Anyone who's tried to lift a wriggly or sleeping baby into a car seat knows it's a tricky task. That's why a 360 car seat is a complete game-changer. Rotate the seat towards you, strap your baby in, rotate it to front or rear facing and off you go. It's that simple. It also makes lifting them out a breeze too.
These 360 spin car seats eliminate the hassle of awkwardly twisting your body and straining your back to try and strap and unstrap your baby.
Why choose a 360 car seat?
The 360 car seats are designed to spin the whole way around (hence the name) rather than just to the side. This gives you the option of having your child rear-facing or forward-facing when they are over 15 months old, and without having to buy a completely new car seat. In the UK, parents should follow GOV guidelines on car seat safety.
The clever design means the 360 car seat spins on a fixed base attached to the car's latch system which remains secure. The car seat has a track that can rotate and clicks to the base and keeps it steady. This all makes 360 car seats a more practical choice than traditional car seats plus, thanks to the spinning seat parents can easily check for twisted or tight harness straps.
If you're considering a 360 spin car seat for your newborn, you've come to the right place. We've put together a detailed buying guide of the best 360 spin car seats that rotate and swivel for safe, stress-free travel. Our guide is packed with real-life feedback and detailed reviews from our parent testers to help you decide which rotating car seat is right for you and your tot.
The best 360 car seats at a glance
As well as tried and tested 360 car seat reviews, we've also got expert advice from Julie Dangall, co-founder of Child Seat Safety and national advisor for Road Safety Great Britain.
How we chose and tested 360 car seats
Like all our product recommendations, the best 360 car seats are chosen based on a combination of real-world testing from our burgeoning army of parent testers and our experienced editorial team and product specialists. Where we can, we also consult experts who specialise in that field, to ensure you get the right advice along with the right product.
At times when we can’t get our hands on something personally, we’ll select products only from reputable brands, scouring reviews, forums and real parent experience to ensure all products are fit for use and deserve a space in your home.
Testing the best 360 car seats
For the best 360 car seats, we asked our testers to try the car seats out for a number of weeks throughout the day, over the weekend and on long journeys. We asked them to look at the design, safety standards (more on that below) and age suitability, weight and size of the car seat, including compatibility with their car. As well as this we asked them to note the quality of materials, how easy the car seat was to clean, and the ease of installation not forgetting, how comfortable it was for their little ones and if it was good value for money.
Find out more about how we test products for Mother&Baby by visiting our How We Test page.
In the top spot, Gold winner of the Mother&Baby Awards 2024 and best overall, the Nuna TODL NEXT, was a firm favourite. Our parent testers praised its smooth operation and lightweight construction, making it super easy to install and use. In fact, one of our testers even said it was the smoothest car seat he's ever used! There was so much to love about this car seat with the only drawback being that the base needed to be purchased separately.
A previous Gold winner, The Joie i-Spin 360, also received glowing reviews from our testers again because described as "Amazing"; however, our testers thought it was worth pointing out that it's not the lightest, weighing 13.9kg. Gold winner of 2022, the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360, is still being praised for being extremely good value for money as it accommodates babies and kids all the way up to 12 years old! Our testers like the antibacterial bamboo fabrics too, making it a more sustainable choice, even offering a free car seat recycling service for planet-conscious families.
The best 360 car seats 2025
Best 360 car seat overall
©MOTHER&BABYwww.johnlewis.com
The Nuna TODL Next Won Gold in the Mother&Baby Awards 2024, taking the top spot on our list. We love its sleek, modern design, smooth operation, high-quality construction, and customisability. It's lightweight, coming in at just over 8kg, and can be front or rear-facing, depending on your child's height.
Its five recline positions and ventilation panels make for a comfortable ride, and the shoulder harness expands with each of the six headrest positions. For extra safety, the side impact protection pod is designed to absorb energy earlier and significantly reduce the impact force should the worst happen.
Suitable from newborn until up to four years, our tester, Joe, found the Nuna TODL to be "the smoothest car seat" he'd ever used.
He said, "With other competing seats available, the two key points to take away from this seat review are its smooth operation and lightweight construction... add on the ease of installation (you can install with the seatbelt if you do not have ISOFIX in your vehicle), its sturdy but lightweight build, and its age range being suited to most families' needs, and you won’t go wrong opting for this baby and toddler car seat."
The only drawback? The base needs to be purchased separately.
Read our full Nuna TODL NEXT review
Pros
- Extremely light and easy to install
- Easy to use with smooth operation
- High-quality build and materials
- Comfortable for baby with a secure harness
- Adjustable features
- ISOFIX compatible
Cons
- Base has to be purchased separately
| Suitable for:<strong> </strong> | Birth to 4 years/105cm |
| Rear-facing until: | 105 cm and less than 18 kg. Forward facing from 76 cm to 105 cm and less than 18 kg. |
| i-Size: | Yes |
| Rotation: | 360° |
| Weight: | 8.02kg |
- i-Size safe
- Removable infant head and body inserts
- Five recline positions (both rear and forward facing)
- Steel strength technology
- True lock base installation
The Joie i-Spin 360 was awarded Gold in the Mother&Baby 2023 Awards, as we believe it's not only brilliant value for money but also really makes life easier for parents. In particular, we're big fans of the fact that it comes with an ISOFIX car seat base to attach to your car and spins in every direction at just the touch of a button, locking it in place securely for travelling.
With customisable body and head supports and a multi-height headrest and harness system, it can grow with your child, lasting until they're around four years old. It isn't the lightest on our list, weighing 13.9kg, so that's worth bearing in mind.
Our mum tester, Rebecca, called this product "Amazing", noting that she suffers from back pain and found that "using this to turn my child and get them out of the car with ease was a lifesaver. It’s 100 per cent made my life easier and I don’t actually know if I will ever be able to go back to a normal car seat now.”
For peace of mind, it comes with side impact protection for added security for the head, body, and hips. It can also be reclined into six different positions so that your little one can stay snuggly. Plus, with a removable and washable cover, this car seat ticks very few boxes.
Read our full Joie Baby i-Spin 360 review
Pros
- Comes with ISOFIX base
- Button feature makes it easy to use
- Removable and washable seat cover
- Guard Surround Safety panels for extra safety
Cons
- It can be heavy if you need to move
| Suitable for: | Birth to 4 years/105cm |
| Rear-facing until: | 4 years/105cm |
| i-Size: | Yes |
| Rotation: | 360° |
| Weight: | 13.9kg |
- Guard surround safety panels
- Multi-height headrest and harness system
- Tri-protect headrest
- Six recline positions
- Grow-with-me infant inserts
- Retractable ISOfix connectors
3.
Silver Cross Motion All Size 360
Best 360 car seat for growing with your child
©MOTHER&BABYA Gold winner in the Mother&Baby 2022 Awards, Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 grows with your baby up to 12 years, making it extremely good value for money. We like that it can be front or rear-facing, is easy to install, is adjustable, and is made from antibacterial bamboo fabrics, making it a more sustainable choice.
Our mum tester, Emma, loved how quick and easy it was to install using the ISOFIX points, taking less than five minutes. She said, "I was confident that it was installed securely and correctly with all the green indicators showing as well as little to no movement in the chair. The quality of the fabric and general make-up is of a high standard, reassuring me it will last my son for the next 9-10 years – unlike my daughter's seat, which is a cheaper brand and definitely won't last the 6-7 years I would like it to."
Adding to its sustainability credentials, Silver Cross offers a free car seat recycling service, in which the brand will collect your car seat free of charge and ensure every part of it is recycled. What's more, every Silver Cross car seat is covered by its replacement scheme, so if your insurance does not cover a replacement car seat, Silver Cross will provide one in the event of an accident.
It has eight headrest positions but only three recline positions, fewer than some others on the market.
As it's built to last several years, it's larger and heavier than some on our list, so it may be more difficult to switch between cars.
Read our full Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 car seat review
Pros
- Brilliant value for money
- Easy to use with pne-button to rotate
- Made from premium, antibacterial materials
- Support from the Silver Cross app
- Free recycling service
- Covered by the Silver Cross Crash Replacement scheme
Cons
- Only has three recline positions
- On the heavier/larger side at 14kg
| Suitable for: | Birth to 12 years/145cm |
| Rear-facing until: | 4 years/105cm |
| i-Size: | Yes |
| Rotation: | 360° |
| Weight: | 14.2kg |
- Suitable from birth up to 12 years
- Removable soft fabric inserts
- App guides and tutorials
If you're after a versatile, well-made and excellent value car seat which promises to grow with your child from newborn right up to approximately 12 years of age (150cm), the Ickle Bubba Radial i-Size Plus 360 Car Seat could be the one for you. The 360 car seat features an integral, rotating ISOFIX base and clear visual indicators, confirming proper installation and conforming to Size standards, meaning the baby can be in a safer, rear-facing position up to 105cm (approximately four years).
Mother&Baby tester Matt Tomkins said, "the seat was quick and easy to install following directions in the supplied instruction booklet." He did feel that the seat should recline further than it does, saying, "One problem we have faced is that, while rear-facing even in the most reclined position, our daughter’s head tends to lol forward once she falls asleep", however, still thought his daughter seemed comfortable and secure in it.
May found the rotating mechanism, along with many of the other features - from installation to strap tightening and loosening and memory foam headrest adjustment - to be intuitive, but felt; "It lacks the advantage of a traditional infant car seat which can be lifted out and plonked onto pram wheels or carried into the house, sleeping baby in-situ."
Read the full Ickle Bubba Radial i-Size Plus 360 Car Seat review
Pros
- Long lifespan, suitable from birth to 150cm (approx. 12 years)
- Rotating seat allows easy ingress/egress
- Clear indicators display green when seat is correctly latched
- Adjustable headrest and infant insert allow seat to grow with your child
- Removable covers for ease of cleaning
Cons
- Even in the most reclined position, baby’s head can easily lol forward when asleep
- Seat does not lift off the base to clip onto pushchair or allow to be carried in while sleeping (this would have been a disadvantage had we used the seat in the infant months)
| Suitable for: | 40cm – 150cm (birth to approx. 12 years) |
| rear-facing: | 40cm – 105cm (birth to approx. 4 years). Forward facing from 100cm - 150cm (approx. 15 months to 12 years) |
| i-size: | Yes |
| Rotation: | 360° |
| Weight: | 15kg |
- Meets i-Size safety standard – improved side impact protection & rigorous testing
- 360 degree seat rotation for easy access to your child
- Includes ISOFIX installation anchors and connection indicators for quick, easy-fitting
- The standing support leg provides additional stability
- Includes memory foam headrest and modular infant insert
- 3 recline positions in forward facing mode so baby can snooze
The Ickle Bubba Radius 360 Spin seat is designed to take your child all the way from newborn to seven years old, starting them off facing rearwards and then spinning around so they can see out the front of the car from around 15 months onwards. The benefit of having this seat is that you can keep your children rear-facing for longer – this being safer when babies are younger, due to the development of their muscles. So when they are old enough, there’s no need to shell out for a new unit.
Mother&Baby tester and dad of two, Tom, tested the car set with his 20-month-old daughter who was seated facing forward in the car right from the start. When commenting on his experience with the car seat, he said, "It releases relatively easily, so you can give the seat a slight nudge to get it out of its locked position. It is possible while holding a small child, but it is a little fiddly." Tom liked the adjustable nature of the seat and how it can be tilted to different angles, saying, "Bea loves to look forward and engage with everyone around her the majority of the time, but at others, we have tried to encourage her to sleep in the car so being able to lie her back a little was handy. It’s an easy one-handed process to adjust the angle, too."
Our second Mother&Baby tester and mum of two, Gemma, liked that the Ickle Bubba Radius was a better price than the Joie 360 Spin, which she also uses, saying, "In comparison, the Ickle Bubba offers the same level of safety, comfort and usability. However, it is a better price than the Joie." She said, "The seat feels very robust and secure, and the build and quality of the safety features offered are undeniable. We love that the seat allows you to keep your child rear-facing for longer and that the 38-degree recline is a safer position for newborns - as well as being helpful for car naps - so we intend to use this for our next baby."
Read the full Ickle Bubba Radius 360 Spin Car Seat review
Pros
- Relatively lightweight and easy to manoeuvre for a rotating seat
- Simple to spin
- Comfortable shape for toddler
- Soft padded straps in fixed position
- Good value for money
- Straightforward to install
- Good value and long lasting, as it adjusts to fit your growing child
Cons
- ISOFIX bars independent of one another
- No coloured indicator on the leg
- Sticks out quite far when left facing the car door
- Not iSize compliant
- Strap loosening and tightening a little fiddly
| Suitable for: | Newborn until 25kg (apx. 7 years) |
| Rear-Facing: | up until 13kg (15 months apx) |
| i-size: | Yes |
| Rotation: | 360° |
| Weight: | 10kg |
Image by: Avionautwww.kiddies-kingdom.com
Designed to be used from birth up to roughly the age of four years old, our parent tester Carly found the material soft and comfortable for her baby and loved how affordable it was compared to other similar 360 models on the market. The breathable ventilation ducts help regulate babies temperature too for added comfort.
One feature our tester loved was the easy to install base which shows a clear light system to show that the seat is securely locked into place, giving parents some extra peace of mind. This is also great when it's dark and you need the light to see if it's in correctly. It also gives a beep to let you know it's secure.
The main issue our tester found was the bulkiness, making it a car seat that's better suited to bigger cars, particularly when using the 360 spin feature. It also doesn't have a handle at the top making it difficult to take in and out of the car.
Pros
- The seat materials are incredibly soft
- It's a 360 design with Isofix base, making it easier to get baby/children in and out
- There's a wide variety of colours available
- It's a really good price in line with alternatives on the market
Cons
- It's quite bulky, and might be more suited to larger cars
| Size: | 73 x 43 x 66cm |
| Weight: | 10.58kg |
| Suitable for: | Birth to 18kg |
| Isofix compatability: | Isofix and belted |
| Rotating base: | 360 degree rotation |
| Car seat orientation: | Rear and forward facing |
- Compatible with Isofix IQ/ IQ 2.0 C
- Cloud Care system
- Rear-facing and forward-facing seat design
- Ventilation ducts
- High-quality upholstery
- Removable upholstery
- Harness height adjustment
- Additional side protection
The Cosatto All in All Rotate i-Size Car Seat is a 360 rotate car seat. Cosatto is a household brand that is known for creating amazing products with adorable designs. It has a lot of safety features, too, making it a great choice for a car seat.
Mother&Baby tester and mum of three Hannah likes that it's a universal car seat that's suitable from 40cms to 150cms - which is approx. birth to 12 years, saying, "This is brilliant news for parents as it means that you should never have to buy another car seat for your child." She also liked that it's eco-friendly, being made from 12 recycled water bottles.
One feature she loved was the five-point harness plus an anti-escape system. She said, "Once your child figures out that they can take their arms out of the harness restraints, it becomes very difficult to keep them from doing so. Cosatto has included an anti-escape system which clips around the harness making it almost impossible for your little one to get their arms out and in turn keeping them safer. I love this feature as it means I can drive knowing my child can't remove their arms."
Read the full Cosatto All in All Rotate i-Size Car Seat review
Pros
- Great design
- Five-point harness system
- 360 rotate
Cons
- Quite a heavy car seat to move
| Suitable for: | 40cm-150cm (Birth -12 years approx) |
| Rear-facing: | 40cm-105cm (Forward-facing 76cm-105cm) |
| i-size: | Yes |
| Rotation: | 360° |
| Weight: | 10.9 Kg |
- i-Size All Stages Seat from 40cm-150cms / birth up to approx. 12 years old.)
- Complies with R129/03 safety standard
- Pop out SIPS (Side Impact Protection System)
- Side Protection System (SPS) keeping little one protected on every journey with impact-absorbing foam inlay
- Removable multi-stage liner
- Adjustable 11 position head rest
- Four recline positions in forward facing mode
- Extended rearward facing to 105cm mode with easy rotation
Best 360 car seat for one-hand rotation
Best for smooth rotation
Maxi-Cosiwww.johnlewis.com
The Maxi-Cosi Pearl 360 can be used from birth up to four years old, so it's built for long-term use. Reviewers have described it as robust, secure and comfortable, with a smooth rotation and simple-to-use recline function which can be done with one hand. Your newborn will be snug thanks to the from-birth inlay, and there's a good amount of space for your baby to grow with the seat. The FamilyFix 360 base is sold separately.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Multiple recline positions
- Cover is easy to wash
Cons
- Bulky base
- Base sold separately
| Suitable from: | Birth to 4 years (40 to 105cm) |
| Rear-facing until: | 4 years |
| i-Size: | Yes |
| Rotation: | 360 |
| Weight: | 7.9kg |
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The benefits of buying a 360 car seat
The main benefit of buying a rotating car seat is the ease it will give you getting your child in and out of the car, especially if you have a small car or mobility issues. With a rotationg car seat you’ll no longer have to awkwardly hunch over the seat while having to fiddle around undoing your child's straps before lifting them out.
In the event of a car crash having your child rear-facing can offer a lot more protection to their head, spine and neck, which are still developing, which is why you may decide to have your child in a rear-facing car seat for longer.
When you do decide to have your child facing-forwards though, all you’ll need to do is simply swivel the seat around, rather than having to refit the seat or, worse, buy a brand new one.
What's the difference between a 360 car seat and a rotating car seat?
Whilst both car seats are very similar in design, rotating car seats are designed to spin at least 180 degrees, meaning you can spin your child from rear-facing to the side, enabling you to get your child in and out with ease.
However, a 360 car seat is designed to rotate all the way around, meaning you have the option of positioning your child as rear-facing, or forward facing.
Are 360 car seats worth it?
While they are a lot more convenient, most only last until your child is around four years old. Some, however, have higher weight and height limits and recline adjustments that mean the seats will last longer. However, it is important to check this before purchasing.
What to look for in a 360 car seat?
Check the age suitability – While you can use use most 360 car seats from birth, you may have to purchase a separate newborn insert, which can be an added expense. If you're on a budget, look for ones that are specially designed for newborns or that come with the insert included. Some may only be suitable for little ones that are four months or older. Also, be aware of weight and height restrictions.
Long life span - Some 360 car seats grow with your child and can last until they are around four years. If budget is an issue, try and get one that will last this long, instead of having to buy another one.
i-Size certification — All the new baby car seats in the UK need to be i-Size (a European-wide car seat regulation, ECE R129), and should also have side-impact protection (SICT). They also need to use ISOFIX (an international standard for attachment points for baby car seats in passenger cars).
Make sure it's travel system compliant – Due to their weight and size, very few 360 car seats are travel system compliant, so if you need a car seat that you can take in and out of the car, a 360 car seat may not be for you.
Consider how long you want your baby to be rearward facing – Some car 360 car seats can only be used rearward facing until two years, so if you want to keep your child rearward facing for longer, make sure you check out the specs.
Ensure the base is included if you don't have an ISOFIX – If the 360 car seat you like doesn't include the base, you'll have to purchase a separate ISOFIX base, which means an added expense. So if you don't already have one, this is definitely something to consider.
Check for easy rotation – Just because it says it's 360, doesn't mean it'll be easy to rotate. Check out how it actually functions to determine how easy it will be to use. For example, if it has panels or levels on the front it will probably be easier to operate. Take a close look at how simple the mechanism is for better ease of use.
Check for easy installation features – If the car seat has an ISOFIX base, check to see if there are colour indicators, as these will give you peace of mind knowing that you have installed the car seat correctly and it is safe.
ADAC rating - The Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club (ADAC) is the authority in automotive safety. It is dedicated to ensuring the safety of all automotive-related products, including evaluating children's car seats. ADAC uses advanced technology to rigorously test car seats annually which parents make informed safety choices for their children. The lower the score, the better the performance and safety of the car seats (between 0.5 and 2.5). Check the ADAC rating of the 360 car seat you're looking to buy.
Consider the size – The size of your vehicle may determine whether the size of a car seat is suitable or not, which is especially so if your car is not very wide. This is even more important when considering 360 car seats as they do tend to be larger and heavier than fixed ones.
Frequently asked 360 car seat questions and expert advice.
Are rotating car seats safe?
Julie Dangall, Director of Child Seat Safety, tells us that these type of car seats are definitely safe. "They are tested just like any other child car seat would be, both in the forward-facing and the rear-facing positions. But you must always follow the instructions provided on the seat and in the manual to ensure you use the seat correctly for your child’s size."
What do I need to remember when purchasing a rotating car seat?
When looking to buy a rotating car seat, Julie recommends going to a trained retailer to check the seat is compatible in your car, before making any purchases.
"Depending on the style of vehicle seats your car has it may mean that you struggle to rotate the seat when it’s in your car," she says. "This can be because the cushioning of the vehicle seats snuggly holds the seat in place and has no room to rotate to the exit door. Some rotating seats will even appear on compatibility lists provided by the car seat brand, but this compatibility list won’t include checking the seats ability to rotate, so it’s always worth going to a trained retailer who can check it in the car before you buy it, otherwise you could be paying for a feature that doesn’t actually work with your car."
Are 360 car seats as safe as traditional car seats?
When installed correctly, 360 car seats are just as safe as traditional car seats. It's worth noting that all car seats, including 360 car seats, must meet the same safety standards to be sold on the market.
Can my child stay rear-facing in a 360 car seat?
Yes children can stay rear facing up to 4 years of age in a 360 car seat but we're guessing before then, they may want to turn around and sit forward facing. Each child is different so see what your little one prefers.
About the expert
Julie Dangall is co-founder of Child Seat Safety. She is a national advisor for Road Safety Great Britain for child car seats and runs the UK’s first & only IOSH and CPD accredited child car seat fitting courses.
Samantha Ball is a Product & Lifestyle Writer for Mother&Baby and freelanced for the website for two years before joining the team full time. She's a mum of two and loves browsing for the best products and cute outfits.