Many seats in Europe harness to 18 kg. For bigger littles, though, this can be a problem. Luckily, there are several seats available that harness until 25 kg. A higher limit seat can help you keep your little safely harnessed until they’re ready to move to a booster. Many of these seats are Scandinavian – where rear facing until booster readiness at around age 5 is common – but all are legal for use throughout Europe.
Britax Two Way Elite | Rear facing limits: 9-25 kg Forward facing limits: 9-18 kg | Bottom harness height: 30 cm Top harness height: 42 cm | Isofix? No Tethers? Yes | Plus tested? No | Cost: 185 GBP | Good for tall children and switching between cars. Must brace on the seat in front. |
Axkid Move | Rear facing limits: 9-25 kg | Bottom harness height: 33 cm Top harness height: 43 cm | Isofix? No Tethers? Yes | Plus tested? Yes | Cost: 225 GBP | Previously known as the Wolmax. Good for tall children. |
Britax Max Way | Rear facing limits: 9-25 kg | Bottom harness height: 28 cm Top harness height: 38 cm | Isofix? No Tethers? Yes | Plus tested? Yes | Cost: 225 GBP | Good for 3 across situations. Can be installed with a lap-only seat belt. Has a strict fit list; please see the Britax web site. |
Britax Hi-Way II | Rear facing limits: 0-25 kg (though not from birth) | Bottom harness height: 27 cm Top harness height: 39 cm | Isofix? No Tethers? Yes | Plus tested? Yes | Cost: 250 GBP | Shortest of the Britax seats - outgrown by height earlier than others. Can be installed with lap-only seat belt. |
Maxi Cosi Mobi | Rear facing limits: 9-25 kg | Bottom harness height: 28 cm Top harness height: 39 cm | Isofix? No Tethers? Yes | Plus tested? No | Cost: 275 GBP | Can change the recline without having to reinstall. Short shell (a taller shell is available in Scandinavia, but is not yet available elsewhere in Europe). |
Diono Radian 5 | Rear facing limits: 0-25 kg (may not fit all infants at birth) Forward facing limits: 9-25 kg | Bottom harness height: 19 cm Top harness height: 41 cm | Isofix? No Tethers? Uses tethers rear and forward facing. Forward facing they are required after 15 kg. | Plus tested? No | Cost: 295 GBP | Good for 3 across situations. Must brace. Easier to misuse due to different requirements for different weights. Rear facing there must be 3.8 cm (1.5 inches) between the head and the top of the shell. |
Axkid Rekid Isofix | Rear facing: 9-25 kg | Bottom harness height: 33 cm Top harness height: 43 cm | Isofix? Yes, until 18 kg Tethers? Yes | Plus tested? Yes, up to 18 kg | Cost: 300 GBP | Good for tall children. Takes up more back-to-front space than other Axkid options. |
Britax Multi-Tech III | Rear facing limits: 9-25 kg Forward facing limits: 9-18 kg, 15-25kg booster | Bottom harness height: 31 cm Top harness height: 41 cm | Isofix? No Tethers? Yes | Plus tested? No | Cost: 300 GBP | Can't be repositioned to fix buckle crunch. Due to weight of seat we don't recommend using it as a booster. Expands in width as the child grows. |
Axkid Minikid 2.0 | Rear facing limits: 0-25 kg (though not from birth) | Bottom harness height: 32 cm Top harness height: 41 cm | Isofix? No Tethers? Yes | Plus tested? Yes | Cost: 350 GBP | An updated version of the popular Minikid. Good for taller children. Includes optional side impact protection. Features self-adjusting harness height and self-tensioning tethers. Can work well in 3 across situations. |
BeSafe iZi Plus | Rear facing limits: 0-25 kg (though not from birth) | Bottom harness height: 27 cm Top harness height: 38 cm | Isofix? No Tethers? Yes | Plus tested? Yes | Cost: 350 GBP | Good for heavier kids who are short/average height. Has a good recline, but can take up a lot of space in the vehicle. |
Klippan Century | Rear facing limits: 9-25 kg | Bottom harness height: 27 cm Top harness height: 40 cm | Isofix? No Tethers? Yes | Plus tested? Yes | Cost: 400 GBP | Good for tall children. Can work well in 3 across situations. |
Cozy 'n Safe Hudson | Forward facing limits: 9-25 kg harnessed; 15-36 kg booster | Bottom harness height: 26 cm Top harness height: 44 cm Top belt guide height: 47 cm | Isofix? Yes; required after 18 kg Tethers? Top tether must be used when Isofix is in use | Plus tested? No | Cost: 150 GBP; frequently on sale for much less | Can be very affordable. Can use Isofix for installation for the entire harness lifespan. Lightweight. |
Cozy 'n Safe Excalibur | Forward facing limits: 9-25 kg harnessed; 15-36 kg booster | Bottom harness height: 28 cm Top harness height: 42 cm | Isofix? Until 18 kg Tethers? Top tether must be used when installed with Isofix or for a child weighing over 18 kg. | Plus tested? No | Cost: 150 GBP | Budget friendly seat for children over 18 kg. Has Isofix, but it is not required for use. Also known as Caretero VolanteFix. |
Joie Bold | Forward facing limits: 9-25 kg harnessed; 15-36 kg booster | Bottom harness height: 25 cm Top harness height: 48.5 cm | Isofix? Required in all modes Tethers? Top tether must be used at all times | Plus tested? No | Cost: 175 GBP | Good for tall children. Seat belt, top tether, and Isofix must be used at all times in all modes. Tallest harness height of all forward facing 25 kg seats. |
