Britax King TS Plus review

Incorrect fitting is a big problem with child car seats. According to one study, two thirds of car seats are fitted incorrectly, making them dangerous. The Britax King TS Plus, along with its sibling, the King TS, has been manufactured in response to the problem of incorrect fitting. Both these car seats feature a seat belt tightening system and a simple ‘tilt-thread-go’ fitting system that makes installing the seat easy.

As a Group 1 car seat, the Britax King TS Plus is suitable for babies from 9kg (roughly 9 months) to 18kg (around 4 years). It has three recline positions that can be altered with your child in the seat. The King TS Plus also features an easy-to-access height-adjustable headrest and harness (you just tilt the seat forward to adjust).

Harness retainers help avoid the problem of lost straps and ventilation channels in the back of the seat aim to keep your little one cool when you’re on the move.

When it comes to safety, Britax is rigorous. All Britax car seats are tested and approved to the current European Child Safety Standard ECE R 44/04. The King TS Plus features Side Impact Protection and chest pads, designed to absorb energy in an accident.

What we love

My eldest daughter, Minnie, has put more than her fair share of car seats through their paces. Her inability to spend more than five minutes in the car without throwing up means that family car journeys can be pretty stressful.

Sitting back in the deep, softly padded Britax King TS Plus car seat, Minnie looks comfy. At 22 months there’s room for her to grow and it’s pretty much guaranteed that the seat will last to the suggested 4 years. It’s easy to recline the seat with Minnie on board, a useful feature when your child falls asleep.

Britax claims that the ‘tilt-thread-go’ fitting system is the next best thing to ISOFIX for ensuring that the car seat is correctly fitted. In my experience, it’s very easy to use (simply release the seat shell by pulling up a handle and thread the belt using the guides). The instructions are easy to follow and the seat moves forward enough to allow you to access the system without being cramped in the car.

The harness straps are super easy to adjust and glide in and out of the seat - I have to yank the ones on my current seat. The headrest and harness move up and down to suit your child’s height. However, you can’t do this with your child in the car, so there’s a bit of guesswork involved.

Unlike some Group 1 car seats, the King TS Plus isn’t too heavy, and although awkward, you could move it form car to car without too much fuss.

What to watch out for

Despite all its plus points - and there are many- there are a few gripes. The King TS Plus is very low and doesn’t give your child a great view. Minnie strained to see out of the window and the inevitable sickness happened within 10 minutes of driving off.

The straps have a ladder-like effect on the front, making them a haven for raisins, bread sticks etc. The seat is also wide – if you had two of these seats, there wouldn’t be much space for a third passenger.

The seat cover was easy enough to take off but it took 45 frustrating minutes to get it back on.

Who is the Britax King TS Plus car seat best for?

Parents after a mid-price car seat that delivers on safety and style.

MadeForMums verdict?

A clever fitting system makes the Britax King TS Plus car seat safe and easy to use. It’s good value for money and will last until your toddler is almost at school, but it doesn’t score so highly if your child likes to watch the world go by.