The Best Newborn Car Seats in the UK

Safety in car seats is a priority for all parents. There's plenty of choices when it comes down to choosing the best newborn car seat for your child.

With a soft baby-hugg inlay and enhanced side impact protection, the Cybex Cloud T is the best infant car seat UK. It also comes with a one-handed recline adjustment and more than 12 headrest positions that adjust to your child's growing body.

1. Cybex Cloud T

The Cybex Cloud T is the premium car seat that has everything you need to take your infant to their first journey right until they reach toddler years. It's the newest addition to the iconic Cybex Cloud range and features innovative reclining technologies that allow your child a comfortable and reclining position in the car, or when used with a stroller as part an entire travel system. It's also an ISOFIX car seat, which means it can be easily attached to your vehicle with the base that comes with it. It can be turned 360 degrees to aid in getting your baby out and in.

The car seat is constructed of high-quality materials, and is available in a variety of trendy colors, including Moon Black, Lava Grey and Beach Blue Plus. It's a chic and elegant option that works perfectly with the Cybex T range of prams. It also includes the Newborn Inlay for newborns and premature babies that helps ensure a secure, flat position that reduces the possibility of their heads bouncing forward during sleep, which can cause breathing difficulties. It is removed when your child is at least 60 centimeters in height.

In terms of safety, the car seat provides excellent protection for your child. It scored an impressive 1.7 result in crash tests from ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutsche Automobil-Club e.V). The Cloud T i-Size is equipped with LSP (Linear Side-impact protection) to safeguard your child in the event of a crash. It also features the revolutionary Flexi-Fix system that stretches to fit your child as they expand.

The unique 180deg rotating system makes it easy to get your baby into and out of the car seat when you are using it as part a travel system, paired 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 trips. It does come at a slightly higher price point than other seats for this age group, however the wide array of features like the reclining option and the excellent safety features make it worth the investment.

2. Maxi-Cosi Pebble Plus

The Maxi-Cosi Pebble Plus is among the most popular infant car seats around. It's easy to use and is comfortable for infants. It is suitable for babies from birth. It can be used either with Maxi-Cosi FamilyFix, EasyFix base, or with your car seat belt system. The car seat is compatible with most pushchairs, including the Maxi-Cosi range, Quinny, iCandy and Bugaboo (using adapters). It comes with the Baby-Hugg infant headrest to allow for a better fit and laying position and side impact protection.

The Pebble Plus car seat is a member of Group 0+ which means it can be used by children as young as 12 months (45cm to 75cm). It's in line with the new iSize regulations that require children to remain in the rear of the car for longer. It is compatible with the 2way Family base that allows you to switch between forward and rear facing in the same car and has a handy rotation feature.

Like the previous version, it's a really comfy seat and the new version includes some improvements. It now has a much-improved baby-hugg inlay that is super comfortable and stylish. The shoulder straps have been cushioned and the headrest has been made adjustable to accommodate the growth of your baby. You can remove it at any time if you don't want to use it anymore.

It's a bit heavier than other infant carseats, at 4.5kg, but that shouldn't be a problem when your baby is using it most of the time. It can be used with a handle for more comfortable transport, and it's light enough to lift in and out of rideshare cars or taxis as well.

It's also a stylish seat and you can pick from a wide selection of colors and patterns to match your car. It's not the most affordable infant car seat newborn car seat but it's still a reasonable price and worth the extra investment for your baby. It can be a bit difficult to adjust the harness height and length, but once you've got the hang of it it's fine. You simply pull down on the back panel and squeeze two buttons to adjust the height or down the straps without needing to rethread them.

3. Joie Calmi

If you're in search of a new car seat that's simple to use and holds your baby like a cot then you should consider Joie Calmi. This dual-use car seat as well as carrycot is certified by R129. It's built tough with a durable ventilated exterior shell and plush padding to hold your baby. It features a 3-point safety harness that can be adjusted with a single pull and softly cushioned covers. It also has an lateral position to keep your baby's head in the safest position in case of an impact.

The seat's base is compatible with Joie Aeria and Finiti strollers, which means you can easily slide it on and off the frame. It's easy to lift even if your baby is asleep, because of the adjustable handle bars. If you're planning to build a travel set, iBase Encore adapters let you to pair Calmi together with MaxiCosi or Britax stroller.

Joie has improved on the design of its previous i-Spin 360, which earned the highest test score in the crash tests of Which? and 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 comes with a large sun canopy that is water-resistant and has 50+ UV protection as well as a mesh peekaboo to allow you to observe without disturbing the child.

If you are shopping online for car seat, select one that provides free delivery to the UK mainland on all orders. They should also accept returns within 35 days. John Lewis has a great selection of baby car seats from top rated infant car seats brands, such as Cybex, Maxi-Cosi and Silver Cross and provides free click and collect to the nearest store (or to an Sainsbury's branch if you're nearby). For all purchases you make, you will also earn Nectar points. Argos is another great option for a variety of car seats, with prices starting at PS55. You can also avail free delivery, same-day collection in-store and free returns to any Argos or participating Sainsbury's store.

4. Silver Cross Motion All Size 360

Silver Cross Motion is a new vehicle seat that is all-in-one from the reputable British brand that is known for its premium pushchairs and prams. Jasper, our tester, loved it. He said it was "the most stylish of the bunch." My baby seemed to be the most comfortable on long drives."

This fully rotating R129 safe car seats newborn seat is suitable for babies up to 12 years old. It won the ADAC 2022 autumn test's award for the best baby, toddler and child car seat. It's also been tested above and beyond regulations to ensure that your child is safe on every journey.

It includes a removable, cozy padded insert for newborns made 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 recline and 8 headrest positions can also be adjusted to fit your child's.

One of the most distinctive features is the built-in 'green light' that lets you know when the car seat is secured and ready to use which makes it a fantastic choice for new parents who aren't sure with the proper way to install and fit car seats. It also comes with a stowable strap that can be used in the forward or rear-facing position.

It's also an ongoing fixture, meaning you won't need to wake your baby in order to get them out of the car for long 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 a separate travel bag for this).

The disadvantage of cars with a fixed structure like the Axkid One i-size is that they're not as convenient to carry around if you have to move them between vehicles. If you do choose to purchase an additional travel bag to carry your car seat, be sure it's a sturdy one that is able to withstand the wear and tear that comes with frequent use. It's worth paying a little extra for a bag which will last as long as the car seat of your child.