Talking Carts 15: Top Baby Picks 2026

Expecting a baby means anticipating new expenses.  

In 2025, the average cost of caring for a baby through just the first year of life—including essentials like diapers, clothing, and toys—exceeded $20,000. But bringing up baby doesn’t have to mean driving down your bank balance. 

Before you begin to spend, let Consumer Reports’ baby experts help you separate the best from the rest, ensuring you make smart buying choices without compromising on safety. We pull back the curtain on how CR determines its Top Baby Picks of 2026, covering essential gear like strollers, car seats, and high chairs.

Hosts Brian Vines and Tanya Christian welcome Siobhan Adcock, CR’s director of baby content, and reporter Jessica D’Argenio Waller, for a dive deep into the essential questions parents are asking: Which unnecessary products should we leave off our baby registry? What’s the difference between an infant, convertible, and all-in-one car seat? And, most importantly, how can you save money on baby gear? 

We also discuss CR’s commitment to providing a "Value Pick" alongside a "Top Pick" in every category, because while some might splurge on a $1,300 “travel system,” others just need a great system at a great price.

Listen in to feel more confident about how to spend wisely on baby gear in 2026.