Buying a car seat can feel like a daunting task – especially if it’s your first time.
With so much choice out there, and so many rules and regulations to get your head around, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. You want to ensure your child is as safe as possible on every car journey no matter what age they are, so it's vital to find a car seat that's suitable for their height and is the correct choice for your vehicle. Silver Cross’ Car Safety Technologist, Kat Gemmell is back on The Edit with her advice on choosing the perfect car seat for your little passenger.
What to consider when choosing your car seat
UK law
By law, all children under 135cm in height or under 12 years old must use a car seat. Babies must also stay rear facing until at least 15 months old due to the child’s body being particularly vulnerable to forceful impacts until this age. A rear-facing seat is better suited to offer maximum protection for your little one during this period.
Safety standards
All Silver Cross car seats are approved to the latest R129 regulation, which is the European standard for testing car seats. R129 approved car seats undergo more stringent testing procedures than the previous R44-04 regulation, including side impact testing.
Vehicle compatibility
When purchasing a car seat, it’s important to ensure it will fit into the vehicle(s) you intend on using it in. If you’re purchasing in-store, our specialist retailers are fully trained in Silver Cross car safety and will guide you through the process – as well as helping you test the car seat in your vehicle. Alternatively, you can head to the Silver Cross Car Safety Centre and use our Vehicle Compatibility Checker to view which seats are the best fit for your car.
Installation
You should consider how the car seat will be installed into your vehicle. Car seats can usually be fitted using either the adult seatbelt or an ISOFIX system. ISOFIX is generally considered easier and more secure, as there is less room for error when fitting the car seat. If the car seat you’re considering is an ISOFIX seat, make sure your car has the compatible mounting points. ISOFIX has been a legal requirement on all new cars in the EU since 2006, but you’ll also find mounting points in older models too.
Our car safety collection
The Silver Cross car safety collection features a variety of seats suitable from newborn right through to 12 years old. All of which have been designed with innovative features to ensure your child is travelling in the safest way possible and tested above and beyond regulation for added peace of mind.
Newborn: Glide Plus 360
From their very first journey home, Glide Plus 360 ensures unrivalled safety and comfort. Our lie-flat infant carrier, suitable from birth to 13kg/approx. 18 months, will cocoon your newborn in the optimal travel position, whether it’s in your car or connected to your pram – from Silver Cross or another brand.
Glide Plus 360 offers optimal comfort, safety, and aids your baby’s temperature with naturally soft bamboo fabric, breathable waffle jersey, and built-in seat ventilation. Triple-layer side impact protection with intelligent shock-absorbing technology ensures peace of mind from day one, while the EasyFit sprung harness system allows for effortless fastening.
Designed to grow with your baby, Glide Plus 360 features a 5-position headrest that stays in place throughout use and a newborn insert made from natural bamboo for added support at every stage of development.
Multi-stage: Approach Plus 360
Approach Plus 360 is our multi-stage car seat, suitable from newborn to 19.5kg (approx. 4 years old). Thanks to its market-leading inner seat recline system, Approach Plus 360 will transport your little passenger in the optimal travel position from newborn to toddler.
Secure to the Base Plus 360 with a 360° rotation, ISOFIX fitment, and an AgeLock rotation switch for easy, stress-free boarding every time.
Approach Plus 360 car seat ensures unrivalled comfort on every journey with naturally soft bamboo, breathable waffle jersey, and inbuilt seat ventilation. Its intelligent shock-absorbing side impact protection offers maximum safety, while the EasyFit sprung harness system makes securing your child quick and hassle-free.
Designed to grow with your child, it features 10 adjustable headrest heights and plush, ergonomic bamboo inserts for lasting comfort and support at every stage.
All-stage: Motion 2 All Size 360
Motion 2 All Size 360 is the only car seat you need. Our 360° rotating, all-stage car seat is the ultimate car safety investment with some brand-new features, keeping your little one safe and secure from newborn to approximately 12 years old thanks to its adjustable design.
The Hydro Protect liner is a market-leading addition to the car seat. With one side crafted from hypoallergenic bamboo soft-touch fabric and a leakproof reverse, the liner acts as an extra layer of protection to the car seat fabrics underneath – perfect for the potty-training years or after days of adventure.
A sprung harness system has also been integrated into the seat, which is designed to make fastening your little one into their seat easier – as the sprung design prevents the harness from getting lost underneath your wriggling toddler.
Honeycomb side impact protection is always active and offers complete head to hip protection through each stage of your child’s growth and development.
Toddler: Balance i-Size
Balance i-Size is usually purchased as a second car seat once your child has outgrown their infant carrier.
Suitable from 15 months until approximately 12 years old, Balance i-Size will take your little one from toddler to beyond with its secure and versatile design.
The seat features four recline positions, nine headrest heights and removable energy-absorbing inserts and is super easy to install with the integrated ISOFIX connectors and top tether.
The forward-facing car seat features an extended harness limit of 21kg, keeping the majority of children in their safety harness until 4-5 years old, before the seat can be converted into a high-back booster seat using the adult seatbelt.
Like all Silver Cross car seats, Balance i-Size's seat covers are easily removable and can be washed in the washing machine at 30°C to keep them clean and fresh as the years go by.
Child: Discover i-Size
Suitable from 4 to 12 years old, Discover i-Size is our premium high-back booster seat. With its ergonomic reclining seat, adjustable headrest and pull-out thigh support, Discover i-Size offers the most comfortable ride.
Featuring a built-in Side Impact Protection system, you can rest assured your little one will be safe on every ride. With Discover i-Size’s slimline design, you can fit up to three car seats on your back row – perfect if you’re transporting siblings – and the seat can be easily installed with or without the integrated ISOFIX connectors.
