Going Out With Baby? Grab a Cute Car Seat Cover

For years, parents have been using things like muslin blankets as car seat covers for inclement weather. But today, tons of great companies are making car seat covers that form and fit to infant car seats, and they do a much better job at keeping baby cozy.

What to Consider

I know that car seat covers might seem like an extraneous purchase — but trust me, having a dedicated car seat cover for your little one makes a world of difference. You'll never have to worry about it shifting or coming untied, and many of them are even stain and water-resistant. Ultimately, they are extremely convenient products during a time in your life when you can use all of the convenience you can get.

When and Where You're Using It

The biggest thing you should think about when buying a car seat cover is when you're going to be using it and where you're going to be using it. For super cold weather, you'll want a car seat cover that's lined and decently weatherproof to keep your baby warm and dry. And since it's not safe to bundle babies up and then strap them into a car seat, car seat covers also act as an additional layer of protection and warmth — think of it as their own little cocoon! For spring, fall, and less frigid days, a light material that keeps away wind and pests should suffice.

It should be noted that most car seat covers generally should not be used in the summer or very warm weather because they end up trapping the heat in the confines of the carrier, which can put baby at risk of overheating.

Materials

You can get car seat covers made from anything from linen to nylon. Snow and rainproof covers like the Skip* Hop generally have a nylon or polyester exterior with a soft microfleece interior, while warmer weather covers like the Copper Pearl are typically much lighter and are made with a mix of materials like cotton and spandex. Why it matters — other than personal preference — is because what they're made of usually determines how you have to clean them. Although car seat covers are usually machine-washable, not all of them can be put in the dryer.

How We Chose

I spent hours reading reviews, talking to manufacturers, and speaking with parents to compare car seat covers and find the very best. I chose a variety of covers and styles at multiple price points to make sure that they are accessible to all.

Check out all the best car seat covers for your little love below!