Infant Car Seats - Which One is Right For Your Baby?

The right car seat for your newborn car seat insert is a key parenting purchase. With a variety of car seats for children and baby car seats to select from, it's essential to be well-informed.

Usually Group 0+ or i-Size (R129) baby car seats, these rear-facing ones are suitable from the moment of birth. These seats are often combined with strollers to create travel systems.

Group 0+

A car seat for your newborn or infant is a necessity. These seats are designed to safeguard infants from dangers of driving and head injuries by ensuring they stay in the correct position. All-stage car seats are also equipped to safeguard infants, but they do not have the added safety features of infant car seat swivel car seats.

Typically, a baby car seat is rear-facing, and allows babies to ride in the seat until they're approximately 15 months old. A lot of these models come with a newborn car seat insert insert that is designed to accommodate babies who are smaller and helps them stay comfortably. Reputable infant car seats also have recline guidelines to protect the child's brain during the ride.

All infant car seats should be approved to the i-Size standard and meet European safety standards. The i-Size standard is more advanced than R44/04, which means that cars approved to this regulation tend to have more effective side-impact tests, which is essential for infants and newborns. In addition, i-Size cars use more sophisticated crash test dummies from the Q-series, which provide even more safety protection for toddlers and infants.

Anyone who decides to purchase an infant car seat must be aware of how often they'll have to transfer it between vehicles. For those who regularly use taxis or car sharing services should search for a seat with a unique baseless design, such as the Nuna PIPA Urbn that allows the seat to be installed in seconds. This makes it possible for the seat to be easily swapped between cars. It is ideal for parents who need to make frequent trips.

The Silver Cross Dream i-Size has been awarded a top safety rating by ADAC which means it offers extremely good protection for infants and babies. It also comes with an ISOFIX base built in and EPS energy-absorbing foam.

Group 1

The Cosatto All in One, like many other infant Car Seats uk car seats designed for babies, can be used from birth and until your child turns 12 years old old (or 36kg). Like Group 0+ seats, it can rotate so it's easy to get the baby in and out, be used with ISOFIX or a car seat belt with the top tether, and it's rear-facing. It's also easy to clean, which helps with any spills or stains.

Remember that your child can outgrow their car seat quickly. Many parents must replace their seat within nine months, or earlier. The majority of manufacturers recommend moving to a different car seat when your child's head is within an inch of the top of the car seat.

A car seat has to comply with specific European safety standards to be sold. This includes testing rigorously in accident simulations, and the use of specific materials to guard your child from side-impact injuries. There are currently two standards in force in force - ECE R44, and R129 (known as i-Size), which is more rigorous and takes into account both height and weight when classifying car seats for children.

Our experience has shown us that seats that are approved to the R129 standard, also known as i-Size, tend to be more secure and easy to install. They also allow your child facing rearwards for a longer time. The only drawback to these seats is that they are unable to be used with an airbag for the front-passenger which might not work for some families. It is important to check with the manufacturer for any concerns prior to purchasing. They should be able provide you with the most current information and advice specific to your situation.

Group 2

A group 2 car seat is designed for infants that are large enough to be upgraded from a Group 0+ but not yet old enough to be able to use a convertible Group 1 seat. It's not as common as the all-in-one models however it's something to keep in mind if you want the best car seat for your child from birth up to around four years of age.

It is important that the car seat you choose meets European safety standards. Look for the E mark to see that it is compliant with ECE R44/04, or i-Size (which will eventually replace the old regulation) to ensure that you're buying a seat that will protect your child well in the event of a collision. Seats with the iSize certification are more simple to install, and provide better protection against side impacts, and can keep your child rear-facing longer.

The Maxi Cosi Pebble 360 Pro, designed for newborns to 15 months old, is an excellent option with impressive crash test results. The LATCH connectors, which are rigid, change colour when properly connected. It also has a swivel base that reduces movement in the vehicle and a hugging inlay for the baby’s head, neck and back to help maintain proper posture.

The Cybex Aviounaut Pixel Pro is an alternative. It also features 360-degree base swivel as well as an exclusive G Cell system that provides protection during side-impacts. It's more expensive than some of the other seats but provides a good value and great protection. Jasper found it comfortable on long journeys, and it appears more appealing than other seats we tried, too.

Group 3

A group 3 infant seat is a three-in-one car seat that can be used from birth until the booster stage. They start rearward-facing (some until your child is at minimum 9kg) and then can be turned to face forwards. They can be used in this manner until they reach their limit of 36kg.

These seats are usually very comfortable and offer good neck and head support. Many come with removable and machine-washable padding that is suitable for infants to ensure they are germ-free. One of the most effective models that we tested, Nuna PIPA Air Rx includes two inserts, one made of eco-friendly materials and the other from GOTS certified organic cotton – to ensure that your baby feels more comfortable.

Along with having impressive crash test results, this model has a very easy to use design, with the ability to recline with one hand and a minimum of 12 headrest positions. It's also very easy to set up with ISOFIX and has an easy-to-read colour change indicator to show you've got it secured.

We do not recommend changing seats too quickly, as children in the lower limits are more susceptible to injury in a crash. It's best to keep your old seat until your child reaches their new limit. There are plenty of great options in this group. We recommend the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 that will last your child until the age of 12.

Cozy N Safe Arthur is another excellent option. It can take your child from the newborn stage to the booster stage when they are four years old. It's not as expensive as the top-rated Silver Cross, and features a good range of safety and comfort features, including the ability to recline with one hand and more than 13 headrest positions.

Group 4

The infant seat of the group 4 is the latest addition to our list. It is designed for children who are between the ages of 6 and 6. It can either be used as a booster seat or in a rear-facing position. The seat was highly rated for its versatility, and for the fact that it is able to be used without the need for a base. It's perfect for taxi rides, holiday fly-drives or trips in grandparent's or rental vehicles. It has built-in ISOFIX connectors that click into the base of the vehicle with a satisfying clunk. It has a number of features that make it ideal for infants. This includes the brand's hugging inlay the revolutionary ClimaFlow ventilating system and G-CELL technology for side impact protection to ensure that your child is safe as they develop.

Our team of testers reviewed several different car seats for group 4 to find the best options for you and your family. We assessed each model for its ease of use, the quality of its materials and how comfortable the seat is for your child to sit in. We also considered the safety of each model, taking into account whether it was iSize-approved and its performance in crash tests. We looked at the safety ratings of independent safety experts. For instance, the Swedish Plus test which examines a car seat’s performance during crashes with low speeds as well as short brake distances.

We also looked at the value of each model, since this is a major factor for parents of all ages. Our top-rated car seats for infants are low cost, simple to install and come with useful features like sleeping bags which can be removed as well as an reversible cover.