The Clek Liing is designed to keep your little one safe from their first ride home until they weigh 35 pounds. This is a rear-facing car seat with features like a compact design, SPF 100+ canopy, and an infant insert that make it a good choice for new parents.
It also works with most strollers using Maxi-Cosi adapters, which means you can easily turn this into part of a travel system.
We’ll take a look at these key features and more in this Clek Liing Infant Car Seat review.
Clek Liing Car Seat Features
The Clek Liing Infant Car Seat is a great choice for parents who are expecting preemies since it can be used by babies as small as four pounds. It is a little pricier than other infant car seats because of the added features we’ll discuss in a bit.
We’ve found the best option for parents looking for a more affordable car seat for preemies.
Height and Weight
The seat comes with an infant insert that provides head and body support. To safely use the infant insert, your little one must weigh less than 11 pounds and the tops of their shoulders should not go above the lowest shoulder harness slots.
The total weight range of this car seat is 4-35 pounds. It can be used until your child is 32 long and has less than 1-inch between your child’s head and the top of the car seat.
With a detachable base, one of the major benefits of this car seat is that it is lightweight. Without the base, the seat weighs just 10.5 pounds. This makes it easy to carry into the store or a relative’s house, which is especially helpful for healing moms who might have trouble lugging around a heavy car seat.
Safety
While this does not have a LATCH system like some other models, it does use rigid lower anchor connectors. These connectors are rigid pieces that connect to the same anchor area in your vehicle as the LATCH system. The anchors are extendable to accommodate use in several types of vehicles.
These are on the heavy side, so they add weight to the base. However, this won’t be a problem unless you are frequently switching the car seat between cars.
Another safety feature is the load leg. Even though the load leg is optional, you should use one for added safety in an accident. The load leg reduces the first movements toward the point of impact after you’ve had a car accident. As the rebound is reduced, there is less energy being directed toward your baby.
The load leg cannot be used in some vehicles with under-floor storage, so you’ll need to check your vehicle user manual. If the load leg cannot be used, the seat belt of the vehicle can be used for installation instead.
Once installed, the recline sled can also be adjusted for safety. A bubble indicator lets you know when the seat is level and has been installed properly.
Comfort
The recline feature of this car seat is nice because you can give your baby more legroom as they grow.
The Clek Liing Infant Car Seat features a recline sled, which can be used to adjust the position of the car seat only after it has been locked into the base. The button to release the car seat from the base is also located on the base.
As your little one grows, they’ll continue to have the option of using a headrest. Once the infant insert is removed, the back and the headrest separate. Then, you can continue to use the headrest with your little one until they grow out of the seat.
Babies who enjoy napping in the car or while in the stroller may also appreciate the canopy. The canopy provides SPF 100+ sun protection and covers almost the whole carrier when it is fully extended. There is also a mesh area that unzips to provide airflow or so you can keep an eye on your little one.
Installation
After you get the base installed, installation is easy. However, installing the base for this car seat takes several steps. There is a tutorial video provided by Clek that makes the install significantly easier and I highly recommend watching that before trying installation. This will give you peace of mind in being sure that your baby is safe.
One thing that did help during installation was clear labeling. The seat base has a label that describes installing the base and using the load leg. This is convenient, especially since you’ll always have the instructions on hand.
Other Considerations
This seat has a useful life of nine years, though it should be replaced if it is ever in a car accident like other seats. With a long lifespan of use, this is a good car seat for parents that might want to have a second or third child in the future.
The narrow design is a good choice for parents of multiple children. It measures just 17 at the widest part of the handle, so it can fit three across in the backseat of most vehicles.
Even though this grows with your little one, it has a manual rethread harness. It can be a bit of a pain to rethread the harness as your little one grows.
This car seat also comes with a 1-year warranty, though you can choose to purchase an additional two years when buying the seat.
Pros
- Can be used with preemies
- Weight range of 4-35 pounds
- SPF 100+ canopy
- Recline sled makes it easy to adjust
- Uses rigid lower anchor connectors for added safety
- Included headrest
- Load leg increases safety in an accident
- Clear labeling on the base of the seat to help with install
- Nine years of use
- Narrow design is good for parents with multiple kids
Cons
- Only comes with a 1-year warranty
- Manual rethread harness
Infant Car Seat FAQs
What type of car seat should I get for my newborn?
Even though parents plan as much as they can for the birth of their child, sometimes it is hard to predict premature birth. It is a good idea to buy a newborn car seat that can accommodate a smaller baby, like the Clek Liing. Most come with newborn inserts that add the extra head and neck support they need to be safe in the car.
If you are not going to buy an infant car seat, then a convertible car seat is the best choice.
When will I need to buy a new car seat for my baby?
Even though most states have minimum guidelines of one year for turning your baby around, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting until your little one is at least two.
You should not need to buy him or her a new car seat until they exceed the height and weight recommendations for this model. They should be able to remain in rear-facing mode as well.
How do I know that a car seat is safe?
In the United States, there are guidelines called the U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. These standards require all car seats sold to consumers to pass crash tests and prove their safety.
This means when you buy new car seats, they should generally be safe. Of course, you should always be aware of recalls as well. Registering your car seat is a good option for staying up-to-datethe manufacturer will contact you if there are any recalls for your model.
Even though affordable seats will keep your little one safe, the more expensive models generally have added features for convenience and comfort. Think about what features matter to you most and look for a car seat that meets your needs.
Something to keep in mind is how frequently your little one will be in the car seat. Do you plan to use it as part of a travel system? Do you spend a lot of time in the car? If you do, then you’ll need to choose a model that makes doing these things easier.
Can I buy a secondhand car seat?
Secondhand car seats are a good way to save money. If you don’t know the source, however, it can be dangerous to purchase them.
For example, secondhand stores, yard sales, and furniture banks might seem like a good way to pick up a car seat cheap. However, it is impossible to tell if a car seat has been in an accident. Even if the outside of the seat looks okay, there can be structural damage to the inside that prevents the seat from keeping your little one safe in the future.
If you are going to use a secondhand seat, buy or use one from someone you trust. Relatives are sometimes a good choice. Keep in mind that there are many affordable car seat options though, especially if you don’t want to take the risk.
Final Take
The Clek Liing Infant Car Seat is perfect for parents looking for a safe, lightweight, and convenient car seat that can be used as part of a travel system. It is also a good choice for preemies, with a weight range of 4-35 pounds.
With a nine-year useful life span, you can expect this to last long enough to be used for future siblings or pass on to relatives.
