Cheap Infant Car Seats
Car seat experts suggest choosing safety features such as a load leg that braces the base and side impact protection and the ability to use the seat without a base (which is great for those taking taxis). Also, think about recline options.
High-end features such as adjustable harnesses with no rethreads and easy-to-clean materials may be worth the additional cost, Dilts says.
1. Evenflo LiteMax 35
A little ease can go a long way in the beginning of the first few months of life and the Evenflo LiteMax 35 is one of the top infant car seats to help parents along their journey. It is designed for babies weighing 4 to 35 lbs, it is ultra-lightweight and easy to carry, but still offers the latest safety standards and features that ensure the safety of your baby during the hectic car ride.
Parents appreciate the design’s light weight and user-friendly. They also appreciate that they can use the seat with or without the base, which makes it an ideal option for many preemie babies. It’s also a great choice for families on a budget. The LiteMax is a rear-facing only car seat that comes with top features like soft harness pads and a canopy that extends. It is also easy to clean as it is a soft shell with a some nooks and crannies in which gunk can hide.
Some users are concerned about the durability and longevity of the LiteMax. The plastic construction is weak and could not be a source of confidence in situations with high impact as a more durable car seat. If safety and durability are important to you, it might be worth looking at higher-tier options.
This cheap infant car seats has an insert that is removable and helps keep baby warm throughout the first few months. While some parents find it beneficial but others feel that the insert is too heavy and occupies too much space in the car. Additionally, the user’s manual folds down on the inside of the seat shell, which isn’t easy to access in the event of a spill.
The LiteMax is a great car seat that is affordable, but it doesn’t come with a handle. It is essential to buy a stroller which can accommodate the car, like Mountain Buggy Nano. On the site of the manufacturer you can find compatibility lists for this car seat as well as other strollers. You can also ask an experienced technician to carry out an assessment of the fit.
2. Safety 1st Onboard 35
The Safety 1st OnBoard is a great cheap infant car seat for parents who wish to avoid the headaches associated with some expensive models. It comes with a range of inserts for infants and preemies. It also comes with four height positions for harnesses as well as the base can be adjusted to suit different seat heights for vehicles.
The OnBoard scored three out of five stars in our crash tests, a decent score for a budget model. It also scored well in our tests of user-friendliness which assess the difficultness of installing and using the seat. The OnBoard buckle system is particularly easy to use and the user manual includes clear illustrations that make it easier to adjust. It also comes with an easy to use anchor strap for tethering that runs through the belt path and makes it easy to attach to vehicles that do not have lower LATCH anchors.
The OnBoard is a budget-friendly option for families but it does have some issues. It doesn’t have an indicator on the base, like the majority of rear-facing only seats that lets you know whether the angle is correct and it is difficult to install without the base. The OnBoard’s recline indicator, which is situated on its carrier and not on its base, can also be a problem for infants of less than 35 pounds. It isn’t easy to get the bubble indicators to fall in the correct direction at the same time.
On the plus side it is among the lightest rear-facing only seats. It weighs just 7.9 pounds. It can last for 8 years and above, and can be used in the rear facing position until the child weighs 32 inches or 35 pounds. It has a convenient one handed release handle, which is machine washable and safe for dryers.
The OnBoard can be attached to strollers using Safety 1st’s QuickClick mechanism, which means you can use it as a travel system when you need to go out and about. It can also be connected to strollers with traditional LATCH connections.
3. Century Carry on 35
The Century Carry On 35 Infant Car Seat provides security and comfort, along with thoughtful features that are geared towards the safety of your infant. The user-friendly design is simple to set up and secure. The built-in canopy provides protection from the elements. In addition, the rotating infant car seat insert helps achieve a snug fit for newborns.
The seat includes an indicator for level to ensure proper rear-facing placement. This feature eliminates guesswork, minimizes the risk that your child could be positioned incorrectly and ensures optimal safety. The indicator is simple and clear, making it easy to check if the seat is installed correctly.
Unlike some competitors unlike some competitors, unlike some competitors, the Century Carry On 35 infant car seats best Car Seat features different harness positions and adjustable slots, making it easy to adjust the seat to fit your baby. The harness release lever as well as buckle adjustment add convenience. The carrier comes with harness covers for added security and comfort.
A LATCH system is another important consideration. The Carry On 35 does have an LATCH system that is standard, which is simple to install using the vehicle’s lower anchors. Some families prefer seats that have more user-friendly locking mechanisms like the Chicco KeyFit Infant Car Seat. It has a SuperCinch middle pull strap and better test results.
Both the base and carrier of the Century Carry On 35 Infant Car Seat are lightweight which makes it easy to travel with your little one. It’s also FAA-approved for airplane use, meaning it can be put on planes.
The carrier can also be used with any stroller which has a snap-in connection. This feature is helpful for parents who frequently switch vehicles and want to save time when traveling.
The Century Carry On 35 Infant Car Seat comes with a padded infant insert that promotes a snug and comfortable baby-friendly fit. This feature enhances the comfort of your infant while traveling, allowing them to nap in a comfortable position during rides. The insert can be cleaned in a matter of minutes, making it simple to clean and maintain. It also works with the optional head support pad, which provides optimal support for your infant’s laterals.
4. Nuna Pipa Urbn
The Nuna Pipa Urbn is an original infant car seat that’s incredibly safe without compromising on the convenience. It’s designed with the help of the world-renowned, independent safety company, Consumer Reports. Aeroflex is an EPP foam that compresses and distributes impact energy during a collision, has been awarded the top crash protection rating. It also has side impact protection to ensure the ultimate in baby safety.
It is installed into the vehicle without a base and features the steel-reinforced PipaFIX rigid latches that are built into the car seat, allowing parents to secure it in seconds with helpful indicators that signal the successful installation. It can also be installed using a standard vehicle seatbelt using the European-style method of installation.
Pipa Urbn’s fast and simple installation is accompanied by its light weight. It weighs just 7 pounds, which makes it easy to carry into and out of your car as well as on a stroller. It also pairs seamlessly with the sleek Nuna MIXX Next stroller to create an entire travel infant car seat system that can be used for all of your everyday adventures.
Another benefit of the Pipa Urbn is that it’s compatible with a variety of different vehicles, which means you don’t have to buy a new car seat if you decide to change your vehicle. It can be used in combination with the Nuna TRVL or TRIV Next stroller.
Contrary to other portable infant car seat car seats that are heavy and difficult to maneuver, the Nuna Pipa Urbn has been designed to provide comfort and ease of use with comfortable lower and shoulder buckle covers. It also includes a UPF 50+ canopy that protects your child from harmful sunlight rays. It comes with a flip-out eye shade, a large peekaboo window and the famous Dream drape which silently attaches at the end of the seat to allow uninterrupted napping.
Pipa Urbn can be used with any vehicle, even if it does not have ISOFIX or a LATCH connector. Simply hinge the pipaFIX rigid latches forward from under the seat, locate the latches inside your vehicle, line them up, and click to join them. When you’re ready to take them off, you can do so by hand.