Lightweight Infant Car Seats: Safety Meets Convenience

When choosing your baby’s first car seat, safety is always the top priority. Right behind that, most parents ask the next big question: “How heavy is it?”

During your baby’s first year, you’ll likely carry their car seat in and out of the car several times a day. Choosing a model that’s both ultra-safe and lightweight adds comfort and convenience every parent can appreciate.

Most infant car seats are designed to hold babies up to 30+ lbs. Depending on the weight of your car seat, that means you could be lifting over 40 lbs every time you carry your little one in the crook of your arm!

Thankfully, modern car seat technology now allows manufacturers to use smarter, lighter materials—resulting in safe, durable, and truly lightweight options perfect for today’s busy families.

Why the Lightest Infant Car Seats Use EPP Foam

All the lightest infant car seats on our list share one key innovation: they use EPP foam rather than traditional EPS foam.

EPS Foam vs. EPP Foam

• EPS Foam: Made from small beads molded into shape, EPS foam offers impact absorption but is rigid and prone to cracking under stress. It can also off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) over time.

• EPP Foam: A more flexible, durable material that rebounds after impact and resists breaking. It’s found in premium lightweight car seats from Bugaboo, Nuna, and UPPAbaby, and contributes to their GREENGUARD Gold Certification for low chemical emissions and healthier air quality.

In addition to being non-toxic, EPP foam naturally resists mold and bacteria, making it a cleaner and safer choice for your baby.

Because EPP foam is more expensive and complex to produce, many U.S. manufacturers haven’t yet transitioned to it. However, for parents prioritizing both safety and convenience, car seats made with EPP foam are worth the investment.

Are Lightweight Infant Car Seats Safe?

Yes—lightweight infant car seats are just as safe as their heavier counterparts.

Each infant car seat includes two main components:

1. The car seat

2. The car seat base

Most advanced safety features are built into the base, which plays a crucial role in crash protection. Combined with durable EPP energy-absorbing foam and anti-rebound technology, today’s lightweight seats deliver top-tier protection in a lighter package.

In short: lightweight infant car seats are both safe and convenient, giving parents peace of mind without added bulk.

What Is the Lightest Infant Car Seat?

The lightest infant car seat currently available is the UPPAbaby Aria V2, weighing just 6 lbs!

For comparison:

• Most infant car seats weigh 9–10 lbs

• Heavier models can reach 13–16 lbs

If you want to reduce carrying weight without sacrificing safety, the UPPAbaby Aria V2 is a fantastic choice. It offers:

• Advanced safety technology within its base

• Premium fabrics

• GREENGUARD Gold certification for healthy air quality

Check out strollers compatible with the UPPAbaby Aria V2 >>> here

Lightest Infant Car Seat Guide

All of the infant car seats included in our lightweight assortment weigh in under 9.5 lbs.

Lightweight Toddler Car Seats

Unlike infant seats, toddler car seats are not made for portability. Once installed, they usually stay in your vehicle. However, in certain situations, a lightweight toddler car seat can make life easier—especially for travel, city living, or when sharing seats between caregivers.

Consider a Lightweight Toddler Car Seat If:

• You need a secondary car seat for air travel

• You live in a city, frequently use ride-shares, or walk with your car seat

• Your toddler rides in multiple vehicles with different caregivers and the seat needs frequent installation

Best Lightweight Toddler Car Seats

The Maxi Cosi Romi is the best choice for rear facing infants and toddlers while the Wayb Pico offers a smart portable, folding design for forward facing toddler.

Best Lightweight Toddler Car Seat for Travel

Maxi-Cosi Romi

• Weight: ~9 lbs

• Rear-Facing: 5–40 lbs or 19–40”

• Forward-Facing: 30–50 lbs or 34.4–44”

WAYB Pico

• Weight: 8 lbs

• Use: Forward-facing only

• Ages: 1 year minimum (recommended 2+)

• Limits: 22–50 lbs or 30–45”

Best Lightweight Toddler Car Seat for City Use

A move to a convertible car seat can be stressful for city families. The Orbit Baby G5  Toddler Car Seat is game changing for parents navigating city life with their toddler and their car seat. It is the only toddler car seat that can connect to a stroller. The Orbit Baby G5 Toddler Car Seat is designed to fit seamlessly onto the Orbit G5 Stroller.

Orbit Baby G5 Toddler Car Seat

• Weight: 25 lbs

• Rear-Facing: 15–35 lbs

• Forward-Facing: 25–65 lbs

Best for Everyday Use & Vehicle Swaps

The Joie Saffron SI is budget friendly, lightweight and built to protect little ones from birth to 12 years. One car seat for all stages, at a manageable weight and accessible price point.

Joie Saffron SI

• Weight: 23 lbs

• Rear-Facing: 4–40 lbs (up to 44”)

• Forward-Facing: 30–60 lbs (up to 49”)

• Highback Booster: 40–100 lbs (up to 57”)

• Backless Booster: 50–120 lbs (up to 60”)

Lightweight Booster Car Seats

Booster seats are generally easy to move between vehicles, but if you frequently carpool, travel, or live in a city, a lightweight booster seat can make life even easier.

Reasons to Choose a Lightweight Booster Seat

• You use one seat across multiple cars

• You carpool or transport extra kids regularly

• You travel by air

• You live in a city and rely on ride-shares

Best Lightweight Booster Seats

• Best for Travel
  • Cybex Solution G2 Folding Highback Booster Seat

    • Weight: 12.8 lbs

    • Use: 4–12 years or 40–120 lbs

    • Converts to a backless booster

    • Folds compactly with an integrated carry strap for easy transport

• Best for Everyday Use
  • Joie Basil Highback Booster

    • Weight: 9 lbs

    • Use: 40–120 lbs

    • Converts to a backless booster for long-term use

Choosing the Right Infant Car Seat

To learn more about infant car seats and select the best match for your family, lifestyle and vehicle, continue reading with our article Best Infant Car Seats

Infant Car Seat Stroller Compatibility

Choose the best stroller for your infant car seat from our approved infant car seat/ stroller compatibility lists.

Check stroller compatibility >>> HERE!

FAQs About Lightweight Car Seats

What is the lightest infant car seat available right now?
The lightest infant car seat sold in the U.S. is the UPPAbaby Aria V2, weighing only 6 lbs. It’s GREENGUARD GOLD Certified, features an anti-rebound base for added safety, and is designed for parents who want maximum convenience without compromising protection.

Are lightweight infant car seats as safe as heavier models?
Yes. Lightweight car seats use the same safety testing standards as heavier ones. Many models, such as the UPPAbaby Aria and Bugaboo Turtle Air Shield, include advanced features like EPP foam, steel load legs, and anti-rebound bases, providing excellent crash protection while keeping the seat easy to carry.

What makes EPP foam better than EPS foam in car seats?
EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) foam is more flexible, durable, and impact-resistant than traditional EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) foam. EPP foam can absorb energy in a crash without cracking and naturally resists mold and bacteria. It’s also found in many GREENGUARD GOLD Certified car seats for lower chemical emissions and improved air quality.

Do lightweight infant car seats still have strong safety bases?
Absolutely. Many lightweight car seats include anti-rebound bases, rigid LATCH connectors, and load legs for added stability. The Bugaboo Turtle Air Shield and UPPAbaby Aria, for example, both include advanced base technology designed to reduce crash forces and rotation.

Which lightweight infant car seat is best for travel or city living?
The Nuna PIPA Urbn, Joie Mint and Clek Liingo are excellent options for families on the go. Both are baseless designs with built-in LATCH systems, making installation quick and secure in taxis, ride-shares, or rental cars—ideal for city life and frequent travelers.

Are lightweight infant car seats more expensive?
Some lightweight models are priced higher due to premium materials like EPP foam, GREENGUARD certification, and rigid LATCH technology. However, they often provide better long-term value thanks to improved safety, durability, and ease of use.

Can lightweight infant car seats fit into any stroller?
Most lightweight infant car seats are compatible with a range of stroller brands through adapters. For example, the UPPAbaby Aria fits seamlessly into UPPAbaby strollers, while Nuna PIPA models are compatible with Nuna strollers and several others using universal adapters. Always check the brand’s compatibility guide before purchase.

What’s the difference between a lightweight infant car seat and a lightweight toddler car seat?
An infant car seat is designed to carry your baby from birth and can easily detach from its base to click into a stroller. A toddler car seat, on the other hand, stays installed in your car and is meant for long-term use as your child grows. Weight matters less for toddler seats since they’re not meant to be carried daily.

Which lightweight toddler car seat is best for travel?
The Wayb Pico and Maxi Cosi Romi are excellent lightweight toddler options for travel. Both weigh under 10 lbs and meet all U.S. safety standards, making them perfect for air travel or quick installs in different vehicles.

Do lightweight car seats have GREENGUARD certification?
Yes, several leading lightweight car seats are GREENGUARD GOLD Certified, meaning they’ve been tested for low chemical emissions and better indoor air quality. Models like the UPPAbaby Aria, Nuna PIPA Aire, and Bugaboo Turtle Air meet these high environmental safety standards.