The Most Inexpensive Infant Car Seat Cheap
Many retailers offer payment plans as they realize that purchasing a car seat may be a financial burden for certain families.
Experts suggest looking for seats that have features like machine-washable fabric (since babies make messes) and the GREENGUARD Gold certification. They also suggest focusing on features that will save you money in the future, like a rear-facing limit that can be extended and a belt route that can be used without a base for Ubers and taxis.
1. Graco SnugRide 35 LX
The Graco snugRide 35 LX is a rear-facing, only infant seat designed to be budget friendly. It has a light-weight base and carrier that are easy to install correctly, especially with LATCH. The harness is easy to use and adjust, and the canopy offers adequate sun protection. It doesn't have a reclining function but it does have 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 made of robust materials and is subject to rigorous safety testing to meet or surpass the standard requirements. It is also covered by a long warranty to provide peace of mind for new parents.
In our reviews of car seats we examine several different aspects in an infant seat to determine how it does. We take into consideration things like comfort, safety and how easy the seat is to use. We also test the seat for wear and tear. We employ a variety of different methods to test each seat, including side-by-side comparisons, crash tests as well as ergonomic tests. The Graco SnugRide has a decent seat for all categories However, it isn't as good in the area of the fabric and padding. The head padding isn't very soft and does not move with the shoulder straps when you adjust them. It isn't a huge deal but it could be better.
This seat is one of the lightest on the market and weighs just 7.5 pounds. It's a great option for those who need a compact seat that will fit three people. It can be used with either American/standard or European belt routing that is a good alternative. The buckle features an oval-shaped center button that's more nimble than the round buttons on many other seats. It's also easy to tighten and loosen, even if you need to do it with a child in your arms.
2. Evenflo LiteMax DLX
The LiteMax is a good choice for parents who require a seat that can accommodate infants and preemies who are small. It has a lower height for the harness than most infant seats and can be used rear-facing for infants as small as 4 pounds. Evenflo created this car seat with a variety of features that make it simple to use. For instance, it has tongue holders for the buckle and a lock-off feature that keeps the buckle out of the way as you insert your baby in and then take them out. It also includes a base that can be repositioned into a variety of positions.
infant car seats on sale Pushchairs & Prams on the seat snap onto a bar under the rim of the base. They're easy to put in and remove, however they're not as convenient as the LATCH anchors found in the majority of other seats. The user's manual is stored beneath the fabric of seat shell to the side. This could cause a mess in the event that your child becomes sick or spills anything. We are not a fan of the way the latch straps are sewn into the bottom of seat when they are not in use.
Despite its price, the LiteMax is very well-made and comes with a hefty warranty. The customer service is top-notch. It is available via phone, email, or live chat, and representatives are available 24/7 to answer your questions. Video chat is also accessible for those who require assistance installing the car seat.
Parents are raving about this car seat because it is easy to put in. It is easy to put in place and the instructions are easy to follow. It features a stay-in-car convenience base that is perfect for parents who must pick up and drop off their children to school or at other places. It also comes with a canopy, which protects the child from harmful sunrays and weather conditions. It also conforms to federal safety standards. It is also reasonably priced and easy to maintain which makes it a popular choice for new parents. The warranty is valid for a period of 10 years. This gives parents security of knowing they can use their car seat for many years.
3. Safety 1st Jive
The Safety 1st Jive 2-in-1 Convertible Car seat ensures your child's safety from birth until they're ready for the next stage of growth. It can be converted seamlessly from an infant car seat that faces rearward for children who weigh 5-40lbs to 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 that want to save money but don't wish to change seats between stages.
Parents are awed by the 5-point system harness that distributes forces over five contact points (shoulders hips and between legs), keeping kids snug in their seats. The Jive comes with Side Impact Protection built-in and a harness with five different height positions. This will help your child find the right fit.
The Jive is the ideal choice for a lot of families, whether they're looking for a budget infant car seat that will rear-face their baby until three or four years of age or a compact travel chair. It's quite compact when reclined and can be used with lower anchors or a vehicle seat belt, using the "inside-out" method to make it the simplest installation. The lightweight design is ideal for families who use ride-sharing or need to have an appropriate car seat for several children.
If you're concerned about airline security when traveling you should consider the Jive is approved to be used on planes and its compact design makes it easier to maneuver around airports. The fabric is machine washable and dryer-safe which means you can easily clean up any spills on the way.
Although the Jive has a low harness slot, it's still way too high for the majority of newborns. The majority of newborns have torsos of 7" or less, and the lowest harness slot will place the harness about 2 inches above their shoulders, which isn't a good fit. This is a common issue with convertible seats, and we suggest avoiding these models for newborns.
The Jive is also a bit heavy when used with the higher recline line however it's quite easy to install using the inside-out trick and by tightening it from the bottom of the seatbelt route. It's also fairly light for a convertible chair and can be bungee-attached to the handle of your stroller using the ratchet cord, or the bungee strap.
4. Safety 1st Jive Booster
The Jive is among the most inexpensive convertible car seats on the market. It is lightweight and can be used to rear-face kids up to the age of three, and to forward-face them until about five years old. It also has two permitted reclines that can be used for rear-facing, and you can install it with lower anchors or the seat belt (using the inside-out installation trick).
This seat is a great balance between affordability and durability. This seat is not recommended for infants because of its high harness height. However, it will last for most kids until they are ready to move on to booster seats. It's also a good choice for families who travel frequently by taxis, ride-sharing services or planes. It weighs just 10 pounds, it's among the most lightweight booster seats you'll find. It can be bungee affixed to the handle of a stroller or strapped using a strap for a car seatbelt or the ratchet.
It does have some issues that make it far from perfect, though. The smallest harness slot is 9" tall that's well over most kids' torso heights at birth. The headrest isn't quite as impressive as our top picks. It's flat and wide, with a placeholder design that resembles an actual car seat cushion rather than the headrest.
Apart from that it's also a great choice for kids. Jive is easy to use and has great crash test results. It's also a great choice for kids who aren't yet ready to sit in a high-back booster seat, since it can fit them until they're 40 pounds and 59 inches tall.
It's also a great option for older children moving out of the infant car seat, since it transforms into a forward-facing harness booster with a backless booster and finally an adjustable belt booster. The booster mode is particularly comfortable for kids thanks to the armrests that are padded and the cup holder. It's a good option because it is lower in height and weight limit than the Safety 1st Grow and Go. This makes it more realistic for many children.