Best all stages carseat and why?

[LR51021]

Hi All.

LO is 10months and looking a bit big in his carseat. Looking to get an all stages carseat but have no idea where to start.

If anyone can give their recommendations it would be greatly appreciated as my head is fried scrolling the internet and reading 1000s reviews 🤯

TIA xx

What centile is your baby on for height and weight? And what car do you have?

If your baby is on the small side you could get an 18kg seat, that will last until they are 4+ and old enough for a high back booster (HBB).

If your baby is on the large side I would recommend a 25kg seat as it will last up to around 6 before you'll need to buy a HBB.

Ideally you would go to a specialist car seat retailer (In Car Safety Centre is good and has various branches, there are others too) but otherwise if you're on FB you could join the group Car Seat Advice UK, there's lots of helpful stuff on there.

@NameChange30 we don't have a car, it will be going in my mum's Audi A3 and my partner's dad's Mazda. We haven't had him weighed since he was 6 month's so have no idea where he is currently, but has always just been pretty average.

I'm wanting something to rearface as long as possible and last as long as possible but there's so much out there it's really confusing. I'll look into car seat centres near me and go and speak to someone. I didn't even know that was a thing.

Thanks so much. X

join in the extended rear facing group on Fb

You're welcome.

If there's not a ICSC near you, there's also Winstanleys Pramworld in Wigan and Stoke, Baby&Co in Bristol, and various others - there is a full list in the FB group.

Given that you will be using the seat in other people's cars and want to rear-face as long as possible, I would suggest the Britax Two Way Elite as it's rear-facing up to 25kg, compatible with most cars and relatively compact and light to get in and out of the car and store. It's not too expensive either, £150 from ICSC.

None of them.

As you don't have your own car, I would get the Joie Steadi or Joie Stages, use rear facing up to 18kg and when your child is old enough for a high backed booster get one of those instead. It's cheaper than buying a combination and they are significantly lighter and less bulky to store.

If you really don't like the idea of rear facing up to 18kg look at Britax First Class Plus, which has a lower rear facing limit but a bit better support when forward facing. Again lightweight, cheap and easy to fit.

The two way elite might work if you're always in the same car, but if not then I don't think it's a practical solution, because of the tether straps. Possibly worth the compromise if your child is on very high centiles or if it's very important for you to rear face as long as possible, but for most children up to about 75th it's likely not worth the hassle.