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Best Baby & Toddler Car Seats - Safest And Transitional Car Seats
Updated: Jan 19, 2022
A Car Seat the most important item you will need for your baby.
And it happens to be the first big item you will use with your babe!
The safety rules and regulations behind car seats get very overwhelming, but I know that you would not trade the time it takes to pick out a car seat or the time it takes to strap them in correctly, if this is what it takes to keep your
sweet babe safe.
And that is the most important thing above anything else.
However, picking out a car seat can be overwhelming and very timely.
So this article is to help you compare and contrast the top seats, based on what is most important to you and your family.
Whether you are buying a brand new infant seat, or you are moving on up to a front facing toddler car seat, this article will help make the process a little easier.
Infant Car Seats (Only)
If you can afford buying one car seat at the beginning and another when they turn 2, that is completely up to you.
There is no evidence that purely infant car seats can be safer than transitional car seats, however infant car seats are purely MADE FOR to be backwards facing, and that is what they are best at for keeping your child safe.
These lists are NOT in order, one being more safe because all are very safe, purely see what fits your needs the best.
1. Century Carry On 35 LX Lightweight
Item Weight: 8 Ibs (SUPER LIGHT!)
Maximum Child Weight: 35 Ibs
Extra Large Canopy for Shade
Plush Newborn Supports
Side Impact Tested
Happy Environment Recycle
Comes With Base
Easy to Install
Washable Seat Pad
Adjustable Base (3 Positions)
2. Doona Car Seat & Stroller
Now this is an expensive one, but if you or your family can afford it, I say go for it!
Item Weight: 8.8 Ibs (Very Light!)
Maximum Child Weight: 35 Ibs
First Compete Travel System
Car Seat & Stroller - Very Gentle Transition
Approved by TUV & FAA
Safe Foam Newborn Inserts
Easy Stroller Mobility
Comes With Base
Emergency Stop Wheel Foot Press
Canopy for Shade
Minimum Weight: 4 Ibs (This is usually around 7 Ibs!)
3. Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX
Item Weight: 9.75 Ibs
Maximum Child Weight: 35 Ibs
Advanced Side Impact Protection from Head to Hips
Comes with Base
Silent Shade Canopy
Adjustable Base (4 Positions)
One Hand Adjustable Handle
Quilted Head and Body Newborn Insert
Easy to Read Level Indicator
4. Baby Trend Secure Snap Tech 35
Item Weight: 18.13 Ibs
Maximum Child Weight: 35 Ibs
Foam Newborn Insert
EPS Energy Absorbing Side Impact Head Protection
3 Panel Canopy
Delta Multi Grip Carrying Handle
One Hand Seat Release
Comes With Base
4 Recline Positions
5. Safety 1st Onboard 35 LT
The cheapest of all choices, but sometimes that does not mean the same quality.
Item Weight: 14.99 Ibs
Maximum Child Weight: 35 Ibs
4 Harness Heights
Foam Newborn Insert
Adjustable Base Heights
Energy Absorbing Impact Materials
Machine Washable Car seat Pad
There are many other great car seats! However, one important thing to take into consideration is the item weight. Even the doona, coming in at 8.8 Ibs, with a 15 Ib baby placed inside the seat, it makes it feel like you are carrying at least 40 Ibs.
So really consider item weight when you pick out your car seat, because a heavier car seat just makes everything more difficult!
Transitional Car Seats
These car seats are for if you would really prefer only buying one car seat the whole lifetime
of your child.
These seats start out as an infant car seat, and sometimes go all the way up to booster seats!
These are so amazing to have, especially
for saving money!
1. Graco Extend2Fit Convertible
Rear & Forward Facing
Maximum Child Rear Facing: 50 Ibs (This is awesome!)
4 Position Adjustable Extension Panel for up to 5 more Inches of Legroom!
Steel Reinforced Frame
10 Position Adjustable Headrest
Maximum Child Front Facing: 65 Ibs
ProtectPlus Engineered
6 Position Recline
Cup Holders
Newborn Inserts
Harness Storage - Holds Harness Out of the Way While You Get Your Baby
Machine Washable Seat Cushion
Base Is Attached to Seat
Item Weight: 19 Ibs - But this Item Cannot Be Carried, For It Has No Handle.
2. Safety 1st Grow and Go All-in-One
Rear Maximum Child Weight: 40 Ibs
Forward Maximum Child Weight: 65 Ibs
Booster Maximum Child Weight: 100 Ibs
Item Weight: 18.66 Ibs - But this Item Cannot Be Carried, For It Has No Handle.
Harness Holders
Machine Washable Pads
Adjustable Headrest, Harness Straps, and Crotch Strap
2 Forward Facing Positions
Removable Cup Holders
3 Position Recline
Newborn Inserts
When Child Is Ready, Take out Harness and Use SeatBelt to Strap In Booster - Up to 100 Ibs
3. Maxi-Cosi Pria 3-in-1 Convertible
Maximum Rear Child Weight: 40 Ibs
Maximum Forward Child Weight: 65 Ibs
Maximum Booster Child Weight: 100 Ibs
3 Position Recline
Automatically Raise Harness & Headrest
Harness Holders
Removable Dishwasher Safe Cup Holders
Machine Washable
5 Headrest Heights
Exceeds all Federal Standards
4. Baby Trend Cover Me 4 in 1 Convertible
Item Weight: 19.84 Ibs - But this Item Cannot Be Carried, For It Has No Handle.
Maximum Rear Child Weight: 40 Ibs
Maximum Forward Child Weight: 65 Ibs
Maximum Booster Child Weight: 100 Ibs
UPF 50+ Protection Sun Canopy
5 Position Recline w/ Flip Foot
Newborn Insert
Cup Holders
Adjustable Height Headrest
5. Evenflo Evolve Platinum 3-in-1 Combination Booster Seat
Child Weight: 22-120 Ibs
Maximum Harnessed Booster Weight: 65 Ibs
Maximum Seat Belt Booster Weight: 120 Ibs
Maximum No Back Booster Weight: 120 Ibs
1 Position Recline
2 Crotch Buckle Positions
Temperature Regulating Fabric
3 Booster Transitions
Cup Holders
Federal Crash Tested