When choosing a car seat for a newborn, safety and comfort are always top priorities. The Maxi-Cosi Jade with 3wayFix Base stands out as the first lie-flat car seat approved for use in the car under the latest i-Size regulations. Designed to let babies travel in the healthiest position possible, it promises peace of mind on both short trips and long journeys. We asked parents to put it to the test and share how it fits into real family life.
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Pros
- Compatible with 3-Way Fix base which can then be used with other Maxi Cosi car seats
- 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
- Can't be installed using a car seat belt
| Dimensions: | 80.5 cm (L) x 47.5 cm (W) x 58.0 cm (D) |
| Weight: | 6.05kg |
| Guarantee: | 2 years |
| Age range: | Birth to approx. 6 months (40-70cm in height) |
| ISOFix compatible? | Yes |
| Travel System compatible? | Yes |
| Safety rating: | R129-compliant (i-Size ready) |
| Base included? | Sold separately |
| Rotation: | Base rotates but not with this seat |
| Recline: | 180 degrees |
Testing the Maxi-Cosi Jade with 3wayFix Base
The Maxi-Cosi Jade with 3wayFix Base is a car seat like no other. Unlike standard infant seats, which position babies upright, the Jade allows little ones to travel fully flat in a car - a unique design that combines the safety of a car seat with the comfort of a carrycot. As Alice put it, “I have not seen a product like the Maxi-Cosi Jade before in the fact that the baby can lie completely flat. In essence, it is a carrycot that can be safely transported in the car and allows your baby to remain in a sleeping position.”
This flat position is especially reassuring for parents of very small babies. Alice, whose children were premature, explained that traditional seats required inserts and raised worries about them slipping down and restricting airways. She felt the Jade would have offered real peace of mind. Sarah agreed on its practicality and looks, saying, “It looks stylish and is a product that I would be proud to be seen using. The carrycot has the true appearance of a carrycot and comes with a matching sun hood and cover, making it practical to use both inside and outside of the car.”
The Jade connects to the Maxi-Cosi 3wayFix Base using ISOFIX. This system ensures a secure fit and allows parents to remove the seat with a simple button press. Sarah described it as “easy peasy, with the push of a button, you can lift the carrycot from the base.” Rebecca highlighted the value of the base’s compatibility, noting, “I love the fact that the Isofix base can later be used for more traditional rear and forward-facing car seats as the baby gets older. This does save on future costs.”
Day-to-day use proved convenient, with parents praising how well their babies slept. Alice said it would have been perfect in the early weeks: “I would have had them sleep in the car and then be able to carry them out and leave them in the flat position once inside, negating the need to wake up the babies.”
Rebecca echoed this, pointing out that, “You don’t have to wake your baby up to transfer them between the car and pram… You can also make longer journeys with fewer stops.” Sarah found her five-and-a-half-month-old settled quickly: “He does settle quicker than when put into an upright car seat and sleeps well on travelling in it.”
The comfort is another plus point. Alice said it “reduced a lot of anxiety around blocked airways when they are too small for any sort of head control,” while Sarah praised the mattress and straightforward setup: “The carrycot mattress appears comfortable and soft, and baby appeared to be very comfortable on it… the product was ready to go in the car within 10 minutes of arrival.”
However, the Jade has some downsides. At 6kg, it’s heavier than most newborn seats, which Sarah admitted made it difficult to carry. Alice also questioned its lifespan: although marketed for use up to six months, her experience suggested that most babies would want a more upright view of the world much sooner. “For this reason, I don’t think you would get the value for money,” she said. Rebecca agreed, suggesting that the limited use span makes the high price harder to justify compared with traditional infant seats.
Final verdict
The Maxi-Cosi Jade with 3wayFix Base is a beautifully designed, innovative car seat that sets itself apart by allowing babies to travel fully flat. It offers reassurance for parents, exceptional comfort for little ones, and smooth compatibility with the 3wayFix Base. For newborns, particularly smaller or premature babies, it can make car journeys safer and far more restful.
Its limitations - bulk, weight, cost, and a relatively short window of use - mean it won’t suit every family. But for parents who want the peace of mind of a lie-flat car seat and who prioritise comfort and safety in those first precious months, the Jade is a standout option.
Emily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby. With a background in both print and digital journalism, she has written extensively on pregnancy, fertility, perinatal mental health, and the best in baby and parenting products. A first-time mum to Theodore, Emily combines her professional expertise with personal experience, offering readers trusted advice and relatable insight. Specialising in product and travel reviews, she stays ahead of the curve on the latest parenting trends and is passionate about showing that life with a little one can still be full of adventure.