Easy to install toddler carseat

[Thumberline]

Hi all, I am looking for some recommendations for a new car seat for my one year old. We live overseas but still own a car in the UK for when we are home. My one year old will have grown out of her infant carrier when we fly home for Christmas. We will be met at the airport by family with the car but to be honest I would rather install the car seat myself and know it is installed correctly. Time will be of the essence with a 3 year old and one year old on the loose so can anyone recommend me an easy to install, affordable car seat?
I’m not too bothered about ERF as my three year old is only 12kg and my youngest is following a similar trajectory so I don’t think an 18kg will be outgrown too early!

Probably Joie Spin 360, I'd say? It's £127 on amazon at the moment, and isofix, which makes it easy to install. Birth to 18kg, rear and forward facing.

If you want something lighter, maybe Joie Stages or Graco Extend R129 - these are also cheaper, but they are seatbelt fitted, so more margin for error.

Thank you @BertieBotts it was the joie 360 I have had my eye on so that’s good to know!

It's good :) The only thing I don't like about installing it is it's heavy and the leg has a habit of swinging down and smacking you in the shins.

It also works itself tighter over time. If you ever struggle to release it, push the isofix in as you press the release buttons. I had a hell of a time trying to get it out of our car trying to put it in my sister's and googled so many things before finding this.

We needed to buy a new car seat for my parents car, so I bought one at an independent retailer local to them online, but the retailer kept it at the store and my DM drove to them and they installed it in DM's car for her. So I knew it had been properly installed and when we got off the train, we could put the kids straight in.

Could you do something similar?

We have a joie 360 and a britax max safe pro. I MUCH prefer the britax - the sides are lower, DD1 can climb in and out without help, it seems to take up less space in the back, and she looks loads comfier in it. But it is harder to install until you get used to the tethers.

I don't think the 360 spin is easy to install at all. Takes us ages to take in and out of cars. The Joie Stages is much quicker and easier. They can rear face for an extended period in that too which is handy.

I will take a look at the Joie stages as well, it looks like it could be a good option. I don’t think anyone will have the time to go and get a car seat installed to be honest, it’s something I should have thought about when we were in the UK in the summer. Thank you all for your help, sometimes it’s so difficult to decide when there are so many options!

When we got the Joie Stages the first time I fitted it was in a car park with child in tow. With the help of a video from the Rear Facing Toddler site I got it first time in about 3 minutes.

It probably just depends which one you're most familiar with as to how long it takes.

IME, Spin is simple (two isofix arms, extend, click in, done) but it's physically an effort because of lugging the giant thing around. If it's already in the car, that won't be a factor.

Stages has more steps, and in cars with a short seatbelt the long belt path required can be a problem, there is also more margin for error potentially, but the seat itself is lighter so it's easier to transport and move.

In terms of safety, Spin is likely better because of the support leg, plus it can be used more upright. Though the leg room isn't that great rear facing - my 3yo cries in it because he can't straighten his legs and won't put them to the side. If you are likely to FF later, I would be happier doing that in Spin than Stages personally. None of the Joie belt fitted seats have very good safety results FF, although the Stages hasn't been tested specifically.

Stages has more leg room RF because of the recline, it's less "buckety" in shape.