Find out which types of Isofix and belted child car seats from Group 2/3 are best for older children as they grow, as well as the reasons why backless booster seats are not recommended to use with older children.
Secure Car Seats
When your child reaches the age of 12 or 135 centimetres in height, they will no longer be required by law in the UK to use a child safety seat. These seats are designed to protect children’s delicate bones and organs from the time they are born until they reach this height. We have compiled a list of the top 10 car seats for children older than four years old and included it below in the table. The models that performed the best in our comprehensive crash tests for car seats were those that were classified as either i-Size or Group 2/3. In addition to that, we have selected three of the worst. Do Not Buy child car seats so that you are aware of which ones to avoid purchasing. In our crash tests, these seats did not provide an adequate level of protection for the children in them.
Avoid using older children in car seats with low safety ratings.
In addition to providing recommendations for the child car seats for older children that we believe are the best, we also believe it is important to highlight those models that parents should steer clear of. The following is a list of car seats that received low scores and have been labelled as “Don’t Buys” because the samples we tested weren’t as safe as they should have been for children aged 4 to 12 years old.
Law requiring older children to ride in child safety seats Your child will be safer in the event of a collision if they are secured in a child safety seat because the seat spreads the impact forces over a larger area and prevents them from coming into contact with any part of the vehicle’s interior.
A child is required to use a child safety seat until they reach the age of 12 or until they reach a height of 135 centimetres or 4 feet 5 inches, whichever comes first. The height limit in many other European countries is higher, at 150 centimetres or 4 feet 11 inches, and many child car seats for older children that are sold in the United Kingdom can be used with children who are as short as 150 centimetres tall.
Comparison made between high-back booster seats and backless booster seats
Once your child reaches the age of approximately four years old, you can upgrade them to a high-back booster seat that is either a Group 2/3 or an i-Size model. Your child’s bones continue to strengthen as they age. Your child will be elevated in these car seats, and you will have assistance in guiding the adult seat belt across them so that it is positioned correctly across the chest and pelvis. In the event of an accident, they also come equipped with a protective headrest and side wings, which will help keep your child’s head safe.
backless booster seats
Backless booster seats may be less expensive and appear to be more convenient to use (especially if you need to move the child car seat between cars), but they provide very little protection in a collision, particularly if you are struck from the side, and they have no way of keeping the shoulder strap of a three-point adult seatbelt in the right place on a child.
*Although backless booster seats do not offer the same level of protection as high-back booster seats, 37% of parents believe they do. This is not the situation at all.
What are the best child car seats for children who are over the average height? There are still a few options open to you even if your child has reached or passed the 135-centimeter (4-foot-and-five-inch) height threshold and you want to keep them in a child car seat for as long as possible for reasons of safety. We have evaluated child car seats with a height limit of up to 150 centimetres (4 feet 9 inches) and, in some cases, up to 160 centimetres (5 feet 3 inches).
Evaluations of Child Safety Seats
An evaluation of the Silver Cross Dream and Dream i-Size Base
£375.00Typical price
82 percent on the examShow context
Identifying characteristics
I-Size infant Baby baby
Silver Cross Dream and Dream i-Size Base
Silver Cross Dream and Dream i-Size Base review
The verdict is comparable: among the best
This infant carrier is really great, earning a high score, and achieving excellent results in both front and side impact crash tests.
Pros
Excellent performance in the crash tests.
Simple to set up and secure the baby in place
Seating that is both ergonomic and comfortable
Cons
Removing the seat cover can be a little bit of a struggle.
Review of the Maxi-Cosi Jade + 3wayFix
£428.00Typical price
82 percent on the examShow context
Identifying characteristics
I-Size infant Baby baby
Maxi-Cosi Jade + 3wayFix
Maxi-Cosi Jade + 3wayFix review
Compare verdict: Excellent Best Buy carrycot car seat
The Maxi-Cosi Jade is a Best Buy because it performed exceptionally well in crash tests and it is straightforward to install and operate. Additionally, it is of very high quality as a car seat. It has been tested and found to comply with the most recent standards for i-Size and R129 car seats. Because it will only fit your child until they reach 70 centimetres or until they are about 6 months old, you will need to switch to a rear-facing car seat as soon as it has outgrown the seat or as soon as your child decides that they do not want to travel lying down. Once the base has been installed in your vehicle, it can remain there and be used as part of a modular system. This means that you will be able to install additional car seats on top of it, including the Pebble Pro i-Size baby car seat and the Pearl Pro i-Size toddler car seat.
Pros Excellent crash test results
Lie-flat position Excellent quality
Simple to operate
Cons
Takes up a lot of space in the trunk You’ll need to upgrade to a baby car seat that faces the rear of the vehicle soon because this one won’t hold up for very long.
Nuna Pipa Next + Pipa Next Base review
£325.00Typical price
81 percent on the examShow context
Identifying characteristics
I-Size infant Baby baby
Nuna Pipa Next + Pipa Next Base
Nuna Pipa Next + Pipa Next Base review
Compare verdict: Impressive i-Size infant car seat
This is an excellent infant car seat that poses a very low risk of injury in the event of a collision and that is simple to install when using the Isofix base.
Pros
Excellent performance in the crash tests.
When using an Isofix base, there is a reduced chance of the installation being done incorrectly.
Lightweight
Well-cushioned and supportive of the body
Cover for the seat that can be machine washed.
Even when used with the base, the size is very compact.
Cons
A long seatbelt is necessary for a belted installation.
Here is a review of the belted version of the Cybex Aton 5.
£120.00
Typical price
a score of 80% on the examinationShow Context
Identifying characteristics
Group 0 in addition to Baby
Cybex Aton 5
Baby car seat that is both versatile and a best buy, according to comparison
The well-made Cybex Aton 5 is a Best Buy, just like its forerunners, because it is an excellent child car seat that provides an excellent overall level of protection. This makes it a Best Buy. Additionally, it is adaptable, as it can be used in automobiles that do not have Isofix as well as those that do (if you buy a base). And it can be used as part of a travel system with a variety of Cybex strollers, including the Cybex Balios-M; talk about a winning combination for your new baby!
Pros
A baby car seat of sufficient quality that is suitable for use with a travel system from Best Buy
Cons
When you are installing the seat, make sure that you use the extendable side-impact protector.
Joie i-Spin Safe review
£280.00
Typical price
a score of 80% on the examinationShow Context
Identifying characteristics
I-Size for infants and toddlers
From infant to preschooler
Seat with additional space facing the rear
Joie i-Spin Safe
When compared, the verdict is favourable for the extended backward-facing car seat.
This is a really great option for a child car seat that faces rearward and is extended. Our crash tests revealed that it is very safe and had excellent performance overall. It has a number of features that can be helpful to parents, such as a headrest and harness that are simple to adjust and a swivel seat that rotates through 90 degrees. Even though we have a few minor complaints about the weight of the seat, which might make it more difficult to install, we still believe that the high safety rating makes it worthwhile.
Pros Excellent crash test results
A harness that is both safe and supportive
It is unlikely that the seat was installed incorrectly because it feels secure in the vehicle.
Instructions that are not difficult to comprehend
Outstanding padding and a cover that can be machine washed
Cons
Heavy seat, which might make the installation more difficult.
Evaluation of the Maxi Cosi Pebble Plus (belted)
£159.00Typical price
a score of 80% on the examinationShow Context
Identifying characteristics
I-Size baby Baby
Maxi Cosi Pebble Plus (belted)
Comparative analysis reveals an i-Size compliant, high-quality infant seat
Similar to its predecessor, the Pebble, the Pebble Plus is an infant carrier of commendable build quality and deserving of the title of Best Buy. As a result of the high level of crash protection that it offers, regardless of whether it is simply belted into the car or used with the new 3WayFix Isofix base (which is approved for use with i-Size children), we have deemed it to be a Best Buy.
Advantages The results for safety are very good.
Cons Conforms to the most recent regulations for child safety seats
Some parents might be perplexed by the infant carrier’s maximum weight limit of 12 kilogrammes.
Maxi Cosi Coral + FamilyFix3 base review
£438.00Typical price
79% on the examinationShow context
Identifying characteristics
a baby who is an I-size baby
Maxi Cosi Coral + FamilyFix3
Maxi Cosi Coral + FamilyFix3 review
A verdict that is both forward-thinking and secure
This is an exceptionally secure infant car seat that has been given the i-Size seal of approval and has performed exceptionally well in crash tests. The fact that you can carry your child in a much lighter “inner seat” that you can remove thanks to its ingenious design, which is another useful feature, is included.
Pros
Excellent performance in the crash tests.
Simple in terms of installation and fastening.
The inner carrier is not heavy and is simple to transport.
Ergonomic and well padded
Cover that can be washed in the machine and is simple to remove
Cons
Limited shelf life, as it can only be consumed until roughly one year from now.
The seat base will take up a significant amount of space inside the vehicle.
Babyzen iZi Go Modular X1 i-Size by Besafe + iZi Modular i-Size base review
£369.00Typical price
79% on the examinationShow context
Identifying characteristics
I-Size infant Baby baby
Babyzen iZi Go Modular X1 i-Size
Babyzen iZi Go Modular X1 i-Size review
In contrast, the rating for crash protection is five stars.
The Babyzen Yoyo iZi Go Modular X1 i-Size is a car seat that earns our recommendation as a Best Buy when it is installed using the iZi Modular i-Size base. It performed admirably during our crash tests, and we gave it a perfect score of five stars for its overall safety. In addition, it is an excellent option for ensuring that your child is comfortable because the seat is roomy, has plenty of padding, and can be easily adjusted to fit your child as they get older.
Advantages Outstanding resistance to impact
Simple to set up and offering a comfortable leg rest
Seating that is both roomy and comfortably padded
Cons
A separate attachment process is required for side-impact bumpers.
It is not possible to recline the backrest.
Cybex Cloud Z i-Size review
£225.00Typical price
79% on the examinationShow context
Identifying characteristics
I-Size infant Baby baby
Cybex Cloud Z i-Size
In contrast, the verdict: the crash results were impressive
Because of its remarkable performance in the crash tests, the Cybex Cloud Z i-Size has earned the designation of Best Buy. It is a wonderful infant car seat that we are pleased to add to the growing list of Cybex car seats that we have designated as Best Buys. You can also use this car seat in a flatter position when it is attached to a pushchair; however, when it is being used in a car, it needs to be pushed back into a more upright position. It offers a very good level of overall protection in the event of a frontal or sideways collision.
Pros Excellent protection against impact all around
Seating accommodations that are both roomy and functional
Simple to set up and operate, with clear instructions and instructions as well as warnings.
Compatibility with travel systems
Cons
It is difficult to remove the cover.
Be sure to put the side protection in place.
Mima iZi Go Modular X1 i-size by BeSafe + iZi Modular i-size Base review
£388.00Typical price
79% on the examinationShow context
Identifying characteristics
I-Size infant Baby baby
Mima iZi Go Modular X1 i-size
Comparative analysis reveals superior resistance to impact
When installed with the iZi Modular i-Size base, the Mima iZi Go Modular X1 i-Size by BeSafe is a car seat that has been designated as a Best Buy. It received the highest possible rating of five stars for overall safety and has excellent protection against collisions. In addition, the seat is simple to put together, it has plenty of padding, and it is comfortable.
Pros Five-star protection against impact
Simple assembly and installation Comfortable seating with adequate leg support Negatives
Attachment is required for side-impact bumpers.
There is no incline on the back rest.
Evaluation of the Maxi-Cosi Pebble Plus (2Wayfix base)
£279.00Typical price
79% on the examinationShow context
Identifying characteristics
I-Size baby Baby
Maxi-Cosi Pebble Plus (2Wayfix base)
Comparative analysis reveals that this is an excellent iSize-compatible Best Buy.
Similar to its predecessor, the Pebble, the Pebble Plus is an infant carrier of commendable build quality and deserving of the title of Best Buy. Because it offers an excellent level of crash protection when combined with the Isofix base (although we employed the 2WayFix base), we have deemed it worthy of the title of Best Buy.
Pros
This baby seat is of high quality, and its safety ratings are excellent. In addition, it complies with all of the most recent regulations for car seats.
Cons
Some parents might not understand that the infant carrier has a weight limit of 12 kilogrammes.
Stokke iZi Go Modular X1 i-Size by Besafe + iZi Modular i-Size base review
£388.00Typical price
79% on the examination Show context
Identifying characteristics
I-Size baby Baby
Stokke iZi Go Modular X1 i-Size
Stokke iZi Go Modular X1 i-Size review
In contrast, the rating for crash protection is five stars.
When installed with the iZi Modular i-Size base, this child safety seat earned the title of Best Buy thanks to its excellent performance throughout all of our lab tests and its high score. It performed exceptionally well in our safety tests and is simple to install, which means that you won’t have to deal with any difficult instructions or fiddly mechanisms during the process.
Advantages Outstanding resistance to impact
Simple to set up and offering a comfortable leg rest
Seating that is both roomy and comfortably padded
Cons
A separate attachment process is required for side-impact bumpers.
It is not possible to recline the backrest.
Besafe
iZi Go Modular X1 i-Size + iZi Modular i-Size base review
£338.00Typical price
79% on the examinationShow context
Identifying characteristics
I-Size infant Baby baby
iZi Go Modular X1 i-Size
iZi Go Modular X1 i-Size review
In contrast, the rating for crash protection is five stars.
When it is installed with the iZi Modular i-Size base, the BeSafe iZi Go Modular X1 i-Size is a car seat that earns the title of Best Buy. It received the highest possible rating of five stars for its excellent crash protection, earning it a total of five stars for its overall safety. In addition to that, the seat is very well padded and comfortable, and the assembly is very simple.
Advantages Outstanding resistance to impact
Simple to set up and offering a comfortable leg rest
Seating that is both roomy and comfortably padded
Cons
A separate attachment process is required for side-impact bumpers.
It is not possible to recline the backrest.
The review of the Cybex Aton 5 (Aton base 2-Fix)
£249.00Typical price
78% on the examinationShow context
Identifying characteristics
Group 0 in addition to Baby
Cybex Aton 5 (Aton base 2-Fix)
The conclusion is that this is a safe baby car seat.
When combined with the Isofix Aton base 2, the Cybex Aton 5 is a worthy contender for the title of Best Buy. When it is installed into a vehicle using the Isofix base, this model of the Aton car seat, just like the other models of this car seat, is of high quality construction and is an excellent option for parents looking for a child safety seat. Additionally, it is compatible with the travel systems of a variety of Cybex strollers.
Pros
A baby car seat of sufficient quality that is suitable for use with a travel system from Best Buy
Cons
When you are installing the seat, make sure that you use the extendable side-impact protector.
Review of the Cybex Aton B i-Size and Base M
£285.00Typical price
78% on the examinationShow context
Identifying characteristics
I-Size baby Baby
Cybex Aton B i-Size and Base M
Cybex Aton B i-Size and Base M review
Excellent protection against frontal impact crash, according to verdict comparison
When installed with the Cybex M base, the Cybex Aton B is a car seat that earns the Best Buy designation. It has good protection in the event of a collision, particularly in frontal impacts, where it earns the maximum possible five stars. It is also simple to put together and has a seat that is adequately padded to ensure that your child is comfortable while riding in it.
Pros
Positive results from the crash tests
Simple and easy to set up Lightweight
Strong support for the legs
Seat is generously cushioned and offers ample legroom.
It is not possible to recline the backrest.
It is difficult to remove the covers, and they need to be washed prior to the first use.
Evaluation of the Cybex Aton M i-Size (with base)
£260.00Typical price
78% on the examinationShow context
Identifying characteristics
I-Size baby Baby
Cybex Aton M i-Size (with base)
The verdict is in, and it’s another Best Buy from Cybex with their Aton model.
In the past, Cybex infant car seats have consistently performed well in our rigorous evaluations, and the i-Size model is no exception to that trend. Because it provides an outstandingly high standard of safety in general and is also simple to operate, it has earned a spot alongside the other Cybex Best Buys in this category.
Pros Complies with the most recent regulations for child safety seats
Excellent performance in the crash tests
Because the results suggest that the instructions may not be accurate, double check that the harness fits your child properly by pulling it as tightly as possible.
Besafe iZi Kid X3 i-Size review
£429.00
Typical price
78% on the examinationShow context
Identifying characteristics
I-Size infant to child Baby Extended rear-facing seat with recline and harness
iZi Kid X3 i-Size
Compare verdict: Excellent crash test results
The Besafe iZi Kid X3 i-Size is a Best Buy, just like its predecessor, the X2. It has received high marks for its overall safety, and its construction as an extended-back seat that faces backward is of high quality. If you are looking for a toddler car seat that will last until your child is four years old and is ready for a Group 2/3 high-backed booster seat, this one is a good option because it is simple to install, the seat is roomy and it has ample padding. Additionally, it is a good investment.
Pros
Excellent crash test results
Excellent belt routing
Low potential for improper installation.
Instructions and cautions that are straightforward and easy to understand
Large chair with a reclining back support
Cons
Heavy chair to sit on.
Cover is difficult to remove for the purpose of cleaning
GB
Evaluation of Idan (Isofix base)
£260.00Typical price
78% on the examinationShow context
Identifying characteristics
Group 0 in addition to Baby
Idan (Isofix base)
Contrast the results: a secure child safety seat
Cybex has a long tradition of producing high-quality car seats, and the GB Idan continues this tradition with outstanding performance in the rigorous crash tests that we put it through. This child safety seat is one that should be considered seriously.
Pros Excellent crash test results
Portable and simple to operate
Appears to be clever Cons
The cover of the car seat is difficult to remove, and the loop used to adjust the harness is situated in an inconvenient area.
Joie i-Spin 360 i-Size review
£280.00Typical price
78% on the examinationShow context
Identifying characteristics
I-Size for infants and toddlers
From infant to preschooler
Seat with additional space facing the rear
Joie i-Spin 360 i-Size
Joie i-Spin 360 i-Size review
The verdict is that both have excellent features that are worth the investment.
Previous to this, we put the older model of the Joie Spin 360 through our testing process. While we were impressed with the spin feature and the extended rear-facing option, we did find that there were some problems with the product. On the other hand, the i-Spin 360 car seat is a Best Buy product and offers a significant improvement. The ratings for its comfort, ease of installation, and precision of fit are significantly higher, and it received a higher overall safety rating from our crash tests. It is a well-made i-Size car seat that has a number of useful features, such as auto-engaging side impact protection and the ability to spin the seat even with a heavy child in the car seat. Both of these features will reduce the strain that you put on your back when installing and removing your child from the seat.
Pros
Excellent protection against impact, with a very low probability of injury.
Simple to put in place
Design that allows the seat to swivel in all directions and is generously padded
Protection against side impacts that extends backwards and automatically engages
Cons
Lacking compatibility with travel systems
The support for the legs could be improved.
A review of the heavy seat Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Lounge plus the i-Size base
£370.00Typical price
78% on the examinationShow context
Identifying characteristics
I-Size infant Baby baby
Viaggio Lounge plus the i-Size
Viaggio Lounge plus the i-Size review
The verdict is in, and it’s a very safe Best Buy.
When assembled with the i-Size base, the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Lounge is a worthy contender for the title of Best Buy. Your child will have an incredible amount of comfort thanks to the high-quality padding, ample leg support, and three different recline positions that this car seat offers. It is very safe in both head-on and side-on collisions.
Advantages
Outstanding resistance to impact
Adjustable backrest
Ample cushioning and support throughout.
Simple and quick to adjust harness
Choice to fasten seatbelts before entering the vehicle
Covers that are simple to remove
Clips for the chest prevent the straps from slipping
Cons
Heavy for something designed to carry a baby.
defence against impacts from the sides difficult to detect Possible danger of improper installation
Hand washing is required for the covers.
Takes up additional space in the automobile
