Best Infant Car Seats of 2024, Tested & Reviewed

Keep your little one comfy and safe in one of the best infant car seats.

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  By: Tali Ditye, Ph.D., Co-founder

  Updated: October 20, 2024

Mommyhood101 independently tests and curates baby gear to help you make informed decisions. If you buy products through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

During the first two years of life, the infant car seat is an essential element for any family on the go, conveniently popping out of your vehicle and onto your stroller without waking a sleeping baby.

After over 10 years of reviewing car seat, if we made our own, here are some of the key features it would have:

✔️  Weight limit 30-35 pounds.
✔️  Height limit 30-32" tall.
✔️  Adjustable harness & headrest.
✔️  No rethreading required.
✔️  Quick-release LATCH.
✔️  Seat belt lock-offs.
✔️  European belt path.
✔️  Side impact protection.
✔️  Steel-reinforced frame.
✔️  EPS energy-absorbing foam.
✔️  Crash crumple zones.
✔️  Anti-rebound bar or load leg.
✔️  Excellent crash test ratings.
✔️  Removable newborn positioner.
✔️  Machine washable cover.
✔️  No flame retardants.
✔️  Breathable fabrics.
✔️  Narrow and lightweight.
✔️  Intuitive & easy installation.

Of course, you will also want the car seat to fit your style (color, patterns) preferences, fit well in your vehicle, and meet your budget constraints. That's a lot to ask, and very few car seats meet the needs of picky parents!

Full disclosure: Some of these car seats, including the Maxi Cosi, Doona, and Chicco models, were sent to us as free test samples by the manufacturer.

To help you find the best infant car seat for your family, we put over a dozen infant car seats through hands-on tests to find the best and safest options of the year. Below are the top 5 options we've tested, followed by reviews of several additional models.

#1. Chicco KeyFit 35
#2. UPPAbaby Mesa V2
#3. Britax Willow S
#4. Graco Snugride 35
#5. Doona Car Seat & Stroller

The infant car seat is one of the most important purchases you will make as a new parent, preceding the transition to a convertible car seat and, eventually, a booster car seat.

Wondering how our picks compare to Consumer Reports? They also picked the Chicco KeyFit as the best infant car seat, alongside the Clek Liing (which is further down on our list).

Our testing considers ease of use, flexibility, weight and height ranges, safety, car size, comfort, and stroller compatibility. We test all of the features, install the car seats in multiple vehicles, read all the manuals, and pull together opinions from dozens of parents involved in our testing program. 

Here are the Best Infant Car Seats of 2024!

1. Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat.

About $150-200. Chicco's flagship KeyFit 30 has a solid reputation for safety, quality, comfort, convenience, and reasonable pricing. It's definitely one of the most popular infant car seats on the market and has held that position for nearly 10 years. Enter the KeyFit 35, which took the core design of the KeyFit 30 and improved on it in four primary ways: a higher weight and height capacity, no-rethread quick-adjust harness height, European belt routing, and an anti-rebound bar. The core features of the KeyFit 30 versus 35 are very similar, including premium SuperCinch LATCH connectors, EPS energy-absorbing foam and side-impact protection, preemie support (4 pounds) with the included infant insert, machine washable fabrics, RideRight bubble levels to help installation, and 6-year expiration. We love both KeyFit models because they have a beautiful design, easy installation, high-quality and comfortable fabrics, broad stroller compatibility, and lightweight construction that makes them relatively easy to carry around. As parents and the owners of this site, we have hundreds of hours' worth of experience using the KeyFit car seats, and as scientists we are impressed with their excellent NHTSA ease of installation and crash test ratings. With the AAP's recommendation to keep your child rear-facing for as long as possible, we welcome the KeyFit 35's higher weight (35 pounds) and height (32") capacity, and its extra couple inches of leg room. With the KeyFit 30, you'll likely be upgrading to a convertible car seat around 14-18 months old (most babies reach 30" height by this age), whereas the KeyFit 35 should last until around your child's second birthday. We also love the added peace of mind of the anti-rebound bar on the KeyFit 35, and its larger canopy.

When it was first released, the KeyFit 35 was usually about $250, but its price has slowly fallen over the past year, putting it in a very competitive position: with its amazing features, safety, comfort, and convenience, it's a clear winner at this price point! We definitely prefer the KeyFit 35, but also realize that many parents are looking to use an infant car seat for the first year and then transition to a rear-facing convertible car seat, which makes a strong case for the KeyFit 30. This makes sense especially if your baby is below the 70-80th percentile for height and weight; if they're relatively big or tall, they might grow out of the KeyFit 30 at a surprisingly young age (especially in height). No major cons to speak of with the KeyFit 35. It does only have one crotch buckle position, which is limiting, and it's lightweight (9.6 pounds for KeyFit 30, 10 pounds for KeyFit 35) but not as light as some competitors like the Nuna Pipa. Highly recommended, and we'll let you figure out whether the 30 or 35 is best for your situation! Who else thinks the KeyFit is a top pick? Our friends at BabyList, BabyCenter, WhatToExpect, and Wirecutter. You can check out the KeyFit 30 and KeyFit 35 here!

2. UPPAbaby Mesa V2 Infant Car Seat.

Usually about $500. This is a more expensive option than most other infant car seats, but the newest UPPAbaby Mesa (the V2) has some serious safety and convenience features that might make it worth the splurge! For basic specifications, an infant insert is included to accommodate newborns and preemies as small as 4 pounds, and the seat goes up to a 35-pound weight capacity (32" height), which is industry-leading (and frankly, expected at this price point). Coming in just under 10 pounds, there are many convenience and safety features given a relatively low overall weight (the base adds another 9 pounds), making the seat's weight a non-issue. It's also relatively narrow, with a 15.5" wide base, and adding about 1.5" to that due to the handlebar levers sticking out on the sides. The Mesa is a good option for fitting three car seats in a row because the bottom of the base is very narrow, allowing LATCH and buckles on adjacent car seats to fit close together. Features abound, including beefy side impact protection, no-rethread harness and quick-adjust headrest (5-positions), removable and washable (and Greenguard GOLD!) fabric, an infant insert and low harness position for smaller (4-11 pounds) infants, and European belt path routing. According to UppaBaby, its safety features help the Mesa perform up to 4-times better on side-impact crash tests than any other premium infant car seat on the market.

We got our hands on the Mesa V2 late last year and there were a few things that really stood out. First, we loved how easy and versatile the installation was. The SMARTSecure system makes installation take literally 30 seconds (plus the time to read the instructions!), and the level indicators make you perfectly confident that you've achieved an excellent installation. It's honestly one of the easiest to install and use car seats we've ever tested, and the option to use the European belt path provides great versatility when you're not using the base. Second, all the adjustments were smooth and easy including the adjustable foot for leveling the base, and the harness height and tightness. Third, the new Mesa V2 has a great canopy that is a bit larger than the original Mesa and no longer interferes with the carry handle when they are both in an upright position. Finally, we think the new handlebar position (they call it a 4th position - in between upright and fully forward) is a clever way to integrate an anti-rebound bar without adding weight or bulk. Nice touch!

The Mesa V2 is one of those car seats that looks and feels extremely high quality and will be sure to turn heads. It has the safety and convenience features to match, beautiful and durable fabrics, and is directly compatible with the Vista and Cruz strollers without adapters (adapters are needed to attach to the Minu or Ridge). For cons, there are only a few to mention. First, there is only one crotch buckle position, which is something that differs from the original Mesa; given its position, we don't anticipate many issues here, but if you have a very large baby it could become an issue. Second, the price is steep, but we think the easy and versatile installation combined with high-quality fabrics and safety features could make it worth every penny! That's for you to decide. Who else thinks the UPPAbaby Mesa is a top pick? Our friends at Babylist, What2Expect, BabyCenter, and TheBump! Interested? You can check out the UPPAbaby Mesa V2 here.

UPPAbaby Mesa vs Mesa V2: Key Differences

While we review the newest UPPAbaby Mesa V2 above, it's worth considering what has changed with the V2 relative to the original Mesa. First for the similarities: they are the same weight (9.9-pound seat, 9-pound base), dimensions (17" W x 25.8" L x 23" H), and capacities (4-35 pounds and up to 35" tall). They both have no-rethread harnesses, an adjustable headrest with side impact protection and EPP foam, a four-position leveling foot, seatbelt lock-offs, removable and washable seat fabric, compatibility with the VISTA and CRUZ strollers, and the popular SMARTSecure installation system.

That said, there are four primary differences between the original Mesa and the new Mesa v2 car seats. The new Mesa V2 has:

• A larger SPF 50+ canopy with better coverage.
• Installation option using the European belt path (without the base).
• A more supportive and comfortable infant insert.
• A new carry handle position for anti-rebound protection.

One thing the Mesa V2 does not have relative to the original Mesa is two crotch buckle positions. That was a peculiar decision by UPPAbaby, though we do believe the new position is ideal for both smaller and larger children. Outside of that, all of the new Mesa V2 features were definitely welcome additions. In our original review of the Mesa, we complained that the canopy would interfere with the carry handle when both were in the upright position; now that's fixed. We also thought it was limiting not to have the European belt path option; now that's fixed as well. Finally, we commented that most infant car seats at this price point have an anti-rebound bar; now the smart folks at UPPAbaby added a very clever solution to this problem. Overall, we love how UPPAbaby listened to parents and reviewers and came out with a new model that has all the right features without increasing the weight or bulk. Nice job!

3. Britax Willow S Infant Car Seat.

Usually about $200 and available in several colors. Britax is world-renowned for making extremely high quality, safe, comfortable, and feature-rich car seats. Over the past several years, the Britax B-Safe ruled the roost and was one of the most popular car seats of all time. Enter the Willow S, Britax's newest infant car seat that honors their legacy and expands upon an already great car seat with new convenience and comfort features at a surprisingly reasonable price. For specifications, the Willow S supports infant as small as 4 pounds (with included infant insert pillows) and up to 30 pounds (or 32 inches tall). It's about 17" wide, 28" deep, and rises about 25" above the vehicle seat. That relatively narrow width could make it possible to squeeze in three car seats in a row. It has a 6-year expiration and 1-year warranty. For safety features, it includes Britax's patented SafeCell crumple zones, the ReboundReduce stability bar, and RightSize adjustments (including 4 harness slots, 3 buckle positions, and 2 hip widths) to ensure appropriate sizing. For safety and convenience, the Willow S is the only infant car seat featuring the amazing ClickTight technology which makes achieving a secure installation a snap (literally!). That's a ton of great features.

In our testing, we found the machine washable fabrics to be soft and the cushioning provided ample padding for the seat, back, and head. Everything was easily adjusted including the harness tightness and positions, buckle positions, carry handle, and the extendable (and UPF 50+) sun canopy. We loved how the car seat can be installed in multiple ways: using the included LATCH system, the vehicle's seat belt in the American OR European belt routing, and with or without the included base. Speaking of the base, it was very easy to click the car seat into and out of the base. Out of the box, the Willow S is directly compatible with the Britax Grove, Brook, and Brook+ strollers, but with adapters it is compatible with other Britax, Bob, Nuna, UPPAbaby, Maxi Cosi, and Cybex strollers. Limitations are, well, limited! They include the low weight limit (30 versus 35 pounds) and the harness needing manual rethreading for height adjustment. Overall, we think the new Willow S is a very exciting addition to the Britax line up of high quality car seats that put safety first. Highly recommended! Interested? You can check out the Britax B-Safe Gen2 here.

4. Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX.

Usually under $230. The Graco SnugRide series of car seats is one of the most popular and all-time best-selling on the market. For over a decade, Graco has been offering the SnugRide line, but they only recently stepped up their game and added the SnugFit line with the anti-rebound bar parents have been asking for. Why? The anti-rebound bar provides increased safety and protection in the event of a rear-end accident, helping to stabilize the car seat and absorb the rotational forces that can be harmful to your baby. The SnugRide infant car seats have the reputation of being relatively simple and no-frills, and the SnugFit 35 DLX is no exception. Not as soft or plush as the B-Safe or Chicco car seats, and maybe not as stylish or available in funky patterns (like the Britax Cowmooflauge, which is awesome), but it works pretty well and parents absolutely love it. Feature for feature, it's also about $50-75 cheaper than the other brands, so that's something to keep in mind. The SnugFit 35 DLX supports babies as small as 4 pounds (with the infant insert) and goes up to 35 pounds with a 32" height limit. It attaches with the Graco InRight LATCH system, or with the car's safety belt. It is side-impact tested, and uses EPS energy-absorbing foam for safety, as part of its TrueShield side impact protection technology that protects not just the head but all the way down to the hips. One of the biggest advantages to the SnugFit, in addition to the anti-rebound bar, is the addition of no-rethread harness height adjustment!

We were happy to find that the headrest and harness height adjusts up and down together, using the convenient button on the top of the headrest. The seat itself is reasonably lightweight, coming in at about 9.5 pounds, and we personally liked how easily it snapped into and out of the base. Speaking of which, the SnugLock system is compatible with any Click Connect stroller, so you can snap this car seat into any stroller or base that also uses the Click Connect feature. So that makes compatibility with strollers and travel systems much easier, especially when nearly every stroller on the market makes an adapter to fit the SnugRide car seats. With the base, the combo weighs only about 17 lbs (seat + base). In our testing, one of our chief grievances about this car seat is that it didn't seem big or wide enough to fit babies over about 25-30 pounds, especially if they have broad shoulders. It's super supportive and comfortable for infants, but then as they grow bigger you might begin to realize its limitations. Overall, we absolutely love what Graco has done with the SnugRide line, especially with the no-rethread shoulder harness, the high-quality fabrics, and the anti-rebound bar. Coming in at only about $230, these represent an excellent feature set for such a reasonable price. Given how easy we found the installation and functionality, and the overall comfort and safety, we think this is a solid best-bet infant car seat for parents who are looking to save some cash while maintaining confidence in Graco's solid reputation for car seat quality and safety. If you're confused about the giant range of Graco Snugride car seats, check out our SnugRide comparison tables here. Otherwise, you can check out the SnugFit 35 DLX here!

5. Doona Infant Car Seat and Stroller Combination.

Usually about $500 (whoa!). This is the only infant car seat that includes an integrated stroller, making it a super unique addition to our list (and to the baby gear market in general)! This slick design transitions from a plush infant car seat to a stroller in about 5 seconds, with stroller legs and wheels that fold down from the underside of the car seat. It's the perfect travel companion, a great alternative to a big travel system, and is perfect for city dwellers with limited storage space. We got our hands on the Doona for testing last year (thanks, Doona!) and were super impressed by its versatility and ease of use. Let's talk about the car seat first. The car seat supports babies as little as 4 pounds and as heavy as 35 pounds, or up to 32" tall (whichever comes first), making it a great option for preemies with its included infant insert and super cozy memory foam head support. For safety, it has 3 layers of side-impact protection, EPS energy-absorbing foam, and when placed in car seat mode the handlebar acts as an anti-rebound bar. No steel-reinforced frame, though it is really quite heavy as-is (about 16 pounds) and that would basically render it impossible to carry with a baby inside. Of course, carrying your baby in the car seat is not something you'll typically do with the Doona given the integrated stroller. For features, it has a 5-point harness, LATCH equipped base, a removable washable cover, and it is FAA approved for air travel. Our impression of the car seat was really positive - we found it to be high quality, comfortable and soft, and well-featured.

The only things we could have hoped for were an adjustable harness without rethreading (it requires rethreading from the back), a bigger canopy that would extend farther down, and a bit wider seating space for chunky monkies. Second, let's talk about the stroller. This is the cool part! You simply put the handle into carrying mode (straight up), pick up the car seat, and pull on a lever on the back and the legs and wheels drop down underneath in a nice smooth manner. Super simple and fast to do, and it's a really impressive design. It worked perfectly with repeated use and after taking it over bumpy surfaces and throwing it into and out of our vehicles. The stroller itself is very functional, easy to steer and maneuver through tight spaces, and reasonably stable. Some down-falls of the stroller itself are that the wheels are somewhat hard and cause vibration and bumpiness on uneven sidewalks, it's not stable or sturdy enough to allow you to hang your diaper bag on the handlebar, and there are none of the conveniences of a true stroller (like a storage basket, cup holders, phone/key tray, etc). Another minor annoyance we found was that when folding it up and putting it into your car, if the wheels are dirty or wet that means your pants and the car's seat will also get dirty and wet. This is unlike a regular stroller that you'd likely throw in your trunk. Outside of that, the car seat and stroller combination was easy to fold up and snap into the base (or belt into the vehicle without the base), though it is definitely pretty bulky and wide. Once we had used it a few times, we started to wonder why we would ever lug around a separate car seat and stroller! Overall, we were impressed with the idea and innovation, and think it's definitely worthy of a top spot on our list! There are some drawbacks, of course, not the least of which is the hefty price tag (about $500!). But when you combine a high-end infant car seat and stroller, you'll likely be close to that total price anyway. Who else thinks the Doona is a top pick? Our friends at BabyList, WhatToExpect, BabyCenter, and Babygearlab. Perfect for jet-setting parents who demand innovation and style, you can check out the Doona Infant Car Seat and LATCH Base here.

6. Nuna Pipa Infant Car Seat.

Usually about $300. This is a stylish, simple, sophisticated infant car seat made by Nuna International, a boutique baby gear company based in Amsterdam. They have European styling and simplicity, and some safety features that are very common in the EU but relatively rare in the USA. The Nuna Pipa seat itself is made in China, like most on this list, and can be pretty hard to find at typical big-box stores. It's generally available at Amazon, PishPosh Baby, and a few other high-end department stores. In our testing, we really loved this infant car seat. It has super soft and high-quality materials with micro knit fabrics, soft and thick padding where it's needed most (like on the crotch buckle!), and a truly amazing canopy that has a nifty "dream drape" extension that basically covers the entire baby to protect from the elements (UPF 50+). It supports babies as little as 4 pounds with the included infant insert, making it an ideal infant car seat for premature babies. Plus, it supports up to 32 pounds or 32 inches long. All that weight and height range while weighing under 8 pounds! The base is about 14 pounds, but nobody walks around with the seat attached to the base. This is one of the safest infant car seats we've ever tested, for a few reasons. First, it has the basic 5-point harness, crumple zones in the base and load leg, deep and thick side-impact protection, and EPS energy-absorbing foam. Second, it includes a stability leg, which is very common in the EU: the stability leg attaches to the bottom of the car seat's base and extends down to your car's floor. Like an anti-rebound bar, the load leg limits rotational forces by absorbing impact in the event of a crash.

Installation was a breeze using the easy LATCH connectors. Note that the LATCH connectors on this seat are rigid, which helps a ton to achieve a secure installation but might limit which seating positions you can use. For example, the center back seat of many vehicles does not use the standard 11" LATCH spacing, so you'll need to install using the vehicle's seat belt. It's worth pointing out that most infant car seat manuals dictate the same, but the Nuna enforces this point with the rigid LATCH connector spacing. In our testing, we were really impressed with this infant car seat and thought that it was quite luxurious with its fabrics and overall fit and finish. Speaking of fabrics, the Pipa uses certified GOTS organic cotton without any chemical fire retardants, and they source not only fabrics but also their foams and dyes to ensure they are free of harsh chemicals and VOCs. The Nuna Pipa is compatible with some of the most popular strollers (using an adapter): the Baby Jogger, UppaBaby, Stokke, Bugaboo, Mamas & Papas, and Maxi-Cosi. Of course, it's also directly compatible with Nuna strollers without using an adapter. Downfalls? It doesn't have a quick-adjust harness, unlike others at this price point; this means you need to re-thread the harness from the rear every time you need to adjust its height. Fortunately, that is rare, but definitely a hassle. That issue, combined with the high price (about $300), is the primary limiting factor. Is it one of the best infant car seats available on the market? Yes, especially if you value the style and lightweight build quality, but you'll need to shell out some extra bucks and possibly be annoyed by having to manually rethread the harness straps. Those are compromises you make when you want an amazing car seat to weigh only 8 pounds! Note that if you're interested in other super compact and lightweight infant car seats, be sure to check out the Cybex Aton and others in our reviews of narrow car seats. Who else thinks the Pipa is a top pick? Our friends at BabyList, WhatToExpect, and TheBump. Interested? You can check out the Nuna Pipa here.

7. Chicco Fit2 Infant Car Seat.

About $280, and is available in several color options. This is a relatively new Chicco infant car seat that passed our hands-on testing with flying colors. We're excited to have it on our list, and think it's a great example of a high-quality, safe, durable, and versatile car seat. But it's also quite expensive, about the same price as the most premium B-Safe Ultra or Endeavors, so keep that in mind when comparing them. It has everything you've come to expect from a high-quality infant car seat: lower infant insert (for babies as little as 4 pounds), adjustable shoulder harness and headrest without rethreading, two crotch buckle positions, EPS energy-absorbing foam, side-impact protection, lock-offs on base, large and removable canopy, bubble level indicators, premium LATCH connectors, European belt routing, removable and washable seat cover, and one-handed adjustments.

The Chicco Fit2 expands on the already-great KeyFit 30 and KeyFit 35, with several key differences. First, the Fit2 has two unique rear-facing positions, one relatively reclined for infants up to about 10-12 months of age (basically until they are able to crawl and walk), and a second one relatively upright with a bit more leg room. The second position is designed for toddlers up to about 35 pounds and 35" in height (or 24 months old), whereas the Keyfit 30 only fits up to 30 pounds or 30" tall, and the KeyFit 35 is limited to 32" tall. Second, the Fit2 has an anti-rebound bar built into the base similar to the KeyFit 35 but not KeyFit 30, to reduce rotational forces in the event of an accident. Third, the Fit2 has more shoulder harness and crotch buckle adjustments to fit growing babies, and the shoulder strap height is adjustable without rethreading (like the KeyFit 35). Fourth, we found the fabric to be generally plusher higher quality, and the canopy a bit larger and higher quality, especially relative to the KeyFit 30. Finally, it's made in Italy rather than China, and because it supports up to a higher weight, it's also a bit heavier coming in at 11 pounds without the base. That's about it on the differences. With either the KeyFit or Fit2, you're getting a truly excellent car seat, though the Fit2 is better suited for parents willing to spend a bit more for a more expansive height limit, and higher quality fabrics and padding. Limitations? Well, it is difficult for us to justify the added cost over the KeyFit 35 unless you have a super tall baby. Second, the upper shoulder and head space are a bit narrow, though removing the upper infant insert helped that situation, and it's worth mentioning that it's not as narrow in the shoulders and hips as the original B-Safe 35. Overall, this is a fantastic addition to our list, and we're excited about it! Interested? You can check out the Chicco Fit2 here.

8. Maxi-Cosi Mico 30 Infant Car Seat.

About $250. Maxi-Cosi is constantly improving its car seats, and this Maxi-Cosi Mico 30 (and Mico Max Plus) infant car seat is no exception. This is a truly adorable infant car seat, with some really plush and soft fabric. The Maxi-Cosi infant car seats not only look amazing, but they are also definitely one of the coziest and comfiest infant car seats on our list. It is, indeed, Maxi-Cosi! This infant car seat supports 4 to 30-pound babies, with a maximum height of 32". The lower infant insert must be used for babies weighing from 4-5 pounds and can be used for as long as you'd like (according to the owner's manual). A great specification with this car seat is that the height range is up to 32" tall, without having the higher weight limit (which in our opinion isn't usually as important as the higher height limit). Note that your baby's head must always be at least 1" below the top edge of the car seat. It's also a very lightweight car seat, coming in at about 9.6 pounds without the base (the base is 7 pounds), and features a detachable canopy and washable fabrics that can be removed without rethreading the harness. The pricier Maxi-Cosi Mico Max Plus 30 model adds the inflated air side protection cushions, which gave us peace of mind that our little one was safe and sound. Couple those with the EPP energy-absorbing foam and the awesome load leg, and you've got yourself a very safe car seat. We thought the fabric was very easy to wipe clean, and easy to remove for machine washing. The Mico Max adds an anti-rebound bar, and the Mico Max Plus adds a zippered "MaxShade" canopy extension for about 6" of extension with mesh sides for improved ventilation. There are a few other advantages of the Max Plus: First, the Plus uses a high-quality denim-like fabric that is self-wicking and provides nice breathability to prevent sweaty backs. Second, the Plus uses a load leg rather than an anti-rebound bar; the load leg extends down from the bottom of the base and pushes down onto the floor of the vehicle. This is in contrast to the anti-rebound bar, which pushes up against the rear seat back. This means that the Max Plus maintains increased safety in the event of an accident, but you end up with a narrower (only 13" wide versus 15.5" wide for the Max) and shorter (only 23.5" long versus 24.5" long for the Max) base.

In our testing (thank you for sending us a sample, Maxi-Cosi!), we thought there were some awesome features and functionality with this seat. We loved the soft padding on the harness and crotch buckle and the fact that the crotch buckle flips forward when unbuckled so it's out of the way when you're putting the baby into the seat. We also liked that the car seat can be installed with or without the base, that the base itself uses seat belt lock-offs for a secure install (or premium LATCH connectors), the Max Plus load leg is super easy to use, and that the base has three recline settings that will help compatibility with most rear seat slopes. The canopy is great, and the cover removes and re-installs easily for washing. Most things feel very solid and well-constructed, with some exceptions that became minor annoyances during use. First, the canopy and carry handle interfere with each other a bit when the handle is upright and the canopy is open. When you're placing the car seat onto the base and rotating the canopy and carry-handle back out of the way, the handle pushes up against the canopy and doesn't easily lock all the way back into place. It gets a bit frustrating. Second, there are giant warning labels on the upper cushion that are right where your baby's head and face will be resting during naps as they grow taller. This means that instead of your baby's face is up against the cozy fabric, it might be up against the plastic labels. That was a strange design choice. Finally, the harness height adjustment requires rethreading. Outside of those concerns, this car seat has a lot of excellent things going for it, and it is definitely deserving of this spot on our list! Our friends at Babylist and What2Expect also agree that it's a top pick! Interested? You can check out the Maxi-Cosi Mico Max Plus here.

9. Clek Liing Infant Car Seat.

Usually close to $400, which is really the only reason this car seat isn't in the top 5. We got our hands on this car seat earlier this year and we're incredibly impressed with its style, shape and size, comfort, safety, and versatility. The Clek Liing is one of the only infant car seats actually made in North America, up north in Canada, and one of the only ones with a load leg. And we probably don't need to tell you, but Clek has an amazing reputation for making extremely high-quality and stylish products, but you'll pay for it! Out of the box, the first thing we noticed is that the Clek Liing only weighs about 9 pounds without the base, making it super easy to carry around. The base is a bit more substantial at 17 pounds, especially with the load leg and rigid LATCH connectors, but that will be left in your vehicle so it doesn't really count. Even with the lightweight car seat build, the materials - plastics, and fabrics - all feel really high quality and plush (we loved the C-Zero+ fabric, which is anti-microbial and stain, moisture, and odor resistant - not to mention free of chlorinated and brominated flame retardants). For basics, the Liing supports babies as small as 4 pounds (with infant insert) up to 35 pounds, and up to 32" tall (or at least 1" clearance between the top of the head and the top of the shell). It has a 7-position recline, a European belt path for installation without the base, and a huge canopy with a giant peekaboo window. For safety, it has a beefy metal load leg to increase stability during a crash (with 13 length settings, from 10" to about 21"), EPP energy-absorbing foam, and a two-piece shell with side-impact protection. To help with installation, it has a seatbelt tensioner lock-off in the base, rigid lower LATCH anchors, three harness heights (with manual rethreading), and a very small profile that is great for fitting three in a row (it's only 17" wide). Installation is awesome if you're using the rigid LATCH anchors because they basically ratchet into place in a truly confidence-inspiring manner. The belt-tensioning system, if you're using the vehicle's seat belt with the base, is also a pretty great belt lock-off system. A little note is that the Clek should be used with the handlebar facing straight up while in the vehicle. The load leg was easy to extend and adjust; it's mandatory in Canada for infants over 22 pounds, but in the US is optional. If you're not going to use the load leg in the US, then Clek suggests installing it with the vehicle's seatbelt instead of the LATCH system. If you're installing the Liing without the base, you can use the American or European belt paths, both of which have bright blue routing guides (the US belt path guides are on the sides).

We tried out the Liing with a 5-week-old, 3-month-old, and 8-month-old. Comfort was top-notch in all cases, though we needed to do some adjusting with the biggest infant - the removable upper and lower infant inserts help quite a bit in perfecting the fit. The handle is amazing and doesn't interfere with the canopy, and we can't emphasize enough how nice it is to have such a lightweight and compact car seat! Everything on this car seat seems thoughtfully designed and placed, and that made us feel really good about using it. Overall, we think this new addition to our list is top-notch! Cons? Price is the obvious issue for most parents, coming in typically between $350-400, which is a big "ouch" in the pocketbook! Also, we were surprised to find that the harness height requires rethreading, which was unexpected in this price range. Another little con is that the Clek Liing has limited stroller compatibility; it works with most strollers compatible with Maxi-Cosi, Cybex, and Nuna car seats (and the car seat adapters for those models should work as well). This is a truly awesome new addition to our list and we're proud to feature it. Not for all parents, but definitely a front-runner for those with a bigger car seat budget and a desire for style, substance, and quality. Interested? You can check out the Clek Liing here.

10. Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4/35 Infant Car Seat.

About $300, with some color and pattern options being more expensive than others. Peg Perego was founded over 60 years ago in Italy when founder Giuseppe Perego was motivated to make the finest baby carriage of the time, made of rubberized materials instead of wicker and sheet metal. Well, he succeeded, and the company was a big hit in Europe for many decades. Fast forward to modern times, and Peg Perego has become a respected brand around the world for creating safe, durable, reliable, and comfortable baby products. There are several unique features for this Peg Perego that make it one of the best options of the year, including adjustable side impact padding (6 positions up/down) to accommodate your growing baby, a comfortable handle, plenty of padding for even little babies (down to 4 pounds using an included dual-stage insert, and up to 35 pounds), a soft and plush fresco jersey breathable cloth, an adjustable-height 5-point harness (no rethreading necessary), good-sized canopy, EPS energy-absorbing foam, color-coded European belt routing, and it's made in Italy (not China). It is also one of the rare car seats to include the anti-rebound safety bar on the front (along with the Chicco Fit2, KeyFit 35, and Britax Endeavours), which is now standard in Europe but not yet required in the US. A bit beyond some other car seats on this list, this one has a 32" height limit for babies.

And it's beautiful. When you get your hands on it and see its smooth lines, modern patterns, quality stitching work around the edges, and feel its quality fabric and padding, you will realize why people are willing to pay a premium for this seat. Some of the seat's trim honestly looked like it was hand-tailored by an Italian designer. Nice touch. The seat itself is among the heavier on the list, coming in at about 10 pounds. Together with the base, it's quite a bit heavier (not that you'd be carrying it around with the base). We have a few primary negatives with this car seat: first, it's not really the most comfortable to carry given that the canopy opens up against the handle, so the only reasonable option is to carry it with the canopy retracted. We found that in addition to it being a bit cumbersome to carry around, the harness straps tend to spin around and tangle a lot, and some of our moms complained that many of the nice and affordable car seat covers won't fit around the large side impact cushions. The canopy is not very large and the cover is a total pain to remove for cleaning. Finally, it does not have a steel-reinforced frame like the B-Safe Ultra, but that's the case with most car seats on this list. Overall, this is a great car seat with only minor cons relative to the others. Given the overall high quality, great style, and versatility, we're proud to feature it on our list! Interested? You can check out the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio here. There is a newer model of the Primo Viaggio, called the Nido infant car seat, which includes the load bar for extra safety, and a bigger "cocoon" type canopy (but it's also about $50 more expensive).