Best Baby Capsule Australia 2022

One of the hardest things about putting together a comprehensive “best car seats Australia 2022” guide is there are so many variables to consider when choosing a car seat. While I quite happily limit myself to recommending the best 8-10 prams and strollers every year when it comes to car seats I would be doing you a disservice if I put that kind of limitation. 

Also, car seats are used over such a wide span of time it didn’t make as much sense to put them all in one page. If you’re just needing a booster seat for your 6 year old you probably don’t need to be scrolling through a dozen newborn car seat options.

So I have split up these guides into the following pages 

• Best Baby Capsules: 0-6months / 0-12months (the page you’re on!)
• Best Convertible Car Seats : 0-4 Years / 0-8 Years
• Best Forward Facing Car Seats: 1-8 years / 4-8 years (coming soon!)

So hopefully I’ve broken these guides down to make this search easier for you! Within each page, I have mostly sorted into price categories because I know that a lot of parents are looking for the best car seat they can get on their budget. Please note all pricing is intended as an approximate guide and is accurate to the best of my ability at the time of publishing.

How to Choose A Baby Capsule

When choosing a capsule the most important things to consider are:

What Age Range Do you Want?

Typically 0-6 capsules will be lighter and more compact. Whereas 0-12 months capsules obviously will last longer before transitioning to the next car seat! 

Does The Capsule Fit Your Car?

I have included all measurements for each capsule. Capsules typically are narrower than regular car seats, so can be a great option if you’re trying to fit three across. But they can be surprisingly deep front to back and if your capsule is jammed in behind the front seat, not only won’t it be safe, but it’ll also be difficult to take in and out of the car. 

This is also why typically it’s recommended to put the car seat behind your front passenger – so your driver can adjust their seat forward and back without having to worry about hitting the car seat behind them. 

Measuring up your back seat is all well and good, but I think the best thing to do is go to your nearest baby store and physically test the seats in your car.

Also, check out my guide for Fitting Three Across.

What is your budget?

Capsules can cost between $299-$799 – so you really do need to consider what your budget when choosing a capsule! You do get what you pay for when it comes to car seats. While all capsules/car seats must pass Australia’s quite high safety standards there are other features and factors to consider when it comes to paying a premium price. Like fabric quality, ease of use and other handy features.

Check Your Stroller and Capsule Are Compatible!

Capsule compatibility can be an absolute nightmare and is so confusing for new parents. I think the most important thing to understand about capsule compatibility is:

All Advertised Capsule/Stroller compatibility MUST BE safety tested in Australia. 

Every unique Capsule/Stroller combination must be tested to be advertised as compatible. This means there are scenarios where a capsule absolutely will fit, it will work and also it will be safe to use – but because it hasn’t been safety tested it cannot be advertised as compatible. 

For example, if a stroller has been safety tested with a Maxi Cosi Mico AP but not a Maxi Cosi Mico Plus the stroller cannot be advertised as being compatible with the Maxi Cosi Mico Plus, even though the only difference between these two models is in the base that is installed into the car and not attached in any way to the stroller. 

There are also several capsule brands that use the same capsule adapter shape, like Maxi Cosi, Nuna, Joie, Cybex. Though you will need to still be mindful regarding testing.

PLEASE NOTE: There is more to a capsule fitting a stroller than plugging into a capsule adapter. In some instances, the stroller frame or design inhibits the use of some capsules. So the adapter might plug into the capsule, but the capsule still won’t physically fit the stroller. 

ALSO PLEASE NOTE: Be very careful if you’re reading capsule compatibility on international websites as they can have slightly different models. Particularly Maxi Cosi – Australian model Maxi Cosi capsules have an extra piece of plastic on the side (presumably relating to our safety standards) that can prevent them from fitting into narrower strollers. 

SAFETY DISCLAIMER: Please do what you want with this information but safety testing does exist for a reason. So use some common sense and your own discretion if you are considering using a capsule that hasn’t been safety tested on your stroller. Particularly if you are considering a capsule that is much larger and heavier than the capsules listed as compatible. 

Best Baby Capsule 0-6months

Best High End 0-6 Baby Capsule – Maxi Cosi Mico 6 (Isofix) / Maxi Cosi Mico Plus $399-$449

The Maxi Cosi Mico 6 (Isofix) and Mico Plus don’t appear to have any meaningful difference in terms of features. The only difference from what I can see is Mico 6 is exclusive to Baby Bunting and Mico Plus is available through other retailers. 

They have the exact same shell and dimensions, same premium fabrics, same “Air Protect” impact absorbing material and both offer Isofix as an installation method. 

Maxi Cosi Mico 6 / Mico Plus Specifications

Installed Width 44cms
Installed Depth (front to back) 61.5cms
Capsule Weight 4.6kgs
Base Weight 3.2kgs
Total Weight 7.8kgs

Best Mid-range 0-6 Baby Capsule  – Maxi Cosi Mico 6 (Non Isofix) $379

Opting for the Non-Isofix version of the Maxi Cosi Mico capsule is a great way to save a few dollars – especially if you’re planning to have your car seat professionally installed anyway. Isofix isn’t safer than a standard seat belt install, it’s just easier. But when a lot of parents have their seats installed, why pay more for a feature you’re not using?

Otherwise, the Mico 6 (Non-Iso) is the same exact capsule as the Isofix version – just the different fitting option in the base. 

Maxi Cosi Mico 6 (Non-Isofix) Specifications

Installed Width 44cms
Installed Depth (front to back) 61.5cms
Capsule Weight 4.6kgs
Base Weight 3.2kgs
Total Weight 7.8kgs

Best Budget 0-6 Baby Capsule – Maxi Cosi Citi ($299 approximate price) 

Full disclosure, I can’t tell if Maxi Cosi Citi is being discontinued, or it’s just out of stock everywhere due to Covid (which still has a HUGE impact on supply chains) So watch this space. 

If the Maxi Cosi Citi is still around then it’s my go-to recommendation for parents on a budget looking for a capsule. It’s also the most compact capsule option.

Though there is a substantial difference in the fabric quality compared to the more premium Maxi Cosi capsules, as well as the essentially non-existent sunhood.

Maxi Cosi Citi Specifications

Installed Width 38cms
Installed Depth (front to back) 54cms
Capsule Weight 3.2kgs
Base Weight 3.2kgs
Total Weight 6.4kgs

Best Baby Capsule 0-12months

Best High End 0-12 Month Capsule –  Cybex Cloud Q ($749-$799)

It feels a bit frivolous to include the Cybex Cloud Q in this list – but if you want the best, this the best. And also obviously the most expensive. The Cybex Cloud Q is an incredibly unique capsule offering features not seen on other capsules. Aside from the super cool appearance, the shell-like hood and compelling safety features, the REAL reason I rate it as the best capsule is the ability to be reclined while out of the car. So your baby can lie back and relax in their capsule while strolling around. Though they will need to be returned to the more seated position when in the car. 

Also Cybex capsules fit Maxi Cosi adapters – though be mindful if your stroller doesn’t list the Cybex Cloud Q as compatible it likely hasn’t been safety tested, which means it may not be safe… it also might not fit the stroller frame. 

Cybex Cloud Q Specifications

Installed Width 44cms
Installed Depth (front to back) 67cms
Capsule Weight 5.7kgs
Base Weight Not specified
Total Weight  Not Specified

Best Mid-range 0-12 Month Capsule – Baby Jogger city GO ($399-$449)

The Baby Jogger city GO Capsule ticks a lot of boxes at a very approxable price point. I particularly love the head support that can be moved up and down to fit your baby and the non-rethread harness (because who has time for that!). As well as the helpful features like built in spirit level, adjustable base and Isofix to make install a bit easier! (I demonstrate these features in my video review)

The only limitation is the Baby Jogger City city GO capsule is only compatible with Baby Jogger strollers. Which is great if you have one, not so helpful if you don’t.

Alternative options would be a Nuna or Joie capsule that offers similar features because those brands also use Maxi Cosi adapters – though as with the Cybex capsule if they’re not listed as compatible with your stroller they haven’t been tested and so can’t be recommended. 

Baby Jogger city GO capsule Specifications

Installed Width 45cms
Installed Depth (front to back) 69cms
Capsule Weight 4.7kgs
Base Weight 2.9kgs
Total Weight  7.6kgs

Best Budget 0-12 Month Capsule  – Britax Unity Neos 

The Britax Unity Neos is pretty much the Britax equivalent of the Maxi Cosi Citi. It’s more compact with less features than the regular Britax Unity, but it’s a great option if you’re looking for a capsule on a budget, especially if you have a Britax/Steelcraft branded stroller and so don’t have the option of a different capsule brand. 

Britax Unity Neos Specifications

Installed Width 47cms
Installed Depth (front to back) 54.5cms
Capsule Weight 4.5kgs
Base Weight Not specified
Total Weight Not Specified