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Joie Ispin safe - why so expensive?

9 replies

User3962 · 31/07/2024 12:38

I’m looking at Joie car seats and trying to work out why the ispin safe is so much more expensive than others (and therefore whether I should buy it).

can anyone shed any light?

thank you

OP posts:
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BertieBotts · 31/07/2024 16:58

It must be because it has the plus testing and won't be as popular here as the other models.

TBH for that price it is not a seat I would choose. What are your criteria for a seat?

User3962 · 31/07/2024 17:09

Oh interesting! Why do you say that? I thought it would be very safe but there’s so much to look through and it’s hard to follow all the different testing etc.

It’s for a 6 month old. Safety is the number one priority, and longevity would be nice too (especially if it’s expensive). It must also fit in a Ford fiesta, and ideally be comfortable for the baby.

thank you!

OP posts:
FamilyAreEverything · 01/08/2024 07:00

Hi OP, it’s a safe seat as it has passed the Swedish Plus Test which is the toughest car seat test. The other models of the seat aren’t Swedish Plus Tested, hence the price difference.

I think @BertieBotts was suggesting that for the price of the iSpin, you could purchase a seat that would be much longer lasting. The iSpin is outgrown at 105cm and 18.5kg, whereas you could purchase a different seat that is also Swedish Plus Tested, which wouldn’t be outgrown until 125cm, or 25/36kg.

Do you know what centiles your little one is on, and what car you’re planning to put the seat in?

User3962 · 01/08/2024 14:14

FamilyAreEverything · 01/08/2024 07:00

Hi OP, it’s a safe seat as it has passed the Swedish Plus Test which is the toughest car seat test. The other models of the seat aren’t Swedish Plus Tested, hence the price difference.

I think @BertieBotts was suggesting that for the price of the iSpin, you could purchase a seat that would be much longer lasting. The iSpin is outgrown at 105cm and 18.5kg, whereas you could purchase a different seat that is also Swedish Plus Tested, which wouldn’t be outgrown until 125cm, or 25/36kg.

Do you know what centiles your little one is on, and what car you’re planning to put the seat in?

Thanks. My little one is 60th centile. But our car is a Ford fiesta so we don’t have loads of space. I tried a friend’s joie safe and it just fitted with seats pushed right forward.

OP posts:
FamilyAreEverything · 01/08/2024 15:12

Have a look at the Axkid Minikid 2 (61-25cm and 25kg) or Movekid (36kg). Both these seats are quite compact and should give you a better fit in a Fiesta. The other option is to put the seat in the passenger seat (assuming you can turn the air bag off?)
But at six months I’d be maxing out your infant carrier which will give you more time to save, plus your little one will get a better and safer fit in the above seats.

BertieBotts · 01/08/2024 20:26

It is very safe! I wouldn't buy it personally, because the Joie spin seats don't have a lot of leg room when used rear facing, the harness and inserts can also be tricky, and there are other seats which are similar or better for a cheaper price. Joie are generally a good buy when you want a bargain and you don't mind about some of the features being a little bit worse than other brands because the price difference is worth it.

The Axkid Minikid, Move, or Movekid are worth a look if you can have a fit test done in your car. I don't know how exactly they compare to the Joie seat, but they are very compact, usually more compact than isofix seats.

You could look at Britax Swingfix M Plus, which is a very similar style of seat to the Joie, but has a slightly higher weight limit and is also Swedish Plus tested, but £100 cheaper. Or they have the almost-identical seat Dualfix M Plus which is often on discount for about £50 cheaper than that. This doesn't have the Plus test rating, (Confusingly - the Plus in the name doesn't refer to the Swedish Plus Test) because it can also forward face, but with the Britax ones, they are the exact same seat, the Swingfix just has a block in it so it can't be turned to face the front. So the Dualfix is just as safe as long as you only ever use it rear facing. It looks like the Swingfix might have a similar discounted price at some retailers, but the Dualfix is more easily found cheaply.

With the Joie seats, the models which do 180 degree spin (like the spin safe) and the 360 degree spin are not identical - Joie had to add the extra bump in the headrest and do something else to get it to pass the Plus test. So while Joie seats are usually good budget options, and rear facing is very safe regardless, you do get a slight step down in safety if you swap to the Joie i-Spin 360, even if you only ever use it rear facing.

Cybex Sirona Gi i-size might also work, this is similar to the Dualfix in price and spec. It does not have a Swedish Plus Tested version, though.

Having looked for photos of ERF seats in Fiestas:

Axkid One2 seems to fit - this is pricier than Joie Spin safe and no spin, but will last longer (up to 23kg/125cm) and the sliding feature is great, as this gives you very minute control over the child's leg room and front seat space which means you can maximise every centimetre. You can also slide the seat right back when your child isn't in it if you need to carry a taller passenger.

Axkid Move even on full recline, fits with decent leg space in front. Still sold, budget friendly, but won't fit a 6mo. Minimum weight 9kg, but really child should be 80cm+ tall, usually over 12 months.

Minikid 2 - looks to take up about the same amount of space as an old Maxi Cosi Cabriofix on isofix base. This one is not quite as big on the lowest setting as the Move, but you will still struggle to fit a 6mo in it well. It's better from about 8-10 months.

Cybex Sirona was mentioned a few times, as was Britax Dualfix M Plus.

Haven't seen the newer Minikid (4) or Movekid but I think that is just because these are newer. If you can find an Axkid stockist near you, they might be worth a try. They can be used perfectly fine from 6mo on.

Also Avionaut Sky has been suggested as a very compact one. Does not last quite as long as the Axkids, but fine for a 60th centile child. Suitable from birth.

Remember that for a 6 month old, you'll need a lot of these seats more reclined. If you can get away with keeping them in the infant carrier until 12m+, preferably 18m, you'll have a bit more wiggle room because you can install the seats at a more upright angle.

BertieBotts · 01/08/2024 20:28

Since that was a lot of waffle here is the list of just the suggested seats.

Avionaut Sky
Axkid: Move, Movekid, Minikid 2, Minikid 4, One2
Britax: Dualfix M Plus, Swingfix M Plus
Cybex Sirona Gi i-Size

Cybex and Dualfix are not Swedish Plus Tested.
Axkid Move, Axkid Minikid 2 are not suitable from 6mo.

User3962 · 01/08/2024 22:02

BertieBotts · 01/08/2024 20:26

It is very safe! I wouldn't buy it personally, because the Joie spin seats don't have a lot of leg room when used rear facing, the harness and inserts can also be tricky, and there are other seats which are similar or better for a cheaper price. Joie are generally a good buy when you want a bargain and you don't mind about some of the features being a little bit worse than other brands because the price difference is worth it.

The Axkid Minikid, Move, or Movekid are worth a look if you can have a fit test done in your car. I don't know how exactly they compare to the Joie seat, but they are very compact, usually more compact than isofix seats.

You could look at Britax Swingfix M Plus, which is a very similar style of seat to the Joie, but has a slightly higher weight limit and is also Swedish Plus tested, but £100 cheaper. Or they have the almost-identical seat Dualfix M Plus which is often on discount for about £50 cheaper than that. This doesn't have the Plus test rating, (Confusingly - the Plus in the name doesn't refer to the Swedish Plus Test) because it can also forward face, but with the Britax ones, they are the exact same seat, the Swingfix just has a block in it so it can't be turned to face the front. So the Dualfix is just as safe as long as you only ever use it rear facing. It looks like the Swingfix might have a similar discounted price at some retailers, but the Dualfix is more easily found cheaply.

With the Joie seats, the models which do 180 degree spin (like the spin safe) and the 360 degree spin are not identical - Joie had to add the extra bump in the headrest and do something else to get it to pass the Plus test. So while Joie seats are usually good budget options, and rear facing is very safe regardless, you do get a slight step down in safety if you swap to the Joie i-Spin 360, even if you only ever use it rear facing.

Cybex Sirona Gi i-size might also work, this is similar to the Dualfix in price and spec. It does not have a Swedish Plus Tested version, though.

Having looked for photos of ERF seats in Fiestas:

Axkid One2 seems to fit - this is pricier than Joie Spin safe and no spin, but will last longer (up to 23kg/125cm) and the sliding feature is great, as this gives you very minute control over the child's leg room and front seat space which means you can maximise every centimetre. You can also slide the seat right back when your child isn't in it if you need to carry a taller passenger.

Axkid Move even on full recline, fits with decent leg space in front. Still sold, budget friendly, but won't fit a 6mo. Minimum weight 9kg, but really child should be 80cm+ tall, usually over 12 months.

Minikid 2 - looks to take up about the same amount of space as an old Maxi Cosi Cabriofix on isofix base. This one is not quite as big on the lowest setting as the Move, but you will still struggle to fit a 6mo in it well. It's better from about 8-10 months.

Cybex Sirona was mentioned a few times, as was Britax Dualfix M Plus.

Haven't seen the newer Minikid (4) or Movekid but I think that is just because these are newer. If you can find an Axkid stockist near you, they might be worth a try. They can be used perfectly fine from 6mo on.

Also Avionaut Sky has been suggested as a very compact one. Does not last quite as long as the Axkids, but fine for a 60th centile child. Suitable from birth.

Remember that for a 6 month old, you'll need a lot of these seats more reclined. If you can get away with keeping them in the infant carrier until 12m+, preferably 18m, you'll have a bit more wiggle room because you can install the seats at a more upright angle.

This is super detailed, thank you!

OP posts:
Mufflette · 01/08/2024 22:10

If you do want to go for a Joie the ispin isize is slightly cheaper and pretty identical to the safe (we have both in different cars). I think the only difference is that you can't forward face the safe, but obviously you can keep the other one rear facing anyway!

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