Let’s face it. You need the car seat for your child sometimes. Other times you need the back seat free for your friends when you go partying or are carpooling. Whatever the case maybe; the hassle of taking the car seat in and out remains and while you can’t do much about it; you can take the pain out of the hassle for sure.
Getting a light weight infant car seat will save you tons of time and even the mental anguish when you won’t have to dread picking up a lumpy seat in and out of the car. Discussed below are different features of the ideal light weight infant seat; make sure you find these features when you pick on a car seat to purchase.
Best Light Weight Infant Car Seats?Comparison?Table 2017
| name | rating | price | Dimensions and weight (pounds) | Maximum weight | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graco SnugRide Classic Connect Infant Car Seat | 4.2 | $ | 14.8 pounds 17.8 x 14.9 x 31.2 inches | 22 pounds | -High ratings by top consumer magazines -EPS foam for minimizing impact energy -Removable infant head cushion -Click it base for easy installation |
| Evenflo Tribute Sport Convertible Car Seat | 4.3 | $ | 12.1 pounds 27.6 x 18.5 x 19.8 inches | 40 pounds | -Compact size allows for easy fitting in vehicles -Front top harness for easy fastening -5 point harness system -Crash tested to meet safety standards |
| Evenflo SureRide DLX Convertible Car Seat | 4 | $ | 14.5 pounds 31.1 x 19.3 x 19.3 inches | 65 pounds | -6 shoulder strap -Removable body pillow -Front top harness for easy fastening |
| Graco SnugRide Click Connect Car Seat | 4 | $$ | 15 pounds 30.7 x 18.7 x 15.6 inches | 35 pounds | -5 point harness -Unisex usable -Forward and rear facing -Click it base |
| Maxi-Cosi Mico AP Infant Car Seat | 4 | $$ | 8 pounds 28.5 x 17.5 x 25.5 inches | 22 pounds | -Ranked as the lightest car seat -Premium fabrics -Flip-out visor |
Important Factors to Consider
A good car seat will be having the following features; most, if not all, of them. They focus on different aspects of improving handling; light weight in itself is not the only aspect.
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Impact Tested –A Strong and Safe Design
Never lose sight of your main purpose. While convenience is definitely something you could do with; a car seat the equivalent of an egg shell is a potential risk. Get a car seat with a crash tested guarantee. E.g the Graco SnugRide Click Connect Car Seat has been crash tested and it is certified as it performed well in all US safety standards tests. Add to that the EPS foam and you get a reliable car seat. (EPS foam helps distribute the energy from an impact evenly and to the less vulnerable areas for minimizing any damage to your child)
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Strong Harness
The harness contributes to weight as well. Consider a harness made from lighter materials but again, as mentioned earlier, safety first. A 5-point harness helps not only in overall stability but also in ensuring your child is safe and snug inside his seat in event of a side impact collision.
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Detachable ‘Click-Able’ Base
A click-able base is exactly as the name suggests. Many seats come with a base such as the Graco SnugRide 35 LX Car Seat . A base saves you the hassle of having to fix in a car seat all over again. The car seat detaches from the base when you need to take it out and securely fits back into place when needed. This greatly reduces weight as all the fastening straps, etc. are eliminated because the base plays their role.
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Additional Cushions
After some deliberation, manufacturers came to the conclusion to make a one size fits all car seat. While this may not sound right to some parents; the answers that follow will. Car seats come with purpose built additional cushions. These fit right in with the seat like a mold. They have a ‘filler’ effect and ensure your little one is fastened in snugly. This also helps reduce weight as you can remove these extra cushions as and when needed.
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Compact Size
While you may be thinking a convertible car seat; what really matters is light weight. Consider something such as the Maxi-Cosi Mico Car Seat. It uses air protection as side impact safety and employs a cotton fabric which, on the whole, allows you to get an easy to carry seat without the need for converting it. This way you don’t even have to wake your sleeping baby just to get her/him out of the car.
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Accessories for Convenience
Detachable accessories will be a God send here. Seats such as the Evenflo SureRide DLX Convertible Car Seat?come with a removable cup holder, removable body pads and so on. These detachable devices provide you with some flexibility and help in customizing the seat as per your needs; you can lighten your load accordingly!
Conclusion
Coming to a conclusion, when getting a good light car seat; the above features should form your priorities in order given above. Consider these points and you’ll get an easy to use car seat. Check out the comparison chart for some benchmark products as well.
Further Reading on Best?Infant Car Seats
- Top 5 And Bottom 5 Safest Infant Car Seat Revealed
- How Many Different Car Seats A Child Needs Growing Up
- Best Infant Car Seats For Twins
- Best Infant Car Seats For Small Car
- Best Infant Car Seats For Girls
- Best Infant Car Seats And Stroller Combo
- Best Infant Car Seats under $50
- Best Infant Car Seats Under $100
- Best Light Weight Infant Car Seats
- What Are The Laws On Infant Car Seats
- What Is A Convertible Seat And Is It Better
- Do Infant Car Seats Need A Base
- Do Infant Car Seats Have Expiration Dates
- How to Install An Infant Car Seat
- Can Infant Car Seat Face Forwards
- Complete Baby Car Seats Recall List 2014, Must Read Before You Buy Anything
- Best Infant Car Seats For Tall Babies
