Joie Signature i-Spin XL car seat review

The i-Spin™XL aims to do just that, with Joie claiming it “does it all” and at a RRP of £300, it does sit at the more expensive end of the market and will have to live up to that promise. But with key safety features, such as Guard Surround Safety™ pods for enhanced shock absorption, steel-enforced ISOFIX connectors and a swivel lock, to stop you from turning the seat the wrong way, and its potential 12 years of use, it puts its money where its mouth is.

What were your first impressions of the seat?

Full disclosure here — I have had a Joie i-Spin 360™ for my eldest since he was about 6 months old, so I am already familiar with their products and how they work and even on arrival, I was comparing the i-Spin™ XL to the seat we already have.

My initial thought was "just in time." My son was growing out of his original seat, which lasts up to 4 years old, and we were wondering which seat to upgrade him to. Was it worth getting another ISOFIX seat if he will grow out of it again quickly, or should we just choose a basic booster seat that can be easily switched between cars?

Fortunately, the i-Spin™ XL answered that question immediately; this one, if it does what it says on the tin, should last us until he is 12 years old and while it is heavy – you wouldn’t want to switch between cars every day – it is easy enough to remove and install, should you choose to.

On first inspection, the seat is very similar to previous models, from the way it looks to its weight and size. As the saying goes, “if it ain’t broke…”

How easy is it to install the Joie i-Spin XL car seat?

One of the first things I noticed about the i-Spin™ XL is that there is a QR code attached to the seat, which clearly explains that the manual is online (and there are some really handy videos that show you exactly how it is done). That being said, there is a quick-start guide with the seat, which I used for the initial install, which took me less than 10 minutes.

How do you install the Joie i-Spin XL?

The i-Spin™ XL comes with an ISOFIX base, which is steel-enforced and used for both harness and booster mode, giving extra peace of mind when switching to front-facing. The ISOFIX clips in really easily, and the release button switches to green so that you can see it is installed correctly. The same goes for the load leg, which has 21 positions (meaning it will fit most cars), and again, it switches to green when it feels the right amount of upward resistance from the floor.

To install harness mode, you click the ISOFIX supports into place and drop the load leg, adjusting until it clicks to green. You then add one of the Auto Adjust™ side wings, depending on which side of the car you install it on, clicking it into place.

To change to booster mode, you have to tuck the load leg underneath the seat (there is a button underneath the seat to allow that) and tuck the harness behind the back cushion. You can then adjust the headrest to the right height and feed the seatbelt through the shoulder clasp.

How does it compare to similar car seats for this age range?

Price-wise, the i-Spin™ XL is on the higher end of the market at £300. Compare this to the Graco SlimFit, which is a purse-friendly £90 on Amazon, it is 3 times the price.

However, there is really no comparison when it comes to safety and security, as outlined below.

How does the Joie i-Spin XL compare to previous versions of the car seat?

Joie has been making i-Spin™ car seats for more than a decade, and with each new seat comes improvements. Already in the 5 years it has been since we first invested in one for our eldest, there are increased safety measures, such as the Guard Surround Safety™ pod, which attaches to the side closest to the door for extra shock absorption, and the swivel lock, to stop you from turning the seat forward-facing before the child is 15 months old (or preferably older).

I think my only quibble with the i-Spin™ XL is that there are only 2 headrests – our previous model came with a middle headrest for when the baby has outgrown the newborn insert and I personally felt that our baby’s head wasn’t well enough supported once it was taken out, despite it being one of their state-of-the-art auto-adjusting ones.

The biggest difference between this and previous versions, though, is the position of the swivel handle. On previous models, it was on the front of the seat, between the child’s legs. This has now been moved to the side of the chair and makes it much easier to both find and swivel the seat (especially if doing so one-handed)

What are the key safety features of the Joie i-Spin XL car seat?

Safety was clearly paramount when designing this seat. Not only is the shell reinforced by steel (as is the ISOFIX), ensuring structural integrity in a crash, but there are Guard Surround Safety™ pods on the door-side, which absorb the side impact.

There is a 5-point harness when in harness mode and a safety lock to stop you from turning the seat forward-facing before 15 months (minimum). This, on top of the fact that the seat is sturdy, is really reassuring.

How long is the Joie i-Spin XL car seat rear-facing for?

The seat is rear-facing from 40cm to 105cm. For reference, my son is only just 105cm and was 4, almost 5, when he first tested it and would have been quite comfortable rear-facing with his legs crossed.

Does the car seat rotate?

The Joie i-Spin™ XL car seat rotates 360 degrees; however, one of the key safety features is a swivel lock that stops you from spinning the seat to front-facing without having to press another button, meaning you can’t do so accidentally or without thinking/out of habit.

I use the rotation every time I load my baby into the car. It’s not necessary when in booster mode, but can still be used if needed.

Are there any unique features of the Joie i-Spin XL car seat?

The Guard Surround Safety™ pods, which are additional shock absorbers, seem to be quite a unique feature, and while not game-changing (and I hope I will never need them), it is reassuring to know they are there to give extra support to the baby should an accident occur.

How comfortable did your baby and child find the car seat?

Both children found the Joie i-Spin™ XL car seat comfortable. The baby protested the first couple of times I put him in it, but I think that was because it felt different to his carry seat. He was asleep within minutes, which I think was testament to how he felt.

My eldest says he’s comfortable in the booster seat, and he definitely enjoys feeling more grown-up with a proper seat belt.

The entire seat is covered in a thick/padded cover, which gives extra cushioning, but there are vents at the back to keep them cool.

How well does the Joie i-Spin XL car seat work with different age children?

There is quite a big age gap between my children — 4 and a half years — and I was able to test this seat with both of them, which was perfect.

The baby had just outgrown the newborn insert, so I didn’t have the opportunity to test it, but I did notice that the next size up was simply a boost insert, and his head wasn’t as well supported as it is in the i-Spin 360™.

It is the first time we have used a booster seat for our eldest, and the transition was really easy (especially when using the online instructions). Our only issue is that the seat is still really big when in booster mode, so getting the strap around him and into the buckle is quite a challenge. I could not have managed it when pregnant, as I would have had to lean right over him.

I know the seat also impressed other MadeForMums Home Testers who tested it out with older children, too.

How do you rate the straps on the Joie i-Spin XL car seat?

There is a 5-point harness when in harness mode, which is easy once you get the hang of it. The 2 shoulder straps clip together like a jigsaw and then buckle between the legs. There are also shoulder/chest pads on each strap for extra comfort.

There are magnets on the side of the seat to pin the straps back while you are taking your child in or out, and they are tightened by pulling a strap between the legs and loosened by pushing a button also located between the legs (which can be a fiddle to find).

How robust does the car seat feel?

The i-Spin™ XL car seat definitely feels weighty and secure. Having used a previous model for the last 5 years, it has undoubtedly maintained its support and is still in really good repair. Joie doesn’t use recycled plastics as they say it affects the longevity of the product, so while that is a shame, from a parent’s point of view, I’d rather my child be safe.

Does the Joie i-Spin XL car seat recline?

Yes, the seat has a 5-position recline, although I have to admit, I could only find 3 of them, meaning you can lie them back for a snooze. As in previous models, the recline isn’t very far back, but I find it’s enough for them not to have their head lolling forward.

How good is the headrest?

There is a 3-layer padding in the headrest, which is made from memory foam, and it has 14 positions, which adjust and grow with your child from 6 months. I do think there should be an extra headrest between newborn and the AutoAdjust™ headrest, as there wasn’t quite enough support for a 6-month-old.

How easy is it to clean the Joie i-Spin XL car seat?

While I haven’t needed to remove and wash the covers on this seat, it is the same as previous models, which I have, and it was really easy to wash, dry and put back on.

How do you find the car seat to carry around?

The Joie i-Spin™ XL car seat (as the name suggests) is heavy to carry at 14.5kg; you wouldn’t want to have to move it between cars very often. Once it is in the car, though, it will stay fixed.

Is the Joie i-Spin XL car seat big enough for a growing child?

It is definitely big enough for my 5-year-old with plenty of room to grow.

What’s in the box?

• Car seat
• Auto Adjust™ side wings
• Basic instructions

What is the packaging like for the Joie i-Spin XL car seat?

The seat arrived in a large box, as the seat is already assembled in one piece. Inside, it is wrapped in a large plastic bag. There is a separate plastic bag for the Auto Adjust™ side wings. The box can be recycled, and the bags recycled at recycling points at supermarkets. It seems quite minimal, and the car seat was well-padded.

Are there any repair options for the Joie i-Spin XL car seat?

Sadly, car seats are an essential piece of equipment, but they are not easily recycled, which is one of the reasons I love the idea of having one car seat from newborn to age 12. Much less waste. While Joie offers a 2-year warranty on all its products, this seat is intended to last for 12 years. You can, however, buy spare parts, such as crotch covers, new inserts and shoulder pads if there is general wear and tear, after all, 12 years is a long time.

Joie does have a range of car seats made from recycled fabrics, but it does not apply to the i-Spin™ XL, yet.

Now you’ve tested it, what would you have wanted to know before purchasing the Joie i-Spin XL car seat?

All the specifications are on the website, so there is very little that you cannot find out in advance. I think the weight is a factor that should be taken into consideration. And if there are any tips on how to do up the seat belt in booster mode without squishing your child and yourself, they would be greatly appreciated.

Who would the Joie i-Spin XL car seat be most useful for?

New parents who want an easy solution to see them right the way through, as well as anyone upgrading their seat at around age 4.

Is the Joie i-Spin XL car seat worth the money?

Definitely. Considering that it will last for 12 years, the £300 price tag doesn’t even come into consideration. Yes, there are cheaper alternatives out there, but the quality of this product is clear from its design and usage. Joie is a brand that I trust, having used their products before, and it is well worth the money.

Where can I buy the Joie i-Spin XL car seat?

It is available from John Lewis, Mamas & Papas and Boots.

MadeForMums verdict:

I truly believe the Joie i-Spin XL car seat is an absolute essential for new parents, to see them through from newborn to age 12. The sturdiness of the seat is really reassuring as I know my child is safe, secure and comfortable, especially the baby in the rear-facing reclined position. And as it will last for years, I think it's a bargain!