Full Review ⭐ Cosatto RAC Port i-Size Baby Car Seat: 0-15 Months, Travel System Compatible, Rearward-Facing (Spot The Birdie)

Cosatto is a well-known British brand that specializes in stylish and innovative baby products like strollers, highchairs, and car seats. The Cosatto RAC Port i-Size is one of their newest rear-facing infant car seat models designed for babies from birth to 15 months old.

As a i-Size car seat, the RAC Port meets the latest European safety standards for crash protection. It's been designed in collaboration with the RAC motoring organization to provide maximum safety and comfort. With its eye-catching patterns and handy features, this car seat aims to make travel with baby simple and secure.

The RAC Port can be used as a standalone rear-facing car seat or paired with Cosatto strollers to create a complete travel system. Key features include side impact protection, an adjustable headrest and harness, carry handle, and compatibility with ISOFIX and vehicle seat belts for flexible installation.

This review will take an in-depth look at the safety credentials, sizing, installation, fabric, and convenience factors of the Cosatto RAC Port to help parents decide if it's the right fit for their baby.

Safety Features

The Cosatto RAC Port i-Size car seat prioritizes safety with its intelligent design. It has a rearward facing position, which is recommended for babies and provides optimal protection for their head, neck and spine in the event of a collision.

The seat has deep side wings with extra side impact protection to shield your little one. This is an important safety consideration, as side impacts account for around a third of car crashes resulting in infant fatalities. The advanced side wings help absorb crash forces and reduce injury risk.

The seat is rigorously tested to meet or exceed all safety regulations and standards. This includes being successfully crash tested at speeds up to 50 km/h. You can have peace of mind knowing your baby is well protected.

As your child grows, you'll need to transition them to a larger car seat suitable for older kids. An excellent option is the Cosatto Zoomi Car Seat. This forward-facing seat is designed for children from 9 months to 12 years old, weighing 9 to 36 kg.

The Zoomi has a tall backrest with deep sides for enhanced protection. It features energy-absorbing EPS foam and a steel frame for robustness. Adjustable headrest and harness heights let you get the right fit as your child grows. Removable and washable covers make it easy to keep clean.

This seat accommodates three harness positions and can be installed with the vehicle's seatbelt or ISOFIX connectors. The one-pull harness adjustment provides convenience when securing your child. For comfort on long journeys, the seat has extra padding and ventilation channels.

Like the RAC Port i-Size, the Zoomi meets or exceeds all major safety standards. It is side impact tested and approved for occupant weights up to 36 kg. Safety testing verifies it provides excellent protection in frontal and side collisions.

With its range of safety features, the Zoomi gives you assurance your child is protected while allowing them more space and visibility as they grow. It makes an ideal second stage seat after an infant carrier like the RAC Port i-Size. This combination covers your child's needs from birth through the toddler and preschool years.

When choosing car seats, always refer to the manufacturer's recommendations for the appropriate models based on your child's age, size and weight. Check that seats are installed correctly per the instructions. Proper use and fit are vital for safety. With quality seats like the Cosatto RAC Port i-Size and Zoomi, you can travel with confidence knowing your precious cargo is well protected.

Size and Weight Range

The Cosatto RAC Port i-Size baby car seat is designed for babies from 40-85 cm in height (up to approximately 15 months old). It has a maximum weight capacity of 18 kg (40 lbs).

In terms of dimensions, the seat itself is 44 x 54 x 65 cm. It has an adjustable headrest that grows along with your child, ranging from 40 to 60 cm. The seat weighs 4.9 kg (10.8 lbs) which makes it relatively lightweight and manageable to carry compared to some other rear-facing infant car seats.

The RAC Port fits well in most vehicles and the compact design doesn't take up excessive space. It's a good option for smaller cars. The built-in side impact protection pods also don't significantly widen the seat.

Another great car seat option for growing children is the Cosatto Judo Child Car Seat. This is a forward-facing car seat suitable for children from 9 months to 12 years old, spanning across groups 1, 2, and 3. It has a wide weight range of 9-36 kg and multiple recline positions for comfort.

Key features of the Cosatto Judo car seat include:

• ISOFIX connectors for secure installation
• 5-point safety harness that can be removed as your child gets older
• Headrest with 11 height positions
• Chest and buckle pads for comfort
• Built-in side impact protection
• One-pull harness tightener and quick release buckle
• Machine washable covers
• Compact space-saving design

This car seat grows with your child, providing an excellent long-term investment that will last for many years. The safety features like ISOFIX and side impact protection pods give peace of mind. It's easy to install and adjust as needed. The covers can also be removed for washing to keep the seat fresh.

With its wide weight and height range, the Cosatto Judo covers three car seat groups in one. It's suitable for children weighing between 9 and 36 kg and up to 135 cm in height. This makes it a smart choice for families who don't want to have to buy a new seat after just a couple of years. It provides extended use from toddlerhood well into the tween and pre-teen years.

If you're looking for an adaptable car seat that truly grows with your child and provides safety and comfort features for the long haul, the Cosatto Judo is an excellent option to consider. The stylish designs and range of color choices add extra appeal.

Installation

The Cosatto RAC Port i-Size car seat is designed for easy installation in your vehicle. It can be installed using either the vehicle's seat belt or ISOFIX anchors.

Using the seatbelt is straightforward - simply thread the seatbelt through the belt guides on the car seat and buckle it in. The seatbelt installation is intuitive and the belt guides make it easy to get a tight, secure fit. Many parents appreciate the flexibility of being able to quickly install the seat with the seatbelt in any vehicle.

For even more stability, the RAC Port can be installed using the ISOFIX anchors found in newer vehicles. There are ISOFIX connectors that click into the lower anchors in your car, providing a very snug fit that minimizes movement. Installing with ISOFIX takes a bit more effort than the seatbelt but gives that extra peace of mind that the car seat is firmly secured. The ISOFIX installation combined with the car seat's impact protection system provides optimal safety for your child while travelling.

Overall, the flexible installation options with either seatbelt or ISOFIX make the Cosatto RAC Port accommodating for any vehicle while ensuring your child is properly secured for safety. The belt guides provide an assist for easy seatbelt installation and the ISOFIX connectors make a rock-solid installation with anchors.

Harness

The Cosatto RAC Port i-Size car seat has a 5-point harness system to keep babies secure. The harness straps can be easily adjusted from the front to achieve the proper fit as your child grows. Simply feed the straps through the slots and pull to tighten or loosen.

The chest clips and buckles are also designed for convenience. The clips click together easily when securing your baby in the seat and release with the push of a button. The harness buckle is positioned in the center between the legs for accessibility. It slides in smoothly and produces an audible "click" when properly latched. To release, press the red button and pull the two buckle tongues out.

Overall, the harness system is adjustable while remaining secure and simple to use. The multiple slots allow you to achieve the right fit for your baby's size and stage. And the clips and buckle make it easy to get your little one in and out while keeping them protected on every ride.

Fabric and Cleaning

The Cosatto RAC Port i-Size baby car seat features high quality, durable fabrics that are soft to the touch. The seat pad and harness covers are made from a plush velour material that provides comfort for baby during travels.

One of the nice features of this car seat is that the fabric pieces are removable and machine washable. The pad and harness covers can be easily unzipped and tossed in the washing machine to keep the seat fresh and clean. This is a huge convenience for parents, allowing you to maintain the seat without much effort. The fabric pieces are washing machine and dryer safe, making cleaning a breeze.

Just be sure to refer to the manufacturer's instructions for washing recommendations. In most cases, a gentle cycle with cold water and mild detergent is ideal for the velour fabrics. Tumble dry on low and avoid using fabric softeners or bleach. With proper care, the fabrics will retain their softness and appearance after many washes.

The ability to remove and machine wash the fabrics makes the Cosatto RAC Port i-Size a practical choice for parents looking for an easy-to-clean car seat. The quality velour stands up well to repeated use and washes.

Additional Features

The Cosatto RAC Port i-Size car seat comes with a few nice additional features that add convenience and comfort for baby.

Canopy

The seat has an attached canopy that can be adjusted to block sun and light. The canopy has a nice sturdy feel and easily clicks into different positions. It can be pushed back completely out of the way if desired. The canopy fabric matches the seat fabric for a coordinated look.

Toy Bar

There is an overhead toy bar with two detachable soft toy pals for baby's entertainment. The toy bar clicks into place above the baby's head and can be removed easily when not needed. The toy bar toys are cute animal faces that crinkle and rattle for stimulation.

Storage

The car seat includes a handy storage compartment at the back of the seat. This is great for stashing small items like pacifiers, snacks, toys and more to have within easy reach while on-the-go. The storage pouch is a decent size while not taking away from the seat itself.

Portability

The Cosatto RAC Port i-Size car seat is designed with portability in mind. At just 6.4 kg, it is one of the lightest rearward facing seats on the market. This makes it easy to lift in and out of the car.

The integrated carry handle is another handy feature that makes the seat portable. When your baby falls asleep in the car, you don't have to wake them up! Simply lift the seat out using the padded handle. This allows you to transfer sleeping babies from car to home without disturbing them.

The low weight and carry handle make the RAC Port easy to take along on trips. You won't have to struggle lifting a heavy seat through airports or train stations. It's light enough to carry comfortably on your hip or shoulder. This gives you one free hand to manage luggage or hold your child's hand.

Overall, the portability of the Cosatto RAC Port i-Size is one of its major advantages. The low weight and carry handle allow you to easily transport the seat and sleeping baby wherever you go.

Value

The Cosatto RAC Port i-Size baby car seat offers excellent value for money given its features and quality. At around £200, it sits in the mid-price range for infant car seats but packs in premium features found in more expensive models.

The seat includes useful accessories like a head hugger, chest pads, and a sun canopy. The head hugger provides extra support and comfort for smaller babies. The sun canopy attaches to the top of the seat to shield baby from sunlight coming through the windows. These extras help justify the price point.

The car seat is designed to last from newborn to 15 months old (approximately 13kg). So you get over a year of use before needing to purchase the next stage seat. Given the sturdy build quality and washable fabric covers, the seat should remain in great condition for multiple children. This longevity makes it a wise investment compared to cheaper infant seats.

While not the cheapest option, the Cosatto RAC Port i-Size provides excellent safety, comfort, and convenience. The price reflects the premium materials, smart design features, and long-lasting durability. For parents seeking a high-quality infant seat, it represents good value compared to higher-end brands.

Summary

Overall, the Cosatto RAC Port i-Size baby car seat has a lot of great features for safety, comfort, and convenience.

Pros:

• Meets the latest i-Size safety standards
• Easy, secure installation with the car's seatbelt or ISOFIX
• Well-padded harness and headrest for comfort
• Breathable fabric and machine washable covers
• Portable and lightweight for traveling
• Great value for money compared to similar models

Cons:

• Installation takes some practice to get right
• Fabric can get quite warm in hot weather
• Only suitable for babies up to 15 months old

In summary, the Cosatto RAC Port provides excellent safety and comfort for babies up to 15 months old. The breathable fabric, easy cleaning, and lightweight design make it convenient for parents on the go. While installation takes some initial practice, the seat locks in very securely once in place. For rear-facing baby seats that meet the latest safety standards, the Cosatto RAC Port is an affordable and well-made option to consider.