The Best Newborn Car Seats in the UK
Car seat safety is a top concern for every parent. There are a myriad of options when it comes to selecting the best car seat for your child.
Featuring a cosy baby-hugg inlay and enhanced side impact protection This Cybex Cloud T is the most comfortable car seat for newborns in the UK. It also features a single-handed recline option and more than 12 headrest positions that adapt to the growing body of your child.
1. Cybex Cloud T
The Cybex Cloud T is the top car seat that comes with everything you require to take your baby on adventures from birth until they reach toddler years. It's the newest update to the legendary Cybex Cloud line and features an innovative reclining system that gives your child an ergonomic lie-flat position in the car, and when used with a pushchair as part of an overall travel system. It's also an ISOFIX vehicle seat, which means it can easily be attached to your vehicle by using the base that comes with it. It can even be rotated to assist you in helping to get your child into and out of the seat.
The car seat is made of top-quality materials and it comes in a variety of stylish colors, including Moon Black, Lava Grey and Beach Blue Plus. It's a chic and elegant option that works perfectly with the Cybex T range of prams. It also comes with a Newborn Inlay for newborns and premature babies which helps to ensure a safe, near-flat position that minimizes the chance of their heads flopping forward during sleep, which could cause breathing problems. This can be removed when your child reaches 60 cm in height.
In terms of safety, the car seat provides excellent protection for your child, scoring an impressive 1.7 result in crash tests from ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutsche Automobil-Club e.V). content T i-Size comes with LSP (Linear Side-impact Protection) to safeguard your baby from being thrown out of the seat in the event of an accident. It also features the revolutionary Flexi-Fix harness system that stretches as your child grows to ensure that they will always have a safe fit.
If you're planning to use the car seat as part of a travel set-up with a Cybex pushchair, the unique 180deg rotation ensures that getting your baby in and out is a breeze - no more awkward twisting or reaching. The car seat is also equipped to fully recline for added comfort on long car rides. It's slightly higher price point than other car seats for this age group, however the extensive list of features including the reclining option and excellent safety features make it well worth the money.
2. Maxi-Cosi Pebble Plus
The Maxi-Cosi Pebble Plus Car Seat is one of the most popular newborn car seats that are available. It's comfortable for babies and easy to use. It is suitable for babies from birth. It is compatible with the Maxi-Cosi FamilyFix or EasyFix base, or your car seat belt system. The car seat is compatible with most pushchairs including the Maxi-Cosi range, Quinny, iCandy and Bugaboo (using adapters). The Baby-Hugg infant seat is included for a better fit, laying in a position that is more comfortable, and provides side impact protection.
The Pebble Plus car seat is a member of Group 0+, which means that it can be used by babies as young as 12 months (45cm – 75cm). It is compliant with the new iSize regulations, which require that children remain rear-facing for longer. It is compatible with the 2way family base that allows you to switch between forward-facing and rear-facing on the same vehicle and features an easy-to-use rotating feature.
As with the previous version it's a very comfortable seat and the new version has some improvements. It features a new, improved baby-hugging inlay that is both beautiful and comfortable. The shoulder straps are well-cushioned and the headrest can be adjusted up or down as your baby grows. You can remove it at any time when you do not want to use it anymore.
It is a little heavier at 4.5kg than some other newborn carseats, but this shouldn't be an issue if your infant spends most of the day in it. It has a handle that can make it easier to carry and is light enough to be lifted into and out of taxis or rideshare vehicles.
It's also a fashionable seat. You can pick from a variety of colours and designs that will fit your car. It's not the most affordable infant car seat, but it's nevertheless a good investment that is worth the money for your baby. Once you've mastered it and adjust the height and size is easy. You can adjust the straps by pulling them down on the back panel, and pressing two buttons simultaneously.
3. Joie Calmi
If you're looking for a baby car seat that's super simple to use and holds your baby like a cot then look no further than Joie Calmi. This dual-use car seat as well as carrycot is certified R129. It's built to last with a durable ventilated outer shell and a plush padding to hold your baby. It comes with three-point harnesses that are easily accessible via a single pull tightening mechanism and softly padded covers. It also has an lateral position to keep your baby's head in the most secure position in case of an accident.
The base of this seat is compatible with Joie Aeria and Finiti strollers, so you can easily pop it onto and off the frame. It's easy to lift even when your baby is asleep due to the adjustable handle bars. If you're looking to build an entire travel system, the i-Base Encore adapters allow you to connect Calmi with Maxi-Cosi or Britax pushchair too.
Joie has improved the design of its previous i-Spin 360, which earned an excellent score in the crash tests of Which? and a good rating from ADAC. The model we tested comes with locks to stop the seat from turning too quickly, making sure that your child remains rear-facing for as long as is possible. It also has a large, water-resistant sun canopy with 50+ UV protection as well as a mesh peekaboo that allows you to observe without disturbing the child.
If you're looking to purchase a car seat online, make sure you select a retailer which offers free UK mainland delivery on all purchases and returns within 35 days. John Lewis offers a wide variety of infant car seats from top brands like Maxi-Cosi, Silver Cross and Cybex. Click and collect is free to any branch in your area (or Sainsbury's if you are nearby). With every purchase, you can also earn Nectar points. Argos is another great option for a wide selection of car seats, starting at PS55. You can also avail free delivery, same-day collection at the store and free returns to any Argos or Sainsbury's store that is participating.
4. Silver Cross Motion All Size 360
The reliable British brand is best known for its high-end prams as well as pushchairs, but the Silver Cross Motion all-in-one car seat is making waves in the market with its. Our test subject Jasper loved it, describing it "the best-looking of the bunch and also the one my baby appeared to be most comfortable in on long rides."
This fully rotating R129-compliant vehicle seat can carry your baby all the way up to 12 years of age and was awarded the top baby toddler, child and car seat award in ADAC's 2022 autumn test. It was also tested above the rules to ensure your child is safe on every trip.
For babies, it has an easy-to-remove and comfortable padded insert made from soft bamboo fabric that is breathable and antibacterial. The head and body inserts as well as the support can be removed as your child gets older. You can also adjust the recline and headrest positions to accommodate.
A distinctive feature is the built-in green light' that lets you know when the car seat is properly secured and ready to use, making it a great choice for new parents who aren't sure about the correct method to install and fit car seats. It also has a handy stowable harness which can be used in either a rear or forward facing position.
Another major selling point is that it's a permanent fixture in the car and you don't need to wake your sleeping baby to take them out for longer trips. It's not compatible with travel systems such as the Britax Romer Dualfix plus iSize, or Joie iSpin 360 iSize. You will need to purchase a separate travel bag.
The Axkid One is a permanently fixed car seat that is permanently fixed. They are not as easy to transport between cars. If you decide to purchase a separate travel bag, select one that is strong and able to withstand the wear and tears of frequent use. It's worth paying a bit more to purchase a bag that will last for as long as the car seat of your child.