Best Car Seats Without Added Flame Retardants

What separates the best car seats without flame retardants?

Three seats, three different jobs. The Britax Boulevard ClickTight scores 8.3 and costs $379.99. The Nuna PIPA rx scores 7.9 at $450. The Clek Foonf scores 7.7 at $549.99. All three skip added flame retardants in the fabric.

Installation is where they split. The Boulevard's ClickTight belt install was the fastest and tightest in every car we tried. The Foonf's rear-facing belt install took the longest. The PIPA rx pairs a stability leg with an anti-rebound base.

Weight and size matter too. The Boulevard is 29 lb, the heaviest here. The PIPA rx carrier is 7.6 lb. The Foonf is 17 inches wide and fit three across the Odyssey's middle row.

What should you check before buying?

Our scoring puts Protection & fit at 35 points, Ease of installation at 20, Comfort & longevity at 15, Cleaning & build at 10 and Value at 20. Read your own priorities against those weights.

• Rear-facing limits: the Boulevard goes to 40 lb, the PIPA rx to 32 lb, the Foonf to 50 lb.
• Install method: ClickTight on the Boulevard, rigid-LATCH forward-facing and an anti-rebound bar rear-facing on the Foonf, a load-leg base on the PIPA rx.
• Weight you lift: 29 lb for the Boulevard, 38 lb for the Foonf, 7.6 lb for the PIPA rx carrier.
• Cleaning: the Boulevard's SafeWash cover is machine washable.
• Price: $379.99, $450 and $549.99.

Britax Boulevard ClickTight

For the parent who wants the belt install to go right the first time, plus a steel frame and two layers of side-impact protection. The 40 lb rear-facing limit and 29 lb weight are the trade-offs.

Nuna PIPA rx

For someone moving a carrier in and out of the car all day. At 7.6 lb it is the lightest carrier in the test, with a merino insert and a canopy dream drape. The 32 lb limit is lower than the KeyFit 35, and it costs $450.

Clek Foonf

For a three-across back seat or a long rear-facing run. It is 17 inches wide, rear-faces to 50 lb, and has a steel and magnesium sub-structure. It is 38 lb, $549.99, and the slowest rear-facing belt install here.

Pick the Britax Boulevard ClickTight if you want the easiest belt install and a machine-washable cover. Pick the Nuna PIPA rx if you carry the seat in and out and want the lightest carrier here. Pick the Clek Foonf if you need a 17-inch seat that rear-faces to 50 lb.