In a nutshell

A very affordable Group 0+ infant seat that can move easily from one car to another with little fuss, making it an ideal second seat.

What we tested

  • Ease of installing
    A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.
  • Comfort
    A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.
  • Safety features
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Style
    A star rating of 3.0 out of 5.
  • Durability
    A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.
  • Worth the money
    A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.
Overall Rating
A star rating of 4.4 out of 5.

Pros

  • Supportive, comfortable, straps well padded.

Cons

  • Fiddly to strap son in.

In the 54 years since Mothercare was created it has been a market leader for baby, toddler and children’s products in the UK. In fact the nursery retailer prides itself on having 1441 stores in over 60 countries, and providing competitively priced products.

Advertisement

As you may expect, the Mothercare Ziba car seat is no exception; it is a very affordable Group 0+ infant chair suitable for use from birth up to around 15 months (or 13kg weight).

It’s non- ISOFIX status makes it versatile – and with an RRP of £57 (sometimes on special offer for £29.99), it’s a simple, lightweight baby chair that can go into most vehicles.

What’s in the box?

    Car seat

  • Chest and buckle pads
  • Instructions

Any additional extras?

  • None

How does the Mothercare Ziba install into the car?

Installing the car seat is simple, the instructions are clear – but then the product doesn’t really differ from any other standard car seat so we didn’t really need them when putting in in our car. It is Universal fit – so it fits into any car with a standard seat belt.

Ok, it’s not an ISOFIX car seat but that has its advantages – we used it in several vehicles, so it is adaptable as well as very lightweight, easy to carry and easy to install.

How comfortable is the Ziba?

From the moment I put my seven-week-old son Arthur in this car seat, I felt instantly reassured that his head was well supported.

This took a lot of the ‘new-mum stress’ out of the various car journeys for me. Meaning I didn’t sit in the back seat, neurotically holding his head with one hand. The insert is nice and chunky, as are the padded straps, which double up as head rests.

The newborn insert is comfy and Arthur seems more relaxed in it than in the ISOFIX Graco seat we used previously.

Does the chair have any recline positions?

No, the chair doesn’t have a reclining function as such, but its curved base means that with a bit of jiggle you can angle it backwards into as reclined a position as you want.

How secure is the Ziba?

Very, the seat has a side impact protection system, which will protect your little one in the event of a collision. As well as a newborn body support cushion and chest and buckle pads, while the 3-point harness on the seat can be tightened with one hand.

Is it easy to clean?

Yes, the cover of the car seat is removable and hand-washable, making it easy to clean.

Who would you recommend the seat to?

This is a seat for someone who, like me, isn’t worried about having a travel system, or for someone who doesn’t have lots of room to store a big clunky seat, as the Ziba is compact and quite easy to store.

How was it when out and about?

We tested the Ziba in a Vauxhall Astra, a Fiat, Merc Sprinter and a 1967 Morris Traveller, along bumpy farm tracks, smooth motorways and areas populated by lots of aggressive drivers (Penge) and yet, every ride was relaxing for Arthur. As I said before, the seat felt secure and took a lot of the new-mum stress out of car journeys for me.

Is it value for money?

In a word, yes. At £50, you could go wrong, but you won’t here. Obviously we’ve not crashed the car, so I couldn’t vouch for its safety credentials first-hand, but in terms of comfort, ease of use, weight and price, I can’t see what a more expensive brand could add.

Made For Mums Verdict?

Advertisement

A versatile, lightweight car seat that offers the same, if not a better level of comfort as most well-known brands at a fraction of the price, highly recommended.

Authors

Tanya JacksonDigital editor

Tanya Jackson is a digital editor and writer for countryfile.com. She lives in Wiltshire and loves campfire cooking, swimming in the sea, rural folklore, barn owls and walking her Welsh collie in the misty hills. Tanya also has a passion for English food and drink – although nothing tastes as good as tomato soup out of a thermos on a crisp woodland walk.

Product Specifications

Product
BrandMothercare
ModelZiba
Price£50.00
Suitable for
Child age (approx)Birth to 15 months
Child weightFrom 3kg
Dimensions & Weight
Weight3.5kg
Features
Car seat installationNon-isofix base
Travel system compatibleNo
Removeable cover for washingYes
Features
  • Lightweight
  • Side impact protection
  • Newborn body support cushion included
  • Sun canopy
  • 3-Point harness that can be tightened with one hand
  • Free 2 year guarantee
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement