The best baby car seat in the UK 2023

Nearly two thirds of children are not as safe as they should be when traveling in a car. Poorly installed or unsuitable seats, loose harnesses - these are all risk factors that can be avoided with a car seat that is suitable for the child's size and weight. Like the Britax Römer DUALFIX2 R. Ergonomic and meeting strict standards. Read our guide to our selection.

Britax Römer DUALFIX2 R 1
9/10

Best value for money

Britax Römer DUALFIX2 R

The best baby car seat in 2021

Whether forward or backward facing, DUALFIX 2 R gives you total flexibility. With its 360° rotation function, placing and fastening your child becomes easier. So is changing the position from back to front.

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Thanks to its 360° rotation function, with the push of a button, DUAL FIX² R can be rotated towards the open car door, allowing you to easily place your child in the seat and attach the harness. This infant car seat can be used up to 18 kg rear-facing, and the short bouncing bar provides more legroom. Or you can turn the seat forward, at the push of a button, as soon as your child is big enough.

The DUALFIX² R with its multiple recline positions can be adjusted to the most comfortable position for your child. Even when you are on the move. It also offers total flexibility.

Safety 1st - Siège enfant groupe 3 avec ISOFIX 2
7/10

Best value for money

Safety 1st - Siège enfant groupe 3 avec ISOFIX

The best entry-level baby car seat

If you are looking for a comfortable and quality car seat for a limited budget, this model for 6 to 12 years old (22 to 36 kg) from Safety 1st is made for you. Solid and light, this device combines low price and perfect safety.

40 £ on Amazon

The Safety 1st Group 3 seat has an adjustable shoulder strap guide and can be installed quickly and easily in the car with its ISOFIX hooks. For long trips, its comfortable armrests will keep your child comfortable. They also serve as an automatic belt guide for the car seat.

Weighing in at 2.5 kg, this car seat is easy to transport and has a comfortable, removable cover that can be washed in a washing machine at up to 30°C. According to some parents, even after several washes, the cover still retains its color. All in all, given the many advantages of this model, it is the best ISOFIX seat in the 22-36 kg category.

Britax Römer Dualfix Z-line i-size 3
9/10

Best value for money

Britax Römer Dualfix Z-line i-size

The best high-end baby car seat

Discover all the know-how of German manufacturing through this baby car seat. With a 360° swivel at the touch of a button, it easily adapts to your growing child up to the age of 4.

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Designed for children from 3 months to 4 years, the Britax Römer Dualfix Z-line X-line Group 0+/1 car seat offers comfort and protection during travel. Its padded side wings and ECE R129 i-Size approval offer protection from head to hip and ensure that every journey is relaxed. It also offers road-facing travel from 76 cm (15 months) and is compatible with a birth reducer (to be purchased separately), although a maxi cosy is more suitable for a newborn than a baby car seat.

Other than that, this baby seat is spacious and offers several reclining and sitting positions. There is room for your child's legs in the back and for convenience, the brand has equipped its product with a small gray button on the side to make it swivel more easily.

Chicco - Oasys Evo 2-3 Fixplus 4
7/10

A great choice

Chicco - Oasys Evo 2-3 Fixplus

A great value

The Chicco FixPlus Oasys 2-3 car seat is secure, easy to adjust and stable. The seat is comfortable and very strong. It is suitable for children up to 12 years old, making it an excellent value for money.

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The Chicco Oasys 2/3 is a high back booster seat for older children that will literally grow with your child. Not only is it adjustable in height, but it also extends in width. This means that your child will probably not outgrow this seat, which will fit all heights and weights up to 12 years old.

The Oasys 2/3 is suitable for children weighing 15-36 kg and aged approximately 4-12 years. It has a cup holder and removable, machine-washable seat covers for easy cleaning. The backrest can be adjusted to 10 different height positions and the seat has also changed width. The Oasys 2/3 also reclines with a simple push button and pull.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best baby car seat

Any specific needs?

The best baby car seat in 2021

The best entry-level baby car seat

The best high-end baby car seat

A great value

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best baby car seat

TOP OF THE TOP CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE EXCELLENT
Britax Römer DUALFIX2 R 5
9/10
Safety 1st - Siège enfant groupe 3 avec ISOFIX 6
7/10
Britax Römer Dualfix Z-line i-size 7
9/10
Chicco - Oasys Evo 2-3 Fixplus 8
7/10
OUR SELECTION
Britax Römer DUALFIX2 R
Safety 1st - Siège enfant groupe 3 avec ISOFIX
Britax Römer Dualfix Z-line i-size
Chicco - Oasys Evo 2-3 Fixplus
Whether forward or backward facing, DUALFIX 2 R gives you total flexibility. With its 360° rotation function, placing and fastening your child becomes easier. So is changing the position from back to front.
If you are looking for a comfortable and quality car seat for a limited budget, this model for 6 to 12 years old (22 to 36 kg) from Safety 1st is made for you. Solid and light, this device combines low price and perfect safety.
Discover all the know-how of German manufacturing through this baby car seat. With a 360° swivel at the touch of a button, it easily adapts to your growing child up to the age of 4.
The Chicco FixPlus Oasys 2-3 car seat is secure, easy to adjust and stable. The seat is comfortable and very strong. It is suitable for children up to 12 years old, making it an excellent value for money.
Rugged construction, great durability, good padding for optimal comfort
Easy to install in the car
No more backache to get your child out of the seat and into it
Easy to set up and grows with the child
Provides high levels of safety and impact protection
Lightweight (2.5 kg) and therefore easy to transport
Easy to install with the Isofix system
Adjustable height and width functions
360° rotation
Removable cover and machine washable at 30°C
360° rotation
Attractive price

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Buying guide - baby car seat

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How to choose your baby car seat

Here are some key criteria you should consider before making a purchase for an infant and child car seat:

#1 - Ease of installation

Infant car seats can be installed via a locking system or simply by using his or her regular seat belt, so make sure the seat you're settling for has one of these features.

#2 - Security

The safest child seats offer side impact protection and are made with foam impact pads that can absorb energy on both sides of the booster seat. Most booster seats also include an additional headrest and torso protection with extra padding.

#3 - Size and shape

Infant car seats come in different sizes and shapes, and some can fit in a smaller car than a larger one, so look for a car seat that would be a perfect fit for your car.

#4 - Ease of cleaning

You

should be able to clean up any spills on the plastic parts of the seat with mild soap and cool water. Look for an infant and child seat that includes aremovable, machine-washable cover

for your convenience and a thorough cleaning.

#5 - The age of the seat

Your child is constantly growing. Consider buying a 2-in-1 child booster seat that he can grow with. Get one that includes an adjustable harness to use when your child is smaller and a removable backrest to adjust to his size as he grows. Before you buy, consider the height, weight and age limits for each booster seat so you can choose one that fits your child's growth.

Which car seat for which age?

Rear-facing seats: this type of seat is suitable for babies from 0 to 2 or 3 years old, weighing up toabout 10 kg depending on the model. These seats should always face the back of the car.

Convertible seats: These can function both as rear-facing seats for babies and toddlers and as forward-facing seats for older children. This type of seat is suitable as soon as the child reaches 10 kg. Note, however, that the seat should not be turned forward until the child is 4 years old, at which time he or she will be able to hold his or her neck and head if you have to brake suddenly. They are suitable for children from 10 to 25 kg.

Booster seats(belt-positioning): Once your child has outgrown the convertible seat, you can use a belt-positioning booster seat. They are suitable for children weighing between22 and 36 kg.

Infant and child car seat regulations

To guarantee the safety of the car seats sold, each manufacturer is required to strictly follow thelegal requirements of the European regulations: theECE / R44 standard and thei-Size standard(R129).

The ECE/R44 standard is an old European standard for car seats. No matter which car seat you need, this standard isbased on the weight of your child. Car seats approved to this standard have an orange label with "ECE 44/03" or "ECE 44/04" on it.

The i-Size standard (R129) is a new regulation for car seats and hasbeen in effect since 2013. With the advent of i-Size, the safety requirements for child seats have been tightened. For example,rear-facing seats are now used for longer:up to 4 years. From now on, the change of seat will not only depend on the weight, but also on the size of the child. This regulation pushes towards the abandonment of the safety belt fixation in favor of theISOFIX system.

The different types of baby car seat

Car seats are designed to make transporting your child in a car safer while providing maximum comfort. In addition to the size and age of your baby and the longevity of the seat, you should also consider the safety and comfort of your baby when purchasing a car seat. These last two elements depend in part on the seat's attachment:Isofix or safety belt.

The Isofix fastening

The Isofix system is a system for securing infant and child seats that has been mandatory in carssince 2011thanks to the European i-Size regulation. The seat attachment mechanism consists of two "crocodile-shaped" clips that connect the car seat to two lower U-shaped metal anchors that are mounted between the back of the rear seat and the seat. They are connected to the body of the car. All car seats with Isofix are equipped withretaining hooks that you can easily snap onto these mounting points. This type of attachment is especially suitable for people who have a car manufactured after 2006

.

however, Isofix seats are not universal and can only be attached in cars equipped with Isofix mounting points. You should therefore check whether the type of seat you want is also suitable for your car. Other than that, car seats with Isofix are relatively expensive, as you also have to buy the frame (the base you click the seat onto).

Fastening with a seat belt

This

type of fastening is mostly suitable for people whose car is not equipped with the Isofix fastening system. To secure a car seat in a car not equipped with Isofix, simply secure the seat with the car's seat belt and according to the manufacturer's instructions. The belt often has to be "threaded" through a part of the backrest. The seat itself usually has a separate belt that you can use to secure your child.

However, the attachment is not always easy with seat belts. The installation is unreliable since there is a good chance that the seat is loose. Sometimes the belt in the back is just not long enough to fit around the car seat.

Isofix and LATCH

As in the Isofix system, a car seat equipped with the LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) has an installation system in which the baby seat is attached to the car with straps and two lower anchor points. The Isofix system has been required by European regulations since 2013, while the LATCH system has been required by American regulations since 2001.

Baby car seat or maxi cosy

Traditional baby car seat

The baby car seat is a device that allows you to transport and protect your baby during your car trips. When baby is in a car seat, avoid leaving him/her in it for more than 2 hours at a time. When your baby is older, from 1 year onwards, he will feel more comfortable sitting in a baby car seat rather than reclining in a cosy. In terms of practicality, the baby car seat is much heavier than a maxi-cosy, has a larger size and is therefore more bulky. It is therefore suitable for use only in the car.

Maxi cosy

The maxi cosy, just like the baby car seat, is also a device that allows you to transport your baby when travelling by car. It is important that the child does not spend 10 hours in the car every day. However, there is no risk of making a trip of 4 hours, 6 hours or more! You just need to avoid excess and take breaks from time to time!

It is therefore advisable not to leave your child for 2 hours in a row in his cosy, as his vertebrae need movement to avoid being compressed. You should know that in the mother's womb, the spine of babies is completely rounded up to the nape of the neck. This rounded posture is the natural position of babies. Therefore, the crib is the most appropriate and comfortable for baby during the first ten months of life because of its reclined position. The crib is more practical as it can be used anywhere.

Verdict

Basically, both maxi cosy and baby seat are useful. However, the choice between the two will depend mainly on the age of your child.

Why buy a baby car seat?

Car seats save lives, as do seat belts. But for babies and young children, it's best to use a car seat. There are several reasons for this:

Children have different bodies than adults

Until they are about 12 years old and 135 cm tall, children are too small and fragile to wear a seat belt properly. It is therefore best to put them in a car seat that corresponds to their weight and height to keep them safe.

Seat belts can be dangerous

Seat belts are designed to fit adults. They keep you in your seat during a car accident, prevent you from hitting the dashboard, steering wheel, etc. On children who are not yet the right size, seat belts can cause injuries that can be serious:

  • Rib or back injuries.
  • Shoulder injuries.
  • Head or neck injuries.

Holding them on your lap does not protect them

Even if you are wearing a seatbelt, your child could be torn from your arms by the force of a collision. And if you manage to get the seat belt around both of your bodies, your weight could actually crush your child and put him or her at risk of serious injury.

Children should remain in a booster seat until they are old enough for a seat belt to fit properly and safely. Use height and weight, not age, to determine when your child is ready for a seat belt.

Expiry dates

Car seats have expiration dates. Be sure to check your car seat, especially if you are using a previous child's car seat. Car seats are not made to last forever. Over time, the base of the seat can develop tiny fractures that can break in a car accident, and the belts can become slightly springy after years of use.

The best brands of baby car seat

In our opinion, the best brands of baby car seat in 2022 are :

Britax Römer
Chicco
Jané
Team Tex
Bébé Confort

For 70 years, Britax has become one of the most trusted brands of car seats and strollers in Europe and America because of their commitment to safety and innovative design. To achieve this high standard, Britax works with government agencies, car manufacturers, child safety experts and parents to create high quality products.

Present in over 120 countries on six continents, Chicco has been striving for 50 years to develop baby products of the highest quality. This is based on data from top researchers and scientists, child educators and the practical experience of parents all over the world.

Founded in 1932 in Spain, Jané has a wealth of experience and is one of the most prestigious brands in child safety, with a wide variety of products. Without a doubt, some of the best car seat options on the market.

Team Tex is a French company whose mission is to make safety car seats accessible to all families, regardless of their budget. Thanks to its brands, including Nania, which have become synonymous with accessibility, modern style, technical progress and above all safety.

In all the products it creates, this brand is inspired by two simple words: smart and caring. Being a smart company means striving to solve the most important problems for parents and family members. That's why their car seats are lightweight, durable and ergonomic.

What is the price baby car seat

The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).

However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.

Entry-level
60 £ to 100 £
Mid-range
100 £ to 300 £
High-end
more than 300 £
Price range diagram

Tips

Install your baby's seat correctly and securely.

Whether you use the LATCH system or a seat belt to hold the car seat in the car, check the instructions for your seat and car. Once installed, the car seat should not be able to move or shift more than an inch in any direction.

Chest clip at armpit level.

Place the chest clip in the right place, at the armpit or nipple. This way, your baby's body will be held securely in the seat, even if the car has an accident. If the chest clip is too low, a baby could slip through the harness at the top and be thrown out of the seat in an impact.

The baby must stay back.

Fasten

your child seat in the middle of the backseat, which is the safest place to be in the event of a hard crash or impact. Infant seats can also be installed on the passenger side if necessary: to get a better fit, to spare your weak back, or to fit another child's seat in the car. Never install a child seat in the front seat unless you are sure the airbag will not be activated. The impact caused by the airbag deployment is dangerous for children.

No bulky clothes under the straps.

Puffy jackets, down jackets, or padded clothing make the belt that holds the baby feel tight. But in the event of bumps or impacts, the baby could be thrown from the seat.

Put the seat facing backwards for the first two years.

For

infants and toddlers, the safest position is to place them facing the back of the car. This is because of their fragile necks and spines, if they are placed forward-facing, they could easily be injured, even when properly restrained.

FAQ

How do I know if a baby car seat meets government standards?

It is important to know that all manufacturers of car seats for Europe are required to comply with the European standard ECE R129. This standard is based on the Isofix attachment system. The baby car seat regulations ensure that all children will receive appropriate protection, regardless of the make or model chosen by parents. Some baby car seats may be more expensive than others because of the fabric or padding, but this does not necessarily mean that they are safer.

Is it better for the baby car seat to be placed in the middle of the back seat or behind the passenger side?

The middle seat is the safest in the event of an accident because it is farthest from the windows and airbags. However, parents should consider several factors, such as the number of children in the car, the seats you use and the size of your vehicle.

How do I know if my baby car seat has been installed correctly?

Always start by following the car seat and vehicle manufacturer's instructions when installing your seat. After installing the seat, we encourage parents to perform the following tests:

  • First, there is the "thumb test". Grab the infant car seat by the bottom where it attaches to the back seat and pull it from side to side and back and forth. If the seat moves more than an inch in either direction, tighten it.
  • Once your child is secured in the seat, there is the "pinch test". This is a quick and easy test to make sure the straps are tight enough. Pinch the baby car seat strap near your child's shoulder; if you can pinch a crease in the fabric, tighten the strap until it's snug.

Can I wash my child's car seat cushion?

With all the adventures that happen in the car, baby car seats can certainly see their fair share of damage. Fortunately, many baby car seat manufacturers allow you to remove the seat cushion so you can clean the fabric. However, every baby car seat manufacturer is a little different, so the best thing to do is to check your baby car seat manufacturer's manual for cleaning instructions.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. , quechoisir.org
  2. , maxi-cosi.fr
  3. , securange.fr
  4. , naitreetgrandir.com
  5. , aubert.com
  6. , magazine-avantages.fr
  7. , magicmaman.com
  8. , inspq.qc.ca
  9. , autoplus.fr
  10. , maison-travaux.fr
  11. , aubert.com
  12. , allobebe.fr
  13. , fr.shop-orchestra.com
  14. , vertbaudet.fr
  15. , baby-lux.com
  16. , carrefour.fr
  17. , bebe9.com
  18. , amazon.co.uk
  19. , auchan.fr
  20. , aufeminin.com
  21. , fr.shop-orchestra.com
  22. , norauto.fr
  23. , securange.fr
  24. , siege-auto-bebe.fr
  25. , dreambaby.be
  26. , aubert.com
  27. , lesdenicheurs.net
  28. , e.leclerc
  29. , securange.fr
  30. , norauto.fr
  31. , test-achats.be
  32. , autourdebebe.com
  33. , autourdebebe.com
  34. , maxi-cosi.fr
  35. , vertbaudet.fr
See more

Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

See more
Our selection
Britax Römer DUALFIX2 R 9
Britax Römer DUALFIX2 R
Safety 1st - Siège enfant groupe 3 avec ISOFIX 10
Safety 1st - Siège enfant groupe 3 avec ISOFIX
Britax Römer Dualfix Z-line i-size 11
Britax Römer Dualfix Z-line i-size
Chicco - Oasys Evo 2-3 Fixplus 12
Chicco - Oasys Evo 2-3 Fixplus

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