Parents looking for a quality-made, average-priced infant car seat can’t go wrong with the Chicco KeyFit 30. It's an easy-to-install-and-maintain travel system for your little one. This infant car seat is suitable for children up to 30.0 pounds and costs about $220.
Our review team ordered and tested the Chicco KeyFit 30 infant car seat along with several other car seats for infants, toddler, and young children. The KeyFit 30 made our roundup of the best infant car seats, and you can find out why in this review.
In this article:
- Chicco KeyFit 30 Overview And Features
- Chicco KeyFit 30 Testing Process
- What We Like About Chicco KeyFit 30
- What We Don’t Like About Chicco KeyFit 30
- Chicco KeyFit 30 Reviews
- Our Take On Chicco KeyFit 30: 4.3 Stars
- Frequently Asked Questions
Chicco KeyFit 30 Overview And Features
ChiccoKeyFit 30 
| |
|---|---|
| Our Take - An infant car seat with several configurations for optimal comfort and safety. | |
| Pros | Cons |
| - Easy to adjust - Can be attached to compatible Chicco strollers - High-quality, comfortable lining - Easy to install - Adjustable canopy | - Lower maximum weight limit and height limit than some other brands |
Key Features
- Cost: About $220
- Weight range: 4.0 to 30.0 pounds
- Height range: Up to 30.0 inches
- Car seat weight (excluding infant car seat base): 9.5 pounds
- Machine-washable padding and newborn insert
Chicco KeyFit 30 Testing Process
We tested the Chicco KeyFit 30 by installing it in the backseat of a standard sedan according to the included instructions. We noted the ease or difficulty of installation, making sure to test every strap and adjustment mechanism.
We also combed through customer reviews to get a sense of the typical parent experience with the KeyFit 30. We looked for comments about safety, ease of installation, and longevity. Do these car seats hold up over time, and do most children find the Chicco KeyFit 30 comfortable?
What We Like About Chicco KeyFit 30
The Chicco KeyFit 30 is a reliable and easy-to-use infant car seat. The latch tightener and other adjustment mechanisms work well so that it won’t be a hassle for parents to install the KeyFit 30 into their vehicles. The leveling foot and RideRight bubble level-indicators help parents properly align the seat.
The soft padding is removable and machine-washable, simplifying maintenance. Lastly, the KeyFit 30 is usable with a compatible stroller for seamless transition from car to sidewalk.
You can find other, more expensive KeyFit models that add features such as a higher weight capacity and extra padding, but for about $200, the KeyFit 30 is a quality infant car seat. Reviews on Amazon are consistently high, indicating that most parents agree with our take.
What We Don’t Like About Chicco KeyFit 30
While the Chicco KeyFit 30 works exceptionally well, it doesn’t accommodate as wide a range of children as some other car seats in the same price range. It’s only rated for children up to 30.0 pounds and doesn’t transition to a forward-facing or booster car seat. Depending how quickly your infant grows, you may not get as many years out of the KeyFit 30 as you would from other brands or one of the best convertible car seats.
While most people report that this seat is comfortable for their children, this isn’t the case with every review. Some comfier seats are available for purchase, but you’ll pay a premium for them.
Chicco KeyFit 30 Reviews
The Chicco KeyFit 30 has an average Amazon review score of 4.9 out of 5 based on more than 4,750 reviews. About 93 percent of reviewers give the KeyFit 30 a full 5 stars.
Most customers praise the KeyFit 30 because it’s easy to install, and many reviewers say it’s a comfortable and convenient vehicle seat that’s a great value. The vast majority of reviews are positive, with a few complaints mixed in.
Positive Chicco KeyFit 30 Reviews
Most users say the seat is lightweight, easy to use, and the five-point harness is comfortable for their child.
“The base was the easiest to install in my 2019 Jeep Compass. It literally just clicks into place and is very secure."
– Katie H. via Amazon Reviews
“[The Chicco KeyFit 30 is] incredibly easy to install, it has a lighter weight to it, it’s very easy to put in the base and get out of the base, and my baby seems to love it!"
– Maelee G. via Amazon Reviews
Negative Chicco KeyFit 30 Reviews
Not all Chicco KeyFit 30 reviews give the infant car seat perfect marks. Some say children outgrow it too quickly, and others claim more comfortable options exist (at least for their children).
“This product is excellent, but I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone due to the fact that it and the stroller that goes with it [are] useless once your child outgrows the seat, which in my case was in six months. Yes, our child is on the tall end of the spectrum, but I wish I had done my research."
– MH via Amazon Reviews
“Easy to install. Doesn’t have the most cushion/comfort as our Graco."
– Victor Flores via Amazon Reviews
Our Take On Chicco KeyFit 30: 4.3 Stars
The Chicco KeyFit 30 is a solid all-around car seat that’s easy to install and clean. The adjustment mechanisms and SuperCinch® latch system work very well, making this a reliable car seat in the just over $200 range. Safety features such as the RideRight™ bubble level and ReclineSure® leveling foot help ensure proper installation.
However, this car seat can only accommodate kids up to 30.0 pounds.
| Overall Rating | 4.3 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Ease of Use | 4 out of 5 |
| Adjustability | 5 out of 5 |
| Quality of Materials | 4 out of 5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between Chicco KeyFit and KeyFit 30?
The Chicco KeyFit and KeyFit 30 are very similar products, with the main difference being that the KeyFit 30 is slightly heavier and can accommodate children up to 30.0 pounds (the KeyFit accommodates children up to 22.0 pounds). The KeyFit costs around $180, and the KeyFit 30 costs around $220.
What’s the difference between the Chicco KeyFit 30 and the Chicco KeyFit 30 Zip?
The Chicco KeyFit 30 Zip includes a higher-quality infant insert, removable boot, and zip accents, while the KeyFit 30 doesn’t come with any of these. Overall, the Chicco KeyFit 30 Zip is a similar car seat with more comfortable padding.
How long can my baby use Chicco KeyFit?
The Chicco KeyFit can accommodate children up to 30.0 inches tall and 22.0 pounds. The KeyFit 30 can accommodate children up to 30.0 inches tall and 30.0 pounds. As long as your child is within the weight and height recommendations, you can continue to use the Chicco KeyFit.
Has the Chicco KeyFit 30 been recalled?
Chicco KeyFit 30 models manufactured between December 30, 2013 and May 21, 2018 have been subjected to a recall because they didn’t meet safety requirements for chest acceleration. However, KeyFit 30 car seats manufactured after May 2018 meet all crash test safety standards and haven’t been subject to any recall at the time of this article’s publication.
Does the Chicco KeyFit 30 have side-impact protection?
Yes, the Chicco KeyFit 30 has energy-absorbing foam (EPS foam) that acts as side-impact protection for your child. The KeyFit 30 meets federal safety standards and is safe for use.
Can I install the KeyFit 30 with a seatbelt?
Yes, you can install the KeyFit 30 using a seatbelt, but the easiest installation method is to use the LATCH connectors, attaching the KeyFit 30 to your vehicle’s seat anchors.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
