Best Infant Car Seats 2015

So many considerations come into play when choosing an infant car seat. With hundreds of models in various price ranges to choose from, the selection process may get somewhat confusing.

You might want to consider the following points when making your decision.

Safety

Of course, first and foremost is safety. We obsess over safety features and rightfully so. After all, the car seat is intended to protect our most precious little passengers. Luckily, car seat manufacturers are going way beyond the basics while trying to outdo one another in impressive safety features. Of course this competition for our attention and our wallets only benefits us, consumers. Every year car seats become ever-better in every way. While all infant car seats on the market today adhere to standard safety regulations, and pass vigorous safety tests, the seats recommended here are top-of-the-line.

Ease Of Installation

A major factor which determines the safety of a car seat is proper installation. Hence, the easier your car seat is to install, the more chances that it will be installed correctly. Most infant car seats can be installed with lower latch connectors or with your vehicle's seat belt.
While installing an infant car seat is not brain surgery, some brands make installation simpler and more intuitive than others.

Convenience

No re-thread harness, weight of the carrier, carrying handle, stroller compatibility, etc. are all convenience features that are subjective. Depending on your needs and lifestyle, some of these features may be more or less important to you.

Baby's Comfort

Once we've check-marked all the safety features, what sets the best car seats apart from mediocre seats is baby's comfort. How roomy the seat is, the quality of textiles, the amount of padding in the seat, the harness buckle, sun coverage, etc.

I also want to bring up a point which may not be very popular in the US, but something to consider non-the-less. A car seat is essential to provide safety for your baby inside a vehicle. It's probably OK (arguably) to use it on quick shopping errand, but it's definitely not OK to use the car seat all the time in lieu of a stroller.
Studies show that prolonged time in a car seat puts an infant at risk for oxygen desaturation, which may cause breathing problems and apnea. Being in an upright position compresses the infant's chest wall, affecting airway size, particularly while the infant is sleeping. It can take only 20 minutes for oxygen levels to go down! Please always monitor a baby while in a car seat. Yes, I know that gets a little tricky if you're behind a wheel with no other passenger in the back seat. If you must drive long distances with a small infant, consider investing in a clip-on monitor such as Snuza or something similar.

Price

Infant car seats range between $120 and $500. Of course your baby's safety is the best investment you can make, but the difference between the more affordable and the higher priced car seats is often (though not always) in the convenience/comfort department, rather than actual safety. Generally, the more expensive car seats tend to have better quality textiles, more padding and better canopies.
Some higher priced car seats do offer extra safety features such as stabilizing load leg, side impact protection, or impact absorbing base. Whether the higher price justifies the 'extras' is of course a personal choice.

Without further ado, here's a selection of infant car seats

that were chosen for a perfect harmony of advanced

safety features, convenience and baby's comfort.

Nuna PIPA

Great Features

Suitable for infants 4-32lb and 32" tall.
Adjustable base with stabilizing load leg
Rigid lower latch connectors
Lock-off for easy installation with seat belt
3 sets of harness slots and 2 buckle positions (a lot of infant car seats have only 1 buckle slot)
EPS foam and memory foam
"Dream Drape" provides extra protection from the sun.
Peekaboo window on canopy
Allows European beltpath installation with a vehicle's seat belt - no base needed
Plush, Oeko-Tex® certified fabric.
Newborn insert + low birthweight pillow insert
Ultra Lightweight carrier weighs 7.7lb
4 color option

Potential Drawbacks

Lacks no re-thread harness. On a flip side, the harness is easy to adjust and can be removed and replaced if necessary.
Made in China (as well as most other car seats).

Conclusion

The combination of rigid lower latch connectors and the stabilizing load leg makes for a very safe and secure installation. The seat is easy to install, both with latch connectors or seat belt and is lightweight to carry. It is also made with premium quality fabrics for baby's comfort. The canopy with the extendable shade is the best in it's class. Comfortable for preemies.

Britax B‑Safe 35 Elite

Great Features

Suitable for infants 4-35 lb, 32″ tall
No-rethread harness with 6 height positions
2 crotch buckle positions
Energy-absorbing EPS and EPP foam
Stabilizing steel frame
Impact Absorbing Base with SafeCell technology
Extra layer of side impact protection
Push-on lower LATCH connectors
Lock-off for installation with seat belt
Can be installed without base
Easily removable seat cover
Large canopy
Comes with newborn prop-up pillow
Premium fabrics
Ergonomic carrying handle
Available in 6 colors
Made in USA

Potential Drawbacks

Carrier heavier than some at 11.5 lb
Cover can only be hand-washed
On the narrow side. Might be outgrown faster than some other competitive models

Conclusion

This seat is loaded with unique and impressive safety features like the SafeCell technology and a stabilizing steel frame. Easy to install. One of the few car seats made in USA. Fits preemies well.

Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35

Great Features

Suitable for infants 4-35lb, 32" tall
No re-thread harness with 6 height positions
Anti-rebound bar
Adjustable base with infinite recline knob
Energy-absorbing EPS foam
Delux push-on lower LATCH connectors
Lock-off for installation with seat belt
Can be installed without base with European beltpath routing
Comes with newborn insert
Perforated seat core for better air circulation
Premium, breathable fabrics
Removable, machine washable cover
Large, UV 50+ rated canopy
Lightweight at 8.8lb (carrier only)
Made in Italy
17 color options

Potential Drawbacks

Handle must be down when in car.
Only one crotch buckle position.

Conclusion

High quality seat that is easy to install. Perforated seat core and premium, breathable fabrics keep baby comfortable. One of the few car seats not made in China (made in Italy). Fits preemies well.

Graco SnugRide 40 Click Connect

Great Features

Suitable for infants/kids 4-40 lb, up to 35" tall
The ONLY Newborn to 2 Year Infant Car Seat
No re-thread harness with 15 height positions
Headrest/harness height adjusts with one hand
2 Buckle positions
Adjustable base slides back to create more legroom for a growing child
8 Recline positions
Energy absorbing EPS foam
Removable infant support cushion included
Adjustable footrest/seat protector
Lock-off for seat belt installation
Can be installed without base
Clicks into Graco Click Connect Strollers without the need for adapters

Potential Drawbacks

Large seat, takes up more room in the car and may not fit well in some smaller vehicles.
Basic hook LATCH connectors
Made in China

Conclusion

This is the only infant car seat with base that accommodates kids up to age 2, however, keep in mind that your child may outgrow the seat by height well before they reach the weight limit.
This car seat is now on sale now for $186.

UPPAbaby Mesa

Great Features

4-35 lbs, up to 32″ tall
No re-thread harness with 5 height positions
2 crotch buckle positions
Removable infant insert included
Recline angle indicator on both sides of base
EPS energy absorbing foam
Auto-retracting lower LATCH connectors
Red-to-green tension indicator on base
Built-in lockoff for simple seat belt installation
Can be installed without base with European beltpath routing
SMARTSecure™ system with 10-second accurate install
Integrated hideaway canopy, rated SPF 50
Removable, machine washable cover
Pockets to keep harness out of the way while placing child in the seat
Deep carrier allows for more leg room
Rounded base won't leave indents on seat upholstery
Attaches directly to Vista and Cruz strollers without need of adapters
Available in 5 colors

Potential Drawbacks

Made in China.

Conclusion

Super easy to install with latch connectors or seat belt. Handle can be in any locked position in the car. The 2015 version is 1 lb lighter than the previous model and has softer, breathable seat fabric.

Cybex Aton Q

Great Features

Suitable for 4-35lb, up to 30" tall
No re-thread harness (8 height positions)
Recline positions for two weight categories
Adjustable base with stabilizing load leg
Premium push-on lower LATCH connectors
Energy absorbing EPS foam
Unique, Telescoping Linear Side Impact protection
Can be installed without base with Europen beltpath routing
Large, integrated sun canopy, rate UVP 50+
Removable, machine washable cover
Perfect Positioner™ insert helps properly position small infants to be as flat as possible
Compact design makes it fit well in smaller vehicles
5 colors options

Potential Drawbacks

No lock-off for seat belt installation.
Carrier is heavier than some competitors at 11 lb
Expensive. Retails for $350.
Chest clip is on the large side. May not fit well on preemies.
Made in China (along with plenty of other car seats)

Conclusion

The Aton Q is a stylish car seats with impressive safety and comfort features. This is the only rear facing car seat besides for Nuna PIPA, with a stabilizing load leg (vastly improves crash ratings), sold in US. Can be attached to a stroller with Maxi-Cosi adapters.