Avionaut Pixel Pro 2.0 car seat review

As we look more into the innovations encompassed by the Pixel Pro 2.0 C, it’s clear this car seat has raised the bar on many levels. Suitable from birth to 13kg or 86cm, the Avionaut Pixel Pro 2.0 C car seat can provide comfort and protection for approximately the first 12-15 months of baby’s life.

With an RRP of £239 (without the ISOFIX base) it sits firmly in the mid-higher end of the 'from birth' car seat market, alongside the likes of the Cybex Cloud T i-Size, from £229.95, and the Maxi-Cosi Coral, £269.99.

First impressions

It was no surprise that when the box of the Pixel Pro 2.0 C car seat landed on my doorstep, it was as light as a feather. I held onto the box for a few lingering seconds, almost in disbelief that there could be an infant car seat inside it, it felt like fresh air!

But sure enough, as I opened the box, I was pleasantly surprised by the rich and textured fabrics of the featherweight car seat that was neatly packaged inside.

I was curious to know exactly how the seat managed to be so light and I was immediately struck by the material of the car seat shell. It seemed soft and foam-like but was at the same time very hardy.

How easy is the Avionaut Pixel Pro 2.0 C car seat to install?

Very easy, especially when you use the recommended ISOFIX base. One of the huge draws of this car seat for me was the fact that it is ECE R129 certified and can be fitted into the car using an ISOFIX base, totally eliminating the possibility of incorrect or unsafe installation.

The ISOFIX IQ 2.0 C base needs to be bought separately, £199, but it certainly makes installation easier. Avionaut has created very clear pictorial instructions to install the base into the car correctly; the base is also colour-coded, with easy-to-understand lights to let you know it's secured.

In addition to the light and picture indicators, the base also makes handy sound signals when everything is safe and ready to use.

How do you install the Avionaut Pixel Pro 2.0 C car seat?

The Pixel Pro 2.0 C can be installed using either the ISOFIX base or seatbelt. Popping the car seat onto the base was really simple. When putting the seat onto the base, the lights and sounds of the green tick show that you are ready to travel.

To remove the seat from the base, a really simple grey palm lever (situated on the IQ base, just behind the car seat) needs to be pulled and the base lifts off quickly and easily.

A standard 3-point seatbelt can also be used to install the seat into the car – we found this very handy for the odd occasion where we were nipping out in a friend's car and off for quick shopping trips in the grandparents' cars. Again, the path of the seatbelt is really clearly marked with green hooks and clips, leaving little or no margin for error in the installation.

The only thing to note when installing with the seatbelt is that the car seat's carry handle needs to be tilted and adjusted to act as a rebound bar, pushing against the backrest of the seat. This just adds a little bit more stability and safety to the seat when installed using the seatbelt as opposed to the base.

How does the Avionaut Pixel Pro 2.0 C compare to similar car seats for this age range?

Having installed numerous car seats with my other 3 children, the Pixel Pro 2.0 C is by far the lightest car seat that we have ever used. Even when a baby is on board, it is easy to lift and transport, which was a huge plus after a C-section birth.

In this price range, the Avionaut is by far the lightest car seat available with arguably the best comfort and safety features, too.

What are the key safety features of the Avionaut Pixel Pro 2.0 C car seat?

The Avionaut Pixel Pro 2.0 C gave us peace of mind as it has been so carefully engineered with the comfort and safety of our little one in mind. The side impact protection bumper, although simple, has been proven to be very effective in safety tests – you just clip it onto the side of the seat which is nearest to the car door as an additional safety feature that absorbs shock in the event of an impact.

The shell of the Pixel Pro 2.0 C is deceptively robust and contains superb shock-absorbing qualities to protect your baby, too.

In addition to this, the modular seating position has been designed with spinal safety in mind, ensuring that the baby's spine is as straight as possible and that its airways always remain open – again, eliminating the worry of a newborn becoming scrunched up in the seat whilst travelling.

How long is the Avionaut Pixel Pro 2.0 C rear-facing for?

The seat can only be used as a rear-facing car seat – this is until your child reaches 13kg in weight or 86cm in height, whichever may come first. This is usually approximately 12-15 months of age, which is comparable to other infant car seats on the market.

Does the Avionaut Pixel Pro 2.0 C car seat have any unique features?

The obvious unique feature of the Pixel Pro 2.0 C is its weight; at 2.5kg this really is an exceptionally light piece of kit which is hugely beneficial for parents who suffer from back issues and parents who have experienced a C-section and would like to minimise strain on their scar site.

Having used the seat daily we can also now shout about some of the other unique and truly innovative features that car seats offer, which really deserve to be mentioned. One of these features has to be the modular seat pad insert. Designed in collaboration with physiotherapists, it ensures that your baby sits in the seat with a straight spine and with their head tilted slightly back to allow for clear airways and correct development.

The insert comes in several parts, including what looks like a foam block for your newborn to sit on top of in the seat in order to achieve the optimum seating position in terms of safety and comfort. As your baby grows, you gradually remove the block and parts of the seat insert to ensure the seat gives the best possible fit.

We have never used a car seat with this type of insert before, and it did take some getting used to, but once we fully understood the benefits we realised just how innovative this feature was.

How comfortable did your baby find the Avionaut Pixel Pro 2.0 C car seat?

My baby always seemed extremely comfortable when nestled inside the seat and enjoyed many hours of undisturbed sleep whilst we travelled. The fabrics are rich and textured, yet remain soft to the touch, and the headrest is covered in memory foam which always allows for a comfortable ride even when driving on rougher roads.

The innovative seating position also ensured that baby was comfortable whether asleep or alert in the car seat and it was reassuring to know that they maintained a straight spine. Additionally, the sun canopy provided much-valued comfort, keeping the sun out of my baby's eyes, with the added peace of mind of UPF50+ protection.

How do you rate the straps?

The Avionaut Pixel Pro 2.0 C car seat straps were simple to adjust with a thumb push button and just as easy to tighten. The shoulder pads provided added comfort and protection

How robust does the Avionaut Pixel Pro 2.0 C car seat feel?

The car seat itself is deceptively robust. Although the foam-like shell is exposed and not covered in plastic as with many other designs, the light-as-a-feather exterior is in fact quite hardy.

With daily use, it became clear that the Pixel Pro 2.0 C has been built to last and it did not knock, dent or scratch easily when carrying out daily activities such as lifting the car seat in and out of the car or popping it on and off the pushchair.

How easy is it to clean?

During our time testing the Pixel Pro 2.0 C, it was subject to the inevitable grubby fingerprint and the odd milk spill. The covers of the car seat are fully removable and this was done relatively easily by unhooking and unclipping the covers from the main car seat shell. A quick cold cycle in the washing machine saw the covers as good as new again and they were easy to pop back on.

How easy is the Avionaut Pixel Pro 2.0 C car seat to carry around?

Very. Without a doubt, the Pixel Pro 2.0 C is the lightest car seat that we have ever used. At 2.5kg it weighs far less than our changing bag, meaning it was very easy to transport.

What’s in the box?

• Pixel Pro 2.0 C car seat
• Side bumper side impact protection
• Modular seat insert

What are the additional accessories that you can buy?

• IQ 2.0 C ISOFIX car seat base, £199 (essential if you want to use the car seat with ISOFIX)
• Sleeping bag
• Breathable insert

What is the packaging like?

The Avionaut Pixel Pro 2.0 C car seat arrives neatly packaged with minimal excess waste. We are huge fans of using sustainable materials and were thrilled to see that the packaging is recyclable.

What are the repair or replacement options for the Avionaut Pixel Pro 2.0 C car seat?

Another huge draw towards the Pixel Pro 2.0 C is the excellent after-service. If your seat is involved in a collision of any sort within the first 2 years of purchase, Avionaut will automatically replace your car seat free of charge with just a few simple steps. Having this option gives a huge peace of mind as not all car insurance covers replacing car seats.

In addition to this collision replacement scheme, the seat also comes complete with a 2-year warranty which has the ability to be extended to 10 years with a few additional simple steps. Again, an excellent testament to the quality and safety of the Avionaut brand.

Now you’ve tested it, what would you have wanted to know before purchasing the Avionaut Pixel Pro 2.0 C car seat?

Prior to receiving the Pixel Pro 2.0 C, the Avionaut brand was little known to us. We knew that the Pixel Pro 2.0 C held the accolade for the lightest infant car seat, but now we also understand that the excellent quality, collision replacement after service, superbly comfortable fabrics and expertly engineered modular seating position all combine to make the Avionaut Pixel Pro 2.0 C one of the unsung heroes on the infant car seat market.

Who would the Avionaut Pixel Pro 2.0 C car seat be most suitable for?

For first-time parents, parents who plan to have multiple children, or anyone with a newborn, the Pixel Pro 2.0 C is an excellent option for a first infant car seat. It’s feather-light weight makes it extremely practical for parents who lead a busy lifestyle and use the car or public transport a lot to get around.

Is the Avionaut Pixel Pro 2.0 C car seat worth the money?

At £239 the car seat isn't cheap, especially when you need to factor in the additional cost of the ISOFIX base, which ups the overall spend to over £400. However, taking into account all of the excellent practical features such as its 2.5kg weight and expert-engineered seating position, it does in fact offer excellent value for money comparable to that of other infant car seats from other well-renowned brands.

Add to this the no-quibble collision replacement scheme and extended warranty, and I feel the car seat does warrant its price tag.

Where can I buy the Avionaut Pixel Pro 2.0 C car seat?

Available from Baby Planet, Winstanleys Pramworld and Kiddies Kingdom.

MadeForMums verdict

If you want to eliminate the possibility of the back-breaking task of lifting heavy car seats in and out of the car, then the Avionaut Pixel Pro 2.0 C should definitely be on your list to test drive. Although the price tag of £239 may appear high at first glance, there are several features that mean that this car seat is more than worth the bigger spend.

The ability to install with or without an ISOFIX base gives parents the flexibility to travel by many different means. Added to this the unique seating position, side impact safety protection, soft-to-touch fabrics and collision replacement scheme are all excellent draws of the Pixel Pro 2.0 C. Prior to testing this car seat, Avionaut was a little-known brand to us, but we can now wholeheartedly recommend them as a high-quality, expertly designed, safety-focused brand.

There are no hidden gimmicks or additional features such as a recline or a rotation with this seat, however, the quality speaks for itself and we could rest easy knowing that our baby was in the safest possible place whilst travelling.