Car Seat Brand Showdown: Maxi Cosi Vs Chicco Seat Comparison

My brother left his son for a minute and when he returned another car T-boned his car…

It’s scary when you get into an accident.

It’s even scarier when a loved one is in one, and you’re powerless to do anything. You see, accidents happen, and in most cases, you’re innocent. It’s someone else’s fault.

Look:

There’s no way to predict an accident. The only thing for you to do is to be prepared. The way you do this is by getting the right car seat for your little one. After that, you have to get it installed correctly. Then it will do its job keeping your child safe.

The first part is the longest one, that’s why I’ve created this article. You have probably shortlisted these two brands. They are all good, and by reading this Maxi Cosi and Chicco comparison, you will know exactly which brand is the best for you.

By reading this article until the end, you find the right car seat for your needs. Don’t worry. I won’t be holding back. I will tell you exactly which car seat was in the accident mentioned above. Plus, I will share with you how well it performed.

Let’s get this comparison started.

Maxi Cosi vs Chicco Infant Car Seat

This is where your little one will start their first ride. Infant car seats are also known as carriers. They are typically lightweight and easy to carry you, baby, in it. Many parents choose these car seats because they can move in and out of the car without waking the baby. This allows them to multitask during naps.

They are the easiest to install. Things will only get harder after upgrading.

From Camp Maxi Cosi, we have the Mico, and from the Chicco camp, we have the Keyfit 30.

Maxi Cosi Mico vs Chicco Keyfit 30

Direct Comparison Chicco vs Maxi Cosi Infant Car Seat

Maxi Cosi Mico Short Review

At first glimpse, these two car seats look the same. The best part of these infant carriers that you can attach them to strollers, and you have just created a travel system. If your baby is asleep, you gently click the carrier out and put it on the stroller and you can go shopping or to a restaurant without waking them up.

If you have the right adapter, you can use a different brand’s stroller.

These carriers cater to newborns. By going with this car seat, you will be able to take your baby home from the hospital. Now, these carriers were designed to be installed in rear-facing mode. This gives the most protection to your little ones.

The biggest safety difference between the two is that the Mico comes with a load leg. According to their sources, it reduces impact energy by 40%. Other brands have come up with a different solution, but I don’t know how efficient they are. They usually use impact-absorbing foam or crumbling material.

Even in the size limits, these carriers are the same. One pound is the difference.

The installation is quite easy. You can do it with the seat belt or the latch system. Also, this carrier can be installed with or without the base. This is good news for those who have multiple cars.

The install is very similar to other brands. You connect the latches and pull on the tail until it’s tight. Also, it’s a good idea to push the base in the seat. The seat belt looks a bit different. You will have to use a manual lock off.

Chicco Keyfit 30 Short Review

The Chicco Keyfit 30 is one of the highest-rated infant carriers on Consumer Reports. This means that they have done something right. Besides the cool design, it offers great protection.

The energy-absorbing foam will protect your little on in case of an accident. It works the following way. The foam absorbs the energy, so it doesn’t travel up into your little one’s body and does damage. The 5-point harness will keep them safe. It’s the best protection on the market.

What makes or breaks a car seat is the installation. If it’s hard to mount, then people tend to install it incorrectly. If that’s the case, then the seat won’t be able to provide the best protection possible.

The installation is quite simple. You can do it with the base or without it. This is good news if you want to save some money with multiple cars. Besides this, it can be installed with the latch or the seat belt. When you use the latch system, all you have to do is connect the two latch connectors.

There’s only one strap to pull to make it tight. Here comes the tricky part. You need to push the base in the car seat and only then pull on the strap. You will need a bit of force to get this right. Once that’s done, the carrier will easily click to the base.

The only difference between the two car seats is that The Keyfit has a lower weight limit by one pound. If you have a very small newborn, they will be safe in this carrier. The Mico, on the other hand, has a higher height limit by two inches.

Which infant car seat is better?

The winner is the Maxi Cosi Mico because the load leg demonstration is impressive and that 40% of energy reduction matters.

Maxi Cosi vs Chicco Convertible Car Seat

Convertible car seats are the next upgrades after the carriers. These usually cater to toddlers and above. They are called convertibles because you can install them in two ways either rear-facing or front-facing mode. It’s highly recommended to keep you little one in rear-facing mode until they reach their second birthday. In some countries, it’s recommended until the age of four.

From Camp Maxi Cosi, we have the Pria 85, and from the Chicco camp, we have the Nextfit.

Maxi Cosi Pria 85 vs Chicco Nextfit

Direct Comparison Chicco vs Maxi Cosi Convertible Car Seat

Maxi Cosi Pria 85 Short Review

It looked like any other road trip. The family prepared for the long road ahead. Their child has fallen asleep, and the radio was giving some background music. Then the unthinkable happened.

An inattentive driver rear-ended them. It wasn’t with a small car either. The driver was in a tractor-trailer going with 70 mpg. You can imagine the damage that a truck like that can make.

The impact was loud. All the energy was transferred in the car. The father tried his best to keep control and eventually lost. The car started skidding left and right on the road. Finally, they ended up in the ditch.

They were unharmed. When they checked on their child, he was fine. He was a bit shaken up and wide-eyed, but he was unhurt.

The steel-reinforced frame did a fabulous job of protecting the child. Besides that comes with air protection. These safety features cover everything from the rear, front side, and even rollover crashes.

This convertible car seat caters to the same audience from toddler and above. There’s one big difference between them. The Pria’s upper limit is set to 85 pounds. As you know, it’s a good idea to use extended rear-facing as long as possible. Now after the child has outgrown that phase, the safest for them is extended harness mode. The Maxi Cosi did a great job delivering this car seat.

The installation is quite easy. You can use the seat belt or the latch system. No matter which one you choose, you have to feed them through the same hole. The installation is fast and easy. There’s no guesswork involved.

Chicco Nextfit Short Review

The incident happened close to home. My brother was out with his son on a shopping run. He parked his car and left his boy, who was immersed in play.

He popped into one of the shops, and not even a minute passed by when he heard a loud crash. He ran outside to see what happened. He couldn’t believe his eyes. Somebody T-boned his car. To make matters worse, the impact comes from the driver’s side exactly where his son was sitting.

He ran franticly to his car. He ripped the door open to check on his boy. Then he saw him. He was still playing with his stuffed animals as if nothing has happened.

When he saw his dad’s panic-stricken face, he started to cry. He wasn’t hurt.

The Chicco Nextfit comes with steel frame, not just steel reinforcements. As for the safety features you have read about the accident, it provided great protection to the little one.

In the size and limits category, this car seat is average. The stats almost look the same as the Pria 85. They both cater to toddlers and above. The only difference that this one doesn’t provide extended harness mode.

With convertible car seats, there’s a biggie. They are a lot harder to install than infant carriers. Let’s see what the case with the Nextfit is. The latch system is super simple to install. Once they are connected, all you have to do is pull #1 up and pull #2 down. You can’t get it wrong, and it will be tight every time.

The seat belt install is a bit tougher. No matter if you install it in the rear or forward-facing mode, you will have to remove the cover to guide the belt through. After everything is tight, you have to reattach it.

The last difference between the two is that the Nextfit offers more recline options giving more support.

Which Convertible Car Seat is better?

The Maxi Cosi Pria 85 wins this one because it keeps your child safe with the extended harness mode.

Maxi Cosi vs Chicco All in One Car Seat

Recently the all in one solution became trendy. Why buy 3 or 4 car seats if one can replace all of them? There are two major benefits to going with all in one solution. In the long run, it costs less money. Plus, it’s a time saver because you will have to learn only one installation mode. These all in one car seats will serve your child from infancy up to the early adulthood. They are lifers.

From Camp Maxi Cosi, we have the Magellan, and from the Chicco camp, we have the Fit4.

Maxi Cosi Magellan vs Chicco Fit4

Direct Comparison Chicco vs Maxi Cosi All in One Seat

Maxi Cosi Magellan Short Review

My cousin was using this car seat. He was taking his son to daycare. The day started like any ordinary day. It was early in the morning when they were going through an intersection. Then another driver ran the red light.

The impact couldn’t be avoided. The crash was loud. The metal has twisted. The airbags deployed, and the side windows shattered like a spider’s web. They were lucky. Neither of them got hurt. The Maxi Cosi Magellan did its job.

At first glimpse, they look the same. If you check out the pictures, the Fit4 looks like a real “big kid” seat while the Magellan not so much. Maybe bids will prefer the Chicco because of it.

In the safety department, you can clearly see that there’s no steel part in this car seat. But it comes with the Air Protect system, which provides all the protection needed.

The biggest difference between the two is the extended booster mode. The Fit4 is shy by 20 pounds compared to the Magellan.

The Maxi Cosi really dropped the ball with this car seat when it comes to the latch installation. Don’t get me wrong; the seat belt install is super easy. All you have to do is feed the belt through the correct hole, and you pull it tight. That’s it, and you’re done.

No matter if you do front or rear-facing, you will have to partially disassemble the car seat. The cup holders have to come off and the cover as well to position the latches correctly. They have over complicated this part.

Chicco Fit4 Short Review

The Chicco Fit4 is the all in one solution. It was designed to serve your child from infancy until young adult hood. It’s pricier than any other car seat you can buy. But if you only have to only buy two, you still come ahead. The all in one car seats are the real secret to saving money in the long run.

You buy it once, and you will be using it for the years to come. At first glimpse, there’s not much difference between the two car seats. They cater to the same audience. The Fit4 is ideal for newborns, even the smallest one will be comfortable in this car seat. And you can do extended rear-facing up to 40 pounds.

The main difference between the Magellan is that it has a lower upper limit. The Fi4 is limited to 100 pounds and 57”. With the Magellan, you’re getting 20 more pounds.

The installation is quite easy if you’re going with the latch connectors. It’s the same process as above. You connect the latches, and then you pull up #1 and pull down #2. You’re done.

If you use the seat belt, then I have some good news. They have made a bit of improvement. In the rear-facing mode, you won’t have to remove the fabric. In forward-facing mode, you still do.

The Fit4 gives more recline options, so it offers more comfort for your child.

Even if it’s an all in one you don’t have to rethread the harness ever. This is a big plus from me.

All in One Car Seat is better?

If you prefer the “big kid” look with the easy installation, then the Chicco Fit4 is the best choice. If you want the extended booster mode, then the Maxi Cosi Magellan is the winner.

Car Seat Buyer’s Guide

In the end, I tend to create a small buyer’s guide for you. This is important, so you know what’s exactly important when it comes to car seats.

Here are two hot tips. You have to install the car seat in the safest place possible. In most cars, this is in the middle. Now for some, this is not possible so you can choose the second safest place which is behind the driver.

The second tip is that you have to get that car seat as tight as possible. The wiggle room should be less than an inch. If you have any doubts, it’s a good idea to reach out to a licensed professional. They know what they are doing.

As you have seen my tables, that’s the criteria on how I judge car seats. The most important item is on top.

Safety is #1, no matter what. Always get the most safety that you can afford. Every car seat on the market is safe. If there would be issues, they are recalled instantly. Some brands only provide the bare minimum, and others go the extra mile.

I tend to stick with those who offer the best. Besides front and rear collisions, side-impact testing is important. Some brands offer rollover protection, which is the deadliest crash possible. Now you have seen that some have a load leg to reduce impact energy.

The next thing I look at is the size limits. This is where I love to save money without compromising on safety. Get the car seat the gives the most mileage for the money.

Next up is the installation. You have seen that even in this comparison there are car seats which are easy to install while there are others which are not. The more you know ahead of time, the better it is.

Finally, I always look at the material type. Kids are messy, and you’re the one who has to clean up after them. I feel for those parents who have only spot cleaning to tidy up after a vomiting accident.

After all, these are done, I check out the secondary features.

I hope this small buyer’s guide helped you.

Chicco vs Maxi Cosi Conclusions

We have reached the end of this Chicco and Maxi Cosi review. It was a close match. Both brands were strong contenders. The Maxi Cosi won two matches straight. The third one came down to your personal preference.

So by now, you should know which car seat is the best fit for you. Now it’s your time to get the right one. Act fast because the last time I’ve checked stocks were running low.

I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions, please drop a comment below.

Catch you next time!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Is Maxi Cosi better than Chicco?

Maxi Cosi makes the most comfortable car seats. Above you can see that the Maxi Cosi won the most so it’s better than the Chicco.

Is Maxi Cosi a good brand?

Yes, Maxi Cosi makes some quality car seats so it’s a good brand.

Which Maxi Cosi car seat is the best?

The Maxi Cosi Magellan is the best Maxi Cosi car seat. It’s an all in one car seat so you will get a lot of mileage out of it. If you want to see the full review check it out here.

Maxi Cosi vs Chicco infant seat what kind of safety standards should you check out?

When you’re looking for the best infant car seat it’s good for the car seat to have anti-rebound bar and the upper weight limit for rear facing mode 35 pounds. Since your baby grows quickly in this stage the side impact protection is an absolute must. Also, they should pass the federal safety standards. Most infant seats can be installed both with and without the base these are great features for any parent. Typically the infant carrier can be mounted on a car seat stroller and this is how you create travel systems. The best infant car seats use the stability leg for extra protection. The side impact padding would be the best safety feature to offer crash protection.

What are some alternatives for infant car seats?

You can choose any of the following: Chicco fit2, uppababy mesa, evenflo safemax, britax b-safe 35, cybex aton m, graco snugride, chicco keyfit zip air. These are all good seats to have. Many of these seats have high safety ratings.

What is the lowest bodyweight that you can use a car seat?

The lowest body weight is 5 pounds. Always check the weight limits before you buy a car seat. The higher weight limits means more usage and more savings for you. In most cases you are getting the infant inserts with the package. There are some brands that require you to pay extra if you want an infant insert.

Which is the best seat padding material?

As you know with most brands flame retardants and fire retardants are used. These aren’t healthy, to say the least. Luckily there are materials which are natural flame retardant. This would be the merino wool fabric. The seat pad fabric usually has a cool flow and it’s easy to use.

What makes ease of use possible?

To help with ease of installation pick a baby gear that has harness height adjustment, seat belt lock-offs, no-rethread harness back seat base. The pushbuttons are nice for easy removal.

What features should you check before you buy?

Well the level indicator is important for the comfort of your child. You need to know the seat weight if you plan it to move the seat around. You have to check the build quality because it will be used for many years to come. The booster seat mode usually has a storage basket.

What and where is the best to install the car seat?

The safest place is the center seat. The shoulder harness and the chest clip should be adjusted depending how many years old your child is. Here are some other features to check out: crotch buckle, head wings, baby carriage.

Graco vs Chicco which brand should I buy?

Chicco car seats are usually a better choice for most people.

Last Updated on October 25, 2023 by Brian Beasley