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In this report

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Infant Car Seats: Ratings of Sources

Total of 18 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. ConsumerReports.org
Not dated
Infant Car Seats
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentConsumerReports.org, the only U.S. non-government organization to perform independent crash testing for car seats, tests 28 of the most popular infant car seats in this report. Editors rank the seats according to how well they perform in lab tests for crash protection, ease of use and fit to vehicle.
2. Baby Bargains
Ninth edition
Infant Car Seats
by Denise and Alan Fields
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentWith an emphasis on value, safety and durability, this book provides useful shopping tips and recommendations on dozens of baby products. The authors conduct hands-on testing and interviews with parents, manufacturers and retailers to rate products. Write-ups are very thorough, including data regarding manufacturers' recall history. No crash tests are conducted, but information on ease of use, manufacturer reliability and child comfort is very helpful.
3. Babble.com
2011
Babble Best: Infant Car Seats
by Editors of Babble.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentCar seats aren't crash tested, but the 14 car seats are otherwise rated for ease of installation, carrying ease and seat weight. Also factored into the ratings are crash test scores from ConsumerReports.org and ease of use and fit-to-vehicle ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Infant car seats earning kudos include the Chicco KeyFit 30, Graco SnugRide 30 and the Maxi Cosi Mico. Readers vote the Safety 1st OnBoard 35 into the winners' circle as the Readers' Choice pick.
4. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
As of March 2012
Child Safety Seat Ease of Use Ratings
by Editors of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests about 30 infant car seats only for ease of use (including evaluation of labels and instructions, installation features and securing the child) and assigns a rating for individual categories and overall performance. Even more helpful, parents can click on each model to see a photo, comments and a detailed report about how each performs in testing. The reviews aren't dated, so we're not sure how recently testing has been conducted. Four car seats earn perfect scores for ease of use, including the Evenflo Serenade and The First Years Via.
5. Good Housekeeping
Not dated
Infant Car Seat Reviews
by Editors of Good Housekeeping magazine
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentA total of nine infant car seats are evaluated by editors of Good Housekeeping magazine, although formal ratings and rankings aren't offered. Both pros and cons are listed, however, and each model is evaluated on ease of use and installation, clarity of instructions, and height and weight limits.
6. BabyGizmo.com
Not dated
Infant Car Seats
by Editors of BabyGizmo.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentEditors of BabyGizmo.com conduct hands-on evaluations of dozens of models in various baby-product categories, including infant car seats. A useful buyer's guide includes the top five infant car seats. The Graco SnugRide 35 and Chicco KeyFit 30 receive detailed editors' evaluations, each earning a 5-star rating. An accompanying page lists dozens of infant car seats, some of which have been reviewed by editors and/or parents.
7. Viewpoints.com
As of March 2012
Infant Car Seat Reviews
by Contributors to Viewpoints.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis website allows visitors to post reviews and encourages contributors to identify themselves as "looking for value" or "busy mom," among other traits. About 65 car seats are listed here, and some get hundreds of reviews. Although average ratings are listed, they are so similar overall that it's hard to tell at a glance what model might be the best choice. Among infant seats, the Chicco KeyFit, Chicco KeyFit 30, Baby Trend Flex-Loc and Graco SnugRide are rated highest among models with 100 or more reviews. The site also features a pretty thorough buyer's guide, including information on choosing the right model, car seat laws and finding a car seat on a budget.
8. Amazon.com
As of March 2012
Infant Car Seats
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentParents posting at Amazon.com like the Graco SnugRide for a number of reasons, specifically the light weight, the detachable base that can remain in the car and the simple nature of the seat compared to competitors. The Chicco KeyFit 30 also receives many positive reviews, with an average rating of over 4 out of 5 stars.
9. ExpoTV.com
As of March 2012
Car Seat Video Reviews
by Contributors to ExpoTV.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis site features video reviews of various products, including infant car seats, and also allows owners to discuss the products. On the downside, some reviewers focus on appearance rather than performance. Most car seats have just one video review to date, although the Graco SnugRide has nearly 40 reviews. Still, it's clear many of the reviewers have a lot of personal experience using the car seats, which they are eager to share. One dad, for example, notes that the Graco SnugRide tipped to the side when his baby hit around 18 pounds.
10. Target.com
As of March 2012
Infant Car Seats
by Contributors to Target.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentTarget.com is a good source for parent-written reviews on car seats, but the infant car seat reviews are spotty. A few car seats earn high overall ratings from a substantial number of reviewers, including the Graco SnugRide 35 and the Chicco KeyFit 30. The most common complaint about all car seats is that they sometimes don't fit well in a given car.
11. ToysRUs.com
As of March 2012
Infant Car Seats
by Contributors to ToysRUs.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThe reviews are a bit sporadic on this site, and several of the infant car seats have only a few reviews posted. Although you can see the overall ratings for each car seat, you can't tell how many reviews it has on the main page. Some of the most popular models (like the Chicco KeyFit 30 and Graco SnugRide) have garnered hundreds of reviews and some good parent/user insights.
12. About.com
Not dated
Car Seat Reviews
by Heather Corley
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentHeather Corley, About.com's guide to baby products, reviews five infant car seats: the Britax Chaperone, the Chicco KeyFit 30, the Evenflo Serenade, Combi Shuttle 33 and Orbit Baby G2. Each review is detailed and includes "what I like" and "what I don't like" sections on the car seats' features. The Chicco KeyFit 30 is the only infant car seat awarded a perfect 5-star rating; the Orbit Baby G2 comes in a close second with a 4.5-star rating. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
13. Parents Magazine
Not dated
2011 Infant Car Seats
by Jessica Hartshorn
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentParents magazine recommends six infant car seats. However, only very brief descriptions are given, seats are not ranked and no information is shared as to why any particular seat is best.
14. Epinions.com
As of March 2012
Infant Car Seat Reviews
by Contributors to Epinions.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentMost of the infant car seats at Epinions.com receive only a handful of reviews. User-review sites like Viewpoints.com and Amazon.com are a much better source for ratings of infant car seats. As a result, Epinions.com is best used as a secondary resource for those who already have a specific infant car seat in mind.
15. About.com
Not dated
Top 4 Infant Car Seats
by Robin Elise Weiss
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentRobin Elise Weiss, About.com's guide to pregnancy, discusses several infant car seats, including the Graco SnugRide. However, it's not clear if these car seats were evaluated in person. Rather, Weiss says they are "top picks from experts." An accompanying buyer's guide is helpful. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
16. About.com
Not dated
Top 6 Infant Car Seats
by Heather Corley
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentHeather Corley, About.com's guide to baby products, picks six car seats based on her experience as a child-passenger safety technician. She finds these easy to install, durable over time and easy to adjust. She likes the Chicco KeyFit 30 because it's easy to fit in many vehicles and is fairly lightweight. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
17. CarSeatBlog.com
Child Safety Seat
by
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentA blog affiliated with Car-Seat.org, these car seat "mom experts" and bloggers offer detailed reviews of dozens of car seats, including top picks and recommendations. They focus on installation, ease of use, fit to child and fit to vehicle.
18. Which? magazine
As of March 2012
Child Car Seat Reviews
by Editors of Which? magazine
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentWhich? magazine is a British consumer magazine similar to ConsumerReports.org in the U.S. Which? has an excellent comparative review of over 100 car seats with ratings based on crash test results. Because this site is based in the U.K., most of the tested car seats are not available in the U.S., but Which? is great for European parents.
     
 

This is our assessment of the review’s relevance, clarity of testing and thoroughness.

Read more about our Ratings Criteria by clicking the link at the top of the page.
 
 
 
  
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