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Annual editorial awards

Best of 2026.

One winner per category, picked by our editors after a year of hands-on testing. No paid placements — these are the products we'd buy for our own families.

6 categories · 5 winners

Award #1Best Overall

Nuna RAVA Convertible

The single product we recommend most across all our reviews.

Why it wins

A truly correct install on the first try across every vehicle our testers used — and correct installation is what actually keeps kids safe.

Award #2Best Car Seat

Nuna RAVA Convertible

Tool-free, true-tension install. No re-thread harness. Safety scores at the top of the category.

Why it wins

FMVSS-213 plus documented side-impact testing, a clear manual, and a clean recall history.

Award #3Best Stroller

UPPAbaby Vista V2

Daily-driver stroller that handles cobblestones, airports, and the everyday school run.

Why it wins

Carries two seated children plus a PiggyBack board, has the biggest usable basket in the category, and rides smoothly on rough sidewalks.

Award #4Best Baby Monitor

Nanit Pro Smart Baby Monitor

Local-network smart monitor with stable streaming and minimal lag.

Why it wins

The cleanest video, accurate breathing-band integration, and a far better app than the price point suggests.

Award #5Best Value

Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant

The pick our editors would buy for their own families on a budget.

Why it wins

Safety scores within a point of products costing 2-3× as much, with a fast, idiot-proof install.

Award #6Best Splurge

Doona Infant Car Seat

When budget is no concern and you want the absolute best.

Why it wins

Car seat + stroller hybrid that genuinely works — saves space, time, and a transition step.

How we chose

A year of hands-on testing.

Every winner was scored across our six axes — safety, ease of use, value, durability, comfort, and features — by a CPST-certified editor. We weight safety heaviest, then ease and value. Picks come from a pool of 25+ products per category that we track all year. Recalls, certification changes, and owner-feedback shifts trigger rescores within 24 hours, which is why these awards refresh annually.

Independent rankings. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links — see our editorial ethics page.