Chicco KeyFit 35
The seat we hand every first-time parent because the base practically installs itself and the click-in is impossible to second-guess.
The verdict
The KeyFit line has been the gold standard for easy, get-it-right-the-first-time installation for over a decade, and the KeyFit 35 keeps that reputation with a bubble level and spring-loaded leveling foot that take the guesswork out of a tight base. It clicks into a huge range of strollers via adapters, the newborn insert genuinely fits tiny babies, and the recline is forgiving in sedans and SUVs alike. Skip it if you have a very short backseat or a compact car, because the 35-inch shell runs long front-to-back and can crowd the front passenger. Also skip if you want an integrated load leg or anti-rebound bar, since Chicco keeps this base traditional and lets the seat do the work.
- ✓Bubble level and spring-loaded foot make a correct install nearly foolproof
- ✓Reassuring, loud click-in that removes install anxiety
- ✓Fits a wide range of strollers with Chicco and universal adapters
- ✓Well-padded newborn insert that actually fits small babies
- –Long front-to-back footprint eats legroom in compact cars
- –No integrated load leg or anti-rebound bar on the standard base