The Best Newborn Car Seats in the UK

Safety in car seats is a priority for all parents. There are a myriad of options when it comes down to choosing the best newborn car seats for your child.

The Cybex Cloud T offers enhanced side impact protection and a baby-hugging inlay. It's the best new car seat in the UK. It comes with a single-handed recline and 12 headrest positions to adjust to your child's growing body.

1. Cybex Cloud T

The Cybex Cloud T is the top rated infant car seats car seat that comes with everything you require to take your baby on adventures from birth up until they reach their toddler years. It's the newest addition to the renowned Cybex Cloud range and features innovative reclining technologies that give your child a comfortable and reclining position in the car, or when used in conjunction with a stroller as part a complete travel system. It's also an ISOFIX car seat which means it is able to be easily connected to your vehicle using the base provided, it can even be rotated 360 degrees to aid in getting your baby out and in.

The car seat itself is constructed of high-quality materials and is available in a variety of trendy colors such as Moon Black, Lava Grey, Beach Blue Plus and Seashell Beige Plus. It is a stylish and elegant option that works perfectly with the Cybex T range of prams. It also includes the Newborn Inlay for newborns and premature babies to ensure a secure, flat position that minimizes the chance of their heads bouncing forward while they sleep, which can cause breathing difficulties. This can be removed once your child is at least 60 centimeters in height.

The car seat is a fantastic option for safety as it scored an impressive 1.7 in crash tests by ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutsche Automobil-Club e.V.). The Cloud T iSize is equipped with LSP (Linear Side-impact protection) to protect your baby in the event of a crash and the innovative Flexi-Fix system that stretches to fit your child as they grow.

If you're planning to use the car seat as part of a travel system with a Cybex pushchair, the innovative 180deg tilt means getting your baby in and out is super easy - no more awkward twisting or reaching. The car seat can be placed in a fully reclined position for added comfort during long car trips. It's slightly higher price point than other seats for this age group, but the numerous features including the reclining option and the excellent safety features make it well worth the money.

2. Maxi-Cosi Pebble Plus

The Maxi-Cosi Pebble Plus is one of the best newborn car seats around. It's a comfortable seat for babies and simple to use. It is suitable from birth and can be used with Maxi-Cosi's FamilyFix or EasyFix base, or with your car's seat belt system. The car seat is compatible with most pushchairs, including the Maxi-Cosi range as well as Quinny, iCandy and Bugaboo (using adapters). It includes the Baby-Hugg infant headrest to ensure a better fit, laying position and side impact protection.

The Pebble Plus is a Group 0+ car seat which means it can be used with infants from birth to 12 months old (45cm between 45cm and 75cm). It's in line with the new iSize regulations that require children to remain in the rear for a longer period of time. It's compatible with the 2way Family base which allows you to switch between rear and forward facing on the same car and also has a handy rotating feature.

Similar to the previous version, it's a very comfortable seat and the latest edition includes some improvements. It now comes with a more refined baby-hugg that looks and feels super-comfy. The shoulder straps have been covered in padding and the headrest is adjustable to accommodate the growth of your baby. It is also able to be removed at any time if you want to stop using it.

It's a bit heavier at 4.5kg than other newborn carseats, but this shouldn't be an issue if your infant spends most of the time in it. It has a handle that can make it easier to carry, and is light enough to lift to and from taxis or rideshare vehicles.

It's also a fashionable seat. You can choose from a variety of colours and patterns that are suitable for your car. It's not the cheapest infant car seat, but it's still very reasonable and well worth the extra cost for your baby. Once you've got the hang of it, adjusting the harness size and height is a breeze. Simply pull down on the back panel, and squeeze together two buttons to move up or down the straps without having to rethread them.

3. Joie Calmi

Joie Calmi is the perfect infant car seat. It's easy to use and is a great cot-like baby sitter. This dual-use car seat as well as carrycot is certified R129. It's built tough with a tough ventilated outer shell and a plush padding to protect your little one. It features a 3-point safety harness that can be adjusted with just a single pull and softly cushioned covers. Plus, it features lateral positioning to keep your baby's head in the most secure position in case of an accident.

The seat's base is compatible with Joie Aeria and Finiti strollers, which means you can easily slide it onto and off the frame. With the adjustable handle bars, it's easy to lift, even when your child is asleep. If you're looking to make a travel set, the iBase Encore adapters let you to pair Calmi together with MaxiCosi or Britax stroller.

Joie has improved on the design of its previous i-Spin 360, which earned the highest test score in Which?'s crash tests and a good rating from ADAC. The latest model, which we tested, comes with a lock that stops you from rotating the seat to face forward too quickly, making sure your child stays in the rear the longest time 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 observe without disturbing your child.

If you are looking online for car seats, choose one that provides free delivery to the UK mainland for all orders. They should also allow returns within 35 days. John Lewis offers a wide range of infant car seats from top brands, including Maxi-Cosi, Silver Cross and Cybex. Click and collect is free to your local branch (or Sainsbury's if you are close to it). You can also earn Nectar points on all purchases. Argos is another great option for a broad selection of car seats, starting at PS55. You can also avail free delivery, same-day collection in store and free returns to any Argos or Sainsbury's store that is participating.

4. Silver Cross Motion All Size 360

Silver Cross Motion is a new vehicle seat that's all-in-one from the trusted British brand that is renowned for its high-end pushchairs and prams. Jasper who was our test subject, loved it. He said it was "the most stylish of the bunch." My child seemed to be most comfortable during long drives."

This fully rotating R129 certified car seat is suitable for newborns up to 12 years old. It was awarded the ADAC 2022 autumn test's award for the most effective child, baby and toddler car seat. It was also tested above the rules to ensure that your child is safe throughout every journey.

For newborns, it features a removable and cosy padded insert made from soft bamboo fabric that is breathable and antibacterial. The body support and head support can be removed as your child grows, and the 3 recline and 8 headrest positions can also be adjusted to suit.

The green light that indicates that the car seat is properly installed and is now ready to use is an exclusive feature. This makes it a great option for new parents, who might not be aware of the correct installation and fitting of car seats. It also comes with a harness that can be used in either rear or forward-facing position.

It's also permanent, so you won't need to wake your baby in order to take them out of the car on longer journeys. However, it's not travel system-compatible, like the Joie i-Spin 360 i-Size or Britax Romer Dualfix Plus iSize (you need to buy an additional travel bag for this).

The Axkid One is a permanently fixed car seat that is permanently fixed. They are not as simple to transport between cars. If you decide to purchase a separate travel bag choose one that is sturdy and able to endure the wear and tear of regular use. It's worth paying a bit extra for a bag which will last longer than your child's car seat.