The Most Inexpensive Infant Car Seat Cheap
Many retailers understand that purchasing a car seat may be a financial challenge for some families and offer payment plan options.
Experts recommend that you look for seats that come with features like machine-washable fabrics (since babies can be messy) and GreenGuard Gold Certification. They also recommend looking for features that can help you save down the road, such as an rear-facing weight limit that you can extend, as well as a belt path that allows the use of an underlying vehicle in Ubers and taxis.
1. Graco SnugRide 35 LX
The Graco snugRide 35 LX is a rear-facing, only infant seat that is built to be budget friendly. It has a lightweight base and a carrier that are easy to put in, particularly when using LATCH. The harness is easy to adjust and use and the canopy offers good coverage from the sun. It doesn't include a reclining function, but it does have a leveling indicator on the base.
Graco is a brand known for producing high-quality products. This rear-facing infant car seat is not an exception. It is constructed from robust materials and is subject to rigorous safety tests in order to meet or exceed 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. car seats newborn consider things such as safety, comfort and how easy it is to use on a daily basis. Additionally, we test the seat to see how it holds up to wear and wear and tear. We employ a variety of different methods to test each seat, including side-by-side comparisons, testing for crash and ergonomic tests. The Graco SnugRide is a good seat in all categories, but it falls short in a few areas, specifically in the area of fabric and padding. The head padding is not very soft and it doesn't move along with the shoulder straps. It isn't a huge deal but it could be improved.
This seat is among the tiniest in the market, weighing just 7.5 pounds. This is an excellent choice for those who need an extremely small seat. It can fit three across. It can be installed baseless with either American/standard belt routing or European belt routing, which is a nice feature. The buckle features an elongated button that is more comfortable to hold than the majority of seats' round buttons. It's also easy to tighten or loosen even with a baby in the arms.
2. Evenflo LiteMax DLX
The LiteMax is a fantastic choice to parents looking for a seat that will fit preemies and small newborns. It has a shorter height harness than the majority of infant seats, and can be used rear facing for infants as little as 4 pounds. Evenflo created this car seat to be easy to use and comes with a variety of features. It comes with a buckle tongue holder and an off-lock feature that stops the buckle from getting in the way when you are 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 secured to a bar underneath the rim of the base. They're simple to install and remove, but they're not as efficient as the LATCH anchors in most other seats. The user manual is tucked under the fabric of the seat shell to the side. This could create an accident in the event that your child becomes sick or spills anything. We are also not a fan of the way the latch straps are tucked 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 hefty warranty. The company's customer service is top-notch. It is available via email, phone, or live chat, and representatives are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions. Video chat is also accessible for those who require assistance in installing the car seat.
This car seat is easy to set up which is why parents are so happy with it. It is easy to install and the directions are clear. It also has a stay-in-car convenience base that is perfect for parents who need to drop off and pick their children up from school or other activities. It also has an umbrella that shields your child from damaging weather conditions and sunrays. It also conforms to the safety standards of the federal government. It is also reasonably priced and easy to maintain which makes it an excellent choice for brand new parents. Its warranty also covers the seat 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
Safety 1st Jive Convertible 2-in-1 Car seat ensures your child's safety from birth to the time they are able to use a booster. It easily transforms from a rear-facing infant chair for children weighing 5-40 pounds, to an forward-facing toddler or young child seat for children who weigh between 22 and 65 pounds. This longevity makes it a great option for families looking to save money, but don't want to change seats between different stages.
Parents are awed by the 5-point harness system which distributes the force across five contact points (shoulders, hips, and between legs) to keep kids cradled in their seat. The Jive includes Side Impact Protection inbuilt and a harness that can be adjusted to five different height positions. This will help your child find the ideal fit.
The Jive is the best option for many families, regardless of whether they're looking for a budget infant car seat that can 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 a vehicle seat belt, using the "inside-out" method for the easiest installation. The lightweight construction is especially ideal for families who frequently utilize ride-sharing services or require an automobile seat for multiple kids.
If you're concerned about airline security when traveling you should consider the Jive is certified to be used on airplanes and its compact design makes it easy to handle in airports. Its fabric is machine washable and dryer safe, meaning you can easily clean up any messes that happen along the way.
Although the Jive has an extremely low harness slot, it's still way too high for the majority of newborns. The harness will be two inches higher than their shoulders if they have a torso of 7" or less. Convertible seats are notorious for this, so we recommend that you stay clear of these models when your child is newborn.
The Jive is also a bit heavy when used with the higher recline line, however, it's relatively simple to use using the inside-out trick and by tightening the belt from the bottom of the seat belt route. It's also fairly light for a convertible seat and is able to be bungee-attached the handle of your stroller using a ratchet strap or a cord that bungees.
4. Safety 1st Jive Booster
The Jive is one the cheapest convertible car seats that are available. It is light and can be used to rear-face kids up to age three and forward-face them until approximately five years old. It also has two permitted reclines for rear-facing. you can attach it using lower anchors or the seatbelt (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 due to its high harness height, but it can last until kids are ready for an adult booster. It's also a good option for families who frequently travel by taxis, ride-sharing services or planes. It's among the lightest boosters available and weighs only 10 pounds. It can be bungee attached to the handle of a stroller or secured using the strap of a car seatbelt, or the ratchet.
There are a few problems regarding it, however. The lowest 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 some of our top picks. It's flat and wide, with a placeholder design which resembles an actual car seat cushion rather than the headrest.
In addition it's also a great choice for kids. Jive is a breeze to use and has great crash test results. It's also a great choice for kids who aren't yet ready to sit in the high-back seat of a booster, because it can be used until they weigh more than 40 pounds and 59 inches tall.
It's also a great option for older children who are growing out of an infant car seat as it transitions to a forward-facing harness booster as well as a backless booster, and finally a belt-positioning booster. The cup holder and the padded armrests make the booster mode a relaxing one for children. It's also a good choice because it has a lower weight and height limit than the Safety 1st Grow and Go which makes it more realistic for most kids.