This seat can be positioned rearward from birth to 18kg or forwards from 9kg to 18kg. It rotates 360° and multiple recline positions ensure comfy naps in the car.
Tested by mum Sally Adamson for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I like that it will swivel 360 degrees to make it easier to get baby in and out of car, saves back straining. Extended rear facing to comply with new car seat regulations is a must and there are not many on the market. Looks comfortable for my baby, he fell asleep quickly in it and stayed asleep, not all car seats have this effect on him. Good that it is fitted to car with isofix, convenient and reassures you that you have fitted it correctly. Like that headrest grows as your baby grows. Well known brand that you can trust.
How did this product make your life easier?
I like that you can use this product from birth if you wanted so you would not have to buy the first carry type car seat, saving you money. The ability to twist the car seat to face you as you are getting baby in and out is such a bonus, easier to get baby in and out of especially when they put up a fight! Saves pressure and twisting on your back. Although initially difficult to fit you do not need to worry about it once it is in the car as it is fitted with isofix so reassured it is not going anywhere.
Would you choose this product to win?
For me this is the best car seat I have reviewed, it is expensive but I think it provides good value for money as you can use it for birth, it complies with safety regulations/new laws and it is helpful for parents putting baby into the seat.
What changes would you make to this product?
It is very heavy to carry and therefore quite cumbersome to put into the car. Once in the car, I found that it was quite tricky to fit in with the isofix points. However, I understand that reducing weight might reduce the car seat's safety and you would not want to reduce this. I assume the tricky nature of fitting it into the car is also a safety feature.
Tested by mum Jennifer Williamson for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
You would only need to buy one car seat from newborn to 4 years old. It's a high end product from a trusted brand. The 360 degree turn option makes placing baby and lifting baby out of the seat very easy. The height adjustable headrest is easy to use and allows the child to remain comfortable throughout each stage of their growth. Very easy to fit into the car however it's very heavy to lift, I doubt its a car seat you could share between two cars.
How did this product make your life easier?
The 360 degree turn makes placing baby and removing baby from the seat much easier especially as the child gets bigger and heavier. This option makes the whole process quicker. The detachable covers make keeping the seat clean much easier. Having to buy one seat only for the first four years makes life easier and less stressful.
Would you choose this product to win?
I feel this is the best of all the car seats. It's expensive initially however it should be the only seat you need to purchase from newborn until the child reaches the age of 4 years old. I love the design, the shape of the seat, baby was very comfortable, it's a high end product that looks expensive.
What changes would you make to this product?
If I had to change one thing about this product it would be to make the seat and base much lighter. I found this product to be incredibly heavy and I struggled to lift it in and out of the car. Because of this I felt once the seat had been fitted it should stay in that car as opposed to transferring it into the car of whoever was looking after the baby that day.
Tested by mum Kate Kirk for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
The Dualfix is a really solid and safe feeling car seat. It makes me feel confident that my child would stay as safe as possible in the event of accident. It is from birth to 18kg which means you can use it for a long time. The option to have multiple recline positions as well as forward or rear facing introduces flexibility.
How did this product make your life easier?
Having one car seat for a a number of years makes it much easier than having to replace the car seat when the baby is around a year old. Being able to rotate the car seat to face you when you are getting into the car can make it slightly less fiddly and there is no bar which you might accidentally knock your child against.
Would you choose this product to win?
I really want to like the dualfix car seat and I get the feeling that when you know how to use it properly it is a really excellent, sturdy and safe seat. However I found it really hard to use even after looking at the instructions and watching a youtube video. I like that it covers a wider age range that the other seats in the category and that the Isofix unit it integrated.
What changes would you make to this product?
It is really difficult to use. I found it hard to attach to my isofix (I scratched my car quite badly on the sharp isofix attachments, broke my nail and hurt my back in the process of installing it) and I managed to get it in the older weight setting and couldn't adjust it back. The instructions could have been more helpful, but I think this is a seat you really need to have demonstrated to you to ensure you know how to use it properly.
Tested by mum Laura Hooker-Smith for the M&B Awards 2017:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
The Britax Dualfix lasts a long time, which makes it excellent value for money. It is suitable from newborn up to 4 years which makes it great. I really like the fact it is both front and rear facing, expecially with the new standards coming in. My baby seems really comfortable, supported and safe in this car seat.
How did this product make your life easier?
I found this product makes my life easier as a mum, as if my baby is upset in the back of the car, I can get to them quickly by using the swivel function, also if they can be consoled without removing them from the car seat, this can save a meltdown situation! It is easier to place your child in the car because it swivels and it is easier to take them out without hitting their head on the ceiling
Would you choose this product to win?
It is excellent value for money as the price is so competitive even with the extra function. I am surprised that that the price is so reasonable. This product seems to tick all the boxes I would have when shopping for a 0+ car seat.
What changes would you make to this product?
I have found it hard to find something - but it is quite heavy if you had 2 cars, and needed to swap it around depending on who was looking after the little one that day! Also, it means that you always need the pram as it doesn't go on the frame, which can be difficult if the baby is asleep and you need to go shopping. However, if I was shopping again for a car seat this would be a strong contender.
Tested by Aisling Alsopp, 28, mum to Monty, four months.
She says: “Aisling: I’d marry this car seat – it’s perfect and Monty absolutely adores being in it. It’s so easy to install, and leaves lots of legroom for passengers in front, which is a real plus. The cover can be quickly removed without unthreading the harness, and you can just throw it in the washer if it’s dirty. The newborn insert is extremely well-proportioned too, making it supremely comfortable for young ”
Tested by Laura Allen, 36, mum to Riley, 15 months.
She says: “Laura: This seat looks great. It’s easily installed, just clicking into place, and the fact that it rotates makes it simple to get my little one in and out of. Unlike every other car seat I’ve ever had, the straps don’t get annoyingly twisted, although a lack of holders meant I had to repeatedly fish them out from under Riley. The seat cradles him well though, and has a great angle for sleeping. He loves it and so do we.”
Tested by Dawn Geddes, 35, mum to Beth, three years.
She says: “Dawn: This car seat is easy to install, looks nice and has a rotating mechanism which makes it simple to adjust the direction of travel and get a toddler in and out. Beth loved it. She was so excited about being able to see better out of the window that she shouted out everything she could see on the way to the shops.”
2015 – Shortlisted for 'Best Car Seat 0+' Award!
The Britax Dualfix is a well-designed car seat, with an innovative swivel mechanism that allows you to change the seat to either a forward or rear facing option without having to remove the whole base.
The ‘head hugger’ and newborn insert are great but the straps are quite big on a tiny baby and they also lack ‘covering’ on the underside, which is needed for enhanced protection. The recline needs improvement (the seat does not extend back far enough for the comfort of a newborn) and the product also suggests a 0-4 (18kg) age range but in reality, the specification is optimistic.
The seat is ISOFIX compatible but installation can be a bit tricky, ideally requiring two people to make it work.
The product is quite expensive but for safety, convenience and at least three years worth of use, it lives up to its price.
2015 – Shortlisted for 'Best Car Seat Group 1' Award!
Dualfix is a clever ISOFIX Group 0+ and 1 car seat that swivels a full 360°. It offers you the choice to leave your child rearward facing up until 18kg or turn them 180° to a forward-facing position from 9kg without reinstallation. The seat can also be turned to a 90° angle to help you get your child in and out of your vehicle. The 360° movement is good, but it would be better if you could separate the seat from the base
It is easy to remove the covers for washing, although the material looks like it will wear over time. The light-coloured plastic is also prone to marking.
This car seat is easily adjustable and user friendly, with the instruction booklet stored in the seat for easy access.
Although the seat rates really high in regards to quality and safety, one downside is the amount of space the seat takes up in your car. The Dualfix is also heavy and bulky, making it cumbersome to install and take out.
Overall, the quality of the Dualfix is obvious – great material, sturdy, and safe.