The Most Inexpensive
infant car seat rear facing Car Seat Cheap
Many retailers offer payment plans as they realize that purchasing a car seat can be a financial burden for certain families.
Experts recommend looking for seats with features such as machine-washable fabrics (since babies make messes) and GreenGuard Gold certification. They also recommend focusing on things that will help you save down the road, like an rear-facing weight limit that can extend, as well as a belt path that allows the use of an underlying vehicle in Ubers and taxis.
1. Graco SnugRide 35 LX
The Graco SnugRide 35LX infant seat is designed to be affordable. It features a lightweight base and a carrier that is easy to set up correctly and is especially compatible with LATCH. The harness is easy-to-use and adjust, and the canopy offers excellent sun protection. The harness doesn't have a recline feature, but it does include a level indicator on the base.
Graco is a well-known name that produces top-quality products and this rear-facing, only infant car seat is no different. It is constructed from solid materials and has been subjected to rigorous safety testing in order to meet or exceed the minimum standards. It is also backed by a generous warranty to provide peace of mind for new parents.
In our car seat reviews we look for a number of different things in a
baby seat to assess how it does. We look at factors like safety, comfort and how easy it is to use. Additionally, we test the seat to see how it holds up to wear and wear and tear. We employ a variety of different methods to test each seat using side-by-side comparisons tests of crash and ergonomic tests. The Graco SnugRide is a great seat in all categories, but falls short in some areas, particularly in the area of padding and fabric. The head padding isn't the most comfortable and doesn't move with the shoulder straps as you adjust them. It's not a big issue but it could be improved.
This seat is among the lightest in the market, weighing only 7.5 pounds. It's a great option for those looking for a compact seat that will fit three people. It can be used with either American/standard or European belt routing that is a good option. The buckle has a square center button that's more comfortable to hold than the round buttons found on the majority of seats. It's also simple to tighten or loosen, even if you need to do it with a baby in your arms.
2. Evenflo LiteMax DLX
The LiteMax is a fantastic choice to parents looking for a seat that will fit preemies as well as newborns. It has a lower height for the harness than many infant seats and can be used with rear-facing infants as small as 4 pounds. Evenflo created this car seat to make it easy to use and comes with a variety of features. It comes with a buckle tongue holder, and the lock-off feature keeps the buckle from getting in the way when you put your baby in the seat or removing them from it. It also has a base that reclines into multiple positions.
The lower anchor connectors on the seat snap onto a bar under the base rim. The anchors are easy to remove and put in place, but they're not as convenient like those found on many other seats. The user manual is tucked into the fabric of the seat shell on the side. This can create an accident in the event that your child becomes sick or spills anything. We also don't like how the straps for latching tuck into the bottom of the seat when not in use.
Despite its low price, the LiteMax is well-made and comes with a substantial warranty. The customer service is exceptional. It is available via phone, email, or live chat, and representatives are all hours of the day to answer questions. They also offer video chat services to those who require assistance installing the car seat.
This car seat is easy to install and that is the reason parents love it. It is easy to set up and has easy-to-read directions. It has a stay in-car convenience base that is perfect for parents who have to pick up and drop off their children to school or at other places. It also comes with a canopy which protects the child from harmful sunrays and weather conditions. It also is compliant with all safety standards set by the federal government. It is also easy to maintain and cost-effective which makes it a great choice for new parents. The warranty covers the seat for a period of 10 years. This gives parents peace of mind that they will have the
newborn car seat insert seat for a long period of time.
3. Safety 1st Jive
The Safety 1st Jive 2-in-1 Convertible Car Seat keeps your kiddo safe from birth until they are ready for a booster. It converts seamlessly from an infant seat facing rear for children who weigh 5-40lbs to an forward-facing toddler or small child car seat that is suitable for children weighing between 22 and 65 pounds. This durability makes it a great option for families looking to save money, but don't want to swap seats between different stages.
Parents love the 5-point harness system which distributes the force across five contact points (shoulders and hips as well as between legs) to keep kids cradled in their seats. The Jive also has built-in Side Impact Protection and an adjustable height adjustment for the harness that can be adjusted to five different positions to help your child find a an ideal fit.
The Jive is the best option for many families, whether they're looking for a cheap infant car seat that will rear-face their child until three or four years old or a compact travel chair. It's fairly compact when reclining and can be used with lower anchors or a vehicle seat belt, using the "inside-out" technique for the easiest installation. The lightweight design is convenient for families who often utilize ride-sharing services or require a
car seat newborn seat for several kids.
The Jive is approved for use on planes and its small size makes it easy to transport in airports. Its fabric is both machine washable and dryer safe, which means you can quickly clean up any spills that may occur during your travels.
Although the Jive comes with a low harness slot, it's still too high for newborns. The harness will be 2+ inches higher than their shoulders when they have a torso that is 7" or smaller. This is a problem that occurs frequently with convertible seats, and we recommend avoiding these models for newborns.
The Jive is also quite heavy when used in the reclined position, however it can be used by using the inside-out method. Also, tightening the seatbelt from the bottom will make it easier to use. It's also fairly light for a convertible chair and can be bungee attached to the handle of your stroller using either a ratchet cord or bungee strap.
4. Safety 1st Jive Booster
The Jive is among the cheapest convertible car seats on the market. It is lightweight and can be used to rear-face kids up to the age of three, and to forward-face them until they are around five years old. It also has two permitted reclines for rear-facing. you can attach it using lower anchors or the vehicle seat belt (using the inside-out method of installation).
This seat offers a great combination of affordability and durability. This seat is not recommended for babies due to its high harness height. However, it should last for a lot of kids until they are ready to move on to booster seats. It's also a good option for families that frequently travel by taxis, ride-sharing services or airplanes. It's one of the lightest strollers you can purchase with a weight of just 10 pounds. It can even be connected to the handle of your stroller, or strapped on using a car seat belt strap or the ratchet strap.
There are a few problems with it, however. The lowest harness slot is 9" tall and is higher than the average height of children's torsos at birth. The headrest isn't as impressive as our top picks.