What they say:
“The Galaxy group 0+ car seat with Isofix Base is suitable from birth to 13 kgs (approximately 12-15 months). Enhanced features include, double layered side impact protection and a 5 position, adjustable headrest that evolves with your child. It's a rear-facing, first stage car seat that can be installed safely using a standard seat belt or by attaching it directly to the Galaxy Isofix base (included) and comes with a foot warmer to ensure maximum comfort for your little one.”
Tested by mum Ana Gomez for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
This is a great car seat and very safe, especially using the two-part newborn insert which makes it very comfortable for newborn babies. Once they are a bit older and they don't need it, it is still a very comfy seat with great features. The straps are easy to adjust and the car seat is also very easy to fit with both the seat belt and the ISOFIX.
How did this product make your life easier?
The ISOFIX feature makes it very easy to adapt to the car and also extremely secure. At 3.4kg, the Galaxy is one of the lightest car seats I have come across. It also comes with a canopy that holds around the back of the seat and handle with strong elastic and stretchy loops which it is very handy to protect the baby from the sun.
Would you choose this product to win?
One great feature is that you can use the Galaxy on your chassis with the addition of adaptors suitable for the Maxi-Cosi car seat.
What changes would you make to this product?
I would like to see a better way for the hood to attach more securely to the seat. Some additional padding in the seat base when you remove the infant insert would also be great. Maybe a wider selection of colours would be nice to see as the design can be a bit plain and boring. It can also be a bit hot in the summer so maybe adding a cooler padding could be an option for the summer months.
Tested by mum Kate Kirk for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
The Galaxy is a great value car seat option. I installed the ISOFIX base in seconds and the car seat clips easily on to the base. If you want to take the seat in and out of the car then there is a carry handle and the seat is really light to carry compared to other brands, this doesn't mean it is poor quality though. I was impressed that the ISOFIX connectors are covered in plastic protecting from any accidental damage during installation or storage
How did this product make your life easier?
Using ISOFIX is great because it provides confidence that a car seat is properly installed. It is also makes getting the seat in and out of the car easier. Most ISOFIX bases I have used are heavier and take longer to install than the Galaxy one which makes it a great option if you want to swap it between cars frequently. I also love the adjustable headrest which makes it really easy to make the car seat fit a growing baby and keep them safely fitting in the seat.
Would you choose this product to win?
I was surprised by how much I liked this car seat. I would like something a bit more solid feeling for everyday use, but as a second car seat I would buy it without a doubt. The seat and ISOFIX are really good quality for the price. It is really easy to install and adjusts well to quick growth of a baby in their first year.
What changes would you make to this product?
The cushioning on the straps and the buckle come off too easily. This means that in a hurry I just left them off and strapped my daughter in without them. They would benefit from tighter holes or something so they didn't come off by accident. I also felt the material in general could be slightly better quality .
Tested by Sydoni Dixon for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I would recommend the Ickle Bubba Galaxy to all new mums especially those who are on a budget as the car seat is cheap and the ISOFIX base plus car seat is also fantastic value for money! You can even use adaptors to put the car seat on our pram which is a bonus. It's not the plushest car seat on the market but it does what it says on the label.... Keeps my child safe and secure. It even has a foot muff to keep my baby cosy! It's very easy to use even when trying to strap it in with a seat belt. It’s perfect for what I need.
How did this product make your life easier?
Having an ISOFIX base is such a bonus for me as I always struggle strapping car seats in with a seatbelt and I worry whether I've done it right or not. Having the base takes that struggle away and makes life quicker and easier and safer for me and my baby. The product is also lighter than other car seats I've tried and every pound makes a difference as your baby gets heavier! I did take a bit of time loosening the straps though as you have to put your finger in a hole so can't quite see the button but you get used to that after a while.
Would you choose this product to win?
There is a compatable pushchair called the Stomp and that too is great value so wonderful for mums who are shopping on a tight budget. I have seen car seats which seem to have more padding and might be a bit more comfortable for the baby but my baby doesn't like loads of padding around their head so this was perfect for us. I would hope it came in a few more fun colours though!
What changes would you make to this product?
In an ideal world, this seat would have more padding on the main base but I know that would boost up the price and considering that is why I like this seat so much, I'm not sure it is needed. The newborn insert is lovely and padded and even comes in two parts so I think that is great. I kept popping the sun hood off too so maybe it would be better if it were attached somehow however the more I got used to where the elastic was, the less I popped it off so it wasn't that big a deal. Some brighter colours would be an added bonus for me.