How to Choose the Best Car Seats for Your Child
When searching for a car seat it can be easy to become overwhelmed. The safest car seats are those that are compatible with your child and vehicle and can be used correctly 100 % of the time.
Car seats that are difficult to install or use can make life for parents and kids more challenging. The best car seats have high scores in terms of ease of use and impressive crash test results, and are lightweight.
Safety
When shopping for a car seat, safety features are the most crucial aspect to take into consideration. It doesn't matter whether you select a convertible, a booster or infant seat. They should all meet federal safety standards, and have a proven track record in third-party crash testing. It should also be able to fit in your vehicle and be simple to use.
A top-quality car seat must include a harness that is easy to use for adjustment and either LATCH or seat belt connector options. Flexible or rigid lower connectors with an alligator-like clipping which hooks directly to the car seat belt guides or car seat base are preferable over straps that are flexible. The most comfortable seats have a simple, easy-to-read color change indicator that indicates when the seat is connected correctly and provides a secure fit.
The best seats also have a top tether that reduces the risk of head injuries during crashes by restraining the child's front head. The harness guides are integrated into the seats to aid parents to thread the belt correctly or tie it properly.
The most important features of a car seat are those that ensure that the seat is installed and used correctly all the time. Sadly, many child passenger deaths occur because children are not properly restrained or in the wrong kind of seat. Contact a child security technician (CPST) who is located near you, to ensure that the installation of your car seat and position is correct.
A well-designed seat could help your child survive a crash. It's worth the extra cost for a seat that has strong frames and high-quality materials. It also helps to include intelligent features. It is also advisable to search for a seat that complies with the most recent R129 safety regulations that require more rigorous testing requirements than the earlier regulations that a majority of seats adhere to.
In the end, it's crucial to recognize that a car seat is only as safe as the person who uses it. Children must be properly secured by rear-facing car seats beginning from birth and continue until they reach the height that is required to wear a harness. This usually happens around age four or five.
Comfort
A comfortable car seat can aid your child in getting to sleep or stay asleep for longer and can be the difference between a long road trip done in one go and having an exhausted, cranky kid who is fighting the nap time. Look for a car seat that is able to accommodate your child's growing needs, has plenty of head and back support and fits comfortably in the car.
The best infant car seats have various features to help your baby feel secure and comfortable, including soft materials that provide an ideal fit, plush cushions, and padded armrests. Some come with cup holders, adjustable headrests and sun shades. Others provide various reclining positions. Some come with adjustable the lumbar and thigh to improve posture. Others have massage features activated by pressing a button while the child is sitting in the seat.
If your child is no longer able to fit in an infant car seat it is possible to upgrade to a convertible toddler car seat. These seats are made for children who weigh up to 40 pounds. They can be used rear-facing or facing forward. Some convertible toddler car seat can be used as boosters up to 120lbs. This saves money and reduces your number of car seats that you will need to buy in the future.
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 vehicle seat belt. Its narrow shell makes it easy to accommodate larger babies. It also comes with two different crotch buckles, which allows for better positioning of the shoulder straps. It's also lightweight and narrow making it easy to maneuver in small vehicles.
The Nuna PIPA urbn is also a ideal choice for a comfy toddler car seat. It's a great choice for parents who want an easy toddler car seat. It features cushioned sides and easy to read indicators. It's also compact and can be put in with the base or without it, making it a great option for parents who often transfer their car seats from one vehicle to another.
Ease of Use
Car seats are the only thing in the life of a parent that sees a lot of use and a lot of parents want an easy-to-use, comfortable seat that can fit into their vehicle and work with other baby gear. Car seats for infants are lighter due to having lower weight limits, and a shorter lifespan than convertible car seat. The most effective infant car seats are equipped with features that make them easier to install and use. These include the recline foot, which is spring-loaded, bubble indicators at the base for positioning it correctly in your vehicle and installation guides that are clearly labeled with clear instructions. These car seats have been designed with easy-to-read, durable materials that are machine washable, as well as a soft padding for the child.
The Clek Liing is the highest-rated infant seat we reviewed in the year 2018. It has impressive crash test results and analysis scores as in addition to a great load leg that will help you position the car seat with ease and precision. The car seat is simple to install with either the rigid latch connectors or the LATCH. The latches change color to signal the connection, and the harness snaps in place easily and securely.
Another top choice is the Chicco KeyFit 35, which offers impressive crash test analysis scores, as well as an extra leg to assist you in putting the car seat in your vehicle. It's also a popular choice among parents and experts, including CPST instructor Kecia Healy. She says the seat is designed to provide ease of use with the recline foot that is spring loaded and a bubble indicator on the base to help to position it correctly and tighten it with ease. This seat is affordable, GREENGUARD certified and built to last. It comes with a steel frame and a high-density, ventilated foam.
The all-in-one Nuna Exec is a favourite of LaBracio and Saxton and both women calling it a "solid" seat that is worth the price for its luxury feel, luxurious materials and easy installation. It features an upper weight limit for rear-facing children of 50 pounds, an expanded legroom panel and an extremely sturdy steel frame that has an anti-rebound bar. This infant car seat can also be used as a booster for children up to 120 pounds. It's compact enough to fit in the majority of mid-sized vehicles.
Design
A car seat is an investment in the safety of your child So you need to ensure that it fits well and be user-friendly. Where and how you will install the seat, as well as how often you switch between vehicle types, may impact your final decision. It is difficult to predict what could happen in the event of a crash. However the design of your seat can help to minimize damage and make it simpler to get your child into and out of their car seat.
A key aspect to consider is whether the seat has LATCH connectors that are flexible or rigid. Connectors that are rigid have clips resembling alligators which attach directly to the seat and are harder to remove during a crash. Flexible connectors come with a strap which can be tightened and loosened either manually or through a mechanism. Most seats feature a level indicator to show whether they've been properly installed. This is usually a plastic molded line on the shell's side or a sticker that is affixed to the bottom of the seat that, when stood up against the ground, shows the car seat is in the correct angle.
A seat's ability to fit infants and newborns is also important. This includes the size and the height of the shell, the headrest, and the ease at which the harness can be buckled and unbuckled. Some seats also offer a positioning insert that helps smaller bodies better fit into the seat and within the harness. These inserts can be removed when your child grows.
The third thing to think about is the ease of adjusting the belt's height. The most effective seats allow you to move the harness without removing your child. It is as simple as pressing one button, pulling a tab or turning a lever. The most convenient seats can also be adjusted to the strap on your shoulder without having to rethread the belt.
If you're looking for an all-in-one child seat choose one that meets the minimum federal safety standards and performs well in third-party crash tests. We prefer seats with extra features, such as an energy-absorbing layer that is molded into the shell or an anti-rebounding bar.