The Best Newborn Car Seats in the UK

Safety of your car seat is a top rated baby car seats concern for every parent. There are many options available when it comes to selecting the most suitable car seat for your newborn for your child.

The Cybex Cloud T offers enhanced side impact protection as well as a baby-hugging inlay. It's the best new car seat UK. It has a one handed recline and 12 headrest positions that adapt to your child’s growing body.

1. Cybex Cloud T

The Cybex Cloud T car seat is the best choice to take your baby with you on your journeys from the time they're born until toddlers. It's the newest addition to the iconic Cybex Cloud line and features an innovative reclining system that gives your child an ergonomic lie-flat position both inside the car and alongside a pushchair in the context of a travel system. It's also an ISOFIX vehicle seat, which means it can easily be attached to your car using the base provided. It can be rotated to assist you in helping get your baby into and out of the seat.

The car Seat newborn seat itself is constructed of top-quality materials. It comes in a range of stylish colours, including Moon Black, Lava Grey, Beach Blue Plus and Seashell Beige Plus. It's a stylish and elegant choice that seamlessly matches with the Cybex T line of prams. It also comes with the Newborn Inlay for newborns and premature babies that helps ensure a secure, nearly flat position that reduces the possibility of their heads bouncing forward during sleep, which can cause breathing problems. It can be removed when your child is at least 60 centimeters in height.

In terms of safety, the car seat provides excellent protection for your child, scoring an impressive 1.7 result in crash tests conducted by ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutsche Automobil-Club e.V). The Cloud T iSize is equipped with LSP (Linear Side-impact protection) to safeguard your baby in the event of a crash. It also features the innovative Flexi-Fix system that stretches to fit your child's size as they develop.

The innovative 180deg rotating system makes it easy to get your baby in and out of the car seat when you are using it as a part of a travel system that includes a Cybex stroller. There is no more awkward twisting or reaching. The car seat is also equipped to fully recline for extra comfort on long car rides. The cost is a bit higher than other car seats in this age however the features it provides, such as the recline feature and superior safety features makes it well worth the investment.

2. Maxi-Cosi Pebble Plus

Maxi-Cosi Pebble Plus is among the most popular infant car seats available. It is simple to use and comfortable for infants. It's suitable from birth and can be used with the Maxi-Cosi FamilyFix or EasyFix base or in conjunction with the seat belt system in your car. The car seat is also compatible with all pushchairs, including the Maxi-Cosi range, Quinny, iCandy and Bugaboo (using adapters). It includes the Baby-Hugg cheap infant car seats headrest for a better fit and the position of the child's head and side impact protection.

The Pebble Plus is a Group 0+ car seat, which means it can be used for babies ranging from birth to 12 months old (45cm to 75cm). It is compliant with the new iSize regulations that require that children sit in the rear for longer. It's compatible with the 2way Family base that allows you to change between forward and rear facing on the same vehicle and has a handy rotation feature.

Similar to the previous version, it's a comfortable seat and the new version includes some improvements. It comes with a brand new, improved baby-hugging inlay that feels and looks great. The shoulder straps are padded and the headrest can be moved up or down as your baby grows. It is also possible to remove it at any time to stop using it.

It's a little heavier than some of the other infant carseats, at 4.5kg but shouldn't be a problem when your baby is using it most of the time. It has a handle that can make it easier to carry, and is light enough to be lifted into and out of taxis or rideshare vehicles.

It's also a good infant car seats-looking seat, and you can choose from a wide selection of colours and patterns to suit your car. It's not the most cost-effective infant car seat, but it is still a great investment that is worth the money for your baby. It can be difficult to adjust the height and length but once you've mastered the art of it it's fine. You can adjust the straps by pulling down on the back panel and pressing two buttons simultaneously.

3. Joie Calmi

If you're looking for a newborn car seat that is easy to use and cradles your baby like a cot, then you should consider Joie Calmi. This dual-use carrycot and car seat is certified R129, which means it's built to last with a sturdy ventilated shell and a plush cushioning to cradle your infant. It features a 3-point safety harness that is adjusted with just a single pull and softly cushioned covers. It also has an lateral position to keep your baby's head at the most secure position in the event of an accident.

This seat's base is compatible with Joie's Aeria and Finiti pushchairs, meaning you can remove it and put it back on easily. And, thanks to adjustable handle bars, it's also a breeze to lift even when your bundle of joy is asleep. If you're planning to build an entire travel set, the iBase Encore adapters let you to connect your Calmi with MaxiCosi or Britax stroller.

The design of the earlier i-Spin 360 has been improved by Joie. The model earned a high score in the crash tests conducted by Which?, and a good rating from ADAC. The model we tested includes a lock to prevent you from rotating the seat too quickly, ensuring that your baby remains rearward-facing as long as possible. It also comes with a large sun canopy that's water repellent and offers 50+ UV protection and has a mesh peekaboo window to allow you to look in without disturbing your child.

If you're looking for a car seat online, ensure you choose a store that provides free UK mainland delivery on all purchases and returns within 35 days. John Lewis has a great range of newborn car seats from top brands, including Cybex, Maxi-Cosi and Silver Cross, and offers free click and pick up to the nearest store (or to an Sainsbury's branch if you're nearby). With every purchase you can also earn Nectar points. Argos also has a great selection of car seats with prices starting from PS55. You can also get free delivery, same-day collection in-store and free returns to any Argos or Sainsbury's retailer that is a participating one.

4. Silver Cross Motion All Size 360

Silver Cross Motion is a new vehicle seat that is all-in-one from the reputable British brand, which is known for its high-end pushchairs and prams. Jasper, our tester, loved it. He said it was "the most stylish of the bunch, and my baby seemed to be the most comfortable for long drives."

This fully rotating R129 compliant car seat is suitable for infants up to 12 year olds. It was awarded the ADAC 2022 Autumn Test's award for the most effective child, baby and toddler car seat. It's also been tested above and beyond regulations to ensure that your child's safety on every journey.

For newborns, it features an adjustable and cozy cushioned insert made of soft bamboo fabric that's comfortable and breathable. It's also antibacterial. The body insert and head support can be removed when your child gets older. You can also adjust the headrest and recline positions to suit.

A unique feature is the built-in 'green light' that lets you know that the car seat is secured and ready to use which makes it a fantastic option for parents who aren't familiar with the correct way to install and fit car seat newborn insert seats. It also comes with a stowable harness which can be used in either a rear or forward-facing position.

Another major selling point is that it's a permanent fixture in the car and you don't need to wake up your sleepy newborn to get them out for longer trips. However, it isn't travel system-compatible, like the Joie i-Spin 360 i-Size or Britax Romer Dualfix Plus i-Size (you must purchase a separate travel bag for this).

The drawback to cars with a fixed structure like the Axkid One i-size is that they aren't as easy to carry around when you're required to move them between cars. If you decide to buy a separate travel bag for your car seat, be sure it's a sturdy one that can withstand the wear and tear of frequent use. It's worth paying extra for a bag that will last for as long as the car seat of your child.