The best infant car seats, according to Consumer Reports

Keeping your infant safe on the rode is essential, but choosing the right car seat can be overwhelming. They all seem similar, and the price discrepancies between models can be befuddling.

Experts at Consumer Reports sorted through the noise for us, recommending the five infant car seats they think are the best after testing dozens.

“Based on almost 1,000 individual car seat installations and nearly 130 crash tests, CR’s infant car seat ratings represent a comprehensive and rigorous program that allows us to make distinctions between car seat models and offer clear recommendations,” Michael Bloch, who runs child seat testing at Consumer Reports, said. “They show the importance of buying based on test results rather than brand name or marketing slogan.”

Continue reading to see which car seats made the list — and why.

Screenshot: target.com

Consumer Reports praised this seat for its strong crash-test performance and easy installation process. Testers also found this high-rating seat particularly easy to install. While it has a lower weight limit of 22 pounds compared to other models, it offers good value for parents seeking a simple, effective option that, while expensive, is better priced than other top models.

Screenshot: cybex-online.com

This seat impressed testers with its excellent crash protection and built-in load leg and anti-rebound bar for safety. CR liked its rigid connectors, seat belt lockoff, and clear belt path markings. The seat accommodates babies up to 30 pounds or 32 inches, and it isn’t the priciest option on the list.

Screenshot: Clekinc.com

Consumer Reports highlighted Clek Liing’s top-tier crash protection, thank to a design that minimizes forward movement during impact. Installation is straightforward with either anchors or a seat belt, and it works well in smaller vehicles. The seat fits babies from 4 to 30 pounds or up to 32 inches long, and while it's cheaper than the Cybex, it still doesn't come cheap.

Screenshot: Babylist.com

Testers gave this seat high marks for crash protection when used with its load leg feature. Consumer Reports says its features make installation easy; testers also like that it fits babies up to 30 pounds or 32 inches.

Credit: Babylist.com

CR said this seat tested well across all categories. The model with the load leg feature received strong crash-protection ratings, and testers appreciated the tensioner feature that makes installation with either lower anchors or the seat belt more manageable. It’s one of the most expensive models on the list, though.