Consumer Reports releases 2026 top picks for baby gear

Parents and child care workers looking for baby gear often face a challenge: finding products that are both safe and worth the cost. Consumer Reports says its latest testing aims to make that decision easier.

For more than 50 years, the nonprofit organization has evaluated products designed to keep babies and children safe. Its 2026 Top Picks list draws on testing across a wide range of items, including car seats, bassinets and strollers.

"Our testing team gathers comparative data on safety and other factors for over a thousand baby products, so our Top Picks are based on real scientific evidence," said Jessica D'Argenio Waller of Consumer Reports.

In each category, Consumer Reports highlights three standouts: a Top Pick, a Value Pick and an Expert Pick for special features.

"If you're a parent, we want you to feel confident you're buying safe baby gear that also fits your budget," Waller said.

Car seats remain one of the most closely tested products. Consumer Reports' certified technicians spend months evaluating how easy seats are to use, how well they fit different vehicles and how they perform in simulated crashes.

"This year's ratings reflect over 300 crash tests," said Dr. Emily Thomas of Consumer Reports. "We test at a higher speed than the federal standard and aim to represent a real-world crash environment."

Among infant car seats, the Cybex Cloud T was named the Top Pick. The Chicco KeyFit was recommended as a more affordable option that still performs well in safety testing.

For bassinets, the Maxi-Cosi Iora earned the Top Pick designation. The Chicco LullaGlide Plus was selected as an Expert Pick for its added features, including motorized gliding and a sound machine that can be controlled from a phone.

In the stroller category, models from Baby Jogger and Uppababy ranked highest, receiving strong marks for ease of use, maneuverability and safety.

Consumer Reports says its testing program has also helped identify unsafe baby and children's products over the years, contributing to recalls, stronger standards and improved product design.

The organization says understanding which products are safe, perform well and offer good value can provide peace of mind for families as they make purchasing decisions.