat and its features. The design and safety go a long way to soothing parent worries.
Safest Britax Infant Car Seat - Britax Endeavours
BRITAX B-Safe Endeavours | |
|---|---|
Length | 30” |
Width | 17.75" |
Height | 25” |
Weight | 11.5 lbs |
Britax offers premium infant car seats, and the Endeavors stays true to the brand. It has above average crash test results, but the addition of an anti-rebound bar and a steel-frame ups its overall safety score. Features aimed at protecting your newborn does not stop there. The Endeavours rear-facing car seat’s safe-cell impact-absorbing base adds another layer to help put your mind at ease.
Some infant car seat models go the extra mile to help parents. The Britax Endeavours rear-facing car seat uses the traditional LATCH system, which helps tons with the installation. The overall use is spot-on, and the user manner and directions are great guides to using the Endeavors.
Additional Safety Features:
Certain rear-facing infant car seats have more features than others. The Britax Endeavours go above and beyond. It is 11 pounds and safe for babies that weigh only 4 pounds. Along with the safety features and ease of use, it is indeed a premium model.
Pros
Cons
Parents with smaller-sized infants or preemies benefit the most from the Britax Endeavours. The low weight limit and the deep and comfy shell make it safe and secure for your tiny bundle of joy.
Safest Evenflo Infant Car Seat - Evenflo Gold SecureMax
Evenflo Gold SensorSafe SecureMax | |
|---|---|
Length | 26.5" |
Width | 16" |
Height | 26" |
Weight | 28 lbs |
Evenflo has a line of top-notch infant car seats. The Gold SecureMax is one of their quality rear-facing car seats that have the best crash test results and safety features they offer. Its results are impressive, and it comes with the SensorSafe system. It alerts parents when their baby is in the vehicle, and other information uses smart technology.
The ease of use is straightforward and not a time-consuming task. The Evenflo Gold SecureMax infant car seat uses push-on LATCH lower anchors and the Fit-loc belt lock off. The features make installation stress-free. One of the best things about the Gold SecureMax rear-facing car seat is its no-rethread harness that makes adjustments a breeze.
Additional Safety Features:
The Gold SecureMax is the next generation rear-facing car seat by Evenflo. It is a reliable car seat with quite a few new features that keep your little human safe and comfortable. It is expensive but balances safety and comfort with a parent-friendly approach.
Pros
Cons
Family vacations are hard when we have infants. It is not only about how well an infant car seat performs on crash tests; it is about comfort and ease of use, too. The GoldSureMax makes memories possible with its all-around approach to creating a quality rear-facing car seat.
Safest Doona Infant Car Seat - Doona Infant Car Seat Stroller
Doona Infant Car Seat | |
|---|---|
Length | 28" |
Width | 21" |
Height | 18.5" |
Weight | 16.5 lbs |
It is not every day that you find a safe infant car seat that is a safe stroller option, too. The Doona Infant Car Seat Stroller has above overage crash test results. Also, it has an anti-rebound bar that doubles as a handlebar for improved safety scores. It makes for an infant car seat and stroller combination that provides the best security for your little human.
The push-on LATCH system makes installation and uses far easier. The Doona Infant Car Seat Stroller is a stroller and rear-facing car seat combination made specifically for parents. The two-in-one has inspiring ease of use scores. However, one drawback is that you will need to thread the harness manually to adjust the height or reassemble it after washing.
Additional Safety Features:
The Doona Infant Car Seat Stroller is rare in the marketplace because it combines two things that every new parent needs. It is expensive, but the two-in-one is worth it to many parents. For some reason, it comes with two manuals, one for the base and one for the carrier.
Pros
Cons
City dwelling is not an easy task for new parents. The Doona Infant Car Seat Stroller is a good solution. The rear-facing infant car seat is a bit heavy, but the entire system is safe and super handy. You will find plenty of infant car seats that are compatible with strollers, but it is not every day you can find them both in one child restraint system.
Safest Chicco Infant Car Seat - Chicco KeyFit
Chicco KeyFit 30 | |
|---|---|
Length | 27.5" |
Width | 17" |
Height | 24" |
Weight | 19.5 lbs |
Part of Chicco’s charm is striving towards parent-friendly car seat systems that are also safe. The KeyFit is an affordable infant car seat with stunning crash test results. Its safety score improves with the padded and lined energy-absorbing foam that protects your baby from side impact.
The overall use of the Chicco KeyFit is parent-friendly. The infant car seat has labeling and instructions that are not as clear as they could be. The carrier and handle are easily lockable and work without an issue. It does lack a lot of informative labeling, and the user manual does not explain how to use the LATCH system for new parents fully.
Additional Safety Features:
The Chicco Keyfit is compatible with a lot of strollers, which is helpful to many parents. The easy pull release adds just another level of convenience. The affordable model is one in a line of Chicco’s KeyFit infant car seats. It might have every bell and whistle, but it does have quality.
Pros
Cons
Some infant car seats are more convenient than others. The Chicco KeyFit is the right combination of safety, comfort, and ease of use. The fact it works well with many strollers is the icing on the cake. Parents that live in the city or take public transportation loves the KeyFit rear-facing car seat because it is slim, narrow, and compact, making it easily portable.
Safest Maxi-Cosi Infant Car Seat - Maxi-Cosi Mico Max Plus
Maxi-Cosi Mico Max Plus | |
|---|---|
Length | 28" |
Width | 18" |
Height | 15.5" |
Weight | 18.74 lbs |
Maxi-Cosi is a German company, but it does not stop them from surpassing expectations in North America. The Mico Max Plus infant car seat has splendid crash rest results. The addition of Air Protect® technology for side impact protection makes their safety score out of this world.
The overall ease of use is not spectacular. The Mico Max Plus infant car seat, has belt locks offs that make some parts easier than others. If you want to use it for a preemie right out of the packaging, the rear-facing infant car seat might be a more difficult task all around. It is always good to check your user manual when installing it and learning how to use it.
Additional Safety Features:
Part of the Maxi-Cosi brand is their premium-price for premium-features. The Mico Max Plus rear-facing car seat has a lot of layers of protection and uses the latest technologies to keep your baby safe. It has an overall balance of safety, comfort, and ease of use. It works well with different brands of strollers, too.
Pros
Cons
A parent that commutes or uses public transportation benefits the most from the Maxi-Cosi Mico Maxi Plus rear-facing infant car seat because of its lightweight build and easy portability. The price may put it out of range for some caregivers, but the features are hard to pass up. For example, the Mico Maxi Plus infant car seat transitions easily with the right stroller combination.
Safest Baby Trend infant car seat - Baby Trend Ally 35
Baby Trend Ally 35 | |
|---|---|
Length | 27" |
Width | 18.5" |
Height | 25" |
Weight | 13.23 lbs |
Baby Trend focuses on being affordable to everyday parents while providing them the best baby solutions. The Baby Trend Ally 35 infant car seat exceeds in its crash test results. It has EPS energy-absorbing foam that adds a layer to side impact protection, and it improves its overall safety scores.
The Baby Trend Ally 35 infant car seat is around the mid-point in terms of ease of use. The installation is a breeze, but the use becomes overcomplicated, and it lacks a lot of labeling and instructions that would help. You might need to roll up a towel and use it to get the proper recline.
Additional Safety Features:
The Baby Trend Ally 35 infant car seat is an overall good model, but with a bare-bones design. It combines some of the latest innovations and affordability to help elevate the stress that new parents experience. It does not have a lot of the premium features that other infant car seats have, but the Ally 35 gets the job done with it comes to protection.
Pros
Cons
Families that have multiple vehicles or caregivers love the Baby Trend Ally 35. It is highly affordable and makes a great and safe spare infant car seat. It might not be perfect, but it could be the solution you and your family need.
Safest Nuna Infant Car Seat - Nuna Pipa
nuna pipa | |
|---|---|
Length | 26.5" |
Width | 17" |
Height | 22.6" |
Weight | 7.9 lbs |
The Nuna Pipa infant car seat is an average performer on crash tests. It has additional side impact protection and a heavy-duty shell that helps with its overall safety scores, but there are better testers for better prices in the marketplace.
The ease of installation and use is above average. The rigid LATCH system is a big help on both accounts. The user manual and labeling for the Nuna Pipa infant car seat could be better, and it needs more illustrations.
Additional Safety Features:
Nuna is not the cheapest brand on the market. The Nina Pipa is a pricy model with a sleek design that comes with drawbacks. It uses updated technology like True lock™ and other features that make it a premium infant car seat.
Pros
Cons
City dwellers are the biggest beneficiary of the Nuna Pipa. It is lightweight and easy to carry if you take taxis or long walks. It is not budget-friendly, so making sure it is the right investment takes a little extra consideration.
Safest Stroller Combo Infant Car Seat – Maxi-Cosi Mico Max 30 Infant Car Seat
Maxi-Cosi Mico Max 30 | |
|---|---|
Length | 31" |
Width | 18" |
Height | 16" |
Weight | 21 g |
The Mico Max 30 infant car seat has premium stroller compatibility, not with only Maxi-Cosi brand systems. The crash test results are only slightly above average, but the Air Protect® side protection technology and anti-rebound help with its safety score.
The ease of use and installation reflects the overall quality of the premium-priced Mico Max 30 infant car seat. It has excellent scores across the board. It is not without a few issues, but it has far more benefits than drawbacks. The biggest helpful feature is the stay-in-car base.
Additional Safety Features:
The Mico Max 30 rear-facing infant car seat is fully compatible with Maxi-Cosi products and other brand strollers. It is a designer car seat, with a sleek design and optimal contour to make carrying it effortlessly. It works with a wide range of stroller brands and model that makes it easy to take walks or transfer a sleeping child from the car to their warm beds.
Pros
Cons
First and foremost, you will need room if your family budget for a hefty investment. However, for parents that are city-dwellers, the Maxi-Cosi Mico Max 30 infant car seat works well because it is highly compatible with many strollers, and it is lightweight and easy to transport.
Safest Jogger Stroller Combo Infant Car Seat - Britax B-Safe 35
Britax B-Safe 35 Infant Car Seat | |
|---|---|
Length | 26.6" |
Width | 17.9" |
Height | 25.85" |
Weight | 19.91 lbs |
Infant car seats that are compatible with joggers are expensive. But, who does not want a little company on a morning run? The Britax B-Safe 35 ranks around average when it comes to crash tests; however, it has features like added side impact protection and an impact zone on its deep shell that improves its safety.
The B-Safe 35 infant car seat really shines in the area of use. It is simple and uses innovative technology to create a parent-friendly rear-facing car seat. Part of that is its compatibility with safe joggers from brands like –Chicco, Peg Perego, Britax, Baby Jogger, and more.
Additional Safety Features:
Part of the Britax brand is inspiring features. In the case of the B-Safe 35, they offer you an option when it comes to taking sunset jogs with your baby. The infant car seat is safe and comfortable when part of your child restraint car system, too.
Pros
Cons
Whether you are a brisk walker or a full-on jogger, the Britax B-Safe 35 rear-facing car seat might be the right infant car seat for you. It is super easy to mount on a stroller and safe for your little bundle. It is expensive, but you are getting a lot of miles out of the B-Safe 35.
Safest Cheap Infant Car Seat - Graco Snugride Snuglock 35
Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 | |
|---|---|
Length | 28.5" |
Width | 17.75" |
Height | 15.59" |
Weight | 19.1 lbs |
Cheaper is not always better. However, that is not the case with the Graco Snugride Snuglock 35 infant car seat. Its crash test results are impressive and use Safety Surround™ Side-Impact Technology to protect your little human.
Its ease of use is nearly as impressive as their safety scores. The Graco Snugride Snuglock 35 rear-facing infant car seat uses SnugLock® Technology that you can install in one minute, whether with your vehicle seat belt or the LATCH system. The labeling and user manual needs a little work.
Additional Safety Features:
The Snugride Snuglock 35 is a quality infant car seat at a price that most can afford. Graco loads the model with tons of brand-specific safety features and at a price a lot of families can afford. It has a great fit-to-vehicle score that makes it easy to use in a variety of vehicles.
Pros
Cons
We do not always have the funds to make a massive investment in an infant car seat, but we want the safest journey for our little people. The Graco Snugright Snugride 35 is affordable and goes above and beyond to prove a parent-friendly experience.
Safest Lightweight Infant Car Seat - Evenflo LiteMax DLX
evenflo lite max dlx | |
|---|---|
Length | 28" |
Width | 17.75" |
Height | 26.5" |
Weight | 19.2 lbs |
It is hard to believe that the Evenflo has loaded the LiteMax DLX infant car seat with safety features, and yet it remains light enough to tote around. It has excellent crash test results and has energy-absorbing EPS foam for even better side-impact scores.
The ease of use is straightforward. The Evenflo LightMax DLX has SureSafe™ push-on LATCH connectors with guides to make installation breezy. And, every parent loves a no-rethread harness when making adjustments. It does have a lack of clear labeling, and the harness slots are small.
Additional Safety Features:
The Evenflo LightMax DLX puts parents and portability first. The inspired model has the latest safety features and provides comfort to your little bundle during every drive. It could be a bit more parent-friendly, but when it comes to its portability, it hits all the right notes.
Pros
Cons
If you are looking for the lightest and safest infant car seat model on the market, the Evenflo LightMax DLX might be just the right match for you. It is an overall great performer when it comes to infant car seats and will not break the bank.
Safest narrow infant car seat – Clek Liing
clek liing | |
|---|---|
Length | 27.75" |
Width | 16.9" |
Height | 27" |
Weight | 27 lbs |
People with small vehicles have fewer options. The Clek Liing might be the only narrow infant car seat you will ever need. The inspiring crash test results are tempting enough, but the addition of a stabilizing load leg and rigid lower LATCH anchors makes it that much safer.
The overall ease of use of the Clek Liing rear-facing infant car seat is pretty great, too. Adjustments are easy-to-handle, and lock-off is simple to use. The LATCH system helps with installation as well as make for a safer infant car seat. The labeling needs improving, and it is a good idea to check your user manual when installing or using the Liing infant car seat for the first time.
Additional Safety Features:
The Clek Liing is a model of infant car seat that is specifically geared to people who are looking for a narrow, fit-to-vehicle infant car seat model. It is incredibly expensive, but you will not find a better overall performer in the marketplace.
Pros
Cons
Safest Infant Car Seat for Small Cars - Chicco KeyFit 30
chicco keyfit 30 | |
|---|---|
Length | 27.5" |
Width | 17" |
Height | 24" |
Weight | 17 lbs |
Infant car seat use in smaller vehicles is not always cut and dry. The Chicco KeyFit 30 has great crash test results and uses energy-absorbing foam to provide better side-impact protection. Its head sensors are particularly high scorers.
The Chicco KeyFit 30 infant car seat is a parent favorite because of its straightforward approach to installation and use. It has a SuperCinch® LATCH system that makes securing it easy, and the KeyFit 30 rear-facing car seat has a 5-point harness that adjusts one movement.
Additional Safety Features:
Chicco has upped their infant car seat game with the KeyFit 30. It is a quality model at an affordable price. The KeyFit 30 infant car seat has made fans of both technicians and parents.
Pros
Cons
It goes without saying that the Chicco KeyFit 30 infant car seat benefits those parents with small vehicles the most. However, if you use rideshares, you have no idea what size the car will pick you up. It is a great choice at a great price.
Safest Infant Car Seat for Travel - Cybex Aton 2
cybex aton 2 | |
|---|---|
Length | 25" |
Width | 17.25" |
Height | 12.25" |
Weight | 26.5 lbs |
Sometimes a premium-priced infant car seat is worth it. The Cybex Alton is full of features, including those that help its safety scores, such as a load leg and SensorSafe Technology. Its amazing crash test results only impress that much more.
Because of the various features, the Cybex Alton 2 rear-facing car seat has certain aspects that make it a little more difficult to use. The tensioning plate is a good example because it helps get a secure fit but complicates installation. The ease of use is pretty spot-on, though.
Additional Safety Features:
It seems Cybex took into account families that travel. The Cybex Aton 2 infant car seat is a high-quality infant car seat that is incredibly safe. It is a parent-friendly solution if you have room in your budget for quite the investment.
Pros
Cons
With the Cybex Aton 2, the features make it great for a family that is always on the move or enjoy vacations and adventures. It does not have a great installation, but if you are using just one infant car seat, the Aton 2 rear-facing car seat might be for you.
FAQs: Infant Car Seats
The main two types of infant car seats are – rear-facing only and convertible rear-facing to forward-facing car seats. As a child grows, there are other convertible and combo child restraints and highback and backless booster seats.
The first thing you will need to understand is that an infant car seat is a rear-facing only child restraint. You have the option of using a convertible car seat –rear-facing to forward-facing. But, you need to consider that infant car seats are specifically designed for tiny ones. A child should remain in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least 35 pounds and 2-years-old.
Rear-facing car seats are both best practice and legally required. An infant car seat has different protections than a lot of convertible child restraint systems. Most infant-only car seats have higher rear-facing weight limits and specifications for smaller babies and preemies.
Weight and height limits are particularly important to keep in mind when looking for the infant car seat that is right for you. The general limits are birth to 35 pounds and 35 inches. Some models are made specifically for tinier infants and preemies, while others lean toward bigger kids.
When it comes to height, make sure your infant’s shoulders meet the lowest shoulder strap. Certain rear-facing car seats require an insert, and that is acceptable, and in most cases, they provide it.
The same rules apply when it is time to graduate from an infant car seat – safe fit. Your little person is ready to move to a new car restraint system when there is less than an inch from the top of your kid’s head to the carrier. But, that is not the only thing to look for.
The weight and height limit is incredibly important. Again, always check your specific model for their recommendations. However, following the 35 pounds and 35 inches limit rule helps. Every state has different laws for different car seats, but it also advised that they should be 2-years-old before going to a forward-facing car seat.
Another rule of thumb is that if the carrier is too heavy to carry, it might be a good time to looking at transitioning to a different child car restraint system.
One of the most common mistakes when it comes to installing an infant car seat is putting it in the wrong place. A rear-facing car seat needs to always be in the back seat and away from all airbags. Some parents drive one seat vehicles. In things like trucks, unless you can disable all airbags, do not install a rear-facing infant car seat.
The center of the backseat is the best position your infant car seat can be in. We know that it is not always easy when you have other kids or passengers. And, not all child car restraint systems have a great fit-to-vehicle. The center space minimizes many risks that come with car accidents.
The biggest thing you could do, you are already doing. Research is essential to finding the right infant car seat for you because there is so much to consider. You may even want to read online user manuals before you make the investment, so you know if the task is something you are prepared to do. A handy hint is to measure the backseat of your vehicle so that you know the measurements because not every seat is a great fit.
We cannot stress enough the need to find the right infant car seat according to your baby’s weight and height. If the fit-to-child is poor, safety is poor.
Not every infant car seat model is compatible with strollers. You will need to consider whether you do a lot of walking or even jogging. You can find premium choices that work with different brands of strollers and joggers. Being able to move your sleeping little person without waking them up is always a plus, too.
Do you already have an infant car seat but need to replace it for various reasons? If your precious cargo gets too heavy before they are ready for a forward-facing seat, it might be time to buy a new one. Also, it is a good policy to keep up with infant car seat recalls. Do not hesitate to replace a rear-facing seat if you feel like it is for the best.
Every parent is looking for different features. Whether it is a huge canopy or a specific safety feature, it is your right to find the one that is best for both you and your bundle. Certain price ranges typically contain certain features. For many parents, a no-rethread harness is worth the little bit of extra, while others feel most comfortable with the LATCH system at a higher cost.
As parents, we understand all about accidents. An easily washable cover is ideal. Not all models have machine-washable fabric, and others are hard to get the cover on and off. It factors into the ease of use and what you feel comfortable with.
We touched on the user manual. It is important to be able to understand the text and illustrations. You might want to find a model with great labeling, too. Instructions on installation that have both diagrams and text are the best at walking a new parent through the steps of an infant car seat.
The fit-to-vehicle is important to every occupant’s safety. You want to avoid an infant car seat that will move around in your car; it another reason why many parents prefer rear-facing car seats with LATCH anchor connectors.
You want to avoid any loose harnesses. It does not matter which type it is; it is dangerous when they all do not fit properly. Sometimes it is model-specific, and other times it is user error. It is a reason why the diagrams and text combo in user manuals are so helpful. That goes for making sure the harness straps are in the right slots, too.
We mentioned checking for recalls. It is part of doing your research, and you will want to avoid getting an infant car seat with recalls. If you run into a potentially dangerous aspect of your rear-facing car seat, report it, too, so other parents will know.
Wrapping It Up
It is overwhelming to have a new baby, much less the thought of riding around with your new bundle of joy. The best infant car seat for you is about safety and one that helps reduce your stress.
We hope we have helped you through the worst of it and helped you narrow down the choices. The first days are the best days, and you want to enjoy them without wondering if you have the safest infant car seat for you.
Additional Sources:
Car Seats: Information for Families
Car seat safety: Avoid 9 common mistakes
With two kids of my own, I’m passionate about child safety! I’m a research nerd who’s on a mission to make the world a safer place for kids – starting with car seats!
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