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Best Infant Seat Features All infant seats must meet the safety standards of the federal government. However, some go beyond. From extra padding to a cushioned inlay for newborns to the ability to raise and lower the headrest without needing to rethread the seat, our Best of the Bump winner has many features that parents will appreciate. We looked at factors such as weight (without base) connectivity to strollers, special features and prices when deciding on our top picks. Find out which infant car seat is the best fit for your family. Safety All infant car seats sold in the United States must meet the safety standards of the federal government. Some seats come with extra features above and beyond the minimum requirements. Some of these features include load legs, a rethreader built in strap-holding sides, and more. According to the experts I spoke to, the more features a seat includes, the are more efficient. The more user-friendly a car seat is, the more likely it is that parents will use it correctly. This can reduce their child’s risk of injury during an accident. This is particularly important for an infant car seat since it's designed for only a brief period of time. Find a seat that is easy to install with a recline foot that is spring loaded and a bubble indicator to ensure that the seat level. Also, ensure that the base is easy to click into and out of the car. Other features that top-quality car seat makers offer include a no-rethread harness, magnetic buckle holders, and side grips for carrying the seat. Remember that even though these features are great the safety of a car seat is only as good as the car that you use to drive. You can find helpful tips in the owner's manual on how to secure your child's car seat and learn more about the car's safety features. When choosing an infant car seat, keep in mind that you'll probably only be in a position to use it for approximately 2 years until your child is ready to move to an convertible car seat. Some families skip the infant car seat completely and opt for a convertible car with greater weight and height limit. If discover here decide to purchase an infant car seat, be sure to take into account the dimensions of your car and try a few models in person prior to committing to one. You can then ensure that the seat is suitable for the child, fits in your vehicle and also has useful features such as converting it to a stroller. Don't forget to verify recalls prior making the purchase. It's crucial to ensuring the safety of your child on the road. Simple to Use If you're planning to use the seat in one vehicle or moving it among several, you want an infant car seat that is easy to set up and remove from the base. You should look for clear instructions on installation and a simple mechanism. Consider how easy it would be to adjust the seat as your child grows and the high-quality materials that are used. A great feature that many infant seats have is a load leg, that acts as an extra brace between the seat's base and vehicle floor to offer extra stability in the event of an accident. Consumer Reports research shows that it's particularly important if are driving an older vehicle since the likelihood of a head injury is higher when the infant is sitting too close to the floor. Other premium features can improve the infant car seat experience. These include a no rethread harness, as well as an anti-rebound bar that can help stop the seat from bouncing during a crash. The latter has been shown by studies to reduce the risk of head injuries by as much as 43 percent. “If you're on a limited budget and you want the security of an ARC-certified car seat that has some of the most important premium features I highly recommend the Evenflo LiteMax DLX,” says Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio. The seat has received an outstanding rating from child-passenger safety technicians and features an adjustable no-rethread harness and five recline settings, and an extended canopy that is secured with magnets to ensure complete coverage. A seat that can be easily installed with a lapbelt, and without the necessity of the base is an alternative. That's ideal for parents who plan to use taxis or Uber rides and doesn't require a journey back and forth to the car to put in a different seat. Nuna Pipa and TRIV travel systems for instance are equipped with a sturdy LATCH that is built into the bottom of their seats which makes them fast and simple to install. It can also be used in a rear-facing position (for children weighing between 4 and 40 pounds) or forward-facing (for children weighing 22-65 pounds) and can be converted into a highback or belt-positioning booster for children weighing 40-120 pounds. It's a great option for families on a tight budget. Comfort When your baby is in car seats for extended periods of time, it's crucial that they feel comfortable. This means straps for the shoulders that are padded, plush fabric to feel comfortable against their stomach or back, and a growing headrest. Also, look for an easy-to-reach seat that you can alter as your child grows. While a seat with lots of features may be more expensive, they're also often easier to use. This is why we take into consideration aspects like a single-hand harness system, high-quality LATCH connectors and a non-rethread harness when we evaluate infant car seats. We also look at the weight and size of the seat, as an extremely heavy or bulky seat could strain your biceps while you transport it to and from your vehicle, or even between vehicles. A seat with a load leg – a safety feature that helps stabilize the car seat in the event of a crash is an alternative. It's usually found in more expensive seats, but we've seen a couple of budget-friendly options that have this additional safety feature. The weight and height limits are also important. You'll need to make sure the seat is safe for your child once they reach their maximum growth. It usually occurs around age two or 3. It is also recommended to consider a convertible car seat for infants that could be transformed into a toddler's seat. This option gives you a bit more flexibility in your car and is great for families who often switch 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 ideal for parents who are always on the move, especially those who use public transport to commute to work or go to school. It's also simple to set up. Our expert testers praised its ease of use with the one-handed latching system and the padded shoulder straps. Our product testers noted that the seat is small and lightweight, which is essential for those who have a small trunk space. Plus, it's free of harmful chemicals which is a major advantage for parents who are concerned about their baby's health and the environment. Convenience The best infant car seats are simple to use. The most effective infant car seats are equipped with features that make it easier for parents to get in and out of the seat. Other important things to consider is whether the seat can be washed in the washing machine (to make cleanup easier) and if it comes with a canopy, which is useful in the car as well as attached to a stroller. One thing that may not seem like a big thing, but could save you a lot of headache is an indicator on the base that lets you know whether it's been put in place correctly. The line is located on the base's side and should be parallel to the ground once you've finished. It's particularly useful if you're going to be switching the car seat frequently, or if are planning to travel with your child and need to install the seat in taxis or Ubers. A stroller that is compatible with the infant car seat can be connected directly to it. This makes it simple to transport your sleeping bundle to the grocery store or to run the errands. You don't need to carry a separate carrier. This can be a huge advantage for new parents who want to return to their day after an exhausting commute or outing with a newborn. If you expect your baby to grow quickly pick the car seat for infants with a higher weight or height limit than that recommended by the manufacturer. This way, you will be able to keep the car seat in use for longer. While all car seats sold in the United States must meet federal safety standards, it doesn't mean that all seats are created equal. Some come with features that go above and beyond, such as load legs that anchor the car seat's base for additional stability and anti-rebound bars that reduce the chance of sustaining head injuries in crashes. Other extras, such as the no-rethread harness or an extendable canopy, could also make for an easier ride for your child and help you be a happier, more confident parent.