Infant Car Seats - Which One is Right For Your Baby?

Selecting the best car seat for your portable infant car seat is an essential purchase for parents. It's crucial to know the differences between child car seats and infant car seats.

These rear-facing seats, which are generally Group 0+ or R129 (i-Size) baby car seats for infants, are suitable from the moment of birth. These seats are usually paired with strollers to form travel systems.

Group 0+

A car seat for your newborn or infant is a must. These seats are designed to safeguard babies from the dangers of driving including head injuries by ensuring that they remain in the position that is recommended. Although all-stage car seat newborn seats can also offer protection for babies however they do not have the advanced safety features that come with infant car seats.

Car seats for infants are typically rear-facing, and allow babies to use the seat up until 15 months of age. A lot of these models include a newborn insert that can be used to support babies of smaller sizes and allows them to remain comfortably. Good infant car seats have recline guidelines to protect the child's mind during the journey.

All infant car seats must be certified to the i-Size standard and be in compliance with European safety standards. The i-Size standard is more advanced than R44/04, which means that cars that have been approved to this standard are more likely to pass better side-impact crash tests, which is crucial for infants and newborns. The i-Size seats also use the more sophisticated Q-series crash-test dummies, which provide more protection for infants.

If you decide to purchase an infant car seat should be aware of how often they'll have to move it between vehicles. If you frequently use taxis or car sharing services often you should look for a seat that is unique in its baseless style, such as the Nuna PIPA Urbn. This allows the seat to easily be put in place in just a few minutes. This allows the seat to be swiftly changed between different vehicles, making it ideal for parents who need to make multiple journeys.

ADAC has given the Silver Cross Dream i-Size an excellent safety rating, meaning that it is a great protection for infants. Additionally, it comes with a built-in ISOFIX base and an EPS energy-absorbing foam.

Group 1

Like many other infant car seats like the Cosatto All in One is designed to be used until your child reaches 12 years of age (or 36 kg). Similar to the Group 0+ seats, it rotates so it is easy to put the baby in and out, be used with ISOFIX or a cars seat belt with the top tether. It is rear-facing. It is also easy to clean, which is helpful in case of spills or staining.

Keep in mind that your child may outgrow a car seat very quickly. Many parents must replace their seat within nine months or sooner. The majority of manufacturers recommend moving to a different car seat when your child's head is within one inch of the top of the car seat.

To be marketed car seats, they must meet certain European safety standards. This includes testing rigorously in accident simulations, and the use of specific materials to safeguard your child against side impact injuries. There are currently two standards in force in force - ECE R44 and R129 (known as i-Size), which is more strict and considers both weight and height when determining the classification of car seats for children.

Our experience has proven that seats that have been approved to the R129 standard, also known as i-Size, tends to be more secure and easy to install. They also allow your child seated rearwards for a longer time. The only downside is that they can't be used with a front-facing airbag which might not be suitable for certain families. It's important to speak with the manufacturer prior to buying if you're concerned. They should be able to provide you with the latest information and advice specific to your situation.

Group 2

A car seat that is a group 2 is designed for infants that are sufficient to upgrade from a Group 0+, but are not yet old enough to be able to use a convertible Group 1 car seat. It's not as popular as the all-in-one ones however it's something to keep in mind if you're considering the best car seat for your baby from birth up to around four years old.

Like all car seats, it's crucial that the seat you choose meets European safety standards. Look for the E mark to ensure that the seat meets ECE R44/04 or iSize (which will eventually replace the previous regulation) to ensure you're purchasing a seat that will protect your child from harm in a crash. Seats with the i-Size certification are easier to install, offer better protection against side-impacts and will keep your child rear-facing longer.

The Maxi Cosi Pebble 360 Pro is designed for babies up to 15 months old, is a great choice with impressive crash test results. The LATCH connectors, which are rigid, change colour when properly connected. It also has a swivel base that helps to limit movement in the vehicle, and an inlay to hug the baby’s head, neck and back to ensure the proper posture.

Another good option is the Cybex Aviounaut Pixel Pro, which also features the 360-degree swivel base, and has a unique G-CELL system that maintains safety in side-impacts. It's more expensive compared to other seats, but it offers superior protection and a great value for money. Jasper found it comfortable for long journeys and it looks more appealing than other seats we tried as well.

Group 3

A group 3 infant car seat is a three-in-one car seat that will last your child from birth right through to the booster stage. The seats are rear-facing (some until your child is at minimum 9kg) and then can be turned to face forwards. They can be used in this mode until they reach the limit of 36kg.

These seats are generally very comfortable and offer excellent head and neck support. Many of them also come with washable and removable padding for babies, making sure that they remain germ-free. One of the best models that we tested, Nuna PIPA aire Rx comes with two inserts – one made of eco-friendly materials and the other made from GOTS certified organic cotton to ensure that your baby is extra cozy.

As well as having impressive crash test results, this model has an easy-to-use design, with the ability to recline with one hand and no less than 12 headrest positions. It's also easy to install with ISOFIX and comes with a handy color change indicator when it's secure.

We do not recommend changing seats fast, since children who are in the lower limits are more prone to injury during an accident. It's best to keep your old seat until your child reaches their new limit. There are some great alternatives in this category which we particularly like. Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 that can keep your child safe until the age of 12, so is a great option for long-term use.

Cozy N Safe Arthur is another great option. It will help your child transition from the infant car seats uk stage until the booster stage at 4 years old. It's not as expensive as the top-rated Silver Cross, and features a good range of safety and comfort features, such as recline settings that can be adjusted with one hand, and more than 13 headrest positions.

Group 4

The infant seat of the group 4 is the most recent addition to our collection. It has a slightly higher age range than previous groups and is designed for children up to six years old. It can be used as an infant seat or in a rear-facing position. We rated this seat highly for its versatility and the possibility of being used without having a base, which makes it ideal for taxi rides, fly-drive vacations or trips in rental cars or the vehicles of grandparents. It has built-in ISOFIX connectors that click into the base of the vehicle with a satisfying click. It comes with a variety of features that make it ideal for infants. It includes the brand's hugging inlay a revolutionary ClimaFlow ventilating system, and G-CELL technology to ensure your child is protected as they grow.

Our team of testers has looked at a variety of car seats for group 4 in order to find the most suitable option for you and your loved ones. We assessed each model for its ease of use as well as the quality of the materials used and how comfortable the seat is for your baby to sit in. We also looked at the safety of each car seat, focusing on whether it was iSize certified and how it performed in crash tests. We considered the safety ratings provided by independent safety experts. For instance the Swedish Plus test which examines a car seat’s performance during crashes with low speeds and short brake distances.

We also considered the value of each model, because this is an important aspect for parents. Our top-rated car seats for infants are affordable in cost, easy to install and include useful extras like sleeping bags which can be removed as well as an reversible cover.