The best car seats for the city

Car seats. They keep your precious cargo safe. But when you live in the city, safety isn’t the only factor. Indeed, there are a lot of options and features to consider, and many car seats out there can be quite expensive. So choosing the right one for your family can feel overwhelming, if not impossible. Since it is child passenger safety week, we decided to do the bulk of the work for you and have picked the car seats that experts and parents alike tout as the crème de la crème.

From those with narrow frames to those that are easy to install, here are 13 options that urban parents should seriously consider.

NARROW

Diono radian rXT. If you’re a city dweller with a small car or a large family of five, you may want to opt for a car seat with a smaller frame. The Diono radian rXT is only 17 inches wide, which means you can fit three across the backseat of most midsize cars. It also provides major longevity, since it can be used for an infant and can even converts into a booster seat. Plus, the frame folds flat for storage and travel. That being said, it isn’t the easiest car seat on our list to install, nor is it the lightest. So it’s probably best for parents who plan to keep it installed in one main car. $299, buy here.

Clek Fllo. The Clek Fllo also features a narrow footprint and fits three to a vehicle’s backseat. Clek Fllo is known for its safety features, including an included anti-rebound bar, advanced side impact protection, steel frame construction and energy absorbing technology. An added safety benefit, this car seat allows for extended rear-facing of up to 50 lbs and 43 inches. Like the Diono, all those safely features make it quite heavy and can take a little more time to install. But we love it because we can trust that it’s with us for the long haul. $379, buy here.

LIGHT

Nuna PIPA lite. The lightest infant car seat on the market is none other than the Nuna Pipa lite, weighing in at an astonishing 5.3 lbs! This revolutionary car seat is brand new for 2017 and is about to make the lives of many parents a whole lot easier. You’ll barely need to lift a finger to transfer baby from the car to the stroller. Although the PIPA lite is just that — super light — a word of warning for you city mamas, it is not equipped with a European Belt Path and therefore cannot be used in taxis without the base. If being able to use a lightweight car seat in a taxi is important to you, the Nuna Pipa only weighs 2 lbs more. $299, buy here.

Maxi Cosi Pria 70 with TinyFit. The Maxi-Cosi Pria 70 with TinyFit is the lightest weight convertible car seats on our roundup but that does not mean it skimps on safety or functionality. In fact, the Pria 70, which holds children from 4-70 lbs and 52 inches tall, utilizes Air Protect technology for advance side impact protection and FlexTech technology, providing multi-directional energy management in the case of an accident. The TinyFit system adds a few extra pounds to this car seat initially, but once your baby hits 18 lbs, it can be removed making for a car seat that weights in around 20 lbs. $289, buy here.

CONVERTIBLE FROM INFANT TO TODDLER

Chicco Fit2. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children ride rear-facing for the first 2 years of life. Since most children outgrow their infant car seat between 12-18 months, before you know it, you’ll be upgrading to a bigger seat. But not with the brand new 2017 Chicco Fit2 Infant & Toddler car seat. With its 2 Stage design, parents are able to follow the AAP’s recommendation without the need of purchasing a convertible car seat before their child’s second birthday. Stage 1 is designed for infants 0-12 months, and Stage 2 situates toddlers in a safe and comfortable rear-facing position while taking up no extra space in your back seat. $279, buy here.

Graco 4Ever Extend2Fit 4-in-1. If you’re willing to forgo an infant car seat, the Graco 4Ever Exend2Fit 4-in-1 is the only car seat you’ll ever need. This car seat fits the tiniest of newborns, starting at just 4 lbs, and safely holds children all the way up to 120 lbs. What’s special about the Graco 4Ever is that just because it grows with your child doesn’t mean it compromises in the comfort department. With a plush newborn insert, 6-position recline options and a 10-position head rest adjustment, this car seat will keep your child safe and comfy for nearly 10 years of use. $349, buy here.

EASY TO INSTALL

4moms self-installing. Though installing your car seat properly is the most important first step you can take for your little one’s safety, many car seats are difficult to install. Original and ingenious as always, the 4moms came up with self-installing car seat, which makes a perfect installation effortless and worry free. Parent’s must use a compatible smart device and the car seat’s base to take advantage of the auto-installation. But this 4moms infant car seat can also be used without the base, making it possible to take along on quick taxi rides around the city. $499, buy here.

Britax Boulevard ClickTight. Installing the Britax Boulevard ClickTight car seat is super simple with very little room for error. The ClickTight technology allows you to quickly install this convertible car seat using the vehicle’s existing seat belt. So there’s no additional LATCH belt to install, and no need for wiggling and tugging the car seat into place. Aside from the assurance of knowing your car seat is installed correctly, the Boulevard is packed with safety features, including two layers of side-impact protection and a Click & Safe Snug Harness Indicator, which ensures the harness is the perfect fit for your little one. $379, buy here.

INNOVATIVE

Doona. If you’re looking for an infant car seat that performs more than one trick, the Doona from SimpleParenting is what you need. It’s the only car seat that doubles as a stroller, taking the ‘travel system’ to a whole new level. Simply remove the Doona from your car, and with one simple motion, the wheels extend down into a functioning stroller. It makes it incredibly quick and easy for getting around town. Even better, the design of the Doona offers extra side impact protection, and the handle bar acts as a built-in anti-rebound bar, making it both convenient and safe. $499, buy here.

Cybex Could-Q. When transferring baby from car to stroller, many parents worry about their little one remaining in a cramped position for too long. The Cloud-Q has solved this very problem with the first car seat with a reclined position. The Cloud-Q has two positions, a traditional setting for when used in a car and a second flat position setting for when used on a stroller. This car seat is also paired with a base that boasts extra safety measures as well as an easy installation. $399, buy here.

Britax Endeavours. Britax’s newest infant car seat is sure to keep your new bundle safe. In fact, its anti-rebound bar, which is made of steel and is higher than most anti-rebound bars out there, can minimize potential rebound rotation by 30 percent in the event of a car crash. Plus, the European belt path lets you install your car seat safely without a base, which is perfect for city dwellers who often get in and out of cabs. $299, buy here.

FOR OLDER KIDS

Mifold. Once your child has outgrown his convertible car seat, he’ll graduate to a booster. Suitable for children up to 120 lbs or 57″, the Mifold keeps your kiddo safe while riding around town — perfect for families living in the city. It’s so tiny and lightweight, it can easily fit inside your child’s backpack, which is great for carpooling and after-school playdates. A 30-second installation means your child can ride safe no matter the circumstance, whether it be a quick taxi ride or a trip overseas. $39, buy here.

Clek Olli. Just like many of the booster options out there, the Olli is extremely portable while still providing comfort and safety to your “big little ones.” It weighs a mere 5 pounds and has a convenient start for transporting it from one place to the next, which is a feature our kids love. Plus, they have a coulee of playful prints to choose from. Great for everyday use all around. $99, buy here.

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