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Whether it’s your partner, your parents or a friend taking you, there's only one way to get your newborn home from the hospital, and that’s safely tucked into a car seat. You can then expect that car seat to become a vital part of your everyday life, so while it's one of the biggest purchases that come with having a child, it’s also one that's very much worth getting right.
So, with the hope of taking a little pressure off new parents everywhere, we thought we’d put together a buying guide to help you identify the most important considerations before you make your purchase. We’ll also show you the best rated car seats for babies available from brands like Maxi-Cosi, Joie, and Britax Römer, most of which are convertible for when your baby becomes a toddler.
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Table of Contents
Without further ado, let’s get stuck into the essentials of what to look for in a car seat for babies. In this section, we’ll be looking at the different types of car seat and their various attachment choices, as well as the differences between 3- or 5-point harnesses and which handy extras you'll want to keep an eye out for.
The first factor you’ll have to consider is the type of seat. When it comes to choosing a car seat for a baby, there are two options: an infant seat designed especially for young babies, or a convertible seat that adapts to your child as they grow into toddlerdom. Here, we’ll break down the pros and cons of each.
The infant seat is the first choice for many parents. This type of car seat can only be installed rear-facing and is therefore only suitable for newborns and smaller babies, usually until they reach about 13 kg. However, more often than not, the child will outgrow the seat before they become too heavy.
The biggest draw is their ease of use, particularly because they can be lifted in and out of the car easily. Plus, some can even attach to pushchairs, giving them a little versatility. These seats are fitted using either ISOFIX or a seat belt – we'll delve more into those in the next section.
The reason some parents don’t opt for infant seats is because of their shorter lifespan, as you will be required to fork out for another car seat in the future once your child becomes too tall or too heavy.
The main advantage of choosing a convertible car seat is its longevity. You see, if you purchase the right one, it could last from newborn age well into the toddler years. This style can work both rear or front-facing, and will usually be placed on some kind of base; it’s this that allows the seat to rotate.
Convertible seats have a much higher weight limit, allowing them to accommodate heavier babies or toddlers. Unlike infant-style seats, these almost always use ISOFIX, so you’ll need to make sure that your car can accommodate this.
The main downside is that they are generally heavier and more cumbersome, which can make it harder to get them in and out of the car – not ideal if your little one has finally managed to nod off and you don’t want to wake them up.
The next thing you need to think about is how you’re going to securely attach your car seat. The first option is via the 3-point seat belt in the car. When installed correctly, child seats fitted via seat belt are perfectly safe and protect your child the same way they do you.
With ISOFIX seats, there are anchor points, so the connection between the seat and the car is sturdier and there is less chance of you needing to check or re-jig them. They are also simpler to click in, so you won't get tangled up like you would with a seat belt clip.
One thing you might be asking is, "How do I know whether I have ISOFIX capability?" Firstly, it depends on your car – ISOFIX is a fairly new technology only found in cars made after November 2014, and secondly, most cars will have a label between the back car seats that state their ISOFIX capabilities.
Before you decide on either a 3- or 5-point harness, you'll need to think about the type of car seat you’re looking for. If you plan on choosing a rear-facing infant seat, then either a 3- or 5-point harness will be fine. This is because if you're in an accident, the child will be pushed back into the seat, and it is this which takes the force.
If, however, you want to purchase a convertible seat, which at some point will be used forward-facing, we would recommend that you opt for a 5-point harness. It will be this seat's job to hold your child in the seat in the unfortunate instance of a knock to your car, so the more security, the merrier.
As we mentioned earlier, it’s also likely your child can become too tall as well as too heavy. You’ll know when they’re too tall as the crown of their head will be less than 2.5 cm from the car seat shell.
Finally, there are some additional features to look out for which should make looking after and maintaining the car seat that little bit easier. Number one is a detachable, machine washable cover, which you can simply bung into the washing machine rather than having to scrub away at the inevitable daily splashes or stains.
Secondly, some models will come with additional pads or even changeable seats. These are usually made of thinner or thicker materials, with the intention of providing either extra breathability or warmth during different times of the year.
Finally, if you’re opting for an infant-style seat, you could check to see whether it can be attached to a pushchair. You’ll simply need to lift the seat out and pop it on to the pushchair frame and you’ll be away. Just bear in mind that these seats can require you to have a frame from the same company or range.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Joie Baby Spin Group 0+/1 Car Seat | £179.99 Mid | Protection Perfection From Newborn to Toddler | ||
2 | Maxi-Cosi Pebble Plus Baby Car Seat | £159.00 Mid | A Stroller-Compatible Infant Seat That Allows You to Prepare for the Future | ||
3 | Joie Baby Stages 0+/1/2 Car Seat | £99.99 Low Mid | A Unique Set of Characteristics Make This a Solid Choice for Many Parents | ||
4 | Cybex Cloud Z i-Size Group 0+ Baby Car Seat | £224.95 High Mid | The Lightweight Successor to a Previous Award-Winner | ||
5 | Chicco Seat 4 Fix Group 0+ 1 2 3 Car Seat | £179.00 Mid | You'll Never Need Another Car Seat Again | ||
6 | Joie Juva Classic Group 0+ Baby Car Seat | £39.99 Low | A Great Deal of Protection for a Great Price | ||
7 | Britax Römer Car Seat DUALFIX 2 R | £224.99 High Mid | First Class Travel for Babies With 12 Reclining Positions | ||
8 | Graco Slimfit Group 0+/1/2/3 Car Seat | £85.00 Low Mid | Secure, Safe and Wallet-Friendly | ||
9 | Ickle Bubba Galaxy Car Seat | £149.00 Mid | Possibly the Easiest Baby Car Seat to Set Up | ||
10 | Maxi-Cosi Mica 360 i-Size Car Seat | £239.00 High Mid | Brand-Specific Tech That Absorbs Crashes |
With effortless accessibility and rear to forward transitioning, this car seat from Joie is as close to a joy to use as any of them ever could be. The reason it's all so easy is due to a simple locking system that is utilised at the touch of a button. Plus, the seat is sturdy and secure and comes with five different reclining positions for ultimate comfort for your child.
Additionally, there is a multi-level headrest and head support, impact protection for the whole body, and a 5-point harness, all of which is tightened in one pulling motion. For these reasons alongside its ability to grow with your child and the summer seta thrown in too, this option from Joie takes our top spot.
This is another successor, this time from the brand's best-selling Pebble, which itself was a step-up from their extremely popular Cabriofix car seat. What does this mean for you? Well, it means that Maxi-Cosi is continuously fine-tuning their products so that you get the best possible version.
This is an infant seat that is secured using the seatbelt, but you can purchase a base if you would like an ISOFIX attachment. With this base, it'll be compatible with a large range of pushchairs (from other brands, too) as well as various Maxi-Cosi products. All in, if you'd prefer an infant-style car seat but would still like to prepare for the future, this is the option for you.
This is a rather unique offering from Joie for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it ups the average maximum weight range to 25 kg, which is quite a considerable distance. Secondly, it is not ISOFIX compatible, meaning that if you drive an older car but still want a convertible seat, this is likely your best choice.
The car seat is capable of being both rear- and front-facing and has four different reclining positions. The design also integrates Side Impact Security, which provides additional protection to your baby's head, body and hips.
This offering from Cybex is the successor to their award-winning Cloud Q concept, and we think it's fair to say that they've managed to keep all the good bits whilst making some excellent improvements. For one, there's been a 15% drop in weight while still maintaining a sturdy and super safe design.
The design comes with an ISOFIX base, which is easy to install, however, if you are struggling there is a guide video to see you through – great for first-time parents. We also love the SensorSafe feature, which sends a notification to your smartphone should your baby unbuckle their clip, get too hot or be seated too long.
Impressively, Chicco state that this car seat can grow with your children until they are 12 years old. Imagine that, 12 years of spilt drinks and snack packets stuffed down the sides! Although this may sound excessive, it is the law for children to use some sort of booster until they are this age, or at least 135 cm tall.
So, despite the reasonable price, picking up this car seat means you'll never have to worry about getting another one again. The design is clever and evolves in many stages over time to accommodate your young one.
Made solely for rear-facing travel, this car seat from Joie is suitable for children from 0 -15 months old. The design incorporates side impact protection, as well as wrap-around coverage to keep your precious one as safe as possible. There's an adjustable 5-point harness, and it's supposedly pretty plush in there.
This seat can be secured via the traditional seat belt provided in the car. However, if you would prefer an ISOFIX fixing, it is possible – you'll just be required to purchase the Joie base, which is sold separately. That said, it will still work out as a pretty good deal!
With a mammoth 12 different reclining positions, rear and forward-facing possibilities and the fact that the design can swivel 360 degrees, it's fair to say that this offering from Britax Römer is what first-class travel looks like for babies.
Moreover, it has impact protection and feels sturdy and solid to touch, as you would expect from the trusted German company. However, it is rather narrow, which could be a positive or negative depending on your child and your car situation, but it is something worth remembering.
This car seat is more than able to grow with your children and has one of the highest maximum weights in our ranking. Furthermore, it's also one of the cheapest, so if you're looking to get yourself a long-lasting bargain, this is going to be your pick.
Reassuringly, the design doesn't compromise on safety, so you don't need to feel like you're choosing savings over security. Take the TrueShield Safety Surround Side Impact tech, for instance, which offers enhanced head protection. The compromise is that this seat is on the large side, so you'll want to check that you have the space.
Suitable for babies up to around 15 months, this offering from Ickle Bubba has some genius one-handed technology that makes getting it in quick and fuss-free. For example, securing it onto the ISOFIX is done via a simple push and click mechanism, making it possibly the most straightforward seat to set up.
We also love the simple cocoon-like design, with its red accents giving it a little style. Some parents, however, have questioned whether there is enough padding to ensure their child is as comfortable as can be.
First off, we have this convertible car seat from one of the country's favourite baby accessory brands, Maxi-Cosi. This seat is capable of growing with your child to around the age of four, and thanks to its 360-degree swivel function, it's easy to get your child in and out no matter their age.
Furthermore, there is some brand-specific, G-Cell technology that is designed to better absorb impact from any knocks and bumps. The downside is that the chair doesn't have many different reclining positions, which limits how comfortable your child is able to get.
With a million things to think about and plenty to spend your savings on, life with a new baby is demanding in more ways than one. If you found this buying guide helpful, check out the links below to take some time and stress out of choosing the best products for you and your mini-me when you're out and about.
So there it is, our comprehensive guide to finding the right car seat for your baby. It doesn't matter whether you're nipping to the supermarket or taking off on a cross-country adventure, with the products recommended in our ranking your child will be comfortable for the whole journey.
Author: Lewis Clark
No. 1: Joie|Baby Spin Group 0+/1 Car Seat
No. 2: Maxi-Cosi |Pebble Plus Baby Car Seat
No. 3: Joie|Baby Stages 0+/1/2 Car Seat
No. 4: Cybex |Cloud Z i-Size Group 0+ Baby Car Seat
No. 5: Chicco |Seat 4 Fix Group 0+ 1 2 3 Car Seat
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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