If you've started researching extended rear-facing car seats, you've almost certainly come across Axkid and BeSafe. Both are Scandinavian brands with decades of safety innovation behind them. Both pass the rigorous Swedish Plus test — the highest independent car seat safety standard in the world. And both are stocked at Saunders & Smalls because we genuinely believe in them.
So how do you choose? Here's our honest breakdown.
The Axkid Range
Axkid is a Swedish brand that pioneered the extended rear-facing movement. Their flagship Axkid Minikid 4 is one of the best-selling rear-facing seats in the UK for good reason: it rear-faces from 61cm to 125cm (approximately 3 months to around 6–7 years), passes the Swedish Plus test, and is available in both belt-only and IsoFix versions.
The Axkid Minikid 4 suits families who:
- Want a single seat that lasts from around 3 months to school age
- Have a mid-size or larger car (the Minikid has a moderate footprint)
- Prefer straightforward installation — the belt version installs in minutes
- Want Swedish Plus certification without paying a premium price
Axkid also offers the Move Kid, which uses IsoFix exclusively and is slightly more compact — worth considering if you transfer the seat between cars.
The BeSafe Range
BeSafe is Norwegian and has been building rear-facing seats since the 1990s. Their engineering philosophy is different from Axkid's: BeSafe seats tend to have more recline positions, more padding, and a focus on long-term comfort for bigger children.
The BeSafe iZi Flex Fix i-Size is our most popular BeSafe model. It rear-faces from 40cm to 105cm (newborn to approximately 4 years), is IsoFix-only, and is one of the easiest seats to get a correct install on. The BeSafe iZi Twist B i-Size adds a swivel base — making it significantly easier to load and unload a baby.
BeSafe suits families who:
- Have a newborn or are pregnant and want a seat from birth
- Value maximum recline angles for sleeping comfort on longer journeys
- Want the swivel convenience (iZi Twist)
- Drive a larger car where seat depth is not a constraint
Key Differences at a Glance
Weight range: The Minikid 4 covers a longer period (to 36kg theoretical weight limit, though height is the practical limit). BeSafe iZi Flex Fix tops out at roughly 4 years old for most children.
Installation: Axkid offers a belt-install option (great if your car lacks IsoFix in the rear). BeSafe's most popular models are IsoFix-only.
Price: Both brands sit in the £300–£500 range depending on model and extras. The BeSafe iZi Twist with base costs more due to the swivel mechanism.
Swedish Plus: Both pass. Neither cuts corners on safety testing.
Which Should You Choose?
If your child is already a few months old and you want one seat to take them to school age, start with the Axkid Minikid 4. If you have a newborn and want the best possible newborn positioning plus long recline angles, look at the BeSafe iZi Flex Fix or Twist.
Still not sure? That's exactly why we offer free advice. Get in touch with Charlene — she's personally fitted both brands hundreds of times and can tell you in minutes which will work best in your car and for your child's age.
