Infant carrier car seats test overview

Infant carrier car seats – overview

The following categories provide detailed information on all of the seats
in our test. Our parent panel gave the Best Buy award to the Bebe Confort
Creatis but make sure you check each individual category as it could be
that a different model scored highly in an area that’s important to you.

Don’t forget, if you already use one of these seats and want to share
your opinions, click on the links below and add a review.

• Ease of use/Fitting in car
• Portability
• Comfort
• Quality/value for money
• Additional extras
• See overall results table

Ease of use/Fitting in car

You’ll be using your infant car seat for months to come so a model that’s
easy to use and install is likely to be a priority. The Graco Autobaby
scored well in this category as it comes with its own ‘click-on, fuss-free’
base that’s ‘a real time-saver on installation’. The base is also easy
to fit – ‘you just strap the seatbelt across, tighten it and you’re ready
to go’. Our mums also noted the Maxi Cosi Cabrio for its 3-point safety
belt and ‘easily adjustable restraints’ that ensure a ‘simple, secure
fit’ whilst the Britax Cosy Tot Premium was ‘surprisingly simple to use
and install’.

Another feature to look for is a one-pull harness. These allow you to
secure your baby in the seat easily and effectively with one simple pulling
mechanism. Our panel were impressed with the Britax Cosy Tot’s ‘easily
adjustable one pull harness’ that ‘ensures a snug fit all round’.

Portability

Never underestimate the importance of portability! You’re going to be
carrying that seat from house to car to shops and back again more times
than you can imagine so make sure you weigh up your options. The Bebe
Confort Creatis and Brevi Smart scored points for their ‘lightweight structures
and ergonomic handles’ that enable you to ‘carry baby around without too
much strain on your arms’. The Creatis and Jane Matrix Pro require the
lap belt to be fitted underneath the seat making it ‘easy to transport
baby to and from the car without having to undo the belt’.

For extra portability consider a seat that connects to a travel system.
All of the seats on test (except for the Brevi Smart) can be attached
to a pushchair to make life just that little bit easier.

Comfort

Your baby’s car seat will be their second home whilst out and about so
a high comfort factor is crucial. Look for softly padded seats that offer
a warm, snug environment for your baby and keep an eye out for optional
extras like additional padding, removable head huggers and sun canopies.
A major hit in this category was the Jane Matrix. The Group 0+ seat accommodates
baby till 18 months of age and our panel loved its ‘lie-flat position
that’s great for younger babies and families who travel regularly’. The
Matrix also has ‘additional padding in the seat and a cosy toes cover
– a great design that’s well worth the extra money’.

Our panel found the Maxi Cosi Cabrio and Bebe Confort Creatis ‘very snug’
with ‘plush padded materials that were soft, warm and comfy for baby’.
When it came to space, the seats on test were ‘of a good size’, though
our panel agreed that the Britax Cosy Tot ‘was a bit tight for an older
baby’ and ‘looked a bit restricting’. An additional bonus was the curved
base on the Brevi Smart, Maxi Cosi Cabrio and Britax Cosy Tot which can
be ‘used as a handy rocker if you need to help your baby to sleep.’

Quality/Value for money

A quality seat will ensure a protective mode of transport for your baby
through his/her first year and if you buy wisely, it’s likely to be of
use for any future bundles of joy. Our parent panel were particularly
fond of the Maxi Cosi Cabrio and Bebe Confort Creatis for their ‘fantastic
materials’ and ‘clever designs’. They also liked the Jane Matrix Pro for
its ‘well thought-out accessories that are hard to find with other car
seats in this group’. The Brevi Smart was ‘quite a basic seat’ but despite
agreeing that it was ‘reasonably good value for money’, our panel all
stated that they would ‘prefer to pay extra for something they felt would
last longer’.

All of the car seats in our test have passed strict European safety standards.
If you’re thinking of purchasing a car seat for your baby, always check
that it complies with current safety standards and regulations.

Additional extras

The Jane Matrix Pro was noted for its ‘extra padding and accessories’
– ‘it even has an extra abdominal belt that goes across the seat when
used as a carry cot’. Similarly, the Bebe Confort Creatis gained points
for its ‘soft, adjustable padding’ and ‘easy recliner that allows a newborn
to almost lie flat’. Along with the Creatis, the Maxi Cosi was noted for
its ‘integral sunshade that helps keep baby out of the sun’. Other extras
that you might not expect to find on a car seat is storage space. Both
the Maxi Cosi and Brevi Smart have integral storage compartments – not
something you’d expect but practical nonetheless!

Results

Got something to say? If you’re a long-term user of one of the swim nappies
in our test and want to add your opinion, visit our individual parent
panel reviews using the links below and share your views with other babyworld
mums.

Where to next:

• Back to the Group 0 car seats main
  test page
• Read the parent panel reviews:
  Maxi
  Cosi Cabrio 0+
  Britax
  Cosy Tot Premium 0+
  Bebe
  Confort Creatis 0+
  Graco
  Autobaby with base
  Brevi
  Smart
  Jane
  Matrix Pro
• Read our safety
  tips for using and fitting car seats
• Become a parent panel member