The safety of your child is your number one priority, and that includes the car seat they ride in. The best car seats can keep up with your child’s growth and are easy to install, so you’ll want to make sure your child’s seat is installed correctly. Installing a car seat can be a pain, especially if you’re working with a tight space and your child’s seat is heavy. That’s why it’s helpful to have a car seat base to make things easier.
But not all bases are created equal, and if you’re shopping for a seat and a base separately, keep in mind that not all seats fit all bases. In fact, finding the right fit can be a real pain. To help make things easier, we rounded up the best child safety car seat bases for a variety of needs, including finding one for smaller cars, selecting a model that works with multiple seats, and finding a durable option.
Read on for our best child safety car seat bases.
Our Editor’s Best Child Safety Car Seat Bases Reviews
- 4-position adjustable base helps ensure an accurate install and helps keep baby comfortable as he or she grows
- Easy-to-read level indicator helps eliminate guesswork from the installation process, so you can feel confident it’s installed correctly
- Easy installation of stay-in-car base using LATCH system
- Graco ProtectPlus Engineered: a combination of the most rigorous crash tests that helps to protect your child in frontal, side, rear & rollover crashes; additional testing based on the New Car Assessment Program and for extreme car interior temperatures
- Create your own travel system with most Graco strollers through a one-step secure attachment
- For use with the Safety 1st onBoard35 LT infant car seat
- Adjustable base
- LATCH equipped
- Stay-in-car base prevents spending time transferring base from car to car
- STAY-IN-CAR BASE – Conveniently transfer infant seat from vehicle to vehicle with an additional car seat base. Click-in attachment for all Chicco KeyFit and KeyFit 30 infant car seats (sold separately).
- LATCH-EQUIPPED BASE – Force-multiplying SuperCinch tightener helps achieve a secure fit of the baby seat with a fraction of the effort.
- ACCURATE INSTALL – ReclineSure spring-loaded leveling foot works in tandem with RideRight bubble level-indicators to verify proper base angle.
- VEHICLE SEAT PROTECTION – A smooth underside on the baby car seat base helps protect vehicle seat from damage.
- Added convenience with the option of extra bases for your multiple vehicles
- ADD AN EXTRA BASE: Works exclusively with your Evenflo LiteMax and SafeMax Infant Car Seats for extended use for children weighing from 3 to 30 lb
- SWAP VEHICLES WITH EASE: Installing car seat bases in multiple vehicles makes moving your child from one car to another convenient for multiple caregivers and multi-vehicle families
- INSTALL WITH CONFIDENCE IN NO TIME: Offers SureSafe LATCH technology for secure installation in seconds, as well as vehicle belt lock-off
- ADJUST WITH EASE: 4-position adjustment and pendulum level indicator help to ensure proper installation
- KNOW THAT SAFETY IS A PRIORITY: Meets or exceeds all applicable Federal Safety Standards as well as additional testing for structural integrity, rollover performance and temperature effects.
- LITEMAX ACCESSORY BASE: To be used ONLY with LiteMax Infant Car Seats
- KNOW THAT SAFETY IS A PRIORITY: Meets or exceeds all applicable Federal Safety Standards as well as additional testing for structural integrity, rollover performance and temperature effects
- RECLINE INDICATOR: Base includes an easy-to-read pendulum level, indicating when the seat is properly leveled in the vehicle for a precise installation
- BELT LOCK-OFF: Helps provide a secure vehicle-belt installation
- Great to use in second parents or grandparents' vehicles for easy car seat installation and transition
- Flip Foot recline for optimal recline angle
- Bubble level to quickly tell if base and seat are level
- LATCH connectors for quick and easy installation
- Lightweight, perfect for use on-the-go
- Place a base in your second car for easy car seat transfer
- Compatible with Latch and non-Latch equipped vehicles: Fully compatible with Pre-2002 Non-Latch equipped vehicles via vehicle seat belts
- Ease of installation
- LATCH connectors
- Adjustable base with multiple recline positions
- Anti-Rebound Bar provides an additional layer of rear-facing safety
- SnugLock technology installs in less than one minute using vehicle seat belt or LATCH
- InRight LATCH provides a 1-second LATCH attachment for quick installation
- Adjustable base offers 5 recline positions, providing the right position for proper installation
- Easy-to-read bubble level indicator helps eliminate installation guesswork
- 1. UPGRADE: The use of the elastic adjustment buckle, product is more convenient to use and fixing not easy to fall off,which can easily fix the childsaet. Note: This isofix interface is FIT for all US standard ISOFIX interface, suitable for most models. The length of the product is 65 inches. Please check whether car's seat has an ISOFIX socket and length required before purchasing.(The socket is located at the bottom of the rear seat of the car, so you need to touch it with your hand.)
- 2. ADJUSTABLE LOCK BUTTON: This ISOFIX interface is the new version one which can adjustable car lock button can withstand 15,000N pulling force which makes it better for your-kids.
- 3. FUNCTION: It can be used for any car with ISOFIX connector or LATCH connector. It is strong and durable.
- 4. MATERIAL & TECHNOLOGY: High quality plastic 757, stainless steel and high strength polyester ribbon, strict sewing, etc.
- 5. EASY INSTALL: This is a easy-use car connector for fixed childsaet that can save your time and energy very well.
- SnugLock Technology: Installs in less than one minute using vehicle seat belt or LATCH* *GoMax infant car seat can be installed without a base due to the built-in Insta-Install Rigid LATCH
- 4 Recline Positions + Bubble Level Indicator. Customize the base angle for the best vehicle fit and use the easy-to-read bubble level to confirm the correct rear-facing position
- Insta-Install Rigid LATCH Connectors. Built-in rigid LATCH provides a rock-solid attachment and also allows the GoMax infant car seat to be installed quickly without the base when needed
- Only compatible with the Graco GoMax Infant Car Seat
- The safest place outside your arms
Best Child Safety Car Seat Bases Buying Guide
Before choosing the best child safety car seat base you should consider following options:
1. Installation Style: All car seats come with either an LATCH or a belt-positioning system.
LATCH stands for ‘lower anchorages and T-harness’.
This is a car seat base that uses a T-shaped clip that fits into anchor points in the car, usually found in the middle of the back seat.
Some models of LATCH base may also have a top tether which connects the back of the car seat to the top of the car. This helps to keep the car seat stable.
Belt-positioning systems are ones where you attach the car seat to the back of the driver’s or passenger’s seat using the regular seat belts.
2. Types of Car Seat Base: There are two types of car seat bases to consider:
FIXED: This is a permanent car seat base that is installed in your car. It’s great if you only have one car, or if you plan on staying in that car for a long time.
REMOVABLE: This is a portable car seat base so you can take it with you. It’s great if you share a car with others, or if you have multiple cars.
3. Where You’re Going: Your destination will also determine which type of car seat base you need. If you travel with your car seat a lot, then a removable base is best.
If you only use your car seat occasionally, a fixed car seat base is a good option. If you’re only traveling short distances, then you can get away with using the regular car’s seat belt to strap in your car seat.
4. Where You’re Staying: If you’re staying in one place for a long time, then you can get away with using your car’s standard seat belts to secure your car seat. This is great for places like RVs where people plan on staying in one place for a long time.
If you’re moving around a lot, then you’ll need a car seat base. The car seat base will allow the car seat to lock in place so it doesn’t move around while you’re driving.
5. Available Space: If you have a very small car, then you may have a hard time fitting in a regular car seat base. In that case, you can get away with using a pool noodle as a makeshift car seat base.
If you have an abundance of backseat space, then you can get away with a regular car seat base.
What else you should know about child safety car seat bases
1. What are the best child safety car seat bases?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on individual circumstances and preferences. Some of the most popular child safety car seat bases include the Graco SnugRide Click Connect 30/35 LX, the Chicco KeyFit 30, and the Britax Marathon ClickTight.
2. How do I install a child safety car seat base?
Most child safety car seat bases will have installation instructions included. In general, you will need to first determine which seat in your vehicle is the best location to install the base, then follow the instructions to install it securely.
3. What are the different types of child safety car seat bases?
There are many different types of child safety car seat bases, but the most common are the 5-point harness base, the convertible base, and the booster seat base.
4. How do I know if my child safety car seat base is installed correctly?
There are a few ways to tell if your child safety car seat base is installed correctly. One way is to check the manufacturer’s instructions to see if the base is installed according to their specifications. Another way is to sit in the car seat and try to move the seat back and forth; if the seat moves more than an inch, the base is not installed correctly.
5. What are the safety features of child safety car seat bases?
Most child safety car seat bases have a five-point harness system to keep your child secure in the seat. The base also has a built-in recline feature to keep your child comfortable and an adjustable headrest to support your child’s head and neck. Additionally, many bases have a tether strap that secures the seat to the vehicle’s seatback to prevent it from moving during a collision.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best child safety car seat bases. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best child safety car seat bases will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.