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

The best car seat is an essential purchase for parents. With a myriad of child car seats and baby car seats to pick from, it's crucial to be fully clued up.

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

Group 0+

If you're a mother of a newborn or infant car seats uk (why not try these out), an infant car seat is a must-have. These seats are designed to shield children from the dangers of driving including head injuries by ensuring that they stay in the position that is recommended. All-stage car seats are able to protect infants, but they do not have the safety features that are standard in infant car seats.

Car seats for infants are typically rear-facing, and allow the child to use the seat to 15 months old. A lot of these models include a newborn car seat insert that is designed to accommodate babies who are smaller and allows them to remain comfortable. Furthermore, the best infant car seats have a the recommended recline so that the head of the child is secure during the ride.

All rotating infant car seat car seats must be approved to the i-Size standard and meet European safety standards. The iSize standard is more sophisticated than R44/04. This means that cars that are approved under this regulation are more likely to be more secure in side impact tests. This is important for newborns and babies. Additionally, iSize seats utilize more sophisticated Q-series crash test dummies which gives even greater safety protection for infants and toddlers.

When buying an infant car seat, parents should think about how often they will need to move it from one vehicle to the next. Those who frequently 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 set up in seconds. This allows the seat to be swiftly moved between cars which makes it ideal for parents who have to take multiple trips.

ADAC has awarded the Silver Cross Dream i-Size an excellent safety rating, meaning that it offers excellent protection for infants. It also comes with an ISOFIX base integrated and EPS energy-absorbing foam.

Group 1

The Cosatto All in One, like many other infant car seats designed for babies, can be used from birth and until your child is 12 years old (or 36kg). Similar to the Group 0+ seats, it rotates so that it's easy to get the baby in and out, fit using ISOFIX or a car seat belt with the top tether, and is rear-facing. It's also easy to clean which aids in cleaning any spills or staining.

It's important to keep in mind that your baby can outgrow an infant car seat quite quickly - many parents are forced to replace their seats by nine months, or earlier. Most manufacturers suggest moving on to a different seat when your child's head is within an inch of the top of the car seat.

A car seat must be in compliance with specific European safety standards in order to be sold. This includes rigorous tests of accident simulations as well as the use of specific types of materials to protect your child from injuries caused by collisions. Two standards are in force at the moment in force - ECE R44 and R129, known as i-Size. The latter is more rigorous and takes into account the height as well as weight when grading car seats.

Our experience has shown that seats that have been approved to the R129 standard, also referred to as iSize, tend to be more secure and easy to install. They can also keep your child facing rearwards for a longer time. The only downside is that they aren't used with an airbag for the front passenger and may not be suitable for some families. However, it's important to speak with the manufacturer for any concerns prior to purchasing. They should be able provide you with the latest information and suggestions for your particular situation.

Group 2

A car seat for group 2 is designed for infants who are large enough to upgrade from a Group 0+, but not yet old enough to be able to use a Group 1 convertible car seat. It's not as popular as all-in-ones however it's worth looking into when you're looking for a seat to take your child from birth up until around four years of age.

It is essential that the car seat you choose is compliant with European safety standards. You can check for the E-mark and ensure that the seat is compliant with ECE R44/04 or iSize (which is being replaced by the previous regulation). This will help you determine if the seat will be safe for your child in the event of a crash. Seats with the i-Size certification are easier to install, offer better protection against side-impacts and will keep your child rear-facing longer.

The Maxi Cosi Pebble 360 Pro is designed for babies up to 15 months old, is an excellent option with impressive crash test results. The LATCH connectors, which are rigid, change color when properly connected. It also comes with a swivel-base that helps to limit movement in the vehicle, and an inlay that hug the baby’s head, neck and back to ensure the proper posture.

The Cybex Aviounaut Pixel Pro is another option. It also features an swivel base that is 360 degrees and an exclusive G Cell system that offers protection in the event of side impacts. It's a little more expensive than some of the other seats, but it offers a great value and superior protection. Jasper found it comfortable on long journeys and it looks nicer than some of the other seats we tested, too.

Group 3

A group 3 rotating infant car seat seat is a 3-in-1 car seat that can be used from birth to the booster stage. The seats are rear-facing (some until your child is at least 9kg) and can later be turned around to face forwards - they can be used in this way until they reach their maximum weight of 36kg.

These seats are generally very comfortable and provide good head and neck support. Many of them come with removable and machine washable padding for newborns to keep them germ-free. One of the most effective models that we tested, Nuna PIPA Air Rx includes two inserts – one made from sustainable materials and the second from GOTS certified organic cotton to ensure your baby feels more comfortable.

This model not only has impressive crash test results, but also a very user-friendly design. It comes with one-handed reclining and 12 different headrest positions. It's also very easy to set up using ISOFIX and comes with an excellent indicator that changes colour to show you've got it secure.

We don't recommend switching groups too soon as children who are in the lower limits of each group may be more vulnerable to injury in a crash, therefore it's best to hold in your old seat until your child reaches their new limit. There are still some excellent options in this group. We recommend the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 which will last until the 12th birthday of their child.

Cozy N Safe Arthur is another option worth considering. It can take your child from the newborn stage to the booster stage at four years old. It's not as expensive the most rated Silver Cross and has a variety of comfort and safety options, including a one handed recline setting as well as 13 headrest positions.

Group 4

The infant seat of the group 4 is the newest addition to our collection. It is designed specifically for children who are between the ages of 6 and 6. It can be used either as a booster or in a rearward-facing position. The seat was highly rated for its versatility, and because it can be used without the need for a base. It is ideal for taxi rides, holiday fly-drives or trips in grandparents' or rental car vehicles. It is equipped with ISOFIX connectors that click into the base of the vehicle with a satisfying clunk. It also has a variety of features that make it perfect for newborns, including the brand's hugging inlay, a revolutionary ClimaFlow ventilation system, and G-CELL side-impact technology to maintain protection as your child develops.

Our team of testers has reviewed a variety of car seats for children to determine the most suitable option for you and your loved ones. We rated each model by its ease of use as well as the quality of materials used and comfort for your child. We also assessed the safety of each seat, considering whether it was i-Size approved and how it performed in crash tests. We looked at the safety ratings provided by independent safety experts. For example the Swedish Plus test which examines the performance of a car seat during crashes with low speeds as well as short braking distances.

We also examined the value of each product, as it is something that many parents consider essential. Our top-rated infant car seat has an affordable price, are easy to fit and come with useful features like a movable sleeping bag and a reversible cover.