This i-Size seat can be positioned rearwards until around four years old, and forward-facing from around 15 months. It has multiple recline settings, and indicators for safe installation.
Tested by Aisling Alsopp, 28, mum to Monty, four months. She says:
“It’s light, and easy to install, but there’s little difference in the recline settings. The baby inserts are thick and were in Monty’s way, rather than helping him. The base is long, leaving the driver/passenger with little room. We found this seat wasn’t particularly practical for parents, or baby-friendly.”
Tested by Laura Allen, 36, mum to Riley, 15 months. She says:
“A dream to install, and the seat is light enough to carry comfortably. However, the strap padding slips down so I have to reposition it all the time. It doesn’t recline back far enough for Riley to have a sleep either. His head keeps dropping forwards so he can’t sleep properly.”
Tested by Dawn Geddes, 35, mum to Beth, three years. She says:
“Getting an uncooperative toddler in and out of the car is difficult and until we tried this one, which doesn’t rotate, I hadn’t realised how useful the rotating feature was on the other seats! However, Beth found it comfy to travel in, and it’s good that the base can also be used for the Joie infant car seat if you have a Joie travel system.”
Tested by mum Catherine Jones for the M&B Awards 2016:
Why would you recommend this product to a friend/fellow mum?
The i-Anchor looks so snug that I wish they made adult size ones. It is soft to touch and my daughter fits as snug as a bug in it and she looks really comfortable. The straps are easy to click together although the bit that the shoulder straps click into is sort of spring loaded and when you put her in the seat she is sitting on it so you have to lift her up a bit and pull the strap back out.
How does this product make your life easier as a mum?
The i-Anchor is very easy to fit and the 0 has green tabs that appear once the base is connected correctly. The seat has 7 adjustable positions however, there is not much difference between 1 and 7. Although my daughter did go to sleep in the car seat it wasn't reclined enough for her to stay asleep very long.
If you could change one thing about this product what would it be?
If I could change anything it would simply to have more of a reclining feature as the children seem to be sat bolt upright even at the lowest setting. I would also maybe remove the spring loaded parts from the bottom straps which would make it just a little easier to put the child in the seat. Otherwise it's great.
Tested by dad Ralph Cator for the M&B Awards 2016:
Why would you recommend this product to a friend/fellow mum?
This product looks like it's really good quality and I particularly liked the colour of it, which was different to the usual reds and blacks. I would recommend this as a car seat to others, and i liked the fact that the sea tipped back quite a way, which is important for kids on long journeys.
How does this product make your life easier as a mum?
It was really easy to adjust the headrest and the straps on this car seat as they should be. Some seats can be very awkward but this was dead simple.
If you could change one thing about this product what would it be?
The car seat has little pockets on either side of it, but I think that if it had an actual cup holder it would make it even better than it already is.
Tested by mum Milli Thompson for the M&B Awards 2016:
Why would you recommend this product to a friend/fellow mum?
The Joie i-Anchor car seat is a product I would definitely recommend to friends. It looks good, is easy to operate and is good value for money.
How does this product make your life easier as a mum?
The Joie seat is easy to adjust which makes life easier for me as sometimes give lifts to friends children. I really like the air holes at the sides as my kids have always got really hot in their car seats.
If you could change one thing about this product what would it be?
If there was one thing I could change would add a drink holder.
2015 – Shortlisted for 'Best Car Seat 0+' Award!
The Joie i-Anchor car seat is durable and secure, with both forward and rear facing options. It’s well padded and comfortable although the head rest could do with some extra lining. The fabric is breathable but takes a long time to dry if wiped or washed.
There is the option to use the seat with a car seat belt instead of the ISOFIX base – either method allows for easy installation. The anchor system is a good safety feature and the buckles are also easy to use.
The seat is smaller than some other similar products, which is good for families with smaller cars, and yet there is still plenty of room for a growing child. The upright inclination of the of the seat means that little heads might flop forward when sleeping (not ideal), and a handle attachment on the back of the product would be useful for lifting the seat out of the car.
Overall, a quality product that is good value for money.
2015 – Shortlisted for 'Best Car Seat Group 1' Award!
The new i-AnchorSafe System with i-Size is suitable for children from birth to approximately four years. The i-AnchorFIX base, when used along with the i-Anchor child seat meets and exceeds the new i-Size standard allowing rearward travel up to approximately 18kg – or four years.
This car seat is light and easy to use. The breathable seat is great – preventing sweaty bottoms – however the padding means it would take a long time to dry after cleaning.
It is smaller than other car seats but still has plenty of room for a growing child, although the headrest is quite narrow.
The i-Anchor feels safe and provides peace of mind while driving, and seems very sturdy for long journeys.
2015 – Shortlisted for 'Innovation of the Year' Award!
The Joie i-Anchor is smaller than some other car seats but has plenty of room for a growing child. It’s well padded and comfortable although the headrest, which is quite narrow, could do with some extra buffering.
The i-Anchor has forward and rear facing functionality as well as the option to use a seatbelt to secure the seat instead of the ISOFIX. It has recline ability and the buckles adjust easily.
The rebound bar at the front is great but the seat needs a handle or indentation at the back to make it easier to lift out of the car. The covers can be removed for washing but they, themselves, are padded and will take a long time to dry.
Most importantly, the seat is durable and very secure – a safe ride for any child from birth until around 4 years of age. Good value for money!
Product Information
Joie i-Anchor £290
i-Anchor child seat £175
i-AnchorFIX base £115