Brought to you by Babybee + Maxi-Cosi
Car Seats and Car Capsules: Your Comprehensive Guide
Featuring Maxi-Cosi's Superior Air Protection Technology ?️
Shopping for a Car Seat or Capsule? We've Got You Covered.
This guide helps you navigate the options for your child's safety and comfort.
Australian Law: From ages 0 to 4 years, rear or forward-facing child restraints are mandatory. Children between 4 and 7 years must use forward-facing restraints or booster seats.
Prioritise Rear-Facing Safety: While not mandatory in Australia to remain rear-facing until 4 years, for optimal safety, it's recommended to keep young children rear-facing until they reach the upper height marker on the restraint.
Consider Car Size: If driving a smaller car, choose compact restraints that won't significantly compromise front seat legroom.
Consider Space for Multiple Children: For families with three children or needing to accommodate three across, narrow restraint options are worth exploring.
Correct Installation: You don't require a professional installer if you meticulously follow the instructions to correctly and securely install the restraint.
Second Car Consideration: If you have two cars, consider buying multiple child restraints or an extra capsule base for your second car.
Clarification on ISO-FIX Installation: Contrary to common belief, ISO-FIX installation isn't inherently safer nor easier to install. Both installation options are equally safe if done correctly.
Maximum Height Safety: It's essential to move your child out of the restraint as soon as they reach the maximum height indicator. Your child may not have maximum protection during a crash if they have surpassed the indicators.
Your Car Seat Options
Car Capsules (0-6m or 0-12m)
Portable capsules that can be easily removed from the car and attached to your pram, allowing you to transport your baby without disturbing them.
Image Description: A Maxi-Cosi car capsule and its base, designed for infants.
✅ Pros
- Facilitates seamless movement between car, house, or pram without disturbing your sleeping baby.
- Some models are suitable for accommodating low birth weight babies.
- Option to purchase an additional base, allowing easy transfer between two cars without re-installation.
❌ Cons
- Requires an additional purchase once your baby reaches the upper height marker (you will still need a convertible car seat).
- Slightly wider than 0-4 seats, potentially impacting three-across seating.
- Longer in length, affecting front seat legroom.
- Typically recommended to limit time in a capsule to 2-3 hours due to the infant's spinal position.
? Did You Know: You can buy a capsule base separately, allowing use across multiple cars without needing multiple car seats.
Convertible Car Seat (0-4yr)
Suitable for infants and young children. These seats offer the flexibility to rear-face until 30 months and forward-face until 4 years of age.
Image Description: A Maxi-Cosi convertible car seat suitable for infants and toddlers.
✅ Pros
- One product required from infancy to 4 years, saving on capsule costs.
- A narrower option, potentially fitting 3 seats side-by-side (car model dependent).
❌ Cons
- Cannot attach to a pram, which may result in waking your baby during car transitions.
Convertible Car Seat (0-8yr)
An all-in-one seat from newborn to 8 years. Rear-facing until 30 months and forward-facing until 8 years.
Image Description: A Maxi-Cosi convertible car seat designed for extended use from newborn to 8 years.
✅ Pros
- Single product purchase: rear-facing from 0-30 months, forward-facing up to 8 years.
- Cost-efficient option throughout your child's 8 years.
- An inbuilt harness offers enhanced safety over an unharnessed booster seat (4+ years), especially for smaller children during severe crashes.
- Adjustable sides for a customized fit.
❌ Cons
- Seat fabrics might show signs of wear before reaching 8 years with heavy use.
- Extended length when rearward-facing may impact front seat legroom.
- Higher sides may make it slightly challenging to get infants in and out.
- Not as tailored to newborns as a car capsule or 0-4 seat.
Forward-Facing Car Seat (6m-8yr)
This harnessed seat is forward-facing only and is suitable once your child transitions out of their rear-facing restraint, designed for children from 6 months to 8 years.
Image Description: A forward-facing car seat with a harness, for older children.
✅ Pros
- Inbuilt harness offers enhanced safety over an unharnessed booster seat (4+ years), especially for smaller children during severe crashes.
❌ Cons
- Restriction to forward-facing use only.
- Headrest height restriction may necessitate transitioning to a booster seat if your child outgrows the seat before 8 years.
? Did You Know: Experts recommend keeping your child rear-facing until 2-3 years of age, as this is a safer impact position for younger children.
The Maxi-Cosi Range Available at Babybee
Our range is designed to bring you market-leading products while also providing more budget-friendly alternatives. Australia has stringent safety standards. To safeguard your child, prioritize keeping them rear-facing for at least 30 months or until they outgrow the height marker. Ensure the restraint is correctly installed and the harness is appropriately adjusted for maximum safety.
Image Description: A woman with a pram and a Maxi-Cosi Mico 12 LX capsule. Below are images of various Maxi-Cosi car capsules and car seats/boosters: Maxi-Cosi Mico Plus, Maxi-Cosi Mico 12 LX, Capsule Bases, Maxi-Cosi Pria LX, Maxi-Cosi Nova LX, Mother's Choice Ascend, Maxi-Cosi Luna Pro.
? Bundle and Save: Save up to 35% on our car seat and capsule range when you bundle with a pram.
The Range Compared
Capsule Comparison
| Maxi-Cosi Mico Plus (0-6m) | vs | Maxi-Cosi Mico 12 LX (0-12m) |
|---|---|---|
| More affordable. | 12 month limit means you can continue moving your child from car to home or pram without waking them until they are around 1. | |
| Only 4.6kg and 700g lighter than Mico 12 LX. | Can be used with premature and low birthweight babies. | |
| Airplane compliant (can sit in the seat). | 6cm shorter in length meaning 6cm more legroom in the front seat. | |
| ISO-FIX installation is preferred by some parents, however, both options are equally safe. | Easier installation (non ISO-FIX). | |
| Larger sun canopy that will cover babies legs. | More reclined structure so will fit better in more vehicles. | |
| Auto adjustable headrest and harness. | ||
| More harness height positions. | ||
| Visual connection indicators on base to confirm correct installation. |
Convertible Car Seat Comparison
| Maxi-Cosi Pria LX (0-4y) | vs | Maxi-Cosi Nova LX (0-4y) |
|---|---|---|
| World first SMART guide re-routes the top tether strap out of the way, making it easier to get your child in and out without needing re-adjustment. | The more affordable option. | |
| Most compact rear-facing seat on the market. | ISO-FIX installation (which some parents prefer, but is equally as safe as non ISO-FIX). | |
| Narrower option - fits 3 across (car model dependent). | Includes the same Maxi-Cosi Air Protect technology seen in more expensive models. | |
| More headrest and harness height adjustment positions. | ||
| World first "V" harness height adjustment means the harness widens as they grow - making it more comfortable around their neck. | ||
| The restraint sits lower which makes it easier to access your child. | ||
| Easier to install due to the belt clamp and tensioner (which ensures it remains tight). |
Older Age Car Seat Comparisons
| Mothers Choice Ascend Convertible (0-8y) | vs | Maxi-Cosi Luna Pro Forward-Facing (6m-8y) |
|---|---|---|
| Can rear face up to 30 months, making it the better option if you're transitioning from capsule to a higher age car seat. They can remain rear-facing to 30 months and you won't need to purchase an additional 0-4 convertible car seat as well. | If you're using this product from 3+ years and won't need to rear face, this is the better product. | |
| The more affordable option. | ||
| The slightly lower seat makes it easier for kids to climb in on their own. | ||
| Kids can spread their legs out more. | ||
| Can adjust the depth of the crotch strap (not just the height). | ||
| Two built-in cup holders. | ||
| Adjustable arm rests. |
So, What is the Best Option for You?
We've broken down which products you'll need to take you from newborn to 8 years, depending on your budget and whether you choose to use a capsule.
Image Description: A table summarizing recommended car seat and capsule options based on age, budget, and whether a capsule is used.
| Age Group | Best Option with Capsule | Best Option No Capsule | Budget Option with Capsule | One Product - Cheapest Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn | 0-12m: Mico 12 LX Capsule | 0-4y: Pria | 0-6m: Mico Plus Capsule (not best for small cars) | 0-8y: Mothers Choice Ascend Convertible Car Seat (not best for small cars) |
| 1-4 Years | Pria | Above | 0-8y: Mothers Choice Ascend Convertible Car Seat (not best for small cars) | Above |
| 4-8 Years | Luna Pro | Luna Pro | Above | Above |
Second Car Consideration
If you have a second car, or grandparents/support people need a car seat, consider more affordable alternatives that may not have all features but will serve well for occasional use. Another great option for the early days is to purchase a second capsule base for the secondary car, allowing you to shift the capsule between cars without buying a new product. Affordable alternatives include Nova LX and 0-8Y Mother Choice Ascend.
Still Unsure?
If you need more help selecting the best car transport product for your needs, head to our contact page to chat with our team of parents who would love to help you find the perfect option for your family.
Image Description: Three children are safely seated in Maxi-Cosi car seats in the back of a car.
Brought to you by Babybee + Maxi-Cosi
