Lightest infant car seats for travel
If you carry the car seat through airports, taxis and rental cars, every kilo or pound counts. Here are the infant seats we list, lightest first.
Quick picks
- Budget & US Flights: Cosco Scenera NEXT Convertible Car Seat ($59 / £55 and 3.1 kg / 6.8 lbs, FAA approved)
- Lightest UK i-Size: Joie i-Snug 2 (3.35 kg / 7.4 lbs, £105 RRP)
- Overhead-bin folding (2+ yrs): WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat (3.6 kg / 8 lbs, folds into airplane overhead bin)
- Car-seat-to-stroller: Doona Infant Car Seat & Stroller (Integrated wheels for Uber/taxis & flights)
Compare at a glance
| Product | Weight | Suitable for | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosco Scenera NEXT Convertible Car Seat | 3.1 kg (6.8 lbs) | Rear-facing 2.3–18 kg (5–40 lbs); forward-facing 10–18 kg (22–40 lbs) | $59 MSRP (approx. £55) | Check price at Cosco Kids |
| Joie i-Snug 2 | 3.35 kg (7.4 lbs) | Birth to 75 cm (up to 13 kg / 29 lbs) | £105 RRP / $169.99 MSRP | Check price at Joie |
| WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat | 3.6 kg (8 lbs) | Forward-facing toddlers 10–22.7 kg (22–50 lbs, 76–114 cm / 30–45 in, age 1+) | $380 MSRP (approx. £310) | Check price at WAYB |
| CYBEX Cloud T i-Size | 4.5 kg (9.9 lbs) | 45–87 cm, up to 13 kg (4–30 lbs) | £199.95 RRP / $449.95 MSRP | Check price at CYBEX |
| Maxi-Cosi Pebble 360 Pro² | 4.7 kg (10.4 lbs) | 40–87 cm, up to 13 kg (4–30 lbs) | £259.99 RRP / $399.99 MSRP | Check price at Maxi-Cosi |
| Doona Infant Car Seat & Stroller | 7.8 kg (17.2 lbs) | Rear-facing infants 1.8–16 kg / 4–35 lbs (up to 81 cm / 32 in) | £349 RRP / $550 MSRP | Check price at Doona |
Blank cells: not yet verified from the maker's official page.
Our picks
Infant & toddler travel car seat
Cosco Scenera NEXT Convertible Car Seat
3.1 kg (6.8 lbs), 17 in wide, FAA aircraft certified for rear- and forward-facing (5–40 lbs), $59 MSRP.
Check price at Cosco KidsInfant car seat
Joie i-Snug 2
3.35 kg (7.4 lbs), birth to 75 cm, £105 RRP / $169.99.
Check price at JoieFolding forward-facing travel car seat
WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat
3.6 kg (8 lbs) folding aluminum forward-facing seat (22–50 lbs), fits overhead bins, FAA approved & GREENGUARD Gold, $380 MSRP.
Check price at WAYBInfant car seat
CYBEX Cloud T i-Size
4.5 kg (9.9 lbs), 45–87 cm up to 13 kg (30 lbs), £199.95 RRP / $449.95.
Check price at CYBEXInfant car seat
Maxi-Cosi Pebble 360 Pro²
4.7 kg (10.4 lbs), 40–87 cm up to 13 kg, TÜV aircraft approved, £259.99 RRP / $399.99.
Check price at Maxi-CosiInfant car seat with integrated stroller wheels
Doona Infant Car Seat & Stroller
7.8 kg (17.2 lbs) infant car seat with integrated stroller wheels, FAA & TÜV aircraft approved (4–35 lbs), $550 / £349.
Check price at Doona
Pros, cons and who each suits
From the makers' official pages (and, where noted, published test results and customer reviews), checked 2026-10-30. "Fits on paper" compares folded size with cabin limits we've verified across UK and US airlines.
Cosco Scenera NEXT Convertible Car Seat
Pros
- Lightest convertible car seat for flying at just 6.8 lbs (3.1 kg)
- FAA certified for aircraft with red FMVSS 213 approval label on the shell
- Narrow 17-inch (43.2 cm) width fits almost every US economy airplane window seat
- Unbeatable $59 budget price for flights, rental cars and rideshares
Cons
- Minimal padding compared with heavy everyday convertible car seats
- Sold primarily in the US and Canada (FMVSS 213 certified, not UN ECE R129)
Who it suits: Parents who carry it a lot: stairs, airports, public transport.
Joie i-Snug 2
Pros
- Very light (3.35 kg)
- Cheapest seat here (£105)
- Travel-system compatible with Joie pushchairs (adapters)
- Covers removable and machine washable
Cons
- Outgrown sooner: up to 75 cm (about 12 months)
- Some Joie customer reviewers say the headrest gets tight for bigger babies
Who it suits: Parents who prefer its features over the lighter options; compare specs above.
WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat
Pros
- Folds to 14.5 × 11.6 × 18.9 in to fit inside airplane overhead bins
- Aerospace-grade aluminum frame weighs only 8 lbs (3.6 kg)
- FAA & NHTSA FMVSS 213 approved for both airplanes and cars
- GREENGUARD Gold certified breathable wool-blend AstroKnit fabric (no chemical flame retardants)
Cons
- Forward-facing only (for toddlers 22–50 lbs; cannot be used rear-facing for infants)
- Premium $380 price tag
- Too big on paper for: easyJet, British Airways, Ryanair, Jet2, TUI Airways, Delta, United, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, Air Canada
Who it suits: Parents who prefer its features over the lighter options; compare specs above.
CYBEX Cloud T i-Size
Pros
- 180° rotation towards the door with Base T
- Lie-flat position when used on a pushchair
- ADAC test winner, Oct 2023 (shared)
- UPF 50+ XXL canopy; covers washable at 30°C
Cons
- Rotation needs Base T (sold separately)
- Only compatible with Base T or Base Z2
Who it suits: Parents who prefer its features over the lighter options; compare specs above.
Maxi-Cosi Pebble 360 Pro²
Pros
- TÜV-approved for use on aircraft (Maxi-Cosi)
- Full lie-flat in the car and on a pushchair
- 360° rotation with FamilyFix 360 base
- ADAC 2024 rating 2.2 (Good)
- 5-year warranty if registered within 6 months
Cons
- Most expensive seat here (£259.99)
- Rotation needs the FamilyFix 360 base (sold separately)
Who it suits: Parents who prefer its features over the lighter options; compare specs above.
Doona Infant Car Seat & Stroller
Pros
- Transforms from an FAA/TÜV aircraft-approved infant car seat into a stroller in seconds
- Game-changer for Uber, Lyft, taxis and flights — zero separate stroller frame to carry
- Installs baseless with a vehicle seat belt (European belt path on UK/EU version, standard belt path on US version)
- Under 20 lbs (17.2 lbs): within American Airlines' carry-on stroller weight limit
Cons
- Heavy to lift as a standalone carrier (7.8 kg / 17.2 lbs) once your baby grows
- No under-seat storage basket, and outgrown around 12 months (32 in / 81 cm)
- Too big on paper for: easyJet, British Airways, Ryanair, Jet2, TUI Airways, Delta, United, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, Air Canada
Who it suits: Parents who prefer its features over the lighter options; compare specs above.
FAQ
Can I use my car seat on the plane?
Yes, if you book a separate seat for your baby and the car seat carries an approved aircraft certification label (such as the FAA red lettering or TÜV aircraft mark). See our FAA car seat guide and airline table.
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