Joie i-Snug 2 with i-Base Encore review

from Joie
RRP  £105.00
joie i-snug lifestylejpeg

by Maria Martin |
Updated on

Featured in our pick of the best car seats and weighing in at 3.2kg, the Joie i-Snug 2 is a lightweight i-Size certified baby car seat.

Featuring Joie’s exclusive Tri-Protect headrest, this car seat offers security in the form of three layers of protection inside the side wings and Joie's patented Intelli-Fit memory foam in the infant pillow, keeping baby snug and protected at all times.

Travel system ready, the i-Snug 2 pairs perfectly with select Joie pushchairs and features a multi-position, ergonomic carry handle and a curved base for rocking and relaxing when out and about.

Overview of the Joie i-Snug 2 with i-Base Encore

Pros

 • Lightweight

 • Travel system and spin-system ready

 • Suitable from birth

Cons

 • Nothing

Awards

iSnug with iBase_ Encore M&B awards 2023

The Joie i-snug 2 won Gold in the Mother&Baby awards 2023 for Best Newborn Car Seat (Stage 0/0+).

Joie i-Snug 2 key features

• Suitable rearward facing from birth to 75cm, approximately 12 months

• GrowTogether™ harness and headrest adjust simultaneously as your baby grows

• 3-point harness with shoulder and lower buckle covers easily tightens with one pull motion

• Tri-Protect™ headrest with three layers of foam including patented Intelli-Fit™ memory foam in the infant pillow

• Machine washable covers and inserts

• UPF 50+ and water repellent sun canopy

• Attaches to compatible Joie pushchairs with adapters to form a travel system

Testing the Joie i-Snug 2

A weightless wonder as one of the lightest i-Size certified baby car seats available. Weighing in at only 3.35 kg, this on-the-go pro is incredibly light to the touch but intensely strong in safety. Our testers agreed the lightweight car seat made their lives easier:

"Oh my goodness this car seat is the best I've ever used. It’s literally as light as a feather, which makes it so easy to carry - even with a heavy baby strapped in. It very easy to fit into the car, and the 360 base that it’s compatible with makes life simple but you have peace of mind that your little one is safe."

Other mums agreed, particularly with a newborn the weight of the car seat helped their post-birth recovery: "Firstly can I just say how thankful I am for a lightweight car seat to finally be available on the market. I think having to carry a baby in a car seat is one of the biggest challenges post birth as it is heavy - however this product has solved that problem. We loved using this product and it made everything easier and quicker when using this out and about."

The ECE R129/03 safety standard, plus side impact testing reassured parents their baby would be safe, and the ability to rotate the car seat when used with the i-Base Encore was also praised: "I loved this car seat - it was so easy to install and use. I love the fact it came with isofix as it made me feel more relaxed and that my son was safe in the car. I think my son loved it too as he always seemed to fall asleep in it! I can get my son in and out of the car a lot quicker and easier. The rotation is a great feature and is now something I will look for in future car seats."

"I love the design - so sleek and smart. The car seat was so easy to use - installation was very easy and I felt my son was safe whilst traveling. The car seat was also padded well so my son was comfy. I love the rotation of the car seat, it was so easy to use and so practical."

All our testers agreed they would recommend this product to other parents: "I have raved about this car seat to friends and family as I found it so practical. The rotation was a big plus for me and is definitely my favourite feature. It makes everything so my easier, both travelling and getting my son in and out of the car."

Final thoughts

The testers struggled to find something they would change about this product, although some did mention the small size of the seat, particularly if you had a larger baby. "It may be disappointing for parents who have a child on the higher centiles as it may not last quite as long as hoped. For me this isn't an issue though and I would much rather have a snug fit."

Full product spec

Dimensions: 65 x w 43.5x h 57cm

Suitable from birth to 75cm

• Meets the highest ECE R129/03 safety standard, plus side impact testing

• i-Size certification for a perfect fit in i-Size approved vehicles

• Pairs with the i-Base™ Encore to add a 90º spin and is part of a spinning system that grows from birth to 4 years

• Pairs with i-Base™ 2, i-Base™ lx 2, i-Base Encore, and i-Base™ Advance

• Pairs with i-Base™ Advance as part of the i-Venture System

• Cosy infant pillow for snug fit for newborns

• Curved base allows for rocking and relaxing

• Multi-position, ergonomic carry handle

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