The number one purpose for a car seat is to keep your child safe. From that first ride home to the last trip in their booster seat, a properly fitting and correctly used car seat is essential for your child’s safety in the event of a crash! That being said, when you’re picking out that first infant car seat, you’re thinking both in terms of car seat safety AND car seat practicality.
Unlike with a convertible car seat or booster, an infant car seat isn't always just left in the vehicle, but it’s toted everywhere! Since the baby is too young for many stroller seats and too young to walk, you may occasionally be carrying your baby to-and-from appointments, errands, activities, and more in their infant car seat carrier. Because of this, infant car seats can not only be carried by the handle, but they can also pop into compatible strollers to make traveling with your baby even easier! But remember not to keep baby in their car seat for long periods of time! The best, and safest, place for a baby to sleep is on a flat surface.
We know that when choosing a car seat the safety and practicality in all modes of use is super important. So, to help you make a decision, we’re making a list of the safest car seat and stroller combos.
Here’s what you need to know:
What is the Safest Car Seat Stroller Combo?
The truth is, there is no “safest” infant car seat. All car seats have to meet the same high safety standards laid out by FMVSS 213 and all strollers have to meet the ASTM F833. This is good news, because it means that you don’t have to stress or guilt over whether or not you have the safest infant car seat and stroller! It means whether you buy the budget-friendly versions or the luxury option, you can be confident your car seat and stroller will keep your baby safe.
All that being said, some manufacturers go beyond the minimum safety standards and implement advanced safety features into their car seats and strollers. These are added layers of protection that can potentially further decrease the risk of injury or death to your child in a crash. Below are some of the top added safety features you’ll see in infant car seats and strollers:
Infant Car Seat Advanced Safety Features
Load Leg
In a crash, there’s the initial impact where the car seat vaults forward, and that’s followed by a rebound effect. That’s a significant amount of movement for an infant! A load leg braces the car seat against the floor to prevent too much movement in any type of crash.
Anti-Rebound Bar
An anti-rebound bar specifically helps absorb and prevent the rebound movement in an accident.
Rear-Facing Tether
Like a load leg, a rear-facing tether reduces movement in a crash. It’s just like the front-facing tether common on all convertible or combination seats. With a tether, your seat can’t tip forward away from the vehicle seat, but is instead fastened to the seat with an additional mechanism.
Adjustable Recline Mechanism
Positional asphyxia is a real concern in car seats. In order to reduce the risk, ensure your infant is buckled in properly at all times (including when the seat is in the stroller) and don’t allow them to sleep in their car seat when it’s not connected to the base. Car seats do provide adequate recline to prevent positional asphyxia, however some infant seats offer additional recline options to further reduce the risk and increase baby’s comfort.
Rigid LATCH System
Rigid LATCH anchors provide a more secure and stable installation over the standard LATCH connectors. Since the install is tighter, it further prevents movements.
SensorSafe
SensorSafe chest clips have built in safety technology that sends real-time data to your phone. It’ll send you notifications if your child has been left in the car, the car has reached an unsafe temperature, the chest clip has been unbuckled while driving, or the infant has been sitting in the car seat too long (more than 2 hours in a car seat is not recommended for infants.)
Stroller Advanced Safety Features
Shock Absorption
Additional shock absorption on a stroller can make the ride much smoother for your infant. This can reduce jostling of their delicate bodies while you navigate potentially rough terrain.
Safety Reflectors
If you do any walking in the evening, having a stroller with safety reflectors can be helpful for increasing visibility. This is especially important if you often have to walk or jog on the road instead of the sidewalk.
UV Canopy
Infants cannot wear sunscreen until after six months old. Even after that, the sun still poses a risk to anyone, but especially babies. A UV canopy can be a good way to protect your little one while on a walk or running errands.
Tether Strap
A tether strap for a stroller allows you to connect the stroller handle to your wrist. This prevents the stroller from unintentionally rolling away when you don’t realize the brakes aren’t engaged.
Anti-Tip Design
This is exactly what it sounds like! It is a stroller specially designed to provide extra stability—usually it has a wider wheelbase, a lower center of gravity, and additional stabilizing bars. With this anti-tip design, the stroller should stay upright even when on an uneven surface, when there is extra weight on the top, or when the child shifts suddenly.
What Is A Travel System Stroller?
A travel system stroller is a combo of an infant car seat, a car seat base, and a compatible stroller. It allows you to easily move your baby from the car to the stroller by simply clicking the infant car seat carrier onto the stroller frame. Some of these travel systems also allow different configurations and additional toddler seats to make the travel system useful from birth all the way up to about five years old! The versatility, practicality, and longevity of a travel system make it a popular choice for lots of families!
What Is The Best Car and Seat Stroller Combo?
The best is going to depend on some factors because every family has different needs and different vehicles.
For caregivers who do not own a vehicle, the stroller is probably very important since it will need to be city-friendly as in narrow width, good wheels, and folds compactly.
For caregivers who don't use a stroller often, the stroller may not be as important to consider.
Do You Actually Need a Stroller System?
Not necessarily. If you plan to mostly wear your baby, a stroller system may not make sense at all. Also, if you've found the perfect stroller but don't like the car seat that it comes with, consider buying the stroller and car seat separately. Some strollers have lie-flat modes or compatible bassinets that make them safe from birth without the use of a car seat.
Car Seat and Stroller Combos
UPPAbaby Aria V2 Infant Car Seat with Cruz V3, Vista V3, Minu V3, Ridge V2, or Kona ($990-$1450)
The UPPAbaby Aria V2is a lightweight (only 6lbs) and high-quality seat with a number of the advanced safety features we listed! It has a load leg, an anti-rebound bar, and an XL UV canopy. This seat also has European baseless routing that allows the seat to be easily installed when using rideshare services. Uppababy makes 5 compatible strollers to go with this car seat:
Cruz V3:
This lightweight stroller has all-wheel suspension and adjustable recline for a smooth and comfortable ride every time. It allows for multiple stages with the included stroller seat and the optional bassinet add-on. The Cruz V3 has a UPF 50+ adjustable canopy, front wheel locks, and a 5-point harness for the toddler mode!
Vista V3:
The V3, as you guessed, is an upgrade from the V2! It has those features plus an advanced “FlexRide” strolling suspension system for a smooth ride even as you add more children or use different configurations. It also has never-flat tires, reflective strips, adjustable footrest positions, and a GREENGUARD® Gold certification to set it apart from the V3. You’ll also receive a bug shield and rain shield to keep your child safe and comfortable in all environments.
Minu V3:
The Minu V3 is a travel stroller. It has a one-hand fold and can fit into some overhead bins. It has a zip-out, extendable canopy and a large basket.
Ridge V2:
The Ridge V2 is a jogging stroller. It has a large basket with an optional cover. It also comes with a cup holder and has a one-hand fold.
Kona:
The Kona is a mid-size stroller that weighs around 22 pounds. It has a one-hand fold and a large basket.
Baby Jogger City Go 2 with City Mini GT2, City Select Singe-to-Double, City Tour 2, City Tour Double, City Select 2, or City Sights ($799-$1099)
There are plenty of standout features of the Baby Jogger City Go 2, but as far as safety goes, the highlights include an anti-rebound bar, a lock-off for a tight installation, European baseless routing capabilities, and a UPF canopy. It’s also a great choice if you’re trying to fit 3 car seats across! There are quite a few strollers you can use with the City Go 2:
City Mini GT3
This 3-wheel jogging-style stroller works in all types of terrain! It has Forever Air rubber tires, all-wheel suspension, and hand-operated parking brakes to make it super safe and functional. It also has multiple recline options, a UPF cover, and a high weight limit at 65 lbs for the toddler seat!
City Select 2 Single-to-Double
If you have multiples or anticipate riding with multiple kids in the near future, this system can become a double or triple stroller, meaning there are two dozen possible configurations for this seat! Of course, that’s all about practicality, we’re here to discuss safety. The front-wheel suspension, all-terrain tires, adjustable seat recline, adjustable calf support, UPF canopy, and lifetime warranty on the stroller’s frame all make it a great choice in terms of keeping your baby protected!
City Tour 2 or City Tour 2 Double
Whether you need a single or double stroller, Baby Jogger has compatible travel systems for you. This line of strollers is made to be ultra-lightweight for on-the-go lifestyles. Plus, it features adjustable calf support, adjustable recline, front-wheel suspension, a UPF canopy, lockable front-swivel wheels, and a foot-operated parking brake. There is a lifetime warranty on the frame!
City Select
Here’s another compact option that can turn into a double or triple stroller if you want! As far as safety features go, it has front-wheel suspension, all-terrain wheels, and a UPF canopy.
City Sights
We’ve mentioned a few of these options are compact, but this is actually the most compact of any stroller on the market. It has all-terrain wheels, front-wheel suspension, a reclining toddler seat, adjustable calf support, and a UPF canopy. This one also has that lifetime warranty on the frame and lots of configurations with added products like a bassinet or stroller board!
Chicco KeyFit Max with Bravo Primo Trio, Corso LE Modular, or Corso Primo Modular ($570-$899)
This is another car seat that has no added chemicals and a GREENGUARD Gold certification. Beyond being chem-free, the KeyFit Max has an anti-rebound bar. This seat is also very easy to install in a variety of ways since it has an advanced LATCH system, a European belt path option, and a built-in seat belt lock-off. There are four main travel systems that work with the Chicco KeyFit Max:
Bravo Primo
The travel system comes with a toddler seat in addition to your car seat! It features a compact, one-handed fold. It also has a large canopy, parent tray, and height-adjustable handle.
Bravo LE
This travel system also comes with a toddler seat. It features a compact, one-handed fold. It has a large storage basket, large canopy, and a parent tray.
Corso LE Modular
The Corso LE Modular has four different options for both rear-facing and forward-facing with the infant carrier and toddler modes. Like the Bravo, it has adjustable recline, foam-filled treaded rubber tires, and a UPF canopy. It’s compact, but includes a few more added nice-to-have features parents love!
Corso Primo
This travel system also has multiple configurations and positions and features all organic cotton fabric with a GREENGUARD Gold certification. The stroller has an adjustable recline, an adjustable footrest, a UPF canopy, front suspension, adjustable rear suspension, and large foam-filled rubber tires.
Cybex Cloud T with Gazelle S, Priam, or Melio Carbon ($1415-$1799)
The Cybex Cloud T includes all of the standout safety features. It has a SensorSafe chest clip, rigid lower anchors, an anti-rebound bar, a load leg, a UPF canopy, European belt routing options, and a unique recline feature! Most infant seats are fixed in place, but this one allows you to recline it when using it outside of the vehicle. The Cloud T works with the following strollers:
Gazelle S
There are over 20 configurations with this stroller system! You can purchase or use a bassinet, additional toddler seats, additional infant seats, or even a carrying basket to get the perfect seat options and positions for your family. The seat also has a one-pull harness for easy buckling, all-wheel suspension, integrated shock absorption system, additional back and leg support, and a UPF canopy.
Priam
The Priam is simpler than the Gazelle S, with more of the traditional travel system configurations and features. Like the Gazelle S, it has all-wheel suspension, a UPF canopy, and a one-pull harness. However, it also includes adjustable foot support, an adjustable recline, and a unique two-wheel mode for navigating over rough terrain!
Melio Carbon
Here’s the first option on the list made of carbon fiber! It’s super strong, yet lightweight, which is perfect for a safe stroller. It offers multiple recline positions, a UPF canopy, a one-pull harness, rear-wheel suspension, and front-wheel shock absorbers. It comes with the toddler seat and your infant carrier, of course, but there is a bassinet add-on as well.
Nuna Pipa RX with MIXX Next, TAVO Next, TRVL, or TRIV Next ($699-$1450)
The Nuna Pipa RX includes those RIGID lower anchors for that super tight install we discussed earlier in the post. Other safety features it has include the anti-rebound bar, a load leg, flame-retardant-free fabric, a seat belt lock-off, and a UPF canopy. It’s a great quality infant car seat with lots of additional features! Here are the compatible travel systems for the Nuna Pipa RX:
MIXX Next
Here’s another compact option! It features high-quality suspension on the front and rear wheels, easy self-guided buckling, a great braking system, adjustable recline, adjustable calf support, tough foam-filled rubber tires, and a UPF canopy. It’s also GREENGUARD Gold certified and offers lots of configurations since it comes with a bassinet as well as the toddler and infant car seat!
TAVO Next
The TAVO offers advanced suspension, self-guided buckling, adjustable recline options, adjustable calf and backrest options, and a UPF canopy. Of course, it also has the GREENGUARD Gold certification. The compact stroller option doesn’t have a bassinet, but that’s not an essential feature when you can click in your infant car seat carrier!
TRVL
This lightweight stroller has a few of the top features of the previously mentioned strollers including adjustable recline options, adjustable calf support, advanced suspension, a UPF canopy, and a GREENGUARD Gold certification. However, it also includes lockable front swivel wheels and one-touch rear-wheel braking for added safety.
Doona and All-in-One Options
There are currently 3 car seat options on the market that also convert into strollers. For caregivers who do not own a vehicle or travel often, these can be a great option.
These do not have as much storage as a typical stroller and any storage available may be an additional purchase. In addition, the stroller mode will be outgrown the same time the infant seat is outgrown, leading to parents having to purchase another stroller in the future.
The three options are:
Doona+
This was the first available option in the US. It's currently the least expensive of the three options as well.
Doona X
This is the newest option available. The base features rigid lower anchors and a load leg.
Evenflo DualRide
The Evenflo DualRide is the only one that has removable wheels. The wheels can be left in the base, making the infant seat a lot lighter. Without the wheels attached, the infant seat can be attached to select strollers.
All car seats and strollers on the market are safe and meet high-quality standards!
There are lots of travel systems to choose from. It can feel totally overwhelming—even if you have a long list of must-have features, there are still often dozens of travel systems available. Car seats and strollers are not insignificant purchases either, since most of us will be using them every day!
With all this in mind, it’s important to make the right decision when shopping for your travel system. That’s why we created the Find Your Best Seat Quiz to get connected with the best car seat and stroller combo for your family. We hope you find a travel system that works perfectly for your lifestyle!
Also read "Lightweight Stroller With Car Seat" for more options.
For more car seat, stroller, and vehicle safety information, check out the Safe in the Seat blog.
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