The 10 best rotating car seats for 2024

best rotating car seats

by Bryony Firth-Bernard |
Updated on

It goes without saying that the best baby car seat is one of (if not the most) important piece of gear that you’ll buy for your child, and the best rotating car seat, also called a 360 car seat for those that can spin all the way around, can make life much easier as a new parent. Getting your child into their car seat can sometimes be a bit of a battle and can leave the pair of you exhausted before you’ve even begun your journey.

A car seat that rotates a full 360 degrees gives you the ability to swivel the seat for easy in and out, plus means you can place your child rear-facing, which offers more protection in the event of a collision. It's UK law that children under 15 months old must be rear-facing, but it's recommended to continue rear-facing beyond this. A rotating car seat offers more flexibility and longevity when it comes to its age categories, with many of them being in the Group 0+/1 category, making them great toddler car seats. This means they can be induced as rear-facing toddler car seats and you’ll have the option to place your child rear-facing up until they’re 4 years old.

While they used to be a pricey option, there are lots more 360 and rotating car seats on the market these days. The majority will have a separate base which allows for the rotation, and some brands have multiple car seat options that fit the same base, so you can choose the right car seat group for your child to match their needs as they grow. Many also have lots of recline positions, including lie flat car seats for newborns.

The best 360-car seats at a glance:

Best value 360 car seat: Joie i-Spin 360, £249.99
Lightest rotating car seat: Nuna TODL NEXT, £330
Best long-lasting 360-car seat: Silver Cross Motion All Size 360, £325

If you’re considering whether or not to buy one, or want to know more about them, then we’ve rounded up the best and safest rotating car seats on the market, as well as answered all your questions about them.

The best 360 and rotating car seats 2024

Best value 360 car seat

The Joie i-Spin 360 was awarded Gold in the Mother&Baby 2023 Awards. As well as its decent price point, which includes the base, this car seat spins in every direction at just the touch of a button and then locks securely in place for safe travelling. The customisable infant body and head support inserts allow the chair to grow comfortably with your baby, as well as the multi-height headrest and harness system.

It comes with side impact protection for added security to the head, body, and hips, while ISOFIX makes installing this seat super easy. It can also be reclined into six different positions so that your little one can stay snuggly, and we really like the fact that the cover is removable and washable. 

When our mum tester, Rebecca, put the Joie i-Spin 360 to the test she said: "This product is AMAZING! As a mum, I personally think everyone needs one of these. I suffer from back pain and using this to turn my child and get them out of the car with ease was a lifesaver. It’s 100 per cent made my life easier, and I don’t actually know if I will ever be able to go back to a normal car seat now."

Read the full Joie i-Spin review.

Pros

  • Removable and washable seat cover
  • Ultra plush and comfortable
  • Easy to install
  • Guard Surround Safety panels auto-engage when harness is tightened for safety

Cons

  • It's a little bit heavy
Suitable for: birth to 4 years/105cm 
Rear-facing until:4 years/105cm
i-Size:Yes
Rotation:360° 
Weight:13.9kg

Lightest 360 car seat

This rotating seat from Nuna won the Mother&Baby Awards 2023 for Best Multi-Stage Car Seat. It has a sleek, modern design and is suitable for newborns up to four years. The support wedge and Merino wool infant head and body inserts can easily be removed, while the one-hand, height-adjustable head support has six different positions. The shoulder harness also expands as the headrest raises.

It’s i-Size ready and ISOFIX compatible with 13 different positions so that you can custom fit it to your car seat. The only downside to this seat is that the Nuna rotating base has to be purchased separately.

When our dad tester, Joe, tried it out on his two children, he said: "With this seat everything feels like it has ball bearings, really smooth to use and at no stage does it feel flimsy or unreliable. Other models' features, such as the swivel, have strained somewhat after adding a heavier child, but I have not noticed this with the Nuna TODL NEXT. With other competing seats available, the two key points to take away with this seat are its smooth operation and lightweight construction. I believe this is the smoothest car seat I’ve ever used."

Read the full Nuna TODL NEXT review.

Pros

  • Extremely light
  • ISOFIX-compatible with 13 different positions
  • Simple to install
  • Smooth revolving motion

Cons

  • Base has to be purchased separately
Suitable for:<strong> </strong>birth to 4 years/105cm 
Rear-facing until:4 years/105cm
i-Size:Yes
Rotation:360° 
Weight:8.02kg

Best long-lasting 360 car seat

Gold winner in the Mother&Baby 2022 Awards, this rotating car seat by Silver Cross has the ultimate longevity as it grows with your baby up to 12 years. With this in mind, its price point is pretty fantastic, especially when you consider that it’s ISOFIX compatible, not too heavy and has eight adjustable positions for the headrest. We also love the fact that it’s been made from anti-bacterial bamboo fabrics, which is just as well as, sadly, this seat is sponge clean only.

When testing out the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 parent tester, Emma, said: "It was so easy and quick to install, straight out of the box and in the car in less than 5 minutes. I was confident that it was installed securely and correctly with all the green indicators showing as well as little to no movement in the chair. The quality of the fabric and general make-up is of a high standard, reassuring me it will last my son for the next 9-10 years – unlike my daughter's seat, which is a cheaper brand and definitely won't last the 6-7 years I would like it to."

Read the full Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 review.

Pros

  • Great value for money and will last for years
  • Straps are easy to adjust
  • Plenty of padding
  • Soft, hypoallergenic fabric
  • App to check if your car is compatible

Cons

  • Only has three recline positions
Suitable for: birth to 12 years/145cm 
Rear facing until:  4 years/105cm
i-Size:Yes
Rotation:360° 
Weight:14.1kg

Best 360 car seat for one-hand rotation

The Maxi-Cosi Pearl 360 can be used from birth up to four years old, so it's built for long-term use. Reviewers have described it as robust, secure and comfortable, with a smooth rotation and simple-to-use recline function which can be done with one hand. Your newborn will be snug thanks to the from-birth inlay, and there's a good amount of space for your baby to grow with the seat. The FamilyFix 360 base is sold separately.

Pros

  • Easy to install
  • Multiple recline positions
  • Cover is easy to wash

Cons

  • Bulky base
  • Base sold separately
Suitable from:Birth to 4 years (40 to 105cm)
Rear-facing until:4 years
i-Size:Yes
Rotation:360
Weight:7.9kg 

Best long-lasting 360 car seat (up to 7 years)

Another contender from Joie is the i-Spin Grow, which may have a larger price tag than the i-Spin above, but it does have an extended lifeline, able to be used from birth up to seven years. It’s got some great features, like the VeriFit™ custom sound and light display, which tells you if your child’s seat hasn’t been secured properly for additional safety.

As well as meeting i-Size safety standards and being able to install with ISOFIX, there are also five recline positions rearward-facing and up to ten recline positions forward-facing, so your child can snooze soundly on the go for years to come.

Reviewers like the location of the swivel button compared to other models and that it looks good and is high-quality.

Pros

  • Lasts up to 7 years
  • Good value for money
  • Available in two colours
  • Easy to use
  • Comfortable

Cons

  • Lighter oyster colour not ideal for spills
Suitable for:birth to 7 years/125cm 
Rear-facing until:4 years/105cm
i-Size:Yes
Rotation:360° 
Weight:14.45kg

Best affordable long-lasting 360 car seat

Another long-lasting but slightly cheaper rotating car seat is this one from Chicco, which was awarded Bronze in the Mother&Baby 2023 Awards. It has everything you’d want for your child’s car seat: six recline positions, ISOFIX installation, adjustable headrest height, side impact safety, plus removable and washable covers for any spills or accidents. What’s not to love?

When testing out the Chicco Seat3Fit parent tester, Natalie, said: "I absolutely love the Chicco Seat3Fit. It has so many amazing features. The fact you can turn the seat 360 degrees really is a game changer. The design and colour is perfect. I really love this car seat."

Read the full Chicco Seat3Fit review.

Pros

  • Removable and washable covers
  • Long-lasting
  • Good value for money
  • Easy to use
  • Padded and sturdy

Cons

  • Could do with a deeper recline
Suitable for: birth to 7 years/125cm 
Rear-facing until:4 years/105cm
i-Size:Yes
Rotation:360° 
Weight:14.60kg

Bets budget 360 car seat

If you're on a bit of a budget, then the Merlin rotating car seat from Cozy N Safe is a decent contender. You can spin this seat to your desired position at the push of a button, making strapping your baby in and taking them out super easy and hassle-free. The ISOFIX connectors allow you to easily attach the seat, which has extra padding, as well as four rear-facing and three forward-facing recline positions for extra comfort. While this seat does have R44.04 testing certification, it isn't i-Size.

When testing the Cozy N Safe Merlin, parent tester, Gail, said: "The design is lovely and the extra padding around the baby's head is brilliant. Having the option to have the seat rear and forward-facing is great so you don’t have to worry about having to buy two car seats. This is great if parents are on a budget."

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Seat cover is removable and washable

Cons

  • Isn't i-Size
Suitable for: birth to 4 years/105cm 
Rear-facing until:4 years/105cm 
i-Size:No
Rotation:360° 
Weight:14.9

Best 360 car seat with great safety features

Cybex has a good reputation for car seat safety, and this rotating car seat certainly lives up to that. Suitable from birth to four years, the Sirona S2 has been designed with energy reduction technology, which reduces the forces on your child’s neck by approximately 20 per cent in a forward-facing position. It also has side impact protection. With a five point harness, five recline positions and adjustable head support, you’ll be able to ensure your child is comfy and secure.

Reviewers have dubbed it a "game-changer car seat", noting that it's simple to use, turns effortlessly and is sturdy and comfortable.

Pros

  • Great safety features
  • Not too expensive
  • Easy to use
  • Comfortable

Cons

  • Heavy, considering it only goes up to four years
Suitable for: birth to 4 years/105cm 
Rear-facing until:4 years/105cm 
i-Size:Yes
Rotation:360° 
Weight:14.1kg

Best rotating car seat to use as part as a travel system

Although not a 360-rotating car seat, the Cloud Z is compatible with all Cybex pushchairs and other popular buggy brands with universal adaptors. When attached to the pushchair, this seat can lie flat to provide the ultimate sleeping position for your baby, while its XXL hood has UPF50+ sun protection.

As well as being i-Size, this seat also has a Linear Side-impact Protection (L.S.P.) system which, combined with the energy-absorbing car seat shell, significantly increases your child's safety in the event of a side-impact collision.

Reviewers love how easy this car seat is to use (connecting it and strapping baby in), and that it feels secure.

Pros

  • Can be used as part of a travel system
  • Great safety features
  • Easy to use
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Can only be used up to 18 months
Suitable for:birth to 18 months 
Rear-facing until:18 months
i-Size:yes
Rotation:180° 
Weight:4.8kg

Best rotating car seat for easy installation

While ISOFIX makes installing car seats even easier, Jane takes it a step further with the Iconic 2, which has built-in features to avoid installation errors. It has good protection, too, as the seat uses materials that absorb impacts, while the integrated five-point harness spreads the loads across the body better in the event of an accident.

The seat can be rotated easily with one hand, so you have the other free for baby, while the headrest has five different positions to ensure your baby is comfortable. The cushion inserts, which can provide additional comfort for newborns, are also washable.

Proving an "excellent choice" according to reviewers, this car seat has been described as easy to manoeuvre, secure and sturdy.

Pros

  • Available in six different colours
  • Built-in feature to avoid installation errors
  • One-hand rotation
  • Five different positions
  • Washable cushion inserts
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Not compatible with travel systems
Suitable for:birth to 4 years/105cm 
Rear-facing until:4 years/105cm 
i-Size:yes
Rotation:360° 
Weight:15kg

The benefits of buying a 360 car seat

The main benefit of buying a rotating car seat is the ease it will give you getting your child in and out of the car, especially if you have a small car or mobility issues. With a rotationg car seat you’ll no longer have to awkwardly hunch over the seat while having to fiddle around undoing your child's straps before lifting them out.

In the event of a car crash having your child rear-facing can offer a lot more protection to their head, spine and neck, which are still developing, which is why you may decide to have your child in a rear-facing car seat for longer.

When you do decide to have your child facing-forwards though, all you’ll need to do is simply swivel the seat around, rather than having to refit the seat or, worse, buy a brand new one.

Things to be aware of when buying a rotating car seat

i-Size certification — All the new baby car seats in the UK need to be i-Size (a European-wide car seat regulation, ECE R129), and should also have side-impact protection (SICT). They also need to use ISOFIX (an international standard for attachment points for baby car seats in passenger cars).

You can have them rear-facing for longer — As we’ve already mentioned above, this will provide more protection to your child in the event of a collision. Lots of rotiating car seats allow you to have the seat rear-facing up until your child is 4 years old.

How far do you want it to swivel — Not all rotating car seats swivel the full 360 degrees. Some only swivel 180 degrees, which means the seat will either be rear-facing or forwards-facing, however, you will still be able to swivel it to make it easier to get your child in and out of the seat.

They’re bigger and bulkier than other car seats — These types of car seats come with a base, which is what allows the seat to swivel. This automatically makes the seat bigger, bulkier and heavy.

Not compatible with travel systems — At least, most of them aren’t, as the majority of them are in the Group 0+/1 category. Some will be however, in that you'll use the same base but size up the car seat.

FAQs

Are rotating car seats safe?

Julie Dangall, Director of Child Seat Safety, tells us that these type of car seats are definitely safe. "They are tested just like any other child car seat would be, both in the forward-facing and the rear-facing positions. But you must always follow the instructions provided on the seat and in the manual to ensure you use the seat correctly for your child’s size."

What do I need to remember when purchasing a rotating car seat?

When looking to buy a rotating car seat, Julie recommends going to a trained retailer to check the seat is compatible in your car, before making any purchases.

"Depending on the style of vehicle seats your car has it may mean that you struggle to rotate the seat when it’s in your car," she says. "This can be because the cushioning of the vehicle seats snuggly holds the seat in place and has no room to rotate to the exit door. Some rotating seats will even appear on compatibility lists provided by the car seat brand, but this compatibility list won’t include checking the seats ability to rotate, so it’s always worth going to a trained retailer who can check it in the car before you buy it, otherwise you could be paying for a feature that doesn’t actually work with your car."

About the expert

Julie Dangall is co-founder of Child Seat Safety. She is a national advisor for Road Safety Great Britain for child car seats and runs the UK’s first & only IOSH and CPD accredited child car seat fitting courses.

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