Isofix Guide
The car seat is an essential piece of baby kit. Even if you don't drive, you'll need one for taking lifts with the family and friends. So making sure your child is safe and secure is the top priority, and the easiest way to ensure this is by using an Isofix compatible car seat.
According to research by the German Insurance Institute 96% of Isofix car seats are properly installed, compared with only 30-40% of the traditional belted kind. Giving you piece of mind that your little one will be buckled up securely every trip.
When you install your Isofix seat or base it will have a coloured button on both sides, it will be red at first and green once installed and locked into place. Instantly letting you know that the seat is inserted correctly and will stay that way.
Isofix stands for International Standards Organisation Fix and was launched in a joint collaboration between Britax and Volkswagen. Initially only Britax seats were available with Isofix fittings, however due to it's popularity and improved safety more and more manufacturers now offer an Isofix compatible seat.
Since 2006 the law has required all new cars to be built with Isofix fittings. If you have an older model you will need to check in your vehicle handbook as some vehicles have been fitted with Isofix since 2001.
Unfortunately the Isofix standard is still not universal and not every Isofix seat is compatible with every Isofix fitted vehicle, you will need to check the manufacturers material to make sure. Britax and Maxi-cosi both have useful websites which can advise you which of their seats will fit in your car, and where they should and shouldn't be fitted.
Some seats can be fitted on their own but others need extra stability from a Top Tether or a Foot Prop. You will be able to determine what you need from the installation category of the Seat.
There are 3 installation categories for Isofix seats which are:
- Universal - Uses a top tether and the car's Isofix fittings
- Vehicle Specific - Needs no additional props just the Isofix car fittings
- Semi Universal - Uses Isofix car fittings and a foot prop
Safety is not the only plus point about Isofix, it's also incredibly easy to use. Most Group 0 infant carriers either come with an Isofix base or can be purchased separately, that stays in your car so you just clip the seat onto the base. No seat belt straps to fit around the seat every time.
Group 1 car seats fit directly onto the Isofix fittings on the car's chassis and use the car seats harness, again no fiddling with seat belts.
Once your children are old enough to move up to a Group 2/3 seat, your child uses the adult lap and diagonal seat belt in conjunction with the Isofix car fittings. This system is called Isofit.
Most Isofix seats can also be used in the traditional way, attached by the adult seat belt. This is handy if your using a car or taxi that doesn't have isofix installed.
I've had 2 Isofix and one Isofit seat for my two boys, and I wouldn't be without them.
Below are the top 5 Isofix car seats currently on the market:
- Recaro Young Profi Plus with Base
- Maxi Cosi Cabriofix with Easyfix base
- Britax BABY-SAFE Plus (New name for the Cosy Tot Premium)
- Jane Exo
- Britax Duoplus Isofix