Adrina is a Christian hoping to help other stay-at-home moms find the joy and simplicity as a mother and wife. The Evenflo Spectrum is a high-back booster with an impressive crash test result for the head sensor and is so wallet-friendly that it is a potential contender for almost every family. The UPPAbaby Vista can be used with 2 infant car seats for easy transportation of up up to 2 infants. Looking for the right diaper for your little one? The ClickTight has a slightly above-average performance for crash test results. 
A travel system is a package deal that includes an infant car seat and a compatible stroller it can attach to. These reviews include more products in each category than you'll find in this comprehensive review. Based on height, most infants will transition out of their infant seat and into a convertible seat between 9-12 months. This booster will please children and parents with better crash test analyses and a comfortable seating area. Despite this, this option is the right one for anyone looking for the best crash tests or who values the potential safety aspects of remaining rear-facing for longer. That is why we feel that ease of use and installation are critical components of seat safety, potentially more so than the crash test results. Parents must have a safety car seat when they leave the hospital with their new infant. However, it is an excellent choice for every family with its reasonable price, no matter how big or small their budget. Is Ease of Installation or Crash Test Results More Important? The Alta offers supportive padding, a slight recline, and a handy side cup holder. However, the Evenflo car seat works in three modes, so kids can use it for a full ten years, while the Graco Turn2Me only works for four years. Manufacturers advertise these ranges and make them seem very important. The Graco Extend2Fit earned the best score in our analysis of crash test results. If you plan to attach your carrier to a stroller, the weight is less critical, but if you plan to hold your carrier or travel frequently, its weight might be more of a concern. There are many varieties of combinations when it comes to strollers and their car seat counterparts, and many strollers will work with a variety of seat options with the purchase of the appropriate adapters. While the Graco Turn2Me 360 Rotating Isofix Car Seat is not available in America yet, you can buy this innovative car seat from Europe and find out why its so popular. This convertible seat earned perfect 10 of 10 scores for installation using both the LATCH system and the vehicle belt, making it a standout choice and a product we believe is almost foolproof. The Evenflo is the lightest seat in the group and one of the most narrow at just over 9 pounds and 17 inches, The Peg Perego Primo uses the European belt path method for installation without the base. 
The Gold Revolve360 has remained the better (and now only) choiceView on Amazon. The seat starts facing the vehicle seat or backward (the safest position for little ones).
Multiple layers of padding are removable for infants to help babies fit more comfortably as they grow. The buckle and chest strap on the Chicco NexFit Zip are stiffer than much of the competition. The Clek Oobr is a steel frame high-backed booster that can go backless for older children or kids on the go. The UPPAbaby Alta booster is one of the highest quality options in the review with nicer materials that come together with few, if any, defects. Who knew Graco was in Europe and not just in America? It rotates completely to the front, the back, and either side. The weight of your booster seat could play a role in your decision-making if you carpool or travel. We believe they are uniquely qualified to potentially better protect your little than a seat designed for children from 4-80 lbs. We National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Infant seats are designed explicitly with little bodies and systems in mind, Convertible car seats are appropriate for older babies, How to Avoid Infant Car Seat Installation Mistakes, contact a certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians in their area, study by Portland's top Children's Hospital, CDC's infant boy age vs. weight growth chart, rear-facing is still the safest installation within the seat's limitations, Most infant safety seats are compatible with at least a couple of strollers. The harness design is narrower and more appropriate for an infant than that on a convertible seat, designed for older babies, but is modified for infants. You can see from the data that even the fastest-growing boy will fail to exceed the maximum weight of the majority of seats in our tests, but he might grow too tall, which means a transition to the following safety seat style before his weight impacts a change. We use the same guidelines and tests for crash testing to compare and combine our results with those from NHTSA before analysis and scoring. We like the rigid LATCH connection that prevents a free-floating seat, and passengers like the belt retainers and adjustable height headrest. However, the Cybex Sirona S can support children ages four and up who weigh up to 65 pounds. Keep in mind, its best to keep kids rear-facing as long as possible. Let us know! We contracted with the same national testing facility used by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) for crash tests, and also obtained NHTSA's crash test data for analysis. After you get the baby in the car seat, swivel it back to front or rear-facing depending on their age, weight, and height.
We remember all too well wondering what to choose, when to switch to a new seat, and why it was so darn complicated to install them. Our testing protocol for car seats is intense and extremely detailed; we've conducted more than 2,470 individual tests to evaluate the more than 70 safety seats we've tested since 2014. We originally recommended the Evenflo Gold Revolve360 Rotational All-in-One Convertible Car Seat for its 10-year life span and 120 pound weight limit. This result puts the Evenflo in the unique position of being the cheapest seat in the test and having some of the top crash results we analyzed. The Turn2Me can recline to five different positions. We also like that you can quickly secure the booster in the vehicle so it doesn't move in the car when your kids aren't using it. Searching for the best car seat for your little one? Unfortunately, the Tribute's low weight and low price come at the cost of comfort and quality, making the Evenflo uncomfortable on long road trips or for babies that need more cushioning or support. It has all the features you want in a car seat and a few nice features you will love. This installation style is a safe practice, and the seats have a method for this practice. The study showed that "93% made at least one critical error a mistake that put their infant at increased risk for injury in a crash when positioning their infant in a car safety seat or when installing the safety seat in their vehicle.". Here are all the details to help you decide if the European Graco will work right for you. The Chicco Keyfit 35 is an impressive infant car seat. For crash testing, we work with MGA Research, the same certified testing lab the US Government relies on for their safety certification tests. Luckily, we have the information you need to make an informed decision on which safety seat is the right one for your little one. Many award-winning seats are easy to install, with at least one installation method. We strongly encourage you to resist the temptation of buying a convertible seat (or "all-in-one" product) for your infant. You get three raises of the headrest to adjust the harness and headrest to grow with your child for the first four years. Infant safety seats combine a carrier and a base to create a system that allows you to install the base in your car one time and carry your infant in the carrier to and from the car base or connected to a compatible stroller. However, if your budget allows and limited stroller options aren't a concern, this Peg may be for you. The Evenflo is easy to use and the lightest option in our comparison, making it a good choice for parents on the go for travel or using public transportation. We believe the 5-point harness and side shell of the convertible seats potentially offers more protection. The Clek Oobr has the best crash test score based on the best-combined sensor data from our crash test dummy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It also sports a higher price tag, making it a potential non-starter for those on a tight budget. We contracted with the same crash test facility used by NHTSA to test the seats in this review. Are you an urban dweller looking for an infant carrier? The Evenflo turns into a booster seat, too, unlike the Turn2Me, and lasts for up to 120 pounds instead of just under 40 pounds. No ads. Privacy | Cookies | Terms, In-depth baby product reviews led by a Pediatrician, Let our extensive crash testing data help you find the best and safest car seat for your baby. Alternatively, it is relatively narrow, making it a potential seat if you need to fit multiple safety seats in a vehicle row. Manufacturer sets, however, may be less expensive. Next, neither option will work for three across the backseat. Dont worry, even though the seat swivels, it will not swivel while you are driving. According to the CDC's infant boy age vs. weight growth chart (pdf), a 95th percentile baby boy (which means a baby growing faster than 94 babies out of 100) will still weigh under 28 lbs and be close to 32 inches on their one year birthday. We are not big fans of a one-and-done approach to car seats and think an infant car seat should be used until your little one either grows out of it or ages out according to manufacturer directions. These seats are configured for a baby's anatomy and provide posture positioning for optimal breathing and protection in a crash. Your lifestyle might be a consideration in your selection process for a new car seat. Your child may need a booster seat in some locations to participate in camp-van pooling or sharing rides with friends from school activities. In-house, we use and assess all features and functionality, from the stiffness of the buckle and how challenging it is to change shoulder strap height to the difficulty of installation for every method possible. Installing the Cybex is a breeze with one-time vehicle belt installation in both rear-facing and forward-facing. We combine crash test results with our extensive hands-on testing to analyze which competitors are the top performers. The Extend2Fit has below-average quality, and it isn't as comfortable as seats with similar prices. While the Graco Turn2Me 360 Rotating Isofix Car Seat offers a fantastic car seat, its main benefit is the lower price. Just as you wanted to stay rear-facing as long as possible, we think it is wise to stay in a convertible seat as long as the seat user manual allows before swapping it for a booster. Even if your little one is exceptionally tall, you will simply move to a convertible seat sooner than other babies of the same age, which isn't a big deal, is safe, and will occur eventually no matter what. Ninety-three percent is a significant number. The Britax Boulevard ClickTight convertible car seat earned a top overall score thanks in part to its ease of installation scores. However, the Cybex is about twice the price of the Graco car seat which means it may not fit into everyones budget. Although, you should read the car seat manual and the car manual first to see if there are any special circumstances for your vehicle. This booster is similar to your vehicle seat with an adjustable headrest, armrests, and quality fabric that is easy to clean. In fact, an NHTSA study showed that 84% of infant seats exhibited a critical misuse related to either installation of the seat or incorrect restraint of the infant, or both. This Britax features an easy-to-use non-rethread harness adjustment; we prefer it over rethread styles. This option has a polished look with a rubbery grip handle and a headrest with a non-rethread harness adjustment. Moreover, the Cybex Sirona S has a stability bar just like the Turn2Me. It is a poor choice for carrying or stuffing in a backpack even without the back. In her free time she enjoys many crafts, writing, spending time with family, and reading. tested thousands of baby and kids products, Crash Test Analysis (20% of overall score weighting), Ease of Use Installation (multiple methods in multiple vehicles) (35% weighting). This data means it exceeded the federal requirements. BabyGearLab does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.See our Terms for more info. And, we combine our review work with gobs of expert parenting advice. Our experts have tested thousands of baby and kids products to share key performance, health, and safety findings. To assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. Next, the Cybex offers 12 positions of recline and magnetic buckle holders. Use this convertible car seat for the first four years of your childs life. Not only does the car seat come loaded with padding, but it also has a support leg to ensure the car seat stays stable in the car. Our exhaustive testing and rating process provides the information you need to make your family's best car seat purchase. Because safety is paramount, we believe you should choose your car seat before the stroller. The same is typically true of the convertible seats. Convertible car seats are appropriate for older babies (around nine months) and can last until your little one is about 3-7 years old, depending on the model and your child's size. Above you see the Phil and Teds Alpha seat on the test sled with a 12 month old crash test dummy strapped in.
A travel system is a package deal that includes an infant car seat and a compatible stroller it can attach to. These reviews include more products in each category than you'll find in this comprehensive review. Based on height, most infants will transition out of their infant seat and into a convertible seat between 9-12 months. This booster will please children and parents with better crash test analyses and a comfortable seating area. Despite this, this option is the right one for anyone looking for the best crash tests or who values the potential safety aspects of remaining rear-facing for longer. That is why we feel that ease of use and installation are critical components of seat safety, potentially more so than the crash test results. Parents must have a safety car seat when they leave the hospital with their new infant. However, it is an excellent choice for every family with its reasonable price, no matter how big or small their budget. Is Ease of Installation or Crash Test Results More Important? The Alta offers supportive padding, a slight recline, and a handy side cup holder. However, the Evenflo car seat works in three modes, so kids can use it for a full ten years, while the Graco Turn2Me only works for four years. Manufacturers advertise these ranges and make them seem very important. The Graco Extend2Fit earned the best score in our analysis of crash test results. If you plan to attach your carrier to a stroller, the weight is less critical, but if you plan to hold your carrier or travel frequently, its weight might be more of a concern. There are many varieties of combinations when it comes to strollers and their car seat counterparts, and many strollers will work with a variety of seat options with the purchase of the appropriate adapters. While the Graco Turn2Me 360 Rotating Isofix Car Seat is not available in America yet, you can buy this innovative car seat from Europe and find out why its so popular. This convertible seat earned perfect 10 of 10 scores for installation using both the LATCH system and the vehicle belt, making it a standout choice and a product we believe is almost foolproof. The Evenflo is the lightest seat in the group and one of the most narrow at just over 9 pounds and 17 inches, The Peg Perego Primo uses the European belt path method for installation without the base. The Gold Revolve360 has remained the better (and now only) choiceView on Amazon. The seat starts facing the vehicle seat or backward (the safest position for little ones). Multiple layers of padding are removable for infants to help babies fit more comfortably as they grow. The buckle and chest strap on the Chicco NexFit Zip are stiffer than much of the competition. The Clek Oobr is a steel frame high-backed booster that can go backless for older children or kids on the go. The UPPAbaby Alta booster is one of the highest quality options in the review with nicer materials that come together with few, if any, defects. Who knew Graco was in Europe and not just in America? It rotates completely to the front, the back, and either side. The weight of your booster seat could play a role in your decision-making if you carpool or travel. We believe they are uniquely qualified to potentially better protect your little than a seat designed for children from 4-80 lbs. We National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Infant seats are designed explicitly with little bodies and systems in mind, Convertible car seats are appropriate for older babies, How to Avoid Infant Car Seat Installation Mistakes, contact a certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians in their area, study by Portland's top Children's Hospital, CDC's infant boy age vs. weight growth chart, rear-facing is still the safest installation within the seat's limitations, Most infant safety seats are compatible with at least a couple of strollers. The harness design is narrower and more appropriate for an infant than that on a convertible seat, designed for older babies, but is modified for infants. You can see from the data that even the fastest-growing boy will fail to exceed the maximum weight of the majority of seats in our tests, but he might grow too tall, which means a transition to the following safety seat style before his weight impacts a change. We use the same guidelines and tests for crash testing to compare and combine our results with those from NHTSA before analysis and scoring. We like the rigid LATCH connection that prevents a free-floating seat, and passengers like the belt retainers and adjustable height headrest. However, the Cybex Sirona S can support children ages four and up who weigh up to 65 pounds. Keep in mind, its best to keep kids rear-facing as long as possible. Let us know! We contracted with the same national testing facility used by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) for crash tests, and also obtained NHTSA's crash test data for analysis. After you get the baby in the car seat, swivel it back to front or rear-facing depending on their age, weight, and height.
We remember all too well wondering what to choose, when to switch to a new seat, and why it was so darn complicated to install them. Our testing protocol for car seats is intense and extremely detailed; we've conducted more than 2,470 individual tests to evaluate the more than 70 safety seats we've tested since 2014. We originally recommended the Evenflo Gold Revolve360 Rotational All-in-One Convertible Car Seat for its 10-year life span and 120 pound weight limit. This result puts the Evenflo in the unique position of being the cheapest seat in the test and having some of the top crash results we analyzed. The Turn2Me can recline to five different positions. We also like that you can quickly secure the booster in the vehicle so it doesn't move in the car when your kids aren't using it. Searching for the best car seat for your little one? Unfortunately, the Tribute's low weight and low price come at the cost of comfort and quality, making the Evenflo uncomfortable on long road trips or for babies that need more cushioning or support. It has all the features you want in a car seat and a few nice features you will love. This installation style is a safe practice, and the seats have a method for this practice. The study showed that "93% made at least one critical error a mistake that put their infant at increased risk for injury in a crash when positioning their infant in a car safety seat or when installing the safety seat in their vehicle.". Here are all the details to help you decide if the European Graco will work right for you. The Chicco Keyfit 35 is an impressive infant car seat. For crash testing, we work with MGA Research, the same certified testing lab the US Government relies on for their safety certification tests. Luckily, we have the information you need to make an informed decision on which safety seat is the right one for your little one. Many award-winning seats are easy to install, with at least one installation method. We strongly encourage you to resist the temptation of buying a convertible seat (or "all-in-one" product) for your infant. You get three raises of the headrest to adjust the harness and headrest to grow with your child for the first four years. Infant safety seats combine a carrier and a base to create a system that allows you to install the base in your car one time and carry your infant in the carrier to and from the car base or connected to a compatible stroller. However, if your budget allows and limited stroller options aren't a concern, this Peg may be for you. The Evenflo is easy to use and the lightest option in our comparison, making it a good choice for parents on the go for travel or using public transportation. We believe the 5-point harness and side shell of the convertible seats potentially offers more protection. The Clek Oobr has the best crash test score based on the best-combined sensor data from our crash test dummy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It also sports a higher price tag, making it a potential non-starter for those on a tight budget. We contracted with the same crash test facility used by NHTSA to test the seats in this review. Are you an urban dweller looking for an infant carrier? The Evenflo turns into a booster seat, too, unlike the Turn2Me, and lasts for up to 120 pounds instead of just under 40 pounds. No ads. Privacy | Cookies | Terms, In-depth baby product reviews led by a Pediatrician, Let our extensive crash testing data help you find the best and safest car seat for your baby. Alternatively, it is relatively narrow, making it a potential seat if you need to fit multiple safety seats in a vehicle row. Manufacturer sets, however, may be less expensive. Next, neither option will work for three across the backseat. Dont worry, even though the seat swivels, it will not swivel while you are driving. According to the CDC's infant boy age vs. weight growth chart (pdf), a 95th percentile baby boy (which means a baby growing faster than 94 babies out of 100) will still weigh under 28 lbs and be close to 32 inches on their one year birthday. We are not big fans of a one-and-done approach to car seats and think an infant car seat should be used until your little one either grows out of it or ages out according to manufacturer directions. These seats are configured for a baby's anatomy and provide posture positioning for optimal breathing and protection in a crash. Your lifestyle might be a consideration in your selection process for a new car seat. Your child may need a booster seat in some locations to participate in camp-van pooling or sharing rides with friends from school activities. In-house, we use and assess all features and functionality, from the stiffness of the buckle and how challenging it is to change shoulder strap height to the difficulty of installation for every method possible. Installing the Cybex is a breeze with one-time vehicle belt installation in both rear-facing and forward-facing. We combine crash test results with our extensive hands-on testing to analyze which competitors are the top performers. The Extend2Fit has below-average quality, and it isn't as comfortable as seats with similar prices. While the Graco Turn2Me 360 Rotating Isofix Car Seat offers a fantastic car seat, its main benefit is the lower price. Just as you wanted to stay rear-facing as long as possible, we think it is wise to stay in a convertible seat as long as the seat user manual allows before swapping it for a booster. Even if your little one is exceptionally tall, you will simply move to a convertible seat sooner than other babies of the same age, which isn't a big deal, is safe, and will occur eventually no matter what. Ninety-three percent is a significant number. The Britax Boulevard ClickTight convertible car seat earned a top overall score thanks in part to its ease of installation scores. However, the Cybex is about twice the price of the Graco car seat which means it may not fit into everyones budget. Although, you should read the car seat manual and the car manual first to see if there are any special circumstances for your vehicle. This booster is similar to your vehicle seat with an adjustable headrest, armrests, and quality fabric that is easy to clean. In fact, an NHTSA study showed that 84% of infant seats exhibited a critical misuse related to either installation of the seat or incorrect restraint of the infant, or both. This Britax features an easy-to-use non-rethread harness adjustment; we prefer it over rethread styles. This option has a polished look with a rubbery grip handle and a headrest with a non-rethread harness adjustment. Moreover, the Cybex Sirona S has a stability bar just like the Turn2Me. It is a poor choice for carrying or stuffing in a backpack even without the back. In her free time she enjoys many crafts, writing, spending time with family, and reading. tested thousands of baby and kids products, Crash Test Analysis (20% of overall score weighting), Ease of Use Installation (multiple methods in multiple vehicles) (35% weighting). This data means it exceeded the federal requirements. BabyGearLab does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.See our Terms for more info. And, we combine our review work with gobs of expert parenting advice. Our experts have tested thousands of baby and kids products to share key performance, health, and safety findings. To assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. Next, the Cybex offers 12 positions of recline and magnetic buckle holders. Use this convertible car seat for the first four years of your childs life. Not only does the car seat come loaded with padding, but it also has a support leg to ensure the car seat stays stable in the car. Our exhaustive testing and rating process provides the information you need to make your family's best car seat purchase. Because safety is paramount, we believe you should choose your car seat before the stroller. The same is typically true of the convertible seats. Convertible car seats are appropriate for older babies (around nine months) and can last until your little one is about 3-7 years old, depending on the model and your child's size. Above you see the Phil and Teds Alpha seat on the test sled with a 12 month old crash test dummy strapped in.