The Best Newborn Car Seats in the UK
Safety of your car seat is a top concern for any parent. There are a myriad of options when it comes to selecting the best car seat for your child.
With a cozy baby-hugg insert and enhanced side impact protection, the Cybex Cloud T is the most comfortable car seat for newborns in the UK. It has a one handed recline and 12 headrest positions that adjust to your child's growing body.
1. Cybex Cloud T
The Cybex Cloud T car seat is the most popular choice for taking your newborn to the road from birth until they are toddlers. It's the newest addition to the iconic Cybex Cloud line and features innovative reclining technology that gives your child a comfortable lie-flat position both inside the car and when used in conjunction with a pushchair as part of an overall travel system. It is also an ISOFIX vehicle seat, so it can easily be attached to your car by using the base that comes with it. It can also be rotated to assist you in helping to get your child into and out of the seat.
The car seat itself is constructed of high-quality materials and is available in a range of stylish colors, including Moon Black, Lava Grey, Beach Blue Plus and Seashell Beige Plus. It's a stylish and elegant option that works seamlessly with the Cybex T range of prams. It also comes with a Newborn Inlay for newborns and premature babies that helps ensure a secure, flat position that reduces the possibility of their heads moving forward while they sleep, which could cause breathing difficulties. It is removed when your child is 60 centimeters in height.
In terms of safety, the car seat offers superior protection for your child. It scored an impressive 1.7 result in crash tests conducted by ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutsche Automobil-Club e.V). The Cloud T i-Size is equipped with LSP (Linear Side-impact protection) to protect your baby in the event of a crash. It also features the innovative Flexi-Fix system that can be stretched to fit your child's size as they develop.
The innovative 180deg rotating system makes it easy to get your baby in and out of the car seat when you use it as a part of a travel system that includes a Cybex stroller. No more awkward twisting or reaching. The car seat is also equipped to fully recline to provide extra comfort during long journeys in the car. The cost is a bit higher than other car seats for this age group however the features it provides, such as the recline feature and superior safety features make it worth the investment.
2. Maxi-Cosi Pebble Plus
The Maxi-Cosi Pebble Plus Car Seat is one of the most sought-after newborn car seats that are available. It is comfortable for infants and simple to use. It is suitable for babies from birth. It can be used with the Maxi-Cosi FamilyFix or EasyFix base, or your car seat belt system. The car seat is also compatible with all pushchairs, including the Maxi-Cosi range and Quinny, iCandy and Bugaboo (using adapters). The Baby-Hugg infant seat is also included to provide an improved fit, a more comfortable in a position that is more comfortable, and provides side impact protection.
The Pebble Plus car seat is classified as a Group 0+ which means it is suitable for infants as young as 12 months (45cm to 75cm). It's in line with the new iSize regulations which require children to stay 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 has an excellent rotating feature.
It's still a comfortable seat, but the new version has a few improvements. It's now got a better baby-hugg that looks and feels super-comfy. The shoulder straps are well-cushioned and the headrest is able to be moved up or down as your baby grows. It is also possible to remove it at any time if you want to stop using it.
It's a little heavier at 4.5kg than some other newborn car seats, but this shouldn't be an issue if your infant spends most of the time in it. You can put it on with a handle for easier carrying, and it's lightweight enough to be able to lift it into and out of rideshare cars or taxis too.
It's also a stylish seat and you can pick from a wide range of patterns and colours to fit your car. It's not the cheapest car seat for infants, but it's still very reasonable and well worth the extra cost for your baby. It can be a bit difficult to adjust the harness's length and height but once you've got the hang of it it's fine. You simply pull down on the back panel, and squeeze together two buttons to move up and down the straps without the need to rethread them.
3. Joie Calmi
If you're looking for a newborn car seat that's easy to use and cradles your baby like a cot, then look no further than Joie Calmi. This car seat that doubles as a carrycot is certified by R129. It's made tough with a tough ventilated outer shell and plush padding to hold your baby. It features a 3-point safety harness that is adjusted with a single pull, and softly cushioned covers. Plus, it features lateral positioning to keep your baby's head at the most secure position in the event of an impact.
The base of this seat is compatible with Joie's Aeria and Finiti pushchairs, meaning you can remove it and put it back on effortlessly. With the adjustable handle bars, it's easy to move even when your bundle of joy is asleep. If you're looking to build an all-in-one travel system, the i-Base Encore adapters allow you to pair Calmi with Maxi-Cosi or Britax pushchair as well.
The design of the earlier i-Spin 360 has been improved by Joie. This model received an excellent score in the crash tests of Which? and a good rating from ADAC. The most recent model that we tested features a lock that will stop you from turning the seat too quickly, ensuring that your child remains rear-facing for as long as possible. It also has a large sun canopy that is water-resistant and has 50+ UV protection and a mesh peekaboo that allows you to check in without disturbing the child.
If you're shopping for a car seat online, make sure you select a retailer that offers free UK mainland delivery on all purchases and returns within 35 days. John Lewis has a great selection of infant car seats from top brands, such as Cybex, Maxi-Cosi and Silver Cross and also offers free click and pick up to the nearest store (or to an Sainsbury's branch if you're nearby). You can also collect Nectar points on all purchases. Argos also has a great range of car seats at prices starting from PS55. You can also avail free delivery, same-day collection in store and free returns to any Argos or participating Sainsbury's store.
4. portable infant car seat Size 360
The trusted British brand is most well-known for its high-end prams as well as pushchairs, but the Silver Cross Motion all-in-one car seat is making its mark on the market. Jasper the tester loved it. He said it was "the most stylish of the bunch, and my baby seemed to find it most comfortable for long drives."
This fully rotating R129 certified car seat is suitable for newborns all the way to 12 years old. It won the ADAC 2022 Autumn Test's award for the best child, baby and toddler car seat. It was also tested above the rules to ensure your child is safe on every trip.
It is equipped with a removable, cosy padding for infants made of soft bamboo fabrics. These fabrics are super breathable and antibacterial. The body insert and head support can be removed when your child gets older. You can also alter the recline and headrest positions to suit.
The green light that indicates when the car seat is correctly installed and is now ready to use is a unique feature. This makes it a great option for parents who are new to the family, and may not be familiar with the proper installation and fitting of car seats. It also has a handy harness that can be used in either the rear or forward facing position.
It's also an ongoing fixture, meaning you won't have to wake your baby to get them out of the car for long trips. However, it's not travel system-compatible like the Joie i-Spin 360 i-Size or Britax Romer Dualfix Plus iSize (you must purchase a separate travel bag for this).
The disadvantage of permanent fixed car seats such as the Axkid One i-size is that they're not as convenient to carry around if you have to move them between cars. If you decide to purchase an additional travel bag for your car seat, ensure that it's a durable one that can withstand the wear and tear of frequent use. It's worth paying a little extra for a bag that will last longer than the car seat of your child.