The BeCool Foldy: A Seat With a Party Trick
There are a lot of extended rear-facing seats on the market right now, and most of them have one thing in common: once they're in the car, that's where they live. You do not fold them, you do not carry them through an airport, and you certainly don't pop them into a taxi without a small logistical operation.
The BeCool Foldy does things differently. As the name suggests, it folds — and that single design decision opens it up to a group of parents who've often felt a bit underserved: those with smaller cars, multiple vehicles, or a genuine need to move the seat around.
But does the folding mechanism come at a cost? Does it compromise on safety, on comfort, on the things that actually matter? We've spent time with the Foldy, and here's what we think.
What Makes the BeCool Foldy Different?
The Fold (and Why It Matters)
The headline feature is the compact fold, and it genuinely is impressive. The BeCool Foldy collapses down in a way that most traditional car seats do not — making it practical for families who need to transfer the seat between cars regularly, or who have a smaller boot and struggle with the sheer bulk that many seats bring with them.
If you've ever tried to wrestle a full-sized car seat out of a Polo or a Yaris to make space for a weekly shop, you'll immediately understand the appeal here.
It also has obvious benefits for travel. Flying with a car seat is always a faff, and the Foldy's more compact form when folded makes it a more realistic option than most. If you regularly travel with your child's seat, our guide to using a car seat poncho is worth a read alongside this — small practical decisions add up when you're navigating airports and taxis.
Installation
The Foldy installs using ISOFIX, which keeps things secure and straightforward. It's i-Size (R129) compliant, meaning it meets the current European safety standard for child car seats — a baseline we'd always recommend parents look for when buying any new seat.
Installation in compact and mid-size cars tends to be notably easier than with bulkier seats, which is a genuine selling point if you've previously had concerns about fit. That said, every car is different, and we'd always recommend checking compatibility carefully before committing.
Expert tip: Before you buy any car seat, check whether it's compatible with your specific car make, model, and year — not just your car's size category. If you're in Somerset, you can book a Smalls Install Plus appointment and we'll handle the fitting for you. If you're further afield, get in touch and we'll help you find a local option.
What the BeCool Foldy Is Designed For
The BeCool Foldy is a high-back booster seat designed for children from 100–150 cm. We'd recommend checking the manufacturer's current specifications directly — height and weight ranges can be updated, and we want to make sure you're working from the most accurate information rather than a figure that might be out of date.
We feel strongly about rear-facing at Saunders & Smalls — it's the reason we exist, really. The evidence for keeping children rear-facing for as long as possible is well-established. In a frontal collision, a rear-facing seat spreads the forces of impact across the whole of a child's back, neck, and head, rather than concentrating them at a single point. It's why Sweden, where rear-facing has been the norm for decades, has such a strong child road safety record. If extended rear-facing is a priority for your family, we'd encourage you to explore our rear-facing range and get in touch so we can help you find the right seat for your child's age and stage.
Honest Pros and Cons
We don't sell seats we don't believe in — it's one of the things that defines us as an independent retailer. So here's our straight take on the BeCool Foldy.
What We Like
- The fold is genuinely useful — not a gimmick, not just a marketing line. For families switching between cars or travelling with their seat, it's a real practical advantage
- Practical installed footprint — tends to work well in smaller cars; we'd recommend checking fit in your specific vehicle before committing
- i-Size compliant — meets current R129 regulations, which is the standard to look for
- ISOFIX installation — straightforward and secure, with less margin for error than a seatbelt-only fit
- Good for multi-car families — the ability to move the seat easily is a feature that genuinely changes daily life for some families
What to Consider
- Swedish Plus Test status — the Swedish Plus Test is a voluntary, above-and-beyond safety test that a number of our seats carry. We'd recommend checking the current Swedish Plus Test status of the BeCool Foldy directly with the manufacturer or your retailer before purchasing, as certification status can change. It still meets i-Size requirements, but if Swedish Plus Test approval is a non-negotiable for you, you'd want to confirm this before buying
- The folding mechanism adds some complexity — any additional moving part is worth understanding before you buy. It's well-engineered, but we'd encourage you to make sure you're confident with the fold/unfold process before relying on it daily
- Check your car compatibility — the Foldy's install works well in a range of vehicles, but as with any seat, fit varies. Don't assume; check
Is the BeCool Foldy Right For Your Family?
The BeCool Foldy occupies a genuinely useful niche. It's not trying to be the most feature-packed seat on the market — it's trying to be the most practical one for families who've previously found it difficult to live with a bulkier seat day to day.
If you have a smaller car, regularly switch between vehicles, or travel with your seat, it deserves serious consideration. If your priority is extended rear-facing, we'd encourage you to explore seats like the Axkid Minikid 4 or browse our rear-facing range for Swedish Plus Test-certified alternatives — and we're always happy to help you weigh those options up. Our guide to the Axkid Minikid 4 is a good place to start if you're trying to understand how a top-tier rear-facing seat compares.
Getting the BeCool Foldy Fitted Properly
Whichever seat you choose, installation matters. Incorrect installation can significantly reduce the protection a seat offers — and that's true of every seat on the market, not just the Foldy. It's also worth thinking carefully about where you position a rear-facing seat in your car — something many parents haven't considered in detail but which can make a real difference to both safety and comfort.
If you're based in Somerset, our Smalls Install Plus service is designed exactly for this. You book an appointment, bring your car (and ideally your child), and we'll install the seat correctly and walk you through everything you need to know. It's one of the most valuable things you can do after buying a new seat.
If you're outside Somerset, contact us and we'll do our best to point you towards a reputable fitting service near you. We'd rather help you find someone good than leave you to figure it out alone.
You can browse the BeCool Foldy and our full range of car seats on the Saunders & Smalls website. If you have questions before buying — about fit, compatibility, or how it compares to other seats — just get in touch. That's what we're here for.