Cybex Cloud Q infant car seat review

Winning gold medal in the MadeForMums Awards 2017 in the infant car seat has a telescopic linear side impact system, which stabilises the seat in case of a crash.

It also has an 11-position height-adjustable head-rest. This, says Cybex, prevents any need for the difficult threading in and out of the harness and makes it almost impossible to misuse.

The seat also comes with an extendable, UVP50++ sun canopy, protecting against sun, wind and rain, and can be fitted in the car using the Q-Fix ISOFIX base, or with a seatbelt.

Retailing £220 for the seat, plus £110 for the ISOFIX base, the Cloud Q is cheaper than other comparable seats like the Britax Baby SAFE i-Size (£190 plus £175 base) and the Jane Matrix lie-flat car seat (£270 plus £225 base), as well as the ever popular Maxi-Cosi Pebble Plus (£190 plus £190 base).

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How does the Cybex Cloud Q lie-flat?

The lie-flat feature in this seat means that you can pull a lever and the seat will gently recline to almost flat: a safe way for them to keep sleeping for a while longer when you reach your destination.

Why should babies lie flat in a car seat?

Babies aren’t supposed to sit in their car seats for long periods of time. That's because when they are crunched up their breathing can be compromised. Lying flat promotes lung development and also assists your baby’s breathing.

So when you stop driving, the advice is always to take your baby out of their car seat.

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Does the Cloud Q lie-flat when in the car?

No, it's worth noting it doesn’t lay flat while clicked into the car.

But we all know cars lull lots of babies to sleep. Having to transfer a sleeping baby into their pram or cot after a long journey so they can sleep safely usually just means waking them up.

With the Cloud Q you can just take the car seat out of the car and click your baby onto your buggy frame when you arrive at your destination, and pull the lever to lay the seat flat.

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Is it travel system compatible?

Yes, the Cybex Cloud Q is travel-system compatible with many different models – such as the Cybex Priam, Bugaboo strollers, Nuna strollers, UPPAbaby, Maxi Cosi and Baby Jogger (Its travel system adaptors are the same as Maxi Cosi’s, so it fits on the same models).

You can buy the Cybex Cloud Q infant car seat from Cybex.

Do you think your son will fit in the seat for the full 15 months?

My baby, Sammy, was pretty tall when he was born. I am not sure where he sits on the percentiles now, but probably above average. The car seat is a great fit for him at seven-months-old – whether it will be at 15 months (or 13kg) or not, I am not so sure.

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How does the Cloud Q install in a car?

You can either fit this seat into the car using the ISOFIX base, which Cybex calls its Q-Fix base, or with seatbelts, which is handy for using in a taxi or a relative’s car.

Everything you need to know about ISOFIX

I mainly use the Cloud Q with its ISOFIX base, but have had a go with the seatbelts to see how easy it was. Both were fine to install - following the instructions. Neither were intuitive. You really do have to read the instructions.

When used with ISOFIX, it “clicks” in place and a big button pops out so that you know it’s in properly. And – when you want to take it out – it’s easy to press the button to pop the seat back out again.

What do you think of the telescopic linear side impact protection system?

The thing I found frustrating about the car seat was adjusting the side impact protection. While it’s easy and is a positive feature, you have to pull the side impact out each time before you set off - something I don’t always remember to do.

Does it feel sturdy?

The car seat definitely feels sturdy! But the drawback of that is that it’s very heavy. I’d rather have a safe car seat, of course, but I have to lift it out the car to pick my toddler up from childcare and it weighs a lot. I am 5’2” and struggle with a seven-month-old in it.

How comfortable is the seat? Is it more comfortable than your previous car seats?

It seems comfortable. I am impressed with the padding. It holds my baby’s head in place so it doesn’t flop forward – something my older child’s baby car seat didn’t do.

Unfortunately, my baby hates the car! Occasionally he’ll fall asleep or I can keep him amused with mirrors/toys/inane singing, but he usually cries throughout every car journey. He is no different in this seat than the others so I can’t tell if it’s more comfortable for him!

Tell us about the headrest

The height adjustable headrest has 11-positions and an integrated harness guide, so the length of the harness changes automatically when the headrest is adjusted. This means no difficult threading in and out of the harness!

How is strapping your little one in?

The straps are easy to use, and the seat’s adjustable harness grows with your little one. You can adjust with one hand and it isn’t tricky at all. The straps are padded to make them comfortable, too.

Is it easy to clean?

Removing the seat covers was so frustrating that I almost gave up. I did get them off eventually, washed them and put them back on, but it was so difficult that I was left wondering…is it just me?

How effective is the sun canopy?

This feature is great - it means you don’t need to have a separate sun-shade on your car window. It will be especially useful if you use the seat to attach to your travel-system.

Tell us about the difference between the Cybex Cloud Q and the Cloud Q Plus

Confusingly, Cybex has designed its Cloud Q as a 'Plus' version as well, which is a little pricier at £240.

But, the difference comes down to the fabrics used - the regular Cloud Q (called the Comfort version) comes in a soft fabric in 5 colour combinations, while the Plus version is made from a more hard-wearing fabric with a twill effect in a denim look. These car seats are available in 7 different colours.

The Cloud Q also comes in two other designs in its Fashion Collection (£260) - the camouflage-inspired Hide and Seek pattern, and the Birds of Paradise design.

MadeForMums verdict:

The Cybex Cloud Q is very easy to fix in my car and feels very sturdy. What I loved about it was, when my baby fell asleep during a car journey, I could take him out, bring him in the house, and turn the seat into lie-flat so he could carry on napping.

It is heavy though, but I have tried another lie-flat car seat, and it’s just as heavy. I'm impressed with the shock-absorber feature and the sun canopy is neatly tucked away when you don't need it.

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