Everything you need to know about baby capsules
Car seat type: A1, A2 (rear-facing, baby capsule). Age range: 0-12 months*.
*This age range is a guide only. Your child may fit a seat for a longer or shorter amount of time.
What's included in this guide:
- Benefits and drawbacks of buying a baby capsule
- Features to look for when choosing
- Information on second-hand baby capsules
What is a baby capsule?
A baby capsule is a type of rearward-facing car seat (looking at the back car window) which comes in 2 distinct parts – a base, which stays secured in your vehicle, and a carrier with an inbuilt harness, which easily clicks in and out of the base. Depending on the model, baby capsules can fit babies until they are either around 6 months old (known as A1 capsules), or around 12 months old (A2 capsules). Both types are only able to be used as rearward-facing car seats.
Capsules have a reputation for convenience; they allow for smooth transitions while you’re out and about, which is handy if your baby is settled and comfy in the carrier. They allow you to strap your baby safely in your home, click the carrier into the base to travel somewhere, then remove your baby from the car at your destination without having to disturb your baby. After that, you can either hold the carrier or click it into your pram if you have compatible models.
Is it worth buying a baby capsule?
The answer is…it’s up to you! Whether or not it’s worth buying a capsule will depend on your lifestyle, your baby and your budget.
What are the benefits of using a baby capsule?
There are some benefits that a capsule offers, which a convertible car seat cannot provide:
- Capsule car seats enable you to transition your baby smoothly in and out of your vehicle while you’re on the go.
- Capsules can be compatible with prams. If you have models which are compatible, you can use your capsule as a pram seat, allowing your little one to stay cosy as you go about your day.
Are there any drawbacks to using a baby capsule?
There are some factors which may mean a capsule isn’t the right choice for you:
- Capsules can be heavy or awkward to carry, especially as your little one gets bigger and heavier.
- In some cars, bigger capsules can reduce the space available for people in the front seats.
- Capsules generally won’t be used for longer than 12 months for each baby, which can make them less cost-effective than a seat that can last for a number of years.
If you decide that buying a capsule isn’t practical for your family, you can choose to hire one instead. Hiring a capsule is a cost-effective way to get the benefits of using a baby capsule for your infant, allowing to you transition easily when they outgrow it. Askat team member at your local Baby Bunting store for more information about capsule hire.
What features to look for when choosing a baby capsule
When you’re looking to purchase a capsule, there are some things to consider as your browse the options.
Safety and installation features
Look out for safety and convenience features such as an active headrest, which is dynamic in an accident to absorb force, and easy-adjust straps, which let you keep the harness at the perfect height for your child as they grow. Depending on your vehicle, you may want a capsule that has ISOFIX, which allows you to install the seat using built-in buckles to anchors that are positioned in your car’s standard seats.
The type of pram you have or want
If you want to get more out of your capsule, having a baby capsule that fits into your pram will be an important feature. Not all capsules are compatible with all prams, and some may be compatible but only with special adaptors. If you have a certain capsule in mind, or already have your pram picked out, this can help guide your decisions on these big-ticket items.
The potential size of your baby
Most new babies will fit in the majority ofcapsules, but if you’re anticipating a very small bub, then you might want to consider getting a capsule designed for premature babies, like the Britax Unity ISOFIX capsule or the Maxi Cosi Mico 12 capsule, which have been designed and tested for low-birth-weight babies.
Depth of the capsule
This will be important if you have a car with less internal space. Some capsules are more compact than others, so if you need reduce the impact of your capsule on the front seats, then look for an option which has a rear-facing depth of less than 60cm.
Weight of the capsule
Capsules range in weight. Many are between 4kg and 5kg, but some are as light as 3.75kg and others as heavy as 6.8kg. Once you add baby’s weight and consider you may also be loaded up with a nappy bag, you may find that every bit of weight counts. You’ll becarrying and lifting the capsule in and out of the car at an awkward angle, which can become tricky if it is too heavy.
Should I purchase a second-hand baby capsule?
If you can, our experienced fitters strongly recommend purchasing a new product as you can never be 100% sure of the safety product condition. Second-hand baby capsules may have hidden faults caused by impacts or accidents, incorrect washing of the covers or base, or poor storage methods between each use.
However, sometimes using a second-hand capsule is right for your family situation. In this case, it’s wise to proceed with caution and ask a few questions before using it for your child:
- Do you know the full history? Has the baby capsule been involved in an accident or stored for a length of time?
- Has the capsule been visibly damaged or modified in anyway?
- Is the capsule in line with current manufacturing standards, or does it meet previous versions of the standard?
- Is the capsule complete with all the components in place?
For more information on choosing the right car seat for your child, visit our car seat information page.
Alternatively, you can view our range of baby capsules on our dedicated Capsules page.