Kiddy is a German company that specialises in making car seats and buggies. This forward facing seat is part of its ‘Pro’ series and is suitable for children from 9 months, to around 12 years of age - or specifically, 9kg-36kg.
The USP of this car seat is that it doesn’t have a 5-point safety harness to keep your child in place. Instead the Guardian Pro uses a ‘ksa’, or kiddy shock absorber’. This is a removable block that sits in front of your child and contains the belt guides. Kiddy claims that in a crash, this block absorbs the energy from the impact by directing it into the structure of the ‘ksa’ and keeping it away from your child.
Additional safety features are the impact shield safety system (snug padding that reduces movement of the head and neck) and side impact protection.
Impact-absorbent ‘honeycomb’ technology and EPP (expanded polypropylene) are used in the padding around the sides of the head and in the shoulder areas. On impact this hexagonal honeycomb structure folds and crumples inwards to give maximum protection.
The height and width of the seat adjust simultaneously using a handle at the back of the headrest. The leg rest also extends.
The Kiddy Guardian Pro is available in Racing Black, Evening Dusk, Blazer Red and Midnight Blue.
What we love
There are few products that are manufactured to suit such a wide age and weight range, so this is a car seat with ambitious claims. However, the adjustable height and width and removable seat padding really do make the Kiddy Guardian Pro a seat for all ages.
The harness-free idea makes this a really comfy car seat. It’s also incredibly lightweight (7kg) for its category, very easy to fit and takes up very little space in the back of the car.
I was concerned that my baby Minnie would be uncomfortable if she fell asleep in the Kiddy Guardian Pro but the head, neck and shoulder protection offered good support and the recline mechanism is easy to use, if a little clunky.
What to watch out for
Whilst the ksa is a great idea that makes this an easy to fit, lightweight car seat, having a block in her lap made Minnie very hot (despite the use of Thermotex in the seat, which transfers heat away from the fabric).
Travelling in the car is a stressful experience for our family - Minnie can be sick on even a 10-minute journey. So, machine washable covers are a must. The seat covers were easy to get off and, more importantly, there wasn’t too much faff getting them back on but they are hand-wash only.
Compared to Minnie’s current car seat, the Kiddy Guardian Pro is low down in the car and doesn’t give such a great view. However, for older children the height would be ideal.
When empty, the seat is not fixed in the car so it can move around as you drive.
Who is the Kiddy Guardian Pro car seat best for?
Parents who want an easy-to-fit car seat that has true longevity and top-rated safety.
The Kiddy Guardian Pro car seat is a tried and tested product with an emphasis on design. At £219 it isn’t cheap, but it’s lightweight, easy to install and has some useful features. If your baby is already 9 months old, you may never need another car seat.
