What we love
The rotation system is a great idea, and because the Maxi-Cosi Axiss can rotate in either direction, it means you can put the seat whichever side of the car you want.
The idea behind the swivelling seat is that it means mum and dad don't have to twist and strain to get baby in and out of the car, and as someone who suffers from back pain this is a very appealing feature. It's not too difficult to work out either – just the flick of a lever and the seat swivels round. With a toddler having a tantrum, or just for someone with a bad back, this feature is absolutely invaluable.
But remember, here at MFM we always think it's better to get an expert to show you how to safely install a car seat in your vehicle before you buy it.
The Maxi-Cosi Axiss also feels very sturdy and safe, and because it has an indicator to tell you the seat is safely locked back in a forward-facing position, there's no way you can leave it to sway around as you drive.
It's very padded and the position your baby is sitting in looks very comfortable – and because there are eight different reclining positions, it's perfect for looking out the window or having a snooze.
Click here to buy the Maxi-Cosi Axiss on Amazon
What to look out for
At £180, the Maxi-Cosi Axiss is at the expensive end of the market, and apart from the unique swivel action, it’s not the best car seat I've ever used.
Because of the large base, it weighs 9.9kgs, so it's very heavy to move around. The position of the seat itself is very high, so it actually isn't as easy as it could be to get your baby in and out of the car – you're often in danger of bashing their head on the top of the car. Although of course this probably depends on what sort of car you have!
The self-locking seatbelt tensioner, while a good idea to make sure the seat is fitted into the car safely, is quite hard to work out and we had to try a few times to make sure the seat fitted in properly.
One more grumble was that the straps are actually quite hard to adjust and to get even – I often had to mess around for a little while to get the straps even so I could do them up. But at least with the seat facing me I wasn't straining my back to do it. The straps, because they don't stand out like on the Maxi-Cosi Tobi, often get stuck underneath your baby when you're putting them in the seat, and you have to yank them back out again to do them up – not so easy when your baby is wriggling around all over the place!
Who is the Maxi-Cosi Axiss car seat best for?
Mums and dads with back problems
The Maxi-Cosi Axiss is a nice, stylish car seat that looks safe and comfortable. Its unique swivelling action is a huge selling point. It is on the heavy and cumbersome side, and your baby is sitting very high up in the car. However, it’s worth it for parents with bad backs.
