The 9 Best Infant Car Seats, Parent-Tested and Reviewed

New parents often find out the hard way just how quickly newborns grow. (Spoiler: Those 0- to 3-month onesies won’t fit for long.) But the Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car seat’s easily adjustable height and generous legroom are designed to get ahead of growth spurts. Add on competitive safety features at a palatable price point, and it’s easy to see why the KeyFit 35 earned our Best of The Bump award for best infant car seat. (Head here to see all of this year’s Best of The Bump winners.)

This top infant car seat’s features include an extendable, five-position headrest that grows with baby, with no need to laboriously rethread the harness with each adjustment. Additionally, its clip-in base has an anti-rebound bar that provides extra leg room and limits rear-facing seat movement on impact. These features earned it 5 out of 5 scores from our product tester for ease of use and ease of installation. “There wasn't any need to look for any additional information regarding how to install correctly,” she told us. “Getting baby in and out of the car seat is simple and straightforward, and the straps were smooth to loosen and tighten.”

Also helpful for installation are 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 property—and you can start using this seat as soon as your drive home from the hospital, thanks to a removable, ergonomic newborn positioner that offers extra support for infants between 4 and 11 pounds.

Our product tester gave the KeyFit 35 a 5 out of 5 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. And if all that wasn’t enough, parents will be happy to know this car seat is GREENGUARD Gold Certified for low chemical emissions, meaning it contributes to healthier air quality around baby. With all these stellar features, it’s no wonder our tester gave the KeyFit 35 a 5 out of 5 score for value for money!

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"

“This car seat is designed for convenience and the comfort of the child,” our product tester told us about the UPPAbaby Mesa Max, “which is perfect for me and my little one.” From the snug-fitting cushions on the adjustable headrest to the easy carry (which earned a 5 out of 5 score from our tester), the Mesa Max makes things easy for parent and baby alike. And best of all, it’s also compatible with a top-tier stroller—our product tester used this infant car seat in tandem with the UPPAbaby Vista V2 stroller, and together they create an adaptable travel system that’s both easy to use and safe for baby. (Head here for our product tester’s full review of the Vista V2.)

Introduced in 2023, the UPPAbaby Mesa Max has two safety innovations not seen in the previous model, the Mesa V2: A base with an anti-rebound bar and a load leg. Our tester had no problems strapping the car seat in thanks to auto-retracting LATCH connectors, bubble level indicators and can’t-miss-’em red-to-green visual indicators. “The base doesn’t allow you to install it incorrectly,” she shared. But where it really shined for her was the ease with which the car seat operated once installed: “The harness was simple to assemble with just a matter of two clicks.” Our tester gave the Mesa Max 5 out of 5 for ease of use, and among the features she singled out for praise were the no-rethread harness, the easy-to-clean fabric and the adjustable handlebar.

A removable infant insert ensures a snug fit for babies as light as 4 lbs, but all babies benefit from the adjustable headrest with side impact protection. “It gives great neck support,” our tester observed, declaring the cushioning on the headrest to be her favorite feature. Whether in the car or connected to the stroller, baby enjoyed a safe and comfy ride. Our tester told us she even used it to carry him more easily around the house!

Dimensions: 28" (L) x 17" (W) x 25" (H) | Weight (seat): 9.9 lbs. | Weight (base): 12.6 lbs. | Weight capacity: 4 to 35 lbs. | Height limit: 32"

It’s no wonder our tester described the Cybex Cloud G Lux as “mind-blowing” and gave it a 5 out of 5 score for safety: The seat is equipped with 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. And for even greater peace of mind, you can count on this seat’s linear side-impact protection, plus an anti-rebound base and a load leg.

Luckily for littles, the seat’s not just safe—it’s comfortable. Our tester, awarding the Cloud G Lux another 5 out of 5 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.

The attention to safety doesn’t stop in the car, though: The seat tilts backward 45 percent more in strollers than comparable infant car seats—a feature our tester found “convenient when baby falls asleep during our walk.” An XXL 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,” our tester shared.

With eight color options, the seat aligns to any aesthetic. But what’s style without ease of use? Rest assured, it’s area that earned the Cloud G Lux a perfect 5 out of 5 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"

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 when it comes to cost but premium when it comes to function, the Graco SnugRide 35 LX might be the choice for you—it comes at the right price without compromising quality. Standard features of this affordable infant car seat include a five-point safety harness and 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.

The seat’s roominess earned it a 5 out of 5 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.”

Our tester 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 5 out of 5 for ease of installation, she noted, “the seat itself was also easy to click and unclick into the base, and buckling my son in was a breeze.” 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.”

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"

It probably won’t surprise you that our pick for the best lightweight infant car seat, the Evenflo Litemax 35, earned a 5 out of 5 score from our product tester for ease of carrying. Not only does the carrier weigh just over 8 pounds, it also features an ergonomic handle designed to fit in the crook of your arm and make transporting your little one to and from the car extra comfortable. “It was very easy to adjust the handle, making the carrying process simple,” our tester shared.

What might be a little more noteworthy is that the Litemax 35 proved itself to be an all-around performer, earning 5 out of 5 scores across a variety of categories, including ease of installation, value for money, features and design and safety. “It felt very sturdy and safe,” our tester confirmed.

The Litemax 35 features a vehicle belt lock to make sure it stays in place, and is roll-over-, temperature- and structural-integrity-tested under circumstances that well surpass federal crash test standards. What’s more, the easy-to-install base took our tester’s partner less than 10 minutes to secure without the help of Evenflo’s free, live video support—a pretty cool perk. In fact, whether she was putting baby in safely, adjusting the harness or cleaning up stains, ease of use and quality of features were a consistent theme in the course of her testing. As she told us, “It has all the qualities you would look for in a good car seat, at a very reasonable price.”

Dimensions: 28.5" (L) x 19" (W) x 24" (H) | Weight (seat): 8.2 lbs. | Weight (base): N/A | Weight capacity: 4 to 35 lbs. | Height limit: 32"

If you’re looking to fit three car seats across the back row, look no further. The Clek Liing is just under 17 inches wide, making it one of the narrowest offerings on the market. 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 a passenger in between.

Of course, the Liing’s compact size doesn’t mean it’s not packed with great features: The Liing offers up to seven recline positions, side-impact protection, a simple one-handed release 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,” she said, giving the Liing 5 out of 5 scores for safety and features and design.

“There are not many crevices that have been difficult to clean,” our tester reported. “A simple wet paper towel was all I needed to make the seat look brand new again after my daughter spit up in the car.”

She also raved about the seat’s retractable overhead shade, which “extends farther than I have seen with other car seats,” she said. “Rather than draping something over the seat to cover my daughter from the sun when going back and forth to the car, I’m able to pull the shade down and then zip it back up easily once we get to the car.” 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 our tester. “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"

For those of us who aren’t technically inclined, car seat installation can be a stressful pursuit. The Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 Nido Car Seat made this oft-dreaded task simple: “With all other car bases that I’ve installed, it was always so hard to tighten the base enough to feel like it snug and safe, but the Peg Perego was so easy and felt so secure,” reported our product tester, who gave the Primo Viaggio 5 out of 5 scores not just for ease of installation, but also ease of use and safety. “Using the LATCH was smooth and easy to tighten.”

Thanks to a 10-position metal load leg and adjustable side-impact protection, baby will be kept nice and secure once installation is complete. Even without the base, the handle (which is “comfortable to carry” according to our product tester) can be flipped forward for use as an anti-rebound bar.

The seat is safe as well as super comfy for baby. “It’s so cushioned that I felt like I was putting my baby in a cloud,” our tester reported. On days when your final destination is dream land, the extendable hood creates a cocoon-like effect with UVP 50+ protection for napping safely and soundly. And with 13 color options, you can bet this seat works well and looks just as good.

Dimensions: 28.5" (L) x 17" (W) x 26.5" (H) | Weight (seat): 10 lbs. | Weight (base): 11 lbs. | Weight capacity: 4 to 35 lbs. | Height limit: 32"

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 car and the curb. Enter: The Doona, an infant car seat equipped with wheels to transform from a car seat to 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 immediately appreciated this unique design: “I never have to carry it,” she beamed.

You might worry that this innovative style would be difficult to set up and use, but our tester 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.”

With no holds barred on style, this model comes in seven color options. But it was also designed with safety at the forefront: The hybrid stroller car seat has a five-point harness and 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 5 out of 5 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 all!—it eliminates the hassle of packing both a car seat and a stroller. After using this stroller, our tester’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"

When you’re on the go and hopping into a taxi, you want to be able to set your car seat up both quickly and securely, without having to lug along a heavy car seat base. Luckily, the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX can be secured using the European belt path method for a base-free installation. When you’re using your own vehicle, this seat boasts a one-minute installation using LATCH as well as a seat belt-only option. “The level of security with the seat belt installation was exactly the same as the LATCH installation,” our product tester confirmed, giving the SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX 5 out 5 for safety.

The single-button adjustment meant our tester had no trouble positioning the seat on the base or taking baby out of the car, and when a stranger is in the driver’s seat, you’re sure to appreciate the anti-rebound bar that limits seat rotation on impact.

The other area where this car seat shined was in its portability. At just under 10 pounds, the 35 DLX is one of the lighter car seats on our list, and the easy-to-use carrying handle had our product tester telling us, “I wish I had this when I was leaving the hospital with my twins after my c-section!!” The 5 out 5 score she gave the car seat for ease of carrying is sure to come in handy when you’re Ubering from errand to errand with baby in tow.

Dimensions: 27.5" (L) x 17.5" (W) x 25.5" (H) | Weight (seat): 9.8 lbs. | Weight (base): 7.4 | Weight capacity: 4 to 35 lbs. | Height limit: 32"