The Most Inexpensive Infant Car Seat Cheap
Many retailers understand that purchasing a car seat may be an expense for some families and offer payment plans.
Experts suggest choosing seats that feature features like machine-washable fabric (since children make mess) and GREENGUARD Gold certification. They also suggest looking for features that can help you save down the road, such as a rear-facing weight limit that you can extend and a belt path that allows to be used without a base in Ubers and taxis.
1. Graco SnugRide 35 LX
The Graco SnugRide 35 LX infant seat is designed to be affordable. It comes with a light base and a carrier that is easy to set up correctly and is especially compatible with LATCH. The harness is simple to use and adjusts and the canopy provides adequate sun protection. It does not have a reclining function but it does have a leveling indicator on the base.
Graco is a name that is known for producing top-quality products. This rear-facing infant car seat is an exception. This seat is built with sturdy materials and undergoes rigorous safety tests to ensure that it is in line with the required standards. It is also covered by a long warranty to provide peace of mind to new parents.
In our car seat tests we examine a variety of aspects to determine how an infant seat is performing. We look at things like comfort, safety and how easy it is to use. We also test the seat for wear and wear and tear. We employ a variety of different methods to test each car seat, including side-by-side comparisons, testing for crash as well as ergonomic tests. The Graco SnugRide is a good seat in most categories but falls short in some areas, particularly when it comes to fabric and padding. The padding for the head isn't very soft, and it doesn't move along with the shoulder straps. It's not a big issue but it could be better.
This seat is among the lightest available and weighs only 7.5 pounds. It is a great option for those who need an extremely small seat. It can be able to fit three people. It can be installed using either standard or American European belt routing that is a good alternative. The buckle has an oval-shaped center button that is easier to grasp than the round buttons found on the majority of seats. It is also easy to tighten or loosen even with a baby in arms.
2. Evenflo LiteMax DLX
The LiteMax is a great choice for parents looking for an infant seat that is suitable for tiny newborns and preemies. It has a lower height for the harness than most infant seats and can be used with rear-facing infants as small as 4 pounds. Evenflo created this car seat to be easy to use with a number of features. For instance, it has tongue holders for the buckle and the lock-off feature keeps the buckle out of the way while you put your baby in and take them out. It has a base which can recline in a variety of positions.
The lower anchor connectors on the seat attach to an anchor bar underneath the rim of the base. They're easy to install and take off, but they're not as convenient as the LATCH anchors in many other seats. The seat's user manual tucks under the fabric on the sides of the seat shell, which can cause a mess if your child gets sick or spills something in it. We don't like the way that the latch straps are tucked into the bottom of seat when not being used.
Despite its low price, the LiteMax is well-made and comes with a substantial warranty. The customer service is exceptional. They can be reached via email, live chat or by phone. Representatives are available 24 hours a day to answer your questions. Video chat is also available to those who require assistance with installing the car seat.
This car seat is easy to install which is why parents are so happy with it. It's easy to set up and has easy-to-read directions. It also has a stay in-car convenience base that is great for parents who must drop off and pick their children from school or other activities. It also comes with a canopy which protects the child from harmful UV rays and weather conditions. Push Chairs And Prams meets the safety standards of the federal government. It is also simple to maintain and affordable which makes it a great option for parents who are just starting out. The warranty covers the seat for 10 years. This gives parents peace of mind they can use their car seat for a long time.
3. Safety 1st Jive
The Safety 1st Jive 2-in-1 Convertible Car Seat keeps your kiddo safe from birth until they are ready for the next stage of growth. It seamlessly transforms from a rear-facing infant seat for children who weigh 5-40 pounds and a forward-facing toddler seat or a young child seat for children who weigh between 22 and 65 pounds. This makes it a great option for families that want to save money but do not want to switch seats between stages.
Parents are awed by the 5-point system harness that distributes forces over five contact points (shoulders hips and between legs) and keeps kids comfortable in their seats. The Jive comes with Side Impact Protection built in and a harness with five different height positions. This will help your child find the right fit.
The Jive is the best choice for many families, whether they're looking for a budget infant car seat that will rear-face their baby until 3 or four years of age or a light travel chair. It's fairly compact when reclining and easy to use with lower anchors or the seat belt, employing the "inside-out" trick to make it the simplest installation. The lightweight design makes it ideal for families that use ride-sharing or require a car seat that is suitable for several children.
If you're worried about security on the plane when traveling, the Jive is certified to be used on planes and its compact design makes it easier to maneuver around airports. The fabric is machine washable and dryer safe, so you can quickly clean up any spills that happen along the way.
While the Jive has an extremely low harness slot, it's still way too high for newborns. The harness will be 2+ inches higher than their shoulders in the case of a torso of 7" or smaller. This is a common problem with convertible seats, so we recommend not using them for infants.
The Jive is also a bit bulky when installed with the recline line that is higher, however, it's relatively easy to use with the inside-out trick, and by tightening it from the bottom of the seatbelt route. It's also light for a convertible chair, and can be bungee-attached to your stroller handle using either a ratchet cord or the bungee strap.
4. Safety 1st Jive Booster
The Jive is one of the most inexpensive convertible car seats on the market. It can rear-face children up to three years old and forward-face up to five years old and is extremely light. It also has two permitted reclines for rear-facing. you can put it in place using lower anchors or the vehicle seat belt (using the inside-out installation technique).
This seat is a great combination of affordability and long-lasting use. It's not recommended for babies because of its high height, but it will last until most kids are ready to be a booster. It's an excellent choice for families who travel often by taxi, ride-sharing service or even plane. It's one of the lightest boosters available, weighing only 10 pounds. It can be connected to the handle of your stroller or strapped on using a belt strap for your car seat or ratchet strap.
There are a few issues with it, however. The smallest harness slot is 9" tall, which is well above the average height of a child's torso at birth. The headrest isn't as impressive as our top choices. It's flat and wide with a placeholder feel which resembles a travel pillow than an actual headrest for a car seat.
The Jive is also simple to use, and has excellent crash test ratings. It's also a great choice for children who aren't ready to sit in a high-back booster seat as it will fit them until they weigh more than 40 pounds and 59 inches tall.
It's a great option for older children who have outgrown their infant car seats. It can be converted to a forward-facing harness booster, an unidirectional boost and finally an adjustable belt. The cup holder and padded armrests make the booster mode a relaxing one for children. It's also a good option because it has a lower weight and height limit than the Safety 1st Grow and Go which makes it more realistic for many kids.