The Most Inexpensive Infant Car Seat Cheap
Many retailers recognize that purchasing a car seat may be a financial burden for certain families and offer payment plans.
Experts suggest looking for seats with features like machine-washable fabric (since babies can be messy) and GreenGuard Gold Certification. They also recommend choosing features that can save you money in the future, such as a rear-facing limit that can be widened and a belt route that can be used without being a base for Ubers and taxis.
1. Graco SnugRide 35 LX
The Graco snugRide 35 LX is a rear-facing only infant seat that is built to be budget-friendly. It features a light base and a carrier that are easy to put in, particularly when using LATCH. The harness is easy to use and adjust and the canopy offers excellent sun protection. The harness doesn't have a recline feature, but it does include a level indicator on the base.
Graco is a brand that is known for making top-quality products. This rear-facing infant car seat is an exception. This seat is built with robust materials and is subject to rigorous safety testing to make sure that it meets or exceeds the standards required. It is also backed by a generous warranty that provides peace of mind for the new parents.
In our car seat reviews, we look for a number of different things in an infant seat to determine how it performs. We take into account things like safety, comfort and how easy it is to use on a regular basis. We also test the seat for wear and wear and tear. We employ a variety of different methods to test each car seat such as side-by-side comparisons, crash tests, and ergonomic testing. The Graco SnugRide is a solid seat in most categories however it isn't as good in certain areas, particularly in the area of fabric and padding. The head padding isn't the most comfortable and does not move with the shoulder straps when you adjust them. It's not a big issue but it could be better.
This seat is among the tiniest on the market, with just 7.5 pounds. It's an excellent choice for those who want a compact seat that will fit three people. It can be set up baseless using either standard or American belt routing or European belt routing, which is a nice feature. The buckle has an elongated button at its center that is more comfortable to hold than the majority of buckles with round buttons. It's also easy to tighten or loosen with a baby in the arms.
2. Evenflo LiteMax DLX
The LiteMax is a good choice for parents looking for a seat that can accommodate tiny newborns and preemies. It has a lower harness height than most infant seats and can be used rear-facing for infants as little as 4 pounds. Evenflo created this car seat with a variety of features that make it easy to use. 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 includes a base that can be repositioned into multiple positions.
The lower anchor connectors on the seat snap onto a bar beneath the base rim. The anchors are simple to install and remove however they are not as easy to remove like those found on many other seats. The seat's user manual tucks under the fabric on the side of the seat shell which can be messy should your child get sick or spills something into it. We also don't like how the straps for latching tuck into the bottom of the seat when not when it is not in use.
Despite its low cost, the LiteMax has a high-quality build and a generous warranty. The company's customer service is top-notch. You can contact them via live chat, email or by phone. They are available 24 hours per day to assist you with your inquiries. Video chat is also available for those who require assistance in installing the car seat.
Parents love this car seat since it is so easy to put in. It's simple to put in place and the instructions are easy to follow. It also has a stay in-car convenience base that 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 shields children from harmful sunrays and weather conditions. It also meets federal safety standards. It is also easy to maintain and cost-effective, making it an excellent option for parents who are just starting out. The warranty also covers the seat for 10 years. This gives parents peace of mind they will be able to 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 are ready to go on the next stage of growth. It can be converted seamlessly from a rear facing infant seat for children who weigh 5-40 pounds to forward-facing toddler or small child car seat that is suitable for kids who weigh 22-65 pounds. rear facing infant car seat 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 that distributes forces across five contact points (shoulders, hips, and between legs) to keep children firmly in their seat. The Jive also has built-in Side Impact Protection and a harness height adjuster with five different positions to help your child find a a secure 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 lightweight travel chair. It is compact when reclining and is able to be used with lower anchors or seat belts. The "inside-out trick" makes it simple to install. The light-weight construction makes it ideal for families who use ride-sharing or require a car seat that is suitable for multiple children.
The Jive is approved for use on planes and its small size makes it easier to transport in airports. Its fabric is machine washable and dryer safe, which means you can easily clean up any messes that may occur during your travels.
While the Jive comes with a low harness slot it's still way too high for most newborns. The majority of newborns have torsos of 7" or less, and the smallest harness slot can place the harness about 2 inches higher than their shoulders which isn't a great fit. This is a common issue with convertible seats, so we recommend not using them for infants.
The Jive is a little heavy when used with the higher recline line, however, it's relatively easy to install using the inside-out trick and by tightening from the bottom of the seat belt path. It's also relatively lightweight for a convertible seat, and can be bungee-attached to the handle of your stroller with a ratchet strap or a cord that bungees.
4. Safety 1st Jive Booster
The Jive is one of the cheapest convertible car seats available. It can rear-face children up to age three and forward-face up to five years old and is very light. It also has two permitted reclines that can be used for rear-facing, and you can attach it using lower anchors or a vehicle seat belt (using the inside-out installation trick).
This seat is a wonderful combination of affordability and long-lasting use. This seat is not recommended for babies due to its high harness height. However, it should last for a lot of kids until they are ready for booster seats. It's also a good option for families who frequently travel using ride-sharing, taxis or planes. It's one of the lightest boosters you can buy and weighs only 10 pounds. It can also be connected to the handle of your stroller, or strapped on using a car seat belt strap or the ratchet strap.
It does have some issues that make it far from perfect, however. The lowest harness slot measures 9" high which is more than the height of torsos of many babies when they are born. The headrest isn't as impressive as our top picks. It's flat and wide, with a placeholder design that resembles an actual car seat cushion than the headrest.
The Jive is also easy to use, and has a good crash test rating. It's a great option for kids who don't meet the weight and height requirements to use a high-back booster.
It's a great option for older children who have outgrown their infant car seats. It can be made into a forward-facing harness booster, an unidirectional boost and finally a belt positioning booster. The booster mode is particularly comfortable for children due to the armrests that are padded and the cup holders. It's a great choice because it is lower in height and weight limit than the Safety 1st Grow and Go. This makes it more realistic for a lot of youngsters.