The Most Inexpensive Infant Car Seat Cheap
Many retailers offer payment plans because they know that purchasing a car seat could be an expense for some families.
Experts recommend looking for seats that feature features like machine-washable fabrics (since babies make messes) and GREENGUARD Gold certification. They also suggest choosing features that will aid you in saving money down the road, like the rear-facing weight limiter that can be extended and belt paths that allow for use without the need for a base when using Ubers and taxis.
1. Graco SnugRide 35 LX
The Graco SnugRide 35LX infant seat is designed to be affordable. It features a lightweight base and a carrier that is easy to put together particularly with LATCH. The harness is easy to use and adjust and the canopy provides excellent protection from the sun. It doesn't come with a reclining feature, but it does have a level indicator on the base.
Graco is a name that is known for its high-quality products. This rear-facing infant car seat is not an exception. This seat is built with solid materials and goes through rigorous safety testing to ensure that it meets or exceeds the standards required. It is backed by a generous guarantee to provide parents with peace of mind.
In our car seat tests we examine a variety of factors to determine how well an infant seat performs. We take into consideration things like comfort, safety and how easy it is to use. rotating infant car seat test the seat for wear and tear. We test every car seat using a variety different methods, including comparisons of two seats along with crash testing and ergonomic tests. The Graco SnugRide is a great seat for all categories, but it falls short in the area of padding and fabric. The head padding is not very comfortable and it isn't able to move with the shoulder straps. It's not a big issue but it could be better.
This seat is among the tiniest on the market and weighs just 7.5 pounds. It's an excellent choice for those looking for a compact seat that will fit 3 across. It can be fitted with either standard or American European belt routing, which is a nice alternative. The buckle features a square center button that is more nimble than the round buttons found on many other seats. It is also easy to tighten or loosen, even with a child in the seat.
2. Evenflo LiteMax DLX
The LiteMax is a fantastic choice for parents who are looking for a seat that can accommodate preemies as well as newborns. It has a lower harness than other infant seats and can be used rear facing for infants as small as 4 pounds. Evenflo designed this car seat to be simple to use and comes with a variety of features. For example, it has buckle tongue holders and a lock-off feature that keeps the buckle from getting in the way when you put your child in and take them out. It also has a base that can recline in a variety of positions.
The seat's lower anchor connectors attach to a bar beneath the base rim. The anchors are simple to install and remove but not as convenient as those on most other seats. The user's manual is hidden into the fabric of the seat shell to the side. This could create chaos in the event that your child gets sick or spills something. We are not a fan of the way the latch straps are tucked into the bottom of seat when not being used.
Despite its low cost, the LiteMax is built to a high standard and a hefty warranty. The customer service provided by the company is excellent. You can contact them via live chat, email or by phone. The customer service representatives are available 24 hours per day to assist you with your inquiries. They also provide video chat services to those who require assistance installing the car seat.
This car seat is simple to set up and that is the reason parents love it. It's simple to install and the instructions are easy to follow. It also comes with a stay-in-car convenience base, which is great for parents who need to drop off and pick up their children from school or other activities. It also comes with a canopy, which protects the child from harmful UV rays and weather conditions. It also is compliant with the safety standards of the federal government. It is also affordable and easy to maintain which makes it an excellent choice for brand new parents. The warranty is valid for a period of 10 years. This gives parents peace of mind that they will have the car seat for a long time.
3. Safety 1st Jive
Safety 1st Jive Convertible 2-in-1 Car Seat ensures your child's safety from birth to the time they're ready to use a booster. It converts seamlessly from an infant seat facing rear for children who weigh 5-40lbs to an forward-facing toddler or the car seat for young children who weigh between 22 and 65 pounds. This makes it a perfect choice for families that want to save money, but don't want to switch seats at every stage.
Parents appreciate the 5-point harness which distributes the force across five contact points (shoulders, hips, and between legs) to ensure that children are firmly in their seat. The Jive includes Side Impact Protection inbuilt and a harness with five different height positions. This will help your child find the right size.
Whether you're looking for an infant car seat cheap that can rear-face your baby until they're three or four years old, or you need a lightweight travel seat that isn't heavy, the Jive is the best choice for many families. It's compact when reclined and can be used with lower anchors or vehicle seat belts. The "inside-out trick" makes it simple to put in. The lightweight design makes it ideal for families that use ride-sharing or need to have a car seat that is suitable for several children.
The Jive is approved for use on planes and its compact size makes it easier to handle in airports. The fabric is machine washable and dryer-safe, so you can easily clean up any spills during your travels.
While 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 2+ inches higher than their shoulders which isn't the best fit for. This is a common problem with convertible seats, so we recommend not using them for infants.
The Jive is also very bulky when installed in the higher recline position, however it can be used with the inside-out trick. Also, tightening the seatbelt from the bottom will make it easier to use. It's also light for a convertible chair and can be bungee-attached to the handle of your stroller using either a ratchet cord or the bungee strap.
4. Safety 1st Jive Booster
The Jive is among the cheapest convertible car seats available. It is able to rear-face kids up to age three and forward-face until around five and is extremely light. It also has 2 allowed reclines for rear-facing, and you can put it in place using lower anchors or a vehicle seatbelt (using the inside-out installation technique).
This seat is a wonderful combination of low-cost and long-lasting use. This seat is not recommended for newborns because of its harness's high height. However, it should last for most kids until they are ready to move on to booster seats. It's also a great option for families who travel frequently via ride-sharing services, taxis or airplanes. It weighs just 10 pounds, it's one of the lightest booster seats you can find. It can be bungee-attached to the handle of your stroller, or secured with a belt strap for your car seat or the ratchet strap.
There are a few issues regarding it however. The lowest harness slot is 9" tall, which is well above the average height of a child's torso at birth. The headrest isn't quite as impressive as our top picks. It's wide and flat with a placeholder style that looks more like an actual car seat cushion than a headrest.
The Jive is also simple to use, and has good crash test ratings. It's a great option for children who aren't yet at the weight and height requirements to use the high-back booster.
It's an excellent option for older children who have outgrown their infant car seats. It can be made into a forward-facing harness booster, followed by a backless boost and finally a belt positioning booster. The booster mode is particularly comfortable for children due to the padded armrests and cup holder. It's a great choice because it has a lower height and weight limit than the Safety 1st Grow and Go. This makes it more realistic for a lot of children.