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– IN THIS ARTICLE –
There is a lot of safe, comfortable, and easy to install car seats on the market. Every year, brands launch new models, with different features to please even the most demanding parent. However, in the realm of design and technology innovation, there are only a few really modern car seats, from a couple of really modern brands.
For this post, I selected the most modern car seats you can find in the market, that are manufactured by reliable brands and sold by trustworthy retailers.
Also, I read all the reviews on Google’s first page (just like some of you did / will do). Finally, I read over 100 parents’ reviews (proud nerd) to triple-check the practical features with the people who actually use the car seats IRL.
So let’s go to it!
Modern Car Seats for Infants
Basically, infant car seats can only be used on the rear face position and, apart from car seats that turn into a stroller, are the ones that may connect with a stroller to create a travel system.
Therefore, because these are car seats for babies, these are the type of modern innovation we can find nowadays:
1. Design improvements that help (a lot) with mobility and safety.
2. Tech-savvy features that help (a lot) from safe installation to sleep-deprived parents.
We selected 3 infant car seats that are unique in these features and that created a new standard for the industry (wow!).
CYBEX CloudQ SensorSafe™: The Luxury Car Seat
The Cybex CloudQ SensorSafe combines design with technology that makes going out with babies way easier for everyone involved!
Cybex, famous for making safe and comfortable car seats engineered in Germany, introduced in the market the game-changer SensorSafe Technology a few years ago.
SensorSafe sends alerts on parent’s smartphones when “a child unbuckles themselves while the vehicle is in motion; if the back seat has become too warm or too cold if a child has been seated for too long, and if the driver accidentally leaves the child behind after the vehicle has been switched off.”
The design innovation comes with a full recline backrest, which allows the car seat to lay flat outside of the car.
And last, but def not least for design lovers, this car seat is a style statement. The integrated foldaway canopy and the sleek lines are absolutely eye-catching. It is a luxury car seat, for sure.
So, if you are a tech-lover, a design-aficionado, super busy, or just distracted, you’ll take full advantage of this feature.
Available in 12 colors: subject to retailers’ inventories.
Average price: $399.99 – $499.99
Shop at:
Use range: 4 to 35 lbs | Up to 30″ tall – Car seat weight: 13.9 lb (without base) – Safety: Anti-rotation stability leg | anti-rebound bar | Linear Side Impact Protection | Energy Absorbing Shell – Safe Installation: LATCH system | Dual-level indicator – Extra: FAA Aircraft Approved – Travel System ready for Cybex Strollers and others w/adaptor – Integrated XXL foldaway sun canopy with UPF 50+ | 11-position headrest | integrated harness guide
I’ve read over 20 parents’ reviews on the AlbeeBaby and Cybex websites. Parents are absolutely in love with how safe, padded, sturdy, and practical the CloudQ is.
Maxi-Cosi Coral XP: Lightweight Car Seat
This infant cart seat is a unique outstanding one in this list (and in most lists out there!). And, according to hundreds of parents and reviews, it is living up to the buzz!
First, the design innovation of the lightweight nesting system and the cross-body flex strap makes it very practical for parents who are often on the go. They developed what seemed impossible to me: a car seat more ergonomic for the human carrying it (cuddles to R&D teams who listen to the parents)!
Also, Maxi-Cosi has a good reputation for making safe, easy to install, and comfortable car seats, so you are covered there.
Finally, they made the clever choice to use their modern PureCosi fabric, which is wool and toxic flame retardant free, making it a non-toxic car seat.
Available in 3 colors: Graphite | Blue | Red
Average price: $399.99
Shop at:
Use range: 4 to 22 lbs | Up to 29″tall – Car seat weight: 21.05 lb – Inner shell weight: 5 lb – Safe Installation: Anti-rotation stability leg | One-click LATCH – Color tightness indicator – Extra features: FAA Aircraft Approved – Compatible with several premium Travel Systems – Machine Washable Fabric
In order to write this post, I’ve read over 50 reviews on buybuyBaby, Maxi-Cosi, and Nordstrom websites. A few parents didn’t consider the Maxi-Cosi Coral XP padded enough or the nesting system easy enough. In hence sight, the vast majority of reviews highlight how useful and practical the innovative design is in IRL. Since comfort level is very subjective, it comes down to your preferences.
CYBEX Aton M with SensorSafe™
Yes, I know, another Cybex. But the brand only makes modern car seats, so this would not be an honest modern car seat list without a cheaper option.
The Aton M with SensorSafe has the same basic safety features as the CloudQ with Sensor Safe, but a different design.
It doesn’t have the full recliner feature, it’s slightly lighter, and is available in only 4 colors.
Now, if you really love the SensorSafe and you care nothing about design and material, the Evenflo Gold may be the one for you! It brings the same SensorSafe (both brands belong to the same holding) at a more friendly budget!
Available in 4 colors: Black | Black Pepper | Blue | Grey
Average price: $349.95
Shop at:
Use range: birth to 35 lbs | Up to 30″ tall – Car seat weight: 10.9 lb (without base) – Safety: Anti-rotation stability leg | Anti-rebound bar | Linear Side Impact Protection | Energy Absorbing Shell – Safe Installation: LATCH system | Dual-level indicator – Extra Features: FAA Aircraft Approved – Travel System ready for Cybex Strollers and others w/adaptor – Integrated extended XXL foldaway sun canopy with a UPF 50+ | 11-position height-adjustable headrest | Integrated harness guide
I’ve also read over 20 parents’ reviews on the buybuyBaby and Cybex websites. On both sites, the Cybex Aton M is rated at least 4/5 stars. Some parents complained about the base installation. However, most parents who contacted Cybex customer service described being satisfied with the instructions given and the occasional replacements.
Appropriate installation is the main safety requisite for car seats. So, if you’re not sure whether your car model is a fit, call the brand and ask for detailed instructions! If you are still unsure, don’t buy it. 😉
Car Seats That Turn Into a Stroller
There is a lot of great convertible and all-in-one car seats in the market. However, there was only one really innovative launch lately.
And it was so freaking innovative that would be a shame to consider any other really innovative or modern.
Doona+ Infant Car Seat & Stroller
So far in 2021, Donna is still the one and only car seat that turns into a stroller and stroller that turns into a car seat, despite being launched a few years ago.
And because it is one-of-a-kind when it comes to design innovation, we couldn’t leave it out of our modern car seat list.
The Doona is an infant car seat, so it’s designed to be used only during the rear-facing stage.
The main goal is hassle-free mobility, and you get it from the 2-in-1 design and for its sleek shape.
Therefore, if you are very often on planes, subways, or on the go, the Doona can be the one for you!
Available in 6 colors: Green | Black | Pink | Blue | Grey | Red
Average price: $499.00
Shop at:
Use range: 4 to 35 lbs | Up to 32″ tall – Car seat weight: 16.5 lb (without base) – Safety: Anti-rebound bar – Safe Installation: LATCH system – Extra: FAA Aircraft Approved
I read over 15 parents’ reviews on the buybuyBaby and AlbeeBaby websites. On both sites, the Doona has rated at least 4.7/5 stars and parents that are fans. Most complaints regarded it as being on the heavier side, which is fall on the very personal side. I would add that as a stroller, it doesn’t have a storage area, so you may wanna consider it.
Modern Convertible Car Seats
There is a lot of great convertible and all-in-one car seats in the market. However, there was only one really innovative launch lately.
And it was so freaking game-changer that would be a shame to consider any other model really innovative or modern.
It doesn’t mean that you can’t find amazing, safe, luxurious convertible car seats in the market. It means that for the criteria I consider for a modern car seat, this is the only one so far.
CYBEX Sirona S SensorSafe™
Any human who has ever hauled a sleepy baby or an awake rebellious toddler in a car seat was emotional when this 360 one-hand rotation car seat was launched.
And it’s self-explanatory, right? The joy of not having a fussy annoyed little human. Plus you not becoming a failed contortionist every time the family goes out!
Besides, because of the 360-degree seat, you only install the base once and you can use it during the rear and forward-facing stages. If you are new to the baby world, it means years without having to install a car seat!
Finally, Cybex is considered a premium brand, and we often spot their products being used by modern celebrities. Their Instagram is #modernmood inspo for moms who love high fashion and modern chic lifestyle .
Available in 4 colors: Black | Grey | Blue | Black Grey
Average price: $499.99
Shop at:
Use range: Rear-facing: 4 to 50 lbs-Forward-facing: 22 to 65lbs | Up to 49″ tall – Safety: Anti-rotation stability leg | Anti-rebound bar | Linear Side Impact Protection | Energy Absorbing Shell – Safe Installation: LATCH system | Dual-level indicator – Extra: FAA Aircraft Approved – Travel System ready for Cybex Strollers and others w/adaptor – Integrated XXL foldaway sun canopy with a UPF 50+ | 12-position headrest | Integrated harness guide | Dishwasher safe cup holder | Magnetic buckle holders
I read over 20 parents’ reviews on the buybuyBaby and Cybex websites. On both sites, the Cybex Sirena S Car Seat is rated at least 4/5 stars and obsessed parents. Some customers related a hardship installing it on some Teslas. So, if that’s your case, call Cybex before buying it and get their instructions!
Avoiding counterfeit car seats
All the car seats featured at The Mood Guide are said to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) guidelines. Of course, counterfeit sellers don’t care about safety or their reputation. They are scammers trying to cash in some easy money.
That’s why we only feature renowned manufacturers and a few trustworthy retailers who are not infamous for selling counterfeit. Plus, we decided to include this information in every car seat post we are updating in 2021 because it feels right.
At the end of 2019 the CNN released an article about counterfeit car seats being sold online and how dangerous they can be. Even more disturbing was to find out that online stores, unlike brick-and-mortar, can’t be legally accountable for selling counterfeit.
Not all online store is a villain, though. The main sources of worry are marketplaces that sell directly from third-party sellers, without any control over what’s shipped to your house.
This accountability gap, besides unlimited greed and lack of humanity, is what enables scammers to sell fake products online.
In March 2020, the Shop Safe Act , a bipartisan bill, was introduced in hopes to incentivize e-commerce retailers to take steps to avoid counterfeit offers of products that can cause health or life risk to American people.
What can we do?
In the meanwhile what we can do to protect our kids is spread awareness and be extra careful about the retailers we are buying from. If something looks too good to be true, then it probably is.
Therefore, if we can prevent at least one person from buying a fake unsafe car seat that can cost a child’s life, it is worth it.
As much as we are brought to believe that we are too small to make a difference, it’s our money and our shopping that sustains the economy. We are the buyers, we have the power.
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