In this post, we will identify the best car seat bases. Purchasing an extra car seat base for your car seat allows you to quickly and easily transfer move car seats between cars.
For example, you may want to move the car seat to the car of your spouse, parent, sibling, nanny, or babysitter without having to uninstall your own base.
Nothing is more terrifying than the trip home from the hospital with your new bundle of joy. From day one, there are a million different decisions parents must make about how to keep baby safe. One of the biggest of those decisions is the choice of car seat and base. For a family on-the-go, daily transportation of baby is something important to consider.
If your child is going to be a frequent traveler, it may be smart to consider buying an extra car seat base. Use the following list of our Top 12 Car Seat Bases to help you make your decision a little more easily.
Best Car Seat Bases
| UPPAbaby Mesa Car Seat Base | |
| Chicco KeyFit and KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat Base | |
| Mico Max Plus Infant Car Seat Base | |
| Ally 35 Infant Car Seat Base | |
| Nuna PIPA Infant Car Seat Base | |
| Clek Liing Car Seat Base | |
| Graco SnugRude SnugLock Infant Car Seat Base | |
| Evenflo SafeZone Base for SafeMax Infant Car Seat | |
| Doona LATCH Car Seat Base | |
| BRITAX B-Safe 35 and B-Safe 35 Elite Car Seat Base | |
| Cosco Light’n Comfy Infant Car Seat Base | |
| OnBoard 35 Adjustable Infant Car Seat Base |
1.UPPAbaby Mesa Car Seat Base
Simply hook the latches to your car and push down on the streamlined base until the tightness indicator turns green. This system takes the guesswork out of installation.
Once you see green, you know that the base is secure and safe to attach a car seat. The peace of mind that this system brings to users is worth the hefty price tag.
This base is also not bulky and is made of light, smooth material that will not damage the interior of your car. This base can only be used with any model year of the UPPAbaby Mesa Infant Car Seat; however, the Mesa Car Seat clicks into any of the UPPAbaby strollers.
What We Like
- SMARTSecure System for easy installation
- Light, smooth material does not damage interior of vehicle
- Tightness indicator turns green when safe
- Easy-release latches
What We Dislike
- Expensive
- Lighter material is not as durable
- Can only be used with Mesa car seat
2.Chicco KeyFit and KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat Base
Another important feature is the two precision bubble levels to check for safe installation. Also, a spring-loaded leveling foot helps you achieve the correct angle of installation every time. This base is also compatible with multiple Chicco brand car seats in the KeyFit and KeyFit 30 categories. When a compatible car seat is inserted into the base, an audible click will be made to ensure proper connection.
What We Like
- Compatible with Chicco brand car seats in the KeyFit and KeyFit 30 family
- Spring-loaded leveling foot for perfect installation angle
- Double bubble levels to verify the installation
- Reasonable price
What We Dislike
- Slightly heavier than other bases
3.Mico Max Plus Infant Car Seat Base
In addition, the Mico Max base has an anti-rotation stability leg that reduces the amount of back and forth movement transferred to the car seat. This leg hangs down towards the floor, past the seat of your car. This feature claims to increase head and neck protection for your child.
What We Like
- Anti-rotation stability leg
- Compatible with 3 Maxi Cosi brand car seats
- Red-to-green level indicator
- Lifetime warranty
What We Dislike
- Expensive
- Users complain of recline only working in one direction
4.Ally 35 Infant Car Seat Base
One is a traditional bubble level for children from 4-22 pounds. The second is for children over 22 pounds and is a line on the base that needs to be positioned to be level with the ground. These features require you to be vigilant about the weight of your child and the type of level you are using.
Amazon.com
What We Like
- Equipped with LATCH attachment technology
- Storage positions for LATCH connectors within the base
- Smooth bottom base protects interior of vehicle
- Reasonable price
What We Dislike
- Has two different seat level indicators depending on the weight of your child
- Only for use with Ally 35 Infant Car Seat
- LATCH webbing allows for wide range of installment angles
5.Nuna PIPA Infant Car Seat Base
For installation, this base features the True Lock safety system. The indicator will turn green when the base is installed correctly, taking the guesswork out of the situation. Although this base is only compatible with one car seat, the Nuna PIPA Car Seat is compatible with a large number of strollers.
What We Like
- True Lock installation system
- Stability leg for impact absorption and ride stability
- Car seat is compatible with many stroller
What We Dislike
- Expensive
- Base can only be used with Nuna PIPA Car Sea
6. Graco SnugRude SnugLock Infant Car Seat Base
Similar to other bases, the Graco base has 4 recline positions to allow you to customize the fit of the base to your specific car seats, as well as a LATCH connecting system for safety.
What We Like
- Affordable
- Compatible with all Graco Click Connect infant car seats
- SnugLock technology for 3-step installation
- Bubble level indicator
- 4 recline positions for base angle
What We Dislike
- No “special” safety features
- Users complain that tightening straps do not seem as tight as possible
7.Doona LATCH Car Seat Base
It can be installed quickly and easily to any modern car with its LATCH attachments. This base boasts an easy click-in and click-out mechanism, perfect for the busiest of families. The installation indicator also confirms that the base is locked safely in place and that your little one is ready to be clicked in.
What We Like
- Easy click-in and click-out mechanism
- Installation indicator
- Conforms to all safety standards and regulations
- LATCH attachments
What We Dislike
- Heavy weight
- Expensive
- No special, extra safety features
8. BRITAX B-Safe 35 and B-Safe 35 Elite Car Seat Base
The steel frame is designed to stabilize during impact and absorb energy during any type of crash. This base features a spring-assisted recline to easily adjust to any type of car, as well as two level indicators to ensure the base is level before attaching the car seat.
Amazon.com
What We Like
- Car seats compatible with many types of strollers
- Steel base is impact absorbing and stabilizing
- Spring-assisted recline
- Center-pull strap with LATCH attachments
What We Dislike
- Expensive
- Only a one year warranty
9.Cosco Light’n Comfy Infant Car Seat Base
Amazon.com
What We Like
- Extremely lightweight
- Meets all safety standards and regulations
- LATCH attachments
- Inexpensive
What We Dislike
- Reclining base is difficult to lock at times
- LATCH hooks need to be threaded through openings after removing from storage
- No installation indicator
10.OnBoard 35 Adjustable Infant Car Seat Base
What We Like
- Compatible with five different types of infant car seats
- Semi-affordable
- Multiple base positions
- LATCH attachments
What We Dislike
- Incompatible with only one of the onBoard car seats
- No installation indicator
- No special safety features
Conclusion
Although you won’t be buying a base without a car seat, it is still essential to consider this often-forgotten piece of baby gear.
