The Best Car Seat For Your Child
The choices for car seats can be overwhelming. The best car seat is the one that is a good fit for your child and your vehicle and is properly used every time.
That's why we looked beyond the weight and height limits to find the best seats that have passed the most rigorous crash tests.
1. Axkid ONE 2
The Axkid ONE 2 is one of the most modern car seat models that are available today. It lets children be rear-facing until the age of 7 years. Its innovative design, which has an adjustable rail system that adjusts legroom means it can fit tall children, and is also compact enough to fit only two seat belts in small cars.
The Axkid ONE 2 was praised for its high level of safety. It has passed the Swedish Plus test and been tested by the most rigorous crash tests in the world. This makes it one of the safest car seats available. It also comes with other features that distinguish it from its competitors. For good infant car seats is simple and secure in only 30 seconds.
Another thing that makes Axkid ONE 2 special is the fact that it can provide a range of different legroom positions to suit your child's height from the most shortest to the longest. These are clearly labeled with stickers to ensure a secure install and all have been crash tested. This means you can place your child's legs on the backrest, or put them in the most spacious position to maximize comfort, which can aid them in sleeping better on long journeys.
The Axkid One 2, like all Axkid's car seats is quite light, meaning it's easy to move between cars or store away when not in use. It's also small, with a slim profile, which makes it an ideal choice for smaller vehicles and hatchbacks. Axkid also offers a comprehensive instructions manual that is easy to follow as well as helpful photos that show you how to properly install the seat in your vehicle.
The Axkid ONE 2 isn't cheap and a basic color model costing PS600. The Axkid ONE 2 is a unique model that isn't able to be compared with other models. However, its security features and long-lasting durability make it worth the price. Axkid offers a 1-year guarantee on all of their products. This will give you the peace of mind that you made the right choice.
2. Cybex Sirona 360 Plus
The Cybex Sirona 360 Plus, one of the rotating seats that are gaining in popularity aids parents in getting their children into their seats with less effort. It's a great thing that it spins, but it is also expensive, and doesn't perform well in crash tests and is not suitable for use on planes (unless you're Canadian).
This is a fantastic car seat for families who need to use the most minimal effort in getting their child into and out of the vehicle. The swivel lets you quickly turn the seat to forward-facing, making it easier to maneuver your baby. It's also extremely comfortable for your children, with plenty of padding and a nice, soft cover. SensorSafe technology monitors your child's safety when they crash.
Rear-facing seats allow your child to achieve up to 50% more safety than a seat that is forward-facing. This is because they are pushed toward the seat shell, which reduces and distributes impact forces. The Integrated Linear Side-impact Protection ensures that your child is safe from accidents on the sides of your vehicle.
If you're comparing the Cybex against other car seats, the installation is a bit of an issue and it's not suitable for all vehicles and therefore, you must ensure that it is compatible with your vehicle before purchasing it. The adjustable shoulder height has 12 height options, as well as three crotch positions. It can take some time to determine the best size, but it's not difficult to do. The buckle on the harness and chest clip are simple to open and use.
The Cybex has another benefit it's a great alternative for rear-facing children who want to stay in the rear. There's no legal limit on the length of time your child can be in the rear-facing position. This is not something we recommend for most children because they'll have to change to a different car seat as they increase in height.
3. Silver Cross Motion All Size 360
The Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 car seat is a top quality product that's surprisingly inexpensive. It is suitable for children from birth to around four years old. It rotates 360 degrees, making it easy to get into. It also comes with a newborn insert and 8 headrest positions that adapt to your child, ensuring they can sit in the most comfortable position possible.
The i-Size car seat has a handy harness hook that can be stowed away that keeps the harness from getting in the way when you're ready for securing your child. This seat is also comfortable for children thanks to the memory foam padding. Children are less likely than adults to stay still when they're unhappy!
It's no wonder this car seat was named Best Multi Stage Car Seat at the Mother&Baby Awards 2022. It's certified to the most recent R129 safety standard and rigorously tested, giving you complete security. It also received the highest score in the ADAC Autumn test and you can be at ease knowing that it's safe and secure.
Another great thing about the Motion is that it's designed to last for a long time. Unlike many other car seats, which stop being secure once your child reaches taller than 145cm, this one will keep them safely secured until they reach the age of 12 years old. This is a great advantage for families that might require more than one seat during their child's growing years, or grandparents who may be responsible for children at different stages of their lives.
The only drawback of this car seat is that it doesn't come with a manual but you can download the Silver Cross app for step-by-step installation guides and videos. It's a fantastic feature to have and is definitely worth a look when you're in search of the best convertible car seat.
If you're considering purchasing the Silver Cross Motion, it's important to evaluate and contrast it against other models on the market. Some of the competitors, such as the Cosatto Nania Revo or the Cuggl Owl do not offer a 360-degree rotating car seat, but they do offer a rear-facing extension for your child until the age of four and forward-facing for up to 12 years. The Nania and Cuggle are also less expensive than the Silver Cross but they don't have the same great crash test ratings or lifespan as this model.
4. Britax B-Safe 35
The B-Safe rear-facing, only car seat has been a staple in the industry for a number of years. They are adored by parents due to their safety features and user-friendly. The most recent version, the B-Safe 35 Gen 2 takes this beloved seat and refreshes it with some extra internal space as well as updated features. The B-Safe 35 Elite is also equipped with an additional layer of protection known as Complete Side Impact Protection PLUS, which utilizes energy-absorbing foam to protect your baby's head and neck during a crash. The B-Safe 35 has SafeCell Technology with a honeycomb design that compresses in a crash to absorb energy and reduce the center of gravity to stop backward movement that can cause neck injuries. The base is small enough to fit a three-car seats across in the majority of automobiles. The seat is available in a variety of stylish fabrics such as Black, Meadow and Red for the standard B Safe 35, and Aqua, Domino and CowMooflage for the B Safe 35 Elite.
The B-Safe is a fantastic car seat for infants, but it isn't as good as the top options in our rankings due to other factors. It has an average chest clip and an average HIC score, which means it won't be as secure as other infant car seats in the event of a frontal collision.
Like its predecessor model, the new model comes with an excellent LATCH system that has integrated slide lockoffs that grip the vehicle belt tightly and lower anchor connectors with push-ons that allow for easy tightening. It also comes with a handy feature that allows you to move the handle past the canopy without having to take it off it and rethread the harness. However, we noticed that it is more difficult to rotate than other models and could become more difficult to handle over time as it gets grimier.
We liked that the belt path is clearly marked for installation without the base. This is a nice feature for families that are often in ride-share vehicles or putting the car seat in a car with strangers. We also liked that the headrest can be adjusted in multiple positions so your child can grow comfortably.