Best Infant Car Seats of 2025, Lab-Tested and Reviewed

“Based on almost 1,000 individual car seat installations and nearly 130 crash tests, CR’s infant car seat ratings represent a comprehensive and rigorous program that allows us to make distinctions between the car seat models and clear recommendations,” says Michael Bloch, who oversees child seat testing at Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center. “They show the importance of buying based on test results rather than brand name or marketing slogan.”

The seats listed below did well in our crash tests and scored well for ease of use and in our fit-to-vehicle ratings, which improves the odds that you’ll install and use them correctly—because it’s not always intuitive.

Seats are evaluated for their crash protection on a scale of Basic, Better, and Best. See our comprehensive car seat buying guide for more information, plus a breakdown of other car seat types.

Or you can use our Car Seat Finder. Answer a few questions and we’ll provide options for car seats that fit your lifestyle, vehicle(s), and budget.