WRITTEN BY ROBYN HUNT
Registered Counsellor &
Certified Car Seat Technician
The Maxi Cosi Pearl 360 Pro is an upgraded version on the original Maxi Cosi Pearl 360. The Pearl 360 Pro is a 360-degree rotating baby and toddler car seat featuring Maxi Cosi's new SlideTech™ Technology, making it easier to put your child in and out the car.
This seat forms part of the Maxi Cosi 360 Pro SlideTech™ Family where the Maxi Cosi FamilyFix 360 Pro isofix base is used with the Maxi Cosi Pebble 360 Pro infant seat and then the Maxi Cosi Pearl 360 Pro toddler seat.
Pros and cons of THE maxi cosi pearl 360 PRO:
Pros:
- Rotation and slide can be done with one hand
- it is Ideal for 2-door cars and for users with back problems
- The installation is easy and fast
- The seat has good padding and support
- It has 5 recline positions
- It is a great follow on option if you already have the FamilyFix 360 Pro isofix base from the Pebble 360 Pro infant seat
Cons:
- It cannot be installed with a seatbelt
- It is expensive if buying the FamilyFix 360 Pro isofix base just for use with this seat in the toddler stage
- It makes a rattling sound when unoccupied and travelling on dirt roads
WHAT ARE THE WEIGHT AND HEIGHT LIMITS OF THE maxi cosi pearl 360 pro?
The Pearl 360 Pro is an iSize approved car seat from 61cm-105cm/17.5kg in rear facing or 76-105cm/17.5kg in forward facing. This usually lasts average-sized children until they are approximately 4 years old. It is safest for children to rear face as long as possible, and the Pearl 360 Pro does allow extended rear facing until 105cm (approximately 4 years).
WHAT ARE THE SAFETY FEATURES OF THE maxi cosi pearl 360 Pro?
The Maxi Cosi Pearl 360 Pro must be installed with the Maxi Cosi FamilyFix 360 Pro isofix base. The FamilyFix 360 Pro isofix base contains visual installation indicators to ensure correct installation. The FamilyFix 360 Pro isofix base also has an anti-misuse switch to ensure you do not turn the seat forward facing too soon. It performs well in crash tests and meets the severe UN R129 (iSize) side impact criteria.
In combination with the side impact protection of the headrest which contains Patented AirProtect® technology for extra protection of child’s head, The Pearl 360 Pro contains G-CELL 2.0 Side Impact Protection. This adds additional built-in energy absorption and provides maximum protection with improved 3D impact absorption from multiple angles, to ensure your baby’s safety in a collision.
It scored an overall safety score of 1.9 (good) by ADAC with a low risk of injury in a side impact collision and a low risk of injury in a frontal collision.
The Anti-misuse switch on the FamilyFix 360 Pro isofix base ensures rearward-facing travel until at least 15 months or at least 76cm tall. We recommend rearfacing until the maximum weight and height limit of the seat (17.5kg and 105cm).
WHAT ARE THE COMFORT FEATURES OF THE maxi cosi pearl 360 PRO?
The Pearl 360 Pro has 5 recline settings for rear facing, which offer maximum comfort for naps and prevents your baby’s head falling forward. As your child gets older, the seat should be used in more upright recline settings. This also gives older children a bit more legroom in rear facing as they grow. All recline positions can be used when forward facing too.
The head rest can be adjusted to multiple heights along with the integrated 5-point harness.
The Pearl 360 Pro has AirProtect pockets in the headrest for head protection, but it also adds soft cushioning for your childs comfort. The car seat is well-padded all round with soft, breathable fabrics.
The Pearl 360 Pro has an "easy-in harness". This ensures the harness stays out of the way when you are putting your baby into the seat, and it also makes it easier to loosen and tighten the harness.
The Pearl 360 Pro has been built with large ClimaFlow panels and breathable fabrics to maximise air circulation and temperature regulation. This will ensure your child is always at a comfortable temperature minimizing sweating and overheating.
The Pearl 360 Pro has been built with Maxi Cosi's new SlideTech™ Technology. This enables you to rotate the seat towards the door and then slide the seat out of the door towards you. This prevents bending and straining when putting your child into and taking your child out of the car. This can be done with one hand.
HOW IS THE maxi cosi Pearl 360 Pro INSTALLED?
The Pearl 360 Pro is quick and easy to install, and relatively foolproof! The Pearl 360 Pro must be installed with the FamilyFix 360 Pro isofix base. It is only possible to install it in cars with isofix brackets and it cannot be installed with the seatbelt.
HOW TO INSTALL THE maxi cosi pearl 360 PRO REAR FACING?
Attach the isofix connectors of the FamilyFix 360 Pro isofix base to the vehicle's isofix, and check that the indicators turn green. The isofix base should then be pushed as close to the vehicle backrest as possible for a secure installation.
The support leg should then be adjusted to the correct height in the footwell of the car, until the indicator turns green. Thereafter, the Pearl 360 Pro can be clicked onto the base in the rearfacing position. When the seat is clicked on securely, the indicators on the side of the isofix base will turn from red to green.
Once the seat is installed and all indicators are green, you can then adjust the seat to one of the recline positions. The seat must be fully reclined for babies under 12 months. Thereafter, we recommend moving it one recline setting up at each birthday, however there is no set rule to what recline setting you have to use after your baby is 12 months old.
HOW TO INSTALL THE maxi cosi pearl 360 Pro FORWARD FACING?
The Pearl 360 Pro is quick and easy to switch from rear facing to forward facing. Simply switch the anti-misuse switch off, pull the lever and swivel the seat around. The seat can then be reclined to one of the 5 forward facing recline positions. It is mandatory to use rearward-facing up to an age of 15 months and a size of 76 cm.
The anti-misuse switch prevents misuse of the forward-facing position of the car seat. It ensures the forward-facing position cannot used before the child is at least 15 months old and 76 cm tall. Even beyond this limit, Maxi Cosi recommend that rearward-facing transport is the safest. And we agree!
HOW TO REMOVE AND WASH THE Maxi cosi Pearl 360 Pro COVERS?
The covers are fairly easy to remove and are machine washable. There are 5 components fixed to the seat shell by hooks, elastic, velcro, and snap buttons, elastic piping.
The manual has a step-by-step guide on removing the covers that is reasonably easy and straight forward to follow.
The cover should be washed at 30° C in a delicate wash cycle. Washing at higher temperatures than 30° C or by hand may result in colour bleeding. Wash separately from other items and never tumble dry! Always hang to dry out of direct sunlight.
HOW LONG CAN THE maxi cosi pearl 360 PRO BE USED FOR?
The Pearl 360 Pro has been developed for an intensive use of 12 years.
This is only applicable if the seat has not been dropped, in an accident, or on an airplane (unboxed and not properly packaged). The seat must also be stored appropriately to maximise the lifespan.
WHAT IS THE WARRANTY ON THE maxi cosi Pearl 360 Pro?
Maxi Cosi products have a 24-month warranty which covers all manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship when used in normal conditions and in accordance with their user manual for a period of 24 months from the date of the original retail purchase by the first end-user customer. To request repairs or spare parts under warranty, you must present your proof of purchase to the local distributor. They offer excellent customer service and usually have spare parts available to carry out repairs.
Maxi Cosi free swap service
Maxi Cosi offers a unique service. If your child car seat has been in an accident, its safety may be compromised even if there is no visible damage. Maxi Cosi will replace the crashed seat with a brand new one. They then send the crashed seat back to the manufacturer to get valuable information about how their car seats perform in collisions. Terms and conditions apply.
IS THE maxi cosi pearl 360 Pro COMPATIBLE WITH MY CAR?
In order to install the Pearl 360 Pro, the car requires isofix and no underfloor storage compartments. A rear facing car seat must never be installed in front of an active airbag. Click on the pink tab below to check if your car is on the approved fit list:
WHAT ARE THE DIMENSIONS OF THE maxi cosi Pearl 360 Pro?
The Pearl 360 Pro weighs 7.15kg (without the isofix base).
In its longest position (rearfacing, fully reclined, headrest on the highest position) it is 77.3cm long. In its highest position (forward facing, fully upright, headrest on the highest position), it is 69.8cm tall. The seat is 43.2cm wide.
OUR VERDICT
The Maxi Cosi Pearl 360 Pro is a high safety rated rotating seat with the added bonus of SlideTech technology. Maxi Cosi have combined safety with convenience and ergonomics with the Pearl 360 Pro.
If you already have the FamilyFix 360 Pro isofix base from the Pebble 360 Pro infant seat, then the Pearl 360 Pro is the next solution for a toddler seat.
However, if buying the FamilyFix 360 isofix base AND the Pearl 360 to use just for the toddler years; it is quite costly. The Maxi Cosi Mica 360 Pro offers similar features but is more affordable. The Pearl 360 Pro is easy to install and easy to use. When using it as a part of the Maxi Cosi 360 Pro Family; It is a perfect long-term solution without compromising on safety.
Our Products
Precious Cargo is a proud distributor of Maxi Cosi products in South Africa. Feel free to contact us for more information or to arrange a fitting.
