1 / 1 Image from Chicco

Image: Chicco, from chiccousa.com. Colors may differ from the seat you buy. See it on chiccousa.com

Chicco KeyFit Max Zip Infant Car Seat

An infant car seat with one mode: rear-facing harness 4 to 30 lb, up to 32 in.

At a glance

Fits children from 4 to 30 lb
Up to 32 in tall
Rear-facing harness only
Anti-rebound protection
Seat weighs 10 lb
17 in wide
6-year usable life
Certified for aircraft use

$299.99on chiccousa.com, as of 2026-10-07 05:42 UTC. Prices change.

Buy from Chicco

Sold by Chicco. Not an affiliate link; this site earns nothing from it.

Chicco product page Manual

Specifications checked against Chicco’s US site and manual on September 17, 2026. Not hands-on tested. How I research

Who is the KeyFit Max Zip Infant Car Seat for?

The Chicco KeyFit Max Zip is a rear-facing infant car seat for babies from 4 to 30 lb and up to 32 inches, with the head at least 1 inch below the top of the headrest. It uses the KeyFit Max manual, base and published specifications, adds a zip-open canopy and privacy shield, and expires after 6 years.

Reasons to consider it

A UPF 50+ canopy with a zip-open mesh panel and a zip-open privacy shield
A 5-position headrest that raises the harness for children up to 32 in
A quick-remove, machine-washable seat pad
Click-in use with Chicco strollers, except the Liteway and Urbino

Things to weigh up

A 10 lb carrier and 8.5 lb base, per Chicco's specifications
A 28.75 in footprint for front-to-back room
ClearTex and ClearLux versions exist, so check which fabric a listing is
A 6-year life; check the Do Not Use After date on the label

My take on the KeyFit Max Zip Infant Car Seat

The KeyFit Max Zip suits a family that wants the KeyFit Max's 32 inch height limit and no-rethread headrest and also values the zip-open canopy panels. Its limits, weight and size match the KeyFit Max, so the choice between them comes down mainly to the canopy and fabric. Chicco sells it in ClearTex and ClearLux fabric versions with the same published specifications.

A research summary of Chicco’s published specifications and manual, read October 7, 2026. Not a hands-on test or a crash-safety rating.

Who the KeyFit Max Zip Infant Car Seat fits

This seat covers one stage. Chicco gives it a 6-year life from the date of manufacture, so check the date label before using a hand-me-down.

Rear-facing harness4 to 30 lb · Up to 32 in: The child faces the back of the car, which keeps the head, neck and spine supported in a frontal crash. Keep this mode as long as the child fits it.

A parent lifting a newborn beside an empty rear-facing infant car seat

What are the KeyFit Max Zip Infant Car Seat weight, height and age limits?

Chicco KeyFit Max Zip Infant Car Seat limits by mode
Mode	Child weight	Child height	Minimum age	Conditions
Rear-facing harness	4 to 30 lb	Up to 32 in	Not published	Manual: child's head must be at least 1 in below the top of the headrest; newborn positioner for 4-11 lb.

A child must meet every limit for the mode they use. The labels on your seat and its manual are the final word.

KeyFit Max Zip Infant Car Seat specifications

Seat weight: 10 lb
Width: 17 in
Depth: 28.75 in
Height: 24 in
Usable life: 6 years
Aircraft use: Certified for aircraftProduct page: FAA certified for aircraft use.
Carrier weight: 10 lb
Base weight: 8.5 lb
Recline positions: 6
Harness positions: 5
Crotch positions: 1
Max harness slot height: 10 in
Interior shoulder width: 10 in
Interior hip width: 10.5 in
Interior seat depth: 14 in
Max seated height: 20.5 in
LATCH type: SuperCinch
Seat belt installation: LockSure
Assembled dimensions (L × W × H): 28.75" x 17" x 24"
Assembled weight: 18.5 lbs.

How the KeyFit Max Zip Infant Car Seat installs

Lower anchors: SuperCinch LATCH. Check your vehicle manual for which seating positions have anchors, and switch to the seat belt once the child passes the anchor weight limit in the manual.
Recline: 6 recline positions. The recline angle is what keeps a young baby’s airway open, so set it before tightening the install.
Harness: 5-position headrest/harness height adjust. Check the harness height at each growth spurt: at or below the shoulders rear-facing, at or above them forward-facing.

Every install is a fit between one seat and one vehicle. Read both manuals, and use a free inspection station if anything is unclear.

An empty car seat installed on a back seat, seen through an open car door

Will it fit your car?

At 17 in at its widest, this seat is one of the narrower ones in its class and is a candidate for three across in many mid-size cars. It weighs 10 lb, which matters if you will move it between cars or carry it through an airport.

Check your vehicle manual for lower anchor positions and any head-restraint rules.
Rear-facing seats need front-seat room: try the install behind the driver before you commit.
Certified for aircraft use, so it can travel as a seat rather than checked baggage.

What features does the KeyFit Max Zip Infant Car Seat have?

6 recline positions
5-position headrest/harness height adjust
Anti-rebound bar (integrated)
SuperCinch LATCH

Colors listed in the US

ClearTex Apex, ClearTex Sierra, ClearLux Midori, ClearLux Verona.

KeyFit Max Zip Infant Car Seat colors and prices

3 colors are listed on Amazon right now. Prices differ by color, so compare before choosing. The fabric is the only difference between them; the shell, harness and limits are identical. Prices were retrieved Nov 2, 9:50 PM UTC and can change.

Compare KeyFit Max Zip Infant Car Seat colors side by side
Compare colors	Verona/GreyNo listing	Midori/BlueCheck price	Apex/BlackCheck price
Price	Not shown	$349.99	$299.99
Availability	Not available	In stock	In stock
Price checked	Nov 2, 9:50 PM UTC	Nov 2, 7:42 PM UTC	Nov 2, 7:42 PM UTC

Prices and availability shown are accurate as of the time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

What to know before you live with it

What the Zip version changes

Chicco describes the Max Zip as an extended-use infant seat with a UPF 50+ canopy that includes a zip-open mesh panel and a zip-open, full-coverage privacy shield. Its feature list adds a quick-remove seat pad. The rest of the published specification matches the KeyFit Max: 4-30 lbs, up to 32 inches, 6 recline positions, 5 headrest positions and LockSure belt installation. Chicco links the same KeyFit Max manual, plus a separate canopy features sheet.

Source: Chicco KeyFit Max Zip ClearTex Infant Car Seat product page

Base and carrier-only installation

The base is leveled with the recline foot until the bubble sits between the arrows, then installed with LATCH or a lap-shoulder belt clamped in the lock-off opposite the buckle. LATCH and the belt are never used together, and the connectors are for anchors at the standard 11 inch spacing. Without the base, the lap belt goes through the side guides and the shoulder belt wraps behind the carrier through a shoulder belt guide before the belt is locked. The carrier should not move more than 1 in.

Source: Chicco KeyFit Max Infant Car Seat product manual (PDF)

Securing a newborn and a growing baby

The newborn positioner is only for 4 to 11 lb, and no other positioner or pillow may be added. Premature babies need their doctor's approval first. Harness height is set from the back with the height adjuster plate, which has 5 positions; the straps go at or just below the shoulders. The chest clip sits level with the armpits, and the harness is too loose if you can pinch a fold at the shoulder. Bulky clothing and blankets under the harness are ruled out.

Source: Chicco KeyFit Max Infant Car Seat product manual (PDF)

Is the KeyFit Max Zip Infant Car Seat recalled?

No campaign in the current NHTSA child-restraint data names this model family, and I have not run a separate review for it. Check your seat’s model number and date of manufacture before use.

NHTSA recall search · Recent car seat recalls

KeyFit Max Zip Infant Car Seat: common questions

What are the KeyFit Max Zip weight and height limits?

Chicco lists 4-30 lbs and up to 32 inches. The KeyFit Max manual it links also requires the top of the head to be at least 1 inch below the top of the headrest.

Chicco KeyFit Max Zip ClearTex Infant Car Seat product page (opens in a new tab)

Is the KeyFit Max Zip different from the KeyFit Max?

Chicco rates the KeyFit Max for 4-30 lbs and up to 32 inches, with a 10 lbs carrier and 28.75 in depth, the same figures it gives for the Zip. The Max lists an extendable, double-knit UPF 50+ canopy; the Zip's canopy has zip-open mesh and privacy panels.

Chicco KeyFit Max ClearTex Infant Car Seat product page (opens in a new tab)

How heavy is the KeyFit Max Zip?

Chicco lists the carrier at 10 lbs and the base at 8.5 lbs, with an assembled weight of 18.5 lbs. It is 17 in wide.

Chicco KeyFit Max Zip ClearTex Infant Car Seat product page (opens in a new tab)

Can I use the KeyFit Max Zip on an airplane?

Yes. The KeyFit Max manual says the carrier is certified for aircraft use on forward-facing aircraft seats only, installed without the base using the lap belt through the side guides.

Chicco KeyFit Max Infant Car Seat product manual (PDF) (opens in a new tab)

When does the KeyFit Max Zip expire?

The KeyFit Max manual says not to use the seat if it is more than 6 years old. The Do Not Use After date is on the label underneath.

Chicco KeyFit Max Infant Car Seat product manual (PDF) (opens in a new tab)

Answers refer to the model and manual version on this page. Check the instructions supplied with your seat.

Before you buy

Weigh and measure your child. The limits above are the manufacturer’s, and a child has to meet all of them for the mode they will use.
Confirm the exact version. Colors, retail exclusives and model numbers change limits more often than you would expect; Chicco lists 4 colors of this seat.
Read the manual before you buy, not after. It is linked above and holds the fit rules, the install methods and the expiry.
Check recalls by model number and date of manufacture, and register the seat with Chicco so you hear about the next one.

Sources

Other Chicco infant car seats

Model	Top child weight	Seat weight	Width	Usable life
KeyFit Max Zip Infant Car Seat (this seat)	30 lb	10 lb	17 in	6 years
KeyFit Infant Car Seat	22 lb	9 lb	16.75 in	6 years
KeyFit 30 ClearTex Infant Car Seat	30 lb	9.5 lb	16.75 in	6 years
KeyFit Max ClearTex Infant Car Seat	30 lb	10 lb	17 in	6 years