The Best Newborn Car Seats in the UK
Safety in car seats is a top concern for all parents. There are a myriad of options when it comes to selecting the best car seat for your child.
With a soft 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 setting and no less than 12 headrest positions that can be adjusted to the growing body of your child.
1. Cybex Cloud T
The Cybex Cloud T car seat is the best choice for bringing your baby to the road from the moment they are born until they become toddlers. It's the latest update to the legendary Cybex Cloud line and features an innovative reclining system that gives your child an ergonomic lie-flat position inside the car and in conjunction with a pushchair as part of an overall travel system. It is also an ISOFIX vehicle seat, which means it can be easily affixed to your car by using the base supplied. It can also be rotated to assist you in helping get your baby into and out of the seat.
The car seat itself is made from high-quality materials and comes in a variety of fashionable colours such as Moon Black, Lava Grey, Beach Blue Plus and Seashell Beige Plus. It is a stylish and sophisticated option that matches perfectly with the Cybex T range of prams. It also includes the Newborn Inlay for newborns and premature babies which helps to ensure a Safe & Stylish Baby Car Seats for Every Family, near-flat position that minimizes the chance of their heads moving forward during sleep, potentially leading to breathing difficulties. It can be removed when your child reaches 60 cm in height.
The car seat is a great option for safety as it scored an impressive 1.7 in crash tests conducted by ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutsche Automobil-Club e.V.). The Cloud T iSize is equipped with LSP (Linear Side-impact protection) to safeguard your child in the event of a collision and the revolutionary Flexi-Fix system that stretches to accommodate your child as they develop.
The unique 180deg rotating infant car seat system makes it simple to get your baby in and out of the car seat when you use it as part of a travel system, with a Cybex stroller. There is no more awkward twisting or reaching. The car seat is also equipped to fully recline to provide extra comfort during long car journeys. It does come at a slightly higher cost than other car seats for this age group, however the wide array of features, including the option to recline and the excellent safety features make it well worth the cost.
2. Maxi-Cosi Pebble Plus
The Maxi-Cosi Pebble Plus Car Seat is among the most popular newborn car seats available. It's comfortable for babies and simple to use. It's suitable from birth and can be used with Maxi-Cosi's FamilyFix or EasyFix base or with the seat belt system in your car. The car seat is compatible with most pushchairs, including the Maxi-Cosi range, Quinny, iCandy and Bugaboo (using adapters). The Baby-Hugg infant support is also included to provide the best fit, better laying in a more upright position, and also side impact protection.
The Pebble Plus car seat is classified as a Group 0+ that means it can be used for babies as young as 12 months (45cm to 75cm). It is in compliance with the latest i-Size guidelines that require children to remain in the rear of the car for longer. It is compatible with the 2way Family base, which allows you to switch between forward and rear facing on the same car and comes with a handy rotation feature.
As with the previous version it's a really comfy seat and the new version has some improvements. It now has a much-improved baby-hugg inlay that looks and feels super-comfy. The shoulder straps are cushioned, and the headrest can be moved up and down as your baby grows. You can take it off at any time when you do not want to use it any more.
It's heavier than other infant carseats, at 4.5kg, but that isn't a problem if your infant is in it for most of the time. It has a handle that can make it easier to carry and is light enough to be lifted to and from taxis or rideshare vehicles.
It's also a stylish seat and you can pick from a variety of patterns and colours to suit your car. It's not the cheapest car seat for infants, but it's still affordable and worth the extra investment for your baby. It can be difficult to adjust the height and length however once you get the hang of it, it's easy. You can adjust the straps by pulling downwards on the back panel pressing two buttons at the same time.
3. Joie Calmi
If you're looking for a baby car seat that's simple to use and holds your baby like a cot, then you should consider Joie Calmi. This carrycot that doubles as a car seat is certified R129, which means it's made tough with a tough ventilated shell and plush padding to protect your baby. It features a 3-point safety harness that can be adjusted with just a single pull, and softly cushioned covers. It also has lateral positioning, which helps keep your baby's face in the safest possible position in the event of an collision.
The base of this seat is compatible with Joie Aeria and Finiti strollers, so it's easy to pop it onto and off the frame. It's easy to lift even if your baby is asleep because of the adjustable handle bars. If you're looking to build an all-in-one travel system, the iBase Encore adapters permit 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 Which?'s crash tests and a good rating from ADAC. The most recent model, which we tested, features a lock that will stop you from rotating the seat too quickly, ensuring that your child stays in the rear as long as is possible. It also has a huge sun canopy that's water resistant and provides 50+ UV protection and features a mesh peekaboo windows to allow you to check in without disturbing your child.
If you're looking for a car seat online, make sure you pick a retailer that offers free UK mainland delivery on all orders and returns within 35 days. John Lewis has a great selection of baby car seats from top brands, including Cybex, Maxi-Cosi and Silver Cross and also offers free click and collect to your nearest store (or to an Sainsbury's branch if you are nearby). You can also earn Nectar points on every purchase. Argos is another option for a variety of car seats, starting at PS55. They'll also deliver your order free of charge, offer same-day in-store collection and free returns at any Argos store or participating Sainsbury's branches.
4. Silver Cross Motion All Size 360
Silver Cross Motion is a new vehicle seat that's all-in-one from the reputable British brand, which is known for its premium pushchairs and prams. Jasper, our tester, was a fan of it. He said it was "the most stylish of the bunch." My child seemed to be most comfortable for long drives."
This fully-rotating R129-compliant car seat is able to carry your infant all the way to 12 years old and was awarded the top baby, toddler and child car seat award in ADAC's autumn test in 2022. It was also tested to the extent that it exceeds the requirements to ensure that your child is protected during every trip.
For newborns, it features a removable and cosy padded insert made from soft bamboo fabric that's comfortable and breathable. It's also antibacterial. The body insert and head support can be removed as your child gets older. You can also adjust the position of the headrest and recline to accommodate.
The green light that indicates when the car seat is properly fitted and is ready for use is an unique feature. This makes it a perfect choice for parents who may not know the proper installation and fitting of car seats. It also comes with a harness that can be used in either a rear or forward-facing position.
It's also a permanent fixture, so you won't need to wake your baby up to take 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 i-Size (you have to purchase an additional travel bag for this).
The Axkid One is a permanently fixed car seat. They are not as easy to move between cars. If you decide to purchase an additional travel bag, pick one that is durable and can stand up to the wear and tear of regular use. It's worth spending a little more to purchase a bag that will last as long as the car seat of your child.