Ensuring your child’s car seat is correctly installed in your car should be child’s play. Thanks to the introduction of ISOFIX some years ago, getting the best ISOFIX car seats fitted correctly and safely with minimum time is easy and quick. Every new car with a passenger seat must have ISOFIX mounting points. It was an optional choice fitted in vehicles launched in November 2012 or later, but since November 2014, all new cars have ISOFIX as standard.
ISOFIX stands for International Standard Organisation Fix, possibly the best and safest way to ensure your car seat is secured. They’re effectively anchor points on your car’s internal shell, meaning when connected, the base of the child seat is attached to the vehicle rather than held in place by a seatbelt. Happily, ISOFIX on modern cars is easy to find and access – they’re generally under covers on the back seats with a logo that looks like a person sitting in a seat. This system makes fitting car seats a doddle and takes seconds.
ISOFIX can be found on all manner of car seats, from baby seats right up to booster seats. All of these seats in this category offer similar features, so it’s more about getting down to one which suits you.
The best ISOFIX car seats at a glance:
Editor’s choice: Graco SlimFit LX Car Seat – Buy from Amazon UK
Best Isofix car seat for inbuilt full-body airbag: Cybex Anoris T i-Size Car Seat – Buy from Mamas and Papas
Best Isofix car seat for budget: Graco Affix with ISOCATCH – Buy from Amazon UK
The best ISOFIX car seats:
Editor's choice
A removable cup holder is an excellent option as your child gets older, meaning they'll always have somewhere to store their cup or water bottle. At the same time, it could also be used for storing pencils or anything else as they get older for longer journeys.
Read the full Graco Slim Fit review on our sister site, Mother&Baby.
Pros
- TrueSheild offers superior head protection
- A removable drink holder
Cons
- While slim fit, check the rear of your car to see how many seats you'll be able to get in
Best Isofix car seat for 360 degree swivel
Not only does it come with ISOFIX mounting points, but it will also come with a top tether connector - this connects to the back of your car seat, and you'll see the mounting point if you open your boot. You can also secure it with your three-point seatbelt to give you the maximum amount of safety possible.
Pros
- 360-degree swivel means loading from either side
- Bright visible ISOFIX
- Top tether for added safety
Cons
- Reecle isn't the most well-known name
Best Isofix car seat for adjustability
With the Everystage, you can recline it in six different positions; with the Joie, you'll get a two-year manufacturer guarantee. Joie is an established brand and isn't likely to disappear any time soon, so you can be sure that you'll get replacement parts more readily.
Read the full Joie Everystage FX review on our sister site, Mother&Baby.
Pros
- Well-respected brand name
- Six different reclining positions
- Two-year manufacturer guarantee
Cons
- No top tether
Best Isofix car seat for inbuilt full-body airbag
What's the secret that makes it so safe? The Anoris T has a full-body airbag, which provides approximately 50% more protection in a front-on collision.
LED indicators and audio signals let you know when the seat is securely in place, and it is suitable from 76cm and up to a maximum height of 115cm or 21kg, whichever comes first.
Pros
- Safest car seat in its class
- Easy for kids to get in and out of
Cons
- No swivel movement
Best Isofix car seat for seating area
Pros
- Well-respected brand
- Lightweight
- Easy for kids to get in and out of
Cons
- When you have two in the back of your car, it's difficult for an adult to fit between
Best Isofix car seat for Budget
The seat comes with armrests and a cup holder, which will be added comfort for your child on any journey.
Pros
- Cup holder
- Comfortable armrests
- Lightweight
Cons
- Very wide car seat
Car Seat Groups
Car seats are separated into different groups for your child’s age, height, and weight. These three things are important parameters because it’s how you define if your child moves up a group. Weight, not age, is probably the most important because the child’s weight can affect the usefulness of a car seat. We’ve a guide for finding the right car seat for your needs.
The four groups are defined as such:
• Group 0 – suitable from birth to 10kg (around 12 months) – these are usually lie-flat carrycot options that combine with a buggy or pushchair chassis to form a travel system
• Group 0+ – suitable from birth to 13kg (around 18 months-2 years) – these can usually combine with a buggy to form a travel system and are also known as infant carriers
• Group 0+/1 – suitable from birth to 18kg (around 4-5 years)
• Group 0+/1/2/3 – suitable from birth to 36kg or 135cm tall (about 12 years)
Best car seats from birth to 12 years old
Car seats can be costly purchases but an essential to help keep your child safe when riding passengers. One way to decrease this expense is to purchase a car seat that will last from birth until 12 years of age.
Aside from the obvious advantage of being a one-off purchase, these seats won’t be something you’ll spend money on every few years once your child outgrows them. Another benefit will be that you won’t have to wait for the next car seat purchase, as when it’s time to change, the seat will be ready.
Of course, there are downsides. 12 years is a long time, and as your child grows, so they might start to find their seat uncomfortable, requiring a booster seat instead. While the fabrics can be cleaned, we all know the mess kids can make; this is worth bearing in mind and ensuring you can get replacement fabrics just in case one tears or wears thin.
These are also not compatible or can go from your car onto your pushchair – if you have a sleeping child, they will need to go in something else for you to transport them around after your car journey has finished.
Myles Warwood is an Autos Products Writer for both Parkers and CAR, specialising in child seats and e-bikes. In his spare time, he’s a freelance cycling journalist and dog owner.
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