MadeForMums

Best toddler car seat for extended rear-facing

Pros:

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

Cons:

Some features can be fiddly
Very expensive

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

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

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

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

Read our full MadeForMums Axkid One 2 car seat review

Available from: Kiddies Kingdom

2. Joie i-spin 360, £200

Best car seat for 360 spin

Pros:

360° swivel
Good headrest
Padding

Cons:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Available from: John Lewis, Boots, Kiddies Kingdom

3. Cybex Pallas S-Fix, £234.95

Best car seat for an impact shield

Pros:

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

Cons:

Forward-facing only
Not all children like an impact shield

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

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

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

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

Available from: Amazon

4. Silver Cross Motion All Size 360, £325

Best car seat for longevity

Pros:

Very long lifespan
Well-padded and comfy
360° spin

Cons:

Very heavy
Bulky and narrow for older kids
Expensive

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

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

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

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

Available from: Samuel Johnston

5. Maxi-Cosi Pearl Smart i-Size, £199

Best car seat for easy fitting

Pros:

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

Cons:

Base has to be purchased separately
No insert for babies

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

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

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

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

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

Available from: Amazon

6. Joie Fortifi R129, £150

Best budget car seat

Pros:

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

Cons:

Forward-facing only

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

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

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

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

Available from: Halfords

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

Best car seat for a secure harness

Pros:

Amazing harness safety feature
Modular design for easy fitting

Cons:

Expensive
Have to buy separate base
Heavy including the base

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

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

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

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

Available from: Natural Baby Shower

8. Graco Enhance, £130

Best car seat for seatbelt fitting

Pros:

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

Cons:

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

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

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

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

Read the full MadeForMums Graco Enhance car seat review

Available from: Amazon and Boots

9. Britax Advansafix IV R, £279

Best car seat for fitting options

Pros:

Can be fitted multiple ways
Roomy seat
Lasts until age 12

Cons:

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

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

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

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

Read the full MadeForMums Britax Advansafix IV R review

Available from: W. H. Watts Pram Centre

10. Cozy n Safe Excalibur, £119.99

Best car seat for comfort

Pros:

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

Cons:

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

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

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

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

Read our full MFM Cozy n Safe Excalibur car seat review

Available from: Amazon, Cozy n Safe and Halfords

What type of car seat does a toddler need?

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

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

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

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

What is i-Size and R129?

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

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

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

What is an ISOFIX car seat?

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

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

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

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

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

Backless Booster Seats

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

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

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

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

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

How do you fit a toddler car seat?

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

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

How much does a toddler car seat cost?

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

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

Other considerations when buying a toddler car seat

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

How we chose our best toddler car seats

Every car seat in our list has been rigorously tested by a parenting journalist. During testing we considered ease of use and fitting, comfort for child, lifespan, size and weight, age approriateness, extra features (for both convenience and safety) and whether it is worth the money. Our 10 of the Best lists rely on a number of sources, including our independent reviews, testing undertaken during the MadeForMums Awards, and feedback from our home testing panel and Top Testers Club. Each year thousands of products are put through their paces by hundreds of parents across the country on behalf of MadeForMums, to ensure we’re bringing you honest and true reviews and recommendations. Our list is not an ordered ranking from 1-10, instead it is a carefully selected group of tried-and-tested products, each of which we believe is best for a different situation or requirement. We don’t just tell you what is best, we help you discover what is best for your family.

BeSafe Stretch car seat review

Jenny Clover — Wed, 21 May 2025 11:30:31 GMT

Famous for its focus on rear-facing safety, Norwegian family-owned company BeSafe have launched their BeSafe Stretch car seat, which allows children to stay rear-facing from 6-months-old until the age of 7 (36kg). Marketed as the brand’s safest rear-facing seat and with a focus on safety and comfort, this is a very impressive, sturdy chair, but it comes with a hefty RRP of £479.

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

About our parent tester

Mum-of-2 Jenny Clover tested the BeSafe Stretch car seat with her 8-month old son and nearly 4-year-old preschooler, in the family’s medium sized hatchback, a Hyundai i30. The car seat was installed on the backseat, behind the passenger seat and she took each child out on short and medium length journeys.

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

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

Does the BeSafe Stretch car seat use ISOFIX?

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

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

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

How easy is the BeSafe Stretch car seat to install?

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

How do you install the BeSafe Stretch car seat?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Any unique features of the BeSafe Stretch car seat?

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

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

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

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

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

How do you rate the BeSafe Stretch car seat straps?

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

How robust does the BeSafe Stretch car seat feel?

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

Does the BeSafe Stretch car seat recline?

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

How good is the headrest?

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

How easy is the BeSafe Stretch car seat to clean?

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

Was the BeSafe Stretch car seat heavy to carry around?

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

What’s in the box?

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

Are there any additional accessories you can buy?

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

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

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

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

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

Is the BeSafe Stretch car seat worth the money?

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

Where can I buy the BeSafe Stretch car seat?

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

MadeForMums verdict

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

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

Axkid Minikid 4 car seat review

Laura Atkinson — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:13:41 GMT

Axkid is a Swedish company renowned for its dedication to safety standards and for promoting extended rear-facing travel for children through its innovative range of car seats. The Axkid Mini 4 is the newest edition to their extended rear-facing car seat family.

This is an incredibly versatile, and adaptable car seat that doesn’t rely on ISOFIX for installation. Designed in Sweden and approved according to the newest R129 regulation, the Axkid Mini 4 allows rear-facing up to 7 years of age (125cm and 36kg).

With its automatic adjusting headrest and longer back length, this car seat is going to quickly become a favourite amongst Extended Rear Facing (ERF) fans. With an RRP of £480, it sits at the premium end of the car seat market.

About our parent tester

Laura lives in Cardiff and is a mum of 2 girls, Gwen, 5 years, and Ellie, 7 months. She tested the car seat with Gwen and Ellie, mostly on the school run but on some longer journeys and days out too, in her 13-year-old Citroen C3 Picasso.

What were your first impressions?

The Axkid Minikid 4 car seat was well packaged when it arrived, protected in a sturdy box and packaging and in great condition.

Having never used a rear-facing car seat for older children, I did feel quite overwhelmed as I unboxed the car seat, but this was quickly calmed by the supporting information and instructions provided by Axkid.

I didn’t know much about Axkid prior to receiving this car seat, other than feeling that they are a market leader in rear-facing car seats. But I was also aware that they are on the more expensive side of car seats (with good reason) so I had high expectations for the quality of this product, and it did not disappoint.

How easy is it to install the Axkid Minikid 4 car seat?

Axkid provides incredible supporting information when it comes to installing the car seat. This includes a vehicle list highlighting which seats you can safely install the seat on, and a QR code to an app called Bilt, which provides step-by-step, 360°-view instructions on installing the car seat. This was pivotal when we installed the car seat (I say we as I had to ask hubby for backup).

Now, there aren’t many things I don’t like about this car seat, and I am fully converted to ERF, however, the Axkid Minikid 4 claims to have a 60-second installation and this wasn't the case for me. When I used the Bilt App to follow the installation process, the suggested installation time was 5 minutes, not 60 seconds.

I would say on the first installation it took me around 10 minutes as I meticulously followed the step-by-step app. This will be quicker on future installations now I understand the process.

I grilled the Axkid Representative on the 60-second installation process, and he did agree that while it didn’t take 60 seconds to thread the tethers under the rails, now they were in place, future installations would be 60 seconds.

How do you install the Axkid Minikid 4 car seat?

All car seats I have used for my 5-year-old in the past have been fitted with ISOFIX, which takes 60 seconds or less. This particular seat is installed using the rear seatbelt, and 2 tethers which are anchored to the front seat.

I was lucky enough to be visited by an Axkid Representative who came to walk me through the installation process and features of the seat. He said I had done a great job installing the seat. This was reassuring that if you follow the steps in the app, you will be able to safely install the car seat. He did, however, use a small piece of wire to thread the front seat tethers under the rails of the seat (which allowed it to move back and forth).

While this was much better than what I had done as it meant I now had the freedom to move the seat back and forth, this was more of an Axkid 'hack' and definitely not mentioned in the installation process. The tethers detach from the seat at the back of the car seat so you could even purchase a second set of tethers from Axkid and move the seat between cars with ease.

Can you install the seat using ISOFIX?

No, the Axkid Minikid 4 car seat can only be installed using your seatbelt – something some parents might prefer. I’m not sure I have been fully converted from ISOFIX installation just yet, however once in installed correctly, the seat is secure and does not move or wobble, even with my 5-year-old daughter climbing into it.

How well does the Axkid Minikid 4 car seat fit in your car?

I can easily overlook the installation hiccup because this seat has been a game-changer for our family. My blended family consists of me, my husband, our 2 girls, and at the weekends his older son who is 12 (and as tall as me).

With our previous car seat set up, family trips out at the weekend had become almost impossible as there was no space between the infant carrier on an ISOFIX base, and the forward-facing Group 1/2/3 car seat my oldest daughter was in. The only way we could all just about fit in the car was to remove the ISOFIX base of the infant carrier and secure it with the seatbelt.

With the Axkid Minikid 4, due to the bulk of the seat being behind the front seat, we all now fit in the car with ease as there is so much more space in the middle seat. We can even leave the ISOFIX base in for the infant carrier. If you’re in a similar situation where you need an adult or older sibling in the middle in the rear seats, I would highly recommend this seat to free up some space.

How does the Axkid Minikid 4 compare to similar car seats for this age range?

Prior to receiving this seat, switching to extended rear-facing was not on my radar., but if you had asked me about rear-facing car seats, Axkid is the brand that would have come to mind based on what I’ve seen online. While many of the rear-facing car seats currently on the market are not tested to R129 approval and only support children up to the age of 4, there are some which offer extended rear-facing and are R129 approved. The BeSafe Stretch offers rear-facing from 6 months to around 7 years and has an RRP of £499, similar to the Axkid Minikid 4.

How does the Axkid Minikid 4 compare to the previous models Minikid 2 and Minikid 3?

According to Axkid, there have been several improvements made since the Axkid Mini 2 and Axkid Mini 3. These include:

Improved headrest geometry, with improvements to the position to better support your child’s head.
A new comfort back pad which is easier to remove and clean.
The design of the toddler insert has been updated, now made of comfortable memory foam, and a mesh panel for better airflow.
New, softer textile.
Improved finish, sleeker design and new colours.

What are the key safety features of the Axkid Minikid 4 car seat?

According to Which?: “In a front-on collision, extended rear-facing car seats offer a higher level of protection to a child's delicate head, neck and spine, compared to a forward-facing toddler seat." For this reason, it's recommended to opt for an extended rear-facing car seat for as long as you possibly can. This makes the ERF aspect of the Axkid Minikid 4 one of the most desirable safety features, as well as being from a trusted brand. This car seat has been tested against the world’s toughest crash test, The Swedish Plus Test, which gives parents and carers peace of mind and reassurance if the worst should happen.

The seat also comes with the ASIP attachment, for side impact protection. This device, in the event of a side impact, stops the seat from crashing back into the door or window. It easily slots on to either side of the car seat (depending on which side of the car you have installed the seat) and always goes on the door side. You can also buy replacements from the Axkid website in case you lose it.

Is the headrest on the Axkid Minikid 4 adjustable?

Yes, in fact, it's self-adjusting. I found this to be a great feature as I often find it tricky to judge if the headrest is in the safest, and most appropriate position for my child. What I like even more, is that if you don’t like this feature, and would rather you keep the headrest in place once you’ve established the perfect position, there is a simple switch at the top of the car seat to easily lock the headrest in place.

How long is the Axkid Minikid 4 car seat rear-facing for?

The Axkid Minikid 4 promotes ERF and allows rear-facing up to 7 years of age (or 125cm or 36kg). This is much longer than most rear-facing car seats currently on the market. The Axkid Minikid 4 boasts up to 30cm of leg room and is a much more compact design than some of the other ERF seats, including others from Axkid, which frees up more space.

One of my main hesitations with ERF was leg room, and whether my daughter would comfortably be able to travel like that. She was very excited to try out this seat and frequently tells me how comfortable it is. She has not once complained about lack of legroom.

How well does the Axkid Minikid 4 car seat work with different-aged children?

The car seat age range is advertised as 0 to 7 years. However, the minimum height is 61cm, which rules out most newborns. This makes the car seat more suitable for babies from 6 months onwards, and there's a removable insert provided for children between 61-105cm.

When I was visited by the Axkid Representative, I asked if we could also try it out with my 7-month-old who was 67cm. He advised that as she wasn’t yet sitting up unaided, he would not yet feel comfortable with her using the seat.

If I had bought this seat online with no additional information, I would have been disappointed to discover it was not suitable for my baby. Realistically this seat, even with the insert, is not going to be appropriate for babies under 6 months, and even then, it would depend on the size of the baby, and whether they were able to sit unaided.

Around a month after our visit from the Axkid representative, Ellie was sitting well, unaided, and so we decided to give the seat a go with her as well. I made some adjustments to the seat (adding the insert, changing the recline, and lowering the headrest) to accommodate Ellie. She travelled very happily in the Minikid 4, looked comfortable, and secure, and seemed to really enjoy being able to look out of the window, without the usual hooded infant carrier. I didn’t feel however, that the seat was reclined quite enough for her, but it was reclined as far as my car would allow.

Does the Axkid Minikid 4 car seat have any unique features?

The Axkid Minikid 4 doesn’t have any gimmicky features. Everything is carefully thought out, sleek, well designed, and there for a reason. There are no drink holders, no rotation, and no frills. Just quality and safety. It still has great comfort features such as being able to recline the seat by changing the length of the tethers, supporting leg and position on the seat. The Sleep Well System offers multiple reclining positions for your child, depending on their age, length, and backseat angle.

One thing I love about Axkid is how they understand that parents like me will almost certainly lose things in the chaos of family life, including car seat safety instructions. For that reason, there are instructions on the seat under the seatbelt compartment where you can access all the information you need and a QR code for further information and guidance. There is even a permanent tag on the toddler insert with the height restrictions (61cm to 105cm) so you know when to remove it, no more scrambling around searching for manuals.

How comfortable did your child find the Axkid Minikid 4 car seat?

The car seat fits my 5-year-old like a glove, especially thanks to the adjustable headrest; she always looks safe and snug. She’s also got space to grow and I feel confident that this seat will stand the test of time and see her right through to the height and weight limit. The car seat is beautifully padded and comfortable while allowing airflow so she doesn’t get too warm.

There’s no one more honest than a 5-year-old child and she raves about the comfort of this seat. She has been forward-facing since around 18 months, first in a rotating 0+1 car seat, then into a forward-facing Group 1/2/3 seat, so I was apprehensive, expecting her to complain about lack of leg space or discomfort, or even motion sickness, but she has loved the change to the seat. She’s not once asked to return to forward facing, and definitely does not want her little sister to try it out!

How do you rate the straps?

The straps on the Axkid Minikid 4 car seat are lightweight and do seem at odds with the quite robust car seat, but they are strong and secure. My favourite thing about them is how easy they are to adjust; both tighten and loosen.

My biggest frustration with car seats is harnesses that are difficult to loosen and tighten, or even worse get jammed while doing so. These straps glide like a dream. The headrest also moves freely as the straps are tightened (if you have this setting on) although occasionally needs a little encouragement on its way back up.

For me, the crotch pad is too flimsy. While it is secured to the car seat so can’t get lost as you get your child in and out, the buckle does frequently come out of the crotch pad and on most journeys I have to put it back in before buckling her up.

I do like that Axkid has had the sense to secure it to the seat, but I feel if the crotch pad was more sturdy, robust, or secured more tightly around the buckle, it would be a big help. While this isn’t a deal breaker for me, it does cause some frustration while rushing around on the school run drop-off.

How robust does the Axkid Minikid 4 car seat feel?

The quality of the car seat feels amazing. It has a soft finish, plenty of padding, and generally just a very high-end feel to it. If you poke and prod and pinch too closely, it is apparent that some parts are polystyrene, including the toddler insert, but this is generally the same for all car seats.

Axkid has recently changed the design of the toddler insert as they found that the polystyrene was breaking, so the insert has now been split into sections to avoid these breakages. Either way, being made of polystyrene is not unique to this car seat, and is definitely less obvious in the Minikid 4 than in other brands on the market.

Does the car seat recline?

Yes, the Axkid Minikid 4 can be reclined. However, reclining the ERF seat is fiddlier than most traditional car seats where you would use a lever or button and choose a level of recline. Here you need to change the angle of the supporting leg, and the length of the tethers to change the recline. Not something that can really be done while sitting next to the child.

If you were going on a longer journey, I would recommend that you choose your level of recline before travelling and make sure your child is happy and comfortable if they were to nod off. I would say this is less of an issue for older children, so for my daughter, we’ve installed the seat with a slight recline, so that if she fell asleep, she would still be comfortable, but is also upright enough to enjoy the journey.

Personally, I feel that the reclining options on this car seat are better than with the traditional lever recline, as with those styles of car seats you may only get 3 or 5 levels of recline. With the Axkid Mini 4, as long as the seat is still within its safety limitations (such as the angle of the supporting leg, and overhang line) it offers much more bespoke recline angles.

How good is the headrest on the Axkid Minikid 4 car seat?

If I haven’t already raved about this enough, the automatically adjusting headrest is one of my favourite features of this seat because it saves so much worry, and adds to the comfort level of my daughter. I know she’s safely fitted in the seat at all times, without any guesswork or checking manuals. The headrest glides freely up and down so you can choose a completely bespoke and safe height for your child.

How easy is the car seat to clean?

My daughter seems to find mud wherever she goes and spreads it around the car. So far, I’ve been able to brush the dry mud off the Axkid Minikid 4 car seat with my hand or a wet wipe (show me a mum who doesn’t clean everything with a wet wipe). Axkid recommends that the covers are removed and washed in the machine at 30°. I’ve not attempted this yet but based on the material I feel confident that it will wash well. The cover on the toddler insert is also removable.

Is the Axkid Minikid 4 car seat easy to carry around?

The car seat is not too heavy, weighing in at 11kg. It is a bit awkward to carry as the exterior is smooth, soft textile and there’s not really anything to hold on to. That said, it is designed to stay in the car not to carry and infant and so I wouldn’t say this is a huge issue.

Is the Axkid Minikid 4 car seat big enough for a growing child?

In my opinion, the car seat is big enough for a growing child, and my daughter will be comfortable in it until she exceeds the weight and height limit. In a bigger car she would have even more space so I really think parents should feel confident buying this product knowing that it will last as long as Axkid suggests.

My issue is with the younger end of the scale and I would not recommend this seat for a baby. Personally, I’d be looking at moving my youngest daughter into this seat once she outgrows her infant carrier. Put it this way, I will almost certainly be buying one of these for her when she does.

What’s in the box?

Axkid Minikid 4 car seat
Toddler insert
ASIP attachment
Vehicle list and installation guidance
Tethers

Are there any additional accessories that you can buy?

The Axkid Minikid 4 car seat comes with everything you need for installation, but you can also buy additional tethers and replacement ASIP attachments if needed.

What did you think of the packaging?

The majority of the packaging was cardboard which was easy to get rid of with our kerbside recycling, so that was a massive plus! Very little plastic packaging which I also love as this is becoming increasingly hard to recycle and dispose of.

How does the Axkid Minikid 4 car seat rate for sustainability?

Axkid recommends that their car seats be disposed of at your local recycling and waste centre. The guidance from Axkid regarding recycling and disposal is: “Axkid strongly recommends recycling of old car seats. Before leaving the seat at your local recycling station cut off the harness straps from the seat, remove the textile cover, remove as many Styrofoam parts as possible, separate metal and plastic parts if possible. The main part of the seat should be marked unsafe or expired (use a marker) to deter anyone from using it again.”

What are the repair options for the Axkid Minikid 4 car seat?

All Axkid products purchased directly from Axkid have a 2-year warranty. If your product is damaged or faulty you can contact Axkid via email or Facebook. The product warranty covers: “Manufacturing defects that existed when you received the product. Original faults must be present and confirmed by Axkid.com. We reserve the right to offer a warranty repair, replacement, or refund (full or partial depending on circumstance). The product warranty will not apply if upon inspection, no fault is identified or if the damage has been caused by misuse.” Axkid also offers “right of withdrawal for 14 days from the day you receive your product and open purchase for 365 days.” To arrange a return, you can complete a form on the Axkid website.

Now you’ve tested it, what would you have wanted to know before purchasing the Axkid Minikid 4 car seat?

Starting with the positives, before purchasing this car seat, I would have liked to know how happy, safe and comfortable my daughter would be in it. I was reluctant to switch to rear-facing despite knowing how much safer it is as I was worried how she would find it after forward-facing for such a long time. I would advise anyone who is considering ERF to just go for it because your kids will definitely surprise you.

On the less positive side, I would like to know that it’s not really suitable for small babies, and I think there needs to be a bit more guidance on this from Axkid. For example, in terms of height, I would have put my youngest daughter in this seat, as she exceeds the minimum height limit. However, the Axkid Representative said that he would like her to be more robust, and sit up unaided before using this car seat. There’s obviously no information around this other than the minimum height being 61cm, so had I not spoken to him I would have tried her in this seat.

Who would the Axkid Minikid 4 car seat be most useful for?

Everyone as it caters for so many different needs! Are you looking for one of the safest car seats on the market? Tick! Are you looking for more space in your car? Tick! Are you looking for a sleek, high-quality car seat? Tick! Don’t have Isofix points in your car? Tick!

I would also say that this is a great car seat if you have family, such as grandparents, doing your childcare for you, as it’s totally foolproof once installed. Car seats have changed so much since our parents were parents and I think some of them can honestly be a bit baffling! This would be a fantastic option to install in Grandma and Grampa’s car so they can just buckle up and go, and you have peace of mind knowing your children are travelling safely, and comfortably.

Is the Axkid Minikid 4 car seat worth the money?

Axkid are definitely at the top end in terms of budget for car seats. Prior to testing this seat, I probably would have thought at £480, it would be too much of a gamble in case my daughter was unhappy with it. Having used it now for well over a month, I can safely say I will be investing in a second one when the time comes to move my youngest daughter into a bigger car seat.

Where can I buy the Axkid Minikid 4 car seat?

Available from Axkid, John Lewis and Natural Baby Shower.

MadeForMums verdict

The Axkid Minikid 4 car seat has been an absolute game-changer for me in many ways and I am definitely an ERF convert. I wouldn’t hesitate to spend the money on another one of these seats, from a safety, quality, and comfort point of view. It is so tempting to get drawn in by character designs, cup holders and gimmicky features, but you cannot put a price on car seat safety so this seat is well worth every penny. I would happily overlook the few niggles I have had around the installation and the minimum height as I think the pros of this seat far outweigh the cons.

BeSafe iZi Turn E-M i-Size car seat review

Lotte Brouwer — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 14:12:46 GMT

BeSafe is a family-owned Norwegian company renowned for producing car seats with impeccable safety credentials. The BeSafe iZi Turn E-M i-Size car seat is an all-singing, all-dancing car seat for ages 6 months to 4 years. It prides itself on being “the world’s first fully integrated digital safety system”. How? An electronic feedback device tells you when the seat is installed properly, it has a level to indicate whether it’s straight, and once installed it will notify you if you child unbuckles themselves. It can even be synced to an app. Coming in at £429, it's premium in price as well as design, costing almost double the price of the Cosy N Safe Morgan i-Size 360 Rotation car seat, at £229.

Tested by

Lotte Brouwer, mum of 2 boys, aged 10 months and 3 years. She used the car seat for her youngest on several long journeys as well as regular short journeys – her eldest also had a go a few times.

What were your first impressions?

It’s huge! The BeSafe iZi Turn E-M i-Size is much larger than any car seats we’ve had in the past. The seat and Isofix were connected, so it was just one big product inside the box. The seat feels super sturdy and comfy, it has a premium look and feel to it, and is padded to the max – plus it looks hi-tech with sensors, a level to show whether it’s tilted or straight, lights and indicators. Even the straps are next level, as they have built-in magnets which help to ‘click’ them out of the way and stop the seat from looking messy. Once it was all locked in place it was by far the most rigid and safe-feeling seat we have come across. It truly feels like the Ferrari of car seats.

How easy is the BeSafe iZi Turn E-M i-size car seat to install?

Very. The BeSafe iZi Turn E-M looked a bit intimidating due to its weight, size, and indicators, but we’ve never come across a car seat that’s easier to install. The instructions were straight-forward.

How do you install the BeSafe iZi Turn E-M i-size car seat?

The car seat is attached to an Isofix so it only works in relatively modern cars (no rusty old bangers) as it can’t be used with a seatbelt. My mum has a very old car that can’t fit an Isofix and so she wasn’t able to use it in her car.

We have a modern car (Volvo XC90) so it can easily fit an Isofix. The seat and Isofix come as one unit and it’s just a case of slotting it into the car. We found the indicators on the car seat helpful too, as there are confirmation lights telling you when things are in the right place. It took less than 5 minutes and I would feel confident doing it without help.

How does this car seat compare to previous models?

BeSafe has produced other car seats, including a seat for newborns (0-6 months) and a booster seat for older children, as well as the BeSafe iZi Modular AX1 i-Size car seat, which is suitable for use from 6 months to 4 years, like the Turn E-M car seat. However, the BeSafe iZi Turn E-M i-Size car seat can rotate 360 degrees so the seat can be forward or rear-facing, and the rotation makes it easier to strap the child in. It also have an alarm to notify you if your child has unbuckled the seatbelt. It’s essentially the all-singing, all-dancing option.

What are the key safety features of the BeSafe iZi Turn E-M i-Size car seat?

It has audible and visual warnings to let you know if it is installed correctly. As well as a spirit level to ensure it is at the optimum angle regardless of what car it’s in. The car seat will also start beeping when the safety straps have been released – so, if your toddler is fiddling in the back seat, and manages to unbuckle themselves, you’ll know about it straight away.

While the digital aspect is great in terms of safety features, the built-in Bluetooth to mobile app feels a bit of a novelty and not really necessary. We downloaded the app but haven’t had any value from it.

Other safety features at the BeSafe iZi Turn E-M i-Size car seat include the built-in side impact protection (SIP) in the seat shell.

How long is the BeSafe iZi Turn E-M i-Size car seat rear-facing for?

BeSafe is very pro extended rear-facing for safety reasons. This car seat is designed for children to travel rear-facing until approx. 4 years old. However, I would say it would be comfortable until around the age of 2. My 3-year-old gets frustrated by the lack of leg room when he’s rear-facing and much prefers forward-facing where he can stretch his legs out and see forwards.

Does the BeSafe iZi Turn E-M i-Size car seat rotate?

Yes. It rotates 360 degrees seamlessly – it feels like it floats. This makes it super easy to strap your child in or take them out as you can rotate the seat to face you, which is particularly useful for transferring sleeping babies or toddlers. It makes it so much easier to place them into the chair without having to lean all the way into the car.

The rotating mechanism also makes it possible to lean back from the driver’s seat and strap them back in if they’ve managed to unbuckle themselves, and then rotate them back into the rear-facing position.

What are the unique features of the BeSafe iZi Turn E-M i-Size car seat?

The car seat has a lot of unique features. For example, the confirmation lights that tell you when things are in the right place, and the fact that the seat will start beeping when the safety straps have been released so you’ll know immediately if your child manages to unbuckle themselves.

The straps and belt have magnets built-in, which make it easy for them to be folded out of the way when placing your child into the seat. It rotates 360 degrees effortlessly, making it easier to strap your child in and out, and making it possible to transfer sleeping children without clumsily leaning into the car.

And above all, the BeSafe iZi Turn E-M i-Size car seat feels very padded and cosy, and super safe because of how big and sturdy it is, as well as the built-in side impact protection (SIP) in the seat shell. The added padding for little ones is great and can be removed as they grow.

Lastly, the seat is a bit raised, so it’s not resting directly onto the car seats which means it doesn’t mark or dent the leather.

How comfortable was the BeSafe iZi Turn E-M i-Size car seat for your child?

The seat is super padded, especially with the insert for babies, and even the shoulder straps look wide and snug. The padding is supposedly breathable to avoid sweaty backs, but we found that our baby still got a sweaty neck and head.

How well does the BeSafe iZi Turn E-M i-Size car seat work for different aged children?

The seat was perfect for our baby (aged 10 months), especially with the extra padded insert. It was still snug and comfortable for our 3 year old as it was a doddle to extend the headrest and remove the padded insert to make room for him.

How easy are the straps on the BeSafe iZi Turn E-M i-Size car seat to use?

The straps are magnetic which not only makes them easy to fasten but also holds them out of the way when placing the child into the seat. The straps are wide and padded, the buckle is easy and doesn't require too much force, and there’s a nice rubber lining under the shoulder straps to stop them from slipping off the child’s shoulders. They are also well-padded so don’t rub around his neck.

How robust does the car seat feel?

The BeSafe iZi Turn E-M i-Size car seat is huge, very padded, and modern, and it feels and looks premium. In other words, it feels extremely safe and robust, and gives a lot of confidence and a sense of safety and security.

Does the BeSafe iZi Turn E-M i-Size car seat recline?

Yes – 4 different positions. It is easy to recline, and once you get used to how to do it, you can do it one-handed.

What’s the headrest like on theBeSafe iZi Turn E-M i-Size car seat?

The headrest feels very padded. My son’s head goes deep into it and is nestled on both sides with wings. The headrest is extendable and has 10 positions, allowing the seat to grow with your child.

Is the BeSafe iZi Turn E-M i-Size car seat easy to clean?

It’s not the easiest to clean. While the insert can be removed and the seat can be easily wiped down, there are gaps for example where the seat rotates where debris could collect. That’s by no means a deal-breaker, but be aware of it in case your child is sick in the car.

Is the BeSafe iZi Turn E-M i-Size car seat easy to carry around?

The car seat is bulky and heavy and is far too clunky to carry around with a child in it. It feels like it’s intended for the toddler age bracket, and once installed should probably just stay put in the car.

Does it have a sun hood?

The BeSafe iZi Turn E-M i-Size car seat doesn’t have much of a sun hood. It has a winged headrest which creates a sliver of shade, but it’s minimal.

Is the BeSafe iZi Turn E-M i-Size car seat big enough for a growing child?

The seat is built for children aged 6 months right up to approximately 4 years, and with the removable insert, rotating seat so it can be rear or forwards facing and extendable headrest, it really is built to last.

What’s in the box?

• The car seat and Isofix unit
• Padded insert for babies.

Are there additional accessories you can buy for the BeSafe iZi Turn E-M i-Size car seat?

You can also buy a seat cover and a car seat protector.

Now you’ve tested it, what would you have wanted to know before purchasing the BeSafe iZi Turn E-M i-Size car seat?

I think it’s worth noting that the seat is attached to an Isofix and therefore can’t be used in older cars.

Who would the BeSafe iZi Turn E-M i-Size car seat be best for?

I would say this seat is perfect for bigger babies to toddlers. It’s been perfect for our 10 month old, and we will be using it in the coming years.

Is the BeSafe iZi Turn E-M i-Size car seat worth the money?

In short, yes. Car seats aren’t cheap, so you may as well spend a little bit extra and get one that lasts the whole 4 years.

How does the BeSafe iZi Turn E-M i-Size compare to other similar car seats?

Where can I buy the BeSafe iZi Turn E-M i-Size car seat?

Available from Baby Birds, Baby Planet and Little Peas.

MadeForMums verdict:

The BeSafe iZi Turn E-M i-Size car seat is the most advanced car seat we’ve seen in terms of safety features. The safety tests done by this company are above and beyond, and you can’t put a price on your child’s safety. It can rotate 360 degrees, is super padded and cosy, and it’s built to last a child from 6 months to 4 years. Car seats aren’t cheap, so you may as well spend a little bit extra and get a car seat you won’t need to replace.

Axkid One 2 car seat review

Victoria Leggett

Axkid is a Swedish company that prides itself on its high safety standards and focuses on rearfacing travel for as long as possible, putting its seats through the Swedish Plus safety test which uses higher speed crashes and shorter stopping distances.

This update to the Axkid ONE promises all the safety features of the original extended-rear-facing seat with a long list of updates, with the aim of making it more comfortable for your child and feel more like a premium product to match its price tag.

The standard model, which will set you back around £625, is suitable for children from 61cm, while the ONE+ 2 includes an additional insert to make it suitable from birth – at a further cost of around £100.

The Axkid ONE 2 is currently the only i-Size, ISOFIX seat that allows a child to remain rear facing up to 23kg and 125cm – or around the age of seven.

Tested By

Victoria tested the Axkid ONE 2 with her 18-month-old son. It was used in the rear passenger seat of a Nissan Qashqai for short journeys around the city, as well as a 1 hour journey for a weekend away. The seat was also tested by several MadeForMums parent testers, with their children aged between 7 months and 5 years.

What were your first impressions of the Axkid ONE 2 car seat?

I admit I was a little sceptical about this product – a rear-facing car seat for up to 7-years-old? But I was certainly intrigued. Taking it out of the box it felt sturdy, with a strong, rigid frame, but surprisingly light (around 10kg) – especially compared to the 360-degree seat we were previously using.

From a design point-of-view, it fits safely in the functional category – prioritising its safety features over a slick appearance. It came as a single unit with just a side-impact protection pad to add on which made the prospect of installing it slightly less daunting.

How do you install the Axkid ONE 2 car seat in your car?

The Axkid ONE 2 is a single unit and can only be installed with ISOFIX connections. They slid in easily (once I’d manage to awkwardly manoeuvre them into place) and gave a reassuring click when secure. The support leg extends using a small grey button tucked away on the back of it. It moved smoothly and easily and there is the usual red/green indicator to let you know it has been set correctly.

It took up a lot of space – filling every millimetre with the front seat as far forward as it could go. When my niece (13) and nephew (10) rode alongside our child in the back, they found it a bit of a squeeze to get into the middle seat in a car that is usually pretty roomy.

How easy was the Axkid ONE 2 car seat to install?

It’s a big seat so it is pretty awkward to pick up and position in the car, but it was far lighter than I expected. I watched a helpful video on the Axkid website before attempting to fit the seat, which helped me to understand how the sizing adjustments worked to get it to the right setting for an 18-month-old.

Despite the manufacturers claiming it takes 30 seconds, we used the picture instructions to help fit the seat using our ISOFIX points, which took 15 minutes. There were also written instructions but we found the pictures far easier to follow.
However, because of the size of the seat, I found a lot of the mechanisms on the back of the chair a little fiddly to access. You often couldn’t get your head in to see them and it was too dark to make out any instructions. Once you know where they are, it’s easy to adjust just by feel, but it makes the first few attempts tricky.
Fellow parent tester Sarah used the seat with their 5 year old. Having fitted other types of extended rearfacing seats using a tether system, she was “pleasantly surprised” by how easy it was to install. “It took me no more than 5 minutes to fit the seat, and that was only because I triple checked everything was correct,” she says. “The instructions are clear, with pictures and written instructions but I found the video on the Axkid website very helpful as I could visually see the fitting process. The steps are clearly identified by yellow numbers on the seat.” Other testers say they found the instructions clear, but definitely appreciated watching the video for clarity.
Once in place, the seat is on the smallest setting (up to 6 months) and you have to adjust the recline and legroom to make it suitable for your child. Changing that was also a little fiddly, although the online video helped considerably. You need to adjust two points – a dial between the child’s legs for recline and another dial awkwardly tucked below the seat for legroom. However, fellow parent testers overall found the dial easy to use, although one adds: "This is very easy but not very quick, compared to other seat which you simply pull/slide into various positions".
At first it seemed like it wouldn’t fit in our car on the biggest setting (with the front seat as far forward as it could go) but after a little tweaking, we realised you needed to adjust both settings to the middle position, before adjusting each to the setting for an older child. If you try to move the legroom dial to its roomiest setting straight away, it won’t fit. It probably took us another 10 minutes to complete the process.

After it was fully installed, it felt really stable and safe. No rocking or movement and the bars on the sides gave it the feel of a safety frame in a racing car.

How does the Axkid ONE 2 compare to the previous version, the Axkid One?

Two years after the launch of the Axkid ONE, the Axkid ONE 2 claims to have more than 150 updates from individual screws through to the mechanisms you use every day - making it the Swedish company's safest car seat to date.

They’ve made the headrest adjustment easier – which now extends smoothly with just one button – and have improved the fit of the textile fabric, which aims to make it more comfortable, as well as how smoothly the harness runs. They’ve also added ventilation holes to the 0-3 years insert and have aimed to make it feel like a more premium product.

What are the key safety features of the Axkid One 2 car seat?

Axkid says this is the safest seat it has ever made. Like its other models, it’s tested to Swedish Plus standards – one of the most thorough forms of testing that uses higher speeds compared with i-Size testing, and shorter breaking distances, as well as using neck sensors.

The manufacturer says the super-padded headrest is specially designed to absorb the force from a crash before it reaches a child and there’s a side-impact protection pad that you attach to the side of the car seat that’s closest to the door

The science behind rear-facing is based on space travel technology. Tests show a crash in a rear-facing seat distributes the force across a larger proportion of the body, while a forward-facing seat puts most force on the neck in the event of a crash.

How long is the Axkid ONE 2 car seat rear-facing for?

The whole point of this seat is that it is rear-facing until 7-years-old (23kg / 125cm). That’s its unique selling point and Axkid are clearly very proud of that. Our 18-month-old had plenty of room and I can see how, with the slight adjustments (which move the seat more upright and back), there would be ample room for an older child too.

Whether it would be comfortable for a 7-year-old, I’m still not convinced, and I struggle to imagine an older child being willing to remain rear-facing for that long. However, this is something Axkid argues is based on a parent’s existing ideas of comfort rather than evidence that a child dislikes it, and to be fair we haven't tested this aspect ourselves.

Does the Axkid ONE 2 car seat rotate?

No, it doesn’t rotate - although that would be amazing! Our previous seat did and I do miss the feature which was much easier on my back. But the frame structure of the Axkid means it wouldn’t be possible and would probably compromise the safety of it. At the toddler stage, getting him into the seat without the option of rotating was sometimes a little tricky. While a newborn is easy to lift in sideways, and an older child could climb in themselves, wrestling an increasingly wilful 18-month-old was a challenge at times.

What would you say are the most unique features of this car seat?

The fact that the Axkid ONE 2 remains the only iSize, ISOFIX seat that allows a child to remain rear-facing up to 23kg and 125cm – or around the age of 7 - is definitely its most unique feature. It’s a pretty compelling one since this car seat is all centred on creating a seat that is as safe as possible for your baby/child.

How comfortable did your child find the Axkid ONE 2 car seat?

He seemed pretty happy and comfortable in this car seat, as it feels well padded and the memory-foam head-rest in particular looks far more comfortable than others on the market. It fit snugly around his head, which got a bit sweaty on hot days, but meant his head was well supported and didn’t loll from side-to-side.

However, I was concerned that in the toddler recline and legroom positions, when my son fell asleep his head often dropped forwards. Although it is possible to put the seat in a more reclined position, this means reducing the legroom too and that was noticeably less comfortable for my little boy. The seat appears more upright than his old one and it may just take a little getting used to.

When taking him out of the seat, both my husband and I found the solid frame of the brace bar often got in the way and we caught his leg several times. He was obviously a little annoyed when that happened although it never caused him any lasting discomfort.

Overall, our parent testers were impressed with how comfortable the seat seems to be for their children, who were aged between 7 months and 5 years.

How do you rate the harness on the Axkid ONE 2 car seat?

As the seat is designed for children up to 7 years old, the 5-point harness extends far more than our previous car seat, which makes it much easier to get your child in and out. I found you had to pull pretty hard to get them tight enough, with customer reviews on Axkid agreeing that the straps are difficult to tighten. It took a few goes to be able to find the button that loosened the straps as it’s tucked below the seat directly under the excess strap, which sometimes got in the way.

Kimren tested with their 10 month old, and says: “It was confusing at first to understand how to adjust the straps, you press a button (which is placed very awkwardly) and you have to use quite a bit of force to pull the seatbelt. This isn’t ideal to do when your child is in the seat as you have to lean over (bearing in mind I am pregnant at the moment) and tug on the seatbelt. I have to remember to pull the seatbelt out before I sit him in it.”

The catch to undo the buckle was also a little fiddly and I didn’t find it got any easier. On the plus-side, I can’t imagine my 18-month-old son figuring it out for himself for a very long time. The shoulder pads are fixed so you don’t have to worry about whether you’ve positioned them properly and once secured, it feels high quality.

How robust does the Axkid ONE 2 car seat feel?

The thing that impressed me most with this seat was just how solid and sturdy it felt. Everything is chunky, the frame is metal and even the casing felt more robust than others I’ve looked at. For a seat to last from newborn to age 7, it would have to be pretty hard-wearing and early impressions suggested it would be capable of lasting the distance.

Does the Axkid ONE 2 car seat recline?

The seat has three recline options – although for newborns the instructions say it should be kept in the most reclined position (42 degrees) for safety and, for the oldest children (3+), it should remain in the most upright setting. Once children are past the napping stage, I don’t see this being an issue. For toddlers, it is possible for the seat to be set at any of the recline positions and at any of the legroom options.

In the toddler position, my son’s head tended to roll forward when he slept so we were keen to recline the seat further but we found it wasn’t possible to use the most laid back setting without making the legroom uncomfortably tight for our little boy.

The mechanism for increasing or decreasing the recline for the different age settings involves turning a grey dial between the child’s legs. I found it a little stiff to get moving at first, but it was pretty easy after the first go. It also means the movement between stages is smooth and can be done while a baby/child is sleeping without causing too much disturbance.

How do you rate the headrest on the Axkid ONE 2?

The memory-foam headrest looks very comfortable and the fact that it sits fairly snugly around my son’s head gave the impression it would be well protected. The manufacturer says the design of the headrest, as well as the choice of material, is especially designed to absorb the force of a crash.

If you need to raise the headrest for your child as they get older, it is operated by a one-button sliding lever on the back, which had a pleasingly smooth movement and was easy to adjust with one hand (once you’d got used to where it was). It has 12 settings and a simple eye-level indicator which makes it easy to work out if you’ve got it in the right place.

Sarah says their 5 year old found the headrest “quite snug”, adding “it can cause his ear to fold over which he does not like. He has to flatten his ears down once his harness is done up, but if he moves about a lot they get squashed.” Other parent testers were fans, however, with one saying they're "really impressed" with the protection it offers and another calling it "super supportive and comfortable".

How easy is the Axkid ONE 2 car seat to clean?

The textile seat cover, insert covers and headrest cover can all be washed at 30 degrees in a washing machine on a gentle cycle and the plastic / metal parts can be wiped down. Getting the covers off the main seat takes a bit of work but the inserts for smaller children come off thanks to a simple zip.

How easy do you find the car seat to carry around?

The manufacturers claim that the Axkid ONE 2 car seat weighs less than 10kg, boasting that it’s 30% lighter than other seats and it certainly felt pretty light. However, because of the length of it – and the need to give a child up to the age of 7 enough leg room – it is awkward to carry when installing. Thankfully, once it’s in, it can potentially stay there for several years.

Does the Axkid One 2 car seat have a sun hood?

No, it does not come with a sun shade but one can be purchased separately if you feel your child needs that added protection on sunnier days.

Would you say the car seat is big enough for a growing child?

There is clearly plenty of growing room in the Axkid ONE 2 with the additional legroom settings and the ability to raise the headrest considerably further. Seeing as it is meant to accommodate a child rear-facing until the age of 7, there is definitely a lot of growing space.

Fellow parent tester Sarah tested the seat with their 5 year old, and says he has plenty of legroom, and was able to climb in and out of the seat easily: “He is 110cm and 5 years, so the seat should last him until he is 7. At first he was not keen on rear facing, having outgrown his previous rearfacing seat at 4. However I simply explained it was a safer seat. He was absolutely fine about that and I think that he will be fine rear facing until age 7. Once using the seat he likes being able to talk to his sister (in the middle seat) face to face. And also that he gets less car sick”

How does the Axkid ONE 2 car seat compare to similar products?

What’s in the box?

Axkid ONE 2 Car seat
Instructions
Inserts
Side impact protection cushion

What are the additional accessories that you can buy?

Axkid premium seat protector £44
Baby mirror £16.50
Sun shade £29
iPad holder £22
Summer seat cover £22
Cooling pads £35

Now you’ve tested it, what would you have wanted to know before purchasing the Axkid ONE 2 car seat?

Priced at more than £600, it would be good to know that if I was to purchase this car seat, my child would be comfortable rear-facing until they are at least 7-years old as this product is intended to last. It has also gone through rigorous road testing, so it would be useful to know that it’s marketed as the safest car seat of its kind. However, if you were going to have a second child, buying another Axkid ONE 2 car seat would be expensive.

Who would this car seat be most useful for?

The Axkid ONE 2 car seat is ideal for safety-conscious parents with a decent amount of disposable income. The seat is a true test of a parent’s resolve that this level of safety really is the most important thing – because at times Axkid’s dedication to safety means some of the features become a little fiddly and inconvenient.

Is the Axkid ONE 2 car seat worth the money?

At around £625 for the Axkid ONE 2 and £725 for the + version with the newborn inserts, it is definitely on the expensive side. I think the pricetag would have put me off making that initial investment even though it has the potential to take the place of two or even three other seats.

Of course, the safety benefits of an extended rear-facing seat for a child up to 7-years-old are also worth considering when deciding how much to spend and the long-term potential means it isn’t as pricey as it initially seems – but having that amount of money up front when you welcome a newborn is a lot to ask for most families.

Where can I buy the Axkid ONE 2 car seat?

It is available from Axkid, Pramworld and Kiddies Kingdom

MadeForMums verdict:

Overall, the Axkid ONE 2 is a great option for those who want a safe, solid and robust rear-facing car seat to go the distance and grow with their child - as long as you are happy to pay a premium price up front. However, some of the product’s fiddly features and awkward mechanisms such as the straps and buckle let it down, with its bulky size meaning it takes up a lot of room and isn’t easily transported if you wanted to swap it between cars. If you have the funds and want a safe seat that will see your child through until 7-years-old and you have the space to accommodate this hefty piece of kit, it is worth considering the investment.

Axkid Minikid 3 car seat review

Sophie Vening — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 14:29:27 GMT

Founded in Sweden in 2009, Axkid is a car seat manufacturer with a passion for child safety on the roads, with it proven that travelling rear-facing for longer provides greater protection for your child’s head, neck and spine compared to a forward-facing seat. With that in mind, its latest offering, the Minikid 3, offers parents a rear-facing option from 6-months old up to 125cm tall and 36kg, the size of an average 7 year old.

The third generation of its Minikid car seat also has improved safety, functionality, comfort and has gone through a rigorous testing process. It’s approved according to the newest R129 regulation and has passed the world’s toughest crash test – the Swedish Plus Test. It’s one of the more expensive car seats on the market and comes in four colours, Shellfish, Sea, Granite and Tar. For an extra £20, Axkid also offers the premium Minikid 3, which offers higher comfort due to the extra padding in the seat cover and also comes with colour matched headrest, branded zippers and meshed back cover on the seat.

Tested by

Mum of two Sophie lives in London with her husband Charlie, 6-year-old daughter Ada and 2-year-old daughter Lily. She tested both Lily and Ada in the Axkid Minikid 3 car seat on short daily drives to nursery, school and local shops and on one longer journey to Norfolk in her Skoda Octavia.

What were your first impressions of the Axkid Minikid 3 car seat?

When I opened the box, I found a smart, sturdy and well-made piece of baby equipment already assembled. It weighs 11kg so it is quite heavy to manoeuvre, but it's relatively narrow at only 44cm, 3cm slimmer than the MaxiCosi Pearl Pro 2 i-Size that Lily was previously using.

How easy did you find the Axkid Minikid 3 to install?

I was fortunate to have an in-person demonstration by an account manager at Axkid, who also assured me that all Axkid retailers are trained in installing the seat, so you can ask them to show you how to do it for peace of mind.

However, if you’re installing the Minikid 3 car seat at home, there’s a really helpful step-by step video guide on the BILT app accessed via a handy QR code that’s printed on the car seat, or you can use the printed instruction booklet that comes with the seat.

What’s more, the seat itself has picture instructions printed on it, which is great for use as a quick reminder when you’re out and about. Axkid boasts that installation only takes 60 seconds, which is probably doable if the lower tether anchorage straps are already in place and you’re familiar with all the different stages and have practised a few times.

How do you install the Axkid Minikid 3 car seat?

The Minikid 3 seat doesn’t use Isofix, unlike many other comparable car seats. It has a base that fixes securely using the vehicles seat belt and lower tether anchorages and a support leg. In order to secure, you need to install the lower tether anchorage straps. If your vehicle has no suitable pre-installed lower tether anchorages, the Axkid Minikid 3 comes with lower tether anchorage straps that can be installed in your car.

Depending on your vehicle and the seat position where you choose to install your car seat, there are various possible anchorage points to use for installing the anchorage straps which are all explained in the instruction manual and on the BILT app.

Installing the lower tether anchorage straps took us about 10 minutes and, once you’ve got them in place, you don’t really want to be moving them from car to car. This does mean if you’re planning on moving the seat on a regular basis, you will need to purchase additional straps which cost £22. However, this does mean that you are restricted from moving the seat on an ad-hoc/emergency basis.

Can you talk us through the stages of installing the Axkid Minikid 3 car seat?

Once the tether straps are in place you can then follow the six stages of installation:

Unzip the fabric panel at the front of the Axkid Minikid 3 seat which is helpfully labelled No 1. I love that Axkid has added picture instructions here under the fabric panel.
Place the car seat onto the vehicle seat in a position that gives the right leg room for your child. For example, for a compact fit you can place it tight against the back of the vehicle seat. For longer legs, you might want to give your child more leg room and so you can extend right out to where the vertical yellow line is on the side of the car seat, but the line mustn’t hang over the edge of the car seat. Next, choose the recline angle of the car seat by pressing the grey button bar underneath the front of the seat. (A top tip here is to unfold the support leg to give the seat some support while you work out the best position – you’ll need to pull it up again after stage 3 though.)
Unclip the green plastic clip labelled 3 and thread the vehicle's seat belt through the gap at the side of the seat and over the green plastic clip and out through the other side, then insert into the vehicle’s seat belt buckle. You then need to pull the seat belt until all slack is removed from the lap and shoulder section and then you can lock the green plastic clip and zip the fabric panel back up again.
Pull out the tether straps and clip onto the lower tether points and then, using your full body weight, press down on the top of the seat repeatedly until the tether straps are fully tightened.
Unfold the support leg to its maximum angle and push the support leg button and pull the support leg down until it is in contact with the vehicle floor.
Push and slide the ASIP pad down into the grooves on the side of the seat that is closest to the vehicle door - it should click into place.

How does the Axkid Minikid 3 car seat compare to earlier versions?

Axkid Minikid 3 is approved according to the R129 regulation, which is the most recent safety regulation within the car seat industry, and approved for children measuring 125cm in height and 36kg in weight. Its predecessors, the Axkid Minikid and Minikid 2, are only approved for children weighing up to 25kg using the ECE R44 regulation.

The Minikid 3 has also been designed to add more comfort for the user, who benefits from an increase of approximately 10cm in the back length meaning your child can now travel rear-facing for even longer. The buckle has been repositioned to allow extra room for your child to grow within the car seat itself.

The toddler support cushion has been redesigned to add more comfort and is now made from memory foam and a mesh fabric for air circulation. The Minikid 3 car seat headrest has also been redesigned for added comfort and safety, with 14 fixed headrest positions.

What are the key safety features of the Axkid Minikid 3 car seat?

As well as passing the Swedish Plus Test along with standard R129 testing, its headrest design has been updated into a V-shape developed with a force-absorbing technology, giving your child the best protection in the event of a collision. The V-shape design of the headrest also makes it easier for your child to see out of the window and helps to avoid head-flop. It also comes with an ASIP pad, which provides additional side impact protection.

How long is the Axkid Minikid 3 rear-facing for?

Unlike its predecessor the Axkid Minikid 2, this version of the car seat is not suitable from birth and can be used rear-facing from when your baby turns roughly 6-months (or 61cm tall) until your child is approximately 7-years-old (or up to 125cm tall and up to 36kg in weight).

How comfortable did your children find the Axkid Minikid 3 car seat?

The high back length leg room was perfect for my 2-year old daughter Lily and will be ideal for use over the next few 4-5 years of her life. Plus, the design of the car seat with the sides cut away meant it was easy for her to climb in and out of the seat herself – giving her some independence and my back a bit of relief.

My eldest daughter, who is currently 6 years old, weighs 21kg and measures 116cm tall, said she found the seat uncomfortable and lacking in legroom. She said it was fine for short car journeys, but she didn’t enjoy the longer trip in the seat. However, I think this is likely down to the fact she is used to sitting front facing.

Does the Axkid Minikid 3 car seat have any unique features?

As well as its main USP of being able to keep your child rear-facing until around the age of 7, the Minikid 3 car seat also comes with a dynamic headrest that adjusts automatically to your child’s length. The feature means you don’t need to worry that the headrest and chest straps are in the correct position. For it to work, you place your child in the seat and make sure the headrest brake level is set to unlock and that the headrest is pushed to the top position.

Next, you place the shoulder straps over your child’s shoulder and then lock the harness by positioning the parts of the buckle that are attached to the shoulder straps together and then pushing them into the buckle until you hear a click. Then, as you pull on the shoulder straps (all while never letting go of the tension), the headrest will lower itself to the correct height and automatically lock in position. When loosening the harness, the headrest moves back up to its top position again and unlocks.

You can also lock the headrest at the top if you prefer and there’s 14 fixed positions to choose from. Axkid have also helpfully included a picture installation guide within the harness pad showing you how to operate the system.

How do you rate the Axkid Minikid 3 straps and headrest system?

The straps and headrest both felt comfortable and hardwearing and I love the concept of the seat’s automatic headrest system, which ensures the headrest always is in the best and safest position for your child. However, my only complaint is that if your child is moving around while you’re trying to tighten the straps or resisting being put in the seat, it’s incredibly hard to keep the tension in the straps.

Once you let go of the tension, you can’t then try and pull the straps down anymore – you have to start the whole process again with the headrest being pushed up to the top position for the system to work, so overall it can be a fiddly process. This view was supported by a customer on Baby World, who said they felt the headrest felt “awkward to adjust because it has to go all the way up before you can lower it and then you have to do it in one go”.

Does the Axkid Minikid 3 car seat feel robust?

The seat feels incredibly robust and sturdy. We’re used to using a Maxi Cosi Pearl seat with an Isofix base, which does have a very slight side-to-side wobble to it. Whereas the Axkid Minikid 3 has no movement at all when correctly installed.

Does the Axkid Minikid 3 car seat recline?

The seat has three recline positions. However, as the recline position is adjusted as part of the installation, you can’t alter it during travel or when your little one falls asleep.

How easy is it to clean?

The covers are all machine washable at 30°C and there are videos on the Axkid website illustrating how to remove the covers correctly.

Is the Axkid Minikid 3 car seat big enough for a growing child?

My youngest loved sitting in the car seat and there’s lots of padding that can be taken away as your child grows. My eldest child wasn’t a fan, but I think that’s because she is used to forward-facing car seats. A customer review on Google noted that they felt their 4-year old daughter had “good space” in the seat and would be able to sit backwards for “a long time”.

How does the Axkid Minikid 3 compare to similar rear-facing car seats?

What’s in the box?

Car seat
Instructions
Tether straps
ASIP pad

What are the additional accessories that you can buy?

Summer cover bamboo £50
Cooling pads £35
Seat protector premium £44
Baby mirror £16.50
Sunshade for windows £9
Additional tether straps £22
Backseat organiser £15
iPad holder £22
Seat sun shade £33
Baby cushion £15

Now you’ve tested it, what would you have wanted to know before purchasing the Axkid Minikid 3 car seat?

One of the main things I would have liked to have known is that if you need to move the Minikid 3 from car to car on a regular basis, you will need to purchase additional lower tether anchorage straps to make it easier and quicker to install each time.

Who would the Axkid Minikid 3 car seat be most useful for?

For families who are looking to make a long-term investment and want a sturdy, safe and robust car seat that can take their child rear-facing from 6-months to 7-years old, then the Axkid Minikid 3 could be for you. It’s ideal for both short and long journeys and offers that peace of mind thanks to rigorous safety testing. However, if you often switch your seat from car to car, it might be best to look for a Isofix seat that’s easier to install.

Do you think the Axkid Minikid 3 car seat is worth the money?

At £460, the Axkid Minikid 3 carries a hefty price tag, but you do get a lot of quality and safety features included. While additional accessories can be purchased at your leisure, you don’t have to spend out on an Isofix base for this car seat. If you have the budget up front to buy the Minikid 3, take comfort in the fact it can last up until your child is 7-years-old, meaning you are getting a lot of years for your money.

Where can I buy the Axkid Minikid 3 car seat?

It is available from Axkid, Pram Centre and Direct 4 Baby

MadeForMums verdict:

It’s clear to see that Axkid has stuck to its ethos of safety being at the forefront of their minds with this car seat, with the Minikid 3 offering sturdiness and comfort alongside its amazing tried and tested safety features.

The fact you can keep your child rear-facing for longer is a massive plus point, and while it may be simple to install once the lower tethers are in place, it’s not straight-forward to move between cars on a daily basis, which may cause issues for some families.

Cybex Solution Z i-Fix car seat review

Anna Richardson Taylor — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 08:14:41 GMT

The Cybex brand is synonymous with good-quality, high-safety car seats. The Solution Z i-Fix is the latest in their range of high-backed boosters and, as with all their products, it is stylish and packed full of safety features.

With an RRP of just under £190, the Solution Z i-Fix is at the higher end of the market – similar in price to other premium car seats like the Britax KIDFIX III M, £180, sitting somewhere between the top-end BeSafe iZi Flex Fix iSize, £259, and the more basic Joie Trillo, £44.99.

Tested by

Journalist Anna Richardson Taylor is a mum of two primary school-aged children. She tested the Cybex Solution Z i-Fix with her 7 and 5 year olds, both on the school run and for longer car journeys, allowing her to assess both comfort and practicality. Anna has reviewed a number of car seats for MadeForMums.

What were your first impressions of the Cybex Solution Z i-Fix car seat?

Really positive. The Cybex Solution Z i-Fix is a very stylish car seat. The Autumn Gold colour was stunning – bright, without looking garish or tacky. The seat felt compact, robust and very well made.

What age range is the Cybex Solution Z i-Fix car seat suitable for?

The Cybex Solution Z i-Fix is a forward facing Group 2/3 high backed booster. The Solution is designed for children from 100cm to 150cm (around 15kg to 50kg in weight). Cybex promotes this seat as suitable for children from approximately age 3.5 through to 12 years, although ultimately, this will depend upon the size of your child.

How does the Cybex Solution Z i-Fix car seat grow with your child?

Voted the best car seat for adjustment in the MFM round up of the 10 best car seats for children from 4 years, the Solution Z i-Fix is fully adjustable as your child grows. The width of the seat extends from 53cm to 61cm and the side-wings of the chair expand as you lift the headrest, easily allowing you to adjust and swap between differently sized children. Fellow MFM parent reviewer Puneet used the Cybex Solution with her 8 and 5 year olds, and found it to be “very flexible and adaptable, and all achievable with a one-hand operation”

Most high-back booster brands say they are suitable until 12 years of age, but as with all of them, I doubt my eldest will still fit by the time she is that age.

How easy is the Cybex Solution Z i-Fix car seat to install?

The Cybex Solution Z i-Fix comes with Isofix connectors and I found it very easy to install. A lever at the front of the seat extends the connector arms, which then simply slot straight into your car’s Isofix connectors. When you push the car seat towards the backrest, safety indicators on the Isofix connectors change colour from red to green, showing that the seat is installed correctly.

How do you find the car seat to carry around?

The seat weighs 7.2kg, so not super light and heavier than some of the other high backed boosters on the market. That said, for a high-back booster it’s quite easy to carry in and out of the car. I found taking it in and out straightforward and you could easily swap between vehicles if required.

MFM Consumer & Reviews Editor Christy, who bought a Solution Z i-Fix for each of her daughters, aged 7 and 9, agrees. "We've move ours regularly between cars, or in and out of the house when we want to expand the car boot, and find them fairly portable despite their size."

When the Isofix arms are retracted and the headrest is at its lowest, it feels compact, so I would probably take it on overseas trips too.

How easy are the Cybex Solution Z i-Fix car seat instructions to follow?

I will be honest, having connected quite a few car seats over the years, I can do Isofix installations in my sleep, but the instructions are also easy to follow.

Can you install the Cybex Solution Z i-Fix car seat with a seatbelt?

Yes, if your car does not have Isofix, you can retract the metal arms and secure the Cybex Solution Z using seatbelts alone. The seatbelt guides are easy to use, just make sure you follow the instructions on how to position the lap belt, as it is possible to get this wrong. Both the diagonal and lap belt need to go under the supporting arm closest to the seatbelt clasp.

What are the key safety features of the Cybex Solution Z i-Fix car seat?

The Cybex Solution Z is absolutely packed full of safety features, including a patented adjustable reclining headrest. This is designed to prevent your child’s head from tipping forward if they fall asleep and ensure they stay positioned in the optimal safety zone in case of impact. I did notice that on the many occasions we used the car seat – including on long journeys – my 5-year-old’s head stayed back and didn’t once roll forward.

The Solution Z also includes Optimised Linear Side-impact Protection which reduces the forces in the event of a side-impact collision. In combination with its energy-absorbing shell, this seat can reduce the force of a side-impact by approximately 25%, which sounds impressive and reassuring to me.

Other safety features include the side pads of the headrest, which according to the brand, ‘actively guide’ the head of the child into a safe position in the event of an accident.

Such great safety features make me more likely to keep my children in high-backed boosters instead of backless boosters as they grow.

These safety features make the Cybex Solution Z a popular choice on online retailer reviews too, with reactions such as “stylish and safety in one” and “a stylish and practical seat that scored well on safety tests”.

How comfortable did your child find the Cybex Solution Z i-Fix car seat?

Both my children really liked the seat and found it comfortable. This matched the experience of Puneet, another MFM parent reviewer, who said the Cybex Solution Z was “the softest and most comfortable carseat” she had ever used, and with four children, she’s seen a fair few!

The seat pad is not quite as wide as some others we have tried, but it is well padded. The sides and headrest are very supportive and both children were calm and comfortable on long journeys. The seat also comes with an air ventilation system to help children keep cool in warm temperatures. Whilst we didn't have the opportunity to test this, that sounds like a great additional feature.

Parent tester Christy adds: "My 9 year old is tall for her age at around 144cm – she still finds this comfortable and I feel confident that the headrest is at the correct height for her."

How robust does the car seat feel?

The Cybex Solution Z feels very robust and well made. The fabric is sleek and firm, and all the parts are perfectly finished.

Does the Cybex Solution Z i-Fix car seat recline?

Once installed, the Cybex Solution Z is not designed to recline, however, the headrest is adjustable to make for a comfortable ride.

How easy is it to clean?

The material on the Solution Z is quite robust, so you can give it a good scrub for a bit of spot cleaning. The fabric covers are also removable and machine washable at 30 degrees, so ideal for a more thorough clean. Another MFM parent tester Puneet found that the fabric can mark quite easily, however was easy to wipe down and spot clean as required.

How does the Cybex Solution Z i-Fix car seat compare to previous versions?

The Solution Z i-Fix is the newest high-back booster from Cybex. It is an iSize car seat so meets all the latest UN R129/03 regulations. In a nutshell, this means it had to pass more rigorous testing with a particular focus on side-impact protection.

What’s in the box?

Car seat
Plastic Isofix connector guides
Instruction manual.

What are the additional accessories that you can buy?

You can get the following accessories for the Cybex Solution Z i-Fix:

Summer Cover (£50)
Cup Holder (£24.95)

Personally I think both of these seem a bit expensive, but I am tempted by the latter – my kids would really enjoy a place to store their bottle or a random ride-along toy.

What would you have wanted to know before purchasing the Cybex Solution Z i-Fix car seat?

We had no surprises with this car seat - it was fantastic. But as always, make sure you test the seat in your car, how it fits with the seatbelt buckles, the space and the angle of your seatbacks. I can’t imagine this seat not being suitable for every car, but this is always worth checking before buying. Especially at this price.

Who would the Cybex Solution Z i-Fix car seat be most useful for?

The Cybex Solution would be most attractive to those who want the latest in safety and value style too. The Solution Z i-Fix comes in a lovely range of colourways, from the pop of the Autumn Gold (red) to the gorgeous Mountain Blue (teal).

Is the Cybex Solution Z i-Fix car seat worth the money?

For the ‘magic’ anti-roll-forward headrest and its enhanced safety features alone, I would say the Cybex Solution Z i-Fix car seat is worth the money. Add in its style, ease of use and the fact it grows with your child and I would definitely recommend spending the extra. We really couldn’t fault this car seat. It seems we aren't alone, with one John Lewis reviewer stating “I cannot recommend this car seat highly enough – the best car seat we’ve had the pleasure to purchase!”

Where can I buy the Cybex Solution Z i-Fix car seat?

The Cybex Solution Z i-Fix is available from John Lewis and Halfords.

How does it compare to other car seats on the market?

MadeForMums verdict:

A stylish, safety-packed Group 2/3 car seat that ticks all the boxes, including style and functionality. Most importantly, the children were comfortable and content – a big bonus on long journeys.

Cozy N Safe Tristan i-Size car seat review

Sandy Rashty

The front-facing Cozy N Safe Tristan i-Size car seat caters for children between 76 and 150cm tall, or from roughly 15 months to 12 years, using a harness and later converting into a high-backed booster chair. The award-winning Cozy N Safe brand was set up in 2006 in the Midlands, with the aim of creating car seats that prioritise both comfort and safety. The Tristan offers safety features that conform to i-Size regulations, and its extended height range offers good value.

Tested by

Sandy tested the Cozy N Safe Tristan with her 16-month-old son. Sandy drives an Audi Q3 (a small SUV) and lives in London. She tested the car seat while driving around central London and on journeys further afield to go for walks. Sandy is particularly keen to source products that will serve her family in the long term, to avoid having to buy costly replacements.

What was your first impression of the Cozy N Safe Tristan?

My first impression was positive: the seat was sizeable, and looked sturdy. With a smart black-and-granite finish, it complemented the interior of our car well. The removable and washable cover means that it will always (I hope) looks as good, no matter what snacks are dished out on longer journeys.

How clear are the instructions for installing the seat?

While there was no installation video on the company’s website, the manual was clear and is also available online, which will be handy as our toddler grows and we have to adapt the seat to his needs, as we may have lost the manual by then!

How do you install the Cozy N Safe Tristan car seat?

You can either use the universal ISOFIX base and top tether, or the vehicle’s 3-point seat belt installation. We chose to use the former method, as it looked much simpler and felt safer and more secure. There are no sounds or light alerts to let you know if the seat is not secure, which would have been a bonus, but the installation is easy enough that this is not a big issue.

Is it easy to install?

The car seat – which comes its base built in – was neatly packaged inside the box, and came with instructions. Fitting it is simple – we managed it in around 10 minutes, but kept going back on ourselves to make sure we hadn’t missed anything.

Is the Cozy N Safe Tristan safe?

The safety of the seat was our main focus, and we were very satisfied how safe it was. It is built to the latest i-Size ECE R129/02 regulations and has side-impact protection. It feels solid and has a strong ventilated shell.

Is it comfortable?

As well as being safe and secure, the seat is well padded and feels comfortable.

What age is the Cozy N Safe Tristan suitable for?

It’s suitable for children of heights from 76 to 150 cm, up to 18kg, or from around 15 months to 12 years. The long lifespan of the car seat was a great selling point for us, as we do not like to dispose of or store items that have a short life.

How do you adjust the headrest height?

The headrest is simple to adjust, and is pulled up by lifting the handle by the top of the headrest. To lower the headrest, it’s easy to pull the handle with 1 hand and push the headrest down with the other.

Does the Cozy N Safe Tristan rotate or swivel?

No. I wish it did, as getting our toddler in and out of the car seat can sometimes be a struggle. If he is resisting going in the car, he needs to be carried in at an angle. A rotation feature would be a lovely extra, and there are other Cozy N Safe models that do this, such as the Cozy N Safe Morgan, but that means compromising on longevity, as that car seat doesn’t fit such a wide height range.

Does the Cozy N Safe Tristan have any unique features?

The unique features of this car seat are how long-lasting it is, and all the care that has gone into making it both comfortable and safe. It has deep, soft padding, multiple headrest positions, is suitable up to the age of 12, and has a removable cover that has already proven to be useful!

How comfortable is the car seat for a baby?

Our son seemed very comfortable in his new chair. On our first journey (around 20 minutes), he could comfortably look out of the window, extend his arms and clap along to nursery rhymes, despite being safely strapped in. At quieter moments, he seemed content to lie back with his head on the padded headrest. Longer journeys were similar, although we have a wriggly toddler, so on occasion would pull over to stretch our legs before resuming the journey.

As the seat is front-facing, it’s easy to turn around and check on the baby if you’re a passenger, or have a quick look in the mirror if you’re driving.

How comfortable is the car seat for an older child?

The clear USP of this seat its ability to grow with your child. Our son fits in it comfortably now, at 16 months, and I have no doubt that with the recommended adaptations it would smoothly turn into a booster chair.

Would the Cozy N Safe Tristan car seat work well in smaller cars?

We found the car seat comfortable in our small SUV, but it’s a sizeable seat and might not have worked as well in a smaller car with a lower roof and less space.

How easy is it to use and adjust the harness?

It is very simple, and there is a useful graphic in the manual to help you. Pressing down on the harness adjustment button on the seat base with 1 hand, use your other hand to pull the straps away from the seat. Once your child is in the seat, you can then pull the adjustment strap (located at the foot of the seat, between the legs) so that it is secure and comfortable.

Is the harness comfortable?

The harness straps feel secure without being uncomfortably tight.

How robust does the Cozy N Safe Tristan feel?

This car seat feels robust, solid, safe and long-lasting.

Does the seat recline?

The car seat reclines to 3 positions, and is simple to adjust. Once the car seat is fitted into the car, simply hold the recline button with 1 hand (refer to the manual for a clear graphic) and adjust the recline of the seat with your other hand.

Is the headrest on the Cozy N Safe Tristan adjustable?

Yes, the headrest is practical, supportive, comfortable and easy to adjust.

How easy is the seat to carry around?

This car seat is not designed to be portable. With its size, weight and heavy base, it is designed to spend its life in your car. This suits us perfectly, as I am happy to carry my toddler into the house after a journey, or move him into the buggy from the car seat if we are going out.

We don’t have a toddler who falls asleep on long journeys, so there is no issue around having to wake him up at the end of a trip, either. Parents who would prefer to have a portable car seat that they could carry into the house or attach to a buggy should look elsewhere.

What’s in the box?

Car seat, ISOFIX guides, manual and removable cushion.

Are there any accessories available for the Cozy N Safe Tristan?

The car seat did not come with any accessories, such as a sun hood, despite its high price point, and there are no accessories available to buy. It does have a removable washable cover.

Which type of family is the seat best for?

This is a great everyday car seat for a family with a larger car who prioritise a long lifespan over any add-ons or features such as rotation.

What would you have liked to know before buying the Cozy N Safe Tristan?

Before buying this car seat, it’s essential to make sure that your vehicle is compatible with the requirements for an ISOFIX and top tether anchor points.

Does the removable cover wash easily?

As I have a snack-happy toddler, I was very interested in this car seat’s removable and washable cover, and we had cause to test this out on our very first journey.

It did take us a few minutes to remove the cover, as we wanted to make sure we did it properly and didn’t damage it, but it was easy enough to remove, washed beautifully in a machine at 30°C, and dried overnight. The cover was also simple to put back on the car seat once it was washed.

How does the Cozy N Safe Tristan compare with similar car seats?

Is the Cozy N Safe Tristan worth the money?

If it had a swivel feature (something I have always wanted), I would not think twice, but as it does not, I would recommend that people think carefully about what they want from a car seat before making the investment. I would also recommend it mostly to families with larger cars.

Where can I buy the Cozy N Safe Tristan?

It is available from Cozy N Safe, Halfords, and Pramworld.

MadeForMums verdict

I would recommend this car seat to a friend, with the caveats that it lacks some attributes that I would like to have, such as a sun hood and a swivel feature. It is difficult to get our toddler in and out of the seat, especially when he is resisting. The seat is fairly large and heavy, and it’s not possible to pick it up and carry it out of the car, or attach it to our buggy. But if these are not priorities for you, this seat offers excellent longevity, safety, and comfort, as well as being easy on the eye.

BeSafe iZi Modular AX1 i-Size car seat review

Cher Whelan — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 12:20:58 GMT

The BeSafe izi AX1 car seat’s innovative design adds to its predecessors’ outstanding safety features, including side impact protection, with the Active Retract Harness. This clever function ensures infants and toddlers are safely secured in their car seat, taking the hassle out of buckling your children up. The brand claim “the revolutionary belt system is the only harness that helps parents with buckling their child up,” and what parent wouldn’t like a hand with that?

While the car seat offers added safety features and extended forward facing capability, it is on the higher end of the price scale, considering you also have to buy the isofix base, £169, separately. Price-wise, it sits alongside other premium offerings like the Britax Römer Dualfix i-Size, which is £405 including the isofix base.

Tested by

Mum of one, Cher, is a journalist and lives in Kent with her husband and their 1-year-old son, Miller. She tested the BeSafe izi AX1 on long and short journeys, to really see how useful all of the new features are.

What were your first impressions of the BeSafe izi AX1 car seat?

My first impressions of the BeSafe izi AX1 were that it looked really stylish as well as safe. The cushioned seat and sturdy, padded headrest give me reassurance that Miller would be comfortable, as well as protected.

I did find that it was quite difficult to lift and carry the seat, as it is quite bulky and heavy, but once it was in place it felt very secure and was easy to fit.

What age is the BeSafe izi AX1 suitable for?

It is designed to be used for babies from 6 months to approximately 4 years, or when they reach 18kg – just like the Maxi-Cosi Pearl Pro2 i-Size, £239. Height requirements are from 61cm if rear facing, or 88cm if front facing, to 105cm.

A bonus of the seat is that it can remain rear-facing until your child is 4 years old. It has to be rear-facing until they are at least 15 months, as recommended by the manufacturers.

If you can get your child to remain rear-facing until they are 4, brilliant! But as for me, Miller is already getting a bit bored of looking at the back seat. However, it’s great that I can easily switch the seat to front facing when he is 15 months old, without the need to reinstall anything.

What makes the BeSafe izi AX1 different to other car seats?

It has an innovative design that heralds a new wave of car seat safety, with its retractable straps, creating a harness which actually helps with buckling up. The Active Retract Harness features an advanced retractor mechanism inside the seat, which continuously pulls in the belts. That means you simply have to push the straps up inside the shoulder pads to get a tight fit.

How easy is the BeSafe izi AX1 to install?

Because the isofix base and car seat came with limited instructions, I found it to be confusing at first. The single sheet of illustrated instructions felt like it should be simple, but it was hard to figure out what each picture was actually demonstrating.

However, once I started, fitting the isofix base was pretty self-explanatory with the green indicators and beeping signal letting me know I had fitted it correctly.

Fitting the car seat to the base was very easy as it just clicks into place.

The hardest part was actually lifting and carrying the seat as it is quite bulky and heavy, however, it is manageable to do it on your own. It took me about 10 minutes to fit, but a few written instructions or directing users to a video would have been a big help and saved me some time.

How heavy is the car seat?

The total weight of the BeSafe izi AX1car seat with the isofix base is a weighty 15kg, the same as the Britax Römer Dualfix i-Size. The car seat alone weighs a more manageable 8kg.

What are the key safety features of the BeSafe izi AX1?

BeSafe car seats have a reputation for being some of the safest on the market, and the brand claims to be constantly reviewing and improving their safety features. They certainly haven’t disappointed with the izi AX1.

The Active Retract Harness is just one of the great safety features of this car seat. It also comes with added Side Impact Protection, which can be removed and placed either side of the car seat depending on if it is rear or forward facing.

The Dynamic Shock Absorber in the headrest is also added reassurance that your child is well protected, while the Ergo-Move Shoulder Pads provide increased movement and comfort for your baby or toddler’s arms. Miller seemed to be really comfortable in the seat too, which was a bonus.

What are the straps like on the BeSafe izi AX1?

I cannot rate the retractable straps on the izi AX1 more highly. They made buckling up my son incredibly easy with minimal faff. If your child is anything like mine, and they like to wriggle around while you fight to strap them in, then you will find these straps a godsend.

No more digging around behind and underneath your baby or toddler in search of the straps, you can simply pin them back with the magnets before you put your child into the seat. And once buckled up, you simply just lift the straps up into the shoulder pads and they will tighten with a click.

My view was echoed by a John Lewis parent reviewer who agreed the straps were “a dream to use”.

How good is the headrest on the BeSafe izi AX1?

Great. The height of the headrest can easily be adjusted using a button at the back and, as you adjust the headrest, the height of the harness automatically adjusts too. So, as your child grows and you move the headrest up, you can be reassured that the harness is in the right position too.

Did you like the design of the BeSafe izi AX1 car seat?

Yes. The BeSafe izi AX1 is stylish as well as safe. The contrast of black fabric with white stitching gave it a modern feel.

How comfortable was your child in the car seat?

I can say with confidence that I feel really safe travelling with Miller in this car seat, reassured that he is well protected and comfortable.

The headrest is well padded and soft, and supports Miller’s head nicely, while the cushioned seat gave me reassurance that his comfort wasn’t compromised by keeping him safe.

How durable is the BeSafe izi AX1 and will it last?

It seems robust enough to last for the 4 years your child is expected to use it for. The padding and material of the seat feel like high quality and can be wiped clean easily. The seat position can be altered with just one button, so you can raise it up more as your child grows. And the isofix base extends too to give your child more leg room.

The only downside to this seat is that by age 4, your child will have outgrown it.

Absolutely. The BeSafe izi AX1 Active Retract Harness and straps have clearly been designed with parents in mind and are a game-changer. I would recommend buying this seat for the amazing straps alone! In all honesty, I wouldn’t buy a car seat that doesn’t feature them now and I question how I ever coped without them before.

How does it compare to similar car seats?

Where can I buy the BeSafe izi AX1 car seat?

It is available at John Lewis.

MadeForMums verdict:

Although it was a bit heavy to move around and the instructions were initially confusing, the BeSafe izi AX1 is ideal for parents with children under the age of 4.

The innovative features make life so much easier when it comes to travelling with your child, without compromising on safety. However, if you’re on a budget or want to buy a car seat that can be used until your child is older, there may be other car seats that are more suitable for your requirements.

The retractable straps are, without a doubt, what sets this car seat apart from any others and for that reason alone, this is a seat worth investing in.

Cybex Pallas G i-Size car seat review

Natalie Wadley — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 10:10:48 GMT