Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow car seat review

Coming in at a slightly higher price point is the brand's MaxSpace Comfort System +, £279. Claiming to be “a car seat unlike any other” and “the answer to the problems related to many spinal ailments that impact children during travel,” it was created by paediatric physiotherapy and engineer specialists, to “set a new standard of sitting comfort.”

Like the MaxSpace AirFlow, this high-back booster seat is designed for children aged approx. 3 to 12 years old, 100-150cm or 15-36kg. It also includes a backrest tilt function and contoured cushion to prevent strain on the lower spine, a deep seat to support the natural contours of the pelvis and additional cushioning to support the femur, preventing numbness in the legs. It's no wonder the seat has been acclaimed by the German association, Aktion Gesunder Rücken (AGR) – an independent organisation which promotes back health.

Both Avionaut models are at the top end of the booster car seat market, costing around £100+ more than the Silver Cross Discover i-Size, £15o, and the Cybex Solution G i-Fix, £174.95.

How easy is the Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow car seat to install?

The Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow comes with a small instruction manual with some simple to follow diagrams showing you how to fit the seat into the car. After a quick look, I was able to fit the seat into my car (Jaguar F-Pace) in a matter of seconds.

First, find the small silver release buttons at the bottom of the seat at the front. Lift the release buttons to pull the ISOFIX bars out. What makes this easy is that you can do it one handed. You only need to pull one of the release buttons and both of the ISOFIX bars will pull out at the same time. Next you insert the bars into the ISOFIX on your car. There are red indicators on both bars and when inserted correctly they will turn green. Once green, lift the silver release buttons again to push the seat back snugly against the seat of the car.

The booster seat is quite heavy to lift, I did find it bulky to manoeuvre into my car, which is spacious, so I think it might be a tight squeeze for smaller cars.

The side impact protection was also quite fiddly to fix into place. After several attempts, I gave up as I found it too stiff. My husband managed to clip it into place easily though, and after demonstrating that there’s a ‘knack’ to it, I eventually managed to do it myself, even though I still found it a bit stiff.

How comfortable are the Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow and MaxSpace Comfort System + car seats for children?

The MaxSpace AirFlow seat feels very sturdy, and the cushioned seat looks comfortable. Recognised by the AGR for promoting healthy back support, it ensures correct posture which gives me peace of mind that my 5 year old is seated in the safest and most comfortable position. The profiled backrest is also designed to naturally contour your child’s body, providing stability. My son did complain a few times that the cushioned back support was uncomfortable but it might be because he is used to his usual booster seat (Cozy N Safe Augusta) which doesn’t have a cushioned support. With a width of 44cm, it’s a roomy seat, giving your child plenty of space as they grow.

The headrest can be adjusted, so it grows with your child. Unlike a lot of other high back booster seats, this one has adjustable recline positions which is perfect for long car journeys. My little boy often dozes off during long car trips, so having the option to recline him a little bit so that he can sleep more comfortably is ideal.

On testing the MaxSpace Comfort System +, Naomi said: "On our first journey, Ari, our 4 year old, immediately declared: 'I love this seat. I feel so safe and comfortable.' On our second journey – a trip to the museum – he actually fell asleep for a nap, which he hasn’t done in a car seat since the age of 2. We'd say that the MaxSpace Comfort definitely lives up to its name."

What are the safety features of the Avionaut car seats?

The Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow meets the latest safety standards and it certainly feels really robust and strong without compromising on comfort. The additional side impact protection gives extra peace of mind that your child is fully protected in the event of an accident, and the seat also received a positive rating from the AGR for meeting the highest levels of ergonomics.

The MaxSpace Comfort System + is certified according to R129/03 EU standard (gauging the maximum level of car safety) plus it has a 4-star ADAC (Europe’s largest automobile association) rating.

What is the AirFlow system like on the Avionaut car seat?

The breathable mesh fabrics are ideal for season changes, and help to regulate your child’s temperature during car rides. The AirFlow system is designed to hold heat during cooler months, and promote airflow during the summer months so that your child doesn’t get too hot. During a long car trip, my son fell asleep and seemed very comfortable. He’s somewhat of a sweaty sleeper and overheats easily, but he didn’t get sweaty in this seat at all.

How do the Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow and MaxSpace Comfort System + compare to similar car seats?

Compared to the other high back booster seats and car seats I’ve tried (Cozy N Safe Augusta i-Size, £79.99, and Maxi-Cosi Rodifix Pro2, £169.99) the Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow is by far the sturdiest and feels the most durable. It also feels the comfiest and is a lot more cushioned than the other booster seats I’ve tried. A similar seat is the Nuna Aace LX, £220, which also has adjustable headrest and seat positions, is stylish and super padded, although I’ve not had the chance to test it yet.

Naomi says: "The Avionaut MaxSpace Comfort System + is the only high back booster we have used. However, a friend commented that the seat was much wider than any she had used before, which she saw as a positive for comfort, adding that the seats she has used have been too narrow and consequently uncomfortable for her children."

How well do the Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow and MaxSpace Comfort System + car seats fit growing children?

With a width of 44cm wide, the MaxSpace AirFlow is a fairly wide booster and gives extra room for a growing child. The adjustable headrest and recline positions also mean that the seat can adjust to fit your child as they grow.

"We tested the MaxSpace Comfort System + car seat with our 2 sons and both were big fans," adds Naomi. "Ari (4) used the seat on day-to-day journeys to school and days out and Noah (6) tested it on a longer trip to Wales – a journey of 4 hours each way. There were minor adjustments to the cervical support cushion and head rest to accommodate the difference in children’s heights but these adjustments were very easy and straightforward – again, taking less than a minute.

The car seat is specifically designed to grow with your child from approx. 3 to 12 years. At 123cm, Noah is tall for a 6 year old, with long limbs and broad shoulders. The MaxSpace Comfort System + seat was wide enough for him to relax comfortably on a long journey with plenty of room for growth."

How portable is the Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow car seat?

The seat is bulky and heavy, so it wasn’t the easiest to lift and carry. My car is big (Jaguar F-Pace) and it took a bit of gentle manoeuvring to get it through the door and onto the seat without knocking or scratching the car, so it might be even trickier with smaller cars. I’m used to a slimmer high back booster seat that I can remove and install quickly and pop in the boot of my car when not needed, but this one is a bit too bulky to keep removing. And, although it fits easily into the boot of my car, it might be a tight squeeze in smaller car boots. If you're after a lightweight booster seat for switching between cars regularly you may prefer something like the budget Graco Junior Maxi i-Size, £50, which weights just 3.4kg.

Is the Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow car seat well designed?

The instruction manual states that the seatbelt should be threaded through the green shoulder belt guides on the booster seat. However, I found the shoulder belt guide to be really tight and it was fiddly to thread the belt through. Frustratingly, the belt kept getting caught after unbuckling my son, and didn’t fully retract on its own, leaving a lot of slack which looked messy. I had to keep threading the belt back through the slot myself which was time consuming on the busy school run. It also made it difficult for my son to strap himself in, because the belt was stiff to pull. However, I really liked the overall design of this seat. I love how cushioned it is, and the mesh fabric is really easy to clean as well as being comfortable. The width of this seat is also a big bonus as it means my 5 year old won’t outgrow it too quickly.

How easy to clean is the MaxSpace AirFlow car seat?

The resistant mesh material on this Avionaut seat is meant to maintain its shape and texture despite heavy use and washing. I used this seat every day and took the fabric off to wash, and found that even after several weeks, it still looked as good as new. My son can be quite messy, especially if he is eating a snack while in his booster seat, but it was really easy to hoover up crumbs and wipe away any dirt. But for tougher marks, the fabric can be easily removed.

The instruction manual has a few diagrams to show how to remove the fabric from the seat, and while they were a little confusing to follow, I managed to get all of the fabric off in about 15mins. The fabric can only be handwashed and can’t be tumble dried, so I had to allow it to air dry after. It can be ironed on a low temperature, although I found it didn’t really need ironing when it came to refitting.

The problem I encountered was refitting the fabric back onto the seat. There are no instructions in the manual showing how to do this, so I had to work backwards, trying to remember how I’d removed it in order to refit it correctly. It was very fiddly and confusing and took almost double the time to figure it out and get the fabric back on. Although, once back on, the seat looked like new which is a bonus.

What’s in the box?

Just the Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow car seat and instruction manual. What I liked about this booster seat is that there is no prior assembly required – the seat comes fully assembled in the box. The seat was covered with a plastic bag, so not the most environmentally friendly, but it kept the seat clean and free from damage.

Naomi adds: "The Avionaut MaxSpace Comfort System + car seat arrived in a large recyclable plastic bag placed inside a large cardboard box. The plastic bag protected the seat in terms of minor bumps and potential water damage but it was perhaps unnecessary packaging – brown paper alternatives would have sufficed."

Are the Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow and MaxSpace Comfort System + car seats worth the money?

At £249, the MaxSpace AirFlow is one of the pricier high back booster seats on the market, but you certainly feel as though you’ve got a lot of seat for your money considering how strong, durable and robust it feels. It is designed to last too, growing with your child, and the fact that the fabrics retain their shape and texture even with repeated washing means the seat will withstand years of daily use without looking worn-out. So, while it is a little bit more expensive than other booster seats, it is definitely worth it for the quality.

After testing the MaxSpace Comfort System + car seat, Naomi commented: "While this is certainly an investment, this car seat packs a big promise – to protect your children’s backs from problems, such as poor posture and scoliosis. Could you put a price tag on that? I think £279 is a fairly reasonable sum, particularly given Avionaut’s 10-year warranty and the outstanding quality and safety features of the MaxSpace."

Where can I buy the Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow and MaxSpace Comfort System + car seats?

The Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow car seat is available at Kiddies Kingdom, Pramworld and Baby Planet.

The Avionaut MaxSpace Comfort System + car seat is available at Baby and Child Store, Baby Boutique and Smart Kid Store.

MadeForMums verdict

It’s difficult to find fault with the Avionaut MaxSpace AirFlow booster, but considering the price, I wouldn’t expect to. It has been designed to last, and offers unbeatable comfort and protection. The fact that it has recline positions, is comfortably roomy, and made from temperature regulating materials makes it a great choice for parents happy to spend a little bit more in order to benefit from high quality features.

Naomi adds: "The Avionaut MaxSpace Comfort System + car seat has been a huge hit with our family. The only problem being it’s causing a few arguments: both boys want to use it as 'it’s the most comfortable seat in the car!' The unique features to support a child's back, head and neck, and encourage a healthy posture, as well as reassuring safety features and luxurious design, make this a high-end, high back booster seat that ticks all of our boxes as a family. We’ll be investing in another one and I would recommend other parents do the same thing if budget allows."