EmailBest Reviewed
Infant Car Seats
- Best car seat, more options Graco SnugRide *Est. $80
- Good basic infant car seat Baby Trend Flex-Loc *Est. $90
- Infant car seat for heavier babies Graco Infant SafeSeat Step 1 *Est. $130
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Graco SnugRide
Best car seat, more options
- Lightweight (7.5 pounds)
- Performs well in safety tests
- Easy to install
- Many colors and patterns
- Small sun canopy
- Straps can be tricky to adjust
- Fabric not very breathable
The Graco SnugRide infant car seat is a perennial favorite with professional and parent reviewers. The SnugRide gets top marks for ease of use and trouble-free installation, fares well in crash tests, has EPS foam for support and comes in a wide array of styles and colors. On the downside, some user reviews say the fabric is not very breathable. Infant car seats double as baby carriers, meaning you can take a sleeping baby out of the car without waking her. Parents say that, at 7.5 pounds without the base, the Graco SnugRide is easier to carry than most infant seats. One limitation is that the Graco SnugRide accommodates babies only up to 29 inches long and 22 pounds. The Graco Infant SafeSeat Step 1 (*Est. $130 to $185, depending on model) can accommodate babies weighing up to 30 pounds.
For infant car seats, two reviewers are consistent standouts: ConsumerReports.org and Baby Bargains (a baby-gear book). ConsumerReports.org rates the Graco SnugRide and 10 other infant seats according to how well they perform in laboratory testing for crash protection, ease of use, and fit to vehicle. Baby Bargains takes these results into consideration along with parent feedback and long-term performance history. We also consulted user reviews at ToysRUs.com, Target.com and Amazon.com.
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Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
ConsumerReports.org includes 11 models in its latest report on infant car seats. Each car seat, including the Graco SnugRide, is independently tested for crash protection, ease of use and fit to vehicle.
Review: Infant Car Seats, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, Aug. 2007
2. Baby BargainsDetails/Subscribe
The popular baby gear book Baby Bargains covers a good range of infant car seats including the Graco SnugRide. Ratings are based mainly on parent feedback.
Review: Infant Car Seats, Denise and Alan Fields, 7th Edition, Apr. 2007
The testing cited in this report really focuses on cars -- the car seats are not tested evenly. For instance, the Graco SnugRide is used much more often in crash tests than any other seat. It passed most of the 31 crash tests. The only perfect scores went to seats that were tested only once.
Review: Car Seat Tests Reveal 'Flaws', Patricia Callahan, March 1, 2009
4. Target.com
Most of the more than 300 reviews on Target.com give the Graco SnugRide perfect scores. Parents are enthusiastic about the SnugRide's broad selection of fabrics and patterns as well as its convenience, ease of use and overall value.
Review: Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seat Reviews, Contributors to Target.com
5. Amazon.com
More than 130 parents have posted reviews here for the Graco SnugRide car seat. Feedback is mainly positive with some varied complaints about the fabric and handle design.
Review: Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seat, Contributors to Amazon.com
6. ToysRUs.com
ToysRUs.com has more than 100 parent reviews of the Graco SnugRide infant car seat spread among pages for various model colors. Most say they like the SnugRide's comfort and sturdiness and find it easy to install and adjust.
Review: Graco SnugRide Infant Carseat Reviews, Contributors to ToysRUs.com
7. About.com
While no formal objective testing is apparent, Heather Corley is About.com's guide to baby products and a child-passenger safety technician. Corely rates the Graco Snugride fourth in this list of top five. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
Review: Top 5 Infant Car Seats, Heather Corley
Infant Car Seats Runners Up:
4 picks including: Amazon.com, Chicago Tribune…
3 picks including: About.com, Amazon.com…
Chicco KeyFit Infant Car Seat with Base Romantic
 from Amazon.com New: $169.99 In Stock.
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