When shopping for the best car seats around, you might want to opt for a 360 car seat to make getting your wriggly toddler or baby in and out of the car a whole lot easier.
What is a 360 car seat?
Similar to rotating car seats, the 360 car seats are designed to spin the whole way around rather than just one way. This gives you the option of having your child rear-facing or forward-facing.
Having this option allows you to keep your child safely rear-facing, but then you can turn to forward-facing when they're old enough without having to buy a completely new car seat.
It's always important to follow GOV guidelines on car seat safety and not have your child forward-facing until they are over 15 months old.
360 car seats are also a huge help for parents when getting wriggling children in and out of the car. You can turn the car seat to face you and safely strap your child in, without having to climb into the car and wrestle them into a seat from an awkward angle - trust us, we've been there!
How Mother&Baby selected the best 360 car seats
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 also often hold great insights as to which products mums really like best and why, helping us highlight the products that meet what you really want.
For the essential products, our annual Mother&Baby Awards shortlist the top products tested, and you can find full reviews from our mum testers provided on the product page. The winners and runners-up for each category then will appear in our top picks article for that product, along with other products that were rated highly by our team.
Testing the best 360 car seats
If you've been looking for the best 360 car seat to suit your needs, you'll be relieved to know your search may be over, because our mum and dad testers have tried, tested and reviewed some of our favourites. We asked them to share their thoughts about design, safety and age suitability, the weight and size of the car seat, including compatibility with their car, the quality of materials, how easy they thought cleaning it would be, and the ease of install and use. Plus, of course, how comfortable they thought it would be for their little ones and whether they thought it was good value for money.
The best 360 car seats 2024
Best 360 car seat overall
Carly Duffy / Mother and Babywww.johnlewis.com
The Nuna TODL Next Won Gold in the Mother&Baby Awards 2024, taking the top spot on our list. We love its sleek, modern design, smooth operation, high-quality construction, and customisability. It's a lightweight option, coming in at just over 8kg, and can be front or rear-facing, depending on your child's height.
Its five recline positions and ventilation panels make for a comfortable ride, and the shoulder harness expands with each of the six headrest positions. For extra safety, the side impact protection pod is designed to absorb energy earlier and significantly reduce the force of impact, should the worst happen.
Suitable from newborn until up to four years, our tester, Joe, found the Nuna TODL to be "the smoothest car seat" he'd ever used.
He said, "With other competing seats available, the two key points to take away from this seat review are its smooth operation and lightweight construction... Add on the ease of installation (you can install with the seatbelt if you do not have ISOFIX in your vehicle), its sturdy but lightweight build and its age range being suited to most family’s needs, you won’t go wrong opting for this baby and toddler car seat."
The only drawback we could find? The base needs to be purchased separately.
Read our full Nuna TODL NEXT review
Pros
- Extremely light and easy to install
- Easy to use with smooth operation
- High-quality build and materials
- Comfortable for baby with a secure harness
- Adjustable features
- ISOFIX compatible
Cons
- Base has to be purchased separately
| Suitable for:<strong> </strong> | Birth to 4 years/105cm |
| Rear-facing until: | 105 cm and less than 18 kg. Forward facing from 76 cm to 105 cm and less than 18 kg. |
| i-Size: | Yes |
| Rotation: | 360° |
| Weight: | 8.02kg |
- i-Size safe
- Removable infant head and body inserts
- Five recline positions (both rear and forward facing)
- Steel strength technology
- True lock base installation
Editor's choice
www.johnlewis.com
The Joie i-Spin 360 was awarded Gold in the Mother&Baby 2023 Awards, as we believe it's not only brilliant value for money but also really makes life easier for parents. In particular, we're big fans of the fact that it comes with an ISOFIX car seat base to attach to your car and spins in every direction at just the touch of a button, locking in place securely for travelling.
With customisable body and head supports and a multi-height headrest and harness system, it can grow with your child, lasting until they're around four years old. It isn't the lightest on our list, weighing 13.9kg, so that's worth bearing in mind.
Our mum tester, Rebecca, called this product "AMAZING", noting that she suffers from back pain and found that "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.”
For peace of mind, it comes with side impact protection for added security to the head, body, and hips, and it can also be reclined into six different positions, so that your little one can stay snuggly. Plus, with a removable and washable cover, there are very few boxes this car seat doesn't tick.
Read our full Joie Baby i-Spin 360 review
Pros
- Comes with ISOFIX base
- Button feature makes it easy to use
- Removable and washable seat cover
- Guard Surround Safety panels for extra safety
Cons
- It can be heavy if needing to move
| Suitable for: | Birth to 4 years/105cm |
| Rear-facing until: | 4 years/105cm |
| i-Size: | Yes |
| Rotation: | 360° |
| Weight: | 13.9kg |
- Guard surround safety panels
- Multi-height headrest and harness system
- Tri-protect headrest
- Six recline positions
- Grow-with-me infant inserts
- Retractable ISOfix connectors
Best 360 car seat for value for money
Robyn CannA Gold winner in the Mother&Baby 2022 Awards, Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 grows with your baby up to 12 years, making it extremely good value for money. We like that it can be front or rear-facing, is easy to install, is adjustable, and is made from antibacterial bamboo fabrics, making it a more sustainable choice.
Our mum tester, Emma loved how quick and easy it was to install using the ISOFIX points, taking less than five minutes. She said, "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."
Adding to its sustainability credentials, Silver Cross offers a free car seat recycling service, in which the brand will collect your car seat free of charge and ensure every part of it is recycled. What's more, every Silver Cross car seat is covered by its replacement scheme, so if your insurance does not cover a replacement car seat, Silver Cross will provide one in the event of an accident.
It has eight headrest positions but only three recline positions, fewer than some others on the market.
As it's built to last several years, it's larger and heavier than some on our list, so it may be more difficult to switch between cars.
Read our full Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 car seat review
Pros
- Brilliant value for money
- Easy to use with pne-button to rotate
- Made from premium, antibacterial materials
- Support from the Silver Cross app
- Free recycling service
- Covered by the Silver Cross Crash Replacement scheme
Cons
- Only has three recline positions
- On the heavier/larger side at 14kg
| Suitable for: | Birth to 12 years/145cm |
| Rear-facing until: | 4 years/105cm |
| i-Size: | Yes |
| Rotation: | 360° |
| Weight: | 14.2kg |
- Suitable from birth up to 12 years
- Removable soft fabric inserts
- App guides and tutorials
Best budget 360 car seat
The Graco Turn2Me i-Size R129 won a Bronze award at the 2024 Mother&Baby Awards and is brilliant for those trying to stick to a budget, as it's around £150.
With a one-click ISOFIX installation, our parent testers found that it was easy to fit, taking just a few minutes. It has ten recline positions for rear and forward facing, plus six headrest positions and side-shell ventilation so your little one can travel in comfort.
Other features we rate are the TrueShield™ side impact protection pod and Safety Surround™ Side Impact Protection, plus the machine-washable inserts and covers.
Our mum tester, Lucie, said she appreciates the quality, value, and design of this car seat, explaining: "There's absolutely nothing I would change with this car seat, I’m not bothered about different colours etc just give me a seat at a great price point, which tests safety well, is a known brand and is as easy to fit and use as this one and I’ll be happy! This seat ticks all those boxes and most importantly, my children were comfortable and safe in it."
Another tester, however, found the recline and rotation buttons to be difficult to reach when it's rear-facing as they are so close to each other, but soon became familiarised with their locations.
Read our full Graco Turn2Me 360° i-Size R129 review
Pros
- Lot's of customisation with ten recline positions
- Comfortable for baby with sturdy build
- Side ventilation for keeping baby cool
- Easy to clean with machine-washable covers
- Plenty of extra safety features
Cons
- Buttons can be difficult to reach when rear-facing
| Suitable for: | Birth to 4 years/105cm |
| Rear facing until: | 4 years/105cm |
| i-Size: | Yes |
| Rotation: | 360° |
| Weight: | 12.7kg |
- ISOFIX fixed base
- Newborn insert
- Ten recline positions
- Side ventilation
- Colour-coded secure indicators
- 12 position load leg
Best affordable long-lasting 360 car seat
The Chicco Seat3Fit was awarded Bronze in the 2023 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Multi Stage Car Seat, as we loved its quick and easy installation, adjustability, and value for money.
It is suitable from birth to up to seven years, has six recline positions (although some parents did note that they would like it to recline further), and is simple to install thanks to its compatibility with ISOFIX. Our parent testers were delighted with the QR code on the base, which links to a how-to-fit YouTube video - just in case you're out and about and don't have the instructions with you.
It also has an adjustable headrest height, side impact safety, and removable and washable covers for spills or accidents. At 14.6 kg, it's on the heavier side, but this is due to its long-lasting build.
Our 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 our full Chicco Seat3Fit i-Size review
Pros
- Easy to install
- Machine washable seat covers
- Adjustable headrest height
- Great value for money
- Grows with child (up to seven years)
Cons
- Recline could go further back
- A heavier option
| Suitable for: | Birth to 7 years/125cm |
| Rear-facing until: | 4 years/105cm |
| i-Size: | Yes |
| Rotation: | 360° |
| Weight: | 14.6kg |
- Long lasting
- Integrated air circulation system
- Easy to clean
- Six recline positions
- Height adjustable
Best 360 car seat bundle
www.maxi-cosi.co.uk
The Maxi-Cosi Pearl 360 and FamilyFix 360 Pro Base took home a Silver award at theMother&Baby Awards 2024 and is a great choice for a 360 car seat that can be tackled with one hand, which we know is a godsend for parents juggling a baby, toys, food and more.
The FamilyFix 360 base features a convenient 360 rotation handle, so you can effortlessly swivel the Pearl 360 to any recline position you desire. With in-lays suitable for newborns (sold separately), it can grow alongside your child, accommodating them until up to four years old with its extra-spacious seat.
Our mum tester, Caitlin, particularly liked how easy the 360 function made it to get her little one in and out of the car, plus the harness is simple to fasten and sits well on baby's legs. She said, it's "easy to fix into different cars and change between cars if needed. Little one is happy in the seat which makes journeys much easier as she is comfortable in her seat."
The FamilyFix 360 base is sold separately.
Read our full Maxi-Cosi Pearl 360 review
Pros
- Easy to install, rotate and slide towards you
- Multiple recline positions
- Cover is easy to remove and wash
- Comfortable padding
- ClimaFlow breathable panels
Cons
- Bulky base and sold separately
| Suitable from: | Birth to 4 years (40 to 105cm) |
| Rear-facing until: | 4 years |
| i-Size: | Yes |
| Rotation: | 360 |
| Weight: | 7.45kg |
- One-hand flex spin rotation
- ClimaFlow temperature regulation
- G-Cell side impact technology
What's the difference between a 360 car seat and a rotating car seat?
Whilst both car seats are very similar in design, there is one big difference between the two kinds of car seats. The big difference between a 360 car seat and a rotating one could also be the deciding factor on the type of car seat you get.
Rotating car seats are designed to spin at least 180 degrees, meaning you can spin your child from rear-facing to the side, enabling you to get your child in and out with ease.
However, a 360 car seat is designed to rotate all the way around, meaning you have the option of positioning your child as rear-facing, or forward facing.
Are 360 car seats worth it?
While they are a lot more convenient, most only last up until your child is around four years old. Some however, have higher weight and height limits and recline adjustments that mean the seats will last longer. But this is important to check before purchasing.
How to choose the best 360 car seat
Check the age suitability
While you can use use most 360 car seats from birth you may have to purchase a separate newborn insert, which can be an added expense. So, if you're on a budget and need a car seat for your newborn look out for ones that are specially designed for newborns or that come with the insert included.Especially make sure to check that the seat isn't designed for older babies as some may only be suitable for little ones that are four months or older. Also be aware of weight and height restrictions.
Make sure it's travel system compliant
Due to their weight and size, very few 360 car seats are travel system compliant, so if you need a car seat that you can take in and out of the car, a 360 car seta may not be for you.
Consider how long you want your baby to be rearward facing
Some car 360 car seats can only be used rearward facing until two years, so if you want to keep your child rearward facing for longer, make sure you check out the specs for the one you're interested in!
Ensure the base is included if you don't have an ISOFIX
If the 360 car seat you like doesn't include the base you'll have to purchase a separate ISOFIX base, which means an added expense. So if you don't already have one, this is definitely something to consider.
Check for easy rotation
Just because it says it's 360, doesn't mean it'll be easy to rotate. Check out how it actually functions to determine how easy it will be to use. For example, if it has panels or levels on the front it will probably be easier to operate. Take a close look at how simple the mechanism is for better ease of use.
Check for easy intallation features
If the car seat has an ISOFIX base check to see if there are colour indiciators, as these will give you peace of mind knowing that you have installed the car seat corrently and it is safe.
Consider the size
The size of your vehicle may determine whether the sized of a car seat is suitable or not, which is especially so if your car is not very wide. This is even more important when considering 360 car seats as they do tend to be larger and heavier than fixed ones.
About the author
Samantha Ball is a Product & Lifestyle Writer for Mother&Baby and freelanced for the website for two years before joining the team full time. She's a mum of two and loves browsing for the best products and cute outfits.