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 plan options.
Experts suggest choosing seats that feature features like machine-washable fabrics (since babies make messes) and GREENGUARD Gold certification. They also suggest looking for features that can help you save money in the future, like a rear-facing limit that can be widened and a belt route that can be used without being a base for Ubers and taxis.
1. Graco SnugRide 35 LX
The Graco SnugRide 35LX is a rear-facing infant seat that has been designed to be budget-friendly. It features a light base and a carrier that are easy to put in, particularly when using LATCH. The harness is easy to use and adjust and the canopy gives good coverage from the sun. It doesn't come with a reclining feature but does have a level indicator at the base.
Graco is a brand that is known for producing high-quality products. This rear-facing infant car seat is an exception. It is constructed from solid materials and has been subjected to rigorous safety tests in order to meet or exceed required standards. It is backed by a generous guarantee to provide parents with peace of mind.
In our car seat tests we look at a variety of factors to determine how well an infant seat is performing. We consider things like comfort, safety and how easy it is to use on a daily basis. In addition, we also test the seat to determine how it holds up to wear and wear and tear. We test every car seat with a variety of different methods such as comparisons of two seats, crash testing, and ergonomic tests. The Graco SnugRide has a good seat for all categories, but it falls short when it comes to padding and fabric. The head padding on this seat isn't the most comfortable and does not move with the shoulder straps when you adjust the straps. It's not a big issue but it could be improved.
This seat is among the tiniest available, weighing only 7.5 pounds. It's a great option for those looking for a small seat that can fit 3 across. It can be installed baseless with either American/standard belt routing or European belt routing which is a great feature. The buckle has an elongated button at its center that is more comfortable to hold than the majority of buckles with round buttons. It's also easy to tighten and loosen the buckle, even if you need to do it with a baby in your arms.
2. Evenflo LiteMax DLX
The LiteMax is a good option for parents looking for a seat that will fit small newborns and preemies. It has a shorter height harness than other infant seats and is able to be used in a rear-facing position for babies as small as 4 pounds. Evenflo designed this car seat to be easy to use with a number of features. For instance, it comes with buckle tongue holders and an automatic lock-off feature that keeps the buckle from getting in the way as you insert your baby in and then take them out. It also has a base that reclines in multiple positions.
The seat's lower anchor connectors attach to a bar beneath the base rim. The anchors are simple to remove and put in place, but not as convenient as those on most other seats. The user manual is tucked under the fabric of the seat shell to the side. This could create chaos in the case that your child becomes sick or spills something. We also don't like the way the latch straps tuck into the bottom of the seat when not when it is not in use.
Despite its price, the LiteMax is built to a high standard and a hefty warranty. The company's customer service is excellent. You can contact them via email, live chat, or phone. Representatives are available 24 hours per day to answer your questions. Video chat is also accessible for those who require assistance installing the car seat.
The car seat is simple to install which is why parents are so happy with it. It's easy to set up and comes with easy-to-read instructions. It has a stay in-car convenience base that is ideal for parents who need to pick up and drop off their children at school or at other places. It also comes with a canopy that shields your child from harmful UV rays and weather conditions. It also meets federal safety standards. It is also simple to maintain and affordable making it a great option for parents who are just starting out. The warranty extends the warranty for a period 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 from birth to the time they are able to use a booster. It easily converts from an infant seat facing rear for children who weigh 5-40 pounds to a forward facing toddler or young child car seat for children who weigh between 22 and 65 pounds. This makes it an excellent option for families looking to save money but don't wish to change seats between stages.
Parents are awed by the 5-point system harness that distributes force across five contact points (shoulders hips and between legs) and keeps kids comfortable in their seats. The Jive also comes with Side Impact Protection and a height adjuster for the harness with five different positions to help your child find a an ideal fit.
The Jive is the best choice for a lot of families, 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 compact travel chair. It's compact when reclined and is able to be used with lower anchors and seat belts. The "inside-out trick" makes it easy to install. The lightweight design is ideal for families who take advantage of ride-sharing services or require a car seat that is suitable for several children.
The Jive is approved for use on planes, and its compact size makes it easier to handle in airports. The fabric is machine washable and dryer-safe, so you can easily clean up any mess on the way.
While the Jive comes with a low harness slot, it's still way too high for the majority of newborns. The harness will be about 2 inches higher than their shoulders if they have a torso of 7" or smaller. Convertible seats are infamous for this and we suggest that you stay clear of them for your child who is newborn.
The Jive is a little bulky when installed with the higher recline line, however it's quite easy to use with the inside-out trick and by tightening from the bottom of the seatbelt path. It's also fairly light for a convertible chair, and can be bungee-attached to the handle of your stroller with a ratchet strap or a rope bungee.
4. Safety 1st Jive Booster
The Jive is among the cheapest convertible car seats on the market. It is able to rear-face kids up from three years old and forward-face to around five, and it's very lightweight. It also has 2 allowed reclines for rear-facing. you can put it in place using lower anchors or the seat belt (using the inside-out installation trick).
This seat offers a great balance between affordability and long-lasting. It's not recommended for infants due to its high harness height, however it will last until most kids are ready for a booster. It's also a good choice for families who travel frequently using ride-sharing, taxis or airplanes. It weighs less than 10 pounds, it's among the most lightweight booster seats you'll find. It can also be bungee-attached to the handle of your stroller or secured using a car seat belt strap or the ratchet strap.
There are baby car seat regarding it, however. The smallest harness slot is 9" tall that's well over most kids' torso heights at birth. The headrest isn't as impressive as our top picks. It's wide and flat, with a placeholder style which resembles an actual car seat cushion rather than the headrest.
Other than that it's also a great choice for kids. Jive is simple to use and has good crash test results. It's also a great option for children who aren't ready to sit in the high-back seat of a booster, as it will fit them until they're 40 pounds and 59 inches tall.
It's also a great option for older kids who are getting out of their infant car seat as it transforms into a forward-facing harness booster with a backless booster and then an adjustable belt booster. The cup holder as well as the padded armrests make the booster mode comfortable for children. It's a good option because it has a lower height and weight limit than the Safety 1st Grow and Go. This makes it more realistic for a lot of kids.