If there’s one piece of baby gear you’re going to invest in, it should be a car seat. It’s the piece of equipment that’s tasked with keeping your little one safe in the car, after all. So when a new car seat hit the market claiming to take safety precautions to the next level – the Babyark Convertible Car Seat Premium ($990, originally $1,190) – of course I was intrigued.
The Babyark claims to use unique energy-absorption technology, shock-absorption materials, and side-impact protection. It also has a guided installation system that is meant to help reduce user error, ensuring it’s correctly and safely installed.
Admittedly, the Babyark’s price tag is part of what made it stand out. Of course, a car seat doesn’t have to be expensive – and certainly not as expensive as the Babyark is – to be high quality and safe. But if they’re going to be charging that much, surely that means they’re going above and beyond when it comes to safety, convenience, and comfort – right?
Babyark offered to send me a car seat to try for myself, and I jumped at the chance to see if that hypothesis stood up to the test. Here, my unfiltered thoughts about the Babyark Car Seat.
What I Like About the Babyark Car Seat
Car seat installation has come a long way since the 1980s, when it was so common for new parents to struggle with getting a car seat strapped in that it became a full-on trope. But even so, the Babyark is exceptionally easy to install. I was sent the Premium version of the seat, which connects to an app that guides you through the installation process step-by-step. The seat itself also has lights that confirm when the seat is installed correctly for extra peace of mind.
Once installed, I was struck by how comfortable the Babyark car seat looked. The material was plush, and the egg-shaped seat seemed cozily snug without seeming cramped. My son isn’t the biggest car seat fan, but in the Babyark, he settled quickly and dozed off within a few minutes of being on the road. (Success.)
But where Babyark really stands out is in its safety features. It uses a shock-absorption system called SafeCoil, which is meant to reduce the force and forward momentum the seat will experience if the car stops suddenly. It also has a side impact protection system, meant to divert force away from the child’s head in the event of a crash. The headrest contains D30, a polymer that also helps absorb impact.
The app is also useful, verifying that the seat is properly installed and your child is securely buckled in at all times. It even has a feature that alerts you if you’ve exited the vehicle without your infant. In order to be sold in the US, a car seat must meet certain US federal safety standards, so it’s not that the additional features that Babyark offers are crucial for car seat safety, but they do provide some additional peace of mind, which is very appreciated.
Another plus: the fabric zippers off and is machine washable. Considering my child tends to get motion sickness, that’s been a huge benefit.
What to Consider Before Trying the Babyark Car Seat
The Babyark is large and heavy: the seat is about 27 pounds, and the base is an additional 18 to 20 pounds. That’s not a problem if you plan to install it and leave it in a car, but it’s definitely not a car seat I’d consider traveling by plane with.
I also found the head rest to be a bit wide, especially when my child was younger. I wasn’t concerned about this from a safety perspective, but when he napped while we were driving, his head would flop from one side to the other as the car moved, and I was worried about him waking up.
The Babyark is also relatively new to the market, which means it can be tough to find people who are sharing their experiences with it IRL or online. That’s not a huge deal, but as someone who loves to read other people’s reviews, I missed being able to comb through recommendations, questions, and tips on forums like Reddit or TikTok.
Who the Babyark Car Seat Is Best For
While most car seats expire about six years after the manufacturing date, the Babyark never expires and can convert to be used from newborns (starting at 4 pounds) to 6 year olds (up to 65 pounds). So it’s ideal for someone who wants a car seat that lasts a super long time.
It’s also a great fit for safety-heads who want the extra reassurance that those additional features offer.
Is the Babyark Car Seat Worth the Splurge?
Again, any car seat that’s currently on the market has passed tests that guarantee it fulfills certain safety requirements, so it’s possible to find a safe, comfortable car seat that is much more budget-friendly. But if you have the space to splurge, the Babyark is a great option.
Additional Details About the Babyark Car Seat
- Babyark has two models: Classic ($790) and Premium ($990, originally $1,190), which is the one I tried. The only difference is the Classic does not have carbon fiber in its frame, and does not have guiding lights (to help installation) or app connectivity.
- Classic and Premium come in Charcoal Grey/Glacier Ice and Charcoal Grey/Midnight Blue colorways; Premium also comes in Eggshell White/Moonlight.
- You can purchase a matching Babyark Cup Holder ($49) or Car Seat Cover ($129) separately.
Where Is the Babyark Car Seat Available?
You can purchase the Babyark Car Seat on the Babyark website.
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Mirel Zaman is the health and fitness director at PS. She has over 15 years of experience working in the health and wellness space, covering fitness, general health, mental health, relationships and sex, food and nutrition, spirituality, family and parenting, culture, and news.
