Before we made that cautious, white-knuckled first drive home with our new baby, we realized we needed to be armed with the proper equipment, and in the infant world, that meant getting a car seat. That is a piece of baby equipment we needed before we even left the hospital to go home, so we decided to splurge on a luxurious one for our little one. The best luxury infant car seats are much the same as their peers – we could use them from when the babies were newborns until they weighed 30-35 lbs or measured 30 inches. You’re likely to use the seat until your kid is between 9 months and 2 years old, although this varies by kid and family usage. What’s more, all infant seats sold in the United States need to meet the same safety standards, and these ones did too.
Since there is a plethora of choices in the mix, navigating through the mix could be very daunting. That’s why we’ve done the legwork for you, scouring reviews, consulting safety experts, and test-driving and using these seats before getting them out in front of you. Let’s begin with the very first thing we splurge on our babies!
Table of contents
- Speedo Girls Swimsuit One-Piece Infinity Splice
- No Boundaries Junior’s Tricot Striped Cropped Bikini Swimsuit
- Shanna Two-Piece Bikini Set
- No Boundaries Juniors’ Rib Knit Printed One Piece Swimsuit
- Cyn and Luca Junior’s Cut-Out One-Piece Swimsuit
- No Boundaries Juniors’ Tie Front Cropped Tee Swimsuit Coverup
- YMI Ribbed Ruffle Flounce One Piece Swimsuit
- Kids Diving Suit Neoprene Long Sleeves UV Protection Wetsuit
- SALT + COVE Cutout High Neck One Piece Swimsuit
- Cali Chic Juniors’ Celebrity Lace Swimsuit Tankini
- Cali Chic Juniors’ Celebrity Cross-Strap Swimsuit Tankini
- Cali Chic Juniors’ Swimsuit Tankini Celebrity Green Camo Camisole Tankini Set
- U.S. Polo Assn. Side Panel Zip Front One-Piece
- Our Verdict!
- How To Choose The Best Bathing Suits For Juniors?
- Is it better for a swimsuit to be tight or loose?
- What color swimsuit is best for children?
Maxi-Cosi Peri 180 Rotating Infant Car Seat
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The Maxi-Cosi Peri 180 Rotating Infant Car Seat didn’t weigh a ton, despite being a rotating infant car seat, weighing under nine pounds without the base. In fact, the ability to rotate 180 degrees on the base is an absolute game-changer and definitely a luxury. Besides that, the car seat was very easy to install, thanks to the unique red-to-green indicator that monitored the belt tension and the easy-to-attach LATCH connectors. Plus, it featured a load leg as well as the adjustments we could make down the road, like the five recline positions, the no-rethread system, and the extendable canopy that provided full coverage.
“The load leg felt like an extra layer of safety, and we loved the fact that we could adjust the car seat from the front seat of the car.”
Pros
- The 180-degree rotation was very useful.
- We loved the safety of the load leg feature.
- The full coverage canopy was excellent.
- The fabric was free of chemicals and naturally flame-retardant.
Cons
- The weight limit is lower than most other car seats.
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Cybex Cloud G Lux with SensorSafe Infant Car Seat
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Most safety features. The Cybex Cloud G Lux with SensorSafe Infant Car Seat has the most safety features among car seats on this list. It’s equipped with a load leg and an anti-rebound base, along with linear side impact protection. Atop all that, it even featured a Bluetooth-enabled clip that would ping our phones in worst-case scenarios – when the seats got too hot or cold, or when it became unbuckled, or even if we’d accidentally left the baby in the car (not that that would happen). Aside from the SensorSafe Technology, the seat could tilt backward 45 degrees when attached to a stroller. Not only was it comfortable with a cushion-y and soft fabric, but also the seat came with an extra-large UPF 50+ canopy. Did we mention that there were eight color options? Yes!
Pros
- Safety sensor clip
- Load leg and anti-rebound base
- Full recline in stroller
- Naturally flame-retardant, without added chemicals
Cons
- It was heavier than the others.
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Britax Marathon ClickTight Anti-Rebound Bar Convertible Car Seat
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There’s yet another Britax product on this list; this time, it’s the Britax Marathon ClickTight Anti-Rebound Bar Convertible Car Seat. This Britax model was an excellent pick for preemies, babies, and even toddlers, thanks to the five-point harness that secured our tots safely. What’s more, the three-position recline offered them a lot of comfort and support, especially when we’d head out on long car rides. As our babies grew (yes, both our kids used this product!), the system would even convert into a belt-positioning booster. If that wasn’t enough, it would even convert to a backless booster seat later on. Rounding things up was the plush foam padding and the anti-rebound bar.
Pros
- The car seat offered support and comfort.
- Our babies loved the three-position recline.
- We loved the safe and secure five-point harness system.
Cons
- Again, it’s expensive, but it’s worth it.
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Britax Pinnacle ClickTight Harness-2-Booster Car Seat
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The Britax Pinnacle ClickTight Harness-2-Booster Car Seat was exactly what we were looking for when we had to hit the road with our babies. This safety pick really assuaged our fears as we felt confident that our tiny tot is secure and safe within, thanks to the ClickTight feature. It let us know when the seat was installed correctly, which brought us a lot of peace of mind. Moreover, this style featured an adjustable harness that grew with the baby, converting to a booster when our babies got bigger and grew older. It might cost close to USD 400, but the car seat was worth it, and we didn’t mind spending the money as we and our babies loved the product.
Check out the official product page.
Pros
- The adjustable harness grew with our babies.
- The car seat was easily convertible.
- We loved the ClickTight feature as it felt safe and secure.
Cons
- It might feel expensive, especially when compared to the features of other seats.
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Clek Clek Liing Infant Seat
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The Clek Clek Liing Infant Seat was one of the most compact, luxurious infant car seats we’d seen, at less than 17 inches across. However, just because it was smaller didn’t mean that it was packed with a ton of safety extras. These included the rigid LATCH, which ensured a tight and non-shifting installation, along with a load leg to reduce crash forces. Moreover, there were 7 different recline positions — with a total recline of 15 degrees — that helped us achieve the best positioning for our tiny tot, notwithstanding the angle of our car’s seat. There were also three eco-friendly fabric options, a two-stage infant insert, and a GREENGUARD Gold Certification. Rounding things up was the routing European belt path, which made installing the car seat with just a seat belt easier and safer.
Check out the official product page.
Pros
- The car seat was narrow and compact.
- It was packed with comfort and safety features.
- It fit both larger and smaller infants.
Cons
- Some reviewers mentioned that they had trouble removing the seat from the base.
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Joie Mint Latch Baseless Infant Car Seat
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There are very few baseless car seats on the market, and the Joie Mint Latch Baseless Infant Car Seat was our personal favorite. Not only was it completely baseless, but it was also very easy to install; all we needed to do was click it directly into our car using the in-built LATCH connectors, and we would be good to go. It was a great pick for us since we needed a seat that switched between cars easily and quickly. However, what drew us in the most was that it was one of the most affordable baseless infant car seats on the market, and also weighed just 9 lbs.
Pros
- Installs quickly and easily without a base
- Perfect for city families who don’t own a car
- Most affordable baseless seat on the market
- Lightweight
Cons
- It had a low height limit.
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UPPAbaby Aria Lightweight Infant Car Seat
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Most lightweight. The UPPAbaby Aria Lightweight Infant Car Seat is the latest addition to the brand’s car seat lineup. It was perfect for us since we were prioritizing weight when we were shopping for infant car seats. At just 6 lbs minus the inserts and canopy, we were surprised by how lightweight it was the first time we picked it up — and trust us, we’ve carried a lot of car seats over the years. Moreover, safety-wise, there was a load leg and an anti-rebound panel, and it was also very easy to install, thanks to visual indicators and the LATCH system that would turn red if and when something was not right.
Pros
- This is the lightest infant car seat on this list.
- It came with a boatload of additional safety features.
- The car seat was GREENGUARD Gold Certified.
Cons
- It was only compatible with UPPAbaby strollers.
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Doona Car Seat & Stroller All-in-One Travel System
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Best travel system. The Doona Car Seat & Stroller All-in-One Travel System happens to be one of the best infant car seats and stroller systems in business, and for a good reason. Firstly, this product has been the first of its kind: an infant car seat that can, with the click of a button, transform into a stroller. It’s what makes the Doona the ultimate all-in-one system for those who travel frequently, like us. It’s especially useful when we don’t want to disturb a sleeping baby between car rides and a lot of getting in and out of them. What’s more, the versatility and durability of this product made our lives much easier. If that wasn’t enough, the stroller-car seat system came in as many as eight colors, which meant that everyone could get the colors they wanted.
Pros
- We loved the infant car seat + stroller travel system all in one.
- Since we traveled a lot, this travel system was very useful.
- It was lighter than most other strollers.
Cons
- The weight and height limits could be better.
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Evenflo Litemax DLX Infant Car Seat with SafeZone Load Leg Base
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The Evenflo Litemax DLX Infant Car Seat with SafeZone Load Leg Base was another impressive car seat, weighing just about 8 lbs and considering the less-than-USD-200 price tag. There were many things we loved about this car seat, starting with the fact that it had the lowest weight allowance of 3 lbs. So, it was the perfect choice if you’re bringing home smaller babies or preemies. Other features we absolutely loved were the LATCH install, the no-rethread harness, and the adjustable headrest. When it comes to installation, the process was fairly easy, even if there were a few details we needed to pay attention to. In fact, the brand even offered free one-on-one video installation support meetings with certified car seat technicians for parents who need assistance or want their work to be checked to see if it’s proper.
Pros
- Thanks to the ergonomic handle, we were able to carry the seat very comfortably.
- The low weight minimum of 3 lbs ensured that even preemies could use this car seat.
- We loved the impressive comfort and safety features for the price.
Cons
- It’s compatible only with Evenflo strollers.
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Graco SnugRide DLX Infant Car Seat ft. Load Leg Technology
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Best value for money. How can we not have a Graco product on this list? Behold the Graco SnugRide DLX Infant Car Seat ft. Load Leg Technology, which combined added safety features and ease of installation at a reasonable price point of less than USD 200. Just like other car seats from the SnugFit line, this one was super easy to install. What’s more, it did fantastically features-wise, especially with the addition of the load leg that we didn’t find in most of the other seats, making it a worthwhile upgrade. Plus, we also appreciated that the harness and the headrest could be adjusted together while our baby was in the seat, ensuring a customized fit. Other features we loved were the side impact protection, better head support, one-hand adjustable handle, and the four recline positions.
That’s why many of Graco’s products appear on the list of the best infant car seats in Walmart.
Pros
- We loved the no-rethread harness.
- The car seat was easy to install using the built-in level indicator.
- The load leg and anti-rebound bar were excellent.
Cons
- It might not be the best for preemies.
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Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat
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Best overall. The Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat is definitely the best luxurious car seat for our babies that we’ve used. The two factors that stand out in terms of good infant car seats are ease of installation and safety features, and the KeyFit 35 excels at both. Firstly, it was remarkably easy to install, with a middle tightener that pulled the base securely in place and an in-built, easy-to-read level indicator that let us know when the seat was correctly positioned. Secondly, the car seat fit even the tiniest babies really well, and we were able to use it until our babies reached 35 lbs in weight. Thanks to the anti-rebound bar, we didn’t have to worry about extra movement either. Other standout features include the narrow profile, the washable and removable cover, and the seat’s no-rethread harness.
Pros
- It’s compatible with a wide variety of stroller brands.
- The car seat is slim enough to work for 3-across in most cars.
- The car seat is loved by parents and car seat safety experts.
Cons
- It’s heavier than some of the other options.
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Nuna PIPA RX Infant Car Seat with RELX Base
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There’s more than one reason the Nuna PIPA RX Infant Car Seat with RELX Base sits at the top of this list. It’s one of the few seats on the market that employs the rigid “LATCH” (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) that connects the base to our vehicle, and it’s what we loved the most. “Rigid” didn’t mean “rigid” rigid, but rather that the metal connectors protruding from the base of the car seat could attach directly to our car’s metal lower anchors, requiring no hooks or straps. Thus, it also ensured a foolproof, easy, and fast installation.
What’s more, the car seat had a boatload of advanced safety features, such as the impact-absorbing fold-down stability leg and the anti-rebound panel. Rounding things up was the incredibly lightweight nature of this car seat, weighing just about 7 lbs and making it easy for us to maneuver, carry, and lift it.
Pros
- The car seat came with a boatload of premium safety features.
- It could be used with/without the base.
- It was lightweight and fit most vehicles.
Cons
- It’s very pricey, but you get what you pay for.
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Our Verdict!
If you’re having difficulty choosing the best product, this smaller, specialized, and curated list might help you make a decision.
- Best value for money: Graco SnugRide DLX Infant Car Seat ft. Load Leg Technology
- Best overall: Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat
- Best travel system: Doona Car Seat & Stroller All-in-One Travel System
- Most lightweight: UPPAbaby Aria Lightweight Infant Car Seat
How To Choose The Best Luxury Infant Car Seats?
Safety
Luxurious or not, the first thing you need to check when trying to choose an infant car seat is its safety factor. As we mentioned earlier, all car seats in the US need to pass the same minimum standard testing, which comes down to the installation and fit. So, the safest infant car seats are the ones that fit your vehicle correctly and can be installed perfectly, and more importantly, fit your baby correctly. So, we looked for specific features, including the higher rear-facing weight limits, easy harness adjustment, and the five-point harness.
Ease of use
Secondly, we looked for luxury car seats that were easy to use, adjust, and install. After all, we didn’t want to get into a wrestling match with the seat or a shouting match with our partner every time we got out of the house. The best infant car seats could be installed with or without a base and, more importantly, could use our vehicle’s seatbelts or latch systems. Secondly, we ensured that we looked for car seats that could be easily maintained and were easy to clean. So, we looked for seats designed using water-resistant or smoother fabrics. The more luxurious ones even came with removable, machine-washable covers.
Stroller-Car Seat Compatibility
One of the topmost features of good luxury car seats is the fact that they can be combined with strollers to make “travel systems.” Not only does it solve two common problems, but it also makes moving around with the baby a lot easier. However, be warned that you might end up liking two products from different brands, so ensure that the infant car seats and strollers are compatible before you realize you need to buy separate adapters.
Car Seat Accessories
Finally, we looked for car seats that came with accessories, such as extra back seat mirrors, infant inserts, car seat covers, and car seat canopies.
Are car seats a good idea for newborns?
Yes, you need car seats for your newborn babies as they’re the safest option when you’re traveling with them by car.
When to buy infant car seats?
In an ideal world, parents need to have infant car seats during the 32nd week of pregnancy, because they need to be set up in the car when you bring your baby home from the hospital.
What is the 2-hour car seat rule?
AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) says that the baby needs to be taken out of the car seat every two hours when you’re traveling.
