5 best car seats for your baby

Whether you are a car-seat-buying newbie or a seasoned shopper, check out our list of best car seats before making your next purchase.

Infant Car Seat
Nothing is more stressful than the first time you have to trust the car and car seat to get your baby home. According to Consumer Reports, the Chicco Keyfit 30 Infant Car Seat is the best overall pick for balancing crash protection, ease of use, and vehicle fit for infant seats with greater than 22-pound capacity. It's perfect for driving baby around in style. ($189.99).

Heavy Weight Limit
They're only tiny for a small amount of time. If you want a seat that lasts through a few more pounds and a couple of extra inches, the Diono RadianR100 Convertible Car Seat is the one for you. It holds baby in rear-facing mode from 5 to 40 pounds, forward-facing 20 to 65 pounds, and forward-facing up to 57 inches. Bonus: It will also act as a booster up to 100 pounds. ($207.99).

Recline Options
With nine recline positions, you're bound to find baby's comfort zone with the Chicco Nextfit Convertible Car Seat. It also features a SuperCinch LATCH for secure installation, rear- and forward-facing bubble levels, and a machine-washable seat pad. ($279.99).

Safety Pick
With technologies like GCell patented foam for body protection, Air Protect advanced cushions for protecting baby's head, and more, the Safety 1st 3-in-1 Air 80 Convertible Car Seat is a safety dream pick. The seat's color-coded belt paths also help with installation. ($229.99).

Lightest and Easy Airplane Travel
Whether you live the jetsetter lifestyle or just want to take a family trip, the Britax B-Safe 30 infant seat will help baby travel safely and in style. As our pick for lightest car seat (9.8 pounds), with a width of only 17.5 inches, baby can fit in the seat without adding a lot of carrying weight. ($159.99)