Best Infant and Baby Car Seats

We make some things needlessly convoluted. Car seats shouldn’t be one of those things. The guidelines, issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) are clear: All infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing only or rear-facing convertible car seat until the age of two, on average.

You can choose between two types of car seats when it comes to your newborn. Rear-facing car seats fit infant up to children weighing up to 22 to 35 pounds depending on the specific model. Convertible car seats can be converted to forward-facing car seats for older children, once they outgrow either the weight or length limit for rear-facing seats, so they’re the more economical option. So car seats also have the LATCH (lower anchors and tethers for children) system, which is a car seat attachment system that can be used instead of seat belts to install the seat.

See more: Best Travel Strollers

“It doesn’t have to be that complicated in terms of seats,” says expert Dr. Benjamin D. Hoffman, the chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention. “The convenience aspect of the rear-facing only car seats that come in and out of the car using a detachable base, that is invaluable. If the family doesn’t have the means to purchase two car seats, the convertible seat is fantastic. I know it can feel intimidating and complicated.”

These are some of the best rear-facing car seats for newborns, according to the AAP. All of them meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213. As for accessories to attach to your car seat to entertain your kid, opt out. These items are not regulated and have never been crash-tested.

TheChicco KeyFit 30 car seat has a quick-remove seat pad for machine washing, and a breathable 3D AirMesh backrest. There’s a five-point harness with one-pull tightening to help keep your baby secure, and the carrier shell is lined with EPS energy-absorbing foam for improved impact protection. The car seat also features a large zip-off canopy with a zip-on visor.

Weight: 4-30 poundsHeight: Up to 30 inches in height.

The Cosco DX car seat includes an infant insert that gives smaller babies a more snug fit, and it weighs just over 10 pounds. It has a five-point harness with up-front adjustment.

Weight: 4-22 poundsHeight: 29 inches

The Evenflo car seat has easy-to-slide harness straps to enable instant adjustment for your baby’s growth without removing and re-threading the annoying harness straps. It’s stellar quality for the price.

Weight: 4-35 poundsHeight: 32 inches

Another car seat that has easy installation cred, the Graco grows with your infant. The brand’s Click Connect system provides a one-step secure attachment to all Click Connect strollers to create a handy and no-hassle travel system.

Weight: 4-30 poundsHeight: 30 inches

We like this Britax car seat because of its simple installation. It has center-pull straps and quick, push-button, lower LATCH connectors. It’s compatible with any Britax or BOB stroller.

Weight: 4-35 poundsHeight: 32 inches

The Mesa car seat has a tightness indicator and self-retracting LATCH connectors for fast, accurate and easy installation, to minimize user error.

Weight: 4-35 poundsHeight: 32 inches

The Sonus convertible car seats features an air flow ventilation system that provides a temperature-regulated, comfortable traveling experience for your kiddo. They theoretically won’t overheat. It has removable pads for easy machine washing, plus two cup holders, and a head pillow for support.

Weight: 5-50 poundsHeight: 50 inches

The Britax car seat has a quick-adjust 10 position harness with a headrest that grows along with your child. You can remove the car seat cover and clean it.

Weight: 5-65 poundsHeight: 49 inches

The Maxi-Cosi Magellan convertible car seat has 14 height positions and seven recline positions you can choose from, and it transforms into a booster seat when needed. The cover is machine-washable.

Weight: 5-120 poundsHeight: Adjustable

Peg Perego’s car seat comes with EPS side foam in the shell and in the head panels for extra side impact protection. It also has adjustable LATCH connectors to add stability and simplify installation.

Weight: 5-65 poundsHeight: 49 inches

The Graco convertible car seat has a six-position recline, and a four-position extension panel that adjusts to provide five inches of additional legroom, meaning your child can sit more comfortably when he or she is rear-facing. Most deluxe of all is the 10-position headrest, which will keep that noggin happy.

Weight: 4-65 poundsHeight: 49 inches

No more fighting with latches and straps. Graco’s Simply Safe harness adjust system takes the guesswork out of car seats and makes sure that your child is secured correctly, without any hassles.

Weight: 4-65 poundsHeight: 49 inches

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