The Most Inexpensive Infant Car Seat Cheap
Many retailers realize that buying a car seat can be an expense for some families, and offer payment plans.
Experts suggest choosing seats that have features like machine-washable fabric (since babies make messes) and GreenGuard Gold certification. They also suggest focusing on features that will help you save money in the future, like a rear-facing limit that can be extended and a belt route that can be used as being 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 features a light base and a carrier that is easy to install, especially when using LATCH. The harness is simple to use and adjust and the canopy offers good sun protection. It doesn't have a reclining feature, however it does have a leveling indicator on the base.
Graco is a name that is known for its top-quality products. This rear-facing infant car seat is an exception. It is constructed from solid materials and has been subjected to rigorous safety testing in order to meet or surpass the standard requirements. It is backed by a generous guarantee to give parents peace of mind.
In our car seat tests we look at a variety of factors to determine how well an infant seat performs. We consider factors such as safety, comfort and how simple it is to use on a daily basis. We also test the seat for wear and wear and tear. We employ a variety of different methods to test each seat such as side-by-side comparisons, testing for crash and ergonomic tests. The Graco SnugRide is a solid seat in most categories but it falls short in a few areas, particularly in terms of fabric and padding. The head padding is not very comfortable, and it does not move with the shoulder straps. It's not a big issue but it could be improved.
This seat is among the lightest available and weighs only 7.5 pounds. This is a great choice for those who require a small seat. It can accommodate three across. It can be set up 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 easier to grasp than the round buttons found on the majority of seats. It's also easy to tighten or loosen even with a baby in arms.
2. Evenflo LiteMax DLX
The LiteMax is a good option for parents looking for a seat that can accommodate infants and preemies who are small. It has a lower harness than most infant seats and can be used rear facing for infants as little as 4 pounds. Evenflo created this car seat with a variety of features that make it easy to use. For instance, it has buckle tongue holders as well as 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 can be reclined in various positions.
The lower anchor connectors on the seat attach to a bar beneath the base rim. The anchors are easy to remove and put in place, but they're not as convenient as those on most other seats. The manual for the user of the seat is tucked under the fabric on the side of the seat shell, which can be messy when your child is sick or spills something on it. We don't like the way that the latch straps are sewn into the bottom of seat when not in use.
Despite its low cost, the LiteMax has a high-quality build and a generous warranty. The customer service is top-notch. It can be accessed via phone, email, or live chat, and staff members are available 24/7 to answer your questions. They also offer video chat services for those who require assistance installing the car seat.
Parents love this car seat because it is easy to set up. It's easy to put in place and the instructions are clear. It features a stay-in-car convenience base that is ideal for parents who have to pick up and drop off their children at school or at other places. It also has an umbrella that shields your child from the harmful effects of weather and sunrays. It also is compliant with the safety standards of the federal government. It is also easy to maintain and affordable which makes it a great choice for new parents. Its warranty also includes a guarantee of ten years. This gives parents the assurance that they will be able to use their 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 ready to use a booster. It effortlessly transforms from a rear-facing infant seat for children who weigh 5-40 pounds and a forward-facing toddler or toddler seat for children with a weight range of 22-65 pounds. This longevity makes it a perfect choice for families looking to save money but don't want to switch seats at every stage.
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 also has built-in Side Impact Protection as well as a harness height adjuster with five different positions to help your child find a a secure fit.
The Jive is the best choice for many families, whether they're looking for a cheap infant car seat that will rear-face their baby until 3 or four years old or a light travel chair. It is compact when reclined and is able to be used with lower anchors or seat belts. The "inside-out trick" makes it easy to install. The light-weight construction makes it ideal for families who take advantage of ride-sharing services or require an appropriate car seat for multiple children.
If you're concerned about airline security when traveling, the Jive is approved to be used on airplanes and its compact design makes it easy to maneuver around airports. The fabric is machine washable and dryer safe which means you can easily clean up any spills on the way.
The Jive's harness slot is low, but it's still too high to accommodate newborns. The harness will be about 2 inches higher than their shoulders in the case of a torso of 7" or less. This is a common problem with convertible seats, and we recommend avoid these seats for babies.
The Jive is a little heavy when used with the recline line that is higher, however, it's relatively easy to use with the inside-out trick, and by tightening it from the bottom of the seat belt path. It is also relatively light for a convertible chair and is able to be bungee-attached to the handle of your stroller with the ratchet cord, or the bungee strap.
4. Safety 1st Jive Booster
The Jive is among the cheapest convertible car seats on the market. It is light and can be used to rear-face children from to age three and forward-face them until about five years old. It has two reclines for rear-facing and can be mounted with lower anchors, or a seatbelt for the vehicle.
This seat is a great balance between affordability and long-lasting. This seat is not recommended for newborns because of its harness's high height. However, it should last for most kids until they're ready for booster seats. It's also a good choice for families who frequently travel via ride-sharing services, taxis or planes. It's among the lightest boosters you can buy and weighs only 10 pounds. It can even be connected to the handle of your stroller or strapped on using a belt strap for your car seat or ratchet strap.
It does have a couple of issues that make it far from perfect, however. The lowest harness slot is 9" tall, which is well above most kids' torso heights at birth. The headrest isn't as impressive as our top picks. infant car seat for travel and wide, with a placeholder style which resembles an actual car seat cushion than the headrest.
The Jive is also easy to use, and it has good crash test ratings. It's an excellent choice for kids who haven't reached the weight and height requirements to use the high-back booster.
It's a great option for older children who have outgrown their infant car seat. It can be transformed into a forward facing harness booster, a backless boost, and finally a belt positioning booster. The booster mode is especially comfortable for kids thanks to the padded armrests and cup holder. It's also a good option because it has the same weight and height limit than Safety 1st Grow and Go which makes it more realistic for the majority of kids.