How To Choose the Safest Infant Car Seat For You

You picked your stroller, but not it's time for the most daunting decision: the infant car seat. Wondering which one is the best infant car seat for the city? We're glad you asked!

In this article, we'll tell you what you should look for in an infant car seat and bust some myths (like you have to choose the same brand as your stroller for instance!). Then we'll detail what we think are the best infant car seats for the city in 2025.

Table Of Contents

• The Importance Of Infant Car Seats
• Best Infant Car Seat For The City: What To Consider
  
• Best Infant Car Seats For The City: for 2025: Babesta's Picks

Key Takeaways

• Safety First: Infant car seats are essential for keeping babies safe in transit, with features like load legs, side-impact protection, and anti-rebound bars reducing crash forces and improving stability.

• City-Friendly Design: Lightweight, portable car seats are ideal for urban families who use a mix of transportation methods like taxis, Ubers, and public transport. Compatibility with strollers for a "travel system" is especially important.

• Longevity Matters: Opt for an infant car seat with a higher maximum height and weight to ensure it lasts longer before transitioning to a convertible car seat.

• Convenience Features Enhance Usability: No-rethread harnesses, removable fabrics, and swivel bases simplify daily use, making it easier for parents to manage their baby’s needs on the go.

• Health-Conscious Options: Look for flame-retardant-free fabrics and safety technologies like SensorSafe, which enhance overall safety and provide peace of mind for eco-conscious parents.

• Best in Class: Certain models stand out in excellence, and have been chosen by Babesta for offering some of the best features for safety and convenience, including models from Clek, Cybex, UppaBaby, and Bugaboo.

The Importance Of Infant Car Seats

Let’s talk about infant car seats— and why they're an essential gear choice for city families on the move! We know, it's not as fun and can feel a little scary since this has to do with baby's safety.

Picking the right one can feel overwhelming, especially for first-time parents faced with technical specs and a seemingly endless list of features that impact safety and convenience.

At the end of the day, your infant car seat is designed to keep baby safe when in transit. These car seats are made with lots of technologies to decrease movement and absorb energy in case you're in an accident. 

Needless to say, it's super important. 

Best Infant Car Seat For The City: What To Consider

OK, now that we know how important the car seat is, how do you choose? There are lots of different infant car seats out there that all look like good contenders but it can be hard to understand what's important and what's not.

Here are some factors we think are most important when making your decision. 

Weight of Infant Car Seat

First of all the weight of the infant car seat is a key factor ---  you don't want to make it too heavy for yourself.

This being said, so long as your infant car seat is compatible with your stroller and can click on with car seat adapters, you'll only need to carry it from the stroller base into the car. 

Size Of Child The Car Seat Accommodates

This is a biggie for city dwellers - especially those without a car. The infant car seat is the only type of car seat that can click onto your stroller base and make a "travel system" so you can easily go from home to car/Uber/taxi to whatever adventure you're on.

After your child grows out of the infant car seat (there are height and weight safety guidelines) you're on to the convertible car seat which is big, heavy and not nearly as portable.

So, the name of the game is to get the infant car seat that can accommodate the largest (height and weight) child, while being able to be attached to your stroller for easy portability.

Keep in mind, most children grow out of the height first --- often around 12 months. Once they grow out of either height OR weight, you have to move to a convertible seat. So keep an eye on the max height, especially if either partner is tall!

Stroller Compatibility

The next important factor is stroller compatibility. You want something that can make a travel system --- which means it can click onto your stroller and then go in to the car and then be reattached to your stroller when you arrive at your destination. 

Although parents often think of compatibility with their primary stroller when choosing a car seat, we suggest that you also think about your travel stroller. In a perfect world, your car seat can be used with both giving you the flexibility to choose which stroller your take on your vacay. 

Safety Features

OK, here's the biggie: Safety Features. You want 

Load Leg

A load leg is an advanced safety feature found on some car seats. It's a metal pole that extends from the car seat base to the floor of the vehicle. The purpose of the load leg is to enhance safety by:

• Reducing crash forces: It limits the downward rotation of the car seat during a collision, helping to distribute crash energy more effectively and reducing the impact on the child's head and neck.

• Minimizing rebound: The load leg also prevents the car seat from rebounding backward after a crash, offering additional protection.

Side Impact Protection

Side impact protection is a safety feature in infant car seats designed to protect your child during side-impact collisions, which can be particularly dangerous due to the proximity of the car door. Here's how it works:

• Energy Absorption: Side impact protection systems often include energy-absorbing materials or foam that help reduce the force of a collision, minimizing the risk of injury to your baby's head, neck, and torso.

• Reinforced Structure: Many car seats have reinforced sidewalls or additional padding to create a protective barrier around your child.

• Head Support: Some seats feature adjustable headrests or wings that keep your baby's head securely in place, reducing movement during a crash.

This feature is especially important for urban families who frequently use taxis, rideshares, or other vehicles where side impacts may be more likely.

European Belt Router

A European belt router is a feature in some infant car seats that allows for secure installation without using a car seat base. It involves routing the vehicle's seat belt in a specific way to enhance safety and stability. Here's how it works:

• Lap Belt: The lap portion of the seat belt is threaded through the car seat's designated guides, securing the seat in place.

• Shoulder Belt: The shoulder portion of the seat belt is routed around the back of the car seat shell, providing additional support and reducing forward movement during a collision.

Benefits of a European Belt Router:

• Enhanced Safety: It helps distribute crash forces more evenly and limits the car seat's rotation in the event of an accident.

• Convenience: Ideal for families who frequently use taxis, rideshares, or multiple vehicles, as it eliminates the need to carry a bulky base.

• Versatility: Works well in various vehicles, making it a great option for urban families on the go.

Anti-rebound bar

An anti-rebound bar (ARB) is a safety feature found on some rear-facing car seats. It is a sturdy bar attached to the base of the car seat, positioned against the back of the vehicle seat. Its primary purpose is to reduce the rebound motion of the car seat during a collision.

How It Works:

• In a crash, a rear-facing car seat can rotate toward the point of impact and then rebound back toward the vehicle seat. The ARB minimizes this backward motion, enhancing stability and reducing the risk of injury.

• It also helps distribute crash forces more evenly, providing additional protection for your child.

Benefits:

• Enhanced Safety: Reduces rebound rotation by up to 40% in some cases.

• Improved Stability: Keeps the car seat more secure during a crash.

• Peace of Mind: Adds an extra layer of protection for rear-facing children.

Lie Flat Option For Strolling

Certain car seats can be reclined when attached to the stroller (not in the car). This is very helpful for travel as babies who don't yet have head or neck control should not be in the "sit up" car seat position for extended periods of time. 

The biggest worry when it comes to sitting up for too long before they're strong enough is they'll get tired and their head could drop forward, potentially cutting off their airway.

A car seat that can recline when strolling solves this issue and baby (and you) can rest easy while strolling the day away.

SensorSafe Technology/SensAlert

Some car seats feature technology that can detect that the child is in the car seat and will alert you if you leave the vehicle without taking the child. There are also accessories that do the same that can work with any car seat. 

Some of these technologies can also tell you if the car's too hot or cold, or give you other important notifications.

Flame Retardant-Free Fabrics

Another thing to look for is FRF Fabrics --- basically car seats made with fabrics that don't contain chemical flame retardants. As natural fabrics like wool are naturally flame retardant, it's healthier overall. Note this does add cost to your seat. 

Convenience Features

There are also a number of features to look for that will make getting your child in and out of the car seat and maintaining it easier. Let's take a look.

No Rethread Harness

Many car seats have made it easier to manage as baby gets bigger. Instead of unthreading and rethreading the straps of the car seat, they offer a "no rethread car seat straps" where you can just pull them up and down as needed. 

Easily Removable Fabrics

Some car seats make it super easy to take off the fabrics and clean them. This is particularly good for little ones who spit up a lot or suffer from motion sickness. 

Swivel Base

Getting your little one in and out of the car and strapped in safely can be an acrobatic endeavor. It's convenient to have a car seat base that can swivel to you so you can buckle them up without becoming a contortion artist.

Our only note is that be sure that you're not trading a convenience feature for a safety feature. As they say: safety first!

FAA Approved

Travel is even easier if your infant car seat is FAA Approved. Then if you buy a seat on the airline for your child (instead of bringing them as a  lap child), you can buckle the car seat in  and relax. 

Travel Safe With Babesta

With all of this info, you can now have what you need to better consider the options for car seats. Deciding on the best infant car seat for the city is a matter of balancing weight, safety features and convenience features along with compatibility. 

In our Registry Loft at Babesta, we're here to help you through it all, and can show you how to attach and detach your car seat, walk you through the features, and even let you use our weighted baby and "fake backseat" so you get a better idea about installation. 

You don't have to lose your cool shopping the baby market. Shop Babesta.

FAQs

1. When should I transition my baby from an infant car seat to a convertible car seat?

Most infant car seats are suitable for babies up to 30–35 pounds or 32 inches in height. You should transition to a convertible car seat once your baby exceeds either the height or weight limit specified by the car seat manufacturer.

2. Do I need a car seat if I don't own a car?

Yes! Even if you don’t own a car, an infant car seat is essential for safely bringing your baby home from the hospital and for any future travel in taxis, rideshares, or family and friends' vehicles.

3. How do I know if a car seat is installed correctly?

Many car seats include built-in indicators, like level bubbles or tension guides, to ensure proper installation. You can also visit a local car seat inspection site or work with a certified child passenger safety technician for professional assistance.

4. Can an infant car seat be used without the base?

Some infant car seats, like those with European belt routing, can be safely installed without a base. This feature is especially useful for families who frequently use taxis, rideshares, or other vehicles where a base may not be practical.