As well as rotating 360°, the seat slides in and out for easier access thanks to its unique SlideTech™ integrated base. The Emerald 360 Pro seat meets the i-Size safety standard and includes features such as G-CELL panels and AirProtect® Safety Cushions for side impact protection. Coming in at £399.99, it's definitely an investment, but works out at fantastic value if this is the only car seat you ever need to buy!

We tested the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro with children of different ages to help assess how well the seat performs as your child grows.

How easy is it to install?

The Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro is super easy to install — 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.

How does the Maxi-Cosi SlideTech™ sliding base perform?

The SlideTech base is the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro’s standout feature — 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.

How well does the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro car seat work for your baby?

My baby appeared comfortable in the car seat but the seat base is not as padded and moulded as our original Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 car seat. I also found the headrest was too big for her.

I tried the newborn inlay which can be used up until 75cm (about 1 year old) or until your baby outgrows it and, although her head was cushioned better, her body was too big for the inlay and I couldn’t do the seatbelt up.

Is it easy to adjust the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro car seat for different ages?

Pretty easy. As my eldest child is 6, I needed to convert the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro from the baby/toddler set up to a booster seat. You’ll need to do this by the time your child weighs 17kg (about 4 years old). Until then, you can either keep your child rear-facing using the harness and support leg (which is the safest way for them to travel) or at 15 months you can put the seat forward-facing, using the harness and support leg.

I was able to convert the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro car seat into a booster in about five minutes, having watched the video on the Maxi-Cosi website. The harness tucks away behind the cover at the back of the seat so there’s no need to worry about removing it and misplacing it. Similarly, the buckle lies flat and the material can be pulled over it and tucked in, along with the strap for adjusting the harness.

The support leg can be easily folded away under the seat by pressing buttons on either side of it. The only tricky part was getting the springs out of the shoulder pads and making them lie flat as it wasn’t clear in the video where they clip in once removed.

How well does the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro car seat work for your older child?

My 6-year-old daughter found the seat comfortable on long journeys and she liked the fact that one of the shoulder pads can be removed from the harness and attached to the car seat belt so the seat belt doesn’t dig in.

She is currently 115cm tall and the seat has plenty of room for growth for the next few years but it’s hard to tell whether it will be roomy enough when she gets to 12 years old.

How practical is the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro car seat for daily use?

My eldest has no trouble getting in and out of the booster seat and can clip in the seatbelt herself, which always helps!

When I tested it with my baby I found the 360° swivel works well in a tight parking space and I’m a big fan of the harness because it actually stays open while you’re strapping your baby in and it’s easy to pull the cord for a snug fit.

I needed to use the car seat in different cars as I also review cars, but if I had the choice I would keep it in one. It’s not a very portable seat as it weighs 15.58kg (slightly more than our Silver Cross Motion All Size 360, which weighs 14.4kg). It’s also bulky and took up a lot of space in our hatchback, although it is compatible (you can use the tool on the Maxi-Cosi website to check if it will fit in your car). It was fine, however, in an SUV.

What are the straps like on the car seat?

Other car seats I’ve used either have nothing to hold the straps out of the way or some small loops which are too fiddly to bother with, whereas the shoulder pads on the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro have springs inside which make them stay upright before you strap your child in. If you’re looking for this feature, it’s worth noting that the latest version of the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 also has a sprung harness.

Loosening the straps of the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro is effortless as instead of feeling around for the release button inside the seat it’s clearly marked in grey — another example of Maxi-Cosi’s parent-friendly colour-coding.

How easy is it to recline and adjust the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro car seat?

There are five recline settings (compared to three with the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360) and while it's easy to adjust, I kept it fully reclined all the time as our baby often naps in the car, even on short journeys.

I found that her head sometimes fell forwards when she was asleep. In that respect, I much prefer her sleeping in our Joie i-Level infant car seat which has a near lie-flat position. If you’re using the newborn insert with the Emerald 360 Pro, Maxi-Cosi requires you to keep the car seat in the fully reclined position.

The headrest has 15 adjustable height positions, which are easy to alter.

What are the key safety features of the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro car seat?

The Emerald 360 Pro meets the latest i-Size safety standard (R129), which is something I look for when choosing a car seat rather than the older R44 standard.

It comes with a G-CELL side impact protection system, which means that in the event of a side collision the force of the impact is spread throughout the car seat, reducing the risk of your child being injured.

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.

Maxi-Cosi also has an Accident Exchange Service, which will advise you whether your car seat needs replacing if it’s been in a car accident. If it does, you can exchange the seat for a brand new one either via your insurance company or Maxi-Cosi directly.

How easy is it to clean the car seat?

You can wipe the seat down with a damp cloth for everyday messes, or take the cover off and put it in the washing machine up to 30°C for a more intensive clean.

What’s in the box?

• Car seat
• Newborn inlay

How sustainable is the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro car seat?

All Maxi-Cosi’s car seats are made with sustainable, 100% recycled Eco Care fabrics. It says that the entire production process of its Eco Care fabrics uses 75% less energy, 85% less water and emits 75% less CO2. The fabrics of each Emerald 360 Pro contain 70 recycled PET bottles (500 ml).

Is the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro car seat worth the money?

At £399.99, the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro is an expensive seat, costing nearly £75 more than the Silver Cross Motion 2 All Size 360 (currently on sale for £325). However, with the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro you get the benefit of the seat sliding towards you which is a worthwhile investment. The car seat’s longevity also means it is good value in the long run if you can afford the initial outlay.

Where can I buy the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro car seat?

It's available at Maxi-Cosi, Mamas & Papas and Kiddies Kingdom.

MadeForMums verdict

Personally, I would prefer to use an infant car seat that lies flat and that can be fitted to a pushchair during the newborn stage, like the BeSafe Go Beyond or Joie i-Level. But, after that, I would be tempted to switch to the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro for the benefit of SlideTech™and being able to use the seat as my child grows.

Read more:

• Best car seats from birth
• 10 of the best swivel and 360° car seats tried and tested by parents
• Best toddler car seats
• “I didn’t know it was illegal”: Half of UK parents admit confusion over child car seat laws

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

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.

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.

Designed to be used from 3 months (or from newborn, with the Sirona G Line Newborn Inlay, an additional £44.95) through to around 4 years old, it's a perfect buy to stay with your family as your baby grows.

With a mid-to-high-end price tag of £279.95, the Cybex Sirona Gi i-Size spares no expense, fitting a breadth of safety features into this model, all while offering a stylish and sleek design. There's a wraparound ventilation system, side-impact protection, 5 recline settings and a 360-degree swivel, when used with the Cybex Base G ISOFIX base, £184.95.

If you're looking for an extended rear-facing car seat, you'll be pleased to hear the Sirona Gi i-Size offers rear-facing up to 4 years old.

What were your first impressions?

Straight out of the box, the Sirona Gi i-Size car seat looked great. It came already connected to the ISOFIX base, saving us a job.

Inside the box was the car seat and ISOFIX, and a card directing you to a digital instruction booklet. I was surprised to see no physical instructions but quickly noted that the QR code came with the box to take us to PDF versions. This was fine for us, but if you have limited internet at times this might cause an issue, especially if you need instructions or information while out on the road.

Thankfully, once accessed, the instructions were very clear. I liked that the packaging had no extras and was simply a very weighty card box which was easy to recycle (after my older daughter had turned it into a puppet theatre!).

How easy is the Cybex Sirona Gi i-Size to install?

Cybex are clear that an ISOFIX is the best way to go with fitting this, and it's the only option if you want to make the most of the 360-degree swivel.

The Cybex Base G ISOFIX base, which you need to buy separately, was incredibly easy to install in our car. It fits all along the edge of the seat and is quite substantial, which feels very safe, thoughit  might pose an issue if you have a smaller car.

How does the Cybex Sirona Gi i-Size compare to other car seats you've used?

We definitely prefer this seat to the one we have for our older child, particularly as it adjusts from these early months right through to 4, so that will save us money. There are bags of safety features with the Sirona Gi, and it’s incredibly stylish.

The swivel feature is also a great bonus, though this is becoming quite common for seats across the market in this age range, so with the higher-end price tag, I would expect this to be part of the seat.

What are the key safety features of the Cybex Sirona Gi i-Size car seat?

Safety feature-wise, the Sirona Gi has you set, particularly as the seat supports extended rear-facing up to the age of 4. Our younger child is 6 months, so this was a clear choice for her, while our older child (3-and-a-half years) fitted comfortably in the rear-facing position too.

The ISOFIX has a clear ‘green’ light, so you know when the seat is fitted correctly; the swivel function also features a green indicator so you know when that is fixed safely in position. The side-impact wings are another big safety feature, with integrated linear side impact protection to keep little ones as safe as possible on the move. Overall, it definitely feels robust, strong and safe.

How long is the Sirona Gi i-Size car seat rear-facing for?

The car seat fits a 3-month-old baby (around 61cm) through around a 4-year-old (105cm), and you can rear face the whole time. You also have the option of making this suitable for a newborn (40cm) with a separately bought insert. There is a max 20kg weight and 105cm height limit.

How comfortable is the Cybex Sirona Gi i-Size car seat?

My baby seemed very comfortable in the seat on our car rides, and our 3-year-old didn’t complain either when she tried it!

Does the Cybex Sirona Gi i-Size car seat rotate?

It does. The Sirona’s swivel feature has full 360-degree rotation, allowing easy onboarding on all sides of the vehicle. As we have 2 car seats, we focused on a 90-degree turn for onboarding, though 180 was very easy to use too.

We think it would also be brilliant if you have just one car seat, as older children could get in and out of the car from either side. A real game-changer compared to our older seats, which are not mobile and require quite a bit of shuffling to get our older child into.

Does the Sirona Gi i-Size car seat recline?

Yes, once the baby is in, the car seat can easily recline back for younger riders, or go more upright for older children – another reason the car seat has brilliant longevity. It offers 5 recline positions for both front and rear-facing.

What do you think of the straps on the Cybex Sirona Gi i-Size car seat?

The 5-point harness straps are easy to adjust and very robust, with a simple click mechanism and an easily adjustable pulley to tighten and loosen. One compromise we did find was that the straps themselves did not have magnetic sides, which our other car seats do.

This means when you are removing your child, the straps are easily 'grabable' and can be a bit fiddly to move out the way when undone (they flopped around a lot). Magnetic sides would make taking the baby out a bit easier.

How good is the headrest?

The headrest on the Cybex Sirona Gi i-Size car seat is very robust and adjusts as your child grows. My baby feels very protected and secure.

How easy is it to clean the Sirona Gi i-Size car seat?

This Cybex car seat is really easy to clean with detachable covers which are machine washable at 30°C – great for the odd sick-up or poonami which we do experience on a regular basis in this house! We had the Sirona in a dark grey shade, so marks were easily covered, though lighter colours may stain more easily.

Does it have a sun hood?

No, the Sirona Gi doesn’t come with a sun hood, though I wouldn’t really expect a seat of this type to. I would usually only expect an infant seat, which comes as part of a travel system, to have a sun hood.

How easy is the Cybex Sirona Gi i-Size car seat to carry around?

Size-wise, this is definitely a seat for a family car. It is pretty heavy – 6.5kg without the base –  and removing the ISOFIX from the seat itself is a bit fiddly. We rarely were in the position to take it in and out of the base, so this didn’t pose a problem for us, but you might find it a bit bulky if you’re regularly swapping the seat between cars.

Is the Cybex Sirona Gi i-Size car seat big enough for a growing child?

This is a very big yes. The Sirona Gi is brilliant at being a seat that will grow with your little one. We fit our 50th percentile 6-month-old daughter in there comfortably, and our 3-year-old, who weighs about 16kg, still fits comfortably, and should still have room for another 6 months, I would anticipate (which takes her up to 4, and likely the 20kg limit).

What accessories can you buy for the Sirona Gi i-Size car seat?

• Cybex Base G ISOFIX base, £184.95. Essential if you want to use the 360-degree swivel.
• Sirona G Line Newborn Inlay, £44.95. Essential if you want to use this on a newborn, or any child between 40 and 61cm in length.
• Summer cover, £54.95
• Cup holder, £29.95

What are the repair options like for the Cybex Sirona Gi i-Size car seat?

We like that Cybex offers a 3-year warranty on its car seats, which covers the majority of this product’s life phase for one child. It notes that if there is a fault with the seat, you need to return it to the retailer, and the same goes if you need to get replacement parts.

Who would the Cybex Sirona Gi i-Size car seat be most useful for?

I think the Sirona Gi i-Size would be most useful for families wanting a long-lasting, durable car seat without sacrificing on style. We love that our little one will stay in the Sirona until she’s ready for school, so there’s no need to think about sizing up before she hits 20kg.

What would you have liked to know before purchasing the car seat?

We would have liked to know that the straps didn’t have magnetic sides, but it wouldn’t put us off recommending it to a friend.

Is the Cybex Sirona Gi i-Size car seat worth the money?

At £279.95, it’s certainly on the higher price side when it comes to car seats, but based on the longevity of the product, we think it is. Just remember you'll need to factor in the additional cost of the £184.95 base if you want to use the Sirona Gi with ISOFIX.

Where can I buy the Cybex Sirona Gi car seat?

It is available from Cybex, Mamas & Papas and John Lewis.

MadeForMums verdict:

Overall, we really liked the Sirona Gi i-Size car seat. The level of safety is reassuring, the swivel feature is very handy, and we know it will last our family for many years to come. It’s stylish, supportive, and a great choice for a long-term seat, particularly if you are keen on extended rear-facing. Yes, it's pricey, but I think it's a worthwhile investment, as long as you have space in your car.

Joie has been making its innovative i-Spin™ seats for more than a decade and, with more competition coming onto the market each year, it has had to stay ahead of the game.

The i-Spin™XL aims to do just that, with Joie claiming it “does it all” and at a RRP of £300, it does sit at the more expensive end of the market and will have to live up to that promise. But with key safety features, such as Guard Surround Safety™ pods for enhanced shock absorption, steel-enforced ISOFIX connectors and a swivel lock, to stop you from turning the seat the wrong way, and its potential 12 years of use, it puts its money where its mouth is.

What were your first impressions of the seat?

Full disclosure here — I have had a Joie i-Spin 360™ for my eldest since he was about 6 months old, so I am already familiar with their products and how they work and even on arrival, I was comparing the i-Spin™ XL to the seat we already have.

My initial thought was "just in time." My son was growing out of his original seat, which lasts up to 4 years old, and we were wondering which seat to upgrade him to. Was it worth getting another ISOFIX seat if he will grow out of it again quickly, or should we just choose a basic booster seat that can be easily switched between cars?

Fortunately, the i-Spin™ XL answered that question immediately; this one, if it does what it says on the tin, should last us until he is 12 years old and while it is heavy – you wouldn’t want to switch between cars every day – it is easy enough to remove and install, should you choose to.

On first inspection, the seat is very similar to previous models, from the way it looks to its weight and size. As the saying goes, “if it ain’t broke…”

How easy is it to install the Joie i-Spin XL car seat?

One of the first things I noticed about the i-Spin™ XL is that there is a QR code attached to the seat, which clearly explains that the manual is online (and there are some really handy videos that show you exactly how it is done). That being said, there is a quick-start guide with the seat, which I used for the initial install, which took me less than 10 minutes.

How do you install the Joie i-Spin XL?

The i-Spin™ XL comes with an ISOFIX base, which is steel-enforced and used for both harness and booster mode, giving extra peace of mind when switching to front-facing. The ISOFIX clips in really easily, and the release button switches to green so that you can see it is installed correctly. The same goes for the load leg, which has 21 positions (meaning it will fit most cars), and again, it switches to green when it feels the right amount of upward resistance from the floor.

To install harness mode, you click the ISOFIX supports into place and drop the load leg, adjusting until it clicks to green. You then add one of the Auto Adjust™ side wings, depending on which side of the car you install it on, clicking it into place.

To change to booster mode, you have to tuck the load leg underneath the seat (there is a button underneath the seat to allow that) and tuck the harness behind the back cushion. You can then adjust the headrest to the right height and feed the seatbelt through the shoulder clasp.

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

Price-wise, the i-Spin™ XL is on the higher end of the market at £300. Compare this to the Graco SlimFit, which is a purse-friendly £90 on Amazon, it is 3 times the price.

However, there is really no comparison when it comes to safety and security, as outlined below.

How does the Joie i-Spin XL compare to previous versions of the car seat?

Joie has been making i-Spin™ car seats for more than a decade, and with each new seat comes improvements. Already in the 5 years it has been since we first invested in one for our eldest, there are increased safety measures, such as the Guard Surround Safety™ pod, which attaches to the side closest to the door for extra shock absorption, and the swivel lock, to stop you from turning the seat forward-facing before the child is 15 months old (or preferably older).

I think my only quibble with the i-Spin™ XL is that there are only 2 headrests – our previous model came with a middle headrest for when the baby has outgrown the newborn insert and I personally felt that our baby’s head wasn’t well enough supported once it was taken out, despite it being one of their state-of-the-art auto-adjusting ones.

The biggest difference between this and previous versions, though, is the position of the swivel handle. On previous models, it was on the front of the seat, between the child’s legs. This has now been moved to the side of the chair and makes it much easier to both find and swivel the seat (especially if doing so one-handed)

What are the key safety features of the Joie i-Spin XL car seat?

Safety was clearly paramount when designing this seat. Not only is the shell reinforced by steel (as is the ISOFIX), ensuring structural integrity in a crash, but there are Guard Surround Safety™ pods on the door-side, which absorb the side impact.

There is a 5-point harness when in harness mode and a safety lock to stop you from turning the seat forward-facing before 15 months (minimum). This, on top of the fact that the seat is sturdy, is really reassuring.

How long is the Joie i-Spin XL car seat rear-facing for?

The seat is rear-facing from 40cm to 105cm. For reference, my son is only just 105cm and was 4, almost 5, when he first tested it and would have been quite comfortable rear-facing with his legs crossed.

Does the car seat rotate?

The Joie i-Spin™ XL car seat rotates 360 degrees; however, one of the key safety features is a swivel lock that stops you from spinning the seat to front-facing without having to press another button, meaning you can’t do so accidentally or without thinking/out of habit.

I use the rotation every time I load my baby into the car. It’s not necessary when in booster mode, but can still be used if needed.

Are there any unique features of the Joie i-Spin XL car seat?

The Guard Surround Safety™ pods, which are additional shock absorbers, seem to be quite a unique feature, and while not game-changing (and I hope I will never need them), it is reassuring to know they are there to give extra support to the baby should an accident occur.

How comfortable did your baby and child find the car seat?

Both children found the Joie i-Spin™ XL car seat comfortable. The baby protested the first couple of times I put him in it, but I think that was because it felt different to his carry seat. He was asleep within minutes, which I think was testament to how he felt.

My eldest says he’s comfortable in the booster seat, and he definitely enjoys feeling more grown-up with a proper seat belt.

The entire seat is covered in a thick/padded cover, which gives extra cushioning, but there are vents at the back to keep them cool.

How well does the Joie i-Spin XL car seat work with different age children?

There is quite a big age gap between my children — 4 and a half years —  and I was able to test this seat with both of them, which was perfect.

The baby had just outgrown the newborn insert, so I didn’t have the opportunity to test it, but I did notice that the next size up was simply a boost insert, and his head wasn’t as well supported as it is in the i-Spin 360™.

It is the first time we have used a booster seat for our eldest, and the transition was really easy (especially when using the online instructions). Our only issue is that the seat is still really big when in booster mode, so getting the strap around him and into the buckle is quite a challenge. I could not have managed it when pregnant, as I would have had to lean right over him.

I know the seat also impressed other MadeForMums Home Testers who tested it out with older children, too.

How do you rate the straps on the Joie i-Spin XL car seat?

There is a 5-point harness when in harness mode, which is easy once you get the hang of it. The 2 shoulder straps clip together like a jigsaw and then buckle between the legs. There are also shoulder/chest pads on each strap for extra comfort.

There are magnets on the side of the seat to pin the straps back while you are taking your child in or out, and they are tightened by pulling a strap between the legs and loosened by pushing a button also located between the legs (which can be a fiddle to find).

How robust does the car seat feel?

The i-Spin™ XL car seat definitely feels weighty and secure. Having used a previous model for the last 5 years, it has undoubtedly maintained its support and is still in really good repair. Joie doesn’t use recycled plastics as they say it affects the longevity of the product, so while that is a shame, from a parent’s point of view, I’d rather my child be safe.

Does the Joie i-Spin XL car seat recline?

Yes, the seat has a 5-position recline, although I have to admit, I could only find 3 of them, meaning you can lie them back for a snooze. As in previous models, the recline isn’t very far back, but I find it’s enough for them not to have their head lolling forward.

How good is the headrest?

There is a 3-layer padding in the headrest, which is made from memory foam, and it has 14 positions, which adjust and grow with your child from 6 months. I do think there should be an extra headrest between newborn and the AutoAdjust™ headrest, as there wasn’t quite enough support for a 6-month-old.

How easy is it to clean the Joie i-Spin XL car seat?

While I haven’t needed to remove and wash the covers on this seat, it is the same as previous models, which I have, and it was really easy to wash, dry and put back on.

How do you find the car seat to carry around?

The Joie i-Spin™ XL car seat (as the name suggests) is heavy to carry at 14.5kg; you wouldn’t want to have to move it between cars very often. Once it is in the car, though, it will stay fixed.

Is the Joie i-Spin XL car seat big enough for a growing child?

It is definitely big enough for my 5-year-old with plenty of room to grow.

What’s in the box?

• Car seat
• Auto Adjust™ side wings
• Basic instructions

What is the packaging like for the Joie i-Spin XL car seat?

The seat arrived in a large box, as the seat is already assembled in one piece. Inside, it is wrapped in a large plastic bag. There is a separate plastic bag for the Auto Adjust™ side wings. The box can be recycled, and the bags recycled at recycling points at supermarkets. It seems quite minimal, and the car seat was well-padded.

Are there any repair options for the Joie i-Spin XL car seat?

Sadly, car seats are an essential piece of equipment, but they are not easily recycled, which is one of the reasons I love the idea of having one car seat from newborn to age 12. Much less waste. While Joie offers a 2-year warranty on all its products, this seat is intended to last for 12 years. You can, however, buy spare parts, such as crotch covers, new inserts and shoulder pads if there is general wear and tear, after all, 12 years is a long time.

Joie does have a range of car seats made from recycled fabrics, but it does not apply to the i-Spin™ XL, yet.

Now you’ve tested it, what would you have wanted to know before purchasing the Joie i-Spin XL car seat?

All the specifications are on the website, so there is very little that you cannot find out in advance. I think the weight is a factor that should be taken into consideration. And if there are any tips on how to do up the seat belt in booster mode without squishing your child and yourself, they would be greatly appreciated.

Who would the Joie i-Spin XL car seat be most useful for?

New parents who want an easy solution to see them right the way through, as well as anyone upgrading their seat at around age 4.

Is the Joie i-Spin XL car seat worth the money?

Definitely. Considering that it will last for 12 years, the £300 price tag doesn’t even come into consideration. Yes, there are cheaper alternatives out there, but the quality of this product is clear from its design and usage. Joie is a brand that I trust, having used their products before, and it is well worth the money.

Where can I buy the Joie i-Spin XL car seat?

It is available from John Lewis, Mamas & Papas and Boots.

MadeForMums verdict:

I truly believe the Joie i-Spin XL car seat is an absolute essential for new parents, to see them through from newborn to age 12. The sturdiness of the seat is really reassuring as I know my child is safe, secure and comfortable, especially the baby in the rear-facing reclined position. And as it will last for years, I think it's a bargain!

The 360 Pro Family features 360-degree rotation and SlideTech— a revolutionary sliding car seat technology that helps parents avoid backache, head bangs or struggles with getting their children in the car.

Coming in at £349.99 for both the car seat and base, the Mica 360 Pro offers good value for money, particularly as it's designed to be used from birth to  around 4 years old. It also comes in an impressive choice of 7 colourways, from quirky terracotta to classic black.

What were your first impressions of the Maxi-Cosi Mica 360 Pro car seat?

The box looked huge and it was heavy too, so I did wonder how easy it was going to be to fit it in the car. I needed help from my husband to get it out of the box but it looked sturdy  yet comfortable at the same time.

How easy is it to install the Maxi-Cosi Mica 360 Pro car seat?

The instructions are very brief, but luckily not much direction is needed as it really is so easy to use and quite self-explanatory. I found an online manual for the seat that was more helpful just to check there were no features we had missed, but by that point we had worked it all out for ourselves, including how to pull out and tighten the straps.

It took just a couple of minutes to install the seat in the car, and the same for taking it out again. However, due to the weight of the seat, I had to ask my husband to give me a hand carrying it out to the car. Overall, it was a very simple process but the weight (nearly 15kg) will probably put you off taking it out and installing it again regularly.

How do you install the Maxi-Cosi Mica 360 Pro car seat?

All we had to do was fold out the support leg and fit it into the car using the ISOFIX connectors built into the base of the seat. There are green indicators so you know when you’ve got it right. Honestly couldn't be easier!

Despite the seat looking huge when we unboxed it, it actually doesn’t feel like it takes up that much space in the back with a width of just 45cm.

How does the Mica 360 Pro compare to similar car seats for this age range?

It's pretty competitively priced for a car seat and base, however there are some cheaper options, such as the Joie i-Spin 360 (£250), which is a comparable model from a rival brand. It shares many of the same features including 360-degree one-handed rotation, one extra recline position (the Joie model has 6 recline positions compared to Mica 360 Pro’s 5 positions) and that it can be used rear-facing from birth to 4 years, with the option of forward-facing from 15 months.

How does it compare to other Maxi-Cosi car seats?

The Mica 360 Pro is among the first car seats from Maxi-Cosi to include their new slide technology ‘SlideTech’. This means the seat slides out of the car and has resulted in the chair being certified by AGR as 'back-friendly' as you don’t have to bend to buckle your child up.

I struggled at first to see why you would pay £60 more for the Mica Pro 360 compared to the Maxi-Cosi Pearl 360 Pro (£299.99). But on closer inspection the Pearl is only suitable from 3 months (or you can buy the newborn inlay separately) and the SlideTech technology only works in combination with the FamilyFix 360 Pro base, which is also sold separately for £219.99.

What are the key safety features of the Maxi-Cosi Mica 360 Pro car seat?

It was reassuring to know that the safety cushions in the headrest reduce the risk of head injury by up to 20%. The seat also has clear green indicators so you know it’s been installed correctly without needing a trip to Halfords or checking numerous pictures to confirm you’ve done the right thing.

The Mica 360 Pro also has an ‘anti-misuse button’ to lock rotation so children under 15 months always travel in the rear-facing position. And G-CELL technology has also been built into various parts of the car seat for protection from side-impact collisions. Maxi Cosi says the panels in the headrest and side wings redirect G-forces, absorb the impact and guide a child’s head into the ‘most secure zone of the headrest’ for maximum protection.

How long is the Mica 360 Pro car seat rear-facing for?

It can be rear-facing for the lifetime of the chair, which is up to 4 years old. My eldest boy is at the top end of the age range (3.5 years old) and he was happy to sit in it rear-facing with a good amount of room for his long legs.

Does the car seat rotate?

This is one of my favourite things about the Mica 360 Pro car seat — it glides around like a dream!

I could even spin it with one hand, which is handy when you’ve got a wriggly toddler in your arms. And as the name suggests, it rotates 360 degrees so it would be easy to turn it into a forward-facing seat if you chose to do so.

Any unique features of the Maxi-Cosi Mica 360 Pro car seat?

There are 4 main features of this seat which could all be considered game-changers alone, but combined make for a very impressive package.

Being able to rotate it one-handed ensured I didn’t have to battle with getting a car seat in the right position in the rain and the ‘easy-in harness’ also further helped smooth the process as the straps stay out of the way so you’re not fiddling around underneath bottoms to strap them in.

There are 5 recline positions which were useful depending on whether we wanted the boys to sleep or stay awake during longer journeys.

But I’ve saved the best feature until last — Maxi-Cosi’s SlideTech technology is the kind of thing parents with older children will look at and longingly say ‘I seriously wish we had that when my kids were little’.

It allows the seat to slide out helping you to avoid banging your head on the car roof while you’re getting your little ones in or out of the car. And it’s been certified by AGR as 'back-friendly', so lifting your toddler in and out of the car has probably never been this comfortable.

How comfortable did your baby and child find the Mica 360 Pro car seat?

The seat looked really comfortable and there were no complaints from my toddler and a lot less screaming from my newborn who had previously despised going in the car seat!

Quite often we would get them out of the car seat and their backs would feel very warm and sweaty from being in the car seat. This didn’t happen with the Mica 360 Pro but it’s hard to know whether that was just because the weather was particularly cold during testing or if the ClimaFlow panels in the car seat were doing a great job of keeping the airflow.

We took the newborn inlay out as our 4-month-old looked a little bit too big for it (the specification says it’s only needed up to 60cm) but it was very soft and you would feel happy leaving the hospital with your newborn knowing they were tucked in safe in the back of the car.

The 5 reclining positions also helped add to the comfort if they wanted to sleep during the journey or sit up and look out of the window.

How well did the Maxi-Cosi Mica 360 Pro work with your different aged children?

The car seat was ideal for both children and really easy to adjust. All I had to do was extend the harness straps and then pull up the headrest which has 9 height positions. I felt confident both were safe and well protected and for my eldest boy, I was pleased to see his legs didn’t look squashed when it was rear-facing.

Is the car seat big enough for a growing child?

My eldest boy is at the top end of the age range and he sat in the Mica 360 Pro car seat comfortably. I could take the newborn insert out with minimum fuss and from that point, all I’ll need to do is adjust the headrest as he grows.

How do you rate the straps on the Maxi-Cosi Mica 360 Pro car seat?

The harness was incredibly easy to adjust for both children. Best of all it was easy to give grandparents instructions on how to use it too when they wanted to help put one of the children in the car; rather than having to show them where the button was or fiddling around under the seat to find it for them, I could just tell them to press the white button and pull the straps. So simple!

The straps also lived up to the promise of staying out of the way, so it was easy to get both children strapped in.

How robust does the car seat feel?

It definitely feels like a car seat that will last until my baby boy is 4 years old.

How did you find the recline on the Mica 360 Pro car seat?

The recline is really smooth and there are 5 positions to choose from. Others may experiment with each one but we generally either had the boys sat up or reclined as far as possible so they could have a sleep and it reclined far enough for this.

How easy is it to clean the Maxi-Cosi Mica 360 Pro car seat?

We had a couple of spews during the testing period but they were easily wiped clean with a damp cloth. The car seat covers are machine washable and there were clear diagrams in the online manual which parts could be washed to freshen up the seat.

Does the car seat have a sunhood?

No. There’s no sun hood which was a little disappointing considering the price and that the seat has been made for newborns.

What’s in the box?

• Mica 360 Pro car seat and base (it all arrived as one piece)
• ‘Baby Hugg’ inlay (for the newborn phase)

What are the additional accessories that you can buy?

There are no essential items with this seat but you can also buy:

• Back seat car mirror
• Back seat protector
• Organic cotton summer cover

How sustainable is the Maxi-Cosi Mica 360 Pro car seat?

Around 90% of the packaging was recyclable as it was all cardboard. The only exception was a plastic bag that covered the seat. The cardboard around the seat ensured the seat wasn’t damaged in any way when it arrived and this all felt necessary and appropriate.

All Maxi-Cosi car seats are made with sustainable, 100% recycled EcoCare fabrics. This is produced with 75% less energy, 85% less water and 75% less CO2 emissions throughout the production process. The Mica 360 Pro fabrics contain 49 recycled 500ml bottles.

What are the repair options if it breaks?

All Maxi-Cosi products have a 24-month warranty and you would need to first contact the dealer or retailer to arrange repairs.

What would you have wanted to know before purchasing the Maxi-Cosi Mica 360 Pro car seat?

I was a little surprised there was no manual in the box and I had to search online to find it. But that's it!

Who would the Mica 360 Pro car seat be most useful for?

This seat would be ideal for any parents with concerns about their back, as they wouldn’t have to bend over to buckle their child in thanks to the slide technology. It could also be a great choice for grandparents as it’s so easy to adjust if they have grandchildren with a variety of ages between 0 and 4, and they could rotate and slide them into place with minimum effort.

Is the Maxi-Cosi Mica 360 Pro car seat worth the money?

This may not be the cheapest option out there, but the standout feature is obviously the slide technology. If you have spent time fiddling around in the past trying to fasten straps and banging your head on the car door then the convenience of this seat is probably priceless.

Where can I buy the Maxi-Cosi Mica 360 Pro?

It is available from John Lewis, Mamas&Papas and Maxi-Cosi.

MadeForMums verdict

Overall, I’m a big fan of this car seat and think the convenience is worth the price tag. If you’ve ever had to battle in the wind and rain with a little one who doesn’t want to get into their seat then paying a bit more for a seat that spins with next to no effort, is easy to strap them into and you can save your back feels worth the money. It's padded, comfy and with plenty of space for a growing baby – I'd definitely recommend it.

It recently won the Red Dot Design Award 2024 and can be used with a seatbelt or ISOFIX base – the clever, feature-packed Thule Alfi, sold separately for £249. The seat can be used as part of a travel system, using universal car seat adapters, compatible with all Thule pushchairs and other models including the Joolz Aer stroller.

In terms of price, £249, and functionality, it seems to be in-line with other higher-end car seats such as the Maxi-Cosi Pebble 360 Pro — my previous car seat – but while it ticks a lot of safety boxes, it does seem to lack the cushioned premium feel I'm used to.

How easy is the Thule Maple car seat to install?

It took roughly 30 minutes to unpack and install the Thule Maple car seat. This could have taken longer if I wasn’t already familiar with ISOFIX as I have been using the Maxi-Cosi Pebble 360 Pro. The images of the instructions were easy to use and I managed to install and use it by only referencing the diagrams on the product. It can also be installed with a seatbelt if your car doesn’t have ISOFIX.

How does the Thule Maple compare to similar infant car seats?

I was nervous before attempting to install the Thule as my experience with the Maxi-Cosi Pebble 360 Pro had been extremely stressful. With the Thule, everything from the instructions to the ease of use has been simplified – I would expect nothing less from Swedish design.

Rotating the Thule is easier than the Pebble; it also has an additional feature which lets you extend the seat towards you, meaning you don’t need to lean into the car so much. I also found all the adjustments for the Thule more easily accessible than the Pebble when installed in the car.

What are the key safety features of the Thule Maple car seat?

The key safety features of the Thule are the electric safety lights on the EasyDock base. These are battery-powered (batteries are included) and beeps continually if the seat isn’t installed correctly. Initially, I thought this was unnecessary and that the beeping would be extra stressful if tired with a screaming baby, however, I now feel it's such a helpful feature.

It forced me pull the ISOFIX base down more to make the green light come on and the beeping stop, which made me realise I probably hadn’t had my Pebble base installed well enough.

What is the Thule Maple car seat ISOFIX base like?

The Thule Alfi, £249, is not your standard ISOFIX base, using EasyDock technology to make installing your Maple car seat as straightforward and error-free as possible. Compared with installing the Pebble ISOFIX, the Thule was more intuitive.

The leg of the base is attached by a magnet, which is easy to pull on and off. The leg then extends by simply pulling it and when dismantling it retracts with an obvious button.

It’s very easy to take the seat on and off the base using the 2 grey buttons at the front. There’s no tricky bar to attach at the back like the Pebble. My favourite feature of the base are the yellow buttons which extend the ISOFIX claws.

The claws clipped onto my car on the second attempt and then the lever tightened them, so I knew it was as secure as possible. The Pebble took a long time to get the claws to clip and it wobbled for ages before I could get it tight enough.

When the seat is fixed to the base, it’s very clear how to rotate it, however, it only rotates 180 degrees, while the Pebble rotates 360 degrees. I’m not sure this is a massive problem as R129 guidelines say that children should be kept rear-facing until at least 15 months old.

What features do you like the most about the Thule Maple car seat?

I liked that it was very lightweight at 5.4kg. The pull-down sunscreen is also a great addition – it's nice and dark and feels really durable. Another big plus is that the Maple also works on my existing stroller adapters, meaning I could use this seat with my Joolz Aer buggy.

How comfortable did your baby find the Thule Maple car seat?

My baby is 65cm so I took the newborn insert lining out – very easy to do – to make them more comfortable. The car seat straps were a lot softer than the Pebble and curved around his body much better, so he was secure without being squashed. I found the straps easy to tighten and adjust with a clearly labelled button on the front of the seat. However, overall I think the Pebble is a lot more padded than the Thule and has more of a comfy feel.

How robust does the car seat feel?

The padding and materials don’t seem as high quality as what I've seen before –  you can feel the hard frame underneath more easily.

Does the Thule Maple car seat recline?

Yes – and it's a feature I love. The recline is activated by a pull button on the front, which is really easily accessible.

How easy is the car seat to clean?

The Thule Maple car seat covers can be pulled off fairly easily and machine-washed at 30 degrees.

How do you find the Thule Maple car seat to carry around?

I love that it's so lightweight at 5.4kg – just a little heavier than the Ickle Bubba Stratus i-Size at 4.7kg. Paired with the handle, it's very easy to lift out of the car and carry around.

Is the Thule Maple car seat big enough for a growing child?

I'm not sure. The maximum user height for the Thule is 75cm, and it's recommended for babies up to 15 months. However, my 2-month-old is already 65cm, so it may not be as long-lasting as you'd hope for the price

What’s in the box?

The base and seat come in separate boxes, and in each box is the product and paper manuals. I prefer this to the QR codes used by some products nowadays.

What are the additional accessories that you can buy?

• Headrest mirror, £24.99
• Seat protector, £44.99
• Boot cover, £44.99
• Car seat raincover, £29.99

How sustainable is the Thule Maple car seat?

The cardboard boxes the car seat came in are recyclable, although the plastic bags were not. There was no obvious or clearly labelled information about the use of sustainable materials or recyclability of the seat and base; I looked online and there is some information about sustainability goals and using solar power at their offices

What would you have wanted to know before purchasing the Thule Maple car seat?

I would want to be aware of its rotation limitations and how it doesn’t feel as padded as some other car seats on the market.

Is the Thule Maple car seat worth the money?

At £249 for the seat alone, it seems to be in line with market rates for this kind of product. For ease of use and safety features it’s great, however, it would be nice to have it a bit more padding on the sides, though my child did seem comfortable as the padding around the head and straps was adequate.

If you want to access all the easy installation and extra safety features of the EasyDock technology, you will need to buy the Alfi base separately, costing another £249.

Where can I buy the Thule Maple infant car seat?

It is available from Natural Baby Shower, Thule and Pramworld.

MadeForMums verdict

The Thule Maple (alongside the Alfi ISOFIX base) offers a low-stress experience for installation and use, however, it's not the most cushioned of car seats. I would recommend this seat if you want to know that you have installed your car seat securely – the electric light system is very effective and reassuring – but keep in mind there’s no option to use this as a forward-facing seat if that is important to you.