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

1. Lacks no re-thread harness. On a flip side, the harness is easy to adjust and can be removed and replaced if necessary.
2. 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

1. Carrier heavier than some at 11.5 lb
2. Cover can only be hand-washed
3. 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

1. Handle must be down when in car. 
2. 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

1. Large seat, takes up more room in the car and may not fit well in some smaller vehicles.
2. Basic hook LATCH connectors 
3. 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

1. 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

1. No lock-off for seat belt installation. 
2. Carrier is heavier than some competitors at 11 lb
3. Expensive. Retails for $350.
4. Chest clip is on the large side. May not fit well on preemies. 
5. 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.

Cybex Cloud Q And Other Flat-Reclining Infant Car Seats

Since it's unveiling at the ABC Kids Expo, there's been a lot of buzz around the new Cybex Cloud Q reclining infant car seat, winner of the JPMA "Best in Show" award.

photo via BabyGizmo

First of all, let me say that the car seat looks absolutely awesome! Since there's been a lot of concern in the medical community regarding infants spending too much time in their car seats and the potential health risks that may result from this (too much pressure on the spine, compression of the lungs, reflux), initially, I was relieved at the thought that a flat-reclining infant car seat was finally released. I must admit, however, that something troubles me.

The Cloud Q will retail at around $400, and I'm sure that a large percentage of parents will find the cost of this car seat completely prohibitive. It really bites that only an elite minority will be able to have a peace of mind by using a healthier alternative to a typical infant car seat for their baby. I understand that a company who's pioneering a new product is out to make a profit and doesn't have to be altruistic, but I do hope that other car seat manufacturers will follow suit and bring similar car seats to the US market at more affordable prices. As far as I'm concerned, a reclining car seat should be an industry standard and not an overpriced alternative.

The fact that babies should sleep on a flat surface is nothing new. I'm sure your grandparents were well aware of it. What's new (and hopefully will become "old" soon) is that in United States, we're prepared to close our eyes on a lot of "outdated" health risks in favor of conveniences. We tell ourselves that these beliefs are old-fashioned and that EVERYONE takes advantage of infant car seats outside of the car without any proven adverse effects. I know people whose infants literally live in a car seat all day long. They ride in it, they go for walks in it, they sleep in it at home. I always thought it was irresponsible, but when you're a sleep-deprived parent, you'll let anything go, as long as your baby seems happy.

A reclining car seat is not as innovative as the current baby industry media buzz would have us believe. Flat reclining car seats have been available in Europe and Asia for years. Even the Cybex Cloud Q has been engineered in Germany. Seems like we, Americans are a little slow when it comes to questioning the old status quo. Unfortunately, despite the fact that SOME European car seats are way more advanced than American  car seats, they cannot be used in the States because they have not been tested to meet US very questionable safety standards. Magic Beans has a great article on the difference between European and American car seats and their safety testing.

Of course the safety of a car seat and it's performance in a crash test is top priority, but I do wish that the positioning of a newborn's developing spine in conventional infant car seats received a little more concern in the US as well. Instead it took a German brand to show us what we've been doing wrong all these years.

Here are a few flat reclining car seats that have been in existence long before  Cybex Cloud Q.

BeSafe iZi Sleep

Britax Romer Baby Safe Sleeper

This is a car seat/bassinet that goes from your car to the stroller. The backrest angle is adjustable.

Aprica Fladea Air

 This car seat, made by Aprica Japan, can be used in a reclined position in the car! The possible configurations and all the innovative features of this car seat blow my mind. How I wish this car seat was approved for use in the US. The demo video makes me drool!

Jane Matrix Light 2

Can be installed in either a lie flat position across the seat, or a rear facing upright position. This car seat also has a unique ventilation system.

Mutsy Traveller Car Seat

Britax ClickTight 2015 Car Seats

The new Britax ClickTight Boulevard, Advocate and Marathon car seats are now available for pre-order!
The car seats are due to be released on October 6, 2014. In the mean time, prices dropped on the G4 Britax car seats. The G4 Boulvard is now $229.99. The G4 Marathon is now $202.99 and the G4 Advocate is $279.99. Whether to purchase the G4 version or to hold out for the ClickTight update is really a matter of preference and budget. Both are excellent car seats. The ClickTight car seats are designed with simple, car belt installation system, which is supposed to prevent any potential installation mistakes. However, if you don't move your child's seat from car to car and have used the older models for a while, you might feel pretty confident with your car seat installation skills and don't have a real need to upgrade. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the new, redesigned seats. The fabrics seem to be very plush and soft to the touch, and the new installation would definitely make it simpler to move the car seat from car to car, or for grandparents to install. If the higher cost of the ClickTight seats is not a factor for you, I would definitely invest in one of those. At the moment, my son is riding in a G4 Boulevard and I don't feel pressed to upgrade,  but for my next baby I would probably splurge on a ClickTight model.

Britax ClickTight Advocate

Britax ClickTight Boulevard

Britax ClickTight Marathon

New Baby Products I'm looking Forward To In 2015

I'm on pins & needles, anticipating the ABC expo, which will take place Sep 7-10. This is where all the new baby and kids manufacturers will be showcasing their new products for 2015. I can't wait to see what's in store for us from my favorite stroller brands, and eager to discover new, never before seen products. A few sneak peaks can be seen among the 2014 JPMA Innovation Award Nominees.

One of these is the CYBEX Cloud Q Infant Car Seat

A convenient aspect of an infant car seat is that it can be transferred to a stroller and become a travel system. However, there is a big concern in the medical community that it is not healthy for baby’s spine to be kept in an car seat for long periods of time. The CYBEX Cloud Q is the first infant car seat that, when used on a stroller, can recline completely, becoming a carry cot. A clever mechanism allows the back rest to recline, and the foot end of the seat flattens out and extends to perfectly support the baby.

While used in a car, the Cloud Q will have the same Linear Side-Impact Protection as the Aton 2 and Aton Q. The base also comes with a Load Leg. I can't wait for the official unveiling of this car seat at the ABC expo!

Other new baby products that I'm looking forward to seeing:

Babymoov 0-Emissions Video Monitor

If like me, you're concerned about exposing your developing newborn to electromagnetic waves, you'd be happy to know that Babymoov has taken a precautionary approach to this problem by developing the first and only 0-emission baby video monitor on the market. 

BabyJogger Vue Double Stroller

The Vue Double is the first side-by-side umbrella stroller that allows each child to face in either direction. The best part is that the seats don't need to be taken out to be reversed. The stroller has a compact, umbrella fold for easy storage. I can't wait get my hands on the Vue Double. Crossing my fingers in hopes that it's easy to push and steer. 

Doona Infant Car Seat/Stroller

The Doona car seat is truly innovative, featuring integrated wheels that pop out easily to provide the same sort of mobility you get with a baby travel system, minus the extra frame. A separate car base, which the Doona clicks easily into, is equipped with a load leg (a feature that’s common in Europe and provides excellent stability for the car seat). A variety of optional accessories, such as rain cover, extendable sun shade, mosquito net, wheel covers, parent console and more will be available as well. This car seat is already available for sale in the UK.