The Best Newborn Car Seats in the UK

Safety in car seats is a top priority for all parents. There are many options available when it comes to choosing the best newborn car seats for your child.

The Cybex Cloud T offers enhanced side impact protection as well as a baby-hugging inlay. It is the best new car seat in the UK. It also features a single-handed recline option and more than 12 headrest positions that adapt to the growing body of your child.

1. Cybex Cloud T

The Cybex Cloud T car seat is the premium option for taking your newborn along on trips from the time they're born until toddlers. It's the newest addition to the iconic Cybex Cloud line and features the latest reclining technology that allows your child an ergonomic lie-flat position inside the car, and when used with a pushchair as part of the travel system. It is also an ISOFIX vehicle seat, which means it is able to be easily attached to your car using the base provided. It can also be rotated to help you to get your child into and out of the seat.

The car seat itself is constructed from high-quality materials and comes in a variety of fashionable colours that include Moon Black, Lava Grey, Beach Blue Plus and Seashell Beige Plus. It's a stylish and elegant choice that seamlessly matches with the Cybex T line of prams. It also comes with the Newborn Inlay for newborns and premature babies which helps to ensure a safe, near-flat position that reduces the risk of their heads flopping forward during sleep, which could cause breathing difficulties. This can be removed when your child reaches 60 centimeters 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 protect your child from being thrown around the seat in the event of an accident and the unique Flexi-Fix harness system which stretches as your child grows to ensure they always have a secure fit.

If you're planning to use the car seat as part of a travel system with a Cybex pushchair, the innovative 180deg rotation ensures that getting your baby in and out is a breeze - no more awkward twisting or reaching. The car seat can also be set in a fully reclined configuration for added comfort during long car trips. It does come at a slightly higher price point than some other cars seats for this age group, however the numerous features, including the option to recline and the excellent safety features make it worth the cost.

2. Maxi-Cosi Titan Plus i-Size Car Seat for Kids Pebble Plus

Maxi-Cosi's Pebble Plus is among the most comfortable infant car seats on the market. It's a comfortable seat for babies and easy to use. It's suitable from birth and can be used with Maxi-Cosi's FamilyFix or EasyFix base or in conjunction with your car's seat belt system. The car seat can be used with all pushchairs, including the Maxi Cosi range, Quinny, iCandy, and Bugaboo with adapters. It comes with the Baby-Hugg infant head support to ensure a better fit, positioning for laying and side impact protection.

The Pebble Plus car seat is classified as a Group 0+ that means it is suitable for babies as young as 12 months (45cm – 75cm). It's in line with the new iSize guidelines that requires children to be in the rear of the car for longer. It's compatible with the 2way Family base which allows you to change between forward and rear facing in the same car and comes with a handy rotation feature.

It's still a very comfortable seat, but the latest version has some improvements. It has a new, improved baby-hugging inlay that is both beautiful and comfortable. The shoulder straps are cushioned and the headrest is adjustable to accommodate the growth of your baby. You can remove it at any time, when you do not want to use it anymore.

It is a little heavier at 4.5kg than other newborn carseats, but it shouldn't pose a problem for a baby who spends the majority of the time in it. It comes with a handle to make it easier to carry and is light enough to lift to and from taxis or rideshare vehicles.

It's also a good-looking seat, and you can choose from a wide selection of colors and patterns to suit your car. It's not the cheapest infant car seat, but it's still affordable and worth the extra investment for your baby. It can be tricky to adjust the harness length and height however once you've mastered the art of it, it's easy. You simply pull down on the back panel, and squeeze two buttons to move up and down the straps without the need to rethread them.

3. Joie Calmi

Joie Calmi is the perfect baby car seat. It's easy to use, and can be used as a cot for baby. This dual-use car seat as well as carrycot is certified by R129. It's built to last with a tough ventilated outer shell and a plush padding to protect your little one. It has a three-point safety harness that is adjusted by a single pull and softly cushioned covers. Plus, it features lateral positioning to keep your baby's head in the most secure position in case of an accident.

The base of this seat is compatible with Joie's Aeria and Finiti pushchairs, so you can take it off and put it back on with ease. It's easy to move even when your baby is asleep, due to the adjustable handle bars. If you're planning to build a travel set, iBase Encore adapters will allow you to connect your Calmi up with a MaxiCosi or Britax stroller.

Joie has improved the design of its previous i-Spin 360, which earned an excellent score in Which?'s crash tests as well as a good rating from ADAC. The latest model, which we tested, comes with a lock that stops you from turning the seat too quickly, making sure your baby stays rearward-facing for the longest time possible. It also boasts a large sun canopy that's water resistant and provides 50+ UV protection, and has a mesh peekaboo window to let you observe without disturbing your child.

If you're shopping for a car seat online, make sure you pick a retailer that provides free UK mainland delivery on all purchases and returns within 35 days. John Lewis offers a wide variety of infant car seats from top brands such as Maxi-Cosi, Silver Cross and Cybex. Click and collect is free to your local branch (or Sainsbury's if you are nearby). On all purchases you can also earn Nectar points. Argos also offers a good range of car seats at prices starting from PS55. You can also enjoy free delivery, same-day collection at the store and free returns to any Argos or Sainsbury's store that is participating.

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 top pushchairs and prams. Jasper, our tester, loved it. He said it was "the most stylish of the bunch and my baby seemed to find it most comfortable on long drives."

This fully rotating R129 certified car seat is suitable for infants all the way to 12 years old. It won the ADAC 2022 Autumn Test's award for the most effective child, baby and toddler car seat. It's also been tested over and beyond the regulations to ensure that your child will be safe on every journey.

It comes with a removable, cosy cushioned insert for infants composed of soft bamboo fabrics. These bamboo fabrics are extremely comfortable and breathable, as well as antibacterial. The head support and body insert can be removed as your child grows and the 3 headrest positions and recline can also be adjusted to fit your child's.

A distinctive feature is the built-in 'green light' that lets you know that the car seat is secured and ready for use and is a great option for parents who aren't familiar with the proper way to install and set up car seats. It also comes with a harness that can be used in either rear or forward facing position.

It's also a permanent fixture, so you won't have to wake your baby up to get them out of the car on longer trips. But, it's not travel system-compatible like the Joie i-Spin 360 i-Size or Britax Romer Dualfix Plus iSize (you must purchase an additional travel bag to do this).

The downside to permanently fixed car seats like the Axkid One i-size is that they're not as easy to carry around when you have to transport them between different cars. If you decide to purchase an additional travel bag, select one that is strong and can stand up to the wear and tear of daily use. It's worth paying a bit extra for a bag which will last longer than your child's car seat.