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Best Infant Seat Features While all infant seats conform to federal safety standards, a few are more than others. Our Best of the Bump winner has many features that parents will love with extra padding, a cushioned inlay for infants, and the ability to raise or lower the headrest with no Rethreading. We took into consideration factors such as weight (without base) connectivity to strollers, special features and price when deciding on our top picks. Find out what infant car seat is best for your family by reading. Safety Every infant car seat on the market must meet the safety standards of the federal government. But some of the seats come with additional features that are beyond the minimum standards. Some of these features include load legs, a rethreader built in, strap-holding sides, and more. According to the experts I spoke with, the more features a seat includes, the better. The more intuitive a car seat is, the more likely that parents will use it properly. This will lower their child’s risk of injury in the event of a crash. This is particularly important for infant seats, which are only designed to be used for a limited duration. Look for a model with an indicator that bubbles and an incline foot that is spring loaded to make it easy to adjust the seat. Make sure that the base can be easily pushed into and out of the vehicle. Certain car seat manufacturers offer high-end features like a no-rethread strap, magnetic buckle holders, and side grips for the seat. These are fantastic but remember that a safe car seat still only as secure as the vehicle you're driving in. You can find helpful tips in the owner's guide on how to secure your infant car seat, and also learn more about the car's safety features. When choosing an infant car seat, keep in mind that you'll only be allowed to use it for approximately 2 years, until your child is ready to move to an convertible car seat. This is the reason why some families decide to not use an infant seat and move straight to a convertible seat, which has higher height and weight limits. If you decide to buy an infant car seat, be sure to consider the dimensions of your vehicle and test out several models in person before committing to one. You can then ensure that the seat is safe for your child, fits in your car, and has convenient features such as converting it to a stroller. Don't forget to look for recalls on the product before you buy it. It's the most critical factor in ensuring your baby's safety on the road. Easy to Use If you're planning to use the seat in a single car or moving it among several, you'll need an infant car seat that is easy to set up and remove from the base. It is important to look for clear instructions on installation and a smooth operation. Think about how easy it will be to adjust the seat as your baby grows and the quality materials used. A great feature that many infant seats have is a load leg that acts as a brace between the base of the seat and the car's floor, providing additional stability in the event of a crash. Consumer Reports research shows that it is particularly important if you are driving an older vehicle since the likelihood of a head injury is higher if the infant is sitting too close to the floor. Other top features that improve infant car seat user experience include a harness that is not rethread and anti-rebound bar, which can prevent the seat from rebounding during the event of a crash. The latter has been proven to decrease the risk of head injuries by up to 43 percent. “If you're on a budget and want the security of an ARC-certified car seat with some of the most important premium features I would recommend the Evenflo LightMax DLX,” says Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio. The seat has been awarded an exemplary rating from safety experts for children and features an adjustable, no-rethread harness and five recline positions, and an extended canopy that secures with magnets for full coverage. Another thing to look out for is the type of seat that can be installed using the lap belt and doesn't require the use of the base. This is a great option for parents who plan to use Uber or taxi rides, as it eliminates the need to go back to the car every time to put in a new seat. For instance, the Nuna Pipa Urbn as well as its counterpart TRIV travel system feature a rigid LATCH system that's integrated into the bottom of the seat, making it quick and easy to put in any car. It can also be used both rear-facing (4-40 pounds) and forward-facing (22-65 pounds) and converts to an highback booster or a belt-positioning booster with a backless design (40-120 pounds). This is a great option if you're on a budget. Comfort When your baby is in car seats for extended periods of time, it's crucial that they are comfortable. This includes padded shoulder straps and soft fabric that feels cozy against their tummy or back, and a growing headrest. Choose infant car seat travel -to-use seat to adjust as they grow, as well. While a seat with lots of features may be more expensive but they're also generally easier to use. That's why we look at factors like a one-hand harness system, high-quality LATCH connectors and a no-rethread harness when evaluating infant car seats. We also take into consideration the weight and dimensions of the seat, as the weight or size of the seat can put stress on your biceps when you carry it into and out of your vehicle or between vehicles. Another option is a seat with a load-leg, a safety feature that helps stabilize the car-seat in the event of an accident. It's usually found in more expensive seats however we've seen a few budget-friendly options that include this additional safety feature. The limits on height and weight are also crucial. You'll want to make sure that the seat is safe for your child when they reach their highest growth stage usually at around the age of two or three. Consider a convertible car seat for infants which can be transformed into a toddler's seat. This gives you more flexibility and is perfect for families that frequently change vehicles or travel. Our test participants were impressed with the Doona that combines car seats for an infant and a stroller all in one unit. It's the perfect pick for parents on the go, especially those who commute to work or school on public transport. It's also easy to set up. Our experts who tested it appreciated its user-friendlyness with the one-handed latching system and the padded shoulders straps. Our product testers also remarked how the seat is compact it is essential for those with limited trunk space. It's also free of any flame retardant chemicals which is a major bonus for those who are concerned about their baby's health and the environment. Convenience The most effective infant car seats are easy to use. The best infant car seats come with features that make it easier for parents to get into and out of the seat. Be sure to consider whether the seat can be cleaned by machine (to facilitate cleaning) and whether it has a canopy. This is useful both in the car and on a stroller. One feature that might not seem like a big difference but can save you a lot of hassle is an indicator on the base that informs you that it's been properly installed. The line is located on the side of the base and should be parallel to the ground when you're done. This is particularly useful if you are going to be changing the car seat frequently, or if your baby will be traveling with you and you need to install it in Ubers or taxis. A stroller that is compatible with the infant car seat can be connected directly to it. This makes it simple to take your baby to the store or to run around. You don't need to struggle with an additional carrier. This can be an essential feature for parents trying to get back to normal after a long journey or a long commute with a baby. If your baby is expected to grow rapidly, choose a car seat for infants that has an increased weight and height limit than the one recommended by the manufacturer. This way, you can keep the car seat for longer. While all car seats sold in the United States must meet federal safety standards, it does not mean that all car seats are made to be equal. Some seats come with extra features, like load legs that brace a car seat's base to improve stability and an anti-rebound bar that reduces the risk of head injuries from crashes. Some extras can make the ride more comfortable for you and your baby, and you as a parent feel more comfortable and more secure.