The Most Inexpensive Infant Car Seat Cheap
Many retailers offer payment plans since they understand that buying a car seat may be an expense for some families.
Experts recommend looking for seats that have features like machine-washable fabrics (since babies are messy) and GreenGuard Gold certification. They also suggest looking for features that can help you save money in the future, such as a rear-facing limit that can be expanded and a belt route that can be used as a base for Ubers and taxis.
1. Graco SnugRide 35 LX
The Graco SnugRide 35 LX is a rear-facing infant seat that is built to be budget friendly. It has a lightweight base and carrier that are easy to install, especially when using LATCH. The harness is easy to use and adjust and the canopy offers excellent sun protection. It doesn't have a reclining function but it does have a level indicator on the base.
Graco is a well-known company that produces top-quality products and this rear-facing, only infant car seat is no exception. The seat is constructed of robust materials and is subject to rigorous safety testing to meet or exceed the required standards. It is also covered by a long warranty to give peace of mind for new parents.
In our reviews of car seats, we look for a number of different things in a baby seat to see how well it performs. We consider factors like safety, comfort and how simple it is to use on a daily basis. We also test the seat for wear and tear. We use a variety of different methods to test each seat such as side-by-side comparisons, crash tests, and ergonomic testing. The Graco SnugRide is a good seat in most categories but falls short in some areas, particularly when it comes to padding and fabric. The head padding on this seat isn't the most comfortable and doesn't move with the shoulder straps when you adjust them. It's not an issue but it could be improved.
This seat is one of the tiniest on the market and weighs just 7.5 pounds. It's a great choice for those looking for an extremely compact seat that can fit 3 across. It can be fitted with either American/standard or European belt routing, which is a nice alternative. The buckle features an elongated button that is more comfortable to hold than the majority of buckles with round buttons. It's also easy to tighten or loosen with a baby in arms.
2. Evenflo LiteMax DLX
The LiteMax is a fantastic choice for parents who are looking for a seat to fit infants and preemies. It has a lower height for the harness than many infant seats and can be used rear-facing for infants as small as 4 pounds. Evenflo designed this car seat with a range of features that make it simple to use. It has a buckle tongue holder as well as a lock off feature that keeps the buckle from getting in the way when you're putting your baby in the seat or taking them out. It also has a base that can be reclined in various positions.
The lower anchor connectors of the seat are attached to a bar beneath the rim of the base. They're easy to put in and remove, but they're not as convenient as the LATCH anchors in most other seats. The user's manual is stored into the fabric of the seat shell on the side. This could cause chaos in the event that your child gets sick or spills anything. We also don't like the way the straps for latching tuck into the bottom of the seat when they are not being used.
Despite its price, the LiteMax is built to a high standard and a long-lasting warranty. The customer service is excellent. It is available via email, phone, or live chat, and representatives are all hours of the day to answer any questions. Video chat is also available for those who require assistance installing the car seat.
Parents are raving about this car seat because it is so easy to set up. It is easy to set up and has easy-to-read instructions. It also has a stay-in-car convenience base, which is perfect for parents who have to drop off and pick their children from school or other activities. It also comes with a canopy which protects the child from harmful sun rays and weather conditions. It also meets all federal safety standards. It is also easy to maintain and affordable which makes it a great option for parents who are just starting out. The warranty extends the warranty for 10 years. This gives parents the peace of mind they will be able to use their car seat for many years.
3. Safety 1st Jive
The Safety 1st Jive 2-in-1 Convertible Car seat keeps your kiddo safe from birth until they are ready to go on the next stage of growth. It seamlessly converts from a rear-facing infant seat for children weighing 5-40 pounds, to a forward-facing toddler seat or a toddler seat for children weighing 22-65 pounds. This longevity makes it a perfect choice for families that want to save money, but don't want to swap seats between different stages.
Parents love the 5-point system harness that distributes forces over five contact points (shoulders hips and between legs) to keep kids secure in their seats. The Jive has Side Impact Protection built in and a harness with five different height positions. This will allow your child to find the right fit.
Whether you're looking for an affordable infant car seat that can rear-face your baby until they are three or four years old, or require a light travel seat, the Jive is a top choice for many families. It's fairly compact when reclining and easy to use with lower anchors or a vehicle seat belt, employing the "inside-out" technique for the most simple installation. The lightweight construction makes it suitable for families that use ride-sharing or need to have a car seat that is suitable for multiple children.
If you're concerned about security on the plane when traveling, the Jive is approved to be used on airplanes and its compact design makes it easier to handle in airports. The fabric is machine washable and dryer safe, meaning you can quickly clean up any spills that may occur during your travels.
The Jive's harness slot has a low however it's too high to fit most newborns. Most newborns have torsos 7" or less, and the smallest harness slot will place the harness about 2 inches above their shoulders, which isn't a good fit. This is a common issue with convertible seats, so we recommend not using them for infants.
The Jive is a little bulky when fitted with the higher recline line, however it's quite easy to use with the inside-out method and by tightening it from the bottom of the seat belt route. It's also fairly light for a convertible chair, and can be bungee attached to the handle of your stroller using either a ratchet cord or bungee strap.
4. Safety 1st Jive Booster
The Jive is among the most affordable convertible car seats on the market. It can rear-face most kids to three years old and forward-face until around five and is extremely light. It also comes with two reclines for rear-facing, and you can attach it using lower anchors or a vehicle seat belt (using the inside-out installation technique).
This seat is a great combination of low-cost and long-lasting use. It's not recommended for newborns because of its high harness height, but it will last until kids are ready to be the next stage of their lives: a booster. It's a great choice for families who frequently travel by taxi, ride-sharing service or plane. It weighs only 10 pounds, it's among the lightest booster seats you can find. It can also be bungee-attached to the handle of your stroller, or secured with a belt strap for your car seat or ratchet strap.
There are a couple of issues that make it less than perfect, however. The smallest harness slot is 9" tall and is higher than the average height of a child's torso at birth. And the headrest isn't as impressive as our top picks. infant car seat rear facing pushchairsandprams and flat, with a placeholder-like feel which resembles a travel pillow instead of a real car seat headrest.
The Jive is also easy to use, and it has a good crash test rating. It's a great choice for kids who don't meet the height and weight requirements to use the high-back booster.
It's a great choice 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 booster mode is especially comfortable for children due to the padded armrests and cup holders. It's also a good choice because it has a lower weight and height limit than the Safety 1st Grow and Go, making it more realistic for many children.