The Spring 2025 ADAC child car seat test brought great news for parents looking for safe, practical infant carriers. Out of 20 tested seats, 10 received a “Good” rating — with the top spots going to the Maxi-Cosi Pebble S, Joie Sprint, and Nuna Pipa Lite.
Unlike school grades, with ADAC the lower the score, the better the seat — so a 1.8 is better than a 2.4. ADAC checks safety, ease of use, ergonomics, harmful substances, and environmental impact.
🍼 Top 3 Infant Carriers in Detail
Here’s a closer look at the 3 best-performing infant seats from the test:
🥇 Maxi-Cosi Pebble S + FamilyFix Base
- Overall ADAC Rating: 1.8
- Safety: 1.7
- Ease of Use: 1.9
- Ergonomics: 2.1
- Harmful Substances: 1.5
- PFAS: 1.0
- Size Range: 40–83 cm
- Weight: 3.5 kg
- Price: ca. 330 EUR
The Pebble S offers a few advantages over the Joie Sprint. Thanks to its FamilyFix isofix base, you can later attach a larger toddler seat on the same base — covering roughly 0–4 years with one system. It also has a slightly longer shell (up to 83 cm), so you can use it a bit longer, and it’s a bit lighter than many rivals.
Check out ADAC test of Maxi Cosi Pebble S →
🥇 Joie Sprint
- Overall ADAC Rating: 1.8
- Safety: 1.8
- Ease of Use: 1.8
- Ergonomics: 1.8
- Harmful Substances: 1.0
- PFAS: 2.0
- Size Range: 40–75 cm
- Weight: 4.1 kg
- Price: ca. 215 EUR
The Joie Sprint is a safe, comfortable and user-friendly infant seat — and more affordable than the Maxi-Cosi option. It scored very well for low chemical exposure, though its PFAS value was slightly higher at 2.0 — a reminder that ADAC now checks for these forever chemicals in fabrics and covers.
Check out ADAC test of Joie Sprint →
🥉 Nuna Pipa Lite + Base Next
- Overall ADAC Rating: 2.0
- Safety: 2.1
- Ease of Use: 2.0
- Ergonomics: 1.9
- Harmful Substances: 1.0
- PFAS: 1.0
- Size Range: 40–83 cm
- Weight: 2.7 kg
- Price: ca. 440 EUR
The Nuna Pipa Lite lives up to its name — at just 2.7 kg, it’s the lightest of the top infant seats. Like the Maxi-Cosi, it works in a modular system with a base that later fits a larger seat, so you can cover the early years with one setup. It’s easy to carry, safe, and tested very well for chemical safety.
Check out ADAC test of Nuna Pipa Lite →
⚠️ All-in-One Seats: A Compromise
One seat that underperformed was the Lionelo Braam i-Size — an all-in-one model covering birth to 12 years (40–150 cm). It scored 3.6 overall — the worst result in this ADAC round. While convenient, these extended-use seats often require compromises at some stages. Most manufacturers recommend 3 separate seats for best safety and comfort: an infant carrier, a toddler seat, and a final booster for children up to 150 cm.
✅ Bottom Line
If you want maximum safety, go for an infant seat that fits your baby’s size properly and consider a modular base system to extend its use with a toddler seat later. The Maxi-Cosi Pebble S, Joie Sprint, and Nuna Pipa Lite are all excellent choices for newborns in 2025.
For the full test results, see the official ADAC 2025 comparison.
💡 Need help choosing the right seat? Contact us for advice or browse our hand-picked car seats.