When driving with your baby in the car, their safety is everything, so it's understandable why you might want to consider some of the best flat car seats when thinking about buying a car seat for your newborn.
If you're not already familiar with lie-flat car seats, they're car seats that allow a baby to lie flat when travelling in the car. Research shows that lying flat is the healthiest position for newborns to be in when they're sleeping or lying still for prolonged periods of time, so it's understandable why you might opt for a lie-flat car seat. Whatever car seat you choose, remember that here in the UK, car seats are mandatory for transporting babies and all children under 12 years old (or who are less than 135cm tall).
Flat car seats allow babies to breathe more easily than car seats, where a baby is sat up slightly, as it can make them slump over slightly, restricting their breathing. Laying flat is also the best position for encouraging the healthy development of a baby's spine and hips. If you see your baby having to regularly be on longer car journeys (over 2 hours), where stopping frequently isn't an option, then it's probably worth getting a lie-flat car seat. The biggest downside to a lie-flat car seat is that it may only last until your baby is around 6 months old, so in terms of value for money, they aren't great as you may need to consider a toddler car seat as well.
The best lie flat car seats at a glance:
Lie-flat car seats are ideal if you're keen to keep your baby in the car seat when taking them out of the car to visit a friend's house or eat out at a restaurant without having to take a pushchair in, as this is where many parents might exceed the two-hour mark.
We've done all the research for you and found the best lie flat car seats for newborn babies. We've included some Mother&Baby Award winners that have been reviewed by our real parent testers that'll keep your baby safe when travelling.
How we test our car seats
Our Mother&Baby Awards are renowned in the industry as one of the most highly respected product awards for baby and parenting products. Every year, we arrange for thousands of independent parent reviewers to test the latest products on the market.
Once we’ve recruited our pool of testers, we ask them to consider four areas while testing: usability, design, quality, and value for money. They are also asked to provide feedback on their experience with the product and whether they would make any changes to improve it.
Our list of the best car seats has been tested by parents like you – who have lived with them, used them with travel systems, fitted them in cars and know how they suit them and their children. Our testers consider everything from safety standards, ease of use, budget, weight, installation and adaptability. For this roundup of the best lie-flat car seats, adjustability was a key factor, so how easy is it to put into lie-flat, can you do it while baby is in the seat, how many levels of adjustment are there? These questions were key in our testing process.
For example, some lie-flat car seats are designed to be more like a multifunctional carrycot, such as the Joie Calmi R129 and the Nuna CARI - these options are completely lie-flat and extremely travel-system friendly; however, they do have the disadvantage of not having a range of recline positions and taking up more space when fitted in the car than a newborn car seat which as a lie-flat recline such as the Cybex Cloud T i-size or the Joie I-level so it's worth considering which you will find more useful and practical for life with a newborn.
Find out more about how we test and what considerations we consider in our testing process.
Our editorial team is also constantly looking for new car seats to test so that we can help you find the best—be that a more affordable product that we want to test for value for money or the latest car seat innovation.
The best lie flat car seats
1.
Joie i-Level
This is a lie-flat lounger for strolling and allows the baby to lie flat for snoozes in the car, too. It won silver in the 2024 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Newborn Car Seat category.
The Joie i-Level cleverly converts in an instant from a cuddly carrycot to an infant car seat, which our mum tester loved as it meant she could leave her baby to snooze for longer. It's suitable for rearward facing from birth, and the i-Level features the ultimate protection and security for your little one.
While the swivel base that you can get for the car seat could be larger for some small cars, you can opt for a non-swivel base. If you prefer a completely flat car seat, we recommend the Nuna Cari. However, the Joie i-Level has three reclining positions, so it's more flexible, and you can adjust it as needed.
Read our full Joie i-Level Recline car seat review
Pros
- It allows for lie flat mode for both car journeys and strolls
- Has a choice of three reclining positions
- Parts of the car seat can be washed
Cons
- The base with the option to turn might be too large for smaller cars
| Suitable from: | Suitable rearward facing from 40 up to 85cm (approx birth to 15 months |
| Isofix compatible: | Yes |
| Safety: | R129-compliant (i-Size ready) |
| Guarantee: | <meta charset="utf-8">2 years |
| Dimensions: | H65 x W57.5 x D44cm |
- Certified to the highest R129 safety standards
- i-Size certification
- Ultimate side impact protection
- Removable full body insert
- Retractable sun canopy
- Three-point harness
2.
Nuna CARI
This carry-cot car seat provides a very comfortable place for your baby to nap during car journeys. It also allows the baby to lie completely flat while in the car, which is best for spinal development, and you won't have to disturb the baby when getting in and out of the car.
The Nuna CARI is only suitable for children up to six months, so if you're looking for a longer-lasting car seat, you might opt for the Joie i-Level instead, which is suitable for up to 15 months. However, the Nuna CARI lays further flat.
It's also NEXT system compatible if you have a travel system, and although it's quite bulky in size, taking up space in the car, it's lightweight, weighing just 3.6kg.
Read our full Nuna CARI car seat review.
Pros
- The car seat is fully reclined, similar to a carrycot
- It's made from toxin-free fabric
- It's easy to carry and has a lightweight design
Cons
- It is really large and takes up space on the back seat
| Compatibility: | 'NEXT' system™ compatible. Travel system ready with easy connection to Nuna pushchairs |
| Safety: | R129 protection |
| Weight: | 3.6kg |
| Fastening: | 3-point harness system |
| ISOFIX compatible? | Yes - 10 ISOFIX positions |
| Height band: | 40-70cm |
| Suitable from: | Birth |
- Three-point harness system
- Shock absorbingplastic base
- 10 ISOFIX positions for a custom fit
Best rotating lie flat car seat
MOTHER&BABYEnjoy all-round flexibility and comfort for you and your child with the Cloud T i-Size. The clever rotation mechanism lets the seat face sideways for effortless entry and exit.
Our parent tester loved the new in-car recline feature, which allows your child to relax during the journey, describing it as a "great addition." The lay-flat option means that the baby can stay in the seat for longer, "which is amazing" for longer car journeys.
The Cybex Cloud T i-Size looks a lot more 'sleek and modern,' too. Some mentioned that the car seat could be a bit difficult to carry so that the Britax Römer BABY-SAFE i-SIZE might be better suited for a lightweight design. Still, the Cybex's ergonomic design meant that their baby was comfortable and safe.
**Read the full CYBEX Cloud T i-Size review.
**
Pros
- It has a reclining function inside the car and lay flat on the pushchair
- It's an ergonomic car seat for comfort
Cons
- Difficult to carry when baby is in the seat
| Suitable from: | Birth 45-87cm |
| ISOFIX compatible: | Yes |
| Weight: | <meta charset="utf-8">4.8kg |
| Safety: | R129 compliant |
| Cleaning: | Machine washable covers |
- Ergonomic design
- Side-impact protection
- Reclining chair
- 180 degree rotation
Best lie flat car seat bundle
MOTHER&BABYMaxi-Cosi 360 Pro Family Bundle aims to simplify the process of buying a car seat as a first-time parent while prioritising safety and comfort for your little one. Designed with the needs of families in mind, this bundle includes the FamilyFix 360 Pro, the Pebble 360 Pro and the Pearl 360 Pro and offers a comprehensive solution for all stages of your child's car seat journey from birth to four years old.
As well as having 360 spins, this car seat base also features SlideTech, so it's even easier to get your baby in and out of their car seat. The Pebble 360 Pro car seat is easy to install, with plush padding for comfort and plenty of safety features to keep your VIP safe. Our tester said, "Offering three recline positions, I especially like that the Pebble 360 Pro has a full lie-flat position in all modes (whether used in the car or attached to a travel system)."
Read our full review of the Maxi-Cosi 360 Pro Family Bundle.
Pros
- Includes infant car seat, toddler car seat and base
- Base spins 360 one-handed
- The base slides out of the car
Cons
- The bundle is only available in two colours currently
5.
Nuna ARRA
Best designed lie flat car seat
MOTHER&BABYwww.johnlewis.com
The Nuna Arra newborn baby car seat provides a smooth transition from crib to infant carrier. Its three recline positions allow the baby to lie comfortably, whether Arra is buckled in the backseat or attached to a pushchair.
Our parent tester liked the ergonomic position, and as her baby sleeps well in the car, the lie-flat mode was an added bonus. It’s i-Size-approved and lightweight, weighing just 3.9 kg (without insert or canopy).
Doubling as a car seat and a carrycot, this reclining carrier means that even though life doesn’t stop, their sleep doesn’t have to either. Its leather handle is also comfy to carry, and while colour choices are limited, it's easy to move from car to pram.
Read our full Nuna ARRA review
Pros
- It's a really lightweight design
- Easy to transition from car to stroller
- The leather handle detail looks stylish but is also functional for an easy grip
Cons
- There aren't many colour choices
6.
Joie Calmi R129 car seat
The Calmi R129 car seat is compatible with most cars and makes it really convenient to switch babies from lying flat in their pushchair to lying flat directly in the car. It is i-Size compliant and ISOFIX compatible. Hailed by our parent testers for being easy to manoeuvre and stylish, this travel system combo with the Joie Calmi and Joie Finiti is also a Mother&Baby Awards 2023 Gold winner.
Commenting on how the Calmi made their life easier when travelling long journeys, one tester said, "The Calmi provided us with a practical solution for travelling to our parents, whereby our baby could lie down for the journey, enabling them to be comfortable and to conform to the recommended guidelines. They were obviously comfortable in the seat as they slept for over an hour and a half of the journey each way! I also felt secure in the knowledge that they were safely strapped in, and the seat's padding provided an extra level of protection and quality."
One con our testers did mention is that it can be tricky to fit the Joie Calmi car seat in the back if there's already another car seat installed, a sticking point for second-time parents. You also can't spin the Calmi once installed, despite it being compatible with a 360 base.
**Read our full review of the Joie Calmi.
**
Pros
- Compatible with travel systems and 360 car seat base
- Completely lie flat for safe travel during longer journeys
- Easy to transition between stroller base and car seat base for seamless travel
Cons
- Doesn't spin
- Can be tricky to fit in alongside another car seat
Best lie flat car seat for baby comfort
www.maxi-cosi.co.uk
Available in a wide range of colours, this seat allows your baby to lie in a flat position at all times whether they're in the car or in their stroller, something our parent tester loved as it meant 'you're not restricted to the amount of time they spend in the car seat.'
Another advantage our tester found was that it meant you didn't have to double up on a carrycot and a car seat, as the Maxi-Cosi Jade did both. It's also easy to clean, which is a bonus.
It meets the highest safety standards and provides the best protection for the baby's neck and head. This car seat is very similar to the Nuna CARI, although it doesn't last a long time, so you might prefer to opt for something more long-lasting, such as the Joie i-Level.
Read our Maxi-Cosi Jade with 3wayfix Base review here
Pros
- The covers are easy to clean and are washable
- Comfortable for baby
- It's easy to clip in and out of the car
Cons
- It doesn't last growing baby's very long
| Safety: | R129 safety |
| ISOFIX compatible: | Yes |
| Fastening: | 3-point safety harness |
| Colours: | 6 |
| Suitable: | From birth up to 6 months |
| Weight: | 0 - 9 kg |
Best multistage lie flat car seat
www.boots.com
This car seat has lie-flat technology, allowing the baby to rest in a safe position. It can be installed in a range of colours with a support leg or with an ISOFIX base and support leg. Our parent tester, Amy, thought it was really easy to install into her car compared to others. A second mum tester, Vicky, also found the car seat to be really light.
The Britax Römer also has a sunshade, which is quite a unique feature compared to some car seats. Some of the parent testers found that it wasn't compatible with their prams but were happy to overlook that thanks to how safe they found it for their baby and how easy it was to keep clean.
Read our full Britax Römer BABY-SAFE i-SIZE review
Pros
- It has a rotating base to make it easier to put the baby in
- The car seat is light, making it easier to carry
- It's easy to keep clean
Cons
- It doesn't lay completely flat
| <meta charset="utf-8">Suitable from: | <meta charset="utf-8"> Birth until around 13kg |
| Safety: | R129-compliant |
| Fastening: | 5-point harness |
| Weight: | <meta charset="utf-8">3.9kg |
www.babyplanetonline.co.uk
This car seat offers four different recline settings, so your baby can travel in an upright seated position (suitable from 0 to 18 months) or lie completely flat (from birth to nine months).
Our parent testers found the car seat bulky and difficult to adjust, so you might prefer the Nuna ARRA, which is a lot lighter. In the lie-flat mode, covers attached with poppers convert it into a carrycot, and it can also be attached to any Jané pushchair frame.
While parent testers mentioned their little one slept well in the car seat and looked comfortable, they did think it was a big expense for how long a baby can stay in this seat.
Read our full Jané Matrix Light 2 Car Seat review
Pros
- It has four different recline settings
- The car seat is ideal for longer car journeys
Cons
- Some found it quite heavy and that it takes up a lot of space
| Suitable from: | Birth to 6 months |
| Positions: | 4 reclining positions adapt to your child: 138-180° |
| Carry handle: | 3-positions |
| Fastening: | 5 point safety harness with one-pull adjustment |
10.
Doona X
Best lie flat integrated travel system
The Doona X is perfect for parents and celeb mums alike who want a car seat and stroller for life on the go. You can effortlessly transition from car seat mode to stroller mode in seconds. Plus, with a Soft Release System, Doona has created the smoothest transition for your little one to minimise any disturbance.
The Doona X is suitable for newborns and has three recline positions, including an option to lie flat. The easy-fastening shoulder pads make putting your baby into the car seat much simpler.
Read our full Doona X review.
Pros
- Transitions from car to stroller
- Three recline positions
- Soft release system
- Comes with the Doona SIP (Side Impact Protection) add-on
Cons
- Only suitable for up to 13kg
Choosing the right lie-flat car seat for you
Before you purchase a lie-flat car seat, you'll want to consider whether it's worth the investment. Most lie-flat car seats are Group 0 car seats, so they will only last your little one until around the 6-month mark. However, if you expect to travel on long journeys regularly with your baby, they're worth the money for your peace of mind and baby's safety in the car.
Some lie-flat car seats are combination seats that can take you up to the next age stage (12-15 months). The only downside with this kind of car seat is that the choices are fairly limited, and they tend to be rather large and bulky, so they aren't ideal for smaller cars.
If you're looking for a lie-flat position when out of the car, then it might be best to opt for a car seat that can lie flat in the buggy. These are great for visiting relatives, restaurants, and shopping trips. They can also last longer, up to around 12-18 months.
Lie flat car seat safety
It is a legal requirement for children to travel in a car seat until they’re 12 years old or 135cm tall. While standard car seats are perfectly safe for your child, young babies are safest in a lie-flat position to help the healthy development of the baby's spine and hips.
According to the Lullaby Trust, babies should not be in a car seat for longer than 2 hours at a time, and they should be taken out frequently. If possible, it's ideal if you have another adult sit with the baby in the back to make sure they're okay. If the baby changes position and slumps forward, then you should immediately stop and take them out
of the car seat and reposition them before continuing on your journey.
What age do babies not need to lie flat?
Where possible, it's advised that babies lie flat until they're a year old. This is most essential in the first six months, particularly the early months. Usually, when your child can confidently sit up by themselves, they don't need to be lying flat.
Are lie-flat car seats worth it?
If your baby is premature or has other medical conditions, then your baby should be in a lie-flat car seat for safety reasons. Standard car seats are perfectly safe for most children; however, make sure your car journey times are kept to a minimum and the baby can regularly have a stretch.
If this isn't an option for you and you regularly see yourself having to do longer car journeys with your baby (over two hours), then you may want to consider a lie-flat car seat for their safety and your peace of mind.
How we test and choose recommended products
Our product recommendations are based on a combination of real-world testing from our burgeoning army of mum testers and the extensive knowledge of our experienced editorial team and product specialists. Where we can, we also consult experts who specialise in that field to ensure you get the right advice along with the right product, and we listen to what you say as well.
Our thriving mum community on our Facebook group #mumtribe consistently provides great insights into which products mums like best and why, helping us highlight the products that will meet your needs.
For essential products, our annual Mother&Baby Awards shortlist the top products tested. Full reviews from our mum testers can be found on our product pages. The winners and runners-up for each category will also appear in our top picks article for that product, along with other products that were rated highly by our team.
Lorna White is the Senior Digital Writer for Mother&Baby. After running the Yours magazine website, specialising in content about caring for kids and grandchildren, Lorna brought her expertise to Mother&Baby in 2020. She has a keen interest in a range of topics from potty training and nutrition to baby names and early development and has a wide range of experienced medical experts and professionals at her fingertips. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two young sisters, dog walking and enjoying the outdoors with her family.