Axkid ONE 2 review: the car seat that’s rear-facing up to 7 years old

Price: £650 | Buy now from John Lewis

Key specs

Age range: 6 months up to 7 years old (23kg/61 - 125cm) | Safety credentials: i-Size (R-129) approved up to 23kg, shock absorbing materials, ventilation holes, travel rear-facing for longer | Fixing system: ISOFIX | Dimensions: 44 x 76 x 54 cm | Weight: 10kg

What we like

• Easy, 30 second installation (once you’ve figured out how to do it)

• Triple secure, with alert system to tell you if it’s not installed correctly

• Side-impact protection pad for the side closest to the door

• Rear-facing up to the age of seven (or 23kg)

• Lightweight (10kg) and easy to lift in/out of the car

• Fixed shoulder pads in the correct position

• Available in four different colours

What we don’t like

• ISOFIX only limits use in other relative’s cars like grandparents

• It doesn’t rotate, but appreciate that this is a necessary compromise for the added safety

• When reclined fully, it doesn’t leave much legroom for older children

• The newborn insert to be used from birth is sold separately (approximately £62), or is included in the Axkid ONE+2 version

• Limits how much the car seat in front can move back/recline

Our verdict

There’s no denying that the Axkid ONE 2 has an eye-watering price tag. At £650, it’s one of the dearest car seats available on the market, but its safety features, exceptional build quality and longevity make it a worthwhile investment.

With its robust and sturdy construction, this car seat provides a protective cocoon-like environment for your child, ensuring both comfort and ventilation. One of the standout features of the Axkid ONE 2 for me is its ease of use. Getting your DC in and out of the seat is a breeze - in fact, my preschooler manages to get in and out by himself. And, installing it takes less than 30 seconds. There’s even an in-built audio feature that alerts you if it’s not installed correctly.

Safety is a top priority for car seats, and the Axkid ONE 2 excels in this aspect. The car seat is the only one approved to offer extended rear-facing position for babies from six months old up to children aged seven. This feature alone provides peace of mind, knowing that your child is in the safest possible position while on the road. The car seat grows with your child, making it a reliable long-term option.

Overall, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my experience with the Axkid ONE 2 car seat so far, and wish I had discovered it sooner. Despite its premium price, its exceptional safety features, user-friendly design, and long-term usability make it a valuable investment for any parent.

Axkid ONE 2: how we tested

• Two months of using the car seat daily

• Tested with both a toddler and preschooler

• Installed and used in a large SUV

As a mum of two DC just 15 months apart in age, I know all too well the stress that comes with getting out and about with both of them. And more importantly, doing it safely. When DC2 grew out of his newborn car seat, we were faced with a tough decision: do we invest in another rear-facing seat, or opt for a more affordable, forward-facing car seat for DC1? I’ll admit it: at the time, the latter option was the more feasible one for us.

What followed was months of guilt as I knew it wasn’t the safest option for him, and I knew I wasn’t 100% comfortable with the choice. Which is why, when the opportunity to test the Axkid ONE 2 came up, I took it.

To put the Axkid ONE 2 to the test, it’s been used frequently on a daily basis: supermarket trips, day trips, errands, nursery drop off and pick ups, grandparent visits. You name it, we’ve been everywhere with it. Whilst it’s primarily used by DC1 each day, we have swapped the kids on a few journeys to see if it’s as comfortable for our youngest, too.

My toddler has ample space and sits comfortably in the seat

My preschooler, although has to bend his knees to sit, is also comfortable 

We’ve also had a few days where we’ve needed to remove it to allow visitors to sit in the back, and thanks to its lightweight, aluminium and hardened steel design (which apparently, is 30% lighter than equivalents on the market), it’s easy to remove and install without breaking a sweat.

If you have a smaller car, though, I do wonder how much space your DC would actually have. When installed, the Axkid ONE 2 may also limit how much you can recline/slide your front car seat back, whether passenger or driver, so this is something worth bearing in mind.

Axkid ONE 2: what’s in the box?

Swiftly delivered, the Axkid ONE 2 comes pre-built and ready to install. The car seat arrives in one, solid piece, and the only fiddly thing you need to do before installation is place the footwell stand in the correct position. I quickly realised that trying to do this in the car itself is impossible, which leads me on to installation…

Axkid ONE 2: how easy is it to install?

Very. In my experience of using car seats, this has been the easiest we’ve had by far. I love the fact it’s an ISOFIX only (although, this may not be suitable if you want to use it in another car with a seatbelt). I also love the fact that it comes in one piece, as in, the ISOFIX isn’t separate unlike other rear-facing car seats I’ve used previously.

As mentioned, when in the box, the footwell support is folded, so this needs to be swung into the correct position so it stands up correctly in your car. I’d advise doing this before installation.

So, before placing onto the seat, the car seat will sort of be elevated, resting on the sliding frame and the footwell stand. From this position, it’s easy to lift and insert, securely attaching the ISOFIX fixtures in the car seat. Once installed, you can easily slide the footwell stand up and down with the provided button, and it will flick from red to green once installed properly as is standard with most ISOFIX car seats.

Then, to make sure it’s 100% solid, release the automatic rebound bar (where your child’s feet go) to secure the seat into place. The built-in audio will stop beeping once it’s secure and in an optimal position.

Clear, easy-to-follow installation instructions come on the seat and in a manual

Thankfully, Axkid send you a very clear and numbered instruction manual to explain how to install the car seat. There’s also useful images to follow on the car seat itself, as shown above.

Axkid ONE 2: how safe is it?

Incredibly, in my opinion. Whilst pricier than other car seats, its unique safety features are worth the cost. According to Axkid, it’s the safest car seat they’ve ever built.

Travelling rear-facing is up to five times safer for children, all the way until they reach the age of seven years old. The Axkid ONE 2 is the only rear-facing ISOFIX car seat on the market that is i-Size approved up to seven years of age (or 23kg, whichever comes first). Meaning, your DC can travel rear-facing for up to three years longer than alternative ISOFIX car seats on the market.

Plus, the car seat has also passed one of the world’s toughest crash tests - the Swedish Plus test. This is why the Axkid ONE 2 is included in the brand’s long range safety programme, which aims to provide rear-facing safety for as long as possible for children, parents and families.

The only i-Size approved car seat for kids up to seven years old (23kg) 

After installing the Axkid ONE 2 and using it for a few days, it quickly became apparent that the seat lives up to its safety claims. Although the frame is lightweight in design, it’s sturdy and acts like a protective cocoon, and the shock absorbing material is comfortable for your DC. Plus, ventilation holes have been added to keep your DC cool - and safe - in the summer months.

Axkid ONE 2: how does it look?

Surprisingly less bulky than the other rear-facing car seat we own, the Joie 360 Spin. As you can see in my photos, the Axkid ONE 2 is slimmer in comparison to my youngest DC’s seat. Sure, the frame itself appears bulky, but once installed, there’s actually more room for DC1 in the Axkid ONE 2 than there is for DC2 in his Joie car seat.

The Axkid ONE 2 is sleeker and slimmer than other rear-facing seats available

Personally, I’m a fan of black materials in cars, so the colour was spot on for us. I love the fact that the shoulder pads on the harness are fixed, so there’s no messing about trying to twist and slide them into the correct place when DC is sitting in it.

Axkid ONE 2: what’s it like to use day-to-day?

For me, I love the fact that the Axkid ONE 2 can be used for so long, providing longevity for both DC1 and DC2 who will no doubt move into this seat as they grow.

Thanks to the Axkid ONE 2’s sliding seat technology, I can swiftly alter the position for either child’s height and legs. Plus, the advanced sleep well system makes it easy to recline the chair for DC1 when he’s in need of a nap while we’re out and about.

The harness isn’t fiddly at all, and is very easy to use. There’s a button just underneath the bottom of the seat itself that you press to release the harness so it’s loose. I was impressed by the fact this doesn’t affect the position of the shoulder pads, too. Once your DC is in place, it’s very easy to secure the harness, tighten the straps, and off you go.

There’s an insert for smaller toddlers, but you’ll need to purchase an additional insert for newborn babies

At the end of a journey, releasing the harness is again, easy with a press of a button. Although, DC1 currently doesn’t have the strength to open it himself, which for me is a bonus. The protective frame actually serves as handles, too, which I thoroughly appreciate. This means he can get out of the car on his own when I’m juggling his nursery bag, coat, wellies, shoes, shopping bags, and whatever else we’re carrying that day.

Axkid ONE 2: how comfortable is it?

Whenever I discuss rear-facing car seats with a well-meaning family member, I’m usually faced with “but what about their legs?” and “won’t he be uncomfortable?” For me personally though, I’m willing to compromise on a bit of leg room for extra safety.

With the Axkid ONE 2 though, there isn’t much compromise. Unlike our other car seat, which DC2 will outgrow when he reaches four years old, the Axkid ONE 2 offers ample space. The seat is mounted on rails, which allows the car seat to be adjusted back and forth with just one hand, and up to 30cm. That’s 30cm of space to play around with, and to find the most comfortable position for your DC.

Plenty of room for little legs

A comfortable resting place for my preschooler’s legs (please excuse the mucky trainers!) 

Our DC1 resisted at first when we put him back into the rear-facing seat, but with the help of a handy headrest mirror, he’s now happy and comfortable on every journey. He’s only three years old, so, I do fear when he grows that the legroom will get smaller, but with the reclining feature, I suspect it’ll be easy enough to find a position that’s comfortable for him.

Can it be used from birth?

The Axkid ONE 2 on its own cannot be used from birth. Instead, parents need to purchase the infant cushion. The Axkid ONE +2 car seat has this included already.

Axkid ONE 2: how easy is it to remove?

There’s been a few instances where I’ve had to remove the car seat to allow for guests to sit in the car, and honestly, out of all the car seats we’ve owned, this has been the easiest to remove. The ISOFIX is the easiest I’ve ever come across, with clear and easy to reach buttons to release the frame. Once free, just lift the car seat out of the car and fold away the support leg.

Axkid ONE 2: how easy is it to clean?

Admittedly, I’ve not yet needed to clean the entire seat but according to the instructions, the seat cover material, insert covers and the headrest cover can all be washed at 30°C in a washing machine on a gentle cycle. Getting the covers off the main seat is a little tricky, but the inserts for smaller kids come off easily thanks to a simple zip.

The frame can be wiped down with a baby wipe and day-to-day, it’s easy enough to wipe crumbs off after a long car journey where snacks have been needed.

Axkid ONE 2: what are the main differences between the Axkid ONE 2 and the Axkid ONE?

Building upon the success of its predecessor, the Axkid ONE, the cutting-edge Axkid ONE 2 car seat boasts over 150 updates, setting a new standard for safety and comfort.

Every aspect of the Axkid ONE has been meticulously refined. One notable improvement is the headrest adjustment. With just a single button, the headrest extends smoothly with one hand, ensuring a perfect fit for your growing child’s needs. Additionally, the textile seat has been enhanced to provide a superior level of comfort, while the harness now runs even more seamlessly, guaranteeing a hassle-free experience for both you and your DC. The Axkid ONE 2 also features new ventilation holes, which ensures optimal airflow, keeping your DC cool and comfortable during long journeys.

About the author

Rebecca Roberts is a writer, editor, and content marketing expert hailing from Leeds. Here at Mumsnet, she commissions, writes, and edits to bring parents content designed to make life easier. Having birthed two DC just 15 months apart, she knows all too well how stressful it can be trying to find the right car seat that’s safe, fits in your car, and suits your family’s needs. So, she's fully invested in finding the best car seats for new and growing families.

Beyond her role as an editor here at Mumsnet, Rebecca can be found balancing life as a working mum of two toddlers and when she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her at a local playgroup, in a nearby coffee shop, or walking the dog.

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