The Best Newborn Car Seats in the UK

Safety of your car seat is a top concern for every parent. There are a variety of options when it comes down 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's the best new car seat UK. It has a one handed recline and 12 headrest positions that adjust to your child's changing body.

1. Cybex Cloud T

The Cybex Cloud T car seat is the best choice to take your baby with you on your journeys from the time they're born until toddlers. It's the most recent addition to the iconic Cybex Cloud line and features the latest reclining technology that allows your child an ergonomic, flat position both inside the car, and when used in conjunction with a pushchair as part of the travel system. It's also an ISOFIX vehicle seat, so it can easily be attached to your car by using the base that comes with it. It can also be rotated to help you get your baby into and out of the seat.

The car seat is constructed of high-quality materials, and is available in a range of fashionable colors including Moon Black, Lava Grey and Beach Blue Plus. It's a stylish and elegant choice that effortlessly matches the Cybex T line of prams. It also comes with a Newborn Inlay for newborns and premature babies which helps to ensure a safe, near-flat position that reduces the risk of their heads bouncing forward during sleep, potentially leading to breathing difficulties. This can be removed once your child is 60 cm in height.

The car seat is a fantastic option for safety as it has scored an impressive 1.7 in crash tests conducted by ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutsche Automobil-Club e.V.). The Cloud T iSize is equipped with LSP (Linear Side-impact Protection) to safeguard your baby from being thrown around the seat in the event of an accident and the innovative Flexi-Fix harness system which stretches as your child grows to ensure they always have a secure fit.

The innovative 180deg rotation system makes it easy to get your baby into and out of the Kinderkraft I-Grow 360° Car Seat - Safety & Comfort seat when you use it as a part of a travel system, with a Cybex stroller. There is no more awkward twisting or reaching. The car seat can also be set in a fully reclined configuration to provide extra comfort on long car journeys. The cost is a bit higher than other car seats in this age range, but the features it has, including the reclining feature and excellent safety features make it worth the investment.

2. Maxi-Cosi Pebble Plus

The Maxi-Cosi Pebble Plus car seats is one of the most sought-after newborn car seats that are available. It's a comfortable seat for babies and simple to use. It's suitable for babies 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 is compatible with a variety of pushchairs, including the Maxi Cosi range, Quinny, iCandy, and Bugaboo, using adapters. It comes with the Baby-Hugg infant headrest for a better fit and the position of the child's head and side impact protection.

The Pebble Plus car seat is classified as a Group 0+, which means that it can be used for babies as young as 12 months (45cm between 45cm and 75cm). It is compliant with the new iSize regulations, which require that children sit in the rear for a greater length of time. It's compatible with the 2way Family base that allows you to switch between forward and rear facing on the same vehicle and has a handy rotation feature.

It's still a comfortable seat, but the new version is a bit more refined. It now has a much-improved baby-hugg that looks and feels super-comfy. The shoulder straps have been cushioned and the headrest is adjustable to fit your baby's growth. It can also be removed at any time if you want to remove it.

It's a little heavier at 4.5kg than some other infant carseats, however this shouldn't be an issue when your baby spends the majority of the day in it. You can use it with a handle for more comfortable carrying, and it's lightweight enough to lift in and out of rideshare cars or taxis too.

It's also a nice-looking seat and you can pick from a wide range of colors and patterns to suit your car. It's not the most affordable infant car seat, but it's still a great investment and is worth the extra money for your baby. It can be a bit difficult to adjust the height and length but once you've mastered the art of it, it's a breeze. Simply pull down on the back panel and squeeze together two buttons to adjust the height or down the straps without the need to rethread them.

3. Joie Calmi

If you're looking for a baby car seat that's super user-friendly and can be used by your baby like a cot, then you should consider Joie Calmi. This carrycot that doubles as a car seat is certified R129, meaning that it's built tough with a durable air-conditioned shell and soft cushioning to cradle your little one. It features a 3-point safety harness that can be 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 the event of an impact.

The base of this seat is compatible with Joie Aeria and Finiti strollers, which means it's easy to pop it on and off the frame. It's easy to lift even when your baby is asleep due to the adjustable handle bars. If you're looking to build an all-in-one travel system, the i-Base Encore adapters allow you to pair Calmi with a Maxi-Cosi or Britax pushchair, too.

The design of the previous i-Spin 360 has been improved by Joie. This model received a high score in the crash tests conducted by Which?, and a Good rating from ADAC. The latest model that we tested features a lock that will stop you from turning the seat too quickly, making sure your child stays in the rear as long as is possible. It also has a large sun canopy that is water-resistant and has 50+ UV protection, as well as a mesh peekaboo that allows you to observe without disturbing the child.

If you're shopping for a car seat online, make sure you pick a retailer that offers free UK mainland delivery on all orders and returns within 35 days. John Lewis has a great range of newborn car seats from top brands, including Cybex, Maxi-Cosi and Silver Cross, and offers free click and pick up to your nearest store (or to a Sainsbury's branch if you are nearby). With every purchase you can also earn Nectar points. Argos also has a great range of car seats newborn seats at prices starting from PS55. They'll also deliver your order free of charge, offer same-day in-store collection and free returns at any Argos store or Sainsbury's branch.

4. Silver Cross Motion All Size 360

Silver Cross Motion is a new all-in-one vehicle seat from the reputable British brand that is known for its top pushchairs and prams. Our test subject Jasper was a fan, describing it "the most stylish of the bunch and also the one my baby appeared to find most comfortable during long journeys."

This fully rotating R129-compliant car seat is able to carry your infant all the way to 12 years old and won the top baby toddler, child and car seat award at the ADAC's autumn test in 2022. It's also been tested above and beyond the regulations to ensure your child's safety during every trip.

For infants, it comes with a removable and cosy padded insert made from soft bamboo fabrics that's super comfortable and breathable. It's also antibacterial. The head support and body insert can be removed as your child grows and the 3 recline and 8 positions for the headrest can also be adjusted to accommodate.

The green light that signals when the car seat has been properly installed and is now ready to use is an exclusive feature. This makes it a perfect choice for parents who are new to the family, and may not know the proper installation and fitting of car seats. It also has a handy harness that can be used in either the rear or forward facing position.

It's also an ongoing fixture, meaning you won't need to wake your baby in order to take them out of the car for longer trips. It is not compatible with travel systems such as the Britax Romer Dualfix plus iSize or Joie iSpin 360 iSize. You'll need to purchase an additional travel bag.

The drawback to permanent fixed car seats such as the Axkid One i-size is that they aren't as easy to carry around when you're required to transport them between different vehicles. If you choose to purchase a separate travel bag select one that is strong and can withstand the wear and tears of daily use. It's worth paying a bit more to purchase a bag that will last as long as the car seat of your child.