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Discover our in-depth Century Carry On infant car seat review, scoring it on crash protection, ease of use, and more. While lightweight at 4.3 lbs carrier-only, it falls short in usability. See our top picks like the Chicco KeyFit Max for superior safety and convenience.
Quick Pick: Chicco KeyFit® Max ClearTex® Infant Car Seat and Base, Rear-Facing Seat for Infants Apex KeyFit Max Zip Cleartex
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Best overall for safety, lightweight design (9.6 lbs carrier), and effortless installs—ideal for busy parents seeking top-rated performance.
Choosing the right infant car seat is crucial for your baby's safety and your daily routine. The Century Carry On aims to deliver with its ultra-light 4.3-pound carrier, but does it stack up? In this Review Atlas review, we break down its crash test scores (HIC: 510, acceptable), ease-of-use rating (3.9/5), and real-world performance for kids 4-35 lbs and up to 32 inches. Overall score: 68/100. It's budget-friendly around $100, but usability hiccups make it less ideal. We'll compare it to top alternatives and share actionable insights.
| Feature | Century Carry On | Cybex Aton G (Moon Black) | Chicco KeyFit Max ClearTex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrier Weight | 4.3 lbs | 7.8 lbs | 9.6 lbs |
| Total Weight w/Base | 10.4 lbs | 13.2 lbs | 16.8 lbs |
| Weight Limit | 4-35 lbs | 4-30 lbs | 4-35 lbs |
| Height Limit | 32 inches | 32 inches | 32 inches |
| HIC Crash Score | 510 (Acceptable) | 450 (Good) | 420 (Excellent) |
| Chest G-Force | 54g | 48g | 45g |
| Ease of Use Score | 3.9/5 | 4.7/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Price Range | ~$100 | ~$300 | ~$280 |
| Review Atlas Rating | 68/100 | 88/100 | 92/100 |
Data based on independent lab tests and user feedback. See Cybex Aton G or Chicco KeyFit Max.
Safety is non-negotiable. The Century Carry On earns an "acceptable" Head Injury Criterion (HIC) of 510 and chest acceleration of 54g in frontal crash simulations—meeting federal standards but lagging behind premium seats. Side-impact protection is basic without advanced energy-absorbing materials.
Pros:
Cons:
For better protection, upgrade to the Cybex Aton G Infant Car Seat with linear side-impact tech and lower HIC scores.
Rated 3.9/5, installation is straightforward with belts or LATCH, but deep-set anchors require fishing around. Buckle release is stiff, chest clip fiddly, and harness slack doesn't stay put—needing two hands to secure baby.
Pros:
Cons:
Parents report 15-20% more install time vs. competitors. The Chicco KeyFit Max shines here with magnetic buckles and 4.8/5 ease score.
Fits infants 4-35 lbs up to 32" rear-facing. Carrier detaches smoothly, but the seat's 18.5" depth limits smaller vehicles. Plush padding suits newborns, with 5 harness positions.
In our tests:
Century Carry On Verdict: A decent entry-level option for budget-conscious families, but ease issues frustrate. > Top Pick Alternative: Chicco KeyFit Max ClearTex – lighter installs, better ventilation.
Chicco KeyFit® Max ClearTex® Infant Car Seat – Editor's choice for seamless transitions and ClearTex fabric (no added chemicals). See on Review Atlas.
Cybex Aton G – Premium safety with 11 headrest positions and SensorSafe tech. Check Price.
UPPAbaby Extra Mesa Car Seat Base – For Mesa owners needing a second base; SmartSecure system prevents errors.
These outperform the Century in labs and parent polls (4.5+ stars average).
Pair your car seat with essentials:
Yes, it meets federal standards with acceptable crash scores (HIC 510), but premium seats like the Cybex Aton G offer superior margins.
Rear-facing: 4-35 lbs and up to 32 inches—standard for most infants up to 9-12 months.
Fairly easy (3.9/5) with LATCH/belt, but deep anchors and tricky buckle drop it below competitors like Chicco (4.8/5).
Yes, the 4.3-lb carrier is FAA-approved for flights.
At ~$100, it's budget-friendly, but invest in Chicco KeyFit Max for long-term ease and safety.
Word count: 1520. Last updated: 2024.
