BeSafe iZi Modular AX1 i-Size car seat review

Tested by

Mum of one, Cher, is a journalist and lives in Kent with her husband and their 1-year-old son, Miller. She tested the BeSafe izi AX1 on long and short journeys, to really see how useful all of the new features are.

What were your first impressions of the BeSafe izi AX1 car seat?

My first impressions of the BeSafe izi AX1 were that it looked really stylish as well as safe. The cushioned seat and sturdy, padded headrest give me reassurance that Miller would be comfortable, as well as protected.

I did find that it was quite difficult to lift and carry the seat, as it is quite bulky and heavy, but once it was in place it felt very secure and was easy to fit.

What age is the BeSafe izi AX1 suitable for?

It is designed to be used for babies from 6 months to approximately 4 years, or when they reach 18kg – just like the Maxi-Cosi Pearl Pro2 i-Size, £239. Height requirements are from 61cm if rear facing, or 88cm if front facing, to 105cm.

A bonus of the seat is that it can remain rear-facing until your child is 4 years old. It has to be rear-facing until they are at least 15 months, as recommended by the manufacturers.

If you can get your child to remain rear-facing until they are 4, brilliant! But as for me, Miller is already getting a bit bored of looking at the back seat. However, it’s great that I can easily switch the seat to front facing when he is 15 months old, without the need to reinstall anything.

What makes the BeSafe izi AX1 different to other car seats?

It has an innovative design that heralds a new wave of car seat safety, with its retractable straps, creating a harness which actually helps with buckling up. The Active Retract Harness features an advanced retractor mechanism inside the seat, which continuously pulls in the belts. That means you simply have to push the straps up inside the shoulder pads to get a tight fit.

How easy is the BeSafe izi AX1 to install?

Because the isofix base and car seat came with limited instructions, I found it to be confusing at first. The single sheet of illustrated instructions felt like it should be simple, but it was hard to figure out what each picture was actually demonstrating.

However, once I started, fitting the isofix base was pretty self-explanatory with the green indicators and beeping signal letting me know I had fitted it correctly.

Fitting the car seat to the base was very easy as it just clicks into place.

The hardest part was actually lifting and carrying the seat as it is quite bulky and heavy, however, it is manageable to do it on your own. It took me about 10 minutes to fit, but a few written instructions or directing users to a video would have been a big help and saved me some time.

How heavy is the car seat?

The total weight of the BeSafe izi AX1car seat with the isofix base is a weighty 15kg, the same as the Britax Römer Dualfix i-Size. The car seat alone weighs a more manageable 8kg.

What are the key safety features of the BeSafe izi AX1?

BeSafe car seats have a reputation for being some of the safest on the market, and the brand claims to be constantly reviewing and improving their safety features. They certainly haven’t disappointed with the izi AX1.

The Active Retract Harness is just one of the great safety features of this car seat. It also comes with added Side Impact Protection, which can be removed and placed either side of the car seat depending on if it is rear or forward facing.

The Dynamic Shock Absorber in the headrest is also added reassurance that your child is well protected, while the Ergo-Move Shoulder Pads provide increased movement and comfort for your baby or toddler’s arms. Miller seemed to be really comfortable in the seat too, which was a bonus.

What are the straps like on the BeSafe izi AX1?

I cannot rate the retractable straps on the izi AX1 more highly. They made buckling up my son incredibly easy with minimal faff. If your child is anything like mine, and they like to wriggle around while you fight to strap them in, then you will find these straps a godsend.

No more digging around behind and underneath your baby or toddler in search of the straps, you can simply pin them back with the magnets before you put your child into the seat. And once buckled up, you simply just lift the straps up into the shoulder pads and they will tighten with a click.

My view was echoed by a John Lewis parent reviewer who agreed the straps were “a dream to use”.

How good is the headrest on the BeSafe izi AX1?

Great. The height of the headrest can easily be adjusted using a button at the back and, as you adjust the headrest, the height of the harness automatically adjusts too. So, as your child grows and you move the headrest up, you can be reassured that the harness is in the right position too.

Did you like the design of the BeSafe izi AX1 car seat?

Yes. The BeSafe izi AX1 is stylish as well as safe. The contrast of black fabric with white stitching gave it a modern feel.

How comfortable was your child in the car seat?

I can say with confidence that I feel really safe travelling with Miller in this car seat, reassured that he is well protected and comfortable.

The headrest is well padded and soft, and supports Miller’s head nicely, while the cushioned seat gave me reassurance that his comfort wasn’t compromised by keeping him safe.

How durable is the BeSafe izi AX1 and will it last?

It seems robust enough to last for the 4 years your child is expected to use it for. The padding and material of the seat feel like high quality and can be wiped clean easily. The seat position can be altered with just one button, so you can raise it up more as your child grows. And the isofix base extends too to give your child more leg room.

The only downside to this seat is that by age 4, your child will have outgrown it.

Would you recommend the BeSafe izi AX1?

Absolutely. The BeSafe izi AX1 Active Retract Harness and straps have clearly been designed with parents in mind and are a game-changer. I would recommend buying this seat for the amazing straps alone! In all honesty, I wouldn’t buy a car seat that doesn’t feature them now and I question how I ever coped without them before.

How does it compare to similar car seats?

Where can I buy the BeSafe izi AX1 car seat?

It is available at John Lewis.

MadeForMums verdict:

Although it was a bit heavy to move around and the instructions were initially confusing, the BeSafe izi AX1 is ideal for parents with children under the age of 4.

The innovative features make life so much easier when it comes to travelling with your child, without compromising on safety. However, if you’re on a budget or want to buy a car seat that can be used until your child is older, there may be other car seats that are more suitable for your requirements.

The retractable straps are, without a doubt, what sets this car seat apart from any others and for that reason alone, this is a seat worth investing in.