Best Infant Car Seats, According to Child Safety Experts

Everything about having a new baby is nerve-wracking, especially if it’s your first, but there’s something about the thought of that tiny one riding in the back of the car that’s especially unsettling. Whether you’re worried about other drivers, bad weather, or just the prospect of scrubbing baby puke off your upholstery, you can give yourself peace of mind by picking something from our list of the best infant car seats available.

Our picks for the best infant car seats

Easiest-to-install infant car seat: Chicco Fit2

As mentioned earlier, ease of installation not only makes your life easier, it helps ensure that others don’t struggle with the seat when babysitting. Mills suggests trying the Chicco Fit2, saying that, “It’s not only great value, but its RideRight bubbles [easy-to-read, built-in spirit levels] ensure the seat is correctly leveled in your vehicle. The SuperCinch LATCH tightener makes it super easy to ensure the latch system is tight and secure, too.”

Specifications:

• Passenger Weight: 4 - 35 pounds
• Carrier Weight: 11 pounds
• Dimensions: 28 inches long x 17 inches wide x 24 inches high
• Height limit: 35 inches
• Price on publish: $329.99

The bottom line:

A safe, stylish car seat designed to be easy to use, day in, day out.

What to consider before buying an infant car seat

Get ready, because whether you’re looking at Graco, UPPAbaby, or any other brand, there’s a lot to think about before buying an infant car seat.

Crash testing

It’s important to buy a seat that you know has been exhaustively tested to withstand various types of accidents, but fortunately, that’s not as tough as it sounds. “Consumers can take comfort in knowing that all car seats sold through authorized US retailers comply with the latest safety standards,” says Alli Cavasino, co-founder and CEO of JoyLet, and certified child passenger safety technician. “If you’re buying your car seat new from a reputable retailer, your car seat will have gone through safety and crash testing.”

“As a self-confessed car seat geek, independent crash testing would always be my first port of call,” agrees Jeff Mills, director at Baby & Co. “You must check that the infant carrier conforms to the latest federal safety standards (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213).”

Mills adds, though, that meeting that standard and exceeding it are two very different things. “What truly distinguishes budget infant carriers from premium brands is the extensive in-house testing conducted as an integral part of their design process,” he says. “It goes beyond designing a seat capable of performing at 30 mph; instead, these manufacturers strive to create seats that excel at highway speeds. This additional testing incurs costs for car seat brands, and it’s undeniably reflected in the prices of the top-performing baby car seats.”

Safety features

Some car seats offer safety enhancements that can help improve their performance in a crash. Joe Colella, JPMA director of child passenger safety and 2020 child passenger safety Hall of Fame inductee, recommends looking for the following:

• Load legs or stability legs, which have been shown to reduce the amount of crash energy transferred to the child.
• Enhanced side-impact protection features to improve child safety in crashes from more directions. “While all car seats made after June 30, 2025 will be required to meet side impact performance regulations, some models already have features built in that have been crash tested for improved outcomes,” says Colella.
• Alert systems designed to warn a driver if a child is inadvertently left in the car, to prevent hot car tragedies. “Some of these alert systems can also communicate with the driver if the child is not fully buckled in or if other issues are present,” Colella adds.

Size

A car seat has to fit your child perfectly, but also your car. “The right car seat is one designed for your child’s height, weight, age, and developmental needs,” says Colella. The instructions included with the seat will tell you the height and weight ranges it’s appropriate for. In terms of how it fits in the car, Colella says that, “The car seat must be correctly attached to the vehicle to perform its functions. Following car seat installation instructions and vehicle owner’s manual guidance is crucial.”

Ease of Installation

This point isn’t just about making your life easier, it’s about ensuring anyone using your car seat (say, if you left the baby with Grandpa for the day) can easily figure out how it works. “Proper installation is paramount for safety–the safest car seat is one that is installed correctly,” says Cavasino. “Choose an infant car seat that is user-friendly and comes with clear installation instructions. Some models may include features like color-coded indicators or built-in leveling systems to assist with correct installation.”

Adjustability

“Consider car seats that offer adjustable features to ensure a secure and comfortable fit for your child,” advises Cavasino. “Adjustable harness heights, recline positions, and headrests contribute to the adaptability of the seat as your child grows.”

Ease of cleaning

From overflowing diapers to car sickness incidents to spilled snacks and drinks, every parent knows that car seats can very quickly become disgusting. It’s definitely worth considering a seat with machine-washable covers.

Longevity

“Consider the car seat's suitability for long-term use, and expiration date, especially if you plan to use it for the infant stage for multiple children,” says Cavasino. “One advantage of a convertible car seat is that accommodating different stages of growth might be a cost-effective and practical choice.”

While that might all seem like a lot, it’s well worth taking the time to absorb. And if you’re also shopping for other baby essentials in anticipation of a new arrival, be sure to check out our guides to the best baby bibs, high chairs, and travel strollers.

How we selected the best infant car seats

Our selections were made by listening to the advice of our three incredibly knowledgeable experts, as well as conducting thorough research and ensuring that every one of our picks has positive customer reviews, especially in terms of ease of use, longevity, and most of all, that parents were satisfied their babies were safe in the seat.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How long are infant car seats good for?

“Infant car seats are specifically crafted for use from birth up to a maximum height of 32 inches,” says Mills. “Although the maximum weight limit may vary among different models, it usually ranges between 30-35 pounds. This weight limit aligns with the average age of an infant, typically reaching 12-15 months.”

If you’re unsure about whether it’s time to replace your seat, Cavasino advises considering the following:

● Expiration date: Infant car seats have an expiration date, usually around six to ten years after the manufacturing date. It's crucial to replace the car seat before it expires to ensure continued safety.

● Technological advancements: Consider replacing the infant car seat if there have been significant technological advancements in car seat safety since your original purchase.

● Wear and tear: Regularly inspect the car seat for any signs of wear and tear. If you notice any damage or if the seat has been involved in a moderate to severe crash, it's time to replace it.

What’s the difference between an infant car seat and a convertible car seat?

“Infant car seats are typically designed for our youngest and smallest children, with minimum weights of three or four pounds and upper limits ranging from 20 to 35 pounds, and may only be installed and used facing the rear of the vehicle,” says Colella. “Convertible models can be used facing the rear of the vehicle for specified child height and weight ranges, and then can be converted for forward-facing use with separate height and weight ranges.”

How long do babies stay in infant car seats?

Babies should remain in rear-facing car seats until they reach the maximum weight or height limit specified by the car seat manufacturer, according to Cavasino. She adds that, “This is typically around 22-35 pounds or when the top of the child's head is within an inch of the top of the seat. Considering the rapid growth during the early stages of a child's life, infants often outgrow their infant car seats within the first year. As a general guideline, many babies transition to convertible car seats after the age of two, or when they exceed the rear-facing limits.”

Can I use a second-hand car seat?

“Generally, experts recommend against using second-hand car seats for safety assurance reasons,” warns Colella. “Car seats are safety devices, so their ability to function as designed is critical.”

“The most important thing you can do is to make sure you know the origin,” says Cavasino. “I recommend always buying your car seat new, but if you do acquire a secondhand car seat, make sure that you trust the source. You want to make sure that it has not been involved in an accident, expired, or been recalled. In certain cases, if a car seat is involved in even a minor collision, it may need to be replaced. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued guidelines that outline when parents should replace a car seat after an accident.”

“Additionally, car seats expire and may have been subject to a recall,” she continues. “You can check the expiration date on the unit itself along with the make, model, and model year. Use this information to look up whether the car seat has been subject to a recall on nhtsa.gov/recalls.”