How to Buy Infant Car Seats Cheap

There are many factors to consider when shopping for an infant car seat, including price, special features and stroller compatibility. Babylist gear editor Jennifer LaBracio suggests the Evenflo LiteMax DLX as a low-cost choice that gets praise from CPSTs due to its load leg.

Other standout features include easy installation with clear directions and bubble indicators on the base, and GREENGUARD certification.

Size

The infant car seat is likely to be one of the first major purchases for your baby. There are numerous options there that can fit your budget and family's requirements. From all-in-one variants to convertible seats, you'll find the perfect option for your growing family. It is essential to select an item that has excellent safety features and convenience, whether you're purchasing an old or new model.

The kind of car seat you choose will have a significant effect on how much it costs and how long your child will be able to use it. For example, some infant car seats have a greater weight limit than others. This allows your child to use their seat for longer. However, you'll want ensure that the seat will fit your child as they develop.

Also think about how simple it is to use the seat. This is crucial, especially when you are planning to switch cars and move the seat from one vehicle to the next frequently. Read the manual of the manufacturer to find out how easy it is to install and remove the seat. Also look out for features such as padded straps for the shoulder harness and an ergonomic seat for your child.

Another thing to think about is how light the car seat is. You'll be moving it around and lifting it into and out of the car frequently, so you need it to be as light as possible. You should look for a seat that is lightweight and has ample padding to ensure your baby's comfort.

Find a convertible seat that can also be used as booster. This will save you money and allow your child to sit in the car seat until they are ready to switch into an adult seatbelt.

Strolleria is the best place to find a cheap infant car seats. Strolleria has a wide selection of car seats at reduced costs, including popular models made by CYBEX or Chicco. They also offer a variety of payment options, which can help families afford the car seat they need without straining their budget. To keep their collection current, they regularly update it with new car seats and other accessories.

Weight

Car seats are heavy, particularly when they are full of infants or newborns. The heavier a seat the more difficult it is to remove or install it from a vehicle. This is why it's crucial to weigh the weight of a car seat prior to you buy it.

In addition, the way the car seat is placed in a vehicle can also influence its safety and comfort. If a car-seat cannot be properly tightened using the lower anchor system or seat belt, for example it won't be able to safeguard your child from an accident. Experts recommend selecting a seat that is able to be used properly with both of these methods of installation.

A car seat's ability to last an extended period of time is another thing to consider. Some infant car seats are designed to be used until your child grows enough to warrant a booster seat, while others can be used through toddlerhood and into preschool age. If you select an infant car seat that is designed with greater weight and height limit, it will be able to accommodate your child the longest.

It's also important to take into consideration the additional features that infant car seats have. Certain car seats can be paired up with strollers making it easier to get the baby in and out of the car. These extra features can raise the cost of a baby seat. It is crucial to consider the features that matter to you before you make an investment.

In general, experts suggest purchasing a baby car seat that is affordable and reliable. Jennifer LaBracio, Babylist's gear editor and Carseat Helper author says there are a variety of options that are safe, reputable and simple to use. She recommends the Evenflo LiteMax DLX because it is affordable and has many features normally reserved for seats that cost more. The seat comes with a load leg that helps stabilize it during a crash. It also comes with easy-to use features like a bubble indicator on the base, which lets parents know that they are installing the seat correctly.

Convenience

Car seats are designed to protect children and infants in the car. While all car seats sold in the US must pass strict safety regulations, there are some features that make a seat more comfortable to use and is particularly important when you're traveling with a newborn or need to install the car seat in an alternative vehicle.

For instance, a seat that allows you to click into and out of the base without having to remove the seat from the car seat newborn insert is easier to move around when switching between vehicles, while seats with LATCH connections that are rigid (which attach directly to the lower anchors of metal in your vehicle) tend to provide the most secure connection. The Nuna Pipa Rx, for example, uses this technology and earned a top rating in our ease of use tests which makes it one of the best infant car seat cheap car seats to travel with.

Another aspect to consider is whether a seat is able to provide a wide range of recline options. This will impact how the car seat fits into the vehicle. It is also important for those who intend to use their infant seat on public transport, like taxis. Seats that offer a broad range of reclining positions are more likely to fit in more vehicles than seats that have less options.

Weight is a different factor to consider when choosing the right car seat for your infant. A seat that is lighter can be carried more easily especially if you intend on using it frequently to transport or in a stroller. Also, a car seat that has a built-in leveling system and indicators to aid in confirming the proper installation of the car seat is more convenient to use and more likely to be properly installed.

If you're thinking about an all-in-one infant car seats, choose one with an elongated width to maximize your vehicle's rear headrest space. Also, ensure that it comes with a lockoff feature to ensure that the seat is in the right place for your child's safety. The Chicco Keyfit 35 has this feature and has a good score in our crash test evaluations.

Safety

A cheap car seat will still offer the features you need to ensure your child's safety. Saxton says it should have five points of harness and be well-padded and include a headrest capable of withstanding the stress of a speedy crash. It should also have an additional load leg to ensure that the seat is stable in the event of a rollover. It is also essential to look for a recline adjustment and safety indicators such as bubble levels on the base or built-in levelers in the seat itself. A harness that isn't rethreadable is useful, as you won't need to remove and reroute the straps as your child grows.

Experts suggest that you look up the weight and height limits on each seat in order to ensure that it can accommodate your child for as long as possible. Find a seat that has EPS foam. It is extremely light and extremely effective in dispersing the energy of an impact. Be sure to check if the seat has a side impact protection system which can shield your child from accidents that occur from the side, rather than from the front. Some seats also come with alert systems that warn the driver when children are left unattended in the car or other unsafe conditions are occurring.

Experts advise against seats that have been sold second-hand, and also look into the reputation of the manufacturer. They could be old or have been involved in an accident that weakened their safety. It could also be because they are made from low-quality materials. Instead, you should consider buying a brand new seat purchased from an impartial source like a department store or online retailer.

The best place to start is an excellent car seat that is manufactured by an accredited manufacturer that has gone through rigorous crash testing. Evenflo LiteMax DLX is a excellent example. It was a top pick for car seat technicians and Babylist gear editors Jennifer LaBracio. It has great reviews, a large weight limit and additional features like a load-leg that are typically only available on higher-priced models. Other safety features include a tough fabric that can be machine washed and the GREENGUARD Gold Certification, which means the car seat's base and the car seat itself were made without harmful chemicals.