Buying the right car seat for your child can feel like running an obstacle course of upturned plugs and Lego bricks. Governmental regulations are coming into place next year for backless booster seats, and current regulations require you to keep your child in a baby seat or booster seat until they’re 135cm (4ft 5in) tall or they turn 12. Failing to do so could result in a fine of up to £500.
Not only do you have to adhere to these new rules, you've also got to make sure you're buying the best car seat for your child. It’s tempting to always go for the most expensive option to ensure your child’s safety, but there are plenty of incredibly safe options to suit every budget.
When doing your research for a new car seat, there are various factors you need to take into account. First, not all car seats will fit all cars – you need to check measurements to ensure your car can fit the seat of your choice. Second, some seats come with special safety systems, such as the more universal simple click-in Isofix system or Maxi-Cosi’s proprietary Familyfix solution – which attaches via Isofix to offer another layer of security. Seats that use these bases are safer but not all cars can support them – although Isofix is the general standard in many vehicles.
Lastly, there are also three different types of car seats you need to be aware of:
Group 0+ – birth to around 12-15 months.
Group 0+/1 – birth to around 4 years
Group 0+1/2/3 – birth to around 12 years
We’ve taken these different variables into account for our pick of the best car seats on the market in 2016. Now we’ve got the basics out of the way, here are the best baby seats you can buy for your child.
Best UK car seats for your baby in 2016:
1. Graco Milestone – £115
The Graco Milestone makes the top of our list for three reasons. First, its headrest and harness adjustment provide comfort for a growing baby, its four-position recline allows your child to be secure and comfortable no matter if its rearward-facing or not, and its three convertible riding modes mean the Milestone can be used for kids from birth up until the age of 12. This means that, for just over £100, this is the only seat you’ll ever need to buy.
The only real downsides here are that it’s actually quite a wide and heavy seat – meaning you won’t want to be taking it in and out of your car too regularly, also narrower cars may not be able to fit two seats in side by side. It also only secures via a three-point seatbelt, so if you’d rather use Isofix or Familyfix, this isn’t for you. Still, for a car seat that lasts 12 years and costs less than many other infant-only seats on the market, this represents excellent value.
2. Britax Baby-Safe plus SHR II – £120
As the seat of choice for the royal family, the Britax Baby-Safe plus SHR II is one of the best car seats you can get. Listed as “robust, super safe, well-made and affordable” by Made for Mums, this seat also comes equipped with Britax’s patented “D-SIP technology” to provide side-impact protection. It also has padded side wings to ensure your baby’s comfortable long journeys.
Unlike the Graco Milestone, the Britax will only fit your child from birth to 12-15 months. You can install it into your car with either Isofix or via standard three-point seatbelt. As Group 0+ seats go, there are few better.
Britax Romer Baby-Safe Plus SHR II Infant Carrier - Group 0 + (Birth - 12/15 Months), Cosmos Black
3. Joie Every Stage - £280
Just like the Graco Milestone, Joie’s Every Stage is a car seat for your child from birth until they’re 12 years old. As you can see, at £280 Joie’s seat is more than twice the price of the Milestone, but it offers more flexibility for your child as well as simplicity for yourself. Plus, you can actually find it cheaper at sites such as Kiddicare or John Lewis.
As a Group 0+/1/2/3 seat, this chair can be rearwards-facing from birth to around four years, and features five recline positions, side-impact protection, a ten-height headrest and side wings that adjust along with it. Its five-point harness also adjusts along with the headrest so you don’t have to rethread the harness as your child grows. Just like the Milestone, this only secures via three-point seatbelt.
4. Kiddy Phoenixfix Pro 2 – £170
Kiddy’s Phoenixfix Pro 2 may be unusual inasmuch as it doesn’t use the standard five-point harness to keep your child secure – opting for an “impact shield” instead. That aside, the Phoenixfix is an excellent choice for the money offering up outstanding crash-safety results, easy installation and great comfort for your kid.
The Phoenixfix Pro 2 can be installed either via Isofix or three-point seatbelt and is designed for children aged around 12 months to four years old. You can, if so inclined, use it on most aeroplanes, too – making it perfect for travel with your little one.
5. Maxi-Cosi Pebble Plus – £190
Known for developing the best car seats on the market for infants, the Pebble Plus comes as an update of the popular Pebble car seat. This updated model comes with i-Size compatibility and is suitable for your child from birth until 15 months. Pair this with the 2wayFix base, and your child can remain in the rearward position for the entire life of the seat.
You can only use the Pebble Plus if your car has Isofix attachments, as this doesn’t support standard three-point seatbelt. However, it boasts excellent safety results, simple design and a lightweight-yet-sturdy frame. As a bonus, the Pebble Plus can also be detached and used with most major pushchairs, and it’s completely aeroplane-approved.