How to Choose the Best Car Seats for Your Child
It's easy to be overwhelmed when you are shopping for car safety seats. The safest car seats are those that fit your child and vehicle and are safe to use 100 % of the time.
Car seats that are difficult for children or parents to set up or use can be a real problem. The most effective options boast impressive crash test sensor results, have high ease of use scores, and are lightweight and slim.
Safety
Safety features are the most important factor to consider when you are shopping for the right car. It doesn't matter if opt for a convertible, booster or infant seat. They should all meet federal safety standards, and they should have demonstrated track records in third-party crash testing. It should also fit in your vehicle and be easy to use.
A high-quality seat must have a harness adjustment that is simple to use, as well as the possibility of connecting via LATCH or seatbelt. The rigid or rigid lower anchor connectors, which have clips that are similar to alligators that attach directly to the base of the car seat or vehicle seat belt guides are preferred over flexible straps that can move or loosen. The best seats feature a simple, easy-to-read color change indicator to indicate that the seat is attached correctly and ensure a tight fit.
The best seats also have a top tether that reduces the chance of head injuries in crashes by restricting the child's head in front. The harness guides are integrated into the seats to assist parents to thread the belt correctly or tie it properly.
The most important car seat features are those that ensure the seat is used and installed properly 100% of the time. Sadly, many child passenger deaths happen because children are improperly restrained or are in the wrong type of seat. It's important to consult a child passenger safety technician (CPST) near you to ensure the installation and placement of your car seat is correct.
A well-designed seat could help your child survive an accident. It's worth the extra cost to get one that's designed and manufactured with a strong frame, high-quality materials, and thoughtful features that make daily use a breeze. It's also wise to look for a seat that is compliant with the more modern R129 safety standards that require more rigorous testing requirements than the older regulations that most seats abide by.
It's also important to remember that a car is only safe and secure as the adult who drives it. Children must be properly secured by rear-facing car seats beginning at birth and continuing until they reach the height that is required to wear a harness. This is typically around age four or five.
Comfort
A car seat that is comfortable can aid your child in getting to sleep or stay asleep longer and could mean the difference between an extended road trip completed in one piece and a cranky, exhausted child who screams at the nap time. Look for a car seat that is able to accommodate your child's needs and needs, with plenty of support for the back and head and is a good fit in the car.
The best infant car seat has various features that make your child feel secure and comfortable, such as soft materials such as plush cushions and padded armrests. Some have cup holders, adjustable headrests and sun shades. Others provide several recline positions. Other models have adjustable thigh supports and lumbar supports that help improve posture. Some even have massage functions which are activated by a button you press when the child is seated in the seat.
When your child grows out of the infant car seat the next step is a toddler car seat. These seats generally accommodate children of that weigh 40 pounds or less and can be used either rear-facing or forward-facing. Some convertible toddler car seats can also be used as boosters for kids up to 120 pounds, which can save you money and reduce the number of car seat purchases you'll need to purchase over the course of time.
The top-rated toddler car seats that are comfortable include the Evenflo Chase, which offers excellent crash test sensor results and is easy to install with either LATCH or a car seat belt. Its slim shell makes it easy to accommodate larger infants. It also has two different crotch buckles, which allows for better positioning of shoulder straps. It's also lightweight and narrow, making it easier to maneuver in smaller vehicles.
The Nuna PIPA Urbn is a fantastic choice for a car seat that is comfortable for toddlers. Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio says the seat has a luxurious feel and plenty of padding and easy-to-read indicator for installation. It's also compact and can be used with or without the base, which makes it an ideal choice for parents who frequently transfer their car seat between cars.
Easy of Use
Many parents use their car seats frequently and are looking for seats that are easy to use and fits in their vehicle. They also want it to integrate with other baby equipment. Infant car seats have lower weight limits and have shorter lifespans than convertible car seats, meaning that they are typically lighter in both body and frame. The best infant car seats come with features that make them easy to install and use, including a spring-loaded recline foot and bubble indicators on the base to assist you in place it in the right position in your car and clearly labeled installation guides that include clear instructions. Car seats are made with sturdy materials that can be machine-washed and easy to see. They also come with comfortable padding for your child.
The top-rated infant car seats we reviewed this year is the Clek Liing, which has impressive crash test results and analysis scores, as well as an excellent load leg that helps you place the car seat in your vehicle with ease and accuracy. The car seat is one of the most simple to install using either LATCH or the rigid latch connectors with a color-changing indicator of connection on the latches and a harness with no rethread that snaps quickly and securely.
Another top pick is the Chicco KeyFit 35, which has impressive crash test analysis scores as well as load legs to help you install the car seat in your car. Experts and parents are raving about it, including CPST instructor Kecia H. The seat is well-designed with a spring-loaded reclining foot as well as a bubble-indicator at the base to help you position the seat correctly and tighten it with ease. This seat is affordable, GREENGUARD certified and built to last. It has an aluminum frame and a high-density, ventilated foam.
The Nuna Exec all-in-one chair is a favorite among LaBracio, Saxton and other women. best car seats for newborns uk describe it as an "solid", luxurious seat that's worth the price for its exquisite feel, luxurious materials, and ease of installation. It has a 50-pound rear-facing weight limit, and an expandable legroom panel, along with an all-steel frame that is sturdy and has an anti-rebound bar. This infant car seat also transforms into a forward-facing booster seat for kids up to 120 pounds, and is small enough to fit three people in a variety of mid-sized vehicles.
Design
You should ensure that the car seat you pick is easy to use and fits well. The location and method in which you install the seat, as well as how often you switch between vehicle types will affect your final decision. It is difficult to predict what might happen in the event of a crash. However, the design of your seat could help minimize the damage and make it easier to get your child in and out of their car seat.
The LATCH connectors on a seat are a key element. Connectors with rigid construction are bonded directly to the seat using alligator clips. They are more difficult to disengage in the event of a crash. Flexible connectors have a strap that can be tightened or loosened by hand or using a sort of mechanism. A majority of seats come with an indicator for level to tell when they've been installed correctly. It's usually a formed line on the shell side or a sticker that is affixed to the bottom of the seat which, when positioned against the ground, displays that the car seat is within the correct angle range.
Another important factor is how well a seat can accommodate newborns and infants. This includes the size of the head rest and shell as well as the ability to buckle and unbuckle the harness. Some seats also come with a positioning insert that helps smaller bodies better fit into the seat and inside the harness. These inserts can be removed when your child grows.
Another important aspect is the ease with which it is to change the height of the harness. The most effective seats allow you to move the harness with out removing your child and require only pressing a button, pulling an tab or turning a lever. Additionally, the most simple seats to use are those that can adjust the shoulder strap's position without having to rethread the belt.
If you're interested in an all in one seat, ensure it satisfies the minimum federal safety standards and has performed well in third-party crash tests. We like seats that surpass the norm by offering features like an anti-rebound bar, a layer of energy-absorbing foam built into the shell or the ability to use the seat from birth (with an insert) until your child is 50 pounds in rear-facing mode.