The Dynamic Force Absorber provides extra protection around the head area, while the car seat comes with detachable additional side impact protection. The 10 headrest positions ensure this is the kind of car seat that can grow with your child, which helps to justify the price. The car seat costs £279, but is available as a car seat and base bundle for £498, if you want to make the most of all the safety features.

• Check out our list of the best baby car seats, suitable from birth

How easy is it to install the BeSafe Go Beyond car seat?

I have used several different types of baby/infant car seats since having my 5-year-old daughter, so I found the BeSafe Go Beyond car seat and base pretty straightforward to install. The instructions are presented on two plastic pictorial information sheets which offer all that is needed to install. It seems commonplace in this day and age for instructions to be a series of pictures, but if I needed any more help there was a QR code that links to the BeSafe website.

Having had a good look at both the seat and the Isofix base, I was impressed by the unique spirit level function on the base which ensures that it is correctly installed. The instructions explain where the bubble should and should not be, and after a couple of attempts, it was soon in the correct place. The car seat can be secured with a seatbelt, but I much preferred to use the ISOFIX function.

How much room does the BeSafe Beyond base take up in your car?

I thought there might be an issue with fitting the base into my estate car but there was no problem. It was a snug fit, and I could install and remove with ease. In total, I would say it took about five minutes to install the base and attach the car seat. There might be an issue if you have a smaller type of car, and if I still had my old trusted Toyota Yaris, I am not sure it would have fitted.

How does the BeSafe Go Beyond compare to other infant car seats you’ve used?

I have used Maxi-Cosi car seats for many years and also the Joie i-Spin 360 car seat, but the BeSafe seat is another level. The car seat looks and feels sleek and stylish. You can see by the design of the cushioning that it is safe, which is visually very comforting to parents. It's also the only truly lie-flat car seat I've ever used.

What safety features does the BeSafe Go Beyond car seat have?

The five-point harness is one of its most appealing features, both children immediately looked ultra safe. It also boasts something called the Dynamic Force Absorber, which is supposed to minimise head movement if there is an impact. Using it for several weeks, I did notice that both babies’ heads fell awkwardly to the side when they fell asleep. Although they did look uncomfortable neither were woken up by this. I feel that other car seats I have used have had a deeper, narrower seat compared to this one. This was one of the only negatives I had.

I did find it reassuring that the car seat was awarded a "Very Good" safety score in the ADAC autumn 2024 test.

How easy is it to place your baby in and out of the BeSafe Go Beyond car seat?

It was straightforward when placing the twins in the seat. The straps and clasp felt a little bulky, but once secured, each of the babies were not going anywhere. Elspeth tends to get a little fussy about going into her usual seat, but she seemed unfazed by it, which was reassuring. The leg straps meant I felt it even more secure than any other car seat I had used, and I found the magnetic pads on the side of the seat useful in holding the belts out of the place when getting my baby in and out.

How comfortable does your baby seem in the seat?

Both twins napped easily in the BeSafe Go Beyond car seat, and I was able to use the unique lay flat feature as soon as I realised they had drifted off. They did look relaxed and well supported on both long and short journeys. One trip to the seaside, which took nearly an hour and a half, was plain sailing as Elspeth (who usually wakes after 45 minutes) slept the whole way there. I always have the midwives’ warning ringing in my ears about keeping any baby in a car seat for a long stretch of time but was not concerned to keep them in the seat until they naturally woke once we got home from our journey. Thomas fitted slightly better than Elspeth as he is a little smaller. He seemed to mould to the seat more than she did.

How adjustable is the BeSafe Go Beyond car seat?

The twins differ slightly in weight, so I was keen to see how the seat dealt with that. Elspeth weighs 12lbs 7oz with Thomas weighing in at just over 11lbs. I had to remove the newborn cushion for Elspeth as it seemed to make her a little too snug, though I put it back in for Thomas. I think I will be able to use it for some time yet, but probably more for Thomas than Elspeth. I really like the recline feature as both slept very soundly and I really liked the 360° swivel element as it is much easier to get to the baby quickly if needs be.

How portable is the car seat?

The BeSafe Go Beyond car seat is relatively lightweight at 4.5kg and easy to carry. It removes from the Beyond Isofix base with ease and releases swiftly and simply. The handle is a little flimsy which is a surprise considering how well made and sturdy the rest of the seat is. I found it did not recline as easily as other car seat handles, and I had to press the button several times for it to work. This could be a slight design flaw or just my upper arm weakness! According to information from BeSafe, the car seat can be used as part of a travel system and fits most stroller/pram frames with the correct adaptors.

How easy is it to clean the BeSafe Go Beyond car seat?

All the covers are removable and can be machine washed at 30°.

What’s the quality like overall?

The BeSafe Go Beyond car seat is slick, stylish and oozes safety. The shell is round and robust, the padding looks well-made and strong, and the feel is soft and flexible to the fabric, which is mainly polyester.

How sustainable is the BeSafe Go Beyond car seat?

BeSafe prides itself on actively promoting sustainable products and this seat is no exception. The Go Beyond seat is believed to last up to 15 years and parts can be purchased to increase its usability and length of service. The car seat and base arrived in large cardboard boxes, making them both recyclable: I don’t think it has increased our carbon footprint from what it is currently.

Is the BeSafe Go Beyond car seat worth the money?

Compared to other seats I have purchased, this one seems to hit differently, and I am convinced that this is due to its visuals and safety features. When it comes to the safety of a baby, price should never be a consideration, but it is something that must be taken into account due to the current cost of living in the UK and across the world. This is mainly because having used more well known brands in the past, the BeSafe brand is a main player in the car seat world and it is obvious how much they care. I think £279 is a reasonable price point for the car seat, although you will have to factor in the additional cost of the base if you want to use the lie-flat technology.

Where can I buy the BeSafe Go Beyond car seat?

It's available from Pushchair Expert, Natural Baby Shower and John Lewis.

MadeForMums verdict

Not having much knowledge of this brand, I relished the opportunity to do my detective work. And after what I have read and discovered while using the BeSafe Go Beyond car seat, I can report that the seat was created with the ultimate aim of ensuring the safety of all babies. As a parent, this is something that will resonate with many. Although the price does range hugely depending on where you purchase it, I would certainly be happy to recommend it to parents due to the sheer number of safety functions.

Read more: 

• Best newborn car seats
• Cybex Cloud T car seat review
• Avionaut Pixel Pro 2.0 car seat review
• Thule Maple car seat review

We've also taken into account safety testing carried out by ADAC, one of the lead testers of car seats in Europe. Where a seat in our list has been tested by ADAC, we've provided the score — in these tests a low score is best, and all the seats on this list that have undergone the testing have scored under 2.5, or "Good".

• Jump to our list of the best baby car seats

Best baby car seats at a glance

• Best lightweight baby car seat: Avionaut Pixel Pro 2.0, £239 at Kiddies Kingdom
• Best baby car seat for using with a travel system: Cybex Cloud T i-Size, £229.95 at Cybex
• Best lie-flat baby car seat: Joie Calmi R129 car cot, £200 at John Lewis
• Best baby car seat for long journeys: BeSafe Go Beyond, £279 at John Lewis
• Best value baby car seat: Graco SnugEssentials i-Size, £99.99 at Amazon
• Best baby car seat for easy installation: Thule Maple, £249 at Natural Baby Shower
• Best baby car seat for transferring between different cars: Nuna PIPA Urbn, £300 at Mamas&Papas
• Best baby car seat for a detachable carrier: Maxi-Cosi Coral, £269.99 £229.99 at Kiddies Kingdom (Save £40 or 15%)
• Best baby car seat and stroller: Doona i, £399 £339 at Mamas&Papas (Save £60 or 15%)
• Best rotating baby car seat: Joie i-Spin Safe, £250 at Kiddies Kingdom
• Best sustainable baby car seat: Maxi-Cosi Mica Pro Eco, £239.99 at Maxi-Cosi

Our list includes infant carriers that you can use on a newborn pushchair to create a travel system but have a shorter lifespan, as well as seats that will last your child for longer, up to age 4 and even beyond.

You can jump straight to our list of the best car seats for newborns below, or if you want to find out more information about what to look for when buying a baby car seat, what some of the key car seat terminology means and more, you'll find all the answers at the bottom of our roundup.

Jump to our list of the best baby car seats
Jump to what to look for when buying a baby car seat
Jump to what type of car seat should you buy for your newborn?
Jump to what is i-Size and R129?
Jump to what are the differences between ISOFIX and Universal installation?
Jump to when can a baby go into a forward-facing seat?
Jump to what is the 2 hour rule?
Jump to how much does a car seat from birth cost?

Here’s our pick of the best infant/baby car seats from birth for 2025:

1. Avionaut Pixel Pro 2.0, £239 (+£199 for ISOFIX base)

Best lightweight infant car seat

Suitable for: From birth/0-13kg/40cm-86cm | Weight: 2.5kg | Dimensions: Not specified | i-Size: Yes | Rotation: 270° with ISOFIX IQ 2.0 base | Installation: ISOFIX or seatbelt | Recline positions: 1 | Headrest positions: 1 | ADAC test: Not tested | MFM Review rating: 4.4 stars

Pros:

• Extremely lightweight
• Collision replacement scheme
• Physio designed seating position
• Travel system compatible

Cons:

• Pricey

At an impressively low 2.5kg, the Avionaut Pixel Pro 2.0 is the lightest car seat on the market, making it super easy to transfer and is hugely beneficial for parents who suffer from back strains or have experienced a c-section.

It's not just the extreme light weight that makes the Pixel Pro 2.0 standout — it has been cleverly and thoughtfully designed to incorporate a lot of features that make travelling safe and comfortable for your baby. One of the main features is the modular system of the seat which has been designed in collaboration with physiotherapists. This incorporates a seat pad insert that comes in several parts and has been specifically designed to ensure that the baby's spine is as straight as possible. The seat pad includes a foam insert for your newborn to sit on to achieve the optimum seating position and then as your baby grows, you gradually remove the block and parts of the seat insert to ensure it gives the best possible fit. It has also been awarded the certificate of AGR, the German Association for a Healthy Back which judged that the child's spine is perfectly supported when travelling in the car seat.

The seat has Side Impact Protection and the insert in the seat includes a Cloud Care system which is made of flexible memory foam. This absorbs the force of the impact during a collision, protecting the child's body. Impressively, Avionaut also offer a Collision Replacement Scheme, meaning that if the seat is involved in a collision within the first 2 years of purchase, Avionaut will replace your seat free of charge with just a few simple steps.

It can be installed with the IQ 2.0 base (£199) or using the vehicle's seat belt. However, it's worth noting that despite its wealth of safety and comfort features, there are a few elements common in other seats that the Pixel Pro 2.0 doesn't have, such as a seat recline.

Read the full MadeForMums Avionaut Pixel Pro 2.0 car seat review

Available from: Kiddies Kingdom

2. Cybex Cloud T i-Size, from £229.95 (+£199.95 for ISOFIX base)

Best baby car seat for using with a travel system

Suitable for: 0-24 months/10-13kg/45-87cm | Weight: 4.5kg | Dimensions: H 38-60cm x W 44cm x L 64.5-75cm | i-Size: Yes | Rotation: 180° | Installation: ISOFIX or seatbelt | Recline positions: Multiple | Headrest positions: 12 | ADAC test: 1.7 (good) with base, 2.1 (good) without base | MFM Review rating: 4.7 stars

Pros:

• Innovative recline system including lie-flat when seat is not in the car
• Travel system compatible
• Modular base system

Cons:

• Heavy ISOFIX base

Unlike most rotating car seats that can’t be used as part of a travel system, the Cloud T is compatible with all Cybex pushchairs such as the Priam and Balios, as well as other popular buggy brands, with the use of universal adaptors. Better still, when the seat is out of the car, for example on a pushchair frame, it can be reclined to a lie-flat position, making it safer and more comfortable for your baby to lie in. The innovative recline system works by flattening the backrest and leg rest simultaneously to provide an ergonomic lying position for your baby when the seat is installed in the car too. Other notable features are the extra-large UPF50+ sunshade and the 12-point adjustable headrest, which helps tailor the seat to your growing baby.

The seat also has all-round air ventilation and provides a comfortable environment for babies. The plush, premium fabrics and lie-flat recline of this car seat are underpinned by its enhanced safety features, including the Linear Side Impact Protection system  – effectively an ‘arm’ that pulls out on each side of the seat to absorb impact by up to 25% in the event of a collision. These benefits are apparent in the ADAC review, which gives the Cloud T a "very low risk of injury" during a side crash, when used with the Cybex Base T (£199.95).

The Base T also enables the seat to rotate 180°, making it far easier to use. MFM reviewer Jess really loved the ease of rotating the seat: "the rotator moves very smoothly, which was great as it didn’t jolt my daughter awake if she was sleeping!" You don't have to use the base to install the Cloud T – you have the option of using your car’s seatbelt – but this means losing the i-Size classification and the spin factor. The base costs nearly as much as the seat but it’s worth remembering that you can buy it as part of Cybex’s modular T-line system, which allows you to use it with the Sirona T i-Size (£279.95), a seat in the next stage up.

Read our full MadeForMums Cybex Cloud T i-Size car seat review

Available from: Cybex, John Lewis, Natural Baby Shower, and Mamas&Papas

3. Joie Calmi R129 car cot, £200 (+£190 for ISOFIX base)

Best lie-flat baby car seat

Suitable for: <9kg/40-75cm | Weight: 3.6kg | Dimensions: H60.6cm x W44.8cm x D82.4cm (with hood up) | i-Size: Yes | Rotation: None | Installation: ISOFIX | Recline positions: 1 | Headrest positions: 1 | ADAC test: 2.2 (good) | MFM Review rating: 4 stars

Pros:

• Lie-flat position
• Doubles as a car seat and carrycot
• Easy adjustable harness
• Very comfortable

Cons:

• Takes up a lot of space
• Doesn't rotate
• Limited lifespan

Much-loved baby brand Joie, known for offering great value and safe baby gear, have ventured into the world of 180° lie-flat car cots with the Calmi.  The carrycot style of the car seat makes it comfortable for babies to travel in for longer than in a regular car seat (i.e. upwards of 2 hours). It can also be used on a pram, as it’s compatible with most Joie pushchairs, such as the Joie Signature Aeria or the Joie Signature Finiti.

There's no doubt that the Calmi is a plush and safe environment for young babies. It has a 3-point harness with padded covers, keeps baby's head the farthest point away from the door and keeps them lying flat, the best position for them to be in the early months. It also has built-in ventilation, removable body and head support, plus soft knit fabrics to keep baby cosy.

The Calmi fits in the car using the i-Base Encore (£190). Once fitted, you can then use this same base on Joie's other car seats including infant car seats such as the i-Gemm or Sprint as well as toddler car seats such as the i-Harbour.

Despite its wealth of uses in the very early stages of your baby's life, it does have the most limited lifespan of any of the car seats on our list, suitable only until your baby reaches 9kg or 75cm.

It’s ideally suited to parents who want the convenience of a product that works both in and out the car (while still scoring highly for safety and performance). If you're going to be in and out of the car with your baby a lot during the first few months of their life, then this might just be the best investment for you. However, do keep in mind that when fitted, it it lateral facing and faces towards the passenger door, therefore taking up around 2 seats in the back of your car, which may be problematic if you have limited space and are trying to fit more than one child in the car.

Read our full MadeForMums Joie Calmi R129 car cot review

Available from: Halfords, Kiddies Kingdom and John Lewis

4. BeSafe Go Beyond, £279 (+£219 for ISOFIX base)

Best baby car seat for long journeys

Suitable for: 0-18 months (approx.)/0-13kg/40cm-87cm | Weight: 5kg | Dimensions: H 59cm x W 44cm x D 64cm | i-Size: Yes | Rotation: Yes | Installation: ISOFIX or seatbelt | Recline positions: 2, including lie flat | Headrest positions: 10 | ADAC test: 1.8 (good) with base

Pros:

• Easy installation
• Lie-flat function
• 360° rotation
• 10 headrest positions

Cons:

• Pricey
• Base could be too big for smaller cars

As expected from their name, the BeSafe Go Beyond car seat is a reliable and safe car seat option for babies, with some pretty impressive and innovative features. What really makes the Go Beyond sand out is the 'Active Lay Flat' feature which, when the car seat is installed with the Go Beyond base (£219), allows baby to lie flat whilst in the seat. Not only this, the seat will automatically move to an upright position in the event of an accident, without adjusting the harness tension. Other safety features include advanced protection for baby's head (thanks to the 'Dynamic Force Absorber'), additional Side Impact Protection that easily attached to the seat, and a secure 5-point harness.

When installed on the ISOFIX base, the seat rotates side to side, to make it easier for you to get your baby in and out of the car. It's also easy to install according to MFM reviewer Claire, and it includes a spirit level function that ensures that the seat is correctly installed.

This is an infant car seat that will also grow with your baby, as it's suitable for use until your baby reaches 87cm (approx. 18 months) — one of the most generous size limits of the infant carriers on this list. MFM reviewer Claire also reported that her twins were both incredibly comfortable in the seat: "both twins napped easily in the BeSafe Go Beyond car seat, and I was able to use the unique lay flat feature as soon as I realised they had drifted off. They did look relaxed and well supported on both long and short journeys. One trip to the seaside, that took nearly an hour and a half, was plain sailing as Elspeth (who usually wakes after 45 minutes) slept the whole way there."

The seat can be installed with the ISOFIX base, or with the seat belt, but do note that the lie-flat technology is only in use when the seat is installed with the base.

Read the full MadeForMums BeSafe Go Beyond car seat review

Available from: John Lewis and Natural Baby Shower

5. Graco SnugEssentials i-Size, £99.99 (+£99.99 for ISOFIX base)

Best value baby car seat

Suitable for: 0-12 months/0-13kg/40cm-75cm | Weight: 2.6kg | Dimensions: H 63.5cm x W 57.5cm x D 45.4cm | i-Size: Yes | Rotation: None | Installation: ISOFIX or seatbelt | Recline positions: 1 | Headrest positions: 1 | ADAC test: 1.8 (good) with base, 2.5 (good) without base

Pros: 

• Lightweight
• Travel system compatible
• Great value

Cons: 

• Shorter life span than other seats
• Thin padding

If you're looking for a great value car seat with good safety credentials, the SnugEssentials i-Size from Graco is a seriously impressive option. It can be installed with your vehicle's seatbelt or, to make it i-Size compliant, you can install it with the IsoFamily ISOFIX base (£99.99). Out of the car, the SnugEssentials attaches to Graco pushchairs that have Click Connect compatibility.

Despite its low price point, the car seat doesn't compromise on safety — ADAC awarded it a 'good' score, both when the seat is used with the ISOFIX base or installed with the vehicle's seatbelt. The seat has side impact protection and EPS energy absorbing foam, which provides effective impact energy management in case of a collision. ADAC also judged it to provide 'low risk of injury in a side crash' and 'very low risk of injury in a front crash' when installed with the base.

It's also incredibly lightweight (the 2nd lightest on our list) at 2.6kg and it comes with an ergonomic, rotating car seat carry handle making it super easy and comfortable to lift and move around. The covers are easy to remove and machine washable too. 

It has features that make it comfortable for baby too — there's a padded memory foam insert and headrest, plus there's a large canopy to keep their eyes protected from the glare of the sun. However, the padding on the seat isn't as plush or as comfy as that offered by some of the other, more premium seats in our list.

Available from: Amazon, Halfords, Kiddies Kingdom

6. Thule Maple car seat, £249 (+£249 for ISOFIX base)

Best baby car seat for easy installation

Pros: 

• Intuitive installation when used with ISOFIX base
• Easy to rotate when on base
• Comfortable
• Lie-flat position
• Travel system compatible

Cons: 

• Expensive
• Heavy

Suitable for: 0-13kg/40cm-75cm | Weight: 5.4kg | Dimensions: H 61cm x W 44cm x D 72cm | i-Size: Yes | Rotation:180°  | Installation: ISOFIX or seatbelt | Recline positions: Multi | Headrest positions: 1 | ADAC test: 1.6 (good) | MFM Review rating: 4.4

Swedish brand Thule's new infant car seat is a luxurious offering that offers a lie-flat recline (when used on a pushchair), a large, water-repellent canopy and soft, cosy fabrics to keep your baby comfortable. We also love the easy-to-use release keys on the seat which makes removing the seat from its base or pushchair relatively effortless. Safety-wise, it has a permanent Impact Protection System and 3-point safety harness. However, where the car seat really shines is when used with the Alfi ISOFIX base (£249) due to its ease of use, intuitive installation and reassuring safety credentials.

As MFM reviewer Gemma explains: "The key safety features of the seat and base are the electric safety lights. These are battery powered and beep if the seat isn’t installed correctly. The base comes with batteries installed. It beeps continually until you have installed it correctly." The base makes installation not only easy thanks to its EasyDock technology (this means you can dock the seat from any angle, rotate it and it will click into place securely), but also reassures you that installation has been completed correctly thanks to the Thule SenseAffirm digital display which, as Gemma explains, has lights and beeps to alert you if the seat is incorrectly installed.

The seat it also aircraft certified and is travel system compatible with all Thule pushchairs, such as the Urban Glide 3 or Thule Shine.

Read the full MadeForMums Thule Maple car seat review

Available from: Natural Baby Shower, John Lewis and Pramworld

7. Nuna PIPA Urbn, £300

Best baby car seat for transferring between different cars

Suitable for: 0-12 months/0-13kg/40cm-75cm | Weight: 3.3kg (without canopy and insert) | Dimensions: H 57cm x W 43.5cm x D 65cm | i-Size: Yes | Rotation: None | Installation: ISOFIX or seatbelt | Recline positions: 1 | Headrest positions: 1 | ADAC test: 1.6 (good) | MFM Review rating: 4.2 stars

Pros:

• Baseless ISOFIX installation
• Comfortable
• Easy to use and install
• Travel system compatible

Cons:

• Expensive
• Doesn't rotate
• Limited lifespan

The Nuna PIPA Urbn's one-of-a-kind built-in ISOFIX installation system is certainly groundbreaking and makes it an excellent choice for any parents who have to transport their car seat between different cars, often use taxis or car sharing, or want to use their car seat when travelling. Plus, it's approved for use on a plane by some airlines. The baseless design of the seat means that it can be installed using ISOFIX, but without the need for an ISOFIX base. It's easy to install too, MFM reviewer Rachel who tested the seat with her 7 week old, said "I need a car seat that is quick to install and release, this car seat ticks all of those boxes" and was extremely impressed that installation took seconds. The seat can also be installed using the vehicle's seatbelt.

Although easy to use and move around, the seat is also very sturdy and durable, which reviewer Rachel really appreciated whilst testing the seat: "carrying it from the house to car was easy... it strikes a balance between being sturdy but lightweight to move around." As well as its innovative baseless design, the PIPA Urbn also proves to be extremely easy to use and has a host of parent-friendly features. It's relatively lightweight and has a luxe leatherette carry handle, it's travel system compatible with Nuna pushchairs such as the Mixx Next, it has a one-handed quick release from pushchairs and cars, the fabrics and body insert are machine washable and the straps are easy to use and adjust.

The seat achieved a 1.6 (good) rating by ADAC and meets i-Size standards too. It has Side Impact Protection and the seat has lightweight Aeroflex foam which minimises the force transferred to baby.

Read the full MadeForMums Nuna PIPA Urbn car seat review

Available from: Natural Baby Shower, Mamas&Papas and Oliver's BabyCare

8. Maxi-Cosi Coral 360, £269.99 (+£139.99 for ISOFIX base)

Best baby car seat for a detachable carrier

Suitable for: 0-12 months/0-12kg/40-75cm | Weight: 5.5kg | Dimensions: H 38cm x W 44cm x D 68cm | i-Size: Yes | Rotation: 360° | Installation: ISOFIX or seatbelt | Recline positions: 1 | Headrest positions: 12 | ADAC test: 1.6 (good) with FamilyFix3 base, 1.9 (good) without base

Pros: 

• Modular system with removable carrier
• Extra large sun canopy
• Easy to install
• Travel system compatible

Cons:

• Large footprint when used with ISOFIX base
• Shorter life span than other seats

This innovative infant car seat is the first of its kind to feature a 2-part modular system – the first module is the inner detachable soft carrier, weighing just 1.7kg, which you can lift out of the second module – the outer plastic shell of the seat. The inner carrier has retractable handles and clicks and locks easily into the safety shell (there is an audible click and visual indicator to confirm it has been installed correctly). The plastic shell of the seat can be secured in your car with a seatbelt, or it can be clicked onto the FamilyFix 360 base (£139.99) which is sold separately.

You can’t use the car seat shell without the soft carrier but the complete seat can be fitted atop a compatible Maxi-Cosi or Quinny stroller frame to make a travel system, which is useful during trips that will take 2 hours or under. The car seat also has an impressive extra large, easy-to-adjust sun canopy that will keep the sun's glare out of your baby's eyes. The Coral 360 is also approved for using on airplanes with some airlines.

You can read the full MFM review of the Maxi-Cosi Coral, the predecessor to the Coral 360.

Available from: Maxi-Cosi, Kiddies Kingdom and Amazon

9. Doona i Car Seat & Stroller, £399

Best baby car seat and stroller

Suitable for: 1.8-13kg/40-85cm | Weight: 8kg | Dimensions: H 53.4cm x W 44cm x D 71.2cm | i-Size: Yes | Rotation: None | Installation: ISOFIX or seatbelt | Recline positions: 1 | Headrest positions: Multiple | ADAC test: 1.7 (good) with Doona i ISOFIX base | MFM Review rating: 3.9 stars

Pros: 

• 2-in-1 stroller and car seat
• Large and comfortable seat
• Auto-adjusting harness
• Side impact protection
• Stylish

Cons:

• Heavy
• Expensive
• No included storage

If you're an urban dweller who's on the go frequently, then the Doona i could be the perfect car seat for you. It's a car seat and stroller in one, with specially-designed fold-away wheels that easily convert this clever product from a relatively-lightweight stroller to an infant carrier that you can use until your baby reaches 85cm or 13kg.  Alongside this, the car seat also has an adjustable headrest, integrated 5-point harness, breathable and removable fabrics, side-impact protection and an adjustable handlebar. The seat has also been designed to support your baby's body in the correct ergonomic position and also comes with an infant insert that has a near-flat ergonomic design that ensures your baby's neck and back are ergonomically aligned. It can be installed with the car's seatbelt, or the Doona i ISOFIX base (£159).

MFM reviewer Sophie, who tested the car seat with her 5 month old (pictured), found the car seat easy to install and praised the large and roomy seat: "our little passenger always seemed comfortable when strapped in," but did warn that "the angle of the backrest is without a doubt more upright than other infant car seats, which did make us think twice about the length of time that we left our little one in the seat."

Although it's not as feature-packed or as luxurious as some of the other car seats on our list, it's a really great option if you're a city-dweller who's often on and off public transport, in and out of the car, or shopping on a regular basis and need a clever and nippy car seat to transport your baby safely.

Read our full MadeForMums Doona i Car Seat & Stroller review

Available from: Doona and Mamas&Papas

10. Joie i-Spin Safe, £370 (base included)

Best rotating baby car seat

Suitable for: 0-4 years/0-18.5kg/40-105cm | Weight: 14.6kg (with base) | Dimensions (upright): H 55-62 x W 58 x D 65cm |  i-Size: Yes | Rotation: 90° | Installation: ISOFIX | Recline positions: 6 | Headrest positions: 6 | ADAC test: 1.6 (good) | MFM Review rating: 4.5

Pros: 

• Swedish Plus Test certified
• Simple to adjust
• Easy to install
• Comfortable
• Great value

Cons:

• Heavy
• Bulky
• Not travel system compatible

The Joie i-Spin Safe is the latest version of the i-Spin 360 but unlike the 360, the Safe version can only be used rear facing and cannot be swivelled to face forward. This upgraded safety feature has paid off as not only has the i-Spin Safe been awarded an impressive ADAC rating, it is also Swedish Plus Test certified — a voluntary test that is one of the toughest crash tests in the world, and one many parents consider to be vital when choosing a car seat.

At £370 for seat and base, the i-Spin Safe is one of the more affordable rotating car seats on the market. The 90° seat rotation is activated by easy-to-reach buttons on both sides of the seat and it’s very easy to get your child into the car, whether you have the seat on the passenger or driver’s side.

It’s been cleverly designed to grow with your child: the headrest and harness system adjust together, with 6 different height positions to choose from; and the infant insert is made up of 3 individual pieces that can be used together to allow even small babies to be held safely and securely – and then separately to support growing babies. "Thanks to the ability to angle near flat, and the brilliant Grow-with-me padded inserts, which snap together for a custom fit, the Joie i-Spin Safe creates a comfy ride for newborns," explained MFM reviewer Luke, who tested the seat with his 3-year-old daughter and 1-year-old son.

The seat feels secure but for extra reassurance when installing the Joie i-Spin, "there are colour coded symbols to show it’s safely in place" which our reviewer liked, along with the ‘Guard Surround Safety’ panels that offer increased side protection. The ADAC review also highlighted how easy the Joie i-Spin is to install with "very easy to understand" instructions.

However, it’s worth noting that because the base is attached to the seat, the unit is heavy and may be tricky to install, which our reviewer picked up on. But once the seat is in your car it’s unlikely you’ll be regularly moving it from its installed position. The base also makes the seat quite bulky, which means it may not be the best fit for smaller cars.

Read the full MadeForMums Joie i-Spin Safe car seat review

Available from: Halfords, John Lewis, Kiddies Kingdom, Boots

11. Maxi-Cosi Mica Pro Eco, £299.99 (base included)

Best sustainable baby car seat

Suitable for: 0-4 years/0-18kg/40cm-105cm | Weight: 14.7kg (with base) | Dimensions: H 45.9-51.7cm x W 44.2cm x D 72.7-73.1cm | i-Size: Yes | Rotation: 360° | Installation: ISOFIX | Recline positions: 5 | Headrest positions: Multiple | ADAC test: 2.1 (good) | MFM Review rating: 4.8

Pros:

• Made with recycled materials
• Long lifespan
• Rear and forward facing
• Easy to install

Cons:

• Heavy
• Not travel system compatible

Made with 100% recycled fabrics, plus a host of other impressive safety and user-friendly features, the Mica Pro Eco from Maxi-Cosi stands out as not just a sustainable car seat option for the eco-conscious, but a great all-round seat that is easy to use, safe and comfortable for babies and children.

It can only be installed using the included ISOFIX base but does have a 360° spin using the FlexiSpin rotational system which allows the seat to be rotated using just one hand. This also means that the seat can rearward face or, when your child reaches 15 months or older, it can forward face too. MFM reviewer Amy, who tested the car seat with her 2 month old, said that she didn't rotate the seat with one hand, but still the ease of rotating the seat was one of her favourite features: "it was incredibly easy to use and such a lifesaver for my ailing back."

Other user-friendly features include an Easy-In harness, removable and washable covers and audiovisual installation feedback. For the comfort of children using the seat, the Mica Pro Eco has an extra padded seat with a soft inlay, ClimaFlow temperature control panels and breathable fabrics, which, according to MFM reviewer Amy, kept her daughter very comfortable: "my daughter appeared nothing other than relaxed and content when sat in this car seat." Safety-wise, the seat received a 2.1 (good) score from ADAC who judged it to provide 'low risk of injury' in a front or a side crash. The seat has G-CELL 2.0 Side Impact Protection and is i-Size classified.

It is the heaviest car seat on our list but, according to MFM reviewer Amy, installing the seat was "easy and quick... overall it was a stress-free process" and once the seat is installed in the car, it's unlikely that you'll need to move it much unless you're transferring it between cars on a regular basis (in which case, this may not be the best option for you). Despite its heavy weight, it has a surprisingly small footprint when it's installed, as reviewer Amy said: "it's very compact once fitted... for those who drive mid-size vehicles, the middle seat would still be a viable option for younger children."

Read our full MadeForMums Maxi-Cosi Mica Pro Eco car seat review

Available from: Boots, John Lewis, Maxi-Cosi and Amazon

What to look for when buying a baby car seat

Will you be using your car seat as part of a travel system? – A travel system combines a buggy with an infant carrier. The car seat clicks, or slots, onto the buggy or its chassis, making it easy to move your baby from car to buggy. Check your pushchair manufacturer’s website for compatible car seats if this is something you want to do and if you have to buy adapters to fit the seat onto your pushchair.

How long will the seat stay rear facing? Children under the age of 15 months must be transported facing rearwards or lateral (sideward) in seats that are approved (such as some carrycots) according to UN Regulation No. 129 (R129). Sitting your child in the rear-facing position for longer when travelling in the car is safer as it offers greater protection to the under-developed head, neck and spine of very young children in the event of a collision. In fact, multiple studies have shown that it’s far safer for babies to rear face in their car seats well into childhood. Do not be in any rush to move your child to a forward-facing seat: some models will last up to age 7.

What type of installation do you want? – Infant car seats can be installed in 2 ways – either using ISOFIX, a system that allows you to fit the seat using special anchor points that attach directly to a car, or just your car’s 3-point seatbelt. We explain the different types of installation in more detail below.

Is your car ISOFIX compatible? – Remember that when it comes to installation, not all cars will have ISOFIX points so before you buy, you’ll need to check your car’s compatibility with the car seat manufacturer’s fitting guide. Here you’ll find a link to a list of car compatibility checkers for key brands of car seats mentioned in this article.

Once you’ve picked your ideal car seat, it’ll have to be fitted in the car and while we’re fans of DIY at MFM headquarters, we recommend you get your car seat fitted by a trained car seat installation advisor (appointed by the manufacturer) if you can.

Is the base included? For infant carrier-type car seats, the base will be separate. While for Group 0+/1 and up, the base will be integrated with the seat. In either case, the seat sits securely atop the base and the base in turn is secured to the car with ISOFIX points. Using an in-car base raises the height of the car seat, can provide extra legroom and makes correct installation simple. Some base units have light or sound indicators that confirm correct fitting. Simply slotting the seat in and out makes it easy to use with a travel system but be aware car seat bases are often sold separately and could double the price you pay.

What type of car seat should you buy for your newborn?

For the newest babies, you will likely be looking for an i-Size / R129 car seat, although there are still some of the older Group 0, Group 0+, Group 0+/1 or Group 0+/1/2/3 car seats on the market. But what does all that mean? Let’s break it down.

All care seats must undergo testing to certain European standards and there are two standards you are likely to see at present: ECE R129 (height-based) and ECE R44 (weight-based).

R129 replaced ECE R44, which means no new car seats will be tested to that standard, however there are still models on the market that were designed before 2019 and these are still legal to use in the UK. These car seats come in “groups”:

• A Group 0 – suitable from birth to 10kg (around 12 months) – these are usually lie-flat carrycot options that combine with a buggy or pushchair chassis to form a travel system
• A Group 0+ – suitable from birth to 13kg (around 18 months-2 years) – these can usually combine with a buggy to form a travel system and are also known as infant carriers
• A Group 0+/1 – suitable from birth to 18kg (around 4-5 years)
• A Group 0+/1/2/3 – suitable from birth to 36kg or 135cm tall (around 12 years)

All Group 0+ car seats are rear-facing and all car seats used as Group 0 / for very young babies are designed to be rear-facing until the passenger is at least 15-months-old. After that you can move your baby to a second stage/Group 1, Group 1/2 or Group 1/2/3 car seat when appropriate.

What is i-Size and R129?

R129 is the most up to date European-wide regulation for child car seats, which requires children to sit rear-facing until they are at least 15 months old. It is based on height rather than weight, and with the introduction of this standard, seats also began to be tested for side impact.

i-Size and R129 are essentially the same thing: it gets a bit complicated, but ECE R129 is the new European standard for car seat safety, and "i-Size" is essentially just a customer-facing name associated with it. As time moves on, R129 is likely to be used more than i-Size as manufacturers and retailers attempt to simplify all the jargon surrounding car seat safety.

The “i” in i-size stands for integral, and refers to the fact that the harness is built into the seat, rather than using the car’s seat belt.

What are the differences between ISOFIX and Universal installation?

What is ISOFIX?

Most car seat models now have the option to use an ISOFIX system, but do check before you buy an ISOFIX car seat.

ISOFIX car seats have two metal connectors on the back of the seat that anchor onto small metal bars fixed to the frame of your vehicle.  It makes it easy to install your car seat correctly, and ISOFIX car seats generally have clear indicators to let you know you’ve fitted the seat correctly.

Alongside ISOFIX, many car seats also use a tether and/or support leg for extra stability. We’ve indicated for each car seat the options you have when it comes to fitting, and if the seat uses ISOFIX. Obviously, you’ll need to check your car has ISOFIX connection points: most modern vehicles do.

Some car seats can be fitted using just a seatbelt, which can be handy if your car doesn’t have ISOFIX points. Generally, when fitted correctly, car seats that use a seatbelt are no less safe than those fitted using ISOFIX, but many parents find the ISOFIX connection gives them more confidence and reassurance.

What is Universal installation?

Car seats that can be held in place using only the vehicle’s 3-point adult seat belt to hold it in place are classed as ‘Universal’ because they can be used in any car as they sit directly on the vehicle seat.

Several car seats can be used with both Universal and ISOFIX fittings, including i-Size approved seats. But i-Size seats fixed using just the vehicle seat belt and not ISOFIX anchor points are not classed as i-Size, because i-Size only applies when the seat is installed using ISOFIX.

Don’t be concerned if your car doesn’t have ISOFIX points, as there are many belted options which are just as safe when fitted correctly. We would advise you get advice from an independent car seat fitting expert, especially if you're using the seatbelt.

When can a baby go into a forward-facing seat?

Legally, children can start to sit forward-facing when they move to a Group 1 car seat, so from around 9 months. Group 1 seats have traditionally been forward-facing, but this trend is changing as the new R129 standard requires children to rear face until at least 15 months. Many seats now offering extended rear-facing until age 4, or even age 7.

The reason for this is an increase in interest in extended crash testing like the Swedish Plus Test. Any car seat that has met the requirements of either ECE R129 or ECE R44 is safe according to UK/European law, but this optional test uses higher speed impact crashes and short braking distances, and looks at the impact on a child’s neck. From 2023, only rear-facing seats can be tested, so those looking for increased safety assurance may wish to have their children facing rearwards for longer in a seat that has passed this test.

What is the 2 hour rule?

This is the established safety recommendation endorsed by safety experts and manufacturers, that suggests babies shouldn’t sit in a car seat for longer than 2 hours at a time, with the exception being a lie-flat car seat. That’s because children can experience breathing problems if placed in a seated or scrunched position for too long.

This 2-hour rule includes babies seated in car seats on their prams. A car seat is not an alternative to a cot or crib but don’t worry if your baby falls asleep in their car seat – most babies do. You just don’t want them sleeping or sitting for more than 2 hours in the same position. If you have to take a long journey, plan frequent breaks. Find a safe place to stop, get your baby out for a few minutes and let them wriggle, breathe and take in more air. As most babies will need feeding or changing every couple of hours anyway, these breaks will probably happen quite naturally.

How much does a car seat from birth cost?

Like all parenting products, prices can vary from budget to luxuriously expensive, with lots of choice in between. Our top picks include seats suitable from birth starting from £100 that don’t require a separate base, all the way up to £725 for a model with an integrated base.

You may also have to factor in the additional cost of a base, as these don’t tend to come included with infant car seats. However, some brands will have seats in the next stage up which are compatible with the base, saving you the cost of having to buy a new one.

While price is important, and not actually an indicator of how safe a car seat is, it’s more important to choose the right seat that works best for you and your child in the car you’ll use most often. Remember, don’t settle for second best – or second-hand car seats.

• Best 360 car seats

To help you decide which swivel car seat is best for you, we’ve extensively reviewed hundreds of car seats, tested by real parents with their families, and quizzed more than 550 parents about the seats they’ve used over the years.

We know your child’s safety is paramount when it comes to choosing a rotating car seat. So in addition we’ve spoken to experts from the organisations RAC and Child Seat Safety about safety advice, and taken into account safety testing carried out by ADAC, one of the leading testers of car seats in Europe.

Best swivel car seats at a glance

• Best 360 car seat for use with travel systems: Cybex Cloud T i-Size, £229.95
• Best budget buy swivel seat: Ickle Bubba Radial 360, £149
• Best 360 car seat for easy reclining action: Joie i-Spin 360, £250
• Best 360 car seat for additional safety testing: Joie i-Spin Safe, £250
• Best swivel infant car seat for intuitive installation: Thule Maple car seat and Alfi Base £498
• Best rotating car seat for easy use with a toddler: Thule Elm car seat and Alfi base, £511.20
• Best swivel car seat for a long lifespan: Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro car seat, £399.99
• Best budget i-Size swivel car seat: Graco Turn2Me i-Size R129, £129
• Best 360 car seat for a slimline fit: Cozy n Safe Morgan, £229.99 £159.99 at Kiddies Kingdom (save £70 or 30%)
• Best 360 car seat for sturdiness: Britax Römer DualFix M i-Size, £365 £279 at Kiddies Kingdom (Save £86 or 23%)

If you want more information about key features of 360 car seats, what to look for when buying a rotating car seat and more, you'll find all the answers at the bottom of our roundup.

• Why should I buy a rotating car seat?
• What age are swivel car seats best for?
• What to look for when choosing a swivel car seat
• Are rotating car seats worth the money?
• Are 360 car seats safe?

Best 360 car seats and rotating car seats for 2025

1. Cybex Cloud T i-Size and Base T, £429.90

Best rotating car seat for use with travel systems

Suitable for: 0-24 months/45-87cm/up to 13kg | Rear facing until: 87cm (around 24 months) | i-Size: Yes | Safety standard: R129 | Rotation: 180° | Weight: 4.5kg | MFM Review Star Rating: 4.7 stars

Pros:

• Lie-flat setting
• Can be removed from base to use as part of travel system
• Good ADAC score
• Breathable fabrics
• Transferable base

Cons:

• Expensive
• Shorter life span than some seats

Unlike many other spin options, the seat can be removed from the swivel base and fixed to a compatible pushchair such as the Cybex Priam or Cybex Balios S Lux and used as part of a travel system. When used outside of the car, the Cloud T can recline to a nearly fully-flat position. The clever design creates a flattened back and extended leg rest, to provide the most comfortable position for your baby. "Baby appears safely cocooned within the deep seat which feels very reassuring," said parent tester Ellie, who tested the car seat with her 5 month old.

However, when used with the ISOFIX Base, this newest version can also be placed in a reclined position while in the car, giving parents even more peace of mind (see why guidance suggests children shouldn't sit in a car seat for more than 2 hours at a time).

Tester Ellie added, "releasing the seat from the base is easy to do with an easy to access release on the base - making it possible to remove baby from the car without waking him. The carrier is lighter than others I have used which made it much more user friendly."

This is an infant car seat, designed to be used in a rear-facing position only (hence the 180°, not 360°, rotation). Whilst this means you can use it on a pushchair chassis, it won't last you as long as some of the seats on our list. It's not a budget seat, but our testers felt the high quality and useful features make this one good value for money. "Although expensive, I can see why the Cloud T comes in at the higher end of the price range as it’s functionality makes it more than just a car seat. It not only ticks the boxes for safety, but also comfort for baby and ease for parents - priceless?," said MFM reviewer Jessica, who tested the seat with her four-month-old daughter (pictured)

When weighing up the costs, it's also worth knowing that when your baby outgrows the seat, you can continue to use the Base T with the next stage Sirona T i-Size seat.

Read our full MadeForMums Cybex Cloud T car seat review

Available from: Cybex, John Lewis, Natural Baby Shower and Mamas&Papas

2. Ickle Bubba Radial 360, £149

Best budget buy rotating car seat

Suitable for: 0 months-7 years/up to 25kg | Rear facing until: 13kg or around 15 months | i-Size: No | Safety standard: R44 | Rotation: 360° | Weight: 11kg | MFM Review Star Rating: 4.6 stars

Pros:

• Good value
• Machine washable covers
• Spins 360 degrees
• Well-padded
• Comfortable
• Sturdy
• 38° recline
• ISOfix and seat belt compatible

Cons:

• Bulky
• Not i-Size

If you’re looking for a rotating seat that will last the distance – up to an impressive age 7 — at a reasonable price, this could be the one for you. The Ickle Bubba Radial 360 has a very competitive price tag while offering a long life, and plenty of enticing features for parents – such as a headrest and harness height you can adjust with one hand.

MFM reviewer Nicola used the seat with her 3-month-old son Louis for short day-to-day journeys and longer road trips. She was a particular fan of the easy rotation movement: "The rotation is completely smooth, so much so, moving the chair did not wake Louis when he was sleeping. I used the 360-degree feature for every journey to put Louis into the car and take him out.”

As you’d expect for such a long-lasting seat, it’s quite bulky, and not one you can easily carry around or move between cars. Our reviewer felt the size could affect the front passenger’s leg room, saying: "because it’s quite chunky it would probably be better suited to parents with bigger cars.”

Read our full MadeForMums Ickle Bubba Radial 360 car seat review

Available from: Ickle Bubba, Boots and Amazon

3. Joie i-Spin 360, £250

Best swivel car seat for easy reclining action

Suitable for: 0 months-around 4 years/40-105cm/up to 19kg | Rear facing until: 76cm/around 15 months| i-Size: Yes | Safety standard: R129 | Rotation: 360° | Weight: 13.9kg | MFM Review Star Rating: 4.6 stars

Pros:

• 6 recline settings
• Sturdy
• Good safety features
• Recycled materials
• Spins 360 degrees
• Side ventilation
• One-handed rotation

Cons:

• Bulky
• Expensive
• Heavy

When it comes to safety and comfort, the i-Spin delivers: Joie’s extendable ‘Guard Surround’ panels give added security for the head, body and hips, while the TriProtect headrest has three layers of protection inside its wings, including special patented memory foam.

There’s also a clever swivel lock-off feature, which basically means you can’t accidentally spin your little one to a front-facing position – great if you are switching between different cars or carers. It also has indicators showing when it’s properly installed for peace of mind. The support leg adds stability and absorbs impact, and has 19 positions to help you can find the best fit for your car model.

MFM reviewer Ima tested the Joie i-Spin 360 with her 13-month-old daughter (pictured) in their Nissan Qashqai, everywhere from quiet back roads to motorways. In particular, she praised its sturdiness, and the wide choice of positions it offers, with an easy-to-use one-handed recline. "I like the 6 settings that allow you to set how upright or reclined you want the seat to be," she said.

With a good ADAC rating of 1.8, this is a popular seat that offers great value, and complies with iSize regulations. It also fits easily into cars using the Isofix system.

Read our full MadeForMums Joie i-Spin 360 car seat review

Available from: Boots, John Lewis, Halfords and Argos

4. Joie i-Spin Safe, £370

Best swivel seat for additional safety testing

Suitable for: 0 months-4 years/40-105cm/up to 18.5kg | Rear facing until: 18.5kg | i-Size: Yes | Safety standard: R129 | Rotation: 180° | Weight: 14.6kg | MFM Review Star Rating: 4.6 stars

Pros:

• Easy to lock in place
• Ultra-safe Swedish standard
• Sturdy
• 6 recline positions
• 6 headrest positions
• Machine washable covers

Cons:

• Heavy
• Rear-facing only
• Expensive
• Not travel system compatible

Looking for a spin seat with top-notch safety credentials? The i-Spin Safe is sister to the original i-Spin 360, and has been put through the rigorous Swedish Plus Test, one of the world’s highest safety standards (and the toughest crash test for car seats).

Safety features include 'Guard Surround' safety panels that auto-engage when the harness is tightened, and a super-comfy headrest with 3 cushioning layers of memory foam. It scored an ADAC of 1.6 which is at the very top end of the  "good" classification.

MFM reviewer Luke tried it with his 3-year-old daughter and 1-year-old son. He felt this would be an especially good seat for newborns, thanks to the ability to angle it near flat, and the ‘Grow-with-me’ padded inserts, which snap together for a custom fit. "The clever inserts can adapt to go from a cushioned cocoon for a tiny baby, right up to a large support for an older child. While our youngest is just 1, I’d have felt comfortable using this seat with a newborn as it’s packed with safety features and doesn’t scrimp on cosy cushioning."

The i-Spin Safe comes as one piece (so no separate base), and installs using ISOFIX which our tester felt kept the seat reassuringly stable. "Even when swivelling the chair there is no movement from the base, nor is there any rattle when driving," he said.

Read our full MadeForMums Joie i-Spin Safe car seat review

Available from: John Lewis and Kiddies Kingdom

5. Thule Maple + Alfi base, £498

Best swivel infant car seat for intuitive installation

Suitable for: 40-75cm/up to 13kg | Rear facing until: 15 months | i-Size: Yes | Safety standard: R129/03 | Rotation: 180° | Weight: 5.4kg | MFM Review Star Rating: 4.4 stars

Pros: 

• Comfortable fit for baby's head and shoulders
• Soft, flexible straps
• Easy to take on and off the base
• Light-up ISOFIX base feels very safe
• Intuitive

Cons: 

• Cushioning could be softer
• Base needs to be bought separately
• Not as robust as some other car seats

This clever base features innovative technology that makes installation quick, easy, and most importantly, reassuringly stress-free. The AcuTight technology allows for secure activation only when both ISOFIX connectors are engaged and the SenseAffirm system provides a digital display that gives precise guidance on adjustments, reassuring you that everything is secure. Our favourite feature however is the EasyDock technology — this simplifies the process of attaching the car seat to the base. All you need to do is dock the seat on the base, rotate to lock, and you're good to go!

MFM reviewer Gemma, who tested the Maple car seat and Alfi base with her 2-month-old son was particularly impressed by the easy of installation : "using the base makes installing your Maple car seat as straightforward and error-free as possible.  It’s very easy to take the seat on and off the base using the 2 grey buttons at the front. When the seat is fixed to the base, it’s very clear how to rotate it."

The seat itself has been designed with safety in mind too — it has a 3-point safety harness and features an Impact Protection System that provides a secure, protective layer at all angles. It's also lightweight, has an extremely easy-to-use recline mechanism, a large water-repellent UPF50+ canopy (to cover all weathers) and can be used on a pushchair to create a travel system.

Read the full MadeForMums Thule Maple car seat review

Available from: Thule (seat and base), John Lewis (seat), Natural Baby Shower (seat and base)

6. Thule Elm car seat + Alfi base, £568

— Best rotating car seat for easy use with a toddler

Suitable for: 67-105cm/up to 18kg | Rear facing until: 105cm/18kg | i-Size: Yes | Safety standard: R129/03 | Rotation: 360° | Weight: 7.7kg (+7.4kg for base) | MFM Review Star Rating: 5 stars

Pros:

• Easy to install
• Comfortable for baby & toddler
• Simple to use
• Clear safety measures

Cons:

• Seatbelt release a little fiddly

Using the same Alfi base as the Thule Maple above, but with a longer lifespan, is the Thule Elm. Suitable from 6 months to approximately 4 years (105cm/18kg), the seat is designed to grow with your child thanks to its adjustable safety harness and headrest which can both be adjusted smoothly and easily. There are also magnets on both sides that hold the harness buckle open, meaning that placing your child in and out the seat is made easy.

It’s also super comfortable for babies and toddlers, MFM reviewer Rob, who tested the Thule Elm with his 8-month-old and 3-year-old sons (who usually hate being in the car), said “Both my boys didn’t complain once in the car seat - both laughing, giggling and singing on our journeys. Normally when I say that we have to get in the car, my toddler’s response is “no Dad”, but since using the new car seat it has been “it’s exciting Daddy”... so that’s definitely a good sign! The longest journey we did was just under two hours, and not once did I get complaints of being uncomfortable.”

As with the Maple, one of the real standout features of this car seat is its easy installation, thanks to the Alfi base. As MFM reviewer Rob explains, “to secure the car seat, it simply clicks onto the base. Then once it’s turned into the correct position the digital display will turn the safety light green. So simple and no confusion as to whether the seat is safe and locked on. The added bonus is that both the ISOFIX and the car seat are easily installed by just one person. They’re not heavy and installation isn’t complex. Thule have really made it as parent-friendly as they possibly can.” This installation reassurance is thanks to the SenseAffirm System, a digital display that provides precise guidance on adjustments.

Safety-wise, the Thule Elm comes out shining too. It achieved the top ranking in the ADAC child car seat test in 2025 and scored a score of 2.2. The seat has a 5-point padded seatbelt system, a large protective headrest and the Thule Impact Protection System provides a secure, protective layer for your child.

Available from: Natural Baby Shower, Thule

7. Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro car seat, £399.99

— Best swivel car seat for a long lifespan

Suitable for: 0-12 years/40-150cm/0-36kg | Rear facing until: 4 years | i-Size: Yes | Safety standard: R129 | Rotation: 360° | Weight: 15.5kg | MFM Review rating: 4.6 stars

Pros:

• Suitable from birth to 12 years
• 360° rotation
• Seat slides out
• Easy-in harness
• Extra safety features
• Colour-coded installation

Cons:

• Very heavy
• Bulky
• Expensive

Maxi-Cosi are known for creating innovative car seats that focus on comfort, style and safety, and one of their newest car seats is no different.

The Emerald 360 Pro is a Group 0+/1/2/3 car seat, which means you can use it right from birth, all the way until your child no longer needs a car seat — meaning you don’t need to buy a new car seat at different stages.

Installing the Emerald 360 Pro is easy and straightforward. MFM reviewer Sarah, who tested the seat with her 10-month-old baby and 6-year-old daughter said, “it takes just 30 seconds to click the two Isofix connectors into the Isofix slots in the car, and set up the support leg. What I particularly liked is that everything is handily colour-coded – the connectors are yellow so it’s easy to see where you are placing them and there are green/red indicators to show whether the seat and support leg are secured correctly or not, and an indicator for the child’s age and height setting.”

Not only does this seat have a smooth, easy-to-use 360° swivel, the seat also slides in and out of the car seat thanks to its unique integrated SlideTech base. As MFM reviewer Sarah describes it, "there’s currently nothing else on the market like it. You simply pull out a lever on the side of the seat, turn the seat 90 degrees and then pull the seat out towards you. Once your child is strapped in you push the seat back and swivel it rear-facing. This can really take away the strain on your back as there’s no need to stoop into the car and it was a more comfortable experience for my baby too."

The seat comes with a newborn inlay which can be used up until 75cm and our reviewer found it pretty easy to adjust the car seat for her different aged children too. The seat also comes with Maxi-Cosi’s ‘Easy-in harness’ which stays open and out of the way when placing your child in the seat, and ‘ClimaFlow’ for temperature control which enhances air circulation and keeps your child cool.

Our reviewer was also impressed by the G-CELL Side Impact Protection System in the seat, which spreads the impact of a collision and reduces injuries: "with some car seats, side impact protection can add to the bulkiness of the seat but G-CELL is integrated. It’s also reassuring that my eldest child can benefit from this technology as some traditional booster seats are much more basic."

At £399 it is one of the more expensive options on our list, but this might just be the only car seat you ever need to buy!

Available from: Boots, Maxi-Cosi, Natural Baby Shower and Kiddies Kingdom

8. Graco Turn2Me i-Size R129, £180

Best swivel car seat for i-Size on a budget

Suitable for: 0 months - 4 years/40-105cm/up to 18kg | Rear facing until: 4 years | i-Size: Yes | Safety standard: R129 | Rotation: 360° | Weight: 12.66kg | MFM Review rating: 4

Pros:

• Good value
• Easy to use
• Side ventilation
• 10 recline positions
• Machine washable covers
• Spins 360 degrees

Cons:

• Bulky
• Not as well padded or comfy as others on our list
• Only 1 side impact protection pod included

For those looking for a 360-spin seat that meets the newer R129 safety standard but doesn't break the bank, the Graco Turn2Me i-Size R129 seat is a tempting bet. Boasting all the features of the previous R44 version (the Graco Turn2Me Group 0/1 seat), this new R129 version can be used rear-facing until around 4 years old, with an optional forward facing from 15 months.

It has 5 recline positions in each direction, meaning you should find an angle that suits your child (and their sleep habits), plus 6 headrest positions and one-hand 360-spin. It also comes with a machine-washable padded insert for newborns.

"It's reassuring that the Turn2Me meets R129 standards, but personally I would prefer installed, permanent side-impact protectors on both sides, as the reliance is on the user to remember to install on the correct side, and change if the car seat is moved," she says.

However, she also felt the support leg – which has 12 positions to find the best fit – was solid, and the green indicator system made it instantly clear if you'd installed it correctly. While our tests found the the 360-swivel lever wasn't quite as well placed as other seats – "This lever is directly above a very similar lever for the recline function, however, which meant I often pressed the wrong one first," says Harriet – it proved to be an extremely useful feature that testers used frequently.

Read our full MadeForMums Graco Turn2Me i-Size car seat review

Available from: Boots, Amazon, Samuel Johnston and Kiddies Kingdom

9. Cozy n Safe Morgan, £229.99

Best swivel car seat for a slimline fit

Suitable for: 0 months-6 years/40-125cm | Rear facing until: 87cm (around 15 months) | i-Size: Yes | Safety standard: R129 | Rotation: 360° | Weight: 13.2kg | MFM Review rating: 4

Pros:

• Good value
• Comfortable
• Slimline
• One-handed rotation
• Can hide 5-point harness
• Ventilated
• Good recline
• ISOfix and seat belt compatible
• Machine washable covers
• Spins 360 degrees

Cons:

• Heavy to transfer between cars
• Fiddly recline

This is one of the longer-lasting car seats around, working from birth to (potentially) up to age 6. The Morgan has 360-degree rotation so can convert to a forward-facing seat later, on top of generally easing those awkward moments getting babies and sulky children in and out of the car. It’s simple to spin thanks to a pull lever, and it has a very reasonable price-tag.

Our MFM reviewer Annabelle tried it with her newborn daughter Orla and her 2-year-old son Tadhg, in their Hyundai Tucson. Annabelle loved the stylish grey and black design, and how compact the seat felt in situ. “I was impressed at how slimline the Morgan is compared to our current 360 degree car seat. This means more leg room for my son, who is forward-facing – a huge plus,” she noted.

One thing to note is that it semi-locks at 90 degrees (facing the car door) – this stability can make it easier when strapping your child in, but the seat should only be used in the forward- or rear-facing positions when the vehicle is moving.

Like most 360 swivel car seats, this seat can’t be used as part of a travel system, and stays fixed in your car, so you’d potentially wake a napping baby to transfer them to a pram at the end of your journey. But on the plus side, it can be used for up to 6 years, making the price-per-year pretty good value.

Read our full MadeForMums Cozy n Safe Morgan car seat review

Available from: Kiddies Kingdom

10. Britax Römer DualFix M i-Size, £365

Best swivel car seat for sturdiness

Suitable for: 3 months-4 years/61-104cm/up to 18kg | Rear facing until: 105cm | i-Size: Yes | Safety standard: R129 | Rotation: 360° | Weight: 14.5kg

Pros:

• Sturdy
• Comfortable
• Multiple recline positions
• Machine-washable covers
• Spins 360 degrees

Cons:

• Expensive
• Heavy and bulky
• Can’t use from birth
• Isofix installation only

Germany company Britax Römer is known for its robust, high-quality car seats, and the DualFix M i-Size is an updated version of its DualFix M, now meeting i-Size regulations.

With 360 swivel action, this is a stylish, solid seat designed to grow with little ones. It’s suitable from three months, and offers extended rear-facing up to 105cm (approx age 4). It can also be used as a forward-facing seat from 76cm.

At close to 15kg, this is not the lightest seat around. It’s very much designed to stay put in your car, not be lugged about between vehicles or into homes. However, its bulkiness does mean it feels ultra-sturdy, and it boasts plenty of reassuring safety features. These include high, padded side wings, a 5-point harness, and the SICT side impact protection system.

There’s a height-adjustable support leg to stop things wobbling in the event of a collision, and a rebound bar that prevents tilting (bonus: this bar can be adjusted against the back of seat to offer 10% extra leg room). The seat has an ADAC rating of 2.1 (good) – the ADAC test simulates realistic crashes with Q-test dummies.

Like many seats, the DualFix is a doddle to install in cars using an integrated Isofix base – however, Britax Römer has something called the Pivot Link Isofix System, which is basically Isofix with bells on. It directs the force of an impact down towards the vehicle seat and then forward, reducing the chance of head or neck injuries.

Available from: Kiddies Kingdom

Why should I buy a rotating car seat?  

The main benefit of a rotating car seat is it’s easier and more comfortable to take your child in and out of the car – you can simply swivel the seat towards your open car door. It saves needing to awkwardly bend over a seat sideways to reach the harness, one of those daily parental frustrations most of us can do without. That makes these seats especially great if you have back pain or mobility issues.

When you consider how many times your child uses a car seat over the months and years, a rotating seat really can make a huge difference to how comfortable everyday life is. For toddlers who can climb in themselves, it may also make this easier for them.

There’s a safety aspect to consider too, too. Many 360-rotating car seats enable rear-facing for longer, up to around 4 years. In the event of a collision, especially head-on, a rear-facing seat offers greater protection to your child’s still-developing head, spine and neck, so many parents are keen to keep this position for as long as possible.

When you are ready to change their position, with a 360-swivel seat you can rotate them to forward-facing without the expense and hassle of buying and reinstalling a new seat.

What age are swivel car seats best for?

Many rotating car seats can be used from birth, and some of the seats on our list grow with your child so they can be used for a number of years before moving on to a child car seat.

Newborn babies start in rear-facing infant car seats. These are sometimes called:

• Group 0+ seats, grouped by your child’s weight for use from birth to 13kg (approx 15 months)
  or
• i-Size (part of the new European standard for car seats, ECE R129), which groups seats according to your child’s height. i-Size infant car seats will have a heigh limit in centimetres, usually somewhere between 62cm and 87cm

Under new R129 regulations, babies must stay in a rear-facing position until they are at least 15 months old. If you have an older-style R44 Group 0 seat, once your baby reaches 9kg (approx 9 months) you can decide whether to swivel them to a forward-facing position, although we don’t recommend turning them forward too early.

In the past, toddler car seats were often forward facing only. However, the introduction of i-Size and the requirement to have children rear-facing until at least 15 months has changed the market considerably. There are now plenty of 360-swivel car seats that allow your child to sit rear-facing far beyond 15 months, with the option to also face them forward when you’re ready.

The 360-swivel car seats on our list mainly encompass i-Size or Group 0+/1 baby and toddler seats, for use from birth to around age 4. We also have some 360-degree seats that will last right up until 6, 7, or even 12 years old.

What to look for when choosing a 360 car seat

When choosing a seat brand or model, there are many factors to take into account, depending on your child's age, your budget and family’s needs.

• Does it rotate 180 or 360? — A seat that can swivel a full 360 degrees means it can face both directions, depending on your child's age. You can keep toddlers well-protected in a rear-facing position for longer, but rotate to front-facing whenever they are ready (and it’s safe to). RoSPA’s Child Car Seats website advises parents and caregivers to "keep their children in a rear facing child car seat for as long as possible", based on the British Medical Journal’s research suggesting that they are safer than forward facing seats for children under 4 years old.
• Not all rotating car seats swivel all the way round – some only rotate 180°, so always check before buying. Claire Waterhouse and Julie Dagnall, founders of Child Seat Safety, explain the key difference. “A 360° rotation will be a rear- and forward-facing seat, whereas a 180° rotation will only face in one direction (either rear- or forward-facing) but you’ll still be able to swivel it to make it easier to get the child in and out of the seat.”
• How easy are they to rotate? — If the answer is ‘not very’, despite being designed to make life easier, your rotating seat might end up being a headache. Try seats out first, if you can, and read online reviews to see how smoothly this feature works. One-handed rotation can be a godsend, if you’re juggling lots of things (and let’s face it, what parent isn’t).
• Are they travel system compatible? — The most important thing to note is that the swivel mechanism is part of the base, rather than the car seat itself. Many rotating car seats have fixed bases, so they can’t be attached to a buggy as part of a travel system. This means you’ll need to carry a young baby to and from the car each time you travel (and potentially wake them up mid-snooze). However, some infant car seats (like the Cybex Cloud T) fit onto separate swivel bases, meaning the seat itself may be compatible with travel systems – so shop around if this is important to you.
• How heavy is the seat? — As mentioned, rotating seats often come with bulky, non-detachable bases. This can make them heavy to carry and install, and even with a detachable base, the seat itself may still be heavy. Of course, if you plan to install and keep it in one car that shouldn’t be a huge problem. But it's worth considering if you plan to move it in between cars regularly.
• Does the base separate from the car seat, and do you have to buy it separately? — Be sure you know what you're buying, and which elements are included. If you do need to buy a separate base, check whether you can also use it with the next stage seat. You could upgrade to a rotating toddler seat but keep the same base, saving space and money.
• Is the base Isofix? — Check whether the base is Isofix compatible, meaning it ‘plugs’ into your car’s Isofix connection points to secure it, which can make fitting much easier. All R129 compliant car seats are required to have Isofix connectors. Always check if the Isofix-compatible seats will work with your particular model of car.

If your car doesn’t have Isofix points, you will need a car seat that can be fitted using the vehicle’s seatbelt. Fitted correctly, fitting with a belt is no less safe than using Isofix, however there is more room for error when fitting with a belt, so be sure to read the instructions carefully, and get it fitted professionally if you can.

Are rotating car seats worth the money?

Rotating car seats are not an essential, and they do tend to be a bit more expensive than basic car seats, up to £100 more. The mechanism in the base can also add significantly to the overall weight of the unit. However, many parents will tell you that they are real ‘game-changers’ when it comes to convenience, and worth every extra penny if you have your kids in the car frequently. They can also extend the life of your seat. For that reason, you may feel it’s a wise investment up front.

Are 360 car seats safe?

Providing you only use the swivel function of your car seat when the car is stationary, while taking your baby in and out of the car or switching from a rear to forward-facing setting, it’s a safe feature to have.

Some car seats lock into place when side-facing to help when taking your child out of the chair, but Sophie Steane, RAC shop spokesperson, stresses the importance of using the feature correctly. She says, “After rotation, the key point is to make sure that the seat is fully locked in the correct position before setting off.”

Claire Waterhouse and Julie Dagnall also add that swivel car seats that don’t have the ability to lock are less likely be misused. “We wouldn’t want a parent to turn it side on while travelling to maybe feed the child.”

You should also be sure to only switch from rear-facing to forward-facing when your child meets or exceeds the age requirements of the individual seat. With many in our list offering a rear-facing option for the entire lifespan of the seat, it may not be necessary for you to move them to a forward-facing position at all.

Read more...

• Best car seats from birth
• Best car seats from 9 months
• Best car seats for children from age 4

To help you decide which car seat is best for your little one, we've extensively researched a variety of child car seats from trusted brands at a range of prices. And they've been tried and tested by real families.

Jump to:

• The best car seats from 9 months
• What type of car seat does a toddler need?
• Other considerations when buying a toddler car seat

Best toddler car seats at a glance

• Best toddler car seat for extended rear facing: Axkid One 2, £625 for the One+2 at Kiddies Kingdom
• Best toddler car seat for 360° spin: Joie i-Spin 360, £249.99 £199.95 at Kiddies Kingdom (Save £50.04 or 20%)
• Best toddler car seat for an impact shield: Cybex Pallas S-Fix, £259.95 at Amazon
• Best toddler car seat for longevity: Silver Cross Motion All Size 360, £395 £285 at Samuel Johnston (Save £110 or 28%)
• Best toddler car seat for easy fitting: Maxi-Cosi Pearl Smart i-size, £199 at Amazon
• Best budget buy toddler car seat: Joie Fortifi, £150 £100 at Halfords (Save £50 or 33%)
• Best toddler car seat for a secure harness: BeSafe IZI Modular AX1 i-size, £219 at Natural Baby Shower
• Best toddler car seat for seatbelt fitting: Graco Enhance, £130 at Boots
• Best toddler car seat for fitting options: Britax Advansafix IV R, £279
• Best toddler car seat for comfort: Cozy n Safe Excalibur: £119.99

We've spoken to over 1,200 parents about the car seats they’ve used over the years. We've also taken into account safety testing carried out by ADAC, one of the lead testers of car seats in Europe, which is recognised throughout the industry for its stringent safety tests. ADAC does not test all car seats, and if a seat had not been tested by ADAC this does not make it unsafe. However, where a seat in our list has been tested by ADAC we've provided the score. In these tests a low score is best.

As well as being tested and recommended by real parents, each of the toddler car seats on this list have also been put through the paces by our expert journalist reviewers, who have rigorously tested the car seats with their own children. For older children, take a look at our group 2/3 car seats from age 4.

Best toddler car seats to buy in the UK for 2025

1. Axkid One 2, £650

Best toddler car seat for extended rear-facing

Suitable for: Birth (with cushion, sold separately) to age 7 | Weight: 10kg | Dimensions: H 76cm x W 44cm x D 54cm | i-Size: Yes | 360° spin: No | Rear-facing: Yes, up to 125cm (age 7) | Installation: ISOFIX | Recline positions: Step-less, up to 42° | Headrest positions: 12 | ADAC test: 2.2 (good) | MFM Review rating: 4.4

Pros: 

• Swedish Plus tested
• Offers rear-facing to age 7
• Simple to install and adjust

Cons: 

• Some features can be fiddly
• Very expensive

The Axkid ONE 2 is one of the only ISOFIX car seats that allows rear-facing travel up to approximately 7 years of age (125cm/23kg). At 10kg, it's quite heavy and awkward to move between cars but our reviewer and parent testers found it simple to install.

Undoubtedly, the main selling point of the Axkid ONE 2 is its safety credentials, as MFM reviewer Victoria, who tested the Axkid ONE 2 with her 18-month-old, says: "it's a great option for those who want a safe, solid and robust rear-facing car seat to go the distance and grow with their child — as long as you are happy to pay a premium price upfront." The seat has also passed the Swedish Plus Test.

Safety is at the forefront of everything Axkid does, so while the seat is comfortable and impeccably designed, what you won't get here are elements designed purely for convenience like 360° spin. Reviewer Victoria also noted that there were some parts of the seat that could be fiddly and inconvenient, such as the harness: "I found you had to pull pretty hard to get the straps tight enough... and the catch to undo the buckle was also a little fiddly and I didn't find it got any easier." However, it does have a range of other features that make the seat comfortable for the child and that make life easier for the parent, such as a memory-form headrest and an easy-to-use recline adjuster.

Keeping a child in a rear-facing car seat to age 7 is optimal from a safety point of view, but it's often difficult in reality. MFM reviewer Victoria told us, "whether it would be comfortable for a 7-year-old, I'm still not convinced, and I struggle to imagine an older child being willing to remain rear-facing for that long." However, parent tester Kelly who also tested the car seat said, "I've been testing with a large 5-year-old and wish I had got this seat to use from birth or after the infant carrier stage. The One 2 really grows with your child to have a good lifespan. There are lots of different positions depending on the age and size of your child and it's easy to adjust to find the best position for them."

Read our full MadeForMums Axkid One 2 car seat review

Available from: Kiddies Kingdom

2. Joie i-spin 360, £200

Best car seat for 360 spin

Suitable for: Birth to 4 years | Weight: 13.9kg| Dimensions: H 61cm x W 46cm x D 69cm | i-Size: Yes | 360° spin: Yes | Rear-facing: Yes, up to 105cm (age 4) | Installation: ISOFIX | Recline positions: 6 | Headrest positions: 6 | ADAC test: 1.8 (good) | MFM Review rating: 4.6

Pros:

• 360° swivel
• Good headrest
• Padding

Cons:

• Very heavy and bulky
• May be hard to work out which padding to use

This seat from Joie was one of the first to offer a 360° spin option to help get your child in and out of the car with less hassle. It quickly became a hit with parents because it offered that extra convenience alongside lots of good safety features, including a 3-layer headrest, a lock for the front-facing swivel (so well-meaning family members can't rotate the seat forwards too early) and side-impact "guard surrounds" which pop out automatically when the harness is fastened. It also has an impressive 6 recline positions for a comfortable ride.

MFM reviewer Ima tested this seat with her 13 month old (pictured) and said, "I like the fact that the seat can turn around so I can easily put my baby into it and I also like the recline option, which can help her to feel more comfortable and send her off to sleep quicker." She also felt "the headrest provides excellent support." On the downside, this is a bulky, heavy seat with a built-in base and a support leg that dangles down, meaning it's definitely not easy to transfer between cars or store away.

The seat is well-padded, with a series of removable portions that give the perfect fit and support from birth. The headrest and harness adjust together for easy fitting and there are breathable panels to stop your child overheating. But it can be hard to work out exactly which pads you need at each stage.

Following the success of this model, Joie launched the i-Spin Safe, a sister model that has passed the Swedish Plus Test. See our Joie i-Spin Safe car seat review for a closer look and comparison.

Read the full MadeForMums Joie i-Spin 360 car seat review

Available from: John Lewis, Boots, Kiddies Kingdom

3. Cybex Pallas S-Fix, £234.95

Best car seat for an impact shield

Suitable for: 9 months to 12 years | Weight: 10kg | Dimensions: H 68.5cm x W 50cm x D 43cm | i-Size: No | 360° spin: No | Rear-facing: No | Installation: ISOFIX or seatbelt | Recline positions: 1 (group 1 mode only) | Headrest positions: 12 | ADAC test: 2.1 (good) | MFM Review rating: 4.7

Pros:

• Impact shield for protection while facing forwards
• High quality materials
• Seatbelt installation

Cons:

• Forward-facing only
• Not all children like an impact shield

This range of Cybex car seats is instantly recognisable thanks to the impact shield at the front, which is designed to reduce the risk of serious neck injuries. The shield is used in conjunction with the car seatbelt while the seat is in group 1 mode (up to around 4 years old) before being removed when the seat is converted into a group 2/3 seat (which is then similar to those in Cybex's Solution series). It should last until around age 12. The seat has integrated side-impact protection, and an energy-absorbing shell to further help in case of a collision. The headrest has a patented recline that helps stop a child's head falling forwards if they fall asleep in the car.

MFM reviewer Alex said of the impact shield, "I liked the concept, because it works as an airbag in a crash, spreading the impact and giving better protection." However she advised trying this seat before purchase if possible: her son (pictured) was at the top of the age bracket and found the impact shield no longer fitted well, but 2 other children she knew who were a little smaller and younger were "very comfortable and happy in it."

Alex did like the fact that, due to the impact shield, this seat does not have a fiddly 5-point harness. "I mostly like the ease of strapping and unstrapping your child into it. Any parent will know this can be a high stress part of the day! The streamlined design makes it so much easier to reach and get the job done quickly." Parent tester Ellen also added that this kind of fastening is "a bit more tricky for little hands to undo," making it a good option if you have a little Houdini on your hands.

Read the full MadeForMums Cybex Pallas S-Fix car seat review

Available from: Amazon

4. Silver Cross Motion All Size 360, £325

Best car seat for longevity

Suitable for: 40-145cm, birth-12 years (approx.) | Weight: 14.4kg | Dimensions: H 78cm x W44cm x D 37cm | i-Size: Yes | 360° spin: Yes | Rear-facing: Yes, up to 105cm (age 4) | Installation: ISOFIX | Recline positions: 3 | Headrest positions: 8 | ADAC test: 3.0 (satisfactory) | MFM Review rating: 4.5

Pros:

• Very long lifespan
• Well-padded and comfy
• 360° spin

Cons:

• Very heavy
• Bulky and narrow for older kids
• Expensive

Silver Cross's luxurious model is a R129-approved 360° rotating car seat that's suitable from birth right up to 12 years old, which makes it a very worthwhile (and more sustainable) investment if you don't think your family circumstances will change. It's best suited to those who won't be moving between cars very much – it comes in at almost 15kg and is not easy to move quickly – but it could be the only car seat you ever need to buy.

"The environmental and financial benefits of only needing to buy one seat are really appealing, especially with all the extra features," said our reviewer, former MFM Consumer & Reviews Editor Christy, mum of 3. Christy was impressed with the overall quality and attention to detail. "It's very well padded and looks super-cosy... The bamboo fabric is not only breathable, but feels really soft too, while the plastic buckles (as opposed to metal) mean they won’t overheat in the sun and potentially burn your baby’s skin." Her 1 year old is pictured in the seat above.

The 360° spin functionality is key to this seat's appeal: offering easy access for parents throughout its lifespan, and a simple way to convert the car seat once the child is old enough to go forward-facing. This seat offers extended rear-facing until 105cm (around 4 years old) after which point it can be turned forwards and the harness stowed away within the seat and swapped with the car seatbelt. "I really love how the harness and buckle are stored within the seat, instead of having to remove them completely to store elsewhere, like with other car seats we’ve used in the past," said one of our parent testers, who tested this with their 9-year-old daughter,

Read our full MadeForMums Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 car seat review

Available from: Samuel Johnston

5. Maxi-Cosi Pearl Smart i-Size, £199

Best car seat for easy fitting

Suitable for: 9-18kgs, 67-105cm, 6 months-4 years (approx.) | Weight: 7.85kg| Dimensions: H 50cm x W 47.5cm x D 61cm (without base) | i-Size: Yes | 360° spin: No | Rear-facing: Yes, up to 105cm (age 4) | Installation: ISOFIX (base sold separately, £159.99) | Recline positions: 4 | Headrest positions: Multiple sliding | ADAC test: Not tested | MFM Review rating: 4.6

Pros:

• Great upgrade for existing Maxi-Cosi users
• Easy fitting
• Good recline
• Extended rear-facing

Cons:

• Base has to be purchased separately
• No insert for babies

If you're upgrading from a Maxi-Cosi infant car seat and already have a Family Fix ISOFIX base in your car, the Pearl Smart will click straight into that base, allowing you to instantly upgrade with very little hassle and without the added cost of a new base. But even those parents who are haven't had a Maxi-Cosi car seat before will find plenty to like about this seat, which offers extended rear-facing up to age 4 (it can also face forwards if you prefer).

The 4-position recline on this seat gets particularly good feedback, with MFM reviewer Sophie saying, "my 8-month-old baby (pictured) didn’t cry while seated in it and fell asleep on both short and long car journeys, which must be a good sign." She also praised the seat padding, saying it "feels thick and well cushioned."

The separate seat and base also make it easier to fit: fitting a flat base into the car then clicking the seat into place on top is much less of a struggle than trying to manoeuvre an all-in-one model into place, and you could fit bases in multiple cars and move just one seat between them easily.

One of the benefits of this seat is that it's suitable from around 6 months, so if you have a large baby who seems to be outgrowing their infant car seat earlier than you'd hoped, it could be a good option, however Sophie did point out that there's no extra insert for babies that young, so the suitability would depend on your child.

Read the full MadeForMums Maxi-Cosi Pearl Smart i-size car seat review

Available from: Amazon

6. Joie Fortifi R129, £150

Best budget car seat

Suitable for: 9 to 36kg (approx 9 months to 12 years) | Weight: 7.85kg| Dimensions: H 82cm x W 48.5cm x D 65.7cm | i-Size: No | 360° spin: No | Rear-facing: No | Installation: Seatbelt only | Recline positions: 4 | Headrest positions: 9 | ADAC test: Not tested

Pros:

• Great value
• Can be fitted with seatbelt
• Lightweight
• Lasts up to age 12

Cons:

• Forward-facing only

Joie's affordable and well thought-out Fortifi is a great option if you have a car without ISOFIX connectors, or if you need to move between multiple cars (and even taxis) frequently. This lightweight seat is easy to transport and fastens with the car's seatbelt. It also represents great value: it will last until your child is old enough to ride without a car seat, and if you use it for its full lifespan, it works out at about £12 per year.

Parent tester Gemma tested this product with her 2 year old (pictured) and said, "after watching the installation video a couple of times, I was easily able to fit the seat, and though it takes a couple of minutes to tighten the belt properly and get it really stable and secure, I was confident my son was safe once he was strapped in. He seems comfortable and happy in the seat."

It benefits from a lot of the features of more expensive Joie car seats, like a one-handed "Grow Together" headrest and harness adjuster that makes it a doddle to adjust as your child grows, and a smart hideaway panel for the harness once your child is old enough to use the seat as a group 2/3 car seat booster. The straps and seat are comfortable and well-padded, and little additions like pockets to keep snacks or loose items secure are a great bonus.

This seat doesn't offer the added security of an extended rear-facing seat, or the ease of 360° spin access or ISOFIX but if you're a family on a budget – or if you're looking for an affordable and lightweight option for grandparents or family members – it could be perfect.

Available from: Halfords

7. BeSafe iZi Modular AX1 i-Size, £219

Best car seat for a secure harness

Suitable for: Approx 6 months to 4 years | Weight: 15kg (including base) | Dimensions: H 60cm x W 44cm x D 50cm | i-Size: Yes | 360° spin: No | Rear-facing: Yes, up to 105cm (age 4) | Installation: ISOFIX (base sold separately) | Recline positions: multiple | Headrest positions: 10 | ADAC test: Not tested

Pros:

• Amazing harness safety feature
• Modular design for easy fitting

Cons:

• Expensive
• Have to buy separate base
• Heavy including the base

The big calling card of this seat is the innovative "active retract" feature on the harness, which assists parents when buckling up for a safe and secure fit. One German study showed that 49.3% of toddlers are not buckled tightly enough in their car seats, so this is a really important safety area. "Once buckled up, you simply just lift the straps up into the shoulder pads and they will tighten with a click," explained MFM reviewer Cher, who tested this with her 1 year old (pictured). She went on to say "the retractable straps are, without a doubt, what sets this car seat apart from any others and for that reason alone, this is a seat worth investing in."

However, this seat really is an investment, as you'll need to buy the ISOFIX base separately for another £169, bringing the grand total to over £450, the second most expensive on our list after the Axkid One (which lasts 3 years longer). As with the Maxi-Cosi Pearl Smart, though, there is the option to fit bases in more than one car and only use one seat, and if you know you or a family member are not good at tightening the harness, it's worth the investment.

It also shares another thing in common with the Maxi-Cosi car seat: the age range starts at 6 months, and it can be turned forward-facing after 15 months if that's your preference.

Read the full MadeForMums BeSafe iZi Modular AX1 i-Size car seat review

Available from: Natural Baby Shower

8. Graco Enhance, £130

 Best car seat for seatbelt fitting

Suitable for: Birth to approx 7 year | Weight: 8.47kg | Dimensions: H 62.2cm x W 49.3cm x D 62.2cm | i-Size: No | 360° spin: No | Rear-facing: Yes, up to 18kg (age 4) | Installation: Seatbelt | Recline positions: 4 | Headrest positions: Multiple | ADAC test: Not tested

Pros:

• Good value
• Seatbelt fitting in both rear and front-facing modes
• Lightweight

Cons:

• Will need replacing at age 7
• May not work rearwards in smaller cars

If you're on a tight budget, the Graco Enhance car seat offers important safety elements like side impact protection and a steel-reinforced frame alongside some great conveniences, like a no-rethread harness and integrated harness storage.

In design, it has a lot in common with the Joie Fortifi, but this seat is suitable up to age 7, rather than age 12, meaning the Fortifi does just squeak in when it comes to value over time, as a new group 3 seat or booster would need to be purchased once the child outgrows this one. However, this seat can be fitted in a rear-facing position with a seatbelt, offering more options for younger riders, and making it suitable from birth.  MFM reviewer Rachel, who tested this with her 6 month old (pictured) did point out that "once fully reclined, as advised for rearward facing, there is very little room in the back of the car, so I think it would be tricky to install it in a small vehicle".

Rachel went on to say that "the Enhance offers superior side-impact protection with powerful head protection. On first appearance, it looks well made, well-cushioned and safe. Our little girl felt really secure in the car seat. Anxiety as a first-time parent is often high, especially when it comes to safety, and the Enhance seat features steel reinforcement throughout the body of the frame for enhanced resilience and durability."

Read the full MadeForMums Graco Enhance car seat review

Available from: Amazon and Boots

9. Britax Advansafix IV R, £279

Best car seat for fitting options

Suitable for: 9 months to 12 years (9-36kg) | Weight: 11kg| Dimensions: H 63-88cm x W 44cm x D 47cm | i-Size: No | 360° spin: No | Rear-facing: No | Installation: ISOFIX and top tether or seatbelt (from 15kg) | Recline positions: 3 | Headrest positions: Multiple | ADAC test: 2.3 (Good)

Pros:

• Can be fitted multiple ways
• Roomy seat
• Lasts until age 12

Cons:

• No rear-facing option
• Not all cars are suitable for tether fitting

This front-facing Group 1/2/3 car seat stands out due to its multiple installation options. From 9 months, it can be fitted using the ISOFIX connectors in conjunction with the V-shaped top tether, which hooks behind the headrest and adds extra stability and stop the seat from rotating. You will need to check your car has a convenient place to clip the tether, but most have a bar at the bottom of the seat back.

From 15 months, it can either be fitted using the ISOFIX points and the seatbelt, or using the seatbelt on its own, offering flexibility if you change vehicles. MFM reviewer Michelle, who tested this with her 2 year old grandson (pictured) said, "Once you know how the ISOFIX works, it's quite straightforward to take the seat in and out."

Michelle also rated the overall design and quality of the seat, from the v-shaped headrest to the roomy seat. She said it has been "beautifully designed to a high specification, and Britax have included every safety feature in the event of an accident." These include advanced side impact protection, and a SecureGuard lap belt positioner to protect the abdomen.

Read the full MadeForMums Britax Advansafix IV R review

Available from: W. H. Watts Pram Centre

10. Cozy n Safe Excalibur, £119.99

Best car seat for comfort

Suitable for: 9 months to 12 years (9 to 36kg) | Weight: 11kg| Dimensions: H 59cm x W 46cm x D 51cm | i-Size: No | 360° spin: No | Rear-facing: No | Installation: ISOFIX and top tether or seatbelt (from 15kg) | Recline positions: 4 | Headrest positions: 14 | ADAC test: Not tested

Pros:

• Comfortable
• Can be fitted multiple ways
• Great value
• Harness until 25kg

Cons:

• No rear-facing option
• Top tether a bit less flexible in terms of fit

Living up to its brand name, the Cozy n Safe Excalibur really impressed MFM reviewer Janet in terms of comfort. She tested it with her 4 year old (pictured) and 23 month old and said, "My 4 year old’s first impression was “very soft” and I noted how the seat fitted both my children like a glove despite their very different physiques."

The seat also has the benefit of allowing you to keep your child in the safety harness until they hit 25kg, while many other forward-facing seats of this type require you to switch to the seatbelt at 18kg. Janet said, "My 4-year-old really liked being back in a harness which on other seats she would have been too tall for." Her only bugbear was that when it did come time to removing the harness, she couldn't quite work out where to put it without asking the brand for help!

Like the Britax Advansafix IV R, this car seat can be fitted with ISOFIX and a top tether, or using car seatbelt. However, the tether on this is a single strap rather than a V-shaped design, so may fit fewer cars depending on the design and position of the headrest. It still offers good flexibility, though, and comes in at a similar weight too.

Read our full MFM Cozy n Safe Excalibur car seat review

Available from: Amazon, Cozy n Safe and Halfords

What type of car seat does a toddler need?

Once your baby weighs more than 9kg (approx. 9 months), you can use a Group 1, Group 1/2 or Group 1/2/3 car seat, or choose an i-Size / R129 car seat. But what does that all mean?

All car seats have to undergo testing to certain European standards. There are two standards you may see at present: ECE R129 (height-based) or ECE R44 (weight-based).

R129 replaced ECE R44, which means no new car seats will be tested to that standard, however there are still lots of models on the market that were designed before 2019. These car seats come in "groups":

• A Group 1 car seat is suitable for a baby weighing between 9kg and 18kg, which is roughly 9 months to 4 years
• A Group 1/2 combination or multi-group car seat is suitable from 9kg to 25kg, roughly 9 months to 6-7 years
• A Group 1/2/3 combination car seat is suitable from 9kg to 36kg or when your child is 135cm tall, which is roughly 9 months to 12 years

What is i-Size and R129?

R129 is the most up to date European-wide regulation for child car seats, which requires children to sit rear-facing until they are at least 15 months old. It is based on height rather than weight, and with the introduction of this standard, seats also began to be tested for side impact.

i-Size and R129 are essentially the same thing: ECE R129 is the new European standard for car seat safety, and "i-Size" is a customer-facing name associated with it. As time moves on, R129 is likely to be used more than i-Size as manufacturers and retailers attempt to simplify all the jargon surrounding car seat safety.

The "i" in i-size stands for integral, and refers to the fact that the harness is built into the seat, rather than using the car's seat belt.

What is an ISOFIX car seat?

Most car seat models now have the option to use an ISOFIX system - in fact 48% of parents we surveyed chose to buy an ISOFIX seat.

ISOFIX car seats have two metal connectors on the back of the seat that anchor onto small metal bars fixed to the frame of your vehicle.  It makes it easy to install your car seat correctly, and ISOFIX car seats generally have clear indicators to let you know you’ve fitted the seat correctly.

Alongside ISOFIX, many car seats also use a tether and/or support leg for extra stability. We've indicated for each car seat the options you have when it comes to fitting, and if the seat uses ISOFIX. Obviously, you'll need to check your car has ISOFIX connection points: most modern vehicles do.

Some car seats can be fitted using just a seatbelt, which can be handy if your car doesn't have ISOFIX points. When fitted correctly, car seats that use a seatbelt are no less safe than those fitted using ISOFIX, but many parents find the ISOFIX connection gives them more confidence and reassurance.

What are the child car seat laws and legislation in the UK?

Backless Booster Seats

The regulation on backless booster car seats says that children shorter than 125cm tall (4ft 1in) or weighing less than 22kg (3st 6.5lbs) should not sit on them, so they are not suitable toddlers. This rule applies to brand new products and does not affect any booster seats made and bought before the law came into place on 1 March 2017.

When can a baby go into a forward-facing seat?

Legally, children can start to sit forward-facing when they move to a Group 1 car seat, so from around 9 months. Group 1 seats have traditionally been forward-facing, but this has changed rapidly over the last few years as the new R129 standard requires children to rear face until at least 15 months. Many seats now offer extended rear-facing until age 4, or even age 7.

The reason for this is an increase in interest and emphasis on extended crash testing like the Swedish Plus Test. Any car seat that has met the requirements of either ECE R129 or ECE R44 is considered safe according to UK/European law, but this optional test uses higher speed impact crashes and short braking distances, and looks at the impact on the neck. So far, only rear-facing car seats have passed the test, as sitting rear-facing is shown to reduce impact on the head and neck in an accident. Therefore, those looking for increased safety assurance may wish to have their children facing rearwards for longer in a seat that has passed this test.

In our list we've included a selection of both forward-facing and rear-facing options, giving you the flexibility to choose what's best and most suitable for you and your child.

How do you fit a toddler car seat?

Most manufacturers have a quick online checking service, such as Britax’s Fit-Finder, Maxi-Cosi’s car fitting list, Axkid's vehicle list or Joie’s Fit Guide. Have your car’s make, model and year of production close to hand for fast checking. Remember, not all cars have ISOFIX – so check your car’s compatibility for ISOFIX too.

Once you've picked your ideal car seat, it'll have to be fitted in the car.  We recommend you get your car seat fitted by a trained car seat installation advisor (appointed by the manufacturer) if you can, although many manufacturers now have very good installation videos to help you fit at home if you need to.

How much does a toddler car seat cost?

Like all parenting products, prices can vary from budget to luxuriously expensive, but even a budget car seat can cost upwards of £100. You can expect to pay upwards of £300 for an extended rear-facing model with extra features like 360° spin.

While price is important, it's not always an indicator of how safe a car seat is. It's most important to choose the seat that works best for you, your car and your child. If money is tight, we have included some budget options from reputable. Please do not be tempted to buy a second hand car seat: this is one item you must buy new, as you cannot know the history of a seat purchased from a stranger.

Other considerations when buying a toddler car seat

• Weight and portability – Some car seats for toddlers can be surprisingly heavy. If you know you'll be switching regularly between cars, or taking it on holiday, a lighter option would be best.
• Car compatibility and tether fitting – Not all car seats for toddlers fit every vehicle in the same way. For instance, not all cars are suitable for tether fitting, which is essential for certain ISOFIX models. Check your car's manual or the manufacturer guide to make sure it's a good match.
• Ease of cleaning – Let's face it, toddlers and mess go hand in hand! It might be worth considering a car seat that has removable, machine-washable covers, which you'll be thankful for when any inevitable spills happen.
• Comfort – Well-padded seats are a win for wriggly toddlers, and being comfortable is a must – especially on long journeys and you're banking on a peaceful nap.
• Price – The cost of car seats for toddlers can hugely vary, from budget-friendly options to more premium models with extra functions. Our top picks range from £120 right up to £650. It's worth weighing up cost as some of the more expensive ones are designed to grow with your child so they offer long-term value . That said, most affordable car seats will still meet the required safety standards, so it's about finding the best fit for your lifestyle, and budget.
• Longevity – Some car seats for toddlers may last until age 4, while others convert into booster seats that can be used right up to the age of 12 years. If you prefer to avoid multiple upgrades, you might want to consider an adaptable car seat that evolves with your child, and could save you money in the long run.

Read more...

• The best rotating and swivel car seats
• The 2 hour car seat rule — what you need to know
• Best narrow car seats that fit 3 in the back of a car

Weighing in at 3.9kg, the seat’s lightweight design is convenient for switching from car to car, or using as part of a travel system, and when combined with Nuna’s BASE Curv, £240, a 360° swivel function makes harnessing quick and easy.

The seat is suitable for babies from newborn to toddler thanks to 10 headrest heights and 3 recline settings, including a lie-flat recline that allows for safe and comfortable car journeys exceeding 2 hours.

How easy is the Nuna ARRA Flex car seat to install?

The ARRA Flex can be installed using the car’s seatbelt or an ISOFIX base (sold separately). We tested both methods on both short and long journeys, finding the base combo far superior.

It took us a while to figure out how to install the car seat using the belt path method, but if you’ve done this before, it may be more intuitive. The belt goes around the back of the seat, with the lap belt crossing the top. We found it easier to leave the belt clipped in rather than rethreading it each time, but this made it more difficult to slot the baby in place.

When combined with Nuna’s BASE Curv, however, the ARRA Flex was a breeze to set up – a 5-minute job. The base has multi-adjustable ISOFIX positions, simply slotting into the car’s ISOFIX points in one click.

What are the key safety features of the Nuna ARRA Flex car seat and BASE Curv combo?

When it comes to safety, it’s hard to fault the ARRA Flex. The seat has side-impact protection using energy-absorbent foam, and the headrest feels robust for bumpy journeys. The high-strength handle will transfer impact into the shell, protecting baby's head. I felt confident that my boy was safe.

The base itself has built-in side-impact protection, too, plus a stability leg to absorb impact.

How convenient is the Nuna BASE Curv to use?

The 360° swivel functionality is very nifty, allowing the seat to slide in any direction at the click of a button (one on each side) – handy for both harnessing the baby and lifting the seat in and out of the car.

The seat lifts off the base easily via the quick-release button at the back. When re-attaching, we sometimes struggled to line up the seat with the base, but once we found the correct position, clipping in and out was simple.

Transferring the base from one car to another would be straightforward, but it’s a fairly chunky piece of kit to lug across (7kg).

How robust and durable is the Nuna BASE Curv?

The base feels sturdy and fits neatly on the seat of our car. It’s made of wipeable plastic so any spillages would be easy to clean. We thought the stability leg bounced a little when travelling on a bumpy road, but this didn’t seem to bother our son.

The base can adjust to fit a range of Nuna car seats, meaning it can be used until the child is 4 and, thanks to its solid design, I think it would stand the test of time.

How does the Nuna ARRA Flex compare to similar infant car seats?

The 157° recline setting is what sets this seat apart, because it reduces the risk of breathing difficulties when sitting in a scrunched position for too long. This makes it safe to travel on journeys exceeding 2 hours – although, realistically, our little one could never sit for longer without a break!

The other standout feature of the ARRA Flex is its lightweight design (3.9kg, not including canopy and insert). Previously, we used a Cybex Cloud T car seat, which at 4.5kg felt very heavy to cart around in comparison. As a weedy, 5ft tall mum, I could comfortably lift the ARRA Flex with baby strapped in place, no problem.

How comfortable is the Nuna ARRA Flex seat for your baby?

Our little one gets bored on car journeys, but he seemed comfortable in this seat for a good hour or so. There are 3 recline positions, but our boy favoured the most upright angle, allowing him to look around more.

The memory foam headrest has 10 positions to accommodate growth, and there’s a Merino wool insert that feels soft and breathable, though we didn’t put it to the test as our 7-month-old had already outgrown it.

When it comes to napping, the full recline position is useful, as is the sunshade for keeping light out. Despite this, our son didn’t nap easily in the seat, but he fights sleep wherever he is!

Does the Nuna ARRA Flex car seat recline?

Yes: the seat has 3 recline settings, from upright to lie flat. These work in both car seat and travel system modes. We found the full recline very convenient when doing long car journeys.

Reclining the seat is as simple as pulling a lever at the back of the seat. Ours was a little stiff, and we found it tricky to recline while travelling because we couldn’t get a good grip of the lever without standing over it.

How robust does the car seat feel?

The Nuna ARRA Flex's shell feels durable and solid, as does the memory foam headrest. The leather handle is sturdy and easy to grip, and the lining is soft to the touch. Padded covers for the seatbelt and clip move up and down easily and avoid any chance of the belt cutting into baby’s skin when clipped in.

One criticism of the lining is that it has a gap where the headrest sits, so that it can move up and down easily, which might tear or allow the odd crumb to drop through.

The seat is covered by a 2-year warranty, starting from the day it was purchased.

How well does the Nuna ARRA Flex fit in your car?

Our car is a medium-sized SUV, and it’s only just big enough to accommodate the car seat, particularly when used with the base. The main issue was space for reclining – our front seat needed to be pulled completely forward in order for the infant car seat to fully recline.

The base takes up space, too. We have just the one child, so space in the back isn’t an issue for us, but if you’ve got another car seat installed, you’re unlikely to have room in the middle seat for a third person.

How easy is it to clean the Nuna ARRA Flex car seat?

The seat’s shell and base are wipeable, while the soft goods are washable in cold water (under 30°C). None of it is suitable for dry cleaning. Refitting the lining might be difficult because it’s a snug fit over the shell.

Is the Nuna ARRA Flex car seat big enough for a growing child?

The 3 recline positions make this a good seat for use from newborn to toddler age (up to 13kg or 87cm), and the 10 headrest positions make it suitable for children of varying heights. While my son fit comfortably at 7 months, I wonder whether the headrest’s bulky size might feel restrictive when he’s bigger.

A nice feature is that the harness doesn’t need rethreading as baby grows, with a button to adjust the belt that’s easily accessible when baby is strapped in.

How practical is the Nuna ARRA Flex car seat for parents?

When using the seat and base combo, I found it very simple and convenient to travel by myself with my son. The seat’s lightweight design made it easy to transport, and the base’s swivel feature was very useful for getting the baby in and out of the car.

Yet without an ISOFIX base, the seat can’t swivel, so I found it fiddly to slot our son in place. The car’s seatbelt crosses the top of the seat, so unless you re-thread it each time, you need to tuck your baby’s legs underneath, which is tricky to do without a rotate function.

If you own a Nuna push chair, the seat can be easily transferred from car to chair, and the recline settings are compatible with both travel systems.

What’s in the box?

• Nuna ARRA Flex car seat
• Sunshade

You can buy the Nuna BASE Curv ISOFIX base separately for £240.

Is the Nuna ARRA Flex car seat worth the money?

The seat’s premium features come at a price, but if safety, comfort and long journeys are primary concerns, it might be worth the splurge.

Despite the hefty additional cost, I’d say it’s worth buying the base alongside the seat, as it makes it far easier to get baby in and out of the car, and it feels much more secure when baby is strapped in. Plus, it’s compatible with car seats up until baby is 4 years old, so you’ll get your money’s worth. Combined, the 2 come to almost £500, so it's certainly a considered purchase, but one I think really makes life with a little baby easier.

How sustainable is the Nuna ARRA Flex car seat?

This car seat feels like a sustainable piece of kit, with features to last a few years. Although the materials are new, the insert is made of environmentally friendly Merino wool. Packaging was largely recyclable, with minimal single-use plastic.

Where can I buy the Nuna ARRA Flex car seat?

It's available at Nuna, Mamas & Papas and John Lewis.

MadeForMums verdict

Overall, I’m impressed by the Nuna ARRA Flex. My son seemed happy in it, and the good safety features are reassuring for us as parents. The recline feature is the selling point for me, as it takes the stress out of having to plan rest stops at set times. For our family, these features, along with the fact that the car seat can adapt as our baby grows, make it a good option. I would recommend it to others who are regularly taking long journeys, but perhaps, due to the high price point, not to those who aren’t.

That’s why the Nuna AACE lx car seat stands out in the Group 2/3 car seat market with its brilliant 3D Growth™ System, that really delivers on the promise of taking your child from age 4 to 12 (or 100cm – 150cm) comfortably. Unlike many car seats that just go up as your child does, the Nuna goes up, out and along to reflect the natural growth of a child with an impressive 17 different headrest positions, widening shoulder pads and the ability to increase the seat depth 3 times as your child’s legs lengthen.

The seat also packs a punch when it comes to safety, so you can be sure your child is both comfortable and secure – it meets all the latest European car seat standards and has added safety extras like side protection pods.

And, as the seat is created by Nuna, a global brand who have been producing high quality baby equipment since 2007, you know that it’ll be a luxurious product, with a sleek design and lovely plush materials. All this comes at a premium though – it'll set you back £220, but as our parent tester found, it’s worth every penny.

What were your first impressions of the Nuna AACE lx car seat?

The car seat came almost completely assembled inside a neat cardboard box and I was very impressed at how lightweight it was as I carried it from the front door to the car.

My husband laughed when he saw the sticker on the box that showed the colourway and said it must be a premium product if black is described as “caviar”! This was confirmed when I lifted it out the box and saw a very smart looking seat, with lovely soft fabrics and a sleek design with textured fabric on the shoulder area.

The only assembly required was to pop the cup holder on the desired side and the insert the side protection pod into the side of the car seat that would be next to the car door. These were both added with one simple click and are easy to unclick if you decide to put the car seat on the other side of the car. My daughter was particularly excited about the cup holder and it was nice that this came as standard.

How do you install the Nuna AACE lx car seat?

It was so simple to install, and I had it safely fitted into the car within minutes of opening the box. This was a relief as I’ve sweated (and cursed!) over a few car seats that were heavy and strenuous to install in my time. I did read the quick install guide which had clearly numbered illustrations to help me get it right, although it is a pretty intuitive process.

You simply pull the lower handle under the seat to release the ISOFIX bar with connectors, flip the bar 180° so the connectors are facing the car connectors and then click in place and check the indicators have gone green. One it's clicked in you push the seat back until it's flush to the car's own seat (picture above shows seat before it has been pushed back).

How secure does the Nuna AACE lx car seat feel?

This seat is a safety-conscious parent’s dream as it uses ISOFIX technology to secure into the car in the form of a solid bar (rather than any individual straps that can feel flimsy). The bar flips out when you pull the handle under the seat, so you can easily click it into place. To help give complete peace of mind there’s an indicator on each side too, that turns green when in the right position.

The bar design means the seat is completely solid once in the car and there’s no worry it might move around. Once in place you can use the handle to push the car seat back against the car’s own seat. I loved how much visibility this bar system gave me to see exactly where the ISOFIX connections were, rather than feeling around blindly for the connection like I have in the past.

You can use the seat without ISOFIX however, for example if you’re moving it into another car or travelling in a vehicle without the technology, which is useful to know. Everything is clearly explained by both pictures and in word format in the user manual.

How comfortable is the car seat for your child?

My daughter found the Nuna AACE lx very comfortable and loved the silky material and shape of the seat. She managed to have a nap in it for an hour on one long journey, although before we reclined the seat her head was slipping a little as the head supports are a little shallower than she’s used to in her old toddler seat.

Once we made use of the recline feature though (by pulling the Isofix bar out to make it longer and pushing the back of the seat back) she was catching flies happily!

The recline feature will be more useful in certain cars than others – for example in the Land Rover we could recline it fully, however in the Volvo the unique design of the headrests (Volvo owners will know!) meant it couldn’t reach its full potential as these were in the way.

The seat fabric is very soft to the touch but overall doesn’t feel hugely padded, however it must be comfortable as my daughter used to complain that her bottom was hurting on long journeys but hasn’t mentioned that once in her new Nuna seat.

What are the key safety features of the Nuna AACE lx car seat?

This car seat meets all the current safety standards and then some, so you’ll have real peace of mind as a parent when using it. It has been approved to the latest European i-Size (R129) safety standards and received a 4-star rating in the ADAC child car seat test.

It also comes with a side impact protection pod that you easily slot into a hole on the side of the seat that is next to the car door. It’s big enough to offer protection in a crash but not so big that it wouldn’t impede shutting the door of even the smallest of cars (we tried it in a Mini!). This is paired with energy absorbing EPP foam to ensure that if you’re involved in a crash, the pod and the integrated foam shell of the seat take on as much of the impact as possible.

When you first feel the seat as a whole, it doesn’t feel quite as sturdy as some seats I’ve had, but this isn’t because it’s not strong and premium. It’s just part of the clever expanding design that allows for the shoulder pads to expand outwards, so the seat naturally has to have more give.

The only safety problem for us, and something I hadn’t foreseen, was that my daughter Margot couldn’t be trusted to go from a harness to a seatbelt at the age of 4 like my son had previously.

We had a few occasions when in traffic where Margot thought the car had parked and unclicked her belt. I only knew she had because the car started alerting me to say she was loose! So, if you’ve got a little fiddle fingers child like me, you might want to wait to graduate to a seatbelt until they can be trusted not to unclick!

How do you use a seatbelt with the Nuna AACE lx car seat?

There’s a foolproof belt path guide, so you know that the seatbelt is in the right position, which is always something I worry about when moving from a harness to a belt with a 4 year old. These guides are clearly marked in green just above the shoulder area and you simply slot the belt through them. It stays there between journeys, so you only have to get it right once! This is particularly good if your child is old enough to do their own seat belt, as you know it’s in the right position from the off.

Finally, there’s a small lip at the side of the seat for the belt to go under before you click it in. This looked quite shallow to me at first and like the belt might slip out, but it hasn’t slipped once and is the perfect size.

How adjustable is the seat as the child grows?

The adjustability really is the USP of the Nuna AACE lx car seat. The brilliant 3D Growth™ System, which means the headrest has 17 height settings, the shoulder pads expand and the seat deepens as your child grows, really is a genius offering. Nuna understand that children don’t just grow upwards like weeds but out and along too, so this seat will remain comfortable for them right up to 150cm, whether they grow tall and broad-shouldered or stay small and compact.

And adjusting the car seat as your child grows couldn’t be easier. I managed to switch the headrest height between my 2 very different height kids with one hand and the same with the seat depth. The shoulder area doesn’t need any manual adjusting as it expands in conjunction with the headrest height.

I was impressed at how well the seat worked for both my daughter and son who are very different heights and shapes.

How well does it fit in your car?

The Nuna AACE lx car seat is on the larger size for a 4+ car seat and a bit bulkier than some I’ve seen. However, I tested it in both a small car (Mini) and a large car (Volvo) and it fitted nicely in both, even with another car seat on the other side. When a child who is 150cm with wider shoulders is in the seat it would probably be best in a larger car.

The only issue we had was that our Volvo has very bulky and specifically designed headrests that didn't allowed the seat to recline properly so we had to manually remove these in order to use that feature. This wasn't a problem in the other cars we tried though.

How does the Nuna AAC lx compare to similar car seats?

My son currently uses a Graco Junior Maxi i-size R129, which works well for him, but is a completely different car seat offering as it’s a much more lightweight budget seat (and has no ISOFIX) compared to the Nuna AACE lx. For longer journeys the Nuna is a much more comfortable car seat and feels more luxurious and padded.

We’ve also previously been very fond of Britax Römer car seats and I’d say the Nuna AACE lx and the Britax Römer Kidfix i-Size (£179) are similar premium car seats that are brilliant for long journeys. The Nuna slightly has the edge for me with the 3D Growth™ System though, however it's slightly more expensive as a result.

How easy is it to clean?

As soon as the Nuna AACE lx car seat arrived, I re-instated my no eating in the car rule (that somehow slipped in a moment of needs-must parenting last summer!), so fortunately we’ve not had to machine wash the Nuna AACE fabric yet.

However, with the summer holidays on the horizon (cue suncream, snacks and spilt drinks) I’m sure we will be soon. Thankfully the process looks very easy indeed, with clear pictures showing how the covers come off in the manual.

We have wiped the material clean in situ though when my daughter climbed on it with muddy shoes and it cleaned off beautifully.

How practical is the Nuna AACE lx car seat for parents?

This is a really practical seat for parents, with a cup holder so kids can hydrate themselves instead of screaming for water mid motorway drive. The ease of adjusting the height of the seat with one hand is brilliant too if you’ve got a child or bags in the other arm.

There’s also an area to store the instruction manual underneath the seat so you won’t lose it, and even if you do there’s a PDF version easily accessible online.

The seatbelt guides and ISOFIX indicators are really parent-friendly too – taking away any anxiety that you’ve not set things up correctly!

Finally, even though it has loads of features the seat is still quite lightweight and I found it easy to move it between cars.

What’s in the box?

• 1 x fully assembled car seat
• 1 x cup holder
• 1 x side protection pod
• 2 x ISOFIX guides (only needed for some cars)
• 1 x user manual (although our box had three for good measure!)

Is the Nuna AACE lx car seat worth the money?

While it’s definitely at the top end of what I’d pay for a Group 2/3 car seat, I’d say it’s worth the money thanks to the fact that it’ll last my daughter for so many years (from age 4 right up to 12, if she’s not 150cm before then). If you break that down by years it’s only about £25 per year, and I’d happily pay that for peace of mind that she’s safe, secure and comfortable.

If you’re only doing short journeys it might not be worth splashing out, but as we regularly travel 5 hours plus to visit relatives and go on holiday this car seat is a brilliant option for us.

Where can I buy the Nuna AACE lx car seat?

It's available from John Lewis, Very and Natural Baby Shower.

MadeForMums verdict

The Nuna AACE lx car seat is a brilliant next-step car seat when your child reaches the age of 4 or 100cm. I was particularly impressed by the quality of the seat as well as all the extra comfort and safety features. While it's definitely up there as one of the most expensive seats in the Group 2/3 category it's worth the money (if you have the budget) because the clever 3D Growth™ System means it'll last you until your child no longer needs a seat, plus they'll find it comfortable even when they're much bigger. Even with all the extra features and high quality materials used, the seat manages to be lightweight too so it's very easy to move from car to car. I also found it so easy and intuitive to install and feel happy that my daughter is as safe as possible thanks to the belt guides and ISOFIX indicators.

Many will feel the fact it passes one of the world’s toughest crash tests – the Swedish PLUS Test, and that it allows children to be rear-facing up until the age of 7, make it worth the cost. It is also supremely comfy for little ones, feels plush and luxurious, and comes complete in 7 nifty designs and safety features, including Premium Car Interior Black and Peak Mesh.

What were your first impressions of the BeSafe Stretch car seat?

Upon taking the BeSafe Stretch car seat out of its box, I felt that it looked sleek, with plush and comfy-looking padding. However, I did feel the seat looked bulky so I was slightly concerned over how much room it would take up in the car. From looking at the instructions, there also seemed to be a few steps involved, making me feel like it might not be the best option for people who need to get it in and out of the car quickly.

Does the BeSafe Stretch car seat use ISOFIX?

The BeSafe Stretch car seat doesn’t use ISOFIX but uses the seatbelt and its own tether straps, which attach to the base of the seat in front to secure it safely. It also has a foot which secures the BeSafe Stretch chair to the floor and beeps continuously if not enough pressure is applied to make it safe. I found this out when I knocked it accidentally when loading my shopping in the car, with the alert giving extra peace of mind to parents as you know it's installed properly. Once all this is in place, the seat feels really secure and sturdy, which is very reassuring.

How much space does the BeSafe Stretch car seat take up in your car?

The BeSafe Stretch is a hefty sized car seat measuring H60cm x W44cm x D83cm at its largest position and including the front brace, and weighing in at 10kg. It won’t fit in smaller cars, with the BeSafe website listing what cars it is suitable for, and is especially big when it’s positioned to fit an older child. I’m about average height and was able to fit in the front passenger seat with it extended to fit our 4-year-old, but if you had a long-legged passenger, it could be a tight squeeze.

How easy is the BeSafe Stretch car seat to install?

While it’s not the quickest car seat I’ve installed, all the steps to secure the BeSafe Stretch car seat are very manageable and easy to get the hang of. If you’re a parent hoping for a car seat to switch between vehicles regularly, the BeSafe Stretch might not be entirely suitable as reinstalling it on a regular basis could prove time consuming. However, what you get in return for the small number of steps involved in the installation process is the sense that this is a very secure and safe car seat. There is a handy video you can watch (and a QR code link to it on the car seat itself) as well as a quick installation guide.

How do you install the BeSafe Stretch car seat?

Firstly, you attach the BeSafe Stretch tether straps to the rails of the passenger seat in front, and attach them to the car seat. You then put the seatbelt through the links on the chair and clip it in, then flip up a latch to secure the seat belt. There is a knob on the back of the chair that you twist until it clicks, which tightens the belt. This knob is not in a great position to be able to twist it and I could see some people may struggle to tighten it. You then put the foot stabiliser down on the floor, removing the yellow box around it first.

While not being super convenient, you do get the hang of it. It took us a little while, maybe 10 minutes, to install the first time, but after the first installation it was a lot quicker. Other than the inconveniently positioned knob, it is a fairly smooth process and the accompanying instructions are clear and helpful.

Does the BeSafe Stretch car seat offer extended rear-facing?

It does. A rear-facing car seat is thought to be much safer for your child as it will absorb most of the force in the event of a crash and support the head, neck and spine. Brands like BeSafe are known for their focus on rear-facing car seats, with the Stretch said to be their safest rear-facing chair from 6-months to 7-years.

While rear-facing is thought to be much safer, most parents move children into a forward-facing position earlier than this, often because of height and weight restrictions. This is not a problem for the Stretch chair, which also boasts of having market-leading leg space up to 26cm - making it comfortable for a child of around 36kg. No other car seat manufacturer has seemed to manage this before. The brand has also launched the BeSafe Stretch B, which is suitable for newborns to use.

What are the key safety features of the BeSafe Stretch car seat?

The BeSafe Stretch car seat’s big selling point is being able to have your child travel rear-facing until the age of 7 (up to 36kg and 125cm). The BeSafe Stretch chair has also passed one of the world’s toughest crash tests, the Swedish PLUS test, and is UN R129 approved. The external frame feels incredibly strong, and the seat shell has a rigid spine that is designed to keep your child in the upright position in an impact. There is also an additional side impact protection buffer that easily slides on to the side of the seat. It also has a protective and soft headrest with innovative Dynamic Force Absorber™. Once all the tethers and straps are in place the seat feels very sturdy and strong. I felt really reassured that this was an extremely solid and safe car seat for my kids.

Any unique features of the BeSafe Stretch car seat?

Yes, the BeSafe Stretch car seat has some nifty design features which we really liked. The main one is the magnetic seat straps, which stick to the sides of the seat, getting them out of the way when you’re trying to get your child in and out. One of the things we find tricky about transferring the kids in and out of the seat is manoeuvring the straps out of the way, and getting them to stay out of the way, but this is made so much easier by being able to just stick them to the sides of the seat.

There is also a clever safety trick, where the foot of the seat beeps if you don’t have it installed properly. It’s a bit annoying if you nudge it by accident when the kids aren’t in the car, as it will beep until you correct it or uninstall the foot, but it is also handy to know that it is installed properly.

How comfortable did your child find the BeSafe Stretch car seat?

The BeSafe Stretch car seat is a very plush and comfortable chair for babies – my 8-month-old seemed very snug in there and the straps are very cushioned. It has a 10-step adjustable headrest that grows with your child, is made from high-quality materials and has two-Fit Cushions™ for an individual adjustment to your child for added comfort. The Stretch car seat also has 5 reclining positions which really helped to avoid the head-bobbing we usually get when he falls asleep.

My nearly 4-year-old also seemed pretty happy in the car seat. I thought it would be a battle to get him to go rear-facing after so long facing-forwards, but he actually thought it was a novelty and seemed to enjoy it. He started to get a bit fussy after nearly an hour in the car but this is often the case in his other seat. I do wonder how comfy it would be for an older child as their legs get more constrained, but BeSafe does claim there is lots of space for growing legs, all the way to 26cm. This seat doesn’t spin but it was reasonably easy to get the kids in and out.

How do you rate the BeSafe Stretch car seat straps?

The straps are great – extremely padded and comfy, they don’t slip down when you’re trying to get your child into the BeSafe Stretch car seat, and they have the clever magnetic straps that clip onto the seat, making the whole process of getting your child in and out of the car stress free. The straps are really easy to loosen and tighten by just pressing a button.

How robust does the BeSafe Stretch car seat feel?

The BeSafe Stretch feels like a plush, high-end car seat and is very robust, with BeSafe switching to durable materials like aluminium and EPP to make the Stretch lighter, sturdier and giving it the ability to last longer. BeSafe have given the Stretch a lifetime of around 15-years, meaning it should easily last long enough for 2 children and I don’t doubt that it will go the distance.

Does the BeSafe Stretch car seat recline?

Yes, the Stretch car seat has 5 reclining positions, which you can change with a handle at the front of the seat. Perhaps one of the biggest draws for parents is that the reclining feature can also be adjusted on the go, as and when your child needs it. Our baby seemed very happy reclined in it and we didn’t get much head-bobbing when he was asleep.

How good is the headrest?

The BeSafe Stretch car seat headrest is very protective yet soft, made with an innovative Dynamic Force Absorber™which keeps your child even safer in the event of a collision. It is really comfortable for both my sons and is well padded. Thanks to its one-action adjustment, it’s also simple to move up and down into the 10 different positions.

How easy is the BeSafe Stretch car seat to clean?

We haven’t needed to clean the Stretch car seat so far, but the cover is removable and washable. BeSafe also recommends putting the cover back on when it’s still slightly damp as this helps to get a good fit. The belt, buckles and other surfaces can all be wiped clean with a damp cloth and mild soap if needed. The manufacturer also states not to use disinfection substances, bleach or other cleaning products.

Was the BeSafe Stretch car seat heavy to carry around?

Despite BeSafe claiming that moving the Stretch car seat between won’t bust your back, I did find that at 10kg, it was a little heavy and bulky. It’s not the kind of seat you want to be taking in and out of the car on a regular basis, especially due to the lengthy installation process.

What’s in the box?

• 1x BeSafe Stretch car seat
• 1x tether straps
• 1x instructions and quick setup guide

Are there any additional accessories you can buy?

• BeSafe Stretch child seat cover £47.99
• BeSafe transport protection bag £104.99
• BeSafe mirror with lights £26.95
• BeSafe Sunshades (2pcs) £18.95
• BeSafe sun canopy £24.99
• BeSafe car seat protector £26.95
• BeSafe Stretch anchor tether straps £24

Now you’ve tested it, is there anything you’d want to know before purchasing the BeSafe Stretch car seat?

Nothing really as what you get with the Stretch car seat is pretty much expected. However, it is probably worth noting that it can only be used rear-facing and your vehicle needs to be big enough to accommodate it when expanded for an older child.

Who would the BeSafe Stretch car seat be most useful for?

The BeSafe Stretch car seat is perfect for families who are willing to spend big on a chair for their child whose safety and comfort are a priority over easy manoeuvrability and quick installation. It’s also great for those parents who want to invest in a car seat with longevity and that’ll keep their child safe and secure, rear-facing up until they are 7 years old.

Is the BeSafe Stretch car seat worth the money?

With an RRP of £479, the BeSafe Stretch car seat is a high-end chair at the very top of the market, meaning that it might be out of budget for some families. However, the seat feels extremely safe and sturdy and should last until your child is 7, which would make it better value over time. There’s no mistaking the fact that this is a high ticket car seat, but with the premium price tag comes a reassurance that the extra safety features and comfort are also top notch.

Where can I buy the BeSafe Stretch car seat?

It is available from Natural Baby Shower, Pramworld and Baby and Child Store.

MadeForMums verdict

The BeSafe Stretch is a premium-priced car seat but offers high levels of comfort and many safety features, especially the fact that it’ll keep your child extra safe rear-facing until they are 7 years old, which is very reassuring for any parent. While it might be big on safety, it’s also big in general, both in size and weight, making it unsuitable for smaller cars.

The Stretch car seat is also not a good choice if you need to transfer it between vehicles regularly, thanks to its lengthy installation process. It also doesn’t use ISOFIX, which may also put some people off. However, overall the BeSafe Stretch feels like an incredibly safe, reassuring and comfortable car seat and I would highly recommend it — if you have the space and budget.

• Jump to our list of the best car seats for children age 4+

This category of car seats divides into two main types: high-backed booster seats or booster cushions (which do not have a back). The ones we’ve chosen here are all high-backed booster seats as they offer the most support and protection. For more recommended car seat options, have a look at our best swivel and rotating car seats too.

Best car seats for age 4+ at a glance

• Best car seat for innovation: Maxi-Cosi Rodifix Pro² i-Size, £169.99 at Boots
• Best value car seat: Joie i-Trillo, £60 at Kiddies Kingdom
• Best car seat for comfort: Cybex Solution T i-Fix, £199.95 at Cybex
  
• Best lightweight car seat: Graco Junior Maxi i-Size, £40 at Amazon
• Best car seat for changing temperatures: Silver Cross Discover i-Size, £150 £110 at Amazon (save £40 or 27%)
• Best car seat for naps on the go: Cybex Solution G i-Fix, £174.95 at Amazon
• Best car seat for simple installation: Joie i-Traver, £135 at Boots
• Best car seat for advanced back support: Avionaut MaxSpace Comfort System, £249 at Kiddies Kingdom
• Best car seat for growing with your child: Nuna Aace LX, £220 at Natural Baby Shower
• Best car seat for abdominal support: Britax Romer Kidfix i-Size Car Seat, £199 at Boors

To help you decide what car seat is best for your child (and your car) we’ve extensively researched the market to bring you options from a range of brands at a variety of prices. We’ve quizzed more than 1000 parents about the car seats they’ve used as their kids grow, and rigorously tested and reviewed hundreds of car seats, including more than 50 for age 4+.

We’ve also taken into account safety testing carried out by ADAC, a leading tester of car seats in Europe, which is recognised throughout the industry for its stringent safety standards. ADAC does not test all car seats, and if a seat has not been tested by ADAC this does not make it unsafe to use. However, where a seat in our list has been tested by ADAC we’ve provided the score. In these tests a low score is best, and all the seats on this list that have undergone the testing have scored “Good” or better.

• When do I move to a high-backed booster seat?
• What is the R129 child car seat safety standard?
• What to look for when buying your car seat

Here are the best child car seats from 4 years for 2025:

1. Maxi-Cosi Rodifix Pro² i-Size, £169.99

— Best car seat for innovation

Suitable for: 15-36kg/height 100cm-150cm | Weight: 6.24kg |Dimensions: H73-79cm x W44-51cm x D42cm | i-Size: Yes | Installation: Isofix and car seatbelt | Recline positions: 3 | Headrest positions: Up to height 79cm | ADAC test: 2.1 (good) | MFM Review Star Rating: 4.9 stars

Pros:

• Fabric made using recycled materials
• Extra padding for safety and comfort
• Side-impact protection
• Choice of recline positions
• Grows in height and width

Cons:

• No cupholder
• No arm rests
• Not ADAC tested

Around since the 1980s, Maxi-Cosi is a respected name in car seats, and this high-backed booster – an updated version of the popular Rodifix Pro i-Size – is packed with innovative features to provide a safe ride for your child.

There are numerous safety features including G-CELL side impact protection (a built-in guard to provide maximum protection in an accident) and an ultra-padded headrest to help reassure parents. We particularly rate the patented AirProtect headrest, which is designed to offer extra protection, reducing the risk of head or neck injury by 20%.

The Rodifix Pro² is intended to grow with your child and the adjustable design means the seat grows both in height and width with a press of a button on the back of the headrest. The expanding side wings make this a really comfy choice for growing kids, as does the premium Eco-Care fabrics (made from 100% recycled materials), 3 recline positions and ClimaFlow technology to keep them at the perfect temperature whatever the weather.

Easy to install using Isofix or a seatbelt, it's also lightweight enough to move between cars when you need to. While the lack of arm rests may be an issue for some parents or children, it does make it easy for an older, more independent child to buckle themselves in safely and quickly.

All in all, we think this is an excellent choice if safety and comfort are your priorities.

Read the full MadeForMums Maxi-Cosi Rodifix Pro2 i-Size car seat review

Available from: Boots, Maxi-Cosi, Kiddies Kingdom and Amazon

2. Joie i-Trillo, £60

 — Best value car seat

Suitable for: Height 100-150cm | Weight: 4.43kg | Dimensions: H62-83cm x W48-56cm x D40cm | i-Size: Yes | Installation: Car seatbelt | Recline positions: No | Headrest positions: 10 | ADAC test: 2.1 (good) | MFM Review Star Rating: 4.0 stars

Pros:

• Affordable
• Shell Grey version made using recycled materials
• 2 retractable cup holders, machine washable covers
• Side-impact protection

Cons:

• Doesn't recline
• Not as padded as other car seats
• Not Isofix compatible

If you’re looking for a reliable seat at a competitive price, this seat comes in under £100 but gives you the reassurance of having performed very well in ADAC testing. The i-Trillo has Joie's Guard Surround Safety panels for extra protection at the sides, as well as side wings and adjustable head support.

The seat is fitted using the car seatbelt, and thanks to its streamlined size it’s possible to fit 3 seats in a row in i-Size approved vehicles, with children up to 135cm in height.

We love that the Shell Grey colourway is made with 100% recycled fabrics (using 24 plastic bottles). However, the biggest hit with children is likely to be the 2 retractable cup holders, which tuck neatly away into the seat base until needed. Perfect for holding cups as well as the random little treasures children tend to collect along the way.

Read the full MadeForMums Joie i-Trillo car seat review

Available from: Halfords, Boots, Argos, Mamas&Papas and Kiddies Kingdom

3. Cybex Solution T i-Fix, £199.95

— Best car seat for comfort

Suitable for: 15-50kg/height 100cm-150cm | Weight: 7.2kg |Dimensions: H62.5-80cm x W50.5cm x D39cm | i-Size: Yes | Installation: Isofix and car seatbelt | Recline positions: Yes | Headrest positions: Up to height 82cm | ADAC test: 2.0 (good) | MFM Review Star Rating: 4.4 stars

Pros:

• Very safe
• One-hand adjustment for height and width
• Tilting headrest
• Washable covers

Cons:

• Cup holder needs to be bought separately
• On the pricey side

Snoozing in the car is a given for children, and the Cybex Solution T i-Fix has a patented headrest design to stop little heads tipping forward while sleeping. This not only offers comfort and safety during naps but keeps heads in a secure position when they're awake too.

This high-back booster seat has a high overall ADAC rating, showing that it should offer excellent protection in a crash. It also offers advanced linear side-impact protection.

The Cybex Solution T i-Fix is simple to install using either Isofix or a seatbelt, although weighing in at over 7kg it’s not the most lightweight model to be switching between cars.

As well as looking great, this car seat is designed for comfort, featuring a clever 3D net structure and mesh inserts to improve air ventilation and keep your child at a perfect temperature.

Plus, this easily adjusts in height and width, even with 1 hand – ideal when you have a shopping bag in the other – and will grow effortlessly with your child. It has an impressive 12 positions, so this seat really should last the distance from young child to pre-teen. And the covers can be washed to boot.

Read the full MadeForMums Cybex Solution T i-Fix car seat review

Available from: Cybex, Kiddies Kingdom, Mamas&Papas and Natural Baby Shower

4. Graco Junior Maxi i-Size, £39.99

— Best lightweight car seat

Suitable for: Height 100cm-150cm | Weight: 3.4kg | Dimensions: H60.5-81.5cm x W45.6cm x D39cm | i-Size: Yes | Installation: Car seatbelt | Recline positions: No | Headrest positions: 10 height settings | ADAC test: Not tested | MFM Review Star Rating: 4.1 stars

Pros:

• Affordable
• Side-impact protection
• Retractable cup holders
• Lightweight

Cons:

• Arms rests aren't padded
• No Isofix installation
• Not ADAC tested

Packing in plenty of features at a fantastic price tag, the Graco Junior Maxi i-Size car seat is a great value choice for those on a budget. With advanced side-impact protection, this R129 i-Size car seat still offers all the safety features you’d expect and is suitable to use from around 3 to 12 years, with the 10-position headrest making it easy to adjust to your growing child.

While it isn’t Isofix compatible, the Junior Maxi car seat features open-loop belt guides to make sure the seatbelt is positioned correctly, and your child is securely strapped in.

What really impresses is how light the seat is, weighing just 3.4kg – making it an excellent option for those looking for a car seat that can be moved between vehicles quickly and easily.

It may not look as premium as other car seats in our round up, however the Junior Maxi is still nicely padded – with machine-washable covers for easy clean-ups – and includes 2 retractable cup holders to keep drinks and snacks close at hand on long journeys.

Read the full MadeForMums Graco Junior Maxi i-Size car seat review

Available from: Halfords, Boots, Amazon, Very and Graco

5. Silver Cross Discover i-Size, £150

— Best car seat for changing temperatures

Suitable for: Height 100cm-150cm | Weight: 7.1kg | Dimensions: H66-81cm x W46-57cm x D31cm | i-Size: Yes| Installation: Isofix and car seatbelt | Recline positions: 4  | Headrest positions: 10 | ADAC test: Not tested | MFM Review Star Rating: 4.8 stars

Pros:

• Looks good
• Lightweight
• Bamboo covers
• App for easy fixing
• Side-impact protection system

Cons:

• On the pricey side
• No cup holder

Silver Cross is known for making performance products with a heritage twist, and the Discover i-Size does not disappoint with its premium, diamond-stitched embossed, eco-fabric (made from recycled plastic bottles) seat in 4 chic colourways.

However, it isn’t just about style. This high-back booster seat is generously padded, providing serious comfort for your child, as well as being easy to install, using either Isofix or your car seatbelt. The bamboo fabric gets another tick, offering temperature-regulating qualities that work brilliantly all year round.

With 10 headrest and 4 recline positions, as well as additional thigh support and removeable side wings, the Discover i-Size is designed to grow with your child. While the compact footprint is handy if you need to fit multiple seats in your car, it does mean the seat may be on the snug side for children on a higher percentile.

If you find car seats fiddly to fit, Silver Cross has you covered with its app, which takes you through the installation process step by step.

Read our full MadeForMums Silver Cross Discover i-Size car seat review

Available from: Silver Cross, Amazon and John Lewis

6. Cybex Solution G i-Fix, £154.95

— Best car seat for naps on the go

Suitable for: 15-50kg/height 100cm-150cm | Weight: 7.45kg | Dimensions: H59-81cm x W59.5cm x D40.5cm | i-Size: Yes | Installation: Isofix and car seatbelt | Recline positions: 3 | Headrest positions: Up to height 81cm | ADAC test: 1.7 (Good) | MFM Review Star Rating: 4.8 stars

Pros:

• Headrest recline
• Comfy for child
• Breathable fabrics
• Machine-washable covers
• Side-impact protection
• 1-hand adjustment

Cons:

• Cup holder needs to be bought separately

Cybex are renowned for producing excellent quality, stylish car seats with reassuring safety features. The Solution G i-Fix is no exception – this high-back booster seat features a linear side-impact protection system, as well as Cybex’s patented 3-position reclining headrest, keeping your child’s head in the seat’s protected zone even if they nod off.

As well as safety, the G i-Fix is all about comfort, thanks to the innovative 3D mesh material that will help with air ventilation whatever the temperature. The breathable fabric is soft and can also be washed in the machine when you need to tackle those inevitable spillages.

The adjustable headrest and flexible exterior wings can easily be increased in height to keep up with your growing child, while the recline function can be operated with one hand. It’s also nice and straightforward to install, using either the Isofix connectors or your car seatbelt.

Read the full MadeForMums Cybex Solution G i-Fix car seat review

Available from: Amazon

7. Joie i-Traver, £135

— Best car seat for simple installation

Suitable for: Height 100cm-150cm | Weight: 5.6kg | Dimensions: H63-83cm x W56cm x D40-44cm | i-Size: Yes | Installation: Isofix or car seatbelt | Recline positions: 2 | Headrest positions: 10 height settings | ADAC test: 1.9 (Good) | MFM Review Star Rating: 4.6 stars

Pros:

• Adjustable seat depth
• Side-impact protection
• Extra-padded headrest
• Machine-washable covers
• Lightweight

Cons:

• No cup holder

Despite its plush, heavily padded appearance, the i-Traver car seat is actually a great lightweight choice for swapping between cars, coming in at just 5.6kg. The deluxe cushioning and padded arm rest ensure it’s a comfy ride for children, but it’s certainly not style over substance here.

The i-Traver boasts some fantastic safety features – reflected in its ADAC test score – including extra side-impact protection courtesy of the Guard Surround Safety panels, cocooning headrest and cushioning memory foam layers.

The 10-height headrest can be adjusted with 1 hand (conveniently, even when the seat is installed in the car) and the 3-position seat depth helps to provide more space after those growth spurts.

Whether you plan on keeping the car seat in one vehicle or swapping, installation is nice and easy using either the Isofix connectors or your car seatbelt. The belt guides are clearly marked in green so you know exactly where the seatbelt needs to go to keep your child safely strapped in.

Read the full MadeForMums Joie i-Traver car seat review

Available from: Boots, Kiddies Kingdom, John Lewis, and Halfords

8. Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow, £249

— Best car seat for advanced back support

Suitable for: 15-50kg/height 100-150cm | Dimensions: 50 x 49 x 81cm | i-Size: Yes | Installation: Isofix or car seatbelt | Recline positions: Multiple | Headrest positions: Multiple | ADAC test: Not tested | MFM Review Star Rating: 4.6 stars

Pros:

• Adjustable headrest and backrest
• Effortless installation
• Stylish
• Longevity of use
• Breathable fabrics
• Multiple recline options

Cons:

• Quite heavy to lift
• Expensive
• Bulky for smaller cars
• Side Impact Protection is tricky to fit

The Avionaut MaxSpace Airflow car seat was a huge hit with our reviewer Cher and her 5-year-old son, who tested the car seat. The seat has been recognised by the AGR for promoting healthy back support and ensuring correct posture, and Cher told us this gave her "peace of mind that my son is seated in the safest and most comfortable position."

The seat also provides comfort due to the temperature regulating AirFlow system that is designed to hold heat during cooler months, and promote airflow during warmer months. Cher said, "during a long car trip, my son fell asleep and felt very comfortable. He's somewhat of a sweaty sleeper and overheats easily, but he didn't get sweaty in this seat at all."

Designed to grow with your child thanks to its width of 44cm, adjustable headrest and multiple recline positions, the seat should provide comfort and safety until your child reaches 150cm or 12 years of age.

Although the most expensive seat on our list, its safety credentials, ergonomic design and quality design make it, for our reviewer, worth the money: "you certainly feel as though you've got a lot of seat for your money considering how strong, durable and robust it feels. It is designed to last too... and the fact that the fabrics retain their shape and texture even with repeated washing means the seat will withstand years of daily use without looking worn-out."

Read the full MadeForMums Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow car seat review

Available from: Kiddies Kingdom, Pramworld

9. Nuna Aace LX, £220

— Best car seat for growing with your child

Suitable for: Height 100-150cm  | Weight: 6.7kg | Dimensions: H64-85cm x W45-57cm x D43-70cm | i-Size: Yes |  Installation: Isofix or car seatbelt | Recline positions: Customisable | Headrest positions: 17 | ADAC test: 1.9 (good) | MFM Review Star Rating: 4.9 stars

Pros:

• Grows in height, width and seat depth
• Stylish
• Machine washable covers
• Detachable side-impact protection pods
• Recline options
• Includes cupholder

Cons:

• No armrests
• On the pricey side
• Best for a bigger car at its widest setting

When it comes to customisable comfort, it’s hard to beat the Nuna Aace LX. Featuring no fewer than 17 headrest positions, adjustable seat depth and custom-fit recline positions, this great-looking seat is designed with comfort in mind, whatever the age and size of your child. It’s part of the Aace LX’s 3D growth system, where you can easily (1-handed in most cases) increase the seat depth and raise the headrest to provide more shoulder width for your child as they grow from 4 to 12.

If you're looking for a simple, easy to use car seat, this one is a doddle to install thanks to the Isofix fitting. It also features a green belt path with belt positioner, to help ensure your child is strapped in safely and securely.

When it comes to safety the seat really shines, with energy-absorbing EPP foam and the detachable side-impact pods helping to reduce the force of impact in a collision. This is reflected in its good ADAC rating. Finally, we love how you can remove the covers for machine washing – always a bonus with messy children in the back.

Read the full MadeForMums Nuna AACE lx car seat review

Available from: Natural Baby Shower, Samuel Johnston, John Lewis

10. Britax Römer Kidfix i-Size, £199

— Best car seat for abdominal support

Suitable for: 15-36kg/height 100-150cm | Weight: 6.7kg | Dimensions: H63-83cm x W48cm x D42cm | i-Size: Yes | Installation: Isofix or car seatbelt | Recline positions: No | Headrest positions: Up to height 83cm | ADAC test: 1.8 (good)

Pros:

• Comfortable for child
• Washable covers
• Advanced side-impact protection

Cons:

• Doesn’t recline
• Expensive

This high-back booster is made in Germany by Britax, who are masters in safety and have 50 years of research and experience behind them. This is a brilliant all-round booster seat that features a whole host of excellent features including ventilation panels, removable fabrics, and advanced side impact protection. It can also be fitted either using Isofix connectors or your vehicle's seatbelt.

Its standout feature, though, is its innovative lap belt rest, which sits just in the optimal position across your child’s pelvic bone. The smart SecureGuard system fits between your child’s legs, and effectively adds a 4th contact point to a 3-point seatbelt. The result: it keeps kids’ abdomens better protected.

That’s not the only added safety feature here. There’s a shock-absorbing foam pad over the chest too, which reduces the impact of any jerky head movements.

Available from: Boots, Very, Kiddies Kingdom, Natural Baby Shower

When do I move to a high-backed booster seat?

Car seat standards are generally based on height and weight suitability rather than age, so exactly when you need to move your child into a high-backed booster seat depends on which growth percentile they are on. The seats in this list are often referred to as being suitable from around age 4 but it can depend on the model.

It can be tempting to move to a booster seat as quickly as possible as they tend to be lighter and less bulky than toddler seats, but there is no rush to move your child out of their toddler seat if they still fit. If your toddler car seat has extended rear-facing capabilities, it makes sense to take advantage of that as long as you possibly can. Toddler seats also have a 5-point harness that offers more support for small bodies than the seatbelt used to fasten a booster seat. Some newer seats suitable for toddlers – such as the Axkid One 2 and the Axkid Minikid 3 – can be used until they reach 25kg in weight, which can be age 6 or 7, and there's absolutely no need to change before then.

What is the R129 child car seat safety standard?

While the term 'group 2/3 seats' is still in use and something you may already be familiar with, this refers to the older R44 legislation. Most child car seats (especially newer ones) now comply with the new R129 safety standard. The new R129 standard is the latest in EU/UK safety standards and follows more detailed tests for improved head and neck protection. R129 seats also go through side impact testing and Q dummy crash tests with 32 sensors. Focusing on a child’s height, rather than just weight, it gives a more accurate guide on the safest time to upgrade a child’s car seat.

What to look for when buying your car seat

Fitting– Car seats either fasten using the car seat belt or Isofix connectors that click into your car's frame. Some may also have a tether strap. No one method is safer than another so long as the seat is fitted correctly, but many people find Isofix to be more convenient and straightforward, therefore less prone to error. You will need to check the cars you will be using have Isofix connectors in the right place if you want to use an Isofix seat.

Safety – Safety is obviously the key issue for any car seat. The big change for this age group is that most car seats will no longer have a built-in harness. Instead the child will be secured using the adult seat belt, which will also thread through the car seat in some way. All car seats in the UK will have been tested to one of two European standards, either ECE R44/04 or the newer ECE R129. R129 seats have been tested for side impact as well as front and rear impact collisions.

Longevity – The law requires that children up to 12 years old/135cm in height must use a child car restraint where seat belts are fitted. This means you'll be using this seat for a long time, so you'll want to consider how it adapts and grows with your child.

Weight – Car seats vary significantly in weight: we found some that are under 5kg and others that weigh in at 8kg or so. Think about how often you’re going to remove it from the car, or move it to another. If you’re likely to keep switching it around, a super lightweight booster may suit you best. However, a heavier seat is likely to feel more sturdy, be roomier and offer more comfort, and possibly offer more extended safety features.

Portability – Is there a carry handle? This might be important if you will be moving around a lot. Some seats also fold, which might be useful if you need to stash it in the boot or take it on holiday.

Ease of installation – Once you’ve done it a couple of times, installing your car seat should be a quick process. Read the instructions thoroughly, as each car seat will be different. If you are using only a seat belt, then make sure the seat feels secure and doesn’t wobble or move around.

Comfort – A comfy seat generally means a happier child, especially on long journeys, so remember to think about things like padding and cushioning. Some seats are wider for comfort, but may be harder to fit in your car, especially if you need 3 seats in a row. Is there a ventilation system for hot days? Will the headrest be comfortable? Will the seat suit taller kids?

Coverings – If you’d like the option to wash messy covers, look for covers that remove, so you can put them in the washing machine, rather than simply sponge. Don’t forget fabric finish – a natural bamboo cover might be less sweaty, for example. And is there a choice of colours?

Extra functions/details – Some car seats have additional features like cup holders, in-built headrest speakers and so on. A seat with lots of headrest/recline positions or designed for comfortable sleeping may be particularly important for you, for example.

Price – Car seats can vary wildly in price depending on their features, fabrics and accessories, but most of the ones on our list are between £100 and £250. A higher price point doesn't necessarily mean a safer or more secure seat, but some seats have been tested beyond the legal requirements for extra reassurance and these often come at a premium because those tests are expensive to perform.

Read More...

• Best narrow car seats than fit 3 in a row
• Best swivel car seats

With comfort at its core, the Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow has been made with breathable fabric, adjustable headrest, multiple recline positions and even a moveable back support. With an RRP of £249, it sits at the premium end of the market price wise, but considering it is designed to grow with your child, it could be considered a worthwhile investment.

Coming in at a slightly higher price point is the brand's MaxSpace Comfort System +, £279. Claiming to be “a car seat unlike any other” and “the answer to the problems related to many spinal ailments that impact children during travel,” it was created by paediatric physiotherapy and engineer specialists, to “set a new standard of sitting comfort.”

Like the MaxSpace AirFlow, this high-back booster seat is designed for children aged approx. 3 to 12 years old, 100-150cm or 15-36kg. It also includes a backrest tilt function and contoured cushion to prevent strain on the lower spine, a deep seat to support the natural contours of the pelvis and additional cushioning to support the femur, preventing numbness in the legs. It's no wonder the seat has been acclaimed by the German association, Aktion Gesunder Rücken (AGR) – an independent organisation which promotes back health.

Both Avionaut models are at the top end of the booster car seat market, costing around £100+ more than the Silver Cross Discover i-Size, £15o, and the Cybex Solution G i-Fix, £174.95.

How easy is the Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow car seat to install?

The Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow comes with a small instruction manual with some simple to follow diagrams showing you how to fit the seat into the car. After a quick look, I was able to fit the seat into my car (Jaguar F-Pace) in a matter of seconds.

First, find the small silver release buttons at the bottom of the seat at the front. Lift the release buttons to pull the ISOFIX bars out. What makes this easy is that you can do it one handed. You only need to pull one of the release buttons and both of the ISOFIX bars will pull out at the same time. Next you insert the bars into the ISOFIX on your car. There are red indicators on both bars and when inserted correctly they will turn green. Once green, lift the silver release buttons again to push the seat back snugly against the seat of the car.

The booster seat is quite heavy to lift, I did find it bulky to manoeuvre into my car, which is spacious, so I think it might be a tight squeeze for smaller cars.

The side impact protection was also quite fiddly to fix into place. After several attempts, I gave up as I found it too stiff. My husband managed to clip it into place easily though, and after demonstrating that there’s a ‘knack’ to it, I eventually managed to do it myself, even though I still found it a bit stiff.

How comfortable are the Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow and MaxSpace Comfort System + car seats for children?

The MaxSpace AirFlow seat feels very sturdy, and the cushioned seat looks comfortable. Recognised by the AGR for promoting healthy back support, it ensures correct posture which gives me peace of mind that my 5 year old is seated in the safest and most comfortable position. The profiled backrest is also designed to naturally contour your child’s body, providing stability. My son did complain a few times that the cushioned back support was uncomfortable but it might be because he is used to his usual booster seat (Cozy N Safe Augusta) which doesn’t have a cushioned support. With a width of 44cm, it’s a roomy seat, giving your child plenty of space as they grow.

The headrest can be adjusted, so it grows with your child. Unlike a lot of other high back booster seats, this one has adjustable recline positions which is perfect for long car journeys. My little boy often dozes off during long car trips, so having the option to recline him a little bit so that he can sleep more comfortably is ideal.

On testing the MaxSpace Comfort System +, Naomi said: "On our first journey, Ari, our 4 year old, immediately declared: 'I love this seat. I feel so safe and comfortable.' On our second journey – a trip to the museum – he actually fell asleep for a nap, which he hasn’t done in a car seat since the age of 2. We'd say that the MaxSpace Comfort definitely lives up to its name."

What are the safety features of the Avionaut car seats?

The Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow meets the latest safety standards and it certainly feels really robust and strong without compromising on comfort. The additional side impact protection gives extra peace of mind that your child is fully protected in the event of an accident, and the seat also received a positive rating from the AGR for meeting the highest levels of ergonomics.

The MaxSpace Comfort System + is certified according to R129/03 EU standard (gauging the maximum level of car safety) plus it has a 4-star ADAC (Europe’s largest automobile association) rating.

What is the AirFlow system like on the Avionaut car seat?

The breathable mesh fabrics are ideal for season changes, and help to regulate your child’s temperature during car rides. The AirFlow system is designed to hold heat during cooler months, and promote airflow during the summer months so that your child doesn’t get too hot. During a long car trip, my son fell asleep and seemed very comfortable. He’s somewhat of a sweaty sleeper and overheats easily, but he didn’t get sweaty in this seat at all.

How do the Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow and MaxSpace Comfort System + compare to similar car seats?

Compared to the other high back booster seats and car seats I’ve tried (Cozy N Safe Augusta i-Size, £79.99, and Maxi-Cosi Rodifix Pro2, £169.99) the Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow is by far the sturdiest and feels the most durable. It also feels the comfiest and is a lot more cushioned than the other booster seats I’ve tried. A similar seat is the Nuna Aace LX, £220, which also has adjustable headrest and seat positions, is stylish and super padded, although I’ve not had the chance to test it yet.

Naomi says: "The Avionaut MaxSpace Comfort System + is the only high back booster we have used. However, a friend commented that the seat was much wider than any she had used before, which she saw as a positive for comfort, adding that the seats she has used have been too narrow and consequently uncomfortable for her children."

How well do the Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow and MaxSpace Comfort System + car seats fit growing children?

With a width of 44cm wide, the MaxSpace AirFlow is a fairly wide booster and gives extra room for a growing child. The adjustable headrest and recline positions also mean that the seat can adjust to fit your child as they grow.

"We tested the MaxSpace Comfort System + car seat with our 2 sons and both were big fans," adds Naomi. "Ari (4) used the seat on day-to-day journeys to school and days out and Noah (6) tested it on a longer trip to Wales – a journey of 4 hours each way. There were minor adjustments to the cervical support cushion and head rest to accommodate the difference in children’s heights but these adjustments were very easy and straightforward – again, taking less than a minute.

The car seat is specifically designed to grow with your child from approx. 3 to 12 years. At 123cm, Noah is tall for a 6 year old, with long limbs and broad shoulders. The MaxSpace Comfort System + seat was wide enough for him to relax comfortably on a long journey with plenty of room for growth."

How portable is the Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow car seat?

The seat is bulky and heavy, so it wasn’t the easiest to lift and carry. My car is big (Jaguar F-Pace) and it took a bit of gentle manoeuvring to get it through the door and onto the seat without knocking or scratching the car, so it might be even trickier with smaller cars. I’m used to a slimmer high back booster seat that I can remove and install quickly and pop in the boot of my car when not needed, but this one is a bit too bulky to keep removing. And, although it fits easily into the boot of my car, it might be a tight squeeze in smaller car boots. If you're after a lightweight booster seat for switching between cars regularly you may prefer something like the budget Graco Junior Maxi i-Size, £50, which weights just 3.4kg.

Is the Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow car seat well designed?

The instruction manual states that the seatbelt should be threaded through the green shoulder belt guides on the booster seat. However, I found the shoulder belt guide to be really tight and it was fiddly to thread the belt through. Frustratingly, the belt kept getting caught after unbuckling my son, and didn’t fully retract on its own, leaving a lot of slack which looked messy. I had to keep threading the belt back through the slot myself which was time consuming on the busy school run. It also made it difficult for my son to strap himself in, because the belt was stiff to pull. However, I really liked the overall design of this seat. I love how cushioned it is, and the mesh fabric is really easy to clean as well as being comfortable. The width of this seat is also a big bonus as it means my 5 year old won’t outgrow it too quickly.

How easy to clean is the MaxSpace AirFlow car seat?

The resistant mesh material on this Avionaut seat is meant to maintain its shape and texture despite heavy use and washing. I used this seat every day and took the fabric off to wash, and found that even after several weeks, it still looked as good as new. My son can be quite messy, especially if he is eating a snack while in his booster seat, but it was really easy to hoover up crumbs and wipe away any dirt. But for tougher marks, the fabric can be easily removed.

The instruction manual has a few diagrams to show how to remove the fabric from the seat, and while they were a little confusing to follow, I managed to get all of the fabric off in about 15mins. The fabric can only be handwashed and can’t be tumble dried, so I had to allow it to air dry after. It can be ironed on a low temperature, although I found it didn’t really need ironing when it came to refitting.

The problem I encountered was refitting the fabric back onto the seat. There are no instructions in the manual showing how to do this, so I had to work backwards, trying to remember how I’d removed it in order to refit it correctly. It was very fiddly and confusing and took almost double the time to figure it out and get the fabric back on. Although, once back on, the seat looked like new which is a bonus.

What’s in the box?

Just the Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow car seat and instruction manual. What I liked about this booster seat is that there is no prior assembly required – the seat comes fully assembled in the box. The seat was covered with a plastic bag, so not the most environmentally friendly, but it kept the seat clean and free from damage.

Naomi adds: "The Avionaut MaxSpace Comfort System + car seat arrived in a large recyclable plastic bag placed inside a large cardboard box. The plastic bag protected the seat in terms of minor bumps and potential water damage but it was perhaps unnecessary packaging – brown paper alternatives would have sufficed."

Are the Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow and MaxSpace Comfort System + car seats worth the money?

At £249, the MaxSpace AirFlow is one of the pricier high back booster seats on the market, but you certainly feel as though you’ve got a lot of seat for your money considering how strong, durable and robust it feels. It is designed to last too, growing with your child, and the fact that the fabrics retain their shape and texture even with repeated washing means the seat will withstand years of daily use without looking worn-out. So, while it is a little bit more expensive than other booster seats, it is definitely worth it for the quality.

After testing the MaxSpace Comfort System + car seat, Naomi commented: "While this is certainly an investment, this car seat packs a big promise – to protect your children’s backs from problems, such as poor posture and scoliosis. Could you put a price tag on that? I think £279 is a fairly reasonable sum, particularly given Avionaut’s 10-year warranty and the outstanding quality and safety features of the MaxSpace."

Where can I buy the Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow and MaxSpace Comfort System + car seats?

The Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow car seat is available at Kiddies Kingdom, Pramworld and Baby Planet.

The Avionaut MaxSpace Comfort System + car seat is available at Baby and Child Store, Baby Boutique and Smart Kid Store.

MadeForMums verdict

It’s difficult to find fault with the Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow booster, but considering the price, I wouldn’t expect to. It has been designed to last, and offers unbeatable comfort and protection. The fact that it has recline positions, is comfortably roomy, and made from temperature regulating materials makes it a great choice for parents happy to spend a little bit more in order to benefit from high quality features.

Naomi adds: "The Avionaut MaxSpace Comfort System + car seat has been a huge hit with our family. The only problem being it’s causing a few arguments: both boys want to use it as 'it’s the most comfortable seat in the car!' The unique features to support a child's back, head and neck, and encourage a healthy posture, as well as reassuring safety features and luxurious design, make this a high-end, high back booster seat that ticks all of our boxes as a family. We’ll be investing in another one and I would recommend other parents do the same thing if budget allows."

This means that getting the child in and out of the seat is super-easy, as you can rotate it 90 degrees to face you. It also means you can rotate between rear-facing and front-facing configurations without having to remove and uninstall the seat. This can be handy if you have more than one child or if you are switching between rear-facing and front-facing when your child is at a middle height allowed.

The seat sits at the premium end of Kinderkraft's offering, being one of the more expensive models it offers – but considering it's designed to meet the entirety of your child's car-seat needs, it actually represents pretty good value for money. Most of Kinderkraft's cheaper offerings are for shorter age spans.

What were your first impressions of the Kinderkraft i-360?

This feels like a real "unit" when you take it out of the box. In fact, it was so heavy I had to get my husband to help me as I was still recovering from a C-section when we first installed it. It looks like a high-quality car seat, with a fairly stylish and simple cover.

How easy is the Kinderkraft i-360 to install?

The seat was reasonably easy to install via the ISOFIX base, though as it's so heavy, we regretted opening it in the living room of our house to take a look at it and then having to transport it awkwardly through the house to get to the car. We would, therefore, recommend that you open it as close to your car as possible – then you can use the plastic bag that the car seat comes in to transport it to where you need it.

Paper instructions aren't included with the seat; instead you need to scan a QR code to download electronic instructions. You can then look at these on your phone or a tablet/computer. If you look at them on your phone, it's worth noting that the manual appears quite small and can be quite difficult to see. If you have something with a larger screen, it's worth viewing the instructions on there, especially when you're first installing the seat.

The instructions themselves are reasonably minimal and sometimes aren't hugely obvious and with confusing graphics in places. There are also some written instructions that don't make a huge amount of sense – presumably these have been badly translated. However, on the whole, installation is fairly self-explanatory.

How do you install the Kinderkraft i-360?

This is a car seat that stays in your car permanently, and not one that you can use with a travel system. It attaches via ISOFIX using a base, on top of which the car seat is permanently attached/rotated. It takes up the entire back-left passenger seat in my car, but I do have a reasonably small car (a five-door MINI Cooper)

How does it compare to similar car seats for this age range?

My daughter is only 8 weeks old so prior to this I had been using a simple car seat as part of a travel system. Compared to similar types of car seat, there are a few pros and cons. The swivelling action is great for getting the child in and out of the car, but, of course, there's no flexibility to use the seat with a pram chassis to save space.

It's also a little awkward to transport a newborn to the car, rather than prepare them in the seat in the house and simply take that to your car. However, I think the car seat will really come into its own once the child is a bit older, where the swivelling action should be particularly useful for a wriggly baby, a toddler and even an older child. The fact that you can use until 12 is a real bonus.

What are the key safety features of the Kinderkraft i-360?

There are two safety systems here. The H-GUARD SYSTEM is a reinforced three-layer headrest with memory foam, which is designed to absorb any impact force, while the SIDE PROTECT SYSTEM + offers reinforced sides to absorb the force of side collisions. There's a five-point internal safety harness for keeping the child secure. It is also compliant with the R129 i-Size safety standard.

How long is the Kinderkraft i-360 rear-facing for?

The car seat can be used in a rear-facing position until the child is 105cm (approx 4 years old). You must use in the rear-facing position until the child is 76cm (approx 15 months), but you can face it forward from that point if you prefer. My daughter is only 8 weeks old and I don’t have any older children, so it's difficult to know how comfortable she will be and for how long. However, it's good to have the option to rotate it to the front-facing position from around 15 months as all indications are that she will be quite tall, so it should be quite useful from that perspective.

Does the Kinderkraft i-360 rotate?

The main selling point of the Kinderkraft i-360, as you'd expect from the name, is that it rotates in a 360-degree fashion. This means you can rotate it to face forwards or backwards without uninstalling the base – this might be especially useful if you intend to use the car seat with multiple children or, perhaps, when they're at that middle point in age when it can be used in either configuration. As my daughter is so young, I have only used the car seat in its rear-facing configuration so far.

The other benefit here, however, is that you can rotate it 90 degrees to face the door. This makes it very easy to get the baby in and out of the seat. Considering this is not a travel-system seat and you have to take the child to the seat rather than take the seat to the car, it would probably be very awkward to get her in the seat if it didn't rotate. It also means you can adjust the straps, headrest and so on quite comfortably, and can see what you're doing.

Obviously, my baby is quite placid right now, being so young, but I can imagine this will also come in very handy when she is older and a bit more wriggly.

How comfortable did your baby find the Kinderkraft i-360?

Of course, it's difficult to know how comfy a newborn baby finds something. However, what I can say is that she slept soundly both on shorter journeys and longer ones. The padding was great, but I would have preferred the seat to lie a little bit flatter so that her head wasn't quite as slumped – especially when she was asleep. For this reason, especially for longer journeys, I felt compelled to sit in the back with her to make sure she was OK.

Admittedly, as a first-time mum, this could be due to paranoia, but I'd probably say for newborns there are better seats out there, especially if you need or want to do longer journeys with any frequency. Once she's able to hold her head up a bit better, I will have less of a worry here and, equally, she seemed very comfortable.

How do you rate the straps of the Kinderkraft i-360?

The straps can be moved out of the way when you're putting the baby in the seat, and they can be extended via a push button at the base of the seat. This allows you to get the baby in the correct position and insert the straps into the clip easily. You’ll then need to pull the strap from the bottom of the seat to tighten it. You do need to be quite strong to do this, but I found it helped if I twisted the strap around my hand and braced myself against the car to get as good a grip as possible. Once tightened, the straps feel very secure with the baby feeling very tightly secured in.

How robust does the Kinderkraft i-360 feel?

Considering this seat is designed to last for up to 12 years, it needs to be robust. My impressions are that it should certainly last a number of years: it feels very solid, sturdy and heavy. The rotating mechanism seems to be well-built too, so it seems it should happily withstand multiple daily rotations for busy parents.

Does the Kinderkraft i-360 recline?

The seat reclines into five different positions in either direction, depending on which way you have the seat facing. Personally, I would prefer the seat to recline just a little bit further back for a newborn, as at times it seemed her head was a bit too far forward for my liking, particularly when she was asleep. This will become less of a problem as the baby ages and has a stronger neck, but it's something to consider if you're buying this for a newborn.

I always sat in the back seat with my daughter to keep an eye on her. If you will be travelling alone a lot, or making regular lengthy journeys, you might want to consider installing a mirror to make sure you can see the baby from the front.

How good is the Kinderkraft i-360 headrest?

The headrest can be adjusted to a number of different positions depending on the age of the child. It's easy to pull it up, adjust and click it into place, and push it back down again if you need to. If you've got a young baby, you use the additional insert that includes a thick padded headrest to keep the baby's head in place from side to side. Once the child is older and you take the insert out, there’s a second headrest that also seems nice and comfy.

How easy is the Kinderkraft i-360 to clean?

The cover can be removed for washing and put in the machine at 30°C (86°F) on a delicate cycle, but it can't be tumble dried. You might find it easier to simply spot clean the seat, save for any major spillages or stains. The material has a sheen to it that makes it fairly easy to wipe with a baby wipe or a damp flannel.

How do you find the Kinderkraft i-360 to carry around?

This is not a car seat that can be carried around. That's something to think about when you have a newborn as it can be quite awkward carrying such a small infant to and from the car. It also means that you're likely to wake the baby up every time you take them in and out of the car – again, something to think about.

It also gives you less flexibility than a travel system, as you'll need to carry a full pram system with you in the car too. If you have a small car, that might be something to think about – it certainly means for us we have very little room for anything else, so for longer journeys and holidays we may struggle with our current set-up.

Does the Kinderkraft i-360 have a sun hood?

The Kinderkraft i-360 doesn't have a sun hood. As the baby sits quite high up in the car seat on top of the base, you might want to think about shades for your windows if you don't have tinted glass.

Is the Kinderkraft i-360 big enough for a growing child?

The car seat is designed to fit until the child reaches roughly 12 years of age. As my daughter is only 8 weeks old at the time of writing, it's pretty hard to tell whether or not she'll still fit in it at the top end of that range – but if she's too big for it at that point, in all likelihood she won't need a seat at all, so it shouldn't be a problem.

What’s in the box?

• Kinderkraft i-360 seat
• Infant insert

What are the additional accessories that you can buy for the Kinderkraft i-360?

There aren't any additional accessories available for this product: everything you need comes in the box. As mentioned, you might find blinds or tinted film for your windows helpful to shield the baby from direct bright sunlight.

What did you think of the packaging for the Kinderkraft i-360?

The seat was delivered in a simple cardboard box, with the seat in a plastic bag inside. There was no additional protective packaging, but with the sturdiness of the unit this isn't something delicate that needs excessive amounts of packaging to keep it safe in transit. The cardboard box can be recycled as normal and the plastic bag will depend on your local authority – you can possibly take it to a recycling centre.

What is the sustainability of the Kinderkraft I-360?

I asked Kinderkraft for information about sustainability in manufacture, but it did not comment. At the end of the product's life, Kinderkraft said that the product can be recycled according to "local standards", so you might need to check with your local authority whether it's something they will take and what they will do with it.

What are the repair options for the Kinderkraft i-360?

The i-360 has a warranty of two years, during which time Kinderkraft told me it will replace the product if it breaks. It's not possible to buy new parts for the seat at any time or have it repaired. That makes sense for a car seat, but it's worth considering that if something happens to it outside of the two-year period you will, in all likelihood, need to buy an entirely new seat.

What would you have wanted to know before purchasing the Kinderkraft i-360?

I'd want to know how heavy and awkward it is to manoeuvre and, therefore, open it as close to the car as possible. I'd also want to know that it doesn't tilt back quite as much as I'd like for a newborn. It also might not be obvious for new parents but there are downsides to carrying a very young baby to the car outside a seat, so I'd probably want to give that careful thought before buying a seat like this over a travel-system-type seat, especially for very young infants.

Who would the Kinderkraft i-360 be most useful for?

The car seat is designed to have a long life, but there are certain things to consider. In theory, it's the only car seat you'll ever need – however, if you want the flexibility of a travel system when your child is very young, it won't be for you. It'll still give good value for money for older babies that have grown out of travel systems, though, so you shouldn't feel it's only suitable for new parents. It's also, perhaps, best for those with larger cars who have the space to carry a full pram with them.

Is the Kinderkraft i-360 worth the money?

At first glance, £189 might seem quite expensive for a car seat. However, when you consider that it can be used from birth up to around 12 years old, then it actually seems incredibly cheap. What you get for the money is also good too – the swivelling action is a delight to use if you're used to more traditional car seats so that alone is perhaps worth paying for. It also seems very well made, sturdy and safe for the money. The only downside is that it's not covered for damage or breakages after two years, so you might need to replace it if something happens to part of the mechanism, for example.

Where can I buy the Kinderkraft i-360 car seat?

It is available from Amazon, Winstanleys Pramworld and Kiddies Kingdom

MadeForMums verdict:

There's a lot to like about the Kinderkraft i-360. It's easy to use, with the swivelling action making it super-easy to get your child in and out of the car. It's great value if you do indeed use it for the full 12 years, but it's also good value if you wait until your child is a little older. I would have loved for it to lie a little flatter with my newborn for maximum peace of mind, and you don't get the benefits of a travel system, but it's very good overall.