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

The right car seat is a crucial purchase for parents. With a myriad of car seats for children and baby car seats to choose from, it's essential to be fully clued up.

Usually, Group 0+ or i-Size (R129) baby car seats, these rear-facing ones are suitable from birth. These seats are often paired with a stroller to form travel systems.

Group 0+

A car seat for your infant or newborn car seat is a necessity. These seats are designed for infants to guard them from dangers on the road and head injuries. They accomplish this by keeping them in the correct position. While all-stage car seat also offer protection for babies, they lack the enhanced safety features that come with infant car seats.

Car seats for infants are generally rear-facing, and allow the baby to ride in the seat until the age of 15 months. Many of these models include a newborn insert to support infants and keep them comfortable. Good infant car seats offer recline suggestions to protect the child's mind during the ride.

All infant car seats should be approved according to the iSize standard and be in compliance with European safety standards. The i-Size standard is more advanced than R44/04, which means that cars approved to this regulation are more likely to pass higher-quality side-impact crash tests, which is crucial for infants and newborns. In addition, i-Size cars use more sophisticated Q-series crash test dummies which offer even more protection for infants and toddlers.

If you decide to purchase an infant car seat must be aware of how often they'll have to move it between vehicles. Those who frequently use taxis or car sharing services should look for a seat with an exclusive baseless design, such as the Nuna PIPA Urbn which allows the seat to be set up within a matter of minutes. This allows the seat to be easily switched between different cars and makes it ideal for parents who need to make multiple journeys.

The Silver Cross Dream i-Size has been given an excellent safety rating by ADAC which means that it offers excellent protection for babies and infants. It also comes with an ISOFIX base built in and EPS energy-absorbing foam.

Group 1

Like many other infant car seat, the Cosatto All in One is designed to be used until your child is 12 years old (or 36 kg). Like the Group 0+ seats, it rotates so that it is easy to put the baby in and out, can fit using ISOFIX or a cars seatbelt that has the top tether, and is rear-facing. It is also easy to clean, which is beneficial for spills and stains.

It's important to remember that your baby may outgrow an infant car seat quite quickly. Many parents find they have to replace their seats by nine months, or earlier. Most manufacturers suggest moving on to a new seat as soon as your child's head is within an inch of the top of the car seat.

A car seat must comply with certain European safety standards in order to be sold. This includes rigorous tests in accident simulations and the use of specific types of material to protect your child from injuries sustained by side impacts. There are two standards in force currently - ECE R44, and R129 (known as i-Size) which is more strict and considers both weight and height when classifying child car seats.

Our experience has shown that seats that are approved to the R129 standard, also referred to as i-Size, tend to be more secure and easy to install. They also allow your child facing backwards for a longer period of time. The only downside is that they can't be used with a front-facing airbag and may not be suitable for certain families. It is essential to speak with the manufacturer prior to purchasing if you are concerned. They should be able to provide you with the latest information and guidance specific to your situation.

Group 2

A baby car seat is suitable for infants who are large enough to be able to move up from an older Group 0+ car seat but aren't yet able to get out of a convertible Group 1 seat. It's not as common as all-in-one seats but it's worth a look in the event you're looking to purchase a seat to take your baby from birth until around four years of age.

It is important that the car seat you pick is compliant with European safety standards. You can look for the E-mark to ensure that the seat meets ECE R44/04 or iSize (which is designed to replace the previous regulation). This will allow you ensure that the seat will be safe for your child from injury in a crash. Seats with the iSize certification are easier to install and offer greater protection against side impacts, and will keep your child rear-facing longer.

For babies up to around 15 months, the Maxi Cosi Pebble 360 Pro is a top pick with impressive crash test results and one of the simplest installations thanks to its sturdy LATCH connectors that change colour when properly connected. It also comes with a swivel base that helps reduce movement in the car, and an inlay that is hugging for the baby's head, neck and back to help maintain their correct posture.

Another good alternative is the Cybex Aviounaut Pixel Pro, which also features an swivel base that can rotate 360 degrees and a unique G-CELL system that maintains safety in side-impacts. It's more expensive compared to other seats, but it provides superior protection and a great value for money. Jasper found it to be comfortable on long journeys and it looks better than the other seats we tried also.

Group 3

A group 3 infant car seat is a three-in-one seat that will last your child from birth right up to the booster stage. These seats are designed to be rear facing infant car seat-facing (some to at minimum 9kg), but can be changed to be used forward-facing up to the weight limit is 36kg.

They are generally comfortable, and offer good head and neck support. They are often equipped with removable and washable padding for infants, which ensures that they are hygienic. One of the best models that we tested, Nuna PIPA aire Rx comes with two inserts – one made from eco-friendly materials and the other made of GOTS certified organic cotton – to ensure your baby feels more comfortable.

This model is not just equipped with impressive crash test results but it also has a user-friendly design. It has one-handed reclining and 12 different headrest positions. It's also simple to install with ISOFIX and comes with a handy colour change indicator for when you've got it secure.

We don't recommend changing groups fast, since children who are in the lower limits are more susceptible to injury in crashes. It's best car seats for infants to keep your old seat until your child reaches their new limit. There are still some excellent alternatives in this category. We recommend the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 that will last until the age of 12.

Cozy N Safe Arthur is another great option. It can take your child from the infant stage until the booster stage when they are four 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 the ability to recline with one hand and no less than 13 headrest positions.

Group 4

The infant seat in the group 4 is the latest addition to our collection. It is designed specifically for children aged up to six. It can be used either as a booster or in a rearward-facing position. We rated this seat highly for its versatility and the possibility of being used without having a base, which makes it perfect for taxi rides, fly-drive trips or trips in rental cars or the vehicles of grandparents. It is equipped with ISOFIX connectors that connect to the base of the vehicle with a satisfying clunk. It also has a variety of features that make it suitable for newborns, including the brand's hugging inlay, a revolutionary ClimaFlow ventilation system, and G-CELL side impact technology to maintain protection as your child grows.

Our team of testers looked over several different group 4 car seats to determine the most suitable options for you and your family. We rated each model based on its ease-of-use and the quality of the materials used as well as comfort for your child. We also considered the safety of each model, taking into account whether it was iSize approved and its performance in crash tests. We considered the safety ratings given by independent safety experts. For example the Swedish Plus test which examines the performance of a car's seat in crashes with low speeds and short brake distances.

We also examined the value of each item since it is something that parents often consider to be important. Our top-rated car seats for infants are at a low cost, easy to install and come with useful features such as a sleeping bag that can be removed, as well as an reversible cover.