The Best Newborn Car Seats in the UK
Safety of your car seat is a top priority for every parent. There are a variety of options when it comes to choosing the best car seat for your child.
With a soft baby-hugg inlay and enhanced side impact protection The Cybex Cloud T is the most comfortable car seat for newborns in the UK. It also has a one-handed recline setting and no less than 12 headrest positions that adapt to your child's changing body.
1. Cybex Cloud T
The Cybex Cloud T car seat is the premium option for bringing your baby with you on your journeys from the moment they are born until they become toddlers. It is the latest addition to the iconic Cybex Cloud range and features innovative reclining technologies that allow your child a lie-flat ergonomic position in the car or when used with a stroller as part the complete travel system. It is also an ISOFIX vehicle seat, which means it can be easily affixed to your vehicle by using the base supplied. It can even be rotated to help to get your child into and out of the seat.
The car seat is constructed of top quality materials, and comes in a variety of stylish colours including Moon Black, Lava Grey and Beach Blue Plus. It is a stylish and elegant choice that goes perfectly with the Cybex T range of prams. It also includes the Newborn Inlay for newborns and premature babies which helps to ensure a secure, nearly flat position that reduces the possibility of their heads bouncing forward while they sleep, which could cause breathing problems. This can be removed when your child is at 60 cm in height.
The car seat is an excellent option for safety, since it has scored an impressive 1.7 in crash tests by ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutsche Automobil-Club e.V.). The Cloud T iSize is equipped with LSP (Linear Side-impact protection) to safeguard your baby in the event of a crash and the revolutionary Flexi-Fix system that stretches to accommodate your child as they develop.
If you're planning to use the car seat as part of a travel set-up with a Cybex pushchair, the unique 180deg rotation means that getting your baby in and out is a breeze - no more awkward bending or reaching. The car seat can also be set in a fully reclined configuration for added comfort during long car journeys. The price is slightly higher than other car seats of this age but the features it has, including the reclining feature and excellent safety features makes it worth the investment.
2. Maxi-Cosi Pebble Plus
The Maxi-Cosi Pebble Plus is among the most comfortable infant car seats available. It's comfortable for babies and easy to use. It's suitable for babies from birth. It can be used with the Maxi-Cosi FamilyFix, EasyFix base, or with your car seat belt system. The car seat is also compatible with most pushchairs, including the Maxi-Cosi range and Quinny, iCandy and Bugaboo (using adapters). The Baby-Hugg infant support is included to ensure a better fit, laying position, and side impact protection.
The Pebble Plus car seat is a Group 0+ that means it can be used by infants as young as 12 months (45cm between 45cm and 75cm). It meets the new i-Size regulations which require children to stay in the rear of the car for longer. It's compatible with the 2way Family base, which allows you to switch between forward and rear facing on the same vehicle and also has a handy rotating feature.
It's still a very comfortable seat, but the latest version has some improvements. It features a new, improved baby-hugging inlay that feels and looks great. The shoulder straps are cushioned and the headrest is adjustable to accommodate your baby's growing. You can remove it at any time, in case you decide not to use it any more.
It's a little heavier than some of the other infant carseats, at 4.5kg however that should not be a problem when your infant is using it most of the time. It has a handle that can make it easier to carry, and is lightweight enough to be carried into and out of taxis or rideshare vehicles.
It's also a good-looking seat, and you can choose from a wide selection of colours and patterns to match your car. It's not the most affordable infant car seat, but it's still affordable and is worth the investment for your baby. It can be tricky to adjust the length and height however once you've mastered the art of it, it's a breeze. You simply pull down on the back panel, and squeeze together two buttons to move up and down the straps without having to rethread them.
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 you should consider Joie Calmi. This dual-use car seat and carrycot is R129-certified. It's made tough with a durable ventilated outer shell and plush padding to hold your little one. 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 safest position in case of an impact.
best car seats newborn of this seat is compatible with Joie Aeria and Finiti strollers, which means you can easily slide it on and off the frame. It's easy to lift even when your baby is asleep, thanks to the adjustable handle bars. If you're planning to build a travel set, iBase Encore adapters will allow you to pair Calmi with a MaxiCosi or Britax stroller.
Joie has improved on the design of its previous i-Spin 360, which earned a high test score in Which?'s crash tests and a Good rating from ADAC. The model we tested has locks to stop the seat from turning too fast, ensuring that your child is rear-facing for as long as it is possible. It also comes with a large sun canopy that is water-resistant, with 50+ UV protection as well as a mesh peekaboo that allows you to check in without disturbing the child.
If you're looking for a car seat online, ensure you choose a store that provides free UK mainland delivery on all orders and returns within 35 days. John Lewis offers a wide selection of car seats for newborns from top brands, including Maxi-Cosi, Silver Cross and Cybex. Click and collect is free to your local branch (or Sainsbury's if you are near). You can also earn Nectar points on all purchases. Argos is another great option for a variety 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 participating Sainsbury's store.
4. Silver Cross Motion All Size 360
Silver Cross Motion is a new all-in-one vehicle seat from the reputable British brand, which is known for its premium pushchairs and prams. Our test subject Jasper loved it, describing it "the most attractive of the bunch and the one my daughter seemed to be most comfortable on long rides."
This fully rotating R129 safe car seat is suitable for infants up to 12 year olds. It won the ADAC 2022 autumn test's award for the top child, baby and toddler car seat. It's also been tested over and beyond regulations to ensure your child is safe on every journey.
It comes with an adjustable, comfortable cushioned insert for infants made of soft bamboo fabric. These are super comfortable and breathable, as well as antibacterial. The body and head support can be removed as your child grows, and the 3 recline and 8 positions for the headrest can be adjusted to suit.
The 'green' light that indicates when the car seat has been properly installed and is ready for use is an unique feature. This makes it an ideal choice for new parents, who may not be familiar with the proper installation and fitting of car seats. It also comes with a handy stowable strap that can be used in the rear-facing 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 journeys. However, it isn't travel system-compatible, like the Joie I-Spin 360 iSize or Britax Romer Dualfix Plus iSize (you have to purchase an additional travel bag for this).
The Axkid One is a permanently fixed car seat that is permanently fixed. They're not as simple to transport between cars. If you decide to purchase a separate travel bag for your car seat, make sure it's a durable one that can withstand the wear and tear that comes with frequent use. It's worth paying more to purchase a bag that will last longer than the car seat of your child.