Choosing an infant car seat can be overwhelming, considering you have to be able to trust it to keep your baby safe and secure—and last until he or she outgrows it. Chicco is a name trusted by many parents. The company has been around for over 60 years, and the Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat, in particular, is known for its ease of installation, comfortable design, and safety features. I tested it out with my 1-year-old son to see if it lives up to its ratings.
Installation: Foolproof with the help of visuals
The KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat and base come as separate pieces straight out of the box. It can be installed in a vehicle with or without the base using the LATCH system or your car’s seat belt (follow the instructions either way), but it should always be rear-facing. I found installation very easy thanks to Chicco’s manual and visual markers. The car seat base contains images of the steps, and all buttons that need to be pushed or used are orange in color, making them easy to find. If using the base, the SuperCinch LATCH Pull Strap effortlessly tightens it into place. The spring-loaded ReclineSure leveling foot ensures the base is installed at the proper angle in your car, and the RideRight bubble indicators confirm that the seat is correctly positioned when clicking into place. If the bubble is not centered, you will need to readjust the recline of the base and repeat the installation process. I found that the bubbles lined up on the first try, and it took less than five minutes to install the entire car seat with the base. To remove the car seat from the base, I simply had to squeeze the Base Release Handle on the back of the carrier (orange) with one hand while simultaneously lifting the car seat handle with the other.
Design: Riding in style
The Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat is designed with style and safety in mind. It’s offered in seven different colorways and patterns, so families shouldn’t have any trouble finding one to suit their needs. I personally tested the Eucalyptus option and found the teal and gray color combo very aesthetically pleasing. The carrier fabric is removable and machine-washable, which is a huge plus in the baby world (hello cereal, juice, and diaper blowouts). However, it’s not the most breathable or luxurious fabric. It felt kind of scratchy and hot to me, even on cooler days. I can imagine my child sweating or being uncomfortable in warmer months. I thought the fabric of the newborn insert (more on that later) was much softer. The ergonomic handle is comfortable to carry, but the car seat itself is a bit heavy and bulky for me, especially with my child in it. The underside of the base boasts a smooth edge so that it does not ruin vehicle seats—a thoughtful touch. The car seat is also equipped with a retractable sun canopy to offer shade for baby, but I felt it was a little hard to open and close. It did not adjust as seamlessly nor extend as far as I would have liked.
Age Range: Short-term, infant-only
The Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat will not be your forever car seat. It’s recommended use is from 4 pounds (using the newborn insert) to 30 pounds, or 30 inches—whichever comes first. For example, my 1-year-old son weighs less than 20 pounds, but he is already 30 inches tall. In my case, he will not be able to use the car seat for much longer. You can expect to get around one year of use out of this car seat—maybe a little less or a little more depending on your child’s growth. You will then need to upgrade to a convertible car seat that stays in the car and does not click in and out as the KeyFit 30 does.
Safety: Tried and true, confidently secure
This car seat is manufactured compliant with U.S. safety standards. Additionally, the JPMA (the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association) has certified the KeyFit 30 for its capabilities as a handheld infant carrier (JPMA doesn’t certify car seats); I reached out directly to confirm. The included removable newborn body and head support ensures a safe and secure fit, especially for preemies or smaller babies. The shell of the car seat carrier is lined with EPS (expanded polystyrene foam), which is energy-absorbing foam for improved impact protection. The car seat features a five-point harness with a single-pull tightening strap, which makes it easy for caregivers to use. It is just as easy to loosen the strap to release your child with the push of one button. This is crucial, as getting your baby in and out of a car seat can be a serious struggle. I was able to buckle my son quickly and easily; he didn’t even have enough time to fuss or fight! There are also three harness strap adjustment slots built into the back of the car seat so that you can change the height of the harness as your baby grows taller. Before installing the car seat, I easily adjusted mine to the tallest height since my son is right at 30 inches. It is important to remember that this car seat is primarily for the infant stage and is only to be used rear-facing. You will need to upgrade to another convertible car seat once your child reaches the height or weight limit.
Price: Slightly less than competitors
Although all car seats on the market have to meet current government safety regulations, they still range in price due to materials used, bonus accessories, and additional safety features. Priced around $199, the Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat is an affordable option for an infant car seat; a lot of options run upwards of $300. Despite its lower price, I felt comfortable with the safety and durability of this car seat and think it’s a solid purchase.
Competition: Top-rated
The Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat stands out among the competition. Having used a few different car seats for my own son and children I have nannied, I have to say that this was one of the easiest and most seamless to use. It was the fastest and simplest to install, especially with baby in tow. Unlike others, this carrier’s fabric is completely removable and machine-washable, which is a game changer. The seat itself is not the lightest on the market, but it is manageable. I do wish the KeyFit 30 had a more extendable sun canopy like other models on the market, as this feature can be especially important in the warmer months. Thankfully, Chicco does make two upgraded versions, the KeyFit 30 Magic and the KeyFit 30 Zip, which resolve the sun canopy issue and add even more features. Overall, the Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat is a very reliable and safe car seat. It is highly rated, super easy to install, and does not sacrifice on style.
