BeSafe Stretch car seat review

What were your first impressions of the BeSafe Stretch car seat?

Upon taking the BeSafe Stretch car seat out of its box, I felt that it looked sleek, with plush and comfy-looking padding. However, I did feel the seat looked bulky so I was slightly concerned over how much room it would take up in the car. From looking at the instructions, there also seemed to be a few steps involved, making me feel like it might not be the best option for people who need to get it in and out of the car quickly.

Does the BeSafe Stretch car seat use ISOFIX?

The BeSafe Stretch car seat doesn’t use ISOFIX but uses the seatbelt and its own tether straps, which attach to the base of the seat in front to secure it safely. It also has a foot which secures the BeSafe Stretch chair to the floor and beeps continuously if not enough pressure is applied to make it safe. I found this out when I knocked it accidentally when loading my shopping in the car, with the alert giving extra peace of mind to parents as you know it's installed properly. Once all this is in place, the seat feels really secure and sturdy, which is very reassuring.

How much space does the BeSafe Stretch car seat take up in your car?

The BeSafe Stretch is a hefty sized car seat measuring H60cm x W44cm x D83cm at its largest position and including the front brace, and weighing in at 10kg. It won’t fit in smaller cars, with the BeSafe website listing what cars it is suitable for, and is especially big when it’s positioned to fit an older child. I’m about average height and was able to fit in the front passenger seat with it extended to fit our 4-year-old, but if you had a long-legged passenger, it could be a tight squeeze.

How easy is the BeSafe Stretch car seat to install?

While it’s not the quickest car seat I’ve installed, all the steps to secure the BeSafe Stretch car seat are very manageable and easy to get the hang of. If you’re a parent hoping for a car seat to switch between vehicles regularly, the BeSafe Stretch might not be entirely suitable as reinstalling it on a regular basis could prove time consuming. However, what you get in return for the small number of steps involved in the installation process is the sense that this is a very secure and safe car seat. There is a handy video you can watch (and a QR code link to it on the car seat itself) as well as a quick installation guide.

How do you install the BeSafe Stretch car seat?

Firstly, you attach the BeSafe Stretch tether straps to the rails of the passenger seat in front, and attach them to the car seat. You then put the seatbelt through the links on the chair and clip it in, then flip up a latch to secure the seat belt. There is a knob on the back of the chair that you twist until it clicks, which tightens the belt. This knob is not in a great position to be able to twist it and I could see some people may struggle to tighten it. You then put the foot stabiliser down on the floor, removing the yellow box around it first.

While not being super convenient, you do get the hang of it. It took us a little while, maybe 10 minutes, to install the first time, but after the first installation it was a lot quicker. Other than the inconveniently positioned knob, it is a fairly smooth process and the accompanying instructions are clear and helpful.

Does the BeSafe Stretch car seat offer extended rear-facing?

It does. A rear-facing car seat is thought to be much safer for your child as it will absorb most of the force in the event of a crash and support the head, neck and spine. Brands like BeSafe are known for their focus on rear-facing car seats, with the Stretch said to be their safest rear-facing chair from 6-months to 7-years.

While rear-facing is thought to be much safer, most parents move children into a forward-facing position earlier than this, often because of height and weight restrictions. This is not a problem for the Stretch chair, which also boasts of having market-leading leg space up to 26cm - making it comfortable for a child of around 36kg. No other car seat manufacturer has seemed to manage this before. The brand has also launched the BeSafe Stretch B, which is suitable for newborns to use.

What are the key safety features of the BeSafe Stretch car seat?

The BeSafe Stretch car seat’s big selling point is being able to have your child travel rear-facing until the age of 7 (up to 36kg and 125cm). The BeSafe Stretch chair has also passed one of the world’s toughest crash tests, the Swedish PLUS test, and is UN R129 approved. The external frame feels incredibly strong, and the seat shell has a rigid spine that is designed to keep your child in the upright position in an impact. There is also an additional side impact protection buffer that easily slides on to the side of the seat. It also has a protective and soft headrest with innovative Dynamic Force Absorber™. Once all the tethers and straps are in place the seat feels very sturdy and strong. I felt really reassured that this was an extremely solid and safe car seat for my kids.

Any unique features of the BeSafe Stretch car seat?

Yes, the BeSafe Stretch car seat has some nifty design features which we really liked. The main one is the magnetic seat straps, which stick to the sides of the seat, getting them out of the way when you’re trying to get your child in and out. One of the things we find tricky about transferring the kids in and out of the seat is manoeuvring the straps out of the way, and getting them to stay out of the way, but this is made so much easier by being able to just stick them to the sides of the seat.

There is also a clever safety trick, where the foot of the seat beeps if you don’t have it installed properly. It’s a bit annoying if you nudge it by accident when the kids aren’t in the car, as it will beep until you correct it or uninstall the foot, but it is also handy to know that it is installed properly.

How comfortable did your child find the BeSafe Stretch car seat?

The BeSafe Stretch car seat is a very plush and comfortable chair for babies – my 8-month-old seemed very snug in there and the straps are very cushioned. It has a 10-step adjustable headrest that grows with your child, is made from high-quality materials and has two-Fit Cushions™ for an individual adjustment to your child for added comfort. The Stretch car seat also has 5 reclining positions which really helped to avoid the head-bobbing we usually get when he falls asleep.

My nearly 4-year-old also seemed pretty happy in the car seat. I thought it would be a battle to get him to go rear-facing after so long facing-forwards, but he actually thought it was a novelty and seemed to enjoy it. He started to get a bit fussy after nearly an hour in the car but this is often the case in his other seat. I do wonder how comfy it would be for an older child as their legs get more constrained, but BeSafe does claim there is lots of space for growing legs, all the way to 26cm. This seat doesn’t spin but it was reasonably easy to get the kids in and out.

How do you rate the BeSafe Stretch car seat straps?

The straps are great – extremely padded and comfy, they don’t slip down when you’re trying to get your child into the BeSafe Stretch car seat, and they have the clever magnetic straps that clip onto the seat, making the whole process of getting your child in and out of the car stress free. The straps are really easy to loosen and tighten by just pressing a button.

How robust does the BeSafe Stretch car seat feel?

The BeSafe Stretch feels like a plush, high-end car seat and is very robust, with BeSafe switching to durable materials like aluminium and EPP to make the Stretch lighter, sturdier and giving it the ability to last longer. BeSafe have given the Stretch a lifetime of around 15-years, meaning it should easily last long enough for 2 children and I don’t doubt that it will go the distance.

Does the BeSafe Stretch car seat recline?

Yes, the Stretch car seat has 5 reclining positions, which you can change with a handle at the front of the seat. Perhaps one of the biggest draws for parents is that the reclining feature can also be adjusted on the go, as and when your child needs it. Our baby seemed very happy reclined in it and we didn’t get much head-bobbing when he was asleep.

How good is the headrest?

The BeSafe Stretch car seat headrest is very protective yet soft, made with an innovative Dynamic Force Absorber™which keeps your child even safer in the event of a collision. It is really comfortable for both my sons and is well padded. Thanks to its one-action adjustment, it’s also simple to move up and down into the 10 different positions.

How easy is the BeSafe Stretch car seat to clean?

We haven’t needed to clean the Stretch car seat so far, but the cover is removable and washable. BeSafe also recommends putting the cover back on when it’s still slightly damp as this helps to get a good fit. The belt, buckles and other surfaces can all be wiped clean with a damp cloth and mild soap if needed. The manufacturer also states not to use disinfection substances, bleach or other cleaning products.

Was the BeSafe Stretch car seat heavy to carry around?

Despite BeSafe claiming that moving the Stretch car seat between won’t bust your back, I did find that at 10kg, it was a little heavy and bulky. It’s not the kind of seat you want to be taking in and out of the car on a regular basis, especially due to the lengthy installation process.

What’s in the box?

• 1x BeSafe Stretch car seat
• 1x tether straps
• 1x instructions and quick setup guide

Are there any additional accessories you can buy?

• BeSafe Stretch child seat cover £47.99
• BeSafe transport protection bag £104.99
• BeSafe mirror with lights £26.95
• BeSafe Sunshades (2pcs) £18.95
• BeSafe sun canopy £24.99
• BeSafe car seat protector £26.95
• BeSafe Stretch anchor tether straps £24

Now you’ve tested it, is there anything you’d want to know before purchasing the BeSafe Stretch car seat?

Nothing really as what you get with the Stretch car seat is pretty much expected. However, it is probably worth noting that it can only be used rear-facing and your vehicle needs to be big enough to accommodate it when expanded for an older child.

Who would the BeSafe Stretch car seat be most useful for?

The BeSafe Stretch car seat is perfect for families who are willing to spend big on a chair for their child whose safety and comfort are a priority over easy manoeuvrability and quick installation. It’s also great for those parents who want to invest in a car seat with longevity and that’ll keep their child safe and secure, rear-facing up until they are 7 years old.

Is the BeSafe Stretch car seat worth the money?

With an RRP of £479, the BeSafe Stretch car seat is a high-end chair at the very top of the market, meaning that it might be out of budget for some families. However, the seat feels extremely safe and sturdy and should last until your child is 7, which would make it better value over time. There’s no mistaking the fact that this is a high ticket car seat, but with the premium price tag comes a reassurance that the extra safety features and comfort are also top notch.

Where can I buy the BeSafe Stretch car seat?

It is available from Natural Baby Shower, Pramworld and Baby and Child Store.

MadeForMums verdict

The BeSafe Stretch is a premium-priced car seat but offers high levels of comfort and many safety features, especially the fact that it’ll keep your child extra safe rear-facing until they are 7 years old, which is very reassuring for any parent. While it might be big on safety, it’s also big in general, both in size and weight, making it unsuitable for smaller cars.

The Stretch car seat is also not a good choice if you need to transfer it between vehicles regularly, thanks to its lengthy installation process. It also doesn’t use ISOFIX, which may also put some people off. However, overall the BeSafe Stretch feels like an incredibly safe, reassuring and comfortable car seat and I would highly recommend it — if you have the space and budget.