The Most Inexpensive Infant Car Seat Cheap
Many retailers offer payment plans because they realize that purchasing a car seat may be a financial burden for some families.
Experts suggest looking for seats that feature features like machine-washable fabrics (since children make mess) and GreenGuard Gold certification. They also suggest focusing on things that will help you save down the road, like an rear-facing weight limit that can be extended and a belt path that allows to be used without a base in Ubers and taxis.
1. Graco SnugRide 35 LX
The Graco SnugRide35 LX infant seat is designed to be affordable. It features a lightweight base and a carrier that is easy to set up correctly particularly with LATCH. The harness is simple to use and adjust, and the canopy offers excellent sun protection. It doesn't have a reclining feature but does include a level indicator on the base.
Graco is a well-known company that produces high-quality products and this rear-facing, only infant car seat is no different. This seat is built with solid materials and goes through rigorous safety testing to make sure that it meets or exceeds the required standards. It comes with a generous warranty to provide parents with peace of.
In our car seat tests, we test a variety aspects to determine how an infant seat is performing. We consider things like comfort, safety and how easy it is to use. We also test the seat for wear and tear. We employ a variety different methods to test each seat such as side-by-side comparisons, testing for crash, and ergonomic testing. The Graco SnugRide has a decent seat for all categories However, it isn't as good in the area of padding and fabric. The head padding on this seat isn't the most comfortable and doesn't move with the shoulder straps as you adjust the straps. It isn't a huge deal but it could be improved.
This seat is among the tiniest on the market, with just 7.5 pounds. This is a great choice for those who require a small seat. It can fit three people. It can be fitted baseless using either standard or American belt routing or European belt routing which is a great feature. The buckle has an oval-shaped center button that's more comfortable to hold than the round buttons found on the majority of seats. It's also easy to tighten or loosen even with a child in the seat.
2. Evenflo LiteMax DLX
The LiteMax is a great option to parents looking for a seat to fit infants and preemies. It has a lower height harness than the majority of infant seats and can be used in a rear-facing position for infants as little as 4 pounds. Evenflo designed this car seat to be simple to use and comes with a variety of features. For example, it has tongue holders for the buckle and the lock-off feature keeps the buckle from getting in the way when you put your baby in and then take them out. It also has a base that reclines in multiple positions.
The lower anchor connectors on the seat are attached to an anchor bar underneath the base rim. They're simple to install and remove, but they're not as efficient as the LATCH anchors found in many other seats. The user's manual is hidden under the fabric of the seat shell to the side. This could cause an accident in the case that your child becomes sick or spills anything. We don't like how the latch straps are sewn into the seat's bottom when they are not in use.
Despite its cost-effectiveness, the LiteMax has a top-quality construction and a long-lasting warranty. The customer service is exceptional. They can be reached via email, live chat or by phone. They are available 24 hours per day to assist you with your inquiries. Video chat is also available to those who require assistance in installing the car seat.
Parents love this car seat because it is so easy to put in. It is simple to set up and comes with simple-to-read instructions. It also has a stay-in-car convenience base that is great for parents who need to drop off and pick up their children from school or other activities. It also comes with a canopy that shields your child from the harmful effects of weather and sunrays. It also conforms to federal safety standards. It is also simple to maintain and affordable, making it an excellent choice for new parents. The warranty includes a guarantee of 10 years. This gives parents peace of mind that they will have the car seat for a long time.
3. Safety 1st Jive
Safety 1st Jive Convertible 2-in-1 Car Seat ensures your child's safety right from birth until the time they are able to use a booster. It easily converts from an infant car seat that faces rearward for children who weigh 5-40 pounds to a forward facing toddler or small child car seat that is suitable for children who weigh between 22 and 65 pounds. This makes it a great option for families that want to save money but don't want to change seats in between each stage.
Parents are awed by 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 also features built-in Side Impact Protection as well as an adjustable height adjustment for the harness that can be adjusted to five different positions to ensure your child gets the perfect fit.
Whether you're looking for an affordable infant car seat that can rear-face your child until they're three or four years old, or need a lightweight travel seat, the Jive is a top option for a lot of families. It is compact when reclined and is able to be used with lower anchors or seat belts. The "inside-out trick" makes it simple to install. The lightweight design is ideal for families who frequently utilize ride-sharing services or require a car seat for several children.
The Jive is approved for use on airplanes and its small size makes it easy to transport in airports. The fabric is machine washable and dryer safe which means you can easily clean up any mess along the way.
The Jive's harness slot is small, but it's still too high to fit most newborns. Most newborns have torsos 7" or less, and the smallest harness slot can place the harness about 2 inches higher than their shoulders, which isn't a great fit. This is a common problem with convertible seats, and we suggest avoid these seats for babies.
The Jive is a little bulky when fitted with the higher recline line, however, it's relatively easy to use with the inside-out trick and by tightening the belt from the bottom of the seat belt route. It's also 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 one the cheapest convertible car seats available. infant car seat that swivels can rear-face most kids to three years old and forward-face until around five and is extremely light. It has two reclines to allow rear-facing and can be mounted with lower anchors, or the seatbelt of a vehicle.
This seat is a great combination of affordability and long-lasting use. This seat is not recommended for infants because of its high harness height. However, it should last for a lot of kids until they are ready for booster seats. It's also a good option for families who travel frequently using ride-sharing, taxis or airplanes. It's one of the lightest strollers you can purchase with a weight of just 10 pounds. It can be bungee-attached to the handle of a stroller or secured using a car seatbelt strap or ratchet.
There are some issues regarding it, however. The lowest harness slot measures 9" high and is higher than the torso height of most babies at birth. And the headrest isn't as impressive as some of our top choices. It's flat and wide with a placeholder feeling that looks more like the shape of a travel pillow rather than an actual car seat headrest.
The Jive is also simple to use, and it has excellent crash test ratings. It's a great choice for kids who don't meet the height and weight requirements for a high-back booster.
It's also a great option for older children who are moving out of the infant car seat, since it can be converted to a forward-facing harness booster, a backless booster and finally a belt-positioning booster. The cup holder and the padded armrests make the booster mode comfortable for children. It's a great choice because it has a lower height and weight limit than the Safety 1st Grow and Go. This makes it more attainable for many children.