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The Best Infant Safety Car Seats under $500

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$500
★ Top Choice
♥ Runner Up

Peg Perego

Primo Viaggio 4-35

BUY NOW

From $299.99

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Hybrid Magic

Chicco KeyFit 30

★ Top Choice
BUY NOW From $199.99

Features

  • 5-point harness adjusts with one hand. Booster mode backless feature is not present.
  • No.1 rated infant car seat in America.
  • Spring-assisted level foot, bubble levels, and ''Center-Pull'' adjustment for easiest installation.
  • Full body inserts for newborns 4-11 pound to protect smaller babies.
  • The easiest infant car seat to install.

Pros

  • ⊕ Price.
  • ⊕ Easy to install.
  • ⊕ Reasonable price.
  • ⊕ Easy to install LATCH.
  • ⊕ Easy LATCH installation.

Cons

  • ⊖ Heavier.
  • ⊖ Coarse fabric.
  • ⊖ Rougher fabric.
  • ⊖ Hard to install w/out the base.

Specs

  • Car Seat Weight: 9.6 lbs.
  • Child Weight/Height Guidelines: 4 to 30 lbs and up to 30 inches.

Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35

♥ Runner Up
BUY NOW From $299.99

Features

  • Car seat dimensions: 25.9 x 17.0 x 23.9 inches and base dimensions: 21.6 x 14.6x 11.5 inches . Side impact protection adjusts to six different positions with no rethreading required, protecting baby's head and shoulders at any growth stage.
  • Dual stage cushion system-first stage for 4 pound and up offers extra support on baby's neck and bottom, second stage correctly supports growing baby, both help to keep baby's head properly positioned and are made of our fresco jersey breathable fabric.
  • Innovative shell design optimizes baby's safety and comfort, the well fitted upholstery features the best of Italian textile and tailoring tradition. UPF 50+ protection.
  • Patent handle and seat design have color coded belt paths to help in belt routing if base is not in use, short compact handle makes it easy to move seat in and out of the car. Infinite recline and tri-zone level indicator.
  • Made In Italy. Rear facing infant car seat for babies 4 to 35 pounds and up to 32 inches tall; Includes a base with an integrated anit-rebound bar.

Pros

  • ⊕ Easy install.
  • ⊕ Anti-rebound bar.
  • ⊕ Better crash test results.
  • ⊕ High quality & comfortable.
  • ⊕ Easy to install w/out the base.

Cons

  • ⊖ Heavier.
  • ⊖ Higher price.
  • ⊖ Few strollers are compatible.
  • ⊖ Harder to install with LATCH.
  • ⊖ Harder to install LATCH system.

Specs

  • Shoulder Harness Positions: 6.
  • Crotch Strap Positions: 1.
  • Locking Handle Positions: 5.
  • Load Leg: No.
  • Max Passenger Height: 32".
  • Built in Lock Off: Yes.
  • Minimum Passenger Weight: 4 lbs.
  • Max Passenger Weight: 35 lbs.
  • Seat Weight: 9.6 lbs.
  • Belt Routing Style: European.
  • Recline Positions: Infinite.
  • Allowed Handle Positions For Auto Travel: 1 for Base Install (even with the top of the seat), 1 for Seat Only Install (all the way forward).

DOONA Combo

Best All-in-One Infant Car Seat
BUY NOW From $499

Features

  • USAGE: Suitable from 4 lbs. to 35 lbs, Max. 32 Inches Height, Rear facing only, Car Seat weighs 16.5 lbs, Base weighs 10.3 lbs.
  • COLOR: All Black Patterned Textile Fabric, New Stretch Material Canopy in Flame Red, New Stretch Material Shoulder Pads in Flame Red, New and Improved Breathable Inner Foams, Charcoal Aluminum Handle, Dark Grey Bamboo Infant Insert, Dark Gray Bamboo Head Support with Memory Foam.
  • PRODUCT DIMENSIONS: Folded: 23.6x17.3x26 Inches; Unfolded: 39x17.3x32.2 Inches; Weight: 16.5 Lbs.
  • INCLUDED IN THE BOX: Doona Infant Car Seat, Doona Bamboo Infant Insert, Doona Bamboo Head Support, Doona Vehicle Seat Protector, Doona Base.
  • PRODUCT FEATURES & BENEFITS: One simple motion operation – From car seat to stroller in seconds, 5-point harness, adjustable handlebar - also acts as an anti-rebound bar inside the car, 3 Layer Side Impact Protection, removable and washable fabric, highest safety & quality standards, TUV and FAA Aircraft Approved for travel, baby Safe materials & breathable textiles, 2 years manufacturer's warranty.

Pros

  • ⊕ Innovative.
  • ⊕ Easy to use.
  • ⊕ It's a stroller!.
  • ⊕ Stroller capability.
  • ⊕ Excels at city life.

Cons

  • ⊖ Price.
  • ⊖ Heavy.
  • ⊖ Hard to carry.
  • ⊖ Lower crash results.
  • ⊖ Heavy for a car seat.

Specs

  • Car Seat Weight: 14.3 lbs.
  • Child Weight/Height Guidelines: 4 to 35 lbs and up to 32 inches.