The release button is at the carrier's foot on top of the padding near the tightening belt. Five out of our six testers picked the Britax B-Safe Ultra as their favorite car seat. The anchors are easily attached by pushing them into the U-shaped vehicle anchor points. The shell quality is better than the cheaper products in the review but not as nice as the options in the same price range as the B-Safe 35. The ease of use and installation reflects the overall quality of the premium-priced Mico Max 30 infant car seat. The Clek Liing might be the only narrow infant car seat you will ever need. The seat bottom was the second-narrowest we tested and has a nice fluffy insert to help keep baby in place. City dwellers are the biggest beneficiary of the Nuna Pipa. They have been manufacturing children's products for over 70 years. We dont want the ranking in this review to be overstated: if it werent for a few features that made other car seats easier to use in specific cases, this car seat would have been very close to the top pick. Learn about how the anchors in your car and attachment systems on your car seat work together to make a tight, secure installation. Videos of European crash tests like this one are pretty convincing. Alternatively, we think you are better off choosing a higher scoring option with the features or crash test results that are a priority to you. One of our testers, A.M., seemed entirely too small in the Graco and Chicco. Rear-facing car seats are both best practice and legally required. The biggest thing you could do, you are already doing. The Mico Max Plus infant car seat, has belt locks offs that make some parts easier than others. Releasing tension to make unbuckling easier was simple for all of these systems. 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. 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. The American method threads the belt across the lower part of the seat. In anything but a minivan, its a tricky fit. provide a rating on how easy a car seat is to use, Check out our review of forward-facing booster seats for big kids here. The two-in-one has inspiring ease of use scores. However, the overall fit and finish look good compared to a lot of the competition. Britax provides two key features on this model that are still rare at this competitive price point. Privacy | Cookies | Terms, In-depth baby product reviews led by a Pediatrician, Easy to use LATCH, but disappointing overall performance. The B-Safe 35 infant car seat really shines in the area of use. It alerts parents when their baby is in the vehicle, and other information uses smart technology. The Chicco KeyFit 30 has great crash test resultsand uses energy-absorbing foam to provide better side-impact protection. It factors into the ease of use and what you feel comfortable with. Cybex also gives you a newborn insert that fills in some space in the bottom of the seat. The NHTSA gave this car seat full marks for installation. Certain price ranges typically contain certain features. As parents, we understand all about accidents. The Evenflo LightMax DLX has SureSafe push-on LATCH connectors with guides to make installation breezy. That said, you can still have a safe car seat without these features and U.S. safety agencies arent currently testing them: The Cybex is tested and approved with these two features folded in, and U.S. standards dont currently test side impacts. Also, it is a good policy to keep up with infant car seat recalls. It is a reliable car seat with quite a few new features that keep your little human safe and comfortable. We know many parents are drawn to the Britax brand because of their reputation of offering safe, high-quality products for little ones. It works well with different brands of strollers, too. Copyright 2012 - 2022 BabyGearLab LLC There are some perks and quirks that differentiate each system, but our biggest takeaway is that you should get a car seat with some easy-to-use tension aid for secure installation. We didnt find anything ultra-luxe like flame-retardant-free wool in the $200 price bracket we tested. 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. It is highly affordable and makes a great and safe spare infant car seat. The main two types of infant car seats are rear-facing only and convertible rear-facing to forward-facing car seats. The infant car seat is safe and comfortable when part of your child restraint car system, too. It has a great fit-to-vehicle score that makes it easy to use in a variety of vehicles. The fit-to-vehicle is important to every occupants safety. Required fields are marked *. We did not experience any rubbing with this handle regarding the canopy, which is a plus and somewhat rare. Chicco has upped their infant car seat game with the KeyFit 30. The Chicco KeyFit is the right combination of safety, comfort, and ease of use. This is also the best fit for cars without legroom to spare. The carrier and handle are easily lockable and work without an issue. 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. Even if you are looking for a Britax seat to combine with a Britax stroller, we would recommend looking at the higher-ranking alternatives over this mediocre option. They compared ease of installation and fit with their babies, plus we tested each of these car seats with our universally-compatible double strollers. The LATCH system makes any car seat easier, especially when they have push-on connectors. We prefer the European belt path, as it feels more stable, in our opinion, because it utilizes the shoulder portion of the belt around the back of the seat. This is a minor update of the seat our lead tester had been using for his two children and theres really nothing about this car seat that was missed. Once you move up to a quick-release tension system with an adjustment strap in the front, its easy to tighten and loosen the harness every time you take baby in the car. We know that it is not always easy when you have other kids or passengers. This design means you adjust the height with the baby out of the seat and from behind. Family vacations are hard when we have infants. If you can afford to spend a little more, the Aton Q adds a bigger sun canopy and non-rethread harness adjustment, but the tricky carrier release latch is still the same. The extra couple of pounds youll have to carry with a Cybex are well worth it when it comes to plush materials, easy installation and other quality-of-life improvements. Crash test results are an interesting wrinkle in car seat safety. You might want to find a model with great labeling, too. The back of a convertible is so tall that when its reclined in rear-facing mode for an infant, it takes up a lot of extra room. Obviously, the more space between the seats, the easier installation was. Most states require rear-facing seats for the first two years, and many safety experts advise keeping your kids rear-facing for as long as possible. Are infant car seats safer than convertible car seats? For example, the Mico Maxi Plus infant car seat transitions easily with the right stroller combination. Infants are the most precious cargo we will ever have. You don't need all these extra features to have a safe car seat, but it sure can't hurt. It is incredibly expensive, but you will not find a better overall performer in the marketplace. The Cybex Aton2 has the biggest, fluffiest cushions and the second-narrowest bucket, which makes it the best fit for tiny babies. A convertible car seat makes sense in a lot of ways. Unfortunately, the Cybex is not compatible with many strollers, but you might pair it with an excellent baby carrier instead. Given the number of drunk and distracted drivers on the road, your newborn deserves no less than the best. The other unique feature is a linear side-impact protection (LSP) system. You dont want to be caught off guard if baby arrives early! And in the process, I gathered a ton of info! Britax is the only manufacturer we found that sells a seat with a no-rethread harness in this price bracket. If the fit-to-child is poor, safety is poor. 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. The GoldSureMax makes memories possible with its all-around approach to creating a quality rear-facing car seat. In the case of the B-Safe 35, they offer you an option when it comes to taking sunset jogs with your baby. If you only ever use your car seat in one car, maybe youll never use this feature. Learn more, January 1, 2022 by Sam Webster Leave a Comment. The NHTSA rates this car seat a 19 out of 25, docking points for label clarity and the harness system. However, following the 35 pounds and 35 inches limit rule helps. We cannot stress enough the need to find the right infant car seat according to your babys weight and height. Some parents drive one seat vehicles. Britax brings features youd usually only see on $300 or $400 car seats down to an affordable price, and its one of the easiest seats to work with. None of our reviews are sponsored. He emigrated from Canada to California in 2013, and now writes for Your Best Digs full-time. There are other safe ways to install a car seat without a base (always check the manufacturers instructions to see your options). The strap is more comfortable to tighten than much of the competition and significantly easier when loosening, which is rare. Yes, there was more leg room with the Cybex, but when its in the base the Britax is slightly shorter than the Chicco despite giving more room to grow. An example is side-impact testing: some review tests are designed to show an absolute worst-case scenario of a vehicle sliding sideways at 30 miles per hour and colliding with a stationary object exactly on the door next to a car seat installed in a side seat. It has dual release levers located on the back of the handle where the sides attach to the carrier. That goes for making sure the harness straps are in the right slots, too. It is hard to trust anyone or anything to have our babies best interests at heart. It might have every bell and whistle, but it does have quality. It should also be easy to adjust the seat straps to grow with your baby. Check out our review of forward-facing booster seats for big kids here. It did not require a towel to get the proper angle, but it didn't feel as secure. 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. Part of the Maxi-Cosi brand is their premium-price for premium-features. The first is a load leg feature that sticks out from the base. The KeyFit 30 infant car seat has made fans of both technicians and parents. The National Highway Transportation Safety Agency (NHTSA) has rules about minimum car seat protection and they test car seats extensively to help make every seat on the road safe, but many car seat manufacturers claim safety features that arent related to the core set of crash test measurements. This leg is designed to absorb forward inertia in case of a head-on crash. We compiled a list of 15 car seats and inspected them in-store before purchasing our test lineup. If you need a more budget-friendly seat, the Chicco Keyfit 30 is similar and sports a lower price and the group's best HIC crash test result. Best for Small Cars and Small Babies: Cybex - Aton2. It seems Cybex took into account families that travel. Labels are clear, instructions are well-written, and the important installation and adjustment components are color coded and easy to use. At a Glance:Safest Infant Car Seats: 15 Best Infant Car Seats for Every Need, Safest Infant Car Seats: 15 Best Infant Car Seats for Every Need, Safest Graco Infant Car Seat - Graco Snugride Snuglock 35 DLX, Safest Britax Infant Car Seat - Britax Endeavours, Safest Evenflo Infant Car Seat - Evenflo Gold SecureMax, Safest Doona Infant Car Seat - Doona Infant Car Seat Stroller, Safest Chicco Infant Car Seat - Chicco KeyFit, Safest Maxi-Cosi Infant Car Seat - Maxi-Cosi Mico Max Plus, Safest Baby Trend infant car seat - Baby Trend Ally 35, Safest Stroller Combo Infant Car Seat Maxi-Cosi Mico Max 30 Infant Car Seat, Safest Jogger Stroller Combo Infant Car Seat - Britax B-Safe 35, Safest Cheap Infant Car Seat - Graco Snugride Snuglock 35, Safest Lightweight Infant Car Seat - Evenflo LiteMax DLX, Safest narrow infant car seat Clek Liing, Safest Infant Car Seat for Small Cars - Chicco KeyFit 30, Safest Infant Car Seat for Travel - Cybex Aton 2, user manual and labeling for the Nuna Pipa. The installation is a breeze, but the use becomes overcomplicated, and it lacks a lot of labeling and instructions that would help. Many reviewers give this car seat top marks, but all of our testers preferred the installation and safety features of other seats. Installation aids: The more readily apparent benefits come from systems that make securing your car seat to the anchors in your car quick and simple. Britax has packed premium features into this car seat, and we found it the easiest to install and use every day. It is an overall great performer when it comes to infant car seats and will not break the bank. Straps should always start at a level just below your babys shoulders to pull them down into the bottom of the seat. The features make installation stress-free. The handle on this seat is easy to use and adjust. Part of that is its compatibility with safe joggers from brands like Chicco, Peg Perego, Britax, Baby Jogger, and more. When youre buying, you probably dont even know how big your baby will be yet. You want to avoid any loose harnesses. Review publications like Consumer Reports have chosen to run crash tests themselves. Choosing your first car seat can be intimidating. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support, Nice fabric, easy to use LATCH, works with Britax strollers. We honed in on the $200 price bracket as the best value. Air Protect Superior Side Impact Protection. The price may put it out of range for some caregivers, but the features are hard to pass up. But, that is not the only thing to look for. Every parent has to factor in different and unique features along with the basics. This isnt a dealbreaker, and many parents will use a blanket or stroller canopy when the carrier isnt in the car, but its annoying that you cant get just a few more degrees of rotation out of the shade. Options for no-base installs: If you find yourself taking a car seat in a taxi, Uber or your moms car, will you be able to secure the carrier without the base? The general limits are birth to 35 pounds and 35 inches. This Britax earns its top score for installation in the LATCH method, but it is still not impressive compared to the competition with a slightly above average result. The padding on this Britax is relatively thin and flexible compared to the competition. Got feedback? This chart shows the B-Safe 35 crash test data for the chest sensors vs the Graco SnugRide Click Connect 40 data, which has the best crash test results for the chest region, This chart shows the B-Safe 35 crash test data for the head sensors vs the Chicco Keyfit 30 data, which has the best crash test results for the head region, The B-Safe 35 offers relatively thick dense foam padding that potentially increase safety, The B-Safe 35 earned its highest install score for the LATCH system, The LATCH anchors are definitely easier to use on vehicles with pre formed LATCH pockets, The B-Safe 35 earned a below average score for installation with the belt despite the seat lock off, The lock off on the B-Safe 35 is a result of side threading mechanisms that prevent the belt from sliding through, The B-Safe 35 uses the American belt path across the lower portion of the carrier, The larger side clips on the B-Safe 35 make threading the belt a little easier, The release button on the B-Safe 35 is easy to press but also easy for baby to play with, The buckle on the B-Safe 35 is easier to use than the buckle on the B-Safe, The handle on the B-Safe 35 is easy to use, The carrier release handle on the B-Safe 35 is easy to use, The Britax B-Safe 35 is somewhat disappointing for comfort compared to the other seats in the group, The B-Safe 35 has a very nice looking canopy, This is the heavier of the two Britax seats we reviewed, BabyGearLab is reader-supported. It is a reason why the diagrams and text combo in user manuals are so helpful. 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. When do babies grow out of infant car seats? Given that parents will lift the carrier on and off the base and potentially carry it with their baby on board, the weight of the carrier can be important. The labeling and user manual needs a little work. But, you need to consider that infant car seats are specifically designed for tiny ones. People with small vehicles have fewer options. The Best Digital Thermometers for Babies and Kids, Extensive Guide to Babyproofing Your Home. What are the main types of infant car seats? Still, other seats appear to offer an additional margin of protection compared to the B-Safe 35 based on the crash test analysis. The NHTSA rates this a 24 out of 25 for ease of use and an easy-to-use car seat is a safe car seat. Researchis essential to finding the right infant car seat for you because there is so much to consider. The inspiring crash test resultsare tempting enough, but the addition of a stabilizing load leg and rigid lower LATCH anchors makes it that much safer.