By clicking a retailer link you consent to third-party cookies that track your onward journey. This enables W? to receive an affiliate commission if you make a purchase, which supports our mission to be the UK's consumer champion.
Cheap child car seats: are they any good?
Which? latest car seat test results include three below £50
Can you get a decent car seat for £50 or less? Our 2019 survey of 4,831 parents and carers revealed that 36% spent £50 or less on their child's car seat.
In our latest child car seat testing, we've crash tested three car seats costing less than £50: an Argos child car seat, a Nania baby car seat and a Britax high-backed booster seat.
These were tested alongside the latest car seats from more popular Britax models, Cybex and Maxi Cosi.
Group: 1, 2 and 3 multi-group seat Age: up to 12 years Installation method: seat belt
The Cuggle Chaffinch lightweight, cheap multi-group seat is a popular seller for Argos.
It covers child car seat groups 1, 2 and 3, so it's approved for use with children from 9kg to 36kg (around nine months to 12 years old).
It's forward-facing only and installed using the car's adult seat belt. We don't advise swapping to this stage car seat until your baby has fully grown out of their rear-facing baby car seat.
Pros
Cheap
Lightweight
Spans more than one child car seat group
Easy to install
Doesn't take up much room
Cons
Approved for use from 9kg
Approved to old regulations which don't include a side-impact crash test
Group: 0+ baby car seat Age: from birth Installation method: seat belt
This lightweight baby car seat is also found on sale at Argos.
The Nania BeOne SP is approved for use from birth to 13kg, or around 12 to 15 months of age, depending on your baby. It's the first-stage seat you'll buy.
Like all baby car seats, it's installed in your car rearward-facing only, using the car's adult seat belt.
Pros
Cheap
Lightweight
Comes with newborn insert
Simple to install
Doesn't take up much room
Cons
Instructions aren't as clear as they could be
Approved to old regulations which don't include a side-impact crash test
Thin padding, so not that comfy Handwash-only covers
Group: 2 and 3 child car seat Age: Three-and-a-half years to 12 years Installation method: seat belt
The Ru00f6mer high-backed booster seat has been in the Britax range for quite a while and we often spot it being promoted in baby events, sometimes even cheaper than its usual price.
It's an affordable entry-level child car seat that's forward-facing only and approved for use from 15kg to 36kg, which is around three-and-a-half years to 12 years of age.
Pros
High-backed booster seat
Cheap
Lightweight
Easy to install
Doesn't take up much room
Cons
Approved to old regulations, which don't include a side-impact crash test
Maxi Cosi Jade car cot - £199 (Isofix base costs extra)
We've also just tested the Maxi Cosi Jade car cot, which is a carrycot style baby car seat. It's approved to the latest, tougher, car seat regulations (i-Size/UN R129) for use from birth up to 70cm or 9kg, which is around six months of age, but will depend on how big your baby is. The car seat sits across the back seat of your car so your newborn can travel in a lie-flat position, which makes it ideal if you plan on taking long journeys with your newborn, or have a premature baby or one with a medical issue.
Pros
Approved to the latest i-Size/UN R129 regulations
Lie-flat position
Travel system compatible
Isofix base can be used with other car seats
Plenty of space for your growing newborn
Cons
Isofix base is a separate purchase
Takes up a lot of room in the back
Need to swap to a rearward-facing baby car seat once outgrown
Heavy
Can't be installed using the seat belt
Maxi Cosi Jade car cot review - read our full crash test report to find out if it's worth splashing out on for your newborn.
All car seats sold on the UK market have passed legal minimum standards. But our car seat crash test experts continue to push for higher standards in child car seat safety, and feel our specially designed crash tests go further to help identify those car seats which help provide the best protection in a crash for your children.
