How to Choose the Best Car Seats for Your Child
When searching for a car seat, it is easy to become overwhelmed. The most secure car seat is one that fits your child and your vehicle and can be used correctly 100% of the time.
Car seats that are difficult for children or parents to install or use can be a serious issue. The best car seats are those that have high scores for ease of use as well as impressive crash test results, and are light.
Safety
When shopping for car seats safety features are the primary aspect to take into consideration. No matter if you opt for an infant, convertible, or booster seat, it should meet federal safety standards and have a proven track record of third-party crash tests. It should fit in your vehicle and be simple to operate.
A high-quality car seat should also come with a simple harness adjustment, and either LATCH or seat belt connection options. Flexible or rigid lower connectors with an alligator-like clipping that connects directly to the car seat belt guides or car seat base are preferred over straps that are flexible. The best seats have a color-changing indicator that is simple to comprehend and lets you know when the seat has been properly connected.
In addition to these features, most comfortable seats come with top tethers that reduce head injury risk in crashes by restraining the front of the child's head. The harness guides are also integrated into the seats to help parents thread the belt correctly or tie it properly.
The most important car seat features are those that guarantee the seat is properly installed and used in a safe and efficient manner all the time. Unfortunately, a lot of child passenger deaths are caused by children being restrained improperly or using the wrong type seat. Consult a child passenger security technician (CPST) located near you, to ensure that your car seat's installation and positioning is right.
A well-designed seat could save your child's life in a crash. It's worth spending more for a seat that has been designed and manufactured with a solid frame, high-quality materials, and clever features that make everyday use more enjoyable. Make sure you choose seats that comply with the R129 safety standards, which are more rigorous than the older ones most seats adhere to.
It's also important to remember that a car is only as safe and secure as the adult who drives it. Children must be properly restrained in rear-facing car seats from the time they are born until they are too tall to be seated forward in a harness, usually around the age of four or five.
Comfort
A comfortable car seat can help your child fall asleep or remain asleep for longer. This could mean the difference between a content well-rested and rested child and a cranky, tired child who doesn't want to nap. Choose a car seat that can accommodate your child's growing needs and has ample support for the back and head and is a good fit in the car.
The most effective infant car seats come with a variety of features to make your little one feel secure and comfy, such as soft materials that offer an incredibly snug fit, plush cushions, and armrests with padding. Some offer a choice of recline positions and adjustable headrests, as well as cup holders and sun shade. Some models have adjustable lumbar and thigh support to improve posture. Others have massage features activated by pressing a button once the child is sitting in the seat.
If your child is beyond the infant car seat the next step is to get a toddler car seat that can typically accommodate children who weigh up to 40 pounds. They can be used either rear-facing or forward-facing. Some convertible toddler car seats can also be used as boosters for children weighing up to 120 pounds. This can save you money and reduce the amount of car seat purchases you'll have to purchase over the course of time.
Evenflo Chase is one of the top toddler car seats for comfort. It has excellent crash test results and can be easily fitted with LATCH or a the seat belt of a vehicle. Its narrow shell makes it easy to fit larger babies. best car seats infant which allow for better positioning of the shoulder straps. It is also lightweight and narrow, making it easy to maneuver.
The Nuna PIPA urbn is also a excellent option for a comfortable toddler car seat. It is a great option for parents who are looking for an easy toddler car seat. It features padding on the sides and is easily-read indicators. It's also small and can be set up without or with the base, which makes it a good option for parents who often move their car seat between cars.
Easy to Use
Many parents use their car seats a lot and want an simple to use and can be tucked away in their car. They also want it to be compatible with other baby equipment. Infant car seats are lighter because they have less weight restrictions, and a shorter lifespan than convertible car seat. The best infant car seats are equipped with features that make them easier to install and use. They include the recline foot, which is spring-loaded, bubble indicators on the base to ensure it is placed correctly in your car, and installation guides clearly labeled with clear directions. The car seats have been designed with clear, durable materials that are machine-washable, as well as comfortable padding for the child.
The Clek Liing is the most highly rated infant seat we reviewed in 2018. It provides impressive crash test results and analysis scores, as in addition to a great load leg to help you position the seat in your car with ease and precision. This car seat is easy to install with either the rigid latch connectors or the LATCH. The latches change color to indicate the connection, and the harness snaps into place quickly and securely.
Another popular option is the Chicco KeyFit 35, which offers impressive crash test analysis scores, as well as a load leg to assist you in putting the car seat in your car. It's also a top choice among parents and experts, including CPST instructor Kecia Healy, who says the seat is designed for comfort, with a spring-loaded recline foot and an indicator of bubbles on the base to assist you in place it in the right position and tighten it easily. The seat is also reasonably priced and is GREENGUARD-certified. It's also built to last, with a steel frame with high-density foam as well as an air-ventilated seat back that allows air circulation to keep your child cool.
The all-in-one Nuna Exec is a favorite of LaBracio and Saxton, with both women saying it's an "solid" seat that is worth the price tag for its luxury feel luxurious materials and simple installation. It has a 50-pound rear-facing weight limit and an expandable legroom panel, as well as an all-steel frame that is sturdy and has an anti-rebound bar. The infant car seat can be converted into a forward-facing booster for children that weigh up to 120 pounds and is small enough to fit three in most mid-sized cars.
Design
You must ensure that the car seat you pick is user-friendly and is well-fitting. The location and method in which you install the seat, as well as how often you will switch between different car types could affect the final decision. While it is impossible to predict what will happen in a crash, the design of your seat can reduce the risk of damage and make it easier to get your child into and out of the car seat.
The LATCH connectors on the seat are an important aspect. Connectors with rigid construction are bonded directly to the seat using alligator clips. They are more difficult to disconnect in the event of an accident. Flexible connectors come with straps that can be tightened or loosened by hand or using a kind of mechanism. The majority of seats have a level indicator to show whether they've been properly installed. This is usually a plastic formed line on the shell's side, or a sticker glued to the bottom of the seat that, when stood up against the ground, shows the car seat is at the right angle.
The ability of a seat to accommodate infants and newborns is also important. This includes the width and the height of the shell, the headrest, and the ease at which the harness can be buckled and unbuckled. Some seats have a positioning insert to help smaller bodies fit in the seat and the harness. It is important to remember that these inserts can be removed as your child develops.
The third crucial aspect is how easy it is to adjust the height of the harness. The most effective seats allow you to move the harness without removing your child. They require pressing the button, pulling a tab or shifting levers. Additionally, the most simple seats to use are those that allow you to adjust the shoulder strap position without having to rethread the belt.
If you are interested in an all in one seat, ensure it meets the minimum federal safety requirements and has performed well in third-party crashes tests. We recommend seats that go above and beyond with features like an anti-rebound bar and an energy-absorbing layer that is molded into the shell or the capability to use the seat from birth (with an insert) until your child is 50 pounds in rear-facing mode.