The best toddler car seats for comfort and safety, tried and tested by parents

The Maxi-Cosi Mica 360 Pro stands out as an exceptional choice for parents seeking convenience and safety in a car seat. It is designed for ease of use, with features like the one-handed 360-degree rotating seat and built-in SlideTech® technology. This allows for effortless transitions between rearward and forward-facing positions, offering parents the ability to rotate the car 90 degrees... and pull the car seat towards you. "Being able to avoid bending into the car to get your little one out is a real game changer", one tester commented. This easier access helped prevent "strained backs and bumped heads."

Installation is made simple with an ISOFIX system, ensuring a secure fit. Safety is a top priority, meeting R129 standards and including G-CELL side impact technology for added protection in collisions. The 5-point safety harness with Easy-in feature enhances safety and convenience. The Mica 360 Pro also prioritises comfort, featuring plush padding, 5 recline options, and an adjustable headrest to ensure a snug fit for babies of all ages. ClimaFlow panels and mesh fabrics help regulate temperature, ensuring your child stays cool during long journeys.

While the seat was a hit with our tester, they did miss the ability to quickly lift the infant carrier out of the car, which is available with other Maxi-Cosi models. However, for those seeking comfort, safety, and ease, the Mica 360 Pro delivers. Mother&Baby's Features and Reviews Editor said, "They've truly thought of everything and ticked so many boxes from safety to comfort," making it a standout choice for first-time parents.

Read our full Maxi-Cosi Mica 360 Pro car seat review

The Nuna Pruu car seat is an ISOFIX-compatible i-Size car seat suitable from birth to 19kg (about four years old). This car seat is another with game-changing 360-degree seat rotation, making it much easier to get your little one in and out of the seat; M&B tester and Contributor Sophie Knight said: “The rotation on this car seat is so smooth, one of the easiest ones I’ve tested. It’s intuitive to use, with side handles to click and swivel the seat around, and the movement glides with ease. There’s a button to slide when you want to swap from rear- to forward-facing.” 

There are other innovations to help make life easier, like magnetic buckle holders that keep the harness straps out of the way while you’re getting your child in and out. Sophie said: “It’s the small things that make the difference, and while you might not notice if your car seat doesn’t have these innovations when you get a car seat with magnets to keep the harness out of the way, you really notice it." 

This car seat is full of safety tech, with side-impact protection pods that are easily slotted into place; there are coloured indicators to make sure the seat is installed correctly; the integrated base means there’s no need to buy it separately; and there’s a sturdy leg with more coloured indicators. 

With five recline positions and six headrest heights that are easily adjustable with one hand, your little one's comfort is almost guaranteed. Sophie continued: “The fabric is super soft against my daughter’s skin, and the padding is very snug and comfy. This car seat is great, and the only downside I could think of is how heavy it is when you’re installing it, but that’s because the base is integrated, and it’s not an issue as this isn’t really the sort of car seat I’d swap between cars.” 

It is important to note that unlike some car seats, this one is only suitable up until four years old, so you will need to purchase another seat eventually. This disappointed some parents who prefer to have a car seat that can transition to a high-backed booster seat for older children. 

We really liked this car seat's safety features, particularly the side impact protection pod, which creates an additional safety zone. Surprisingly, testers didn't think this impacted the space in the car. We also liked that it is compatible with ISOFIX and offers rear-facing travel until four years of age.

The Maxi-Cosi Pearl 360 Pro and FamilyFix 360 Pro base was awarded Silver for Best Baby/Toddler Car Seat (Stage 1/2) at the Mother&Baby Awards 2024.

If you've had enough of the bending, backache, head bangs and other general struggles that come hand-in-hand with car seats, you'll want to take a look at the Pearl 360 Pro and FamilyFix 360 Pro base. Not only does it feature 360° rotation, but it also has SlideTech™ - which, for many parents, is a game-changer. It works by the car seat base rotating and then sliding toward you using Maxi-Cosi’s patented SlideTech™ technology. M&B tester and Contributor Sophie Knight said: "Having a car seat that not only rotates but also slides pulls out is something I've not seen before, and made getting my daughter in and out of the car so much easier. The rotation movement of the seat was smooth and not jerky at all, unlike some car seats, and the buttons were instinctive and easy to use."

The Pearl 360 Pro car seat must be used with the FamilyFix 360 Pro base, which is an additional cost—£219.99 at the time of writing.

The Pearl 360 Pro is suitable from about three months to four years (61-105cm tall). The straps are reported to be easy to use, and our tester says they didn't twist or get tangled like some other car seats. Another parent tester says the car seat was so easy to use and install with the base, and their son seemed comfortable and content. They said it was reassuring to hear about the safety features of the seat, too, especially for a car seat that potentially lasts for so long. Another of our testers said that they would recommend this product to a friend because they feel like their little boy is really safe in the car seat because it is so well-padded.

One of the main complaints about this car seat is the higher price point. However, our tester liked that the car seat lasts for a good few years rather than having to upgrade it too often, as car seats aren’t a cheap product to buy, they say. So we think that this may make up for the high price tag for parents with a bigger budget.

Another comment was that the instructions weren't that easy to follow; Sophie Knight said: "The instructions - which you access through a QR code with your phone - are primarily just with illustrations. Personally I learn best when there are written instructions, so I did find it a bit more complicated - we all learn differently so this won't be an issue for everyone."

Read our full Maxi-Cosi Pearl 360 Pro and FamilyFix 360 Pro base review.

For parents seeking a budget-friendly product that still ticks all the right boxes, here is a fantastic i-Size ISOFIX car seat with that all-important 360° smooth rotating feature. Despite the exceptional price there is no compromise on quality safety features, making the Graco SnugGo a brilliant choice for your little one.

As far as cheap car seats go, this is one of the best, thanks to its numerous features. First of all, you get easy and instant installation with the intuitive rearward/forward-facing locking system and the added reassurance of an integrated colour-coded indicator. It's quick and easy to set up; M&B tester and contributor Sophie Knight commented: "I fitted this car seat, along with the SnugTurn ISOFIX car seat base, without any assistance from my other half, and it didn't take long. The base is quite bulky and heavy to move, but you'll only need to fit it once, so it's not a problem. The seat is easy to click into place, and the security of the sliding button to rotate from rear- to forward-facing gives lots of peace of mind and means you can't move it unintentionally."

Having the 360-degree rotation really makes getting your little one in and out of the seat supremely easy, especially if you had a C-section or if you suffer from a bad back. The rotating movement is smooth and easy to operate, using the two grab buttons on either side of the seat. Sophie continued: "It's so quick to rotate the seat around and get my daughter out of the seat; I love the safety aspect of having to click and slide the buttons before being able to swap from rear- to forward-facing modes. It means there's peace of mind if anyone like grandparents uses the car to take her anywhere but can't unintentionally change the position."

Let's not forget that side impact protection ensures powerful head/body protection at each stage—there are individual side-protection 'pods' that attach to either side of the seat. Plus, the no-re-thread harness guarantees a proper fit as your child grows.

The newborn insert is thick and comfy for babies, then the seat grows with your little one as they enter the toddler stage. The seat is suitable from birth to 105cm tall, which is about four years old. There are five recline positions and six headrest heights. An added bonus is being able to remove the car seat covers and bung them in the washing machine when drinks or snacks inevitably get spilt or dropped.

The SnugTurn ISOFIX base is an additional cost, so remember to factor this in when sorting your budget.

The Axkid Minikid 4 is a robust and stylish rear-facing car seat, designed to accommodate children up to seven years old, offering extra legroom for added comfort. Our reviewer tested it with her two-year-old daughter and found that even though she is quite tall for her age, the seat provided ample leg space, “she had plenty of room for her legs to relax, and even to cross them comfortably.” Our mum tester commented. 

The safety features of the Minikid 4 impressed our tester. She found the seatbelt attachment design "incredibly clever," securing the belt under a zipped-up pouch. “This meant there was no awkward seatbelt hovering over my daughters lap, limiting her leg movement.” Additionally, the automatic headrest adjusts to the correct height and can be locked into place. The seat also includes a side impact shell, which can be removed depending on which side of the car the child is seated, making it less bulky. The seat’s stability is praised: “No matter how much I tried to move it, it just didn’t move," providing "complete reassurance" about safety, even without ISOFIX.

Installation is made easy with the detailed app with step-by-step instructions, animations, and the option to repeat or go back if needed. The car seat also features four recline positions, allowing your little one to sit more comfortably. However, the reviewer notes that the Minikid 4 is "heavy and bulky to move" between cars and that fastening an upset toddler may be difficult due to the non-rotating seat. Despite these minor downsides, the Minikid 4 is highly recommended for children aged two and older, thanks to its excellent safety features, comfort, and ease of installation.

Read our full Axkid Minikid 4 review

This rotating car seat from Joie is suitable from birth as a rear-facing seat to about four years or 105cm in height. The rotating seat turns 360 degrees, making it a breeze to use; it’s a game-changer for baby car seats, and once you’ve used a rotating car seat, you won’t go back to static. One of our testers - Rebecca - said that "I personally think that everyone needs one of these...It's 100 per cent made my life easier, and I don't actually know if I'll ever be able to go back to a normal car seat now".

An easy-to-use button allows you to switch from rear- to forward-facing positions. The handles for reclining on either side of the seat are easy to grab and engage; there are six recliner positions, meaning plenty of options for getting your little one comfy. 

As your child grows and you progress to forward-facing, a simple pull handle at the top allows you to extend the height of the head cushions, making the seat grow as your child does.  

The ISOFIX connectors are simple to use and install with a couple of clicks; the seat is weighty and bulky, however, and we found this one of the fiddliest to manoeuvre into the car – but it’s not difficult. Dad tester Tim said that "it's a simple push fit into the two isofix, it has a very sturdy feel once installed correctly".  

Pressing the front button and extending the connectors at the same time can be tricky – we recommend having two people, if possible, for real ease. The support leg keeps the seat stable and sturdy, with 19 settings to make sure it’s perfect, and green light indicators show you if it’s fitted properly. There are green light indicators for the ISOFIX fittings too. The five-point harness provides ultimate safety, and is easy to adjust, tighten, and loosen once you need to get the little one out. 

The seat itself feels comfy and well-padded. The newborn insert comes in two parts for extra comfort, and it’s easy to remove the padded parts as the baby grows. They clip together with poppers to keep them in place. Mum tester Natasha told us that "my daughter enjoyed sitting in it and found it very comfortable".

A minor gripe is that there’s no way of storing the safety leg when you take the seat out of the car, meaning it falls open and makes carrying it a bit clumsy. The instruction manual is also very short, but then the fittings are so intuitive that it didn’t matter. 

Overall, our testers were enthusiastic about this car seat, with tester Jade saying, "It’s stylish and practical and brings great comfort to your baby. It’s easy to install in your car and seems really safe, sturdy and chunky. I’ve really enjoyed using this car seat and would definitely buy one." 

Read our full Joie Baby i-Spin 360 review

While most of the options on our list are rear-facing or 360, the CYBEX Anoris T i-Size offers forward-facing travel from 15 months to six years. CYBEX has achieved this safely via an integrated full-body airbag on the front through the belt that secures your child in place. This is great if it's a bit of a battle to convince your toddler to face rearward. You can also interact with your child easier, and they can face the same way as older siblings. 

Fitting the car seat is easy thanks to the ISOFIX fittings. Using the airbag harness means there's just one clasp to fasten, although it feels strange at first not to have a five-point harness. The brand claims this full-body air bag design - the first in the world - gives up to 50 per cent more protection to your child than comparable seats. Such safety ratings are not to be sniffed at. 

The car seat is excellent quality, the materials are soft, and the range of colours is wider than most car seats. However, the front 'bar' containing the airbag is quite bulky, and some parents reported it restricted the movement of their little ones; M&B tester and Contributor Sophie Knight said: "The innovation of this car seat is undoubtable, and the extensive safety features are amazing - there's no other car seat like this on the market.  

However, I have to admit I don't think this car seat will last my daughter until she's six - although the airbag harness section is very adjustable, it is, by nature, restrictive." 

It is one of the pricier car seats on our list, but as it lasts all the way to six years old, it's quite good value considering they can safely face forwards for all that time. 

Here's how mum-of-two Emily, one of our Mother&Baby testers, got on when trying out the CYBEX Anoris T i-size: "Overall, I thought this was a fantastic product, the materials are excellent quality, and the car seat was easy to install. We had zero problems moving it between our two cars and putting it in the grandparent's car, either. It's a relief for both of us that this CYBEX is perfectly safe, a reassurance for me, and he feels much happier to be forward-facing.  

Read our full CYBEX Anoris T i-size car seat review

The Dualfix 5Z car seat is suitable from about three months up to four years—that's up to 105cm tall or 18kg. It is secured in your car using the Britax Vario Base 5Z, which comes at an additional cost, so do remember that when you're budgeting.

This Britax car seat is a rotating option, smoothly rotating 306 degrees to help you get your child in and out of the seat easily. The rotation operates easily with side buttons, and coloured indicators show if it's been fitted correctly. The leg anchor on the base also has coloured safety indicators. This seat means your child can stay rear-facing for longer.

There are 12 recline positions for the seat, ensuring your little one stays comfy on car journeys, and the V-shaped headrest gives extra comfort and security. M&B tester and Contributor Sophie Knight said: "The base is easy to set up with ISOFIX anchors, and the coloured buttons made it easy to see if the seat was fitted correctly. It was quite light to carry and easy to install. The rotation wasn't quite as smooth as some car seats I've tested, but worked well and was easy to figure out thanks to the efficient instructions - which you access by scanning a QR code and then downloading the manual to your phone. My daughter was comfortable in both rear- and forward-facing positions."

This Britax car seat is available in a range of colours, including two Luxe options which feature a quilted fabric; Sophie continued: "It's good to see so many colour options rather than just black or grey. I like the Luxe options as they give the car seat a bit more of a luxurious feel." The covers are also removable and washable.

The Graco SlimFit R129 is a two-in-one car seat that will be suitable from birth to about 12 years – meaning you only need to invest in one car seat to last you for years, growing and changing as your child develops.

It fits into your car using the existing seat belts rather than an ISOFIX connector, which makes it easier if you’re planning on swapping car seats between cars. It’s also slimmer than most car seats, making it great if you have a smaller car with less space. 

For newborns, the rear-facing position keeps them safer for longer, before changing to forward-facing when they’re old enough; the seat then adapts into a high-back booster seat as your child grows. It’s suitable from birth to 105cm tall, about four years, in the rear-facing position; for forward-facing, it’s suitable from 100-145cm, about 12 years old. 

When you extend the headrest height, the side wings also expand, meaning extra room for your child all around. Our tester and contributor, Sophie Knight, said, “I found it really easy to extend the height of the headrest, whereas some car seats can be clunky and heavy to alter.” 

For extra safety, the seat has side-impact protection pods that are individually attached to the sides. 

The harness is a five-point design, which is easy to use and connect. Sophie continued, “Some car seat belt connectors are tricky to get aligned, especially when your child is wriggling around refusing to sit still, but this one was quick to align and easy to click in.” When you move to the booster seat position, the harness tucks away neatly behind the seat padding so you can use the car's seatbelt. 

The car seat features six recline positions – two in rear-facing and four in forward-facing positions – plus the headrest can be altered to 10 different heights. An added bonus is that you don’t have to re-thread the harness belts when you alter the headrest, unlike some car seats. 

The car seat cover is quilted and feels luxurious; plus, the cover is removable and washable. Sophie said: “The car seat seems brilliantly comfy with a gorgeous quilted fabric, and the newborn insert was really thick and supportive. I’m always a bit wary of car seats that are fitted using the seatbelt – only because I worry that I haven’t fitted it properly – but it was easy to understand the instructions and I also followed a video explaining the installation, which made things easier.” 

Some parents might prefer to have an ISOFIX car seat, but for £150, we can’t complain. 

Read our full Graco SlimFit R129 here

This rotating car seat is suitable from birth to 150cm in height (about 12 years), meaning it’ll last a really long time – you probably won’t need to buy another car seat if you invest in this one.

The i-Size standard means you can use this seat for baby in a rear-facing position until they are 105cm, about four years old. After that, switch to forward-facing until they’re about 12 years old.

The seat isn’t too heavy to carry and manoeuvre into place and fit safely; this was pretty easy to fit by yourself, rather than needing two people. It did require a bit of trial and error to figure out the combination to get everything fitted correctly; the leg support must be fully extended out horizontally before you can rotate the seat. We found the instructions less than clear, with lots of numbers and references that were not totally transparent. But once you’ve got everything in the right combination, there are coloured indicators to make sure everything is fitted safely and correctly. The ISOFIX connectors are independent, so you have to fit them one at a time, adding a bit of fiddle time.

The rotating function is a game-changer for car seats, and we thoroughly recommend a car seat with a 360 rotation. It makes getting your child in and out of the car seat so easy and without any pressure on your back. The rotation in this car seat is smooth and easy to operate with a button at the front.

Once your little one grows into the forward-facing seat position, you can adjust the headrest height with a simple-to-use pull ring at the top.

There’s a newborn insert with extra padding for babies, which is easy to remove once they grow. The fabric cover is removable and washable, which is a bonus. There are different recline modes for both rear and forward-facing, making sure nap times can be comfy.

The only downside we really found was that this is only available in one colour.

Read our full Ickle Bubba Radius 360 Spin Car Seat review - which is the previous version of the new i-Size Plus that we've tested above.