Types of car seats and a list of the best options

When purchasing a  car seat, deciding on which one for your family can be a tough decision. Here are the three different types of car seats available, how to use them, and a list of the best options for each on the market today.

Infant Car Seats

Infant car seats are great because of their portability and compatibility. The infant car seat easily attaches to the compatible car seat base and any compatible stroller - and no worries about waking the baby as they sleep! Baby will be in an infant carrier until they are at least two years or 35 pounds.

Best Pick: The Nuna PIPA LITE

The  Nuna Pipa Lite features a removable, full coverage two position UPF 50+ canopy with flip out eyeshade, and integrated harness holders to help when buckling baby in, four position on-the-go recline, and 4 position adjustable rigid latch to remove or reduce the gap between vehicle seat and base. The locking 3 piece steel stability leg has a wide range of adjustment to fit most vehicles including middle seats, and 5 second steel reinforced True lock installation makes set up swift, simple and above all - safe. 

The colored installation indicators confirm correct connections to the vehicle and indicators on the stability leg turn green when in proper contact with the vehicle floor. It includes belt guides, an anti rebound panel, an automatic rigid latch storage and extra convenient stability leg storage with lock.

The aeroflex foam that is cleverly lightweight, resilient, and minimizes force transferred to baby by absorbing and diffusing energy, and is created from materials that are carefully curated and include aerospace aluminum and feather weight fabrics. 

The five point harness keeps little ones in place at all times, also includes a crumple zone within the stability leg that absorbs impact and also minimizes force transferred to the baby with side impact protection. Each element is smartly sourced to be both flame resistant and contain no added fire retardant chemicals. The removable headrest’s patented Tailor tech memory foam provides a comfortable custom fit and grows with the baby and the comfortable organic jersey insert is removable for growing babies. The bubble free recline angle guides clearly confirm the perfect riding angle.

The  PIPA Lite R connects with all Nuna and select premium strollers to create a tasteful travel system. However, the Pipa Lite R must be installed in a vehicle with the accompanying RELX base (or sold separately from the PIPA series base). It is FAA certified for aircraft when used with base and the base itself is low profile for easier loading of infant seats. The luxe leatherette accented carry handle allows parents to tote elegantly with ease, and the removable head and body infant inserts grow with the baby. The heavy duty shell is super resilient yet ultra lightweight, weighing in at a mere 5.3 pounds, the PIPA Lite R is the lightest USA infant car seat along with Nuna's PIPA lite and is available in caviar and granite.

Convertible Car Seats

Convertible car seats are great too, but they stay secured in the car. They can be rear facing from birth to two years, and when the baby is old enough, can be moved to front facing. However, the common misconception is that the convertible car seat can be removed from the car and placed in a stroller as well. They are not portable - they are a fixed part of the car when installed. Infant car seats and seats are good for any car and can be moved back and forth, but there needs to be one convertible car seat in each car. Most convertible car seats are from birth up, which means that the baby will be in the same seat from day one. Some even come with boosters to use when they are older.

Best Pick: The Nuna RAVA

The  RAVA includes ten-position recline angle guides that clearly confirm the perfect riding angle. The laid back legroom gives up to 2 inches more leg room rear facing and extra support for forward facing riders. The ventilation panels within the shell are breathable (and washable!) knit fabric creates a comfy climate for even the longest of trips. The sturdy all steel frame and reinforced belt path for superior protection and is aircraft certified to travel everywhere and beyond. The RAVA has no added fire retardant chemicals, includes muscle free True tension™ doors ensure an ultra-secure fit without the struggle, and a no rethread 5 point harness. The energy absorbing foam and side impact protection (SIP) pods take side impact security to the next level. The RAVA exceeds American safety standards. Our RAVA convertible car seat is filled with little extras like laid back legroom, fuss-free adjustments, and our unique simply™ secure installation that makes setup a snap, all while being FR-free. The RAVA is available in Verona, granite, frost, caviar, rose, and lake.

Boosters

Boosters are seats that children sit on and use the car’s seat belt to buckle them in. These car seats are used for when the baby is much much bigger - up to 8 years in age or over 4 foot 9 inches in height. Some convertible car seats also have the ability to convert to a booster when that time comes.

Best Pick: The Nuna EXEC

The  nuna EXEC is a sturdy and safe addition for your growing child. Each element is smartly sourced to be both flame resistant and contain no added fire retardant chemicals, so the seat is doubly safe for the baby at all times. Its simply secure installation includes adjustable anti-rebound panel and leg rest combination provides extended rear facing comfort and gives additional leg room forward facing. The EXEC’s recline angle guides clearly confirm the perfect riding angle. The no rethread five-point harness easily stores inside the seat for booster mode. It promises to be hassle-free though the same set of simple instructions allow you to install with confidence every time. The EXEC offers to have children rear facing up to 50 pounds and its muscle-free true tension doors ensure an ultra-secure fit without the struggle. Its energy absorbing foam and side impact protection (SIP) pods take side impact security to the next level, and it's all steel frame and reinforced belt path for superior protection. The infant head and body inserts are removable to grow with the baby and are aircraft certified to travel anywhere and everywhere with comfort and ease. It fits three across in most midsize vehicles and its ventilation panels within the shell and breathable (and washable) knit fabric create a comfy climate for even the longest of trips. Pictured here with the foot bar up, your baby will be able to lay comfortably at all times. The toddler booster easily moves, and the seat reclines to allow easy access to the back row. Nuna's preferred installation method is the Vehicle Seat Belt as it eliminates confusion of when to switch from Lower Anchors to Vehicle Seat Belt, fits more vehicle makes, and fits more seating positions.