Maxi-Cosi is a top global brand. The company got its start in the Netherlands back in the 80s and now works hard to bring comfort, safety, and affordable baby travel options to every home. Find out why the brand is so popular and what the best Maxi-Cosi car seats have to offer. Let’s look at all of their car seats by category. Decide if the right option for you is on the list below.
Best Maxi-Cosi Infant Car Seats
Maxi-Cosi currently makes four infant car seats. While they don’t have a lot of options, they have everything you need. From stroller adaptability to washable fabrics and safety, you will get high-quality with this brand. Our favorite is by far the Mico Max Plus. It’s a high-end car seat with all the right features.
The Mico Max Plus is a more expensive option but has important safety features such as anti-rotation stability leg for maximum head and neck protection, a level indicator to show that the seat is situated correctly, and air protection for extra impact protection. The Mico 30 is a lower priced option but has less safety features. It does include the Cozi-Dozi Infant Support for baby’s head and neck, plus the base has adjusters to make it a better fit for your car. The Mico Max 30 is a mid priced option with safety features such as a rebound bar that keeps the seat stable and safer in sudden stops, infant support for baby’s neck and head, and side impact air protection.
Maxi-Cosi Mico Max Plus
The Mico Max Plus is definitely superior to the other car seats in the Mico line. It’s all the features you can imagine available in a single car seat. The only way it could better is if it magically had wheels tucked into the bottom to turn it into a stroller.
Get all the benefits of the previous options but with even more attention to detail. Of course, the car seat does cost significantly more, but this time is definitely worth the price. If only they had improved the weight range to 35 pounds for improved rear-facing, we would give this car seat a golden star.
Stability Leg
No other car seat offers an anti-rotation stability leg to limit back and forth moment until now. The feature offers maximum head and neck protection to keep your baby safe and help you protect your baby better. Although, this car seat does not offer an anti-rebound bar, and it would be great to have both in a perfect world.
Level Indicator
Level indicators should come standard in any car seat, but it’s a premium feature with Maxi-Cosi, and this option does come with a level at the front of the seat. It would better if it were on the side of the seat where you can more easily check that the car seat is in the green.
Easy Installation
Use either the LATCH system or the integrated belt lock-off to install the car seat easily. Follow the labels to find out exactly where everything goes for safe and secure installation.
Canopy
The next benefit is one of our favorites – the canopy extends via a zipper with mesh panels on the side. Not only does this provide airflow and extra shade, but it also gives you the option of peaking at your baby without making eye contact. We would love to see the panel extend through the entire zip panel, but it’s nice on the sides too.
Infant Insert
Next, the infant insert offers full coverage instead of just in the head and neck region. It still comes with the added Air Protection, all of which leads to the ma comfort possible for your baby.
Flip Away Buckle
Lastly, the Mico Max Plus Car Seat includes a flip away buckle that makes it easier to get your baby into the car seat. Also, it makes the seat belt more comfortable for your baby too. No more hunting for the seat belt under your baby!
Maxi-Cosi Mico 30
The Mico 30 Infant Car Seat is the base option available by Maxi-Cosi. It comes with an affordable cost, attention to detail, and four festive color options. Moreover, it’s ready to work for you.
Adaptability
If you want to turn your car seat into a stroller, the Mico 30 works with both Maxi-Cosi and Quinny brand strollers. To use with a stroller, you will need adapters, however, which does add a cost the price.
Fabric
Not only does the car seat come with fun color options but also with no sweat fabric. Furthermore, the fabric deodorizes and draws sweat away from the baby’s skin so they can ride more comfortably. The fabrics can also go in both the washer and the dryer, meaning messes are much easier to deal with.
Also, the seat pad removes easily and doesn’t require rethreading through the harness. Hello! What’s more annoying than rethreading a car seat cushion?
Infant Insert
Infants need a little extra support to stay in the car seat correctly, which is why the Maxi-Cosi Mico 30 comes with an infant positioner. It’s the Cozi-Dozi Infant Support ready to offer protection and comfort where your baby needs extra assistance.
Do notice the infant support only offers support in the head and neck and does not surround the baby like with most infant positioners.
Canopy
The Mico 30 includes a removable canopy. It’s also expandable too but most car seats don’t offer a removable canopy! A very impressive and helpful feature and it even comes with multiple positions too for the right amount of shade.
However, the canopy does not include mesh for airflow or to serve as a pee-a-boo window. It does offer maximum UV protection, though.
Handle
Another great feature of the car seat is its ergonomic handle. It’s contoured to curve around your hip for more comfortable when walking with the car seat.
Base
The base uses the LATCH system with easy click-in for more functionality. The base isn’t fancy. There are no levels, but it does come with adjusters to customize the fit in your vehicle. The base works with Mico 30 and Mico Max 30.
Also, you can use the car seat without the base, making it perfect for travel outside of your vehicle. Of course, you can purchase extra Mico 30 bases for other vehicles.
Weight
The Mico 30 works for babies weighing 5 to 30 pounds and up to 32 inches in length. This is pretty standard for infant car seats but doesn’t work for preemies weighing less than five pounds. Thankfully, the brand does make options for lower-weight infants.
Maxi-Cosi Mico Max 30
The Mico Max 30 offers all the features of the Mico 30 but with a couple of extra features. However, with new features, you get a much bigger price tag. The question is are the new benefits worth the extra cost?
If you want the extra safety feature, then the cost is worth your while, but the rest of the features really aren’t enough of a boost for the cost.
Base
The biggest change with the Mico Max 30 is the base. It offers an anti-rebound bar for added protection. With the rebound bar, the car seat won’t remove around as much, which is much safer in the event of a sudden stop.
Infant Insert
With the infant insert, you still get only support in the head and neck, but now it’s reversible. So, if your baby spits up, you can flip it over. Honestly, this isn’t much of an advantage, but it does support babies as little as 4 pounds.
Air Protection
The car seat also includes superior side impact protection. Not only does the car seat offer more safety, but also more comfortable.
Color Options
The Mico Max 30 offers a new line-up of bland, neutral colors. If you want a more sophisticated appearance, then these new colors may be the right pick for you.
Weight
Another advantage of the Mico Max 30 is it can support babies four pounds and up. However, the seat still only works for 30 pounds or 32 inches. It would have been nice to see an increase up to 35 pounds to keep babies reversed longer.
Best Maxi-Cosi Convertible Car Seats
If you are new to convertible car seats, then you need to know these are car seats that stay in the car and do not go in strollers. Also, convertible car seats last for much longer and work in both rear-facing and forward-facing. Some convertible car seats even work as belted booster seats too.
Maxi-Cosi makes several convertible car seats, all with well-thought-out features. However, their max car seats fail to bring enough advantage to bother spending the extra money. Also, none of their convertible car seats is a good option for narrow cars or fitting three children across the back seat. As with their infant car seats, Maxi-Cosi offers a lifetime warranty, LATCH system, and high-quality and air protection for safety and comfort.
For the price and the benefits, if you go with a Maxi-Cosi convertible car seat, choose the Magellan XP. Not only does it hold the most weight, but it comes with the most benefits too and two cup holders. It’s the most bang for your buck.
While the Magellan XP, the Pria Max, and the Magellan XP Max are more expensive choices, they are an all-in-one seat meaning they offer 5 modes (infant, rear facing, forward facing, older child forward, and belt positioning booster), therefore, you will only need one car seat for your little one’s childhood. However, the less expensive Pria 3-in-1 is a 3-in-1 seat (infant, rear facing, forward facing) that only will get your child from 4-65 lbs.
Maxi-Cosi Magellan XP All-in-One
Maxi-Cosi decided to make one more style of convertible car seat and at least they gave this one a cool name. The Magellan XP All-in-One is a space stealing seat your kids will love because it looks comfy enough that even adults will want to take a nap in it on their lunch break.
The car seat comes with a price comparable to their other options and not a whole lot of difference from the Pria All-in-One or the Pria Max All-in-One. They are significant changes, though, that warrant mentioning, for example, this line goes to 120 pounds while the Pria line maxes out at 100 pounds.
More Positions
Instead of three modes, you get five – baby rear-facing, toddler rear-facing, toddler forward-facing, older child forward-facing, and belt-positioning booster. Basically, the car set grows a little with each stage instead of just the headrest offering a definite improvement.
Torso Protection
Next, the seat offers comfort-adjustable torso protection in three steps for more comfort for your child.
Easy Zipper
The coolest new feature is the seat cushion zips offer so you can access the belt path and LATCH. Use this feature to easily re-route the seat belt for the different modes. Furthermore, use this function to quickly clean up messes on the seat in the “splash zone,” and it can go straight into the washer and dryer.
Headrest
While you can adjust the headrest to several positions in the Pria line, the Magellan has 14 positions to work for a full decade of growth.
Reclines
Last of all, while the Pria line had three recline positions, the Magellan base model includes seven recline positions and they are easy to change too making this a much more user-friendly and comfortable option.
Maxi-Cosi Pria 3-in-1 Convertible
The first notable change about the Pria 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat is it has three steps instead of two. Those three positions will take your children from birth to ten years old! It comes with all the same features of the Pria 85 and the Pria 85 max but with enough benefits to make it worth the money.
Here’s the kicker, this car seat costs less than the Pria 85 max! Why even bother with the other two options with the price and functionality of this option? Let’s take a closer look at the differences.
Weight Limit
First, the Pria 3-in-1 allows for preemies as the starting weight is 4 pounds up to 40. The forward-facing changes too from 22 to 65 instead of 85 pounds. However, your child can switch to the third seat-belt mode at 40 pounds and stay there until they reach 100 pounds or get to 53 inches.
It’s the seat-belt mode that makes this an exceptional car seat. When your child reaches the limits, take out the harness, and they can start using the seat belt instead. Mind you, it does not turn into a backless booster at any point.
Infant Insert
As the car seat can accommodate very tiny preemies, it also comes with a removable insert for full-surround comfort and support.
Quick Install
Installation is super easy with the LATCH connectors too making your job easier and keeping your child safer.
Cupholders
Next, the last benefit of the Pria 3-in-1 is it offers two cupholders instead of one. Your child can have a drink and snacks or even toys and spend more time in the car comfortably with less mess.
Side Impact Protection
The last advantage is this car seat comes with improves side impact protection. The company uses GCell patented foam to keep your child’s head safe in the event of an accident. While the other two models offered enough support for accidents, this one offers even more, which will give you peace of mind.
Maxi-Cosi Pria Max All-in-One
The Pria Max All-in-One is almost identical to the Pria All-in-One. Seriously, there are two minor differences and a massive price jump. Unless you want neutral colors or find 5-point-harnesses extremely complicated, this is just a waste of a new name and money.
Color Options
The Pria All-in-One offers eight festive colors and neutral color options, the Max only has neutral options like blue, brown, gray, and black. Yawn, this doesn’t warrant a different car seat.
Harness System
The other difference is the Max offers a spring assist harness system. This keeps the straps and buckles from bunching up. Yes, that’s really it and totally not worth a different car seat with such a similar name.
Maxi-Cosi should simply combine the two car seats and be done with it. Change the name too.
Maxi-Cosi Magellan XP Max All-in-One
As we have already figured out, Maxi-Cosi doesn’t quite understand what max means. The Magellan XP Max All-in-One Convertable Car Seat is a prime example of their overuse of the word. With the price increase (before any sales) the one change doesn’t make enough of an improvement to warrant the cost.
Spring Assist Harness
As with the Pria 3-in-1, the Magellan XP Max All-in-One gets a bump up to the spring assist harness. That’s it, the seatbelts move out of your way a little bit more. We are underwhelmed.
Best Maxi-Cosi Belt-Positioning Boosters
Maxi-Cosi RodiFix Booster Car Seat
The RodiFix Booster Car Seat comes with an excessively high price but thankfully offers tons of features. Honestly, though, there are much better options for far less money with all the same features. Also, you pay a massive price, and this option doesn’t even include cup holders.
As this is the only booster car seat by Maxi-Cosi, there are no other options in this category. The RodieFix would not be our first pick of booster car seats. If you are loyal to the brand and independently wealthy, then this may be the right option for your family.
Some parents may choose this option because of its ultra comfortability. Choose this option if you have a child who hates spending even short road trips in discomfort. Although, keep in mind that even with the excessive price, the car seat does not turn into a backless booster, which many children and parents prefer.
Weight Limit
Children can use this booster seat to help them fit the seatbelt correctly over their bodies. It can support children who weigh 40 to 120 pounds or who measure 40 to 57 inches in height. Most booster seats only go to about 100 to 110 pounds giving this option a slight advantage.
Fast Installation
A set of rigid LATCH connecters makes installation extremely easy and quick. Moreover, It keeps this car seat in place very well for a sense of security.
Adjustable Height
Kids grow, it’s a fact. With this seat, you can adjust the headrest to multiple heights, and the side wings grow with your child. It’s a great choice for older kids who still fall asleep in the car to prevent their heads from uncomfortably aligning or slumping.
Recline
A front-access recline system allows for the seat and the seatback recline. The feature allows for more comfort and a better fit in your vehicle too.
Child Friendly
The Rodifix is ready to help kids buckle themselves in with a kid-friendly design. This leaves you free to buckle in with other kids or to warm of the car. A seatbelt guide helps kids to buckle themselves properly and safely.
Narrow Profile
One great advantage of the car seat is it comes with a narrow profile, so it can squeeze in with other car seats if you have multiple children. As Maxi-Cosi’s other car seats are rather wide, it’s nice to know at least one comes with the size of the vehicle in mind. You will need to get pop-top bottles, though, as this one doesn’t come with a single cupholder.
Easy to Clean
All of the fabric removes easily for washing. Furthermore, you can toss the fabric in the washing machine and the dryer safely.
Air Protection
As with all Maxi-Cosi car seats, you get the coveted air protection to ensure your child’s safety and to provide added comfort.
Maxi-Cosi Car Seat Comparison
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed.
The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with
the product compared to others in the table.Maxi-Cosi Magellan XP All-in-One 4.8 9.2 448.18 Maxi-Cosi Magellan XP Max All-in-One 3.9 - 340.94 Maxi-Cosi Pria 3-in-1 Convertible 9.9 9.4 269.99 Maxi-Cosi Pria Max All-in-One 9.3 9.2 259.99 Maxi-Cosi Mico Max 30 - 9.4 - Maxi-Cosi Mico Max Plus - 9.4 - Maxi-Cosi RodiFix Booster Car Seat - 9.4 - Maxi-Cosi Mico 30 4.5 9.2 -
Buying Guide
Maxi-Cosi Car Seat Expiration Dates
Maxi-Cosi has lifespans of eight years for their infant car seats and 10 years for the Pria line. The Magellan line lasts for 12 years, which is another reason we love the Magellan line as it’s the most cost-effective.
Most of the brand’s car seats come with a sticker on the back or the bottom of the seat with a manufacturer’s date or the expiration date. If it says manufacture date, then you have eight, ten, or twelve years from that date, depending on the model. Do not use, sell, or give the car seat away after this date.
How to Install Maxi-Cosi Car Seats
Maxi-Cosi has to methods of installing car seats, including with the car’s seat belt and with the LATCH system. Each car seat will include instructions in the manual and also on the base of the seat as well for how to install the seat. Also, the directions will change depending on the style of the car seat and if you are installing rear or forward-facing.
Here are instructions for installing the Magellan line for rear-facing with LATCH. Check out Maxi-Cosi’s YouTube page for more installation videos per car seat.
How to Remove Maxi-Cosi Car Seats From the Base
Removing an infant car seat from the carrier is a simple process with the Maxi-Cosi brand. A simple lever in the front requires a slight pull up, and away the seat comes. It doesn’t take more than one hand on the lever and the other on the handle of the car seat. Thankfully, the company made the process very easy to maneuver.
Maxi-Cosi Car Seat Manuals
Unfortunately, Maxi-Cosi does not post the manuals for their car seats online. A smart bet is to keep the manual in a safe place. For example, you can make a three-ring binderwith clear folders to keep track of the manuals for all of your baby products. Otherwise, you can go to a manual website to find them but may need to spend money to get the manual. You also have the option of contacting Maxi-Cosi for an online copy of the manual for your car seat.
Maxi-Cosi Car Seats Used for Travel Systems
As of right now, Maxi-Cosi only offers three travel systems. All three of their travel systems are modular by design.
The Zelia set comes with the Mico 30. Next, the Adorra comes with the Mico Max. The Zelia Max comes with the Mico Max 30.
Lastly, despite all of these options being modular, none of the travel systems come with the modular car seat, the Coral XP. It would make sense if the company sold the modular pieces together.
FAQs – Maxi-Cosi Car Seats
How do I know which car seat will work best in my car?
Each of the car seats comes with adjustability so that it can work for any car. You can also schedule an appointment with Maxi-Cosi’s Consumer Care team, who will guide you through the installation process.
Can I use the LATCH System and the car seat belts for extra safety?
No. You should never use both the LATCH system and the vehicle seatbelt at the same time. Doing so can change the car seat performance and may cause danger to your baby.
Only pick one method of installation for any car seat. If you are worried about the car seat moving around, pick an option with a rebound bar or stability leg.
At what age should I change my baby over to a forward-facing position?
The laws for car seats change by state. Check with your state to find out the recommendations for the switch to forward-facing. Also, ensure your baby meets both the height and weight safety requirements before switching to the forward-facing position as well.
Are there any warranties for Maxi-Cosi car seats?
One amazing feature of all Maxi-Cosi car seats is they all come with a lifetime warranty. Not only is your purchase guaranteed, but also you know you are buying a product the company stands by.
