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Why Choose a Rotating Infant Car Seat?
Finding the right car seat is a top priority for new parents. A rotating infant car seat offers unmatched convenience, safety, and comfort — especially for those who frequently transfer their baby in and out of the car. With 360-degree rotation, these seats make it easy to position your child securely without awkward angles or back strain.
Read the entire article to help you choose the safest option for your newborn. At the end, you’ll find a comparison table to make your decision easier.
What to Look for in a Rotating Infant Car Seat
Before diving into the top picks, let’s cover the key factors parents should consider when shopping for a rotating car seat:
- Safety certifications: Ensure the seat meets or exceeds safety standards and tested by ADAC or Swedish Plus.
- Ease of installation: Look for models with clear instructions, latch systems, or one-click setups.
- Comfort features: Adjustable headrests, padding, and recline options matter.
- Weight and height limits: Pick a seat that grows with your child.
- Car compatibility: Not all seats fit every vehicle — check before you buy. The majority of the baby product shops allows zou to try car seats into you own car. Don't be afraid to ask for it.
Top 5 Best Rotating Infant Car Seats for 2025
1. Maxi-Cosi Jade Carrycot
The first car seat on this list is quite an exception since it's not rotating but sliding. This carrycot isn’t a traditional car seat, but it’s actually one of the safest options currently available on the market. In ADAC car seat test, the only negativ points were about the ergonomics about the very large space requirement and impaired outward vision for the child. (The second negativ point was weird for me since a newborn sight is developing on the long run so it's funny to cmment on this)
The price is abut 420 EUR.
Key Features:
- ADAC 1.5 (Very Good ADAC category) safety rating — an exceptional result, making it one of the safest car seats
- Not rotating, but the carrycot itself can be mounted sideways (transversely) to the direction of travel on an Isofix base
- Sliding seat for easy entry and exit
- Fully lie-flat surface, usable in the car — perfect for newborns
- Lightweight since only 5.9 kg, but if you see ADAC rating it counts as heavy
- Machine-washable, eco-friendly fabric
- R129-i-Size certified
Drawbacks:
- Compatible only with cars equipped with ISOFIX
- Short usage period — suitable for children between 40 to 70 cm in height
- Since it's mounted sideways (transversely), only 2 out of 3 car seats can be used in the back row
In the ADAC car seat test, the only negative points were related to ergonomics:
- Large space requirement — the carrycot takes up significant room in the car.
- Impaired outward vision for the child — though this seems less relevant for newborns, whose vision is still developing anyway. (Honestly, this feels like a funny point to critique!)
2. Nuna Pipa™ Next & Base™ next
This car seat is one of my favorites. It's ultra-lightweight, compatible with both a seat belt and two different car seat bases, and has undergone three separate ADAC tests — all rated "Good."
The price depends on the setup you choose, but it’s around 370 EUR.
- Key Features:
- ADAC 1.8 safety rating with Base™ next (Good ADAC category)
- Rotating feature with one-hand operation — if you've ever tried rotating a car seat with both hands, you’ll appreciate how convenient this is!
- XL sun canopy with flip-out eyeshade
- Breathable cover for comfort
- Seat belt installation option (ADAC rating 2.0 — still in the "Good" category)
- Greenguard certified — tested and verified for low chemical emissions
- Pipa Next Base Recline is adjustable to your car seat
- Ultra-lightweight — only 3.2 kg
- Machine-washable, eco-friendly fabric
- Adjustable headrest for growing babies
- Suitable for children between 40 to 83 cm in height (up to 13 kg — approximately 18 months old)
- R129-i-Size certified
In the ADAC car seat test, the only negative point was related to operation:
- Complexity of buckling up your child — Requires a long vehicle seat belt for installation without the Isofix base.
I need to highlight here that Nuna named their car seat bases in a rather unusual way, so try not to mix them up.
There is the Nuna Base™ Next, which can rotate and is compatible with Nuna Cari™, Pipa™ Next, Arra™ Next, and Todl™ Next. It features a secure display, TrueLock system, and 360° rotation (180° for infant car seats).
The other base is the Nuna Pipa™ Next Base, which has an ADAC 1.6 safety rating when paired with the Nuna Pipa™ Next car seat. However, this base cannot rotate and is not compatible with other car seats.
3. Thule Maple & Alfi Base
This car seat is a newcomer, with its ADAC test conducted in October 2024. Thule has crafted something truly unique — I highly recommend taking a moment to check out their campaign video.
After 4 years, 7 strollers, and 5 car seats, I can confidently say Thule consistently stands out when it comes to quality, comfort, and ease of use.
The price varies based on the setup you choose, but it’s approximately 570 EUR.
- Key Features:
- All-around comfort from ergonomic lie-flat position on stroller
- The EasyDock technology makes it easy to mount the car seat to the base
- ADAC 1.6 safety rating with Alfi Base (Good ADAC category)
- Rotating feature with one-hand operation — if you've ever tried rotating a car seat with both hands, you’ll appreciate how convenient this is!
- XXL sun canopy
- It's a modular system meaning if you buy the base you can use the Elm seat later with it.
- Breathable cover for comfort
- Seat belt installation option (ADAC rating 2.2 — still in the "Good" category)
- Lightweight — only 5.4 kg
- Machine-washable, eco-friendly fabric
- Suitable for children between 40 to 75 cm in height (up to 13 kg — approximately 12 months old)
- R129-i-Size certified
In the ADAC car seat test, the negative points were related to operation, ergonomics:
- Operation — Heavy
- Ergonomics — Increased space requirements and Impaired outward vision for the child
4. Cloud Z 2 i-Size + Base Z2
The price depends on the setup you choose, but it’s around 550 EUR.
- Key Features:
- ADAC 1.7 safety rating with Base Z2 (Good ADAC category)
- Rotating feature with one-hand operation
- XL sun canopy
- Breathable cover for comfort
- Near lie-flat surface, usable in the car — perfect for newborns
- Seat belt installation option (ADAC rating 2.1 — still in the "Good" category)
- Lightweight — only 4.9 kg
- Machine-washable, eco-friendly fabric
- Suitable for children between 45 to 87 cm in height (up to 13 kg — approximately 18 months old)
- R129-i-Size certified
In the ADAC car seat test, the only negative point was related to operation:
- Complexity of buckling up your child — Requires a long vehicle seat belt for installation without the Isofix base.
5. Cybex Cloud T + Base T
The price depends on the setup you choose, but it’s around 500 EUR.
- Key Features:
- ADAC 1.7 safety rating with Base T (Good ADAC category)
- Rotating feature with one-hand operation
- XL sun canopy
- Breathable cover for comfort
- Near lie-flat surface, usable in the car — perfect for newborns
- Seat belt installation option (ADAC rating 2.1 — still in the "Good" category)
- Lightweight — only 4.9 kg
- Machine-washable, eco-friendly fabric
- Suitable for children between 40 to 85 cm in height (up to 13 kg — approximately 18 months old)
- R129-i-Size certified
In the ADAC car seat test, the only negative point was related to operation:
- Complexity of buckling up your child — Requires a long vehicle seat belt for installation without the Isofix base.
Comparing table of the best rotating car seats based on ADAC tests
| Criteria | Maxi-Cosi Jade Carrycot | Nuna Pipa™ Next & Base™ next | Thule Maple & Alfi Base | Cloud Z 2 i-Size + Base Z2 | Cybex Cloud T + Base T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Risk of injury in a frontal crash | ✅ Very low risk | ✅ Very low risk | ✅ Very low risk | ✅ Very low risk | ✅ Very low risk |
| Risk of injury in a side impact | ✅ Very low risk | ✅ Very low risk | ✅ Low risk | ✅ Very low risk | ✅ Very low risk |
| Belt path | ✅ Good | ✅ Good | ✅ Optimal | ✅ Good | ✅ Optimal |
| Stability of the child in the vehicle | ✅ Stable | ✅ Stable | ✅ Stable | ✅ Stable | ✅ Stable |
| Risk of incorrect operation | ✅ Very low risk | ✅ Very low risk | ✅ Very low risk | ✅ Very low risk | ✅ Low risk |
| Complexity of buckling up your child | ✅ Easily | ❌ Requires a long vehicle belt | ✅ Easily | ✅ Easily | ✅ Easily |
| Complexity of seat installation | ✅ Easy | ✅ Easy | ✅ Easy | ✅ Easy | ✅ Easy |
| Complexity of understanding instructions | ✅ Easy-to-understand | ✅ Easy-to-understand | ✅ Easy-to-understand | ✅ Easy-to-understand | ✅ Easy-to-understand |
| Leg support | ✅ Good | ✅ Good | ✅ Very good | ✅ Good | ✅ Good |
| Space requirement of the car seat | ❌ Very large | ✅ Small | ❌ Increased | ❌ Very large | ❌ Increased |
| Padding | ✅ Good | ✅ Good | ✅ Good | ✅ Good | ✅ Good |
| Sight for the child | ❌ Impaired outward vision | ✅ Good | ❌ Impaired outward vision | ✅ Good | ✅ Good |
| Exemplary seating position | ✅ Exemplary | ✅ Favorable | ✅ Favorable | ✅ Exemplary | ✅ Favorable |
| Space for the child | ✅ Good | ✅ Good | ✅ Very good | ✅ Good | ✅ Very good |
| Pollution | ✅ Very low | ✅ Very low | ✅ Very low | ✅ Very low | ✅ Very low |
| Machine washable | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Removal of the cover | ✅ Easy | ✅ Easy | ✅ Easy | ✅ Easy | ❌ A bit more complicated |
| Quality of the workmanship | ✅ Very good | ✅ Very good | ❌ Slight manufacturing defects | ✅ Very good | ✅ Good |
Final Thoughts
A rotating infant car seat is an investment in both convenience and safety — two non-negotiables for new parents. Each of the models listed above offers unique strengths, whether you prioritize smart safety technology, extended rear-facing capabilities, or budget-friendly options.
Before you buy, double-check that your chosen model fits your vehicle and meets your family’s specific needs. Happy (and safe) travels with your little one!
ps.: Based on ADAC ratings I wanted to include Bugaboo Turtle Air + Turtle Air Wingbase, but unfortunatly there are so many parental reviews about how baby's head is positioned incorrectly due to the car seat, I skippped this one.
ADAC resources
Check out Maxi Cosi Jade ADAC test here →
Check out Thule Maple ADAC test here →
Check out Nuna Pipa™ Next & Pipa Next Base ADAC test here →
Check out Nuna Pipa™ Next & Base Next ADAC test here →
Check out Bugaboo Turtle Air with Turtle Air Wingbase ADAC test here →
Check out Cybex CLoud Z2 with Base Z2 ADAC test here →
Check out Cybex Cloud T + Base T test here →