See All Infant Car Seats

BabyTrend Flex-Loc

*Est. $100

Reviewed

March 2012

by ConsumerSearch

Pros

Performs well in safety tests
Triangular handle
Comfortable for baby
Holds heavier/taller babies

Cons

Some say straps are too short
Doesn't install well using a vehicle seat belt
Handle sticks
Difficult to detach from base

Where to Buy

for $89.99

Our Analysis
Specs
22 Amazon Reviews

The Baby Trend Flex-Loc infant car seat does well overall in expert and user reviews and in objective safety tests. Owners give it high marks for adjustability and ease of use. The Baby Trend Flex-Loc's most unusual feature is its triangular handle, which many parents say is comfortable to hold. Owners generally don't report trouble installing the Flex-Loc, although there are a few complaints that the base doesn't fit snugly in all cars and some parents say it doesn't detach from its base easily. The Flex-Loc comes in more than 30 colors/patterns and holds babies up to 30 pounds and 30 inches tall.

There are a few downsides, such as its less-than-perfect fit in some vehicles. In addition, the car seat doesn't install well using a vehicle seat belt. The most common complaint, however, is that the handle sticks, making it difficult to adjust. Among budget-priced, higher-capacity infant car seats, we found better reviews for the Safety 1st OnBoard 35 Air (*Est. $160).

ConsumerReports.org is the only source to lab-test each car seat before rating it, making it the most credible reviewer of the Baby Trend Flex-Loc infant car seat. A top-rated baby gear book takes ConsumerReports.org's findings into consideration but also broadens the context with parent feedback and brand performance history. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration evaluates ease of installation and ease of use for about 30 car seats. Babble.com names the top car seats for 2011, while the owner-written reviews at Walmart.com are a good place to find out how parents feel about the Flex-Loc's comfort, convenience and aesthetics.

Safety 1st OnBoard 35 Air Infant Car Seat, Decatur

from Amazon.com

New: $236.37

Average Customer Review:

Where To Buy

Baby Trend Flex-Loc Infant Car Seat, Chickadee

(9 reviews)
Buy new: $89.99 5 New from $89.99

In Stock. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping

Our Sources

1. ConsumerReports.org

ConsumerReports.org's latest report on infant car seats includes the Baby Trend Flex-Loc along with 27 other models, each of which is evaluated for crash protection, ease of use and fit to vehicle.

Review: Infant Car Seats, Editors of ConsumerReports.org

2. Baby Bargains

Denise and Alan Fields include the Baby Trend Flex-Loc in their well-researched coverage of infant car seats. Ratings are based mainly on parent feedback, ratings from NHTSA and ConsumerReports.org.

Review: nfant Car Seats, Denise and Alan Fields, Ninth edition

3. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Editors rate about 30 car seats for ease of use and installation. The Baby Trend Flex-Loc earns an overall ease of use rating of 4 stars out of 5, and it earns a perfect 5-star rating for installation features.

Review: Baby Trend Flex-Loc, Editors of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

4. Babble.com

Babble.com takes into consideration crash test ratings from ConsumerReports.org, and ease of use and fit-to-vehicle ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Flex-Loc is named a readers' choice pick, thanks to votes from readers. However, editors are quick to point out that owners frequently complain that the handle sticks and the harness clasp is difficult to detach.

Review: Readers' Choice Infant Car Seats: Baby Trend Flex-Loc Infant Car Seat, Editors of Babble.com, 2011

5. Walmart.com

Most of the more than 70 reviews of the Baby Trend Flex-Loc on this site are positive, but a couple say they find the seat cushioning too firm, the adjustments difficult and the seat too heavy. Overall, the Flex-Loc maintains an impressive average rating of 4.6 stars out of 5.

Review: Baby Trend - Flex Loc 30 Infant Car Seat, Contributors to Walmart.com

Graco SnugRide 35 *Est. $170

7 picks by top review sites.

BabyTrend Flex-Loc *Est. $100

4 picks including: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Walmart.com…

Graco SnugRide *Est. $90

4 picks including: About.com, Amazon.com…

Graco SnugRide 30 *Est. $140

4 picks including: Amazon.com, Parents.com…

Orbit Baby G2 *Est. $400

3 picks by top review sites.

Cybex Aton *Est. $230