The 7 Best Infant Car Seats, Based on Parent Testing

Some seats just do it all. The Nuna pipa aire rx is the kind of product that spoils a parent, loaded with features that address nearly every complaint families commonly have about car seats. Our tester Noora certainly agreed, awarding the Nuna pipa aire rx 10 out of 10 across all categories. So what exactly makes this infant car seat worthy of a prestigious Best of The Bump award for overall best infant car seat?

First and foremost, Noora described the safety features as “excellent,” and we’re inclined to agree. It’s got a 17-position built-in load leg to ensure a perfect fit in any backseat—including the middle—whether you’re using the base and LATCH or using the European belt path to secure the seat directly into an Uber or cab. “I feel so comfortable with the sturdiness of the car seat. I love the way it sits in the truck and the extra security features and latches that are on the base to secure it to the seat and belts,” Noora says. What’s more, an anti-rebound panel and side impact protection make the seat ironclad, which is perhaps one reason why independent crash testing conducted by Consumer Reports found that it offered the “best” level of crash protection available.

Installation is “simple and easy,” Noora reported, thanks to a button-operated four-position recline that eliminates the need to use those tedious balance bubbles that other seats rely on. Plus, Nuna’s True Lock installation includes steel-reinforced LATCH connectors that flip out from the base and turn green when properly connected to the car. When it comes to securing the child, this model’s makers have thought of everything, from a no-rethread harness to magnetic buckle holders—no more wishing you had an extra hand, or digging underneath your baby’s bottom to find the strap and clip them in securely.

Other perks of this model include the breathable, stain-resistant fabric and an extra liner that you can insert when the other one is in the wash. The seat itself is super lightweight at just 8.4 pounds with seat inserts and canopy included. Noora says that “the weight distribution makes it so easy to carry,” praising the adjustable handle, and adding, “It’s so simple and easy to convert and carry with baby inside or without.” And don’t forget about Nuna’s magnetic Sky drape canopy, which covers the full seat for on-the-go naps.

Feature after feature, the pipa aire rx just keeps delivering, resulting in a car seat that makes things as easy as possible for parents, while still providing them with total peace of mind. And Noora’s final takeaway? “It’s awesome and we love it!”

Dimensions: 27.3" (L) x 17.5" (W) x 23" (H) | Weight (seat with inserts and canopy): 8.4 lbs. | Weight (base): 16.8 lbs. | Weight capacity: 30 lbs. | Height limit: 30" | European belt path: Y

Every parent wants the safest infant car seat for their baby, and while every option on the market is subject to federal standards, some models, like the Best of The Bump-winning Cybex Cloud G Lux, go above and beyond with an array of additional safety features.

The seat is equipped with an anti-rebound base and load leg, as well as linear side impact protection. On top of that, The Cloud G Lux features a Bluetooth-enabled clip that pings your phone when it becomes unbuckled, whenever the seat gets too hot or cold or even, in a worst-case scenario, if you accidentally leave your child in the car. “The SensorSafe Technology is such a great tool,” says our product tester Kareene. “The fact that it can tell you if the chest clip is undone or if the seat is too warm or too cold blows my mind!” It’s no wonder, then, that she gave this infant car seat a 10 out of 10 for safety.

The attention to safety doesn’t stop in the car, though: When attached to a stroller, the seat tilts backward 45 percent more than comparable infant car seats. This offers a stable sleep surface for newborns and infants. “The full recline position is so unique and is a great selling point,” Kareene said, adding that it was “so convenient to change the recline when baby falls asleep during our walk.”

Luckily for littles, the seat’s not just safe—it’s comfortable. Kareene, awarding the Cloud G Lux another 10 out of 10 score for features and design, described the fabric as “really soft and cushion-y.” What’s more, the seat back is designed with air vents to promote temperature regulation. And an extra-large UPF 50+ canopy helps ensure naps on the go are restful, since it really blocks the sun without compromising portability. “I like that the carry handle sits high when the canopy is extended so that I can easily slip my arm through to carry the car seat on my forearm,” Kareene shared.

With eight color options, the seat aligns to any aesthetic. But what’s style without ease of use? Rest assured, it’s another area where the Cloud G Lux earned a perfect score. “Love that it has a no-rethread harness, and I appreciate how easily the harness glides to tighten it,” our tester shared, fully convinced this seat’s got it all—including a whopping 12 headrest positions to keep your child safe and secure as they grow.

Dimensions: 26.5" (L) x 17.6" (W) x 15.8" (H) | Weight (seat): 12 lbs. | Weight (base): 16 lbs. | Weight capacity: 4 to 35 lbs. | Height limit: 32" | European belt path: Y

Not every car seat manufacturer publishes their crash testing results, but Clek posts their results for the Liing infant car seat on the brand’s website. And we have to say, it fared impressively well on impact across the board, particularly for preventing head injury. But you don’t just have to take their word for it—Consumer Reports also gave this Best of The Bump winner the best possible rating for crash protection.

The Liing offers up to seven recline positions, plus additional safety features such as side impact protection and an energy-absorbing metal load leg that even works in the center seat. “I was admittedly skeptical about the stabilizing [leg], worried it would take up valuable floor space in front of the seat, but it didn’t obstruct the area and provided additional peace of mind,” our product tester Kimberly said, giving the Liing 10 out of 10 scores for safety and features and design.

Aside from its top safety features, the Clek Liing is nice and narrow at just under 17 inches wide. Our product tester reported that this seat fit easily into her car alongside her toddler’s rear-facing seat—with plenty of room to spare for another car seat or passenger in between. Kimberly also raved about the seat’s retractable overhead shade, which “extends farther than I have seen with other car seats,” she said. Conveniently, the shade also includes a flap that can be pulled back to check on baby, and it provides additional ventilation.

Overall, “the design of the seat itself is wonderful,” reported Kimberly. “The fabric and cushioning is very soft and makes for a very comfortable ride, and the headrest has just the right amount of support to allow for my daughter to safely sleep in the car as we drive.”

Dimensions: 27.7" (L) x 16.9" (W) x 26.8" (H) | Weight (seat): 9 lbs. | Weight (base): 17 lbs. | Weight capacity: 4 to 35 lbs. | Height limit: 32" | European belt path: Y

Car seats can take up quite a bit of room in your back seat, and for families with multiple little ones, situating them all in the car can be a bit of a headache. Fortunately the Chicco KeyFit 35 Zip ClearTex Infant Car Seat, our Best of The Bump winner for best narrow infant car seat, is designed with a slim profile, so you can install multiple car seats side-by-side and ensure every member of your growing family is safely secured. At 16.5 inches wide, the KeyFit 35 Zip is the narrowest infant car seat on this list (by almost two inches, in some cases). And while it isn’t the absolute narrowest seat on the market, we believe it’s the best option in this category due to its slim profile paired with impeccable safety features and a lower price point than its big-name competitors. (After all, you don’t want to sacrifice overall performance just for smaller dimensions). But narrow doesn’t mean a tight fit for your child. Our product tester Samantha found the seat was roomy for her baby, saying,”My baby seems very comfortable in the car seat, so comfortable he barely cries in this one and falls asleep in the car so easily. He has a lot of room to grow, with the headrest moving up higher and the space/length around his legs.”

This top infant car seat’s features include an extendable, five-position headrest that grows with baby, and an easily-adjustable no-rethread harness. “Getting baby in and out of the car seat is simple and straightforward, and the straps were smooth to loosen and tighten,” Samantha told us, giving the KeyFit35 Zip 10 out of 10 scores for ease of use. She also gave top marks for ease of installation, thanks to the premium LATCH connectors, a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, a spring-loaded leveling foot and a steel-reinforced belt system for installing without the base. In other words, you won’t need a degree in engineering to ensure baby is strapped in properly.

Our product tester gave the KeyFit 35 Zip top marks for ease of carrying, telling us it was “on the lighter side compared to other car seats, and the handle is comfortable to hold.” Plus, the UPF 50+ extendable canopy will provide important sun protection when you’re on the go. It was also a hit with our survey respondents—Taylor, a mom of one, told us she liked the “safety features, ease of use and carrying” options.

Dimensions: 28" (L) x 16.5" (W) x 24" (H) | Weight (seat): 10 lbs. | Weight (base): 8.5 lbs. | Weight capacity: 4 to 35 lbs. | Height limit: 32" | European belt path: Y

If you’re under the impression that a rotating infant car seat would weigh a ton, think again. New to the market (but already our Best of The Bump winner for best rotating infant car seat), the Maxi Cosi Peri 180 Rotating Infant Car Seat weighs under nine pounds without its base, and the brand claims that it’s the lightest rotating model out there. The ability to rotate 180-degrees on its base can be a game changer if you’ve got back issues or simply don’t feel like contorting yourself when it’s time to clip baby in and out of the back seat. Our product tester Ashley said this feature is “definitely a luxury,” but added that she “absolutely loves that it rotates” as it helps make it even easier to unbuckle her 4-month-old.

Aside from its ability to rotate, Ashley, who is a mother of three, is a big fan of this seat for a slew of additional reasons. Installation is a breeze thanks to the easy-to-attach LATCH connectors and a unique red-to-green indicator that monitors belt tension for you. “The car seat was so easy to install!” our product tester gushed. “Especially with the LATCH feature. It probably took less than five minutes to install that way,” she continues. Once it’s in place, Ashley reports that “it’s very easy to remove from the base.” She was concerned that the carrier lifts a bit off the base a little when installed correctly; however, we confirmed with the manufacturer that this design is intentional and doesn’t compromise the seat’s safety. Plus, this rotating car seat features a load leg, which Ashley loved, saying it “felt like an extra layer of safety.”

Down the line as baby grows, adjustments are just as turnkey as initial installation. Ashley especially liked the no-rethread system, five recline positions and the extendable canopy that secures with magnets to provide full coverage.

It’s important to note that, as the 180-degree rotation takes up a fair amount of space, you may not be able to use the spin feature when installed next to another car seat—a disappointment for Ashley, since she liked the swivel feature most. But all in all, she was a big fan of this infant car seat and would recommend it to other moms with a healthy budget. “This seat is worth the price considering the brand and quality of the seat,” she declared.

Dimensions: 29.5" (L) x 18.125" (W) x 28.5" (H) | Weight (seat with inserts and canopy): 8.5 lbs. | Weight (base): 6.9 lbs. | Weight capacity: 30 lbs. | Height limit: 32" | European belt path: Y

A high price tag on an item you can only use for a limited number of months can sometimes be hard to swallow. If you’re looking for a cheap infant car seat that makes no compromises on quality, the Graco SnugRide 35 LX might be the choice for you. Standard features of this affordable (and Best of The Bump-winning) infant car seat include an adjustable base with a pendulum level indicator that assists with proper installation and adjustments as baby grows. A rotating canopy can be positioned just right to block the sun at any angle—an especially nice feature for when you clip the seat into any Graco stroller and take baby for a walk.

Our tester Steph told us the car seat was “very easy to install using LATCH. It took less than 10 minutes to install it properly and it felt very secure once it was in place.” Giving the SnugRide 35 Lite LX a top rating for ease of installation, she noted that “the seat itself was also easy to click and unclick into the base.” Removing the base to switch cars didn’t take much muscle either. “The most difficult part was loosening the strap, but frankly I was glad because it meant it was very secure in the first place.”

The seat’s roominess earned it a 10 out of 10 rating for ease of use from our product tester, who told us, “despite the name SnugRide, the car seat feels wide, which is great for my big baby!” Describing it as “well-designed” and “easy to use,” she added, “I had no issues getting him in and out of the seat, which is definitely not the case with other infant car seats.”

Her son particularly liked the black and white pattern lining the interior of the sun canopy, a design feature in select colors: “He appreciated the black and white contrast and would stare at it a lot.” In fact, our product tester gushed, “My son actually preferred this car seat to his much more expensive convertible car seat that we've been using since birth! I would've bought this one from the beginning if I'd known.” Safe to say this model is mom and baby approved.

Dimensions: 18.1" (L) x 15.5" (W) x 27.4" (H) | Weight (seat): 7.5 lbs. | Weight (base): 4.8 lbs. | Weight capacity: 4 to 35 lbs. | Height limit: 32" | European belt path: Y

One of the main benefits of using an infant car seat is being able to lift it out of your vehicle without disturbing baby. Of course, nobody said it would be easy to carry a baby in a car seat any farther than the distance between your vehicle and the curb. Enter: The Doona, an infant car seat equipped with wheels to transform it into a stroller (and back again). To switch to stroller mode, simply squeeze a lever at the back and watch in awe as wheels pop out. Our tester Juanita immediately appreciated this unique design: “I never have to carry it,” she said delightedly.

You might worry that this innovative style would be difficult to set up and use, but Juanita found installation to be quite simple: “The instructions were very clear,” she shared. “It took around five minutes to install and it felt very secure once the base was in place.” Once it was set up, she says taking baby out and putting him back into the seat was extremely easy. “He felt so snug and secure in there. The harness is very easy to adjust and tighten—he looks and feels very comfortable.”

Stylish, modern and instantly recognizable, this model comes in seven color options. But it was also designed with safety at the forefront: The hybrid stroller car seat has three layers of side impact protection, plus a handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar. Small surprise that our product tester gave the Doona 10 out of 10 for safety.

Perfect for parents on the go, this model is the ideal travel infant car seat, since it’s approved for use on airplanes, and—best of al!—it eliminates the hassle of packing both a car seat and a stroller. After using this stroller, Juanita’s main concern was that her son would eventually have to grow out of it.

Dimensions (open): 17.4" (L) x 32.3" (W) x 39" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 17.4" (L) x 26" (W) x 22.4" (H) | Weight (seat): 17 lbs. | Weight (base): 10.4 lbs. | Weight capacity: 4 to 35 lbs. | Height limit: 32" | European belt path: Y

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