There are many things to consider when deciding on the right car seat to purchase for your infant or toddler – one such factor being the weight of the car seat.

The market is full of car seat options and all have their pros and cons, so you need to be able to choose a car seat that is right for your family. Choosing a lightweight car seat does help you move around a little easier with your baby, and there are some good lightweight, long-lasting car seat options available.

It helps to learn how to choose the best car seat for your infant or toddler; considering the weight of the car seat is a fairly important factor. Read on to find the lightest infant and toddler car seats, and if they are the best options for you!

What Factors Should I Consider When Purchasing A Lightweight Car Seat?

You cannot just choose a car seat because it is the lightest option available. You still need to be sure that it provides safety when traveling, it fits in your car, and it is the right size for your child.

All these factors, together with finding a lightweight car seat, will ensure it is the best option for you and your family.

The Right Safety Features

A car seat is used to keep your child safe while traveling, so safety would obviously be one of the most important factors to consider.

Most of the notable car seats all have the correct safety features, and if you check that they have passed standard tests and regulations, there shouldn’t be a problem.

However, the car seat might have all the best safety features, but these mean nothing if you do not use the car seat properly.

You need to know how to safely secure your toddler or infant in the car seat, and it helps to read through the safety and user manual before making a purchase to make sure you can do so!

It Fits In Your Car

Not all car seats are made to a standard size, and you will find that not all of them will work well with all cars.

If you drive a smaller car, make sure to check the dimensions and belt requirements of the car seat to make sure it will fit in your car. You cannot just make a plan on the backseat with a seat that is too big for your car. It just won’t be safe.

It Fits Your Child

The car seat you purchase obviously needs to be the right size for your infant or toddler. Most infant car seats are made to fit average size newborns, so there isn’t much of a worry with that.

However, when it comes to choosing a car seat for your toddler, you need to make sure that they are big enough to use the new car seat or that the car seat won’t be too small for them in a few months.

Try to purchase a car seat that your child can use straight away, but where they are near the bottom of the weight range. This helps to ensure that the car seat will be safe for them to use and that it will last them quite a while after.

The Lightest Infant And Toddler Car Seats

If you are looking for the lightest infant and toddler car seats around, the below are not only lightweight, but are great overall.

Evenflo LiteMax 35 Infant Car Seat

The Evenflo LiteMax 35 Infant Car Seat was designed specifically to be convenient and versatile. It is one of the lightest infant car seats on the market.

It is only suited for infants weighing between 4-35 pounds, but it makes for a great car seat for your newborn.

The Evenflo LiteMax is lighter than leading competitors and has an ergonomic handle which is designed to provide you with extra comfort as you carry your little one around. The actual car seat weighs only 7.8lbs, which is considerably light.

The car seat comes with a stay-in-car base that allows for an easy transition in and out of the car. There is also a recline indicator on the base to show when the seat is properly leveled in the car.

It is important to note that the Evenflo LiteMax Car Seat is limited to compatibility with Evenflo strollers, but they do have some great options. The car seat is also not the best choice for smaller cars, but it can be installed in the centre seat using a seatbelt which is still a safe option.

Designed with your lifestyle in mind, the Evenflo LiteMax Infant Car Seat is for the family on the go who are looking for a lightweight seat to carry their little one in!

Check out similar product on Amazon by clicking here.

Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX Infant Car Seat

Graco always offers good, dependable baby accessories at a reasonable price. Their Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX Infant Car Seat is another one of their great products, and it just so happens to be a lightweight car seat as well!

While there are quite a few different SnugLock car seat options available, this particular one has some premium features and is one of the most lightweight seats in the range, weighing only 8lbs.

To make using the car seat easy on the go, there is a one-hand adjustment on the handle, allowing you to keep your other hand free. The Silent Shade canopy can also be adjusted quietly so you don’t disturb your baby from their sleep.

A stay-in-car base is used to give better convenience when placing the seat in and out of the car. It is adjustable to 4 different positions so you can customize the base to your vehicle. It also comes with an easy-to-read indicator to make installation that much simpler.

The downside is that this car seat is only compatible with Graco strollers and just a few other stroller options if you purchase an adaptor.

You can’t go wrong with the Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX Car Seat! It is affordable, reliable, and lightweight to be convenient to use on a daily basis.

To view similar product on Amazon, click here.

Evenflo Tribute 5 Convertible Car Seat 2-In-1

Once your baby has outgrown their infant seat, you will have to move them over to a bigger car seat. The Tribute 5 Convertible Car Seat is a good option, as it can be used rear-facing for younger children and then forward-facing later on.

Weighing in at only 9.29lbs, it is an incredibly lightweight toddler car seat but it still offers some wonderful features as well.

When it comes to safety, the car seat has been side-impact tested and meets all the right safety standards.

There are multiple shoulder harness positions available to give your child a better fit as they grow, and it also helps to extend the use of the car seat. It is suited for children from 2 years and up.

An upfront harness and buckle release let you easily adjust your little one in their chair from the front, and they are kept comfortable throughout their journey with an integrated body cushion. There is a removable head pillow for when they get older as well.

Lightweight, comfortable, and long-lasting, the Evenflo Tribute 5 ticks all the boxes!

Click here to view this product on Amazon.

Safety 1st Jive 2-In-1 Convertible Car Seat

For a long-lasting lightweight car seat, the Safety 1st Jive 2-In-1 Car Seat is a great option. It offers an extra-comfortable ride over many years. Rear-facing, your child can use the car seat between 5-40lbs, and forward-facing between 22-65lbs.

The compact design of the car seat means it is the perfect size to use on an aircraft, and it is certified to be used on one as well!

The fabric is machine washable and dryer safe, so cleaning up messes is super easy! There are 2 removable dishwasher-safe cup holders that make life on the go a little easier as well.

A 5-point harness system has an easy up-front adjustment, with 5 different heights and 3 buckle locations to be able to fit your child perfectly as they grow.

Being compact and slim, you can fit 3 of the Safety 1st Jive Car Seats next to each other in the back of a car comfortably, so it should not be a problem using this car seat in a compact car.

Comfortable and lightweight, this car seat will last your child many years and fit into your lifestyle perfectly as well.

Look into the similar product on Amazon, click here.

Do I Need A Lightweight Car Seat?

Having a lightweight car seat does make life a bit easier, but it should not be the most important factor when picking out a car seat. However, the importance does differ between choosing a car seat for your newborn or for a toddler.

Most newborn car seats are made to fit into strollers, so instead of carrying your baby in their car seat, you could push them around in the stroller instead and not have to worry about the weight. However, for short trips and for when you do not have the stroller, a lightweight seat might help but a 1 or 2-pound difference won’t be so noticeable.

For toddlers, the weight of the car seat is a little more important. Toddler car seats do not usually fit into strollers, which means that you will have to carry them around. You also will not be carrying your toddler around in their car seat, so you need something that is lightweight and easy to travel.

You never know where life with a toddler might take you, so choosing a lightweight, compact car seat means you can travel and explore with your little one by your side without worrying too much about lugging a heavy car seat around.

Just remember that even though it does help to have a lightweight car seat, there are other important factors to consider as well when choosing the right one for your family!

Choosing the Right Lightweight Infant Seat for Your Child

If you travel often and need to move around a lot with your infant, it is important to look for a lightweight car seat. However, keep in mind that there are other features to look for such as comfort and safety features, which are just as important.

The list of above car seats ticks off most of these boxes, and you should be able to find the right one for your baby!

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Rebecca Brown_One of the stuff4tots authors
Rebecca Brown

Rebecca Brown is a mom to two and writer on all things parenting. She has been focussed on content creation and article writing for the last four years, drawing on the inspiration she gets from her own experience as a mother, and the expansive research the job requires.

When not writing, you can find Rebecca outside with the kids, or hidden away enjoying a good cup of coffee!