Maxi-Cosi Pebble 360 with FamilyFix 360 Base review

Looking for best car seat with maximum comfort, convenience and safe travels, from day one? Discover the Maxi-Cosi Pebble 360. The Pebble 360 can be used from birth up to approx. 15 months. It rotates super-smoothly and easily on the FamilyFix 360 base (sold separately) and can be turned around using only one hand.

This product has also won a 2024 Mother&Baby Award in the Best Newborn Car Seat category.

Awards

The Maxi-Cosi Pebble 360 won Bronze in the Mother&Baby awards 2024 for Best Newborn Car Seat (Stage 0/0+).

Testing the Maxi-Cosi Pebble 360

Getting my baby in and out of the car takes no time at all, which is an absolute blessing when we’re in a rush (so every time we leave the house!); or when she’s hungry; or when I’ve got my toddler with me too. I can very quickly and easily spin her around and whip her out of the seat; similarly, I can just as easily remove the seat from the base and take it with me. Both options have their perks and downsides, but compared to other seats I’ve used (even the other seat we currently use for our toddler) this one generally seems quicker and smoother to use.

The spin function is easy to use and moves smoothly. The seat feels safe and secure. The straps feel strong and durable. They're easier to tighten/loosen than on other seats I’ve used; and wipe clean easily. It’s also a great feature that the seat can be taken on/off the base.

My baby used to cry when we strapped her into her previous seat and hasn’t done that in the few months we’ve been using this one. Whether it’s a coincidence or not, I’ll never know, but she has looked more comfortable in this one.

My only real bugbears are that I sometimes find the seat doesn’t come off the first time I lift the release handle – I occasionally have to give it a jiggle. Second, when putting the seat back on the base it sometimes needs jiggling to get it lined up. I assume this would get better as I got more used to using it but that’s not been the case. However, these grumbles really are very minor and don’t affect my opinion of the car seat and don’t stop me from being genuinely very impressed.

Having had the opportunity to use this seat, and if money were no object, I would choose this over other options available on the market. It’s quick and easy to use; feels strong, safe and durable; and has made life easier. However, I would find the price off-putting if I were buying. The combined price of the base and seat are eye-watering, especially as the Pebble 360 only goes up to 13kg (approx. 15 months according to Maxi-Cosi's website).

If I were considering the FamilyFix system I would be more likely to opt for the Pearl 360 on the basis that it goes up to 17.5kg (approx. 4 years according to their website) (please note I have not tested the Pearl 360 so there’s every chance I might not like it!). Having owned other 360 options which were priced more in the middle of the market, I prefer the more expensive Maxi-Cosi and obviously, there is an argument that you ‘get what you pay for’, but I think the difference in quality/function is not comparable to the difference in price.

Final verdict

I think the release and repositioning of the seat could be improved. I find that the release handle is not quite as easy and smooth to use as I expected, given how smooth the spin handle and strap tightening/loosening are. Similarly, I find the seat doesn’t quite ‘glide’ back into place as I thought it would. I’ve used other removable seats in the past which almost found their own way back into place without having to be given a second thought, whereas the Pebble 360 requires a little shuffling/jiggling around to get it perfectly aligned so it will click back into place.

Stephanie Spencer is the Deputy Digital Editor at Mother&Baby and auntie to four aged 8 to 6 months old. With a particular interest in health, she loves discovering products that make parent’s lives easier.