Ickle Bubba Stratus i-Size car seat and ISOFIX base review

Manufacturers claim the seat could last a child from birth up to approximately 15 months – something many parents value in a time when pinching the pennies is of utmost importance, rather than quickly shelling out on a new seat as your baby grows. With so many car seats vying for attention from parents looking to keep their children safe and secure, Ickle Bubba offers affordable options without compromising on safety. The Stratus i-Size and ISOFIX base bundle has an RRP of £299 putting it in the middle of the car seat market, alongside the likes of Maxi-Cosi Mica car seat, £299.

What were your first impressions?

On first receiving the Ickle Bubba Stratus i-Size car seat and ISOFIX base, I was shocked by how large and bulky they both seemed – and then shocked again by how deceptively light they were despite their appearance. They were packaged simply in the box with just plastic covers and came complete with the newborn insert. The simple, all-black design immediately caught my eye as it looked effortlessly chic, while not sacrificing durability for fashion as it also felt strong and sturdy.

How easy is it to install the Ickle Bubba Stratus i-Size car seat?

So easy. The ISOFIX base takes just minutes to install, and the seat simply clicks in place on the base. Other seats I have used require you to secure one side of the seat before the other, whereas the Ickle Bubba Stratus attaches in one go. The instructions were incredibly simple to follow, further aiding how quick it was to finish the entire setup in less than 5 minutes.

How do you install the Ickle Bubba Stratus i-Size car seat?

When it comes to installation, the seat can be secured using a seatbelt, or the provided ISOFIX base – making this a great choice for swapping between cars if necessary. The base complies with the ECE-R129 i-Size safety standard and the ISOFIX installation safety standard, so you know your child is safe and secure however you decide to fit the seat. The set comes with ISOFIX connectors and visual indicators to ensure you know the seat is installed properly, a feature I thought was great for peace of mind. There is also an additional support leg, which helps add even more stability, making it feel like a travelling fortress for your little one.

What are the key safety features of the Ickle Bubba Stratus i-Size car seat?

The Stratus car seat benefits from improved side impact protection, featuring pop-out impact panels and a supportive newborn liner, to add extra security and protection from side-on collisions – something that I, and I’m sure other parents, find highly important when looking at car seats.

I found it reassuring to discover the Stratus car seat had been tested to R129-03 using the ISOFIX base and seatbelt installation. I also loved that there were visual indicators that turned green once the car seat was fitted onto the ISOFIX base correctly, adding extra reassurance.

How long can the Ickle Bubba Stratus i-Size car seat be used as rear-facing?

The Stratus car seat and the ISOFIX base are only suitable to be used in the rear-facing position.

Was the Ickle Bubba Stratus i-Size car seat comfortable for your baby?

Our newborn is not a fan of the car as a rule, but since using this seat she settles a lot faster when we get moving and I put this down to the comfort and security provided. The newborn liner always kept our very wriggly baby in a safe position, while keeping her comfortable and calm during journeys. The padding in the car seat is thick and spongy – firm enough to make a child feel secure but soft enough to provide ample comfort for both short and long journeys.

What is the harness like on the Ickle Bubba Stratus i-Size car seat?

The 3-point harness straps can extend quite far to accommodate different-sized children, although I did find them a little fiddly to keep out of the way when trying to put my daughter in the car seat. I also felt it was a bit difficult to click the harness into the buckle – especially in low light settings, which has left both me and my husband struggling to secure our child in the seat. However, they are easy to tighten and loosen and provide a nice, secure fit for our baby, with or without the newborn insert.

How robust does the car seat feel?

The Stratus i-Size car seat is one of the sturdier car seats I have ever come across. Despite its lightweight feel – just 4.7kg, similar to the UPPAbaby Mesa i-Size at 4.6kg – the frame of the seat feels robust and the additional safety features to protect against side impact are strong and make me feel secure in using it with my child.

The materials are soft yet durable, withstanding a number of bumps and bangs as I moved the car seat around from day to day. I believe the Stratus if cared for properly, could last a long, long time and be passed down through children, which for such a low price tag is fantastic value for money.

Does the Ickle Bubba Stratus i-Size car seat recline or rotate?

No – and this really is one of the downsides to an otherwise great design. The seat itself, especially with the newborn insert, positions children more upright than your average car seat which can be awkward when trying to strap them in. A recline would have made putting a small baby into the seat a lot easier, though it is something we got used to not having.

What do you think of the Ickle Bubba Stratus i-Size car seat’s headrest?

It’s comfortable, sturdy, and incredibly flexible with a number of positions to best suit your baby’s head. It is very easy to extend – you simply pull the white ring pull at the top of the seat to move it up and down. Despite the ease of adjustment, it remains firmly in place once positioned, giving parents peace of mind their child is safe and comfy.

How easy is the Ickle Bubba Stratus i-Size car seat to clean?

Honestly, not very. Cleaning the car seat can prove tricky, not least as the covers are quite fiddly to remove. They are hand wash only – not suitable for machine washing – which may not be practical for busy parents, and, as they can only be washed in water under 30 degrees, some stubborn stains may be impossible to remove.

Can you carry the Ickle Bubba Stratus i-Size car seat easily?

At just 4.7kg, the seat is easily portable with just one arm – even with a heavy baby strapped in it. The shape of the seat itself also means it is unobtrusive when being carried around, not getting stuck in doorways or fairly compact spaces when being manoeuvred around. I also found the handle itself comfortable to carry and didn’t find it dug into my arm at all, something I have experienced with other car seats.

Is the Ickle Bubba Stratus i-Size car seat travel system compatible?

It’s compatible with the Ickle Bubba Stomp stroller – you just need a set of adapters available on the Ickle Bubba website for £29.

Does the Ickle Bubba Stratus i-Size car seat have a hood?

Yes, the car seat comes with an integrated UPF50+ sun hood. It extends quite far over the seat itself, which is something I found quite unique to this seat compared to others I have used where the hood only really protects a child’s face.

We used this seat alongside the Ickle Bubba Stomp travel system and found the hood protected our daughter from the harsh winter sun from most angles, and we would feel confident using it through summer.

Is the Ickle Bubba Stratus i-Size car seat big enough for a growing child?

The car seat can be used from 40cm to 87cm, and from birth to 13kg, with Ickle Bubba claiming it could last a child up to 15 months. For children around the 50th centile or smaller, I believe this could be true, but for larger children – such as my newborn on the 75th and above centile for most measurements – I don’t think the seat would last much past 12 months before they would need an upgrade.

What’s in the box?

• Ickle Bubba Stratus i-Size car seat
• ISOFIX base

Now you’ve tested it, what would you have wanted to know before purchasing the Ickle Bubba Stratus i-Size car seat and ISOFIX base?

After testing this seat, the most important thing I think parents need to know about is the safety features provided. Based just on the size and weight limits, I may have been put off this car seat as I don’t believe it will last my daughter more than a year. However, I believe the safety features built into the seat are worth their weight in gold and make the Stratus stand out against others on the market, especially with its reasonable price tag.

Who would the Ickle Bubba Stratus i-Size car seat be most useful for?

I think the Stratus would be best for the safety-conscious parent on a budget, who doesn’t want to break the bank, but also won’t compromise their child’s safety.

Is the Ickle Bubba Stratus i-Size car seat worth the money?

Priced at £299 including the ISOFIX base, or £199 for the car seat on its own, I’d say it’s a decent price compared to other car seats. Considering how long this seat could potentially last a child, the comfy newborn insert included, its high-quality build and the raft of safety features, I think this seat is well worth the price. You’d expect to pay that price for many car seats without an ISOFIX base.

Where can I buy the Ickle Bubba Stratus i-Size car seat and ISOFIX base?

Available at Ickle Bubba, Baby Planet and Robert Dyas.

MadeForMums verdict:

Lightweight and stylish, yet durable and packed full of smart safety features, the Stratus i-Size car seat and ISOFIX base have it all, and more to boot. For its mid-range price tag, it offers peace of mind in abundance with its improved side impact safety features to keep your child safe and comfortable on short and long journeys. I would recommend this product not only due to its safety features but also for its comfortable padding and newborn insert that kept my little one content while in the car – normally a place she isn't a fan of. Easy to install and even easier to secure your infant, this car seat has quickly become a staple product in our lives and one we recommend to anyone trying to decide which car seat to go for in a market packed full of options.