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Ratings  Infant car seats

Below is the Ratings chart for infant car seats. Models are organized by type and listed by overall score, from best to worst.
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Brand and model
The designation for the item we tested. Untested models that are similar, and should perform comparably, are listed in small type under the tested model. When included, brackets indicate the color code of the model we tested; similar models appear with empty brackets since more than one color may be available. Note that additional letters or numbers may be appended for a particular sample of the model to signify year manufactured, or other such information.

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Price
An approximate retail price.

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Overall score
Overall score is based on a "pass" for crash protection, and scores for ease of use and fit to vehicle, in LATCH and belt modes, using the car seat with its base.

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Test results
Results based mainly on evaluations performed in our testing labs. For information on specific attributes and tests, click on the icon below the column title.

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Overall score
Overall score is based on a "pass" for crash protection, and scores for ease of use and fit to vehicle, in LATCH and belt modes, using the car seat with its base.

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Crash protection

We hired a contract lab to perform crash tests to the government standards as dictated by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213. Crash tests simulate a head-on 30-mph crash with a 22-pound instrumented test dummy representing an average-sized 12-month-old child.



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Ease of use

Includes the clarity of instructions, installing the seat, adjusting harness positions, placing a child in the seat, securing the harness, and removing the child.



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Fit to vehicle

Represents the ease of securely installing the seats in cars with various seat configurations and safety belt designs.



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Shop online
Clicking "Shop Online" will allow you to obtain product pricing and availability information from a number of online retailers. If you wish, you can also purchase the item from one of those vendors.

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Brand and model Price Overall score Test results
key number Small type: similar model(s)
CR Best Buy indicates an exceptional value.






  Chicco KeyFit $160
88.
Pass 5 5 Shop online
  Britax Companion $200
77.
Pass 4 5 Shop online
  Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP $220
76.
Pass 4 5 Shop online
  Baby Trend Flex-Loc Adjustable Back CR Best Buy $90
75.
Pass 4 5 Shop online
  Compass I410 $130
75.
Pass 4 4 Shop online
  Graco SnugRide with EPS (In December 2007, Graco SnugRide car seat model numbers 8609, 8616, 8643, 8645, and 8646, manufactured between Aug. 1, 2006, and June 30, 2007, were recalled because fiberfill from the seat pad could become exposed and pose a choking hazard to babies. Graco is offering free replacement kits to car seat owners. More information can be found on the Graco Web site or by calling (866) 414-6592.) CR Best Buy $90
74.
Pass 4 5 Shop online
  Graco SafeSeat $150
72.
Pass 4 4 Shop online
  Evenflo Embrace $70
69.
Pass 3 4 Shop online
  Safety 1st Designer $70
68.
Pass 3 4 Shop online
  Combi Centre ST (On March 3, 2008, Combi recalled approximately 67,000 Centre, Centre ARB and Shuttle child safety seats that could fail to adequately protect children in a frontal collision. Models 8065, 8074, 8086, 8087, 8520, 4400, 4515, 4520 manufactured from October 2005 through December 2007 were affected by the recall. Parents should check their seats immediately, and contact Combi toll-free at 1-800-543-7734 or visit their website at www.combi-intl.com for more information.) $110
55.
Pass 2 4 Shop online
  Evenflo Discovery (On February 1, 2008, Evenflo recalled approximately one million Discovery child safety seats that could fail to adequately protect children in a high impact side collision. Models 390, 391, 534 and 552, manufactured between April 2005 and January 29, 2008, were affected by the recall. Parents should check their seats immediately, and contact Evenflo toll-free at 1-800-356-2229 or visit their website at safety.evenflo.com for more information.) $50
55.
Pass 2 3 Shop online