If you've been searching for the tiny seat 2 — whether you typed it as "tiny seat 2", "tinyseats 2", or "Tinyseats Two" — you're in the right place. This is the same seat, and it's one that's been quietly earning a very loyal following among UK parents who want a compact, capable, extended rear-facing car seat without the bulk that usually comes with the territory.
At Saunders & Smalls, we only stock seats we genuinely believe in. The Tinyseats 2 is one of them. Here's everything you need to know before you decide.
What Is the Tinyseats 2?
The Tinyseats 2 (also written as Tinyseats Two, or simply the tiny seat 2) is an extended rear-facing car seat designed to keep children rear-facing for as long as possible — which, as the safety evidence consistently shows, is the safest way for children to travel by car.
It's built to the modern i-Size (R129) regulation, which replaced the older ECE R44 standard and requires side-impact testing as a minimum. That's a meaningful baseline for safety. But what sets the Tinyseats 2 apart isn't just regulatory compliance — it's how thoughtfully it's been designed for real family life, particularly for families with smaller cars.
Why does rear-facing matter? In a frontal collision — which research consistently identifies as a major cause of serious injuries and fatalities on the road — a rear-facing seat spreads the crash forces across the child's head, neck, and back. It's the same principle that makes rearward-facing seats safer for adults in trains and aeroplanes. For children, whose heads are proportionally large and whose neck muscles are still developing, the difference in protection can be significant.
Key Features of the Tinyseats 2
Rather than rattle through a spec sheet, let's focus on what actually matters day-to-day.
Compact Footprint
This is the headline feature, and it's the reason many families end up here. The Tinyseats 2 has been specifically designed with a compact footprint in mind — we'd encourage you to check the current dimensions directly with Tinyseats or your retailer to see how it compares against any specific competitors you're considering, as fitment data varies by vehicle and production run.
It installs rear-facing using ISOFIX and a support leg. For details on how the support leg positions in your specific vehicle — including any implications for boot space — we'd recommend checking the manufacturer's guidance or speaking with your retailer, as this can vary depending on your car.
Extended Rear-Facing Use
The whole point of the Tinyseats 2 is to keep children rear-facing longer. Check the current weight and height limits directly with Tinyseats or via our product page, as these are confirmed at point of sale — but the seat is designed to carry children well beyond the age when most parents feel pressure to turn their child forward.
For guidance on how long UK parents should keep their child rear-facing, take a look at our post on extended rear-facing car seats.
Swedish Plus Test
The Swedish Plus Test is an additional voluntary crash test that goes beyond the legal minimum. It's widely regarded as the gold standard for rear-facing car seat safety. We'd encourage you to check the current test status of the Tinyseats 2 directly with the manufacturer — but if Swedish Plus certification matters to you (and for many of our customers, it does), it's worth confirming before you buy.
We've written more about what the Swedish Plus Test means and which seats carry it in our Swedish Plus Test guide.
Recline Options
The Tinyseats 2 has an adjustable backrest — check the current specifications directly with the manufacturer or your retailer to confirm the exact recline functionality available, as features can vary by market and production run. What matters in practice is that the seat can be set to the correct angle for your child's age and size, both for safety and comfort on longer journeys. The recline mechanism is easy to operate, which you'll appreciate on those school-run mornings.
Sun and Light Management
One consideration with rear-facing seats more generally is that children can be exposed to sun or bright light through the rear window. For information on whether the Tinyseats 2 includes any built-in solution for this — such as a canopy or sunshade — we'd recommend checking the current product specification directly with Tinyseats or your retailer, as included accessories can vary. If you use a separate solution like a poncho-style cover, it's worth reading up on which car seat ponchos are safe to use before adding any aftermarket accessories.
How Does the Tiny Seat 2 Fit in Small Cars?
This is genuinely one of the seat's strongest selling points. Extended rear-facing seats have a reputation for eating up legroom in the front passenger seat — the person sitting in front of a rear-facing child often ends up with their seat pushed forward. The Tinyseats 2 is designed to minimise this problem.
It won't work in every small car — no rear-facing seat fits every vehicle — but it has been designed with smaller vehicles in mind. For specific vehicle compatibility — including whether it suits the car you drive — we'd recommend checking the manufacturer's compatibility list or speaking with your retailer before purchasing, as fitment data is model- and variant-specific.
A few practical tips for fitting in small cars:
- Always check the manufacturer's vehicle compatibility list before purchasing
- Try to test-fit before committing where possible — this is something we can help arrange
- Don't assume a seat won't fit based on its physical dimensions alone; install angle and ISOFIX position vary significantly between cars
- Rear-facing seats often fit better on the passenger side than directly behind the driver, depending on the vehicle — our guide to rear car seat placement goes into more detail on this
If you'd like professional fitting support and you're based in Somerset, our Smalls Install Plus service offers expert installation by appointment. If you're further afield, get in touch with us and we'll discuss the options available to you.
Installation: What to Expect
Installing the Tinyseats 2 is done using ISOFIX connectors and a support leg. Here's the basic process:
- Position the seat on the car seat base, ensuring it's facing rearward
- Connect the ISOFIX arms to the vehicle's ISOFIX anchors — you should hear or feel a clear click
- Extend and position the support leg so it makes firm contact with the car floor
- Check the angle indicator — most installations have a visual guide built in; ensure it's within the correct range for your child's age and size
- Adjust the headrest and harness to suit your child before every journey
Installation tip: The support leg must be on a solid, flat section of the car floor. Avoid positioning it over storage compartments or recessed areas — these can collapse in a crash and compromise the seat's protection.
If there's any doubt, professional fitting is always the right call. A poorly installed car seat — even an excellent one — won't perform as designed.
Who Is the Tinyseats 2 Best For?
The tiny seat 2 suits families who:
- Drive smaller cars and have struggled to find a rear-facing seat that fits comfortably
- Want extended rear-facing beyond the minimum legal requirement, ideally to the seat's maximum limits
- Value thoughtful design — the compact profile reflects a seat designed by people who've actually thought about family life
- Have multiple children and need a seat that won't dominate the back row
It's a strong choice, but like any seat, it's not for everyone. If you're prioritising the absolute highest weight limit available, or you specifically need a seat with a 360° rotation, it's worth comparing it against alternatives — we'd recommend verifying the current specifications of any seats you're considering directly with the manufacturer or retailer before drawing comparisons. You might also find our Axkid Minikid 4 guide or our reviews of the BeSafe iZi Turn useful starting points.
Our Verdict
The Tinyseats 2 — however you spell it — is a seat that does something genuinely difficult: it delivers serious rear-facing credentials in a compact package. For families in smaller cars who've felt priced out or squeezed out of the extended rear-facing market, it's a seat worth looking at closely.
We stock it because we believe in it, not because we're obligated to. If you'd like to talk through whether it's the right fit for your child and your car, get in touch with us — we're happy to help you work it out properly.