Importance of LATCH System in Car Seats. Best Car Seats with LATCH of 2019.

You or someone close to you is expecting a new baby. Purchasing a car seat is probably on the very top of the list of things to do in preparation for the little bundle of joy.

However, choosing the right car seat can be like running an obstacle course. Does it come with the LATCH system? How easy is it to install? Is it too big or too small? Rear-facing or front-facing? Most importantly, does it meet federal safety standards?

A latch system car seat is a crucial safety feature that can prevent a tragedy in a car accident. These systems ensure the car seat is securely attached to the vehicle, reducing the risk of the seat becoming loose or detached during a collision. In the event of an accident, a properly installed latch system can significantly reduce the risk of injury to a child, providing peace of mind to parents and caregivers.

However, suppose the unthinkable happens and you or your child is involved in a car accident. In that case, a car accident law firm such as Armstrong Lee & Baker, LLP, can provide invaluable assistance. They can help you navigate the complex legal process, ensuring your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve. From dealing with insurance companies to filing a lawsuit, having a knowledgeable legal team can make all the difference during a challenging time.

With hundreds of different models and variations, a car seat is one of the most challenging items to purchase. When researching the best baby car seat for you, there are a couple of factors that should be taken into consideration.

First, not all car seats fit in all cars. Measure your back seat so that you know how much room there is for a car seat. A car seat with a broad base may not fit into a small car. If you have a smaller car, you may need to opt for a car seat with a narrow base.

Second, will you use the seat-belt method or the click-in LATCH system? The LATCH system is more commonly used these days. Check your vehicle’s owner manual and make sure you know where the LATCH attachments are. Some vehicles don’t have any in the middle, rear-seating position, which is the safest spot for a new-born.

What Exactly is LATCH?

LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren. The LATCH system has built-in hooks and straps on the car seat and anchor hardware built into the vehicle. By using the LATCH system, the car seat is “anchored” to the seat of the vehicle.

How Did the LATCH System Come About?

Mounting a car seat can be difficult, and it was found that most car seats were installed incorrectly. The LATCH system was designed to make it less complicated to install the car seat correctly.

Where is the LATCH System Located?

On the car seat, the LATCH system has two straps with hooks at the base of the car seat and a tether strap with a hook that comes from the top of the car seat.

On the vehicle, anchors are located in the rear seats in the space between the back of the seat and the seat cushion. They are required to be in at least two seats, and each seat has two small bars (anchors). For the top tether, the anchor points are located on the rear shelf in a car or on the floor of other types of vehicles.

Which Car Seats and Vehicles Have LATCH?

The LATCH System can be found in ALL infant, convertible and forward-facing car seats as well ALL vehicles made after September 1, 2002.

Which Car Seat Should I Choose?

Which car seat is the perfect car seat for you? There isn’t an answer for this because it depends. The perfect car seat is the car seat that fits your car, can be easily and correctly installed every time, and is convenient. To help you in your quest, we have compiled a list of the best car seats on the market today.

Below are The Top 5 Safest and Best Car Seats with the LATCH system of 2019:

• Britax Boulevard ClickTight Convertible Car Seat.

Our top pick!! This car seat provides safety and peace of mind for new parents. Britax USA is well known for producing some of the safest car seats on the market. They have a reputation for reliability, outstanding quality, and support.

The car seat has superior safety features such as deep headwings with EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) foam, an energy-absorbing headrest, energy absorbing HUGS (Harness Ultra Guard System) harness pads, two layers of side impact protection, and a durable steel frame.

Pros:

• Premium LATCH system
• Steel frame
• Double side impact protection
• Impact absorbing tether
• Energy absorbing base
• Superior crash performance
• Easy to install
• Non-skid base so it won’t leave marks on the seat
• 14 harness strap positions
• 7 recline positions
• No-rethread harness
• FAA approved

Cons:

• HUGS pads can be too bulky if using for a new-born
• No booster mode
• Old-style LATCH connectors
• Rear-facing limit of 40 pounds
• Heavy
• Pricey

• Graco 4ever 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat.

This car seat is a winner for those who want extended use from birth through childhood. It fully transitions from rear-facing (infant) to front-facing (toddler) to booster seat (up to 120-pound child). It also has a six-position recline, LATCH system, ten position no-re-thread harness, and two cup holders.

Pros:

• Premium LATCH connectors
• Easy to install
• Switching modes is easy
• Peak crash course is about two times the Car Seat Standard
• Seat Cushion is machine washable
• FAA approved
• Side impact protection
• Steel reinforced frame
• Easy adjustments

Cons:  

• Expensive
• Heavy and big
• Harness adjustments can become difficult to adjust

• Chicco Keyfit 30 Infant Car Seat.

An excellent choice for those who don’t want to lug around a large stroller. The adapter will adjust to most strollers so if you don’t want to haul around a full-size stroller you can click it into the lightweight frame.  Perfect for airport traveling. The Keyfit 30 is also slightly more affordable. The base is easy to install. The built-in level shows when it is correctly positioned.

Pros:

• SuperCinch Latch System
• Easy to install
• Easy to switch modes
• FAA approved
• Permits European seatbelt routing
• No-rethread harness
• 7 headrest positions with one-hand adjustment
• Anti-rebound bar on base
• Recommended for premature infants

Cons:

• Fabric does not breathe
• Slightly heavy
• Not intended for extended rear facing after 2 years
• Canopy is smaller than most

• Diono Radian RXT All-in-One Convertible Car Seat.

If you have a growing family, carpool, or find you have a need to fit additional car seats into your car, the Diono Radian RXT is for you. The narrow profile of this car seat lets you easily fit three seats together in most vehicles. It has a sturdy steel alloy frame, energy absorbing EPS foam, and aluminum reinforced sidewalls.

These safety features give it an extended expiration date of ten years as opposed to the average four to five years for plastic-molded car seats. The best part is it can be used from birth to booster.

Pros:

• Super LATCH system with an audible click
• Easy installation
• Narrow profile permitting 3-across car seat set up
• Low profile sides making it easy to get in and out of
• Steel alloy frame
• EPS foam
• Reinforced sidewalls
• 12 position headrest
• Extended rear-facing up to 45 pounds
• Fabric cover easy to remove and machine washable

Cons:

• Heavy
• The harness must be rethreaded when adjusting the shoulder height
• Rear-facing may limit front seat passenger leg room

• Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat.

The Graco Extend2Fit is a long-lasting and affordable car seat that will grow with your child. It’s great for parents who want prolonged rear-facing for their toddler as it has a 50-pound rear-facing weight limit. It has a four-position leg extension and a ten-position headrest. This car seat also has a push-on InRight LATCH system, Fuss-Free Storage Pockets to hold harness out of the way when loading and unloading, and two cupholders.

Pros:

• InRight Latch system
• Easy installation
• Extremely versatile
• No re-thread harness
• Steel-reinforced frame
• Side impact protection
• EPS energy absorbing foam
• FAA approved
• Cup holders
• Machine washable seat cover

Cons:

• Heavy
• No booster mode
• Seat cover hard to remove
• Difficult tightening harness straps

In Conclusion:

The safety and versatility of the car seat is important; however, it won’t be effective it is poorly attached to the vehicle. This is where the LATCH system comes in. After you purchase your car seat, install it in your vehicle before removing any tags or throwing away the box. You will want to make sure it fits properly in your vehicle and secures easily using the LATCH system.

This important article was brought to you by Car Seat Mom. Keren Simanova is a busy mommy by day and a passionate writer by night. She resides in New Jersey with her husband and three daughters. While spending countless hours researching car seats for her children, she created an educational car seat blog, CarSeatsMom.com to educate other mothers about the importance of car seats. Further, along the way, the blog became an invaluable source for research of a variety of car seat brands, unique features, and mommies’ reviews.