Best car seats for toddlers in 2025: Safe, comfy and parent approved

The BeSafe Beyond Car Seat is a smart, safety-first solution designed to grow with your child from birth up to around six years old (or 125cm). Part of BeSafe’s new Beyond concept, it offers a long-lasting rear-facing travel option with excellent comfort and minimal hassle.

One of its key features is the modular base system. If you’ve already used the base with the infant seat, you can purchase and attach the toddler seat without needing to buy a whole new setup. If not, the base can be purchased alongside the toddler seat. Either way, it’s a smart, cost-effective way to extend rear-facing travel, something safety experts continue to recommend.

Installation was relatively simple, with built-in indicators for added peace of mind. It took a few attempts to get the seat level, but the instruction videos were incredibly easy to follow. While the seat itself is lightweight and easy to move, the sturdy base offers solid, reliable stability.

Safety is at the heart of this design. It meets the latest UN R129 i-Size regulations and includes a Dynamic Force Absorber in the headrest for superior side-impact protection. The five-point harness feels solid but adjusts easily, and clever harness magnets keep straps neatly out of the way, which Senior Digital Writer, Hannah Carroll, describes as "a small detail that makes daily use much smoother."

When it comes to comfort, the Beyond doesn’t disappoint. With four recline settings, an adjustable headrest, and breathable mesh panels, it's built to keep little ones relaxed, even on longer drives.
Senior Digital Writer Hannah Carroll says, “My three-year-old son looks incredibly comfortable in this car seat, even though he’s tall for his age. I love that he doesn’t slump forward when he falls asleep like he used to. The seat really hugs him. Upon setting this seat up, I was conscious that there didn't. seem to be room, so I tried the seat with my five-year-old; they could both sit in the seat comfortably." The seat also rotates side-to-side, making it easier to lift toddlers in and out without awkward angles or strain.

If you’re looking for a high-quality car seat that blends safety, comfort and long-term value, the BeSafe Beyond is a standout choice.

A full BeSafe Beyond review is currently being written.

The Maxi‑Cosi Mica 360 Pro is a premium rotating car seat that combines everyday ease with top-tier safety from birth to approximately four years (40–105 cm). What sets it apart is the innovative SlideTech system, which allows the entire seat to glide out towards you once it’s rotated, making it far easier to lift your baby in and out of the car without twisting, stooping or bumping your head. This feature, along with the smooth one-hand 360° swivel, makes it one of the most ergonomic car seats on the market.

It’s fitted with ISOFIX connectors and a support leg for added stability and peace of mind, with visual indicators that confirm correct installation. The built-in five-point harness is designed with an Easy-In system that holds the straps open when unbuckled, saving time and hassle, especially when wrangling a willful toddler. AirProtect side impact cushioning in the headrest and G-CELL side impact protection provide excellent safety credentials, while the seat fully complies with the latest R129 regulations.

Testers were especially impressed with how the Mica 360 Pro balances comfort, practicality, and thoughtful design. Mother&Baby’s Reviews Editor, Emily Gilbert, described it as a car seat where “they’ve truly thought of everything and ticked so many boxes from safety to comfort.” Parent tester Charlotte echoed this, calling it “a fantastic car seat with all the features to make an easy life for any mum,” noting the well-padded headrest offered excellent support. Samantha, another tester, said, “The rotating function is brilliant and it’s easy to install and use.” Meanwhile, our parent tester Kelly appreciated how “compact” it felt compared to other rotating seats and how simple it was to install with the ISOFIX base and support leg. The general consensus among testers was that children looked extremely comfortable in the seat and often nodded off quickly thanks to the deep padding and adjustable recline.

There are five recline positions to suit different ages and stages, an adjustable headrest that grows with your child, and breathable ClimaFlow mesh fabrics to help regulate temperature on warmer days. The included newborn inlay makes this seat usable from birth, although some parents may prefer a separate infant carrier for portability during the earliest months. And while the Mica 360 Pro reclines deeply, it doesn’t offer a completely flat position for newborn sleep, which may be a drawback for those planning longer journeys.

Overall, the Maxi‑Cosi Mica 360 Pro stands out as a durable, high-performing car seat that excels in usability, safety and child comfort. Whilst it is a premium product

Read our full Maxi-Cosi Mica 360 Pro car seat review

The Graco SlimFit R129 is a two-in-one car seat that will be suitable from birth to about 12 years – meaning you only need to invest in one car seat to last you for years, growing and changing as your child develops.

It fits into your car using the existing seat belts rather than an ISOFIX connector, which is great for parents with older car models. Mother&Baby contributor and parent tester, Sophie Knight, said, "Some car seat belt connectors are tricky to align, especially when your child is wriggling around, refusing to sit still, but this one was quick to install and easy to click in.”

The Graco SlimFit is a versatile 2‑in‑1 convertible car seat that grows with your child, from birth up to around 12 years (40–145 cm). Though it lacks ISOFIX, it’s praised for its compact design and ease of installation using a seatbelt, making it ideal for families swapping between cars.

Our parent-tester, Jessica, shared that it “has made my life easier as it's so easy to fit into the car and to take in and out. It's slim meaning I can easily get my 9‑month‑old little boy in and out of the car with ease,” adding “I highly recommend” it. Another parent tester, Clai****re, agreed: “This is a great car seat… my little boy looked comfortable and secure… good value for money,” though she noted a preference for ISOFIX.

The seat features TrueShield side‑impact pods, a steel‑reinforced frame, energy‑absorbing EPS foam, a ten‑position adjustable headrest, a five‑point harness with Easy‑In, and four recline positions (two for rear‐facing, four for forward), plus a removable cup holder. Mum tester Jennie pointed out that while forward‑facing installs effortlessly, “it was more difficult installing the seat rear‑facing”.

Overall, the Graco SlimFit delivers excellent durability, long‑term value, and robust safety features, making it a reliable budget-conscious choice for families wanting a single seat to last through many years and stages of growth.

Some parents might prefer to have an ISOFIX car seat, but for £150, we can’t complain. Where testers say this car seat falls short is the weight. It is heavier than other toddler travel seats currently on the market.

Read our full Graco SlimFit R129 here

The Maxi-Cosi Pearl 360 Pro and FamilyFix 360 Pro base was awarded Silver for Best Baby/Toddler Car Seat (Stage 1/2) at the Mother&Baby Awards 2024.

If you've had enough of the bending, backache, head bangs and other general struggles that come hand-in-hand with car seats, you'll want to take a look at the Pearl 360 Pro and FamilyFix 360 Pro base. Not only does it feature 360° rotation, but it also has SlideTech™, which, for many parents, is a game-changer. It works by the car seat base rotating and then sliding toward you using Maxi-Cosi’s patented SlideTech™ technology. M&B tester and Contributor Sophie Knight said: "Having a car seat that not only rotates but also slides and pulls out is something I've not seen before, and made getting my daughter in and out of the car so much easier. The rotation movement of the seat was smooth and not jerky at all, unlike some car seats, and the buttons were instinctive and easy to use."

The Pearl 360 Pro car seat must be used with the FamilyFix 360 Pro base, which is an additional cost—£219.99 at the time of writing.

The Pearl 360 Pro is suitable from about three months to four years (61-105cm tall). The straps are reported to be easy to use, and our tester says they didn't twist or get tangled like some other car seats. Another parent tester says the car seat was so easy to use and install with the base, and their son seemed comfortable and content. They said it was reassuring to hear about the safety features of the seat, too, especially for a car seat that potentially lasts for so long. Another of our testers said that they would recommend this product to a friend because they feel like their little boy is really safe in the car seat because it is so well-padded.

One of the main complaints about this car seat is the higher price point. However, our tester liked that the car seat lasts for a good few years rather than having to upgrade it too often, as car seats aren’t a cheap product to buy, they say. So we think that this may make up for the high price tag for parents with a bigger budget.

Another comment was that the instructions weren't that easy to follow; Sophie Knight said: "The instructions - which you access through a QR code with your phone - are primarily just with illustrations. Personally I learn best when there are written instructions, so I did find it a bit more complicated - we all learn differently so this won't be an issue for everyone."

Read our full Maxi-Cosi Pearl 360 Pro and FamilyFix 360 Pro base review.

This car seat is another with game-changing 360-degree seat rotation, making it much easier to get your little one in and out of the seat. But what makes this car seat different is how "smooth the rotation is, according to M&B tester and Contributor Sophie Knight, who said this is“ one of the easiest ones I’ve tested. It’s intuitive to use, with side handles to click and swivel the seat around, and the movement glides easily. There’s a button to slide when you want to swap from rear- to forward-facing.” 

There are other innovations to help make life easier, like magnetic buckle holders that keep the harness straps out of the way while you’re getting your child in and out. Sophie said, “It’s the small things that make the difference, and while you might not notice if your car seat doesn’t have these innovations, when you get a car seat with magnets to keep the harness out of the way, you really notice it." 

This car seat is full of safety tech, with side-impact protection pods that are easily slotted into place. There are coloured indicators to make sure the seat is installed correctly. The integrated base means there’s no need to buy it separately, and there’s a sturdy leg with more coloured indicators. 

With five recline positions and six headrest heights that are easily adjustable with one hand, your little one's comfort is almost guaranteed. Sophie continued: “The fabric is super soft against my daughter’s skin, and the padding is very snug and comfy. This car seat is great, and the only downside I could think of is how heavy it is when you’re installing it, but that’s because the base is integrated, and it’s not an issue as this isn’t really the sort of car seat I’d swap between cars.” 

Surprisingly, testers didn't think this impacted the car's space. We also liked that it is compatible with ISOFIX and offers rear-facing travel until four years of age.

For parents seeking a budget-friendly product that still ticks all the right boxes, here is a fantastic i-Size ISOFIX car seat. Despite the exceptional price, there is no compromise on quality safety features, making the Graco SnugGo a brilliant choice for your little one.

As far as cheap car seats go, this is one of the best, thanks to its numerous features. First of all, you get easy and instant installation with the intuitive rearward/forward-facing locking system and the added reassurance of an integrated colour-coded indicator. It's quick and easy to set up; M&B tester and contributor Sophie Knight commented: "I fitted this car seat, along with the SnugTurn ISOFIX car seat base, without any assistance from my other half, and it didn't take long. The base is quite bulky and heavy to move, but you'll only need to fit it once, so it's not a problem. The seat is easy to click into place, and the security of the sliding button to rotate from rear- to forward-facing gives lots of peace of mind and means you can't move it unintentionally."

The 360-degree rotation is easy to operate, using the two grab buttons on either side of the seat. Sophie continued: "It's so quick to rotate the seat around and get my daughter out of the seat; I love the safety aspect of having to click and slide the buttons before being able to swap from rear- to forward-facing modes. It means there's peace of mind if anyone, like grandparents, uses the car to take her anywhere but can't unintentionally change the position."

Let's not forget that side impact protection ensures powerful head/body protection at each stage -individual side-protection 'pods' attach to either side of the seat. Plus, the no-re-thread harness guarantees a proper fit as your child grows.

The SnugTurn ISOFIX base is an additional cost, so remember to factor into your budget.

Read our full Graco SnugGo i-Size R129 360 car seat article.

Equipped with integrated ISOFIX and an adjustable support leg, installation is straightforward, dad tester Tim described it as “a simple push-fit into the two ISOFI. It's a very sturdy feel once installed correctly,” noting it’s just as easy to remove

One of our testers - Rebecca - said that "I personally think that everyone needs one of these...It's 100 per cent made my life easier, and I don't actually know if I'll ever be able to go back to a normal car seat now".

An easy-to-use button allows you to switch from rear- to forward-facing positions. The handles for reclining on either side of the seat are easy to grab and engage; there are six recliner positions, meaning plenty of options for getting your little one comfy. 

As your child grows and you progress to forward-facing, a simple pull handle at the top allows you to extend the height of the head cushions, making the seat grow as your child does.  

The ISOFIX connectors are simple to use and install with a couple of clicks; the seat is weighty and bulky, however, and we found this one of the fiddliest to manoeuvre into the car – but it’s not difficult. Dad tester Tim said that "it's a simple push fit into the two isofix, it has a very sturdy feel once installed correctly".  

Pressing the front button and extending the connectors at the same time can be tricky – we recommend having two people, if possible, for real ease. The support leg keeps the seat stable and sturdy, with 19 settings to make sure it’s perfect, and green light indicators show you if it’s fitted properly. There are green light indicators for the ISOFIX fittings too. The five-point harness provides ultimate safety, and is easy to adjust, tighten, and loosen once you need to get the little one out. 

The seat itself feels comfy and well-padded. The newborn insert comes in two parts for extra comfort, and it’s easy to remove the padded parts as the baby grows. They clip together with poppers to keep them in place. Mum tester Natasha told us that "my daughter enjoyed sitting in it and found it very comfortable".

A minor gripe is that there’s no way of storing the safety leg when you take the seat out of the car, meaning it falls open and makes carrying it a bit clumsy. The instruction manual is also very short, but then the fittings are so intuitive that it didn’t matter. 

Overall, our testers were enthusiastic about this car seat, with tester Jade saying, "It’s stylish and practical and brings great comfort to your baby. It’s easy to install in your car and seems really safe, sturdy and chunky. I’ve really enjoyed using this car seat and would definitely buy one." 

Read our full Joie Baby i-Spin 360 review

While most of the options on our list are rear-facing or 360, the CYBEX Anoris T i-Size offers forward-facing travel from 15 months to six years. CYBEX has achieved this safely via an integrated full-body airbag on the front through the belt that secures your child in place. This is great if it's a bit of a battle to convince your toddler to face rearward. You can also interact with your child easier, and they can face the same way as older siblings. 

Fitting the car seat is easy thanks to the ISOFIX fittings. Using the airbag harness means there's just one clasp to fasten, although it feels strange at first not to have a five-point harness. The brand claims this full-body air bag design - the first in the world - gives up to 50 per cent more protection to your child than comparable seats. Such safety ratings are not to be sniffed at. 

The car seat is excellent quality, the materials are soft, and the range of colours is wider than most car seats. However, the front 'bar' containing the airbag is quite bulky, and some parents reported it restricted the movement of their little ones; M&B tester and Contributor Sophie Knight said: "The innovation of this car seat is undoubtable, and the extensive safety features are amazing - there's no other car seat like this on the market.  

However, I have to admit I don't think this car seat will last my daughter until she's six - although the airbag harness section is very adjustable, it is, by nature, restrictive." 

It is one of the pricier car seats on our list, but as it lasts all the way to six years old, it's quite good value considering they can safely face forwards for all that time. 

Here's how mum-of-two Emily, one of our Mother&Baby testers, got on when trying out the CYBEX Anoris T i-size: "Overall, I thought this was a fantastic product, the materials are excellent quality, and the car seat was easy to install. We had zero problems moving it between our two cars and putting it in the grandparents' car, either. It's a relief for both of us that this CYBEX is perfectly safe, a reassurance for me, and he feels much happier to be forward-facing.  

Read our full CYBEX Anoris T i-size car seat review

The Dualfix 5Z car seat is suitable from about three months up to four years—that's up to 105cm tall or 18kg. It is secured in your car using the Britax Vario Base 5Z, which comes at an additional cost, so do remember that when you're budgeting.

This Britax car seat is a rotating option, smoothly rotating 306 degrees to help you get your child in and out of the seat easily. The rotation operates easily with side buttons, and coloured indicators show if it's been fitted correctly. The leg anchor on the base also has coloured safety indicators. This seat means your child can stay rear-facing for longer.

There are 12 recline positions for the seat, ensuring your little one stays comfy on car journeys, and the V-shaped headrest gives extra comfort and security. M&B tester and Contributor Sophie Knight said: "The base is easy to set up with ISOFIX anchors, and the coloured buttons made it easy to see if the seat was fitted correctly. It was quite light to carry and easy to install. The rotation wasn't quite as smooth as some car seats I've tested, but it worked well and was easy to figure out thanks to the efficient instructions, which you access by scanning a QR code and then downloading the manual to your phone. My daughter was comfortable in both rear- and forward-facing positions."

This Britax car seat is available in a range of colours, including two Luxe options which feature a quilted fabric; Sophie continued: "It's good to see so many colour options rather than just black or grey. I like the Luxe options as they give the car seat a bit more of a luxurious feel." The covers are also removable and washable.

This rotating car seat is suitable from birth to 150cm in height (about 12 years), meaning you won’t need to buy another car seat if you invest in this one.

The i-Size standard means you can use this seat for baby in a rear-facing position until they are 105cm, about four years old. After that, switch to forward-facing until they’re about 12 years old.

The seat isn’t too heavy to carry and manoeuvre into place and fit safely; this was pretty easy to fit by yourself, rather than needing two people. It did require a bit of trial and error to figure out the combination to get everything fitted correctly; the leg support must be fully extended out horizontally before you can rotate the seat. We found the instructions less than clear, with lots of numbers and references that were not totally transparent. But once you’ve got everything in the right combination, there are coloured indicators to make sure everything is fitted safely and correctly. The ISOFIX connectors are independent, so you have to fit them one at a time, adding a bit of fiddle time.

The rotating function is a game-changer for car seats, and we thoroughly recommend a car seat with a 360 rotation. It makes getting your child in and out of the car seat so easy and without any pressure on your back. The rotation in this car seat is smooth and easy to operate with a button at the front.

Once your little one grows into the forward-facing seat position, you can adjust the headrest height with a simple-to-use pull ring at the top.

There’s a newborn insert with extra padding for babies, which is easy to remove once they grow. The fabric cover is removable and washable, which is a bonus. There are different recline modes for both rear and forward-facing, making sure nap times can be comfy.

The only downside we really found was that this is only available in one colour.

Read our full Ickle Bubba Radius 360 Spin Car Seat review.
This is the previous version of the new i-Size Plus that we tested above.