Best Infant Car Seat For The City in 2025: Babesta's Picks
Have a little on on the way and trying to figure out car seats? Finding the best infant car seat for the city is not an easy task. They all sound good, but how do you know they do everything you need to do to keep your baby safe and make getting around convenient for you?
In this article, we've named what we think are the best car seats on the market. To find the best one for you is a matter of weighing the details as it can be a matter of trade offs.
For example, often if a car seat offers more features, that means that it's likely a bit heavier and a bit more expensive. Therefore we urge you to rank your "needs" first. Generally that will be (1) safety (2) compatibility with stroller.
As for the rest, we suggest you go through the additional features and rank them in terms of how important they are for you. Check out some of our other articles on how to think through your infant car seat needs.
OK, ready to dive in? Let's go!
Best Infant Car Seats For The City In 2025
Clek Liing
The Clek Liing is a premium infant car seat designed with safety, style, and convenience in mind. Suitable for newborns up to 35 lbs or 32 inches, it features advanced safety elements like a load leg and rigid-LATCH system, which enhance stability and reduce crash forces.
Another great feature of this car seat is that it has 7 recline positions --- adjustable after installation --- guaranteeing the ideal 40-45 degree recline when in the car, no matter how flat or deep the seat is.
Its compact design and lightweight carrier make it ideal for urban families on the go. The Liing can be used with or without a base, offering versatility for taxis, rideshares, or personal vehicles. With flame-retardant-free fabric options and sleek aesthetics, it’s a top choice for eco-conscious parents seeking both functionality and modern design.
- Weight of car seat is 9lbs
- Car seat accommodates children up to 35lbs and 32 inches
- Load leg
- European belt router
- Side impact protection
- UPF 50+ sun protection in canopy
- Flame retardant free fabrics
- Easily removable fabrics (zip on/off)
- Compatible with most premium strollers including Bugaboo, UppaBaby, Joolz, Stokke Yoyo, SilverCross, and Cybex
- FAA approved
We think the Clek Liing is the best car seat for the city if you have a car that has a deep pitch in the back set. That's thanks to its no-fail base that allows you to get your little one at the right angle (especially important if they don't have head/neck control) every time!
Clek Liingo
The Clek Liingo is North America’s first baseless infant car seat, designed for families on the go. Perfect for urban living (particularly for those who don't own a car), it offers a lightweight, compact design that’s easy to install using the European belt path or LATCH.
The seat features a removable LATCH bin with flexible connectors to allow for secure installation in vehicles equipped with LATCH anchors, eliminating the need for a bulky base.
Weighing just 9 lbs, it’s ideal for taxis, rideshares, and small spaces. Despite its minimalist approach, the Liingo doesn’t compromise on safety, featuring energy-absorbing materials and flame-retardant-free fabrics.
- Weight of car seat is 9lbs
- Baseless, so cheaper (you're not paying for the base but still get the LATCH)
- Car seat accommodates children up to 35lbs and 32 inches
- European belt router
- Side impact protection
- UPF 50+ sun protection in canopy
- Flame retardant free fabrics
- Easily removable fabrics (zip on/off)
- Compatible with most premium strollers including Bugaboo, UppaBaby, Joolz, Stokke Yoyo, SilverCross, and Cybex
- FAA Approved
When it comes to urban families that don't have a car, we think this is the best infant car seat for the city as it will never take up extra room unnecessarily with a base you're not going to need!
UppaBaby Aria
The UPPAbaby Aria is a lightweight, innovative infant car seat designed for modern families. Weighing just under 6 lbs, it’s one of the lightest on the market, making it easy to carry and ideal for urban living.
The Aria features advanced safety elements, including a load leg and anti-rebound panel, ensuring maximum stability and protection. Its SmartSecure® system allows for quick and accurate installation, while the extra-large UPF 50+ canopy provides excellent sun protection.
Only compatible with UPPAbaby strollers like the Vista and Cruz, the Aria seamlessly transitions from car to stroll, offering convenience, safety, and style in one sleek package.
- Only 5.9 lbs, so uber-light!
- Car seat accommodates children up to 30lbs and 30 inches
- Anti-rebound handle
- European belt router
- Load Leg
- Fire Retardant Free fabrics
- Compatible with UppaBaby strollers only
- FAA Approved
When it comes to Best Infant Car Seats for the City, the Aria by UppaBaby stands out for its feather lightness! If weight is paramount for you, this is your seat.
UppaBaby Mesa V2
The UPPAbaby Mesa V2 is a top-tier infant car seat designed for safety, comfort, and ease of use. With features like the SmartSecure® system for quick installation, European belt routing for baseless setups, and a no-rethread harness, it ensures convenience for busy parents.
The Mesa V2 is GREENGUARD Gold Certified, offering a healthier environment for your baby with flame-retardant-free fabrics. Its adjustable headrest with integrated side-impact protection and an extra-large UPF 25+ canopy provide added safety and comfort.
Compatible with UPPAbaby strollers, the Mesa V2 transitions seamlessly from car to stroll, making it a reliable choice for modern families.
- 9.9lbs
- Car seat accommodates children up to 35lbs and 32 inches
- Anti-rebound handle
- European belt router
- No rethread harness
- Side impact protection
- Fire Retardant Free fabrics
- GREENGUARD Gold Certified
- Compatible with UppaBaby strollers only
Cybex Cloud T
The CYBEX Cloud T is a premium infant car seat designed for safety, comfort, and versatility. It features an ergonomic near-flat recline, providing optimal support for your baby both in and out of the car. The Linear Side-impact Protection (L.S.P.) system enhances safety by reducing impact forces during side collisions.
The SensorSafe™ technology adds peace of mind by sending alerts to your phone about potential safety concerns, like unbuckling or temperature changes.
With all-round air ventilation and a XXL sun canopy, the Cloud T ensures your baby stays comfortable on every journey. Stylish and functional, it’s compatible with CYBEX strollers for seamless travel.
Note the Cloud T is very similar to the Cloud G but features more premium fabrics.
- 12 lbs
- Car seat accommodates children up to 30lbs and 32 inches
- Ergonomic near-flat recline
- Linear side-impact protection
- Anti-rebound base
- Load leg
- European belt router
- Sun canopy features UPF 50+
- SensorSafe
- Compatible with Cybex strollers and anecdotally compatible with others although Cybex has not tested it. Check your stroller's compatibility options to confirm.
If you're looking for the best car seat for the city and you think you're going to travel alot, we love the Cybex T (and G) because of the recline-while-you-stroll. This makes travel more efficient for you --- all you need is the stroller frame and the car seat.
When you're in the car, baby sits up but when strolling they can lay back and relax.
Cybex Cloud G Lux
The CYBEX Cloud G Lux is a versatile and ergonomic infant car seat designed for safety and comfort. It features a full recline position and an extendable leg rest, ensuring optimal support for your baby outside the car.
The Linear Side-impact Protection (L.S.P.) system enhances safety by reducing impact forces during side collisions, while the anti-rebound base adds stability in the event of a crash.
With rigid LATCH installation, it offers quick and secure setup in seconds. The Cloud G also includes in-shell air ventilation to keep your baby cool and comfortable. Stylish and functional, it’s compatible with CYBEX strollers for seamless travel.
- 12 lbs
- Car seat accommodates children up to 35lbs and 32 inches
- Ergonomic near-flat recline
- Linear side-impact protection
- Anti-rebound base
- Load leg
- European belt router
- Sun canopy features UPF 50+
- SensorSafe
- Compatible with Cybex strollers and anecdotally compatible with others although Cybex has not tested it. Check your stroller's compatibility options to confirm.
Bugaboo x Nuna Turtle Air Shield
The Bugaboo Turtle Air Shield infant car seat is a lightweight, innovative solution for parents seeking safety and convenience. Designed in collaboration with Nuna, it features a feather-light design for easy portability without compromising on safety.
The car seat includes side-impact protection, a 5-point harness, and a removable infant insert for a snug and secure fit. Its extendable UPF 50+ canopy with a peekaboo window ensures sun protection and ventilation.
Stylish, functional, and safe, the Turtle Air Shield is a top choice for modern parents.
- 8.8 lbs
- Car seat accommodates children up to 30lbs and 30 inches
- Side-impact protection
- Load leg
- European belt router
- Sun canopy features UPF 50+
- FAA Approved
- Compatible with all current Bugaboo strollers. Car seat is "maxi cosi compatible" so can work with select other models.
Doona
The ever-popular Doona is a game-changing car seat and stroller combo designed for ultimate convenience and mobility. With its innovative design, it seamlessly transforms from a rear-facing infant car seat to a fully functional stroller in seconds—no additional attachments needed!
Perfect for urban families and frequent travelers, the Doona is compact, easy to maneuver, and FAA-approved for air travel.
It features advanced safety elements like a 5-point harness, and anti-rebound bar, ensuring your baby’s safety on the go. Stylish and practical, the Doona is ideal for parents seeking a hassle-free solution for their busy, on-the-move lifestyle.
- 17.2 lbs but remember it's got wheels!
- European belt router
- UPF 50+ sun protection in canopy
- Car seat accommodates children up to 35lbs and 32 inches
- Anti-Rebound bar
- FAA Approved
Many people see the Doona as the cat's meow when it comes to best infant car seat for the city for its super-convenient built in wheels. It may be a little indulgent but when you're on the go with your little one it's a godsend.
Have Car Seat, Will Travel
Wowza! Now that you know some of the best infant car seats in the city, it's time to make your choice.
We invite you to come into Babesta and talk to one of our associates about your whole mobility plan. We can help you think through the decision so that travels with baby are as safe and convenient as possible.
Whether you're shopping primary strollers, travel strollers, carriers, travel cribs, nursery furniture or anything else, with Babesta, we won't let you lose your cool. We'll help you figure out the baby gear world every step of the way!
