In a nutshell

Good value and easy to use seat

What we tested

  • Ease of installing
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Comfort
    A star rating of 3.0 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 4.0 out of 5.
  • Worth the money
    A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.
Overall Rating
A star rating of 3.8 out of 5.

Pros

  • Easy to move between cars

Cons

  • Not as padded as some seats

A straightforward, easy to manage Stage 1 car seat, the Mothercare Express is at the cheaper end of the market. The seat is suitable for 20-40lbs, which is roughly 9 months to 4 years, and its style is smart, yet not over fancy - mainly black with a checked design.

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The seat has an integral harness secured in the car by an adult seat belt. It has 4 reclining seat positions which are very handy for those babies who won’t lie back before they go to sleep in the car. It includes chest and buckle pads, 5 point, 1 pull harness and the very important removable washable cover; although I have to confess I haven’t actually done this yet!

What we love

This seat is really easy to install which bodes well for me as I always struggle with this part. It is easy to recline to fit the straps in and can be done in a few minutes which is really handy if you do have to move it between cars.

The 4 reclining seat positions are a huge advantage in this range as you can smoothly lay your baby back if he falls asleep in the upright position. This has come in very handy with Zac, 11 months, as he will scream if you attempt to recline his seat, or buggy for that matter, when he’s awake, but the Mothercare Express car seat will seamlessly recline back when he has already dropped off. This is a common plus shared by many mothers on this particular seat.

The handy hooks for the straps is a big plus in my book as it helps get the baby into the car and strapped in with very little stress. This is particularly handy if they are playing up and don’t want to get in the car because you can sit them straight down and have easy access to get the straps on efficiently. We’ve all been there in a supermarket car park scrambling around for the buckle and the bit of strap he is sitting on. Just remember to hook the straps back every time you get the baby out of the seat.

What to watch out for

Although it is a reasonably comfortable seat and Zac is quite happy to nod off in it, it doesn’t quite match up to the extensive padding of some of the more expensive models on the market.

Who is the Mothercare Express car seat best for?

Mums who don’t want to break the bank when purchasing a Group 1 car seat but need a name they can trust for all the necessary safety features for their precious cargo.

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MadeForMums verdict

The Mothercare Express car seat is great value for a Group 1 car seat, made by a company you can trust in baby care. It is smart and easy to use. The seat is high enough for your baby to see you and out of the window. It is a good and safe purchase for your baby from 9 months and will last until they’re as old as 4.

Product Specifications

Product
BrandMothercare
ModelExpress car seat
Price£79.99
Suitable for
Child age (approx)9 months to 4 years
Features
Removeable cover for washingYes
Recline positions4
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