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Best car seat canopy 2018 – [Buyer’s Guide]
Last Updated June 1, 2023
I’m Willow Roger Barnett. My friends call me “stone” and it just kind of stuck. Let’s discuss this topic to help you select best car seat canopy for 2018 and take your experience to a whole new level with aerators.
Eventually, I found something that would suit my needs but it occurred to me that I wasn’t the only one who might be having the same problems I did. I hope that my Top 3 list will provide you great options in buying the right fit for you.
Let’s get to it!
Best car seat canopy of 2018
We’ve narrowed down our options based on the customer feedback (read positive reviews), functionality, material and size. In other words, we’ve put all fundamentals into consideration to come up with a comprehensive list that suits various needs. Below you can find 3 reviews of the best car seat canopy to buy in 2018, which I have picked after the deep market research.
You must have heard that the best car seat canopy should allow you to save money, right? Sure, but that’s not the only reason you should consider getting one. Many models on the market may be confusing to a person who is shopping for their first time.
Test Results and Ratings
| Rank | №1 | №2 | №3 |
| Product |  |
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| Total | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.3 |
| Design |
5 points
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5 points
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4 points
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| Size |
5 points
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4 points
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5 points
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| Durability |
4 points
|
5 points
|
4 points
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| Value |
5 points
|
4 points
|
4 points
|
| Awards |  |
||
 |
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|
 |
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How to save up to 86%? Here is little trick.
You must visit the page of sales. Here is the link. If you don’t care about which brand is better, then you can choose the car seat canopy by the price and buy from the one who will offer the greatest discount.
№1 – Cool Beans Stretchy Baby Car Seat Canopy and Nursing Cover | Multiuse – Soft and stretchy fabric…
| Total: |
4.8
|
Why did this car seat canopy win the first place?
The product is very strong. Its material is stable and doesn’t crack. I am very happy with the purchase. It is definitely worth its money. The product is top-notch! I really enjoy the design. It is compact, comfortable and reliable. And it looks amazing! I also liked the delivery service that was fast and quick to react. It was delivered on the third day.
5
|
5
|
4
|
5
|
№2 – Breastfeeding Nursing Cover + 1 Burp Cloth by HealthySam – Baby Car Seat Covers – Shopping Cart
| Total: |
4.5
|
Why did this car seat canopy come in second place?
This is a pretty decent product that perfectly fitted the interior of our office. I recommend you to consider buying this model, it definitely worth its money. Seems that the material is good. It has a very beautiful color but I don’t really like the texture. I really liked it. It is amazing in every aspect. It did even exceed my expectations for a bit, considering the affordable price.
5
|
4
|
5
|
4
|
№3 – Cotton Baby Car Seat Canopy and Nursing Cover 4 -1
| Total: |
4.3
|
Why did this car seat canopy take third place?
It is inconvenient to use due to the size. I am going to get something different next time. I liked the design. We’ve been using it for 2 months and it still looks like brand new. The material is incredibly nice to the touch. It has a great color, which will suit any wallpapers. This price is appropriate since the product is very well built.
4
|
5
|
4
|
4
|
car seat canopy Buyer’s Guide
Infant car seat
This is the best seat for young children (birth to years old). It boasts a harness and, in a move, cradles and crash with the child to lessen the stress to their spinal cord and fragile neck. The car seat is designed to ride in a car in the rear-facing position. It can be used for to 2months, depending on the baby’s growing rate and the car seat’s size.
Convertible car seat
A convertible car seat can be used from birth until a child gets too large for a car seat. Meaning to say, you can make best use of your investment. It can either be used in the rear facing or forward facing positions, depending on the child’s weight.
Travel systems
Travel systems are the granddaddy of strollers, which combine a stroller and a car seat that makes it impossible for parents to use it throughout the toddlerhood and infancy of their baby. The car seat locks in the stroller for an easy transport. A smooth ride is offered.
This is favored by many moms due to its classic style. It is designed with a stylishly oversized wheels and curved lightweight metal frame. Also, this can be the cozy place of your baby to take a nap while going around. Since it is only meant for infant use, you will need to buy another stroller when your baby can sit up.
Britax B-Agile and B-Safe Travel System
The B-Agile and B-Safe Travel System is specially designed to offer maximum safety and effortless travel while you are traveling in style. The maneuverable, extremely easy to fold and lightweight is the ultimate choice of the stroller to sail across modern life. With a top combination of style and features, this travel system is the best go-to product.
High practical appeal is one of the most essential things parents want to see in a stroller item. This may not have the most appealing style or design available on the market, but the speed, safety and general safety features will surely give real value for your hard-earned money. This product is suited for months to years old children.
The only downfall about this product is that, the car seat bracket is not durable, which could lead to damage after a year. But generally, it is a safe and stellar choice even for conscious mommies.
Chicco Cortina KeyFit 30 Travel System
Designed for the Chicco KeyFit 30 infant car seat, the stroller functionally works as a travel system for babies and a full-size stroller for growing infants. One-pull harness loosening and tightening in the car seat enables for quick fitting; the tightly-padded infant insert offers extra support for smaller children around the back, neck, head and bottom. The aluminum stroller is loaded with features to make the strolling comfortable for kids and convenient for parents.
The lowdown on convertible car seats
You have a choice of two types of car seats for your baby: an infant car seat or a convertible car seat.
Although it’s cheaper to buy a convertible car seat instead of starting with an infant car seat and then transitioning to a convertible, some experts say young babies are safer in an infant car seat. Many parents say their newborn seems overwhelmed in a convertible seat. If you go for a convertible, make sure it has padding or a newborn insert that helps your baby fit comfortably.
Convertible seats are heavier than infant car seats and usually have to be installed in the car rather than clicked into a base that stays in the car. This means you can’t easily take them in and out of the car, carry your baby in them, or snap them into a stroller.
See which convertible car seats parents like best in BabyCenter’s Moms Picks awards, or browse hundreds of car seats.
The canopy is one of the features that makes this one of the best car seats for newborns. Unlike convertible car seats infant safety seats come with canopies to protect your baby from the sun. This canopy can be very useful whether you are using a stroller or are in the car.
How to Install an Infant Car Seat
An organic canopy cover for your baby can be a little difficult to come by. For parents who live in warmer climates, the 100% ORGANIC Cotton Baby Car Seat Canopy Cover gives the breathability and germ-fighting potential that many parents are looking for.
It comes with clips so that you can adjust its size to almost any seat or use it as a stroller seat cover.
Of course, many parents love that it is still fashionable. The organic cotton keeps away bugs, germs, and sunlight while keeping the cover easy to clean and use. The universal design is lauded by most parents, though some did find it too big for some smaller, compact infant car seats.
Extend Your Sunshade
If you’re still shopping for a stroller, be sure to compare sunshades. One of my favorite features of both our Baby Jogger City Mini and Baby Jogger City Select strollers are the extremely full-coverage sunshades.
Apply Sunscreen
With a car seat cover, though, you don’t have to worry about these issues.
They fit over top of the seat (like a shower cap). You can’t use the canopy of your car seat while you have one on, though and with most designs, it’s pretty much all or nothing for keeping baby warm which can make them hot once the car warms up or they’re in a store.
The good ones are wind/water/snow resistant and usually fit all the major brand car seats (UPPAbaby, Britax, Peg Perego, Maxi Cosi, Graco etc).
Here’s our breakdown
The most affordable of the bunch, this cover checks all the boxes: it’s easy to put on, lined with thick, warm fleece, and has a snow-resistant cover.
It has two zippers to easily access baby and velcro to hold the top flap out of the way.
It can be hard to moderate the amount of warmth, though: it’s pretty much all or nothing (main flap open or closed), which doesn’t give you options for more moderate winter days.
It also doesn’t have an opening for air flow when the flap is closed, which could be a concern.
Fit may also be an issue – it doesn’t always fit seats that are a bigger than usual (e.g. Maxi Cosi Max 30) so you should try it out before buying.
Summary: Basic design that may not fit all seats and you’ll need to ensure airflow but a decent, warm cover for the price.
The B-Warm gives you tons of options: it can be totally closed, open on the top, open on one side or totally open for easy access.
Not surprisingly given the brand, it has the best safety features: it has a nice wide opening to allow full access to harness straps and is the only cover with a slot for the harness tightening strap.
When totally closed, it also has a small gap to help make sure baby gets enough air.
While it’s nice to have options, we wonder if you need that much selection and it tends to make the cover look more complicated than it needs to be.
You also may find it annoying that you can only button up the left flap to keep it out of the way, although some don’t find this to be an issue.
Summary: Although it’s nice to have all the options for openings, for the price, you might as well get the Brica Smart Cover.
New on the scene, this cover has a couple really nice-to-have features.
It solves both the airflow and overheating issues with a two layer design: breathable mesh layer and super soft insulating layer.
The mesh part can zip up all the way, which allows you to cover the baby’s face without restrictring air flow.
In addition to the mesh cover, it has a retractable small canopy, which provides an extra form of protection from the elements. Since you can’t use your car seat canopy with a cover, you usually don’t have the option for baby to see out but still have some protection.
It has a storage pocket for folding away the top cover which can also be used for burp cloths and/or pacifiers which is handy.
Because of the layer design, this can be used through multiple seasons which you more value for your dollar.
Really, the only downside is that it’s not as fashionable as some others, which may matter more or less to some.
Trust Skip Hop to do things right.
Their car seat cover is good looking and well designed.
The plush fleece collar can be snapped open or closed and it has a handy strap on the side so you can roll the cover up and secure it out of the way.
The downside of the full opening, though, means you don’t have the option for it to be partly open for warmer temperatures.
Summary: While it doesn’t have the features of some of the others, it’s a great-looking cover and the compliments you get may make it worth it.
Like other 7AM products, the Cocoon is made of high quality materials and is super warm (has a temperature rating to -20°C).
The fact that it can’t close completely bothers a few parents but not most (the high sides around it help block the wind), and it ensures that baby always has enough air.
All the Standard Size Strollers are usually designed with car seat adapter and some of them offer full recline system to make the seat of the stroller flat. The recline feature of a stroller works as the alternative of the bassinet. Standard size baby stroller also has bigger and more maneuverable wheels. Some high-end products have the bassinet with the stroller.
Car Seat Frame
Car Seat Frame is less known to the parents. Especially to new parents, this style is not so familiar. This is the best option for the child between the age of 6-1months. These products provide a frame which is suitable to use with the car seat. They are usually lightweight and easily fit with a car seat. This type of strollers is highly recommended for the new parents.
Lightweight
There are some models of strollers which are very Lightweight. The average weight of them is between 8-1pounds. Because of the lightweight, some features are missing. But they are great for those people who has to travel a lot and want to carry the stroller with them. This style is suitable for the child who has the age 0-months. They are usually built without the car seat adapter. Order a lightweight stroller only if you have to carry the stroller with you all the time. They are also compact in design to store it in a little space.
Double
If you have to carry two children at the same time, you should order a Double Stroller. Double Strollers can be with different outlooks. The popular two version of double strollers is the side by side double stroller and the front and rear sea double stroller. They are usually designed for heavy weight capacity and large accommodation. Double strollers also have large storage space to carry things of two children. Some of the double strollers have specially designed for Twin Babies. There is also a popular version of the double stroller which is called sit N stand double stroller. This type of double strollers has a seat on the front side and a standing platform on the rear side. Depending on your need, you can go for any of the product.
Travel Systems:
Like the name of this type, they are designed especially for traveling. Suppose you love to travel a lot. Or you go for an outing at every weekend and you want to carry the stroller with you. In that case, a Travel Stroller can make the things easier for you. They are a combo package of a car seat with a stroller. Though it sounds good that they have great features, but most of the products are not that quality which customers expect. It happens most of the time with the low priced products. But if you stay careful about the feature, you will be able to get a better product. On this Travel System Stroller you can get Stroller / Stroller Frame & Car Seat.
Seat :
When you will stroll the stroller the toddler will stay in the Seat. So it is so much important to make sure that the seat of the stroller is comfortable. Most of the strollers have padded seat and have straps. But if you want to keep your child cool in the stroller, you should also check if there is enough air passing system available or not. Also, make sure the reclining system is available or not. Though most of the strollers claim that they have the reclining system, but only a few of them has the actual features. Check how many reclining positions is available in the stroller. This feature helps to go flat the set. It is very helpful when your child needed a nap. Generally, the high priced product has that feature perfectly. Though some low priced products also have the feature, but you have to find the best one.
Canopy :
The next thing which is very important for the toddler is the Canopy. The canopy of a stroller helps to keep the toddler safe from the direct heat of the sun. As we know there are a lot of harmful rays in sun ray. As like UV ray can make skin cancer, that is why a good canopy is needed. This is will protect the sun heat also the cold wind in the winter. Some strollers also have an extendable canopy which is very useful. Another feature which is needed in the canopy is the peekaboo window. Peekaboo window helps the parent to keep eye on the toddler. This peekaboo window also passes air to the toddler to keep him cool.
Wheel Size :
One feature can change the whole products performance. The performance of the stroller greatly depends on the wheel size of it. Maneuverability much depends on the Wheels Size. When we have searched the stats about different types of wheels, the highest score was gained by the rubber wheels. Rubber wheels are air filled and they have a great ability to roll over on different surfaces with less effort. Rubber wheels are easy to move by pushing on the handlebars. As they are air filled, so they also give good performance in the extreme terrains. Big sized three wheels are better than the small sized wheels. Though the price may vary with the models and brands, but you will find a better one within 150-300.
Storage
When it is about a child accessory, storage space is highly needed. This is one of the most important features of the strollers. When you will go for a walk on outside, you need to carry the diaper bag, some toys, some extra clothes and water with. That is why a good storage space in a stroller is highly needed. Most of the strollers have the Storage space under the seat. Some strollers also have a carrying bag on the back side of the seat of the stroller. Also, the cup holders needed to carry the beverages with the stroller. Some small compartments also can be very helpful to carry the purse, key, cell phone etc. Strollers which are above 100 have storage basket. So, if you need a good storage in the stroller then you should order a stroller which is above 100.
Convenience
For many parents, the decisive factor of a car seat is how well it fits with their lives. The KeyFit 30 carrier fits multiple Chicco strollers, including the Curtain. In addition, the base is easy to install on any vehicle. The base has a storage compartment for installation instructions, but you could easily fit wipes or diapers inside emergency situations of this best convertible car seat.
You can install this seat with or without the base. That’s how you can keep the base in your car. If you ever need to drive your baby in another person’s car, it is fully adjustable without the base. You will find instructions on how to safely do this in the manual.
Additional Features
This seat includes all the additional features we are looking for. The adjustable base and harness allow the seat to fit your growing baby. The Key Fit canopy provides good protection from direct sunlight or rain. In addition, it is difficult to use the canopy with the adjustable carry handle, so you may need to get a blanket after the sale to protect your baby when wearing the safety seat.
The adjustable head support function in this will ensure your Childs head support while growing. You can adjust the seat quickly and easily with the center handle adjustment strap, which adjusts both straps at the same time with a single pull.
Key Feature & Specification
This Britax infant car seats provides safety and protection for your baby beyond the federal standards. Equipped with SafeCell Impact Protection, this carrier includes a base that absorbs and reduces the force of the energy in the event of a collision. The foam-lined shell will also shield your child from side impact. Aside from the excellent protection, this infant car seat also offers convenience. The SafeCenter latch makes installation a walk in the park. It doesn’t take up a lot of space inside your vehicle, too. Plus, it is also Click & Go compatible, and can be paired with a Britax stroller for a comfortable trip.
Why You Should Buy This Product?With the unparalleled protection this smartly designed infant car seat offers, no wonder that it is an NHTSA award-winning choice. To install, you simply have to use the center-pull straps and press the latch connector buttons – quick and easy. Due to its Click & Go compatibility feature, you can just pair this seat with a Britax stroller to instantly switch your baby’s carrier, from the car to your destination. Also, the contoured design won’t take up unnecessary room inside your vehicle, allowing you to have more space for family and friends who are joining the ride.
We hired MGA Research, a Wisconsin laboratory that runs much of the car seat crash testing in the country, to conduct front-impact and side-impact crash tests specifically for this story.
Personally, I am familiar with government rules and regulations, after spending almost a decade working on Capitol Hill and at the Department of Commerce. I’m a former reporter for CQ Roll Call, and my stories about policy and parenting have appeared in The Washington Post, Health Affairs, and Marie Claire. For this review, I traveled to Burlington, Wisconsin, to witness a team of engineers at MGA Research crash-test several top-rated infant car seats. My two boys, ages 1½ and 4 years, both still ride rear-facing in their car seats.
Who should get this
Amid all the lengthy lists of “baby must-haves,” the one item not up for debate is an infant car seat. If you’re going to be driving in a car with your baby, you need one. Most hospitals, complying with the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines, do not discharge newborns until a staff member visually confirms the presence of an infant car seat to transport the baby safely home.
Several qualities distinguish infant car seats from larger “convertible” car seats, many of which have weight and height ranges that include most newborn infants (we plan to review convertible car seats later this year). Most important, an infant seat is designed to be used only rear-facing, the position that is known to be far safer for small children. Unlike convertible car seats, infant seats also come with a detachable base, allowing parents to easily click the seat in and out of the vehicle and to carry the baby in the seat (or attach it to a stroller). Babies outgrow most infant car seats by the time they reach 30 or 3inches tall or between 30 and 3pounds, whichever comes first. The typical kid reaches that height range at 1to 1months and will be nearly years old by the time they weigh 3pounds, so for most people the height limit is more relevant than the weight limit.
How we picked
We started by researching the most popular infant car seats, about 30 models in all. We looked at online customer reviews and media coverage, including by Consumer Reports, BabyGearLab, Mommyhood101, BabyCenter, Fatherly, and The Car Seat Lady. We interviewed nearly 20 experts on car seat safety, policy, and installation, and we looked closely at the results of government (NHTSA) testing, as well as at the findings of Consumer Reports and BabyGearLab, the two other media outlets that have conducted independent laboratory crash testing of infant car seats. BabyGearLab tested to NHTSA standards for front impact in 201and 2017; Consumer Reports modifies the NHTSA standards (PDF) and conducts tests that simulate a crash at 35 mph instead of 30 mph (the most recent results are from September 2016), among other differences.
All car seats sold in the US are self-certified by the manufacturers to pass strict NHTSA standards (PDF) for safety testing. The NHTSA conducts what it terms “safety compliance testing” of multiple seats each year and presents the database of results (parsing out the test results for each seat requires some additional digging). Proper installation is generally a far bigger problem for people than seat safety, so we searched the NHTSA ease-of-use installation database to determine which seats offered easy installation and came with clear instructions.
Our 20 total hours of background research helped us conclude that the ideal infant car seat should have several features and attributes.
Among the safest seats available: In our early analysis, we relied heavily on data from the NHTSA, particularly the results of the front-impact crash testing that the federal agency performs annually. However, infant car seats are self-certified, meaning they are not required to pass the NHTSA’s formal tests before going on sale. Each year, the NHTSA conducts crash testing on some of the car seats currently for sale in the US. However, since car seats are not required to be certified, several of the seats we looked at did not have government crash-test data.
Easy to install: Most parents will tell you that the most frustrating thing about dealing with car seats is the installation, and the experts we interviewed said that proper installation is the most common barrier to car seat safety. So we knew that a good car seat must be easy to install correctly, both with and without a LATCH system, so that a diligent adult following directions could manage a correct installation within a few minutes without expert assistance. (LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children, a system that allows you to install a car seat with metal clips that attach to hooks built into the car, forgoing the lap belt. All cars and car seats manufactured after Sept 1, 200include the LATCH option.) Any harried parent who has had to install a car seat in a relative’s car or in a rental knows that an intuitive installation system trumps a well-crafted set of directions, though those are good to have, too.
Straps that are easy to buckle and adjust: A car seat’s straps should be easy to tighten, loosen, and buckle, ideally without your having to refer back to the written instructions.
A reasonably high height and weight limit: You don’t want your child to outgrow the seat before you’re ready and willing to switch to a convertible car seat. Aside from a Consumer Reports test, there has been little documented difference between the safety of an infant seat versus a rear-facing convertible seat. The primary reasons that parents we spoke to cited for keeping a child in an infant seat longer were the convenience of clicking them in and out of the car and easy access to a compatible stroller. Even without a stroller, a click-in car seat provides a fast way to transport a child into the car while keeping them warm and dry. As many parents can attest, coaxing a kid into a car seat while standing outside in the pouring rain is far less appealing than using a quick click-and-go—and that’s why some parents want to use an infant seat for as long as possible.
Widely available, ideally in different colors or patterns: We wanted seats that you could purchase easily from multiple big retailers, and had design options that appealed to a wide swath of parents.
How we tested
To distinguish among the top infant car seats, we commissioned front- and side-impact crash tests, the latter of which are not currently required under federal law. Here, in footage from the independent lab tests we commissioned for this guide, the 1-year-old-sized dummy in the Chicco KeyFit 30 does not make impact with the door in a simulated 30 mph crash, which means a passing grade for the Chicco.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
The Chicco KeyFit 30 can hold a child up to 30 inches tall or 30 pounds. Those limits are inches shorter and pounds lighter than the limits of several of the other seats we tested, notably the Britax B-Safe 3and the Uppababy Mesa, which are each rated to 32 inches and 3pounds. Car seat technicians we spoke with agreed that a child is likely to reach the height limit of an infant seat before the weight limit. However, “the primary factor in a child outgrowing a car seat’s height limit has to do with the ‘tush to top of head’ length,” which is the distance between the bottom of the seat shell interior and the top of the baby’s head, said Lani Harrison, a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) based in Los Angeles. The Chicco KeyFit 30 has a 21-inch tush-to-top-of-head length, versus 19½ inches for the Britax and 1inches for the Uppababy (Harrison provided the measurements). On a practical level, though the Chicco KeyFit 30 has a lower overall inch rating than competing seats, it may actually fit your child longer than a seat with a height limit a couple of inches higher.
Of course, a child will outgrow their infant seat. Since a convertible/toddler seat is inevitably the next step, we think it is not a dealbreaker for a child to outgrow a seat on the slightly earlier end, especially as we found that most parents opt to switch to a convertible seat before the child officially outgrows their infant one anyway.
Unlike other car seats we tested, the Chicco KeyFit 30 does not have any of the options we identified as being enticing to parents but unnecessary, such as self-ratcheting latches (a distinguishing feature on the Uppababy Mesa), a no-rethread harness, or central lock-off plates on the base. These features can add a level of convenience, but ultimately they are not required for a quality seat.
When using the Chicco KeyFit 30 without its base, you slide the seat belt through tabs at the front of the seat rather than wrapping it around the back of the seat as well.
For installation without a base, the Chicco KeyFit 30 relies on the “American belt pass,” which places the seat belt across the top front of the bucket, above the baby’s legs. The European belt pass, which places the shoulder belt around the back of the seat in addition to across the top, is considered safer and works with seats such as the Cybex Aton and Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-3(you can find a helpful list from The Car Seat Lady). Families who regularly rely on taxis or car services, or who otherwise travel regularly with the infant seat without its base, may prefer a seat with a European belt pass. While this difference is worth noting, since most families will be using the infant seat in conjunction with the base, we still believe that the Chicco KeyFit 30 is clearly the best overall choice for most families.
Chicco KeyFit 22
Sometimes referred to simply as the Chicco KeyFit, the KeyFit 2has a weight limit that’s pounds less than that of the more popular KeyFit 30. We judged this weight to be low enough to limit the usability of this seat, which as of August 201also had poor availability. A spokesperson for Chicco confirmed that the seat was temporarily out of stock but would continue to be manufactured.
Chicco Fit2
The Chicco Fitis rated to 3pounds or 3inches—the tallest height limit of all the car seats we considered. The seat is intended to hold kids up to years old, and could be particularly appealing to parents or caregivers who appreciate the convenience of an infant car seat and want to delay switching to a convertible seat. The Fit2’s base has an additional “toddler” position, so the seat will properly fit an older child at a more upright angle, and it has an extendable headrest and a removable canopy. Like the KeyFit 30, the Fitis compatible with Chicco strollers. BabyGearLab listed this seat as an Editors’ Choice, and though the NHTSA has not yet rated the Fitfor ease of installation, it has a base similar to that of the KeyFit 30, which we found to be very easy to install.
Cybex Aton 2
Of the seven car seats we tested at home, the Cybex Aton was the most difficult to click in and out of its base (it required placing different fingers on two release panels, and then pushing in at the same time). We also found the Cybex seat’s handle adjustment—which required gripping the widest part of the handle—frustrating. After a day of making adjustments to the Cybex handles, I could feel the strain in my forearms and wrists. But the NHTSA awarded this Cybex model four out of five stars for ease of installation, and at 9.pounds it’s lighter than most comparable seats.
The Cybex Aton comes in colors, including hues more bright than those of the Chicco KeyFit 30, and has a two-year warranty.
Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35
4-3had handles that were relatively difficult to shift, a flimsy chest clip, and hard-to-adjust straps. The button to adjust the straps is tucked beneath car seat material, and like the Cybex Aton 2, this Peg Perego model requires pressure from the thumbs, not the hands, to adjust the handles. Though the seat scored above the mean in the NHTSA’s safety-compliance ratings for head and chest pressure—see page of this PDF report—the agency gave it just three out of five stars for installation (we didn’t judge its installation as harshly). It comes in 1colors and has a two-year warranty.
Cybex Cloud Q
The pricey Cybex Cloud Q has a full-recline feature, which may be useful for parents who use their infant seat with a stroller and want their baby to be able to lie flat when sleeping rather than sitting up in the normal car-seat position. The Cybex Cloud Q comes with a load leg, and the NHTSA gave it four of out five stars for ease of installation.
Nuna Pipa
The Nuna Pipa features rigid lower anchor connectors that you rotate forward and click into the vehicle’s lower LATCH hooks, a design that CPST Lani Harrison told us adds to the safety of the seat. Consumer Reports gave the Pipa a “best” crash-test rating, and BabyList lauded its “primo design”; this model also earned a score of four stars (out of five) for ease of installation from the NHTSA. But it’s more expensive than our pick, and not as widely available or as well-reviewed as the seats we tested.
Current federal requirements for manufacturers
While individual states are responsible for regulating how car seats are used, any car seat sold in the US must meet federal safety standards set by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The NHTSA requires that all car seats meet certain benchmarks in crash tests that determine the force on the head and chest in a simulated front-facing crash. The NHTSA also tests car seats for ease of installation, as industry experts estimate that most car seats are improperly installed.
Current front-impact crash testing relies on three measurements to judge safety performance: HIC (head injury criterion), a composite measure that combines time and acceleration to measure the likelihood of a head injury in a car crash, and must be under 1,000; G-clip (also called the ms chest clip), the chest-acceleration measurement, which should be under 60 g; and maximum seat-back angle (to provide adequate neck support in a crash), which should be less than 70 degrees from vertical. Lower numbers are better: With all three tests, the lower the number is, the farther it is from exceeding the NHTSA’s front-impact injury-criteria limits.
Start with the Basics
You basically have three styles to choose from for your newborn: infant car seats, rear-facing convertible car seats or all-in-ones. All are considered safe, but let’s break down the differences between these three types of seats.
Infant Car Seats
These seats are the traditional ‘bucket’-style seats that only face the rear of your car. They’re the ones you see new moms everywhere lugging to and from coffee shops – and they generally fit babies well for the first year (especially wee newborns). They’ve got the added handy feature of easily clicking into and out of a base in your car and your stroller.
Convertible Car Seats
These ones stay in your car and will last from newborn up to about 3or 50 pounds and 3to 3inches tall (your child’s head should be 1” below the top of the seat). Since the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children ride in rear-facing seats as long as possible, this style of car seat can save you from having to purchase another one as your baby grows.
Chicco KeyFit 30
The Chicco KeyFit 30 is still the infant car seat to beat because it’s the easiest to use, reviewers say. Installation is a dream with an easily adjustable base and push-button LATCH connectors, and the car seat cover is easy to pop off and toss into the washing machine. Moreover, the KeyFit 30 is safe — it scores the highest possible marks in experts’ independent crash tests even without some of the fancy safety extras that other seats boast.
Compact Convertible
Infant car seats are designed to be lightweight and portable. Parents can detach the seat from a base they leave in their vehicle and carry it using the attached handle or pop it into a stroller frame for easy transportation outside the car. Most infant car seats are approved for babies pounds and up and have weight limits around 30 pounds, though some may have higher or lower capacities. Height limits usually range from 2to 3inches. Seats with higher height and weight limits buy parents extra time before they have to think about switching car seats, but they’re often heavier to carry. Also remember that infant car seats are only meant for use rear-facing.
Convertible
Convertible car seats are heavier than infant car seats and are designed to stay put in the car. They can be used rear-facing for smaller children and forward-facing for older children. Many convertible car seats can accommodate children up to 40 pounds or more rear-facing, and 6or 70 pounds forward-facing. Height limits vary widely among seats, but common rules include that rear-facing children have at least an inch of seat shell above their head and that forward-facing children’s shoulders must be lower than the top slot used for the harness strap. In general, seats with taller shells have the longest life span, but they often hog more front-to-back room in a car. In addition, seats that accommodate bigger children are among the most expensive convertibles — but the investment may pay off if you don’t need to buy another seat before your child can use a booster seat, which we cover in a separate report.
Keep an eye out for car seat recalls
Marathon ClickTight convertible car seats because the harness adjuster was staying in the “release” position, allowing harnesses to loosen.
We could easily fill half of this list with car seats from britax since it’s such a popular and trusted brand when it comes to car seats. That said, the britax g1.frontier harness-2-booster car seat comes with almost all the same features found in the Britax Boulevard that’s reviewed above with the only difference being that the g1.is a booster seat. As a booster seat, it can be used as a harness car seat for children over years and who weigh from 2– 90 pounds or as a belt-positioning booster for older kids from 40 – 120 pounds in weight.
Just like any car seat from britax, the g1.frontier boasts of the safecell impact protection that includes a steel frame, energy-absorbing base and impact-absorbing tether with staged-release stitches for slowing and reducing the forward movement of the car seat during collision. The clicktight installation system provides your child with rock-solid installation while allowing parents to install it very quickly and easily with just one click. It provides your child with layers of superior side impact protection through the use of deep energy-absorbing shell and foam-lined headrest that combine to shield your child from the most dangerous side impacts.
Its smart design makes it versatile enough to comfortably fit smaller children from 2pounds and then it can be transitioned to a traditional booster once your big kid is ready. For maximum fit and comfort, the harness is designed to grow along with your child since it can be easily adjusted to different positions which also make it a breeze to fit your child on the car seat by simply changing the harness height with the push of a button. For extra comfort and support, there are removable harness padding which can be inserted or removed to meet your child’s needs in terms of comfort and support. For even more comfort, the front-adjust recline easily allows you to alter the seat angle for a customized and comfortable seating position.
And even though very few parents complain that the seat belt tightener has some jamming issues, the ease of installation together with unmatched safety performance you and your child get from this car seat is enough reasons why you should grab this car seat from britax.
The fact that britax also designs, tests and builds their car seats in the US from components sourced from within the US and globally is a solid proof of the quality, durability and safety performance that this car seat provides to its users.
Important features in a car seat
Below we discuss the most important features you’d expect to find in different types of car seats.
LATCH Connectors – a harnessed car seat will usually be equipped with either hook-style, push-on or rigid lower anchor LATCH (Lower Anchor and Tethers for Children). They usually attach to the lower anchors that are embedded in the crease of your vehicle’s seat. Since they have a weight limit, you’ll need to install the seat using your vehicle’s own seat belt if the combined weight of your child and the car seat has exceeded 6pounds.
Top Tether Strap – forward-facing harness seats usually include a top tether strap that is anchored to the seat of your vehicle and keeps the shell of the car seat secure which significantly reduces the potential for head injuries during impact. Experts recommend securing the top tethers for all forward-facing installations.
Adjustable Harness System – all types of car seats from infant to convertible and all-in-ones as well as boosters have a built-in adjustable harness system. This harness system allows you to adjust the height so as to provide your child with proper fit as he/she continues to grow. Most harnesses can be adjusted by rethreading the straps via slots which are in the fabric and seat shell while others offer an easier option to adjust the harness externally. In the rear-facing position, the harness straps should be at or below your baby’s shoulders while in the forward-facing position, straps should be at or above your baby’s shoulders. In all cases, ensure the chest clip is at the armpit level. If you can’t pinch any strap fabric at your child’s shoulders, then you know the harness is tight enough.
Recline Indicator – a recline indicator tells you when the car seat is installed at the correct angle especially in rear-facing installation. Some car seats have different angles of recline for babies of different ages. This means when your baby is still very young, they start out in a more reclined angle to prevent obstructing their normal breathing and then sits more upright when he/she gets older to provide front seat passengers with more room.
If it’s not your first car seat
When it comes to transitioning from one car seat type to another, even seasoned parents can get some confusion on what’s the right car seat type for their children. Below are the recommendations for the minimum number of car seats your child will need before they are ready to use just your vehicle’s seat belt on its own. • You should keep your infant in the rear-facing position until he or she is at least years old. • You should stick with a forward-facing harness until your kid outgrows the weight or height limits of the harness. • Your child will need a booster seat when he/she is between to 1years old and 5inches tall and fits the belts of your vehicle correctly. • Any car seat that’s damaged in any way or that has been in an accident should immediately be replaced. • All children should ride in the back seat until the age of 1even after your child is ready to use your vehicle’s seat belt alone. • Car seats have an expiration date and some have an expiry date that’s printed literally on the manufacturer’s label or molded into the car seat. This label always includes the date in which the car seat was produced. So it’s up to parents to check the car seat manual and calculate whether the car seat is about to expire or if it can continue being used for some more time.
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Final Word
First of all thanks for reading my article to the end! I hope you find my reviews listed here useful and that it allows you to make a proper comparison of what is best to fit your needs and budget. Don’t be afraid to try more than one product if your first pick doesn’t do the trick.
Most important, have fun and choose your car seat canopy wisely! Good luck!
So, TOP3 of car seat canopy
- №1 — Cool Beans Stretchy Baby Car Seat Canopy and Nursing Cover | Multiuse – Soft and stretchy fabric…
- №2 — Breastfeeding Nursing Cover + 1 Burp Cloth by HealthySam – Baby Car Seat Covers – Shopping Cart
- №3 — Cotton Baby Car Seat Canopy and Nursing Cover 4 -1
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