In this review, we take a parent’s look at the Axkid Up Car Seat – a high back booster with a steel frame, adjustable seat height, and award-winning safety features for children aged 4 to 12.
Quick Summary: This parent-focused review of the Axkid Up Car Seat explores its safety-first design, steel frame, height-adjustable booster seat, comfort, accessories, and why it’s a trusted choice for children aged 4–12.
Introduction
If you’re anything like the many parents on the hunt for the perfect car seat, you know the struggle of balancing safety, comfort, and practicality. Enter the Axkid Up - a brand-new forward facing booster seat from Axkid that’s been making waves for its advanced safety tech and parent-friendly design. This seat is aimed at children roughly 4-12 years old (100-150 cm up to ~50 kg), covering that “big kid” stage with an impressive array of features. In fact, the Axkid Up has already snagged awards (it won Gold in the Dadsnet Awards for best car seat) for its unbeatable safety, comfort, and adaptability. Axkid is a Swedish brand known for taking safety very seriously, they’ve spent decades innovating child car safety and have a reputation for uncompromising safety standards. With that pedigree, our expectations for the Axkid Up were sky high.
In this review, we’ll cover the safety features, how it grows with your child, everyday ease of use, the stylish design and accessories, and even touch on when it’s the right time to transition to a booster. Spoiler alert: the Axkid Up lived up to its hype for me, combining rock-solid safety with thoughtful touches that make our daily drives easier. Let’s dive in!
Safety First: A Booster Built Like a Tank (But Smarter)
When it comes to car seats, safety is always priority number one and the Axkid Up delivers in a big way. My first impression was how reassuringly solid this seat is. It actually has a solid steel frame inside, giving it a heft (about 9.5 kg weight) and sturdiness you can feel. Unlike many boosters which are mostly plastic, this one’s metal-reinforced frame forms the backbone of its safety. Axkid even mounted the seat on a ProTecBase™ with a built-in support leg (load leg), making the Up the first high-back booster I’ve seen with a fold-out floor support. That support leg props against the car floor for extra stability and to absorb forces in a crash, reducing forward rotation. It’s an innovative (and somewhat debated) addition, but it provides peace of mind knowing the seat won’t tip or slide under impact. The combination of the rigid ISOFIX connectors and that support leg makes the seat feel rock-solid once installed.
One of the Axkid Up’s headline features is its “advanced high-back booster” technology, specifically the patented HeightControl™ raisable seat cushion. In plain language: you can adjust the height of the seat base up or down to position the seatbelt perfectly across your child’s hips and shoulder as they grow. This is huge for safety, because the whole point of a booster is to “boost” the child so the adult seatbelt fits correctly. The Axkid Up is actually the only high-back booster in the world with a height-adjustable seat cushion. With a quick handle squeeze, I can raise or lower the bottom of the seat to make sure the lap belt sits low on your child's hip bones (the strongest part of the body) rather than up on their tummy. As they get taller, just tweak the seat height, no more slouching or poor belt fit. This feature is truly next-level; no other booster seat has this yet in such a clever form, and it means optimal belt routing with minimal slack at all times
The Axkid Up’s design also helps your child benefit from the car’s built-in safety features. By boosting them to the right height, the seat ensures your child is better aligned with things like side-curtain airbags and seatbelt pretensioners in your vehicle. In a side impact, for example, a taller booster position can let the airbag protect their head and torso more effectively, something a lot of boosters don’t account for. Axkid claims their internal crash tests showed the Up reduces crash forces on the child by up to 25% compared to standard boosters. That’s a bold claim, but considering the extra stability from the steel frame and support leg, it’s believable. While we’ll have to wait for independent test scores, Axkid’s track record (their other seats often ace safety tests like the rigorous Swedish Plus Test) gives confidence. It’s clear they’ve over-engineered this seat to go above and beyond basic regulations in protecting our kids.
Another safety aspect I appreciate is the Side Impact Protection. The Axkid Up comes with deep, padded side wings around the head and torso, and even these are smartly designed. They call them SnapGuard™ removable side wings, meaning you can actually detach the side panels if you need to save space or fit multiple seats side-by-side. At first I was skeptical, why would I remove a side wing, isn’t that less safe? But I learned that the main purpose of booster side wings is to position the child and contain them, and Axkid assures that even without the side panels the child is still properly protected (the seat shell underneath is still there). For everyday use I would keep the wings on for the added cushion and support, but if you needed to fit three seats in the back, pop off one of the Axkid’s side wings and it instantly free up space to position the seats together. This kind of flexibility is a lifesaver for larger families. Plus, the side wings on the Axkid Up are nice and thick, offering good head support if your child falls asleep and acting as buffers in a side crash. It’s the best of both worlds, safety when you need it, but removable when you need the space.
In summary, Axkid has really raised the bar for booster seat safety here. From the steel-framed construction and support leg, to the innovative height-adjustable cushion and side-impact wings, the Axkid Up feels like it’s built for maximum protection. It’s no surprise Axkid markets it as their “most advanced” booster ever. As a parent, I find huge reassurance in these features, it’s like strapping your child into a mini tank (one that’s also smart enough to adjust and work with your car’s safety systems). And knowing Axkid’s safety-first philosophy (they even do extra internal and third-party tests beyond what’s required), I trust that the Axkid Up is engineered to safeguard my precious cargo on every journey.
Growing with Your Child: Comfort & Adjustability for Years
One major advantage of the Axkid Up is that it’s designed to grow with your child from preschool to pre-teen. If you’re investing in a high-quality booster, you want it to last several years and this seat absolutely delivers on long-term adaptability. Aside from the adjustable seat cushion height (which we covered above), the Axkid Up has an adaptable headrest and backrest that move to accommodate children from around 100 cm up to 150 cm tall. In practical terms, that’s roughly a 4-year-old on the low end all the way to an 11 or 12-year-old on the high end. I appreciate that Axkid didn’t treat this as a “one position fits all” booster; instead, it has three height settings for the seat/base and a headrest that you can raise as your child grows. The backrest also adjusts its angle somewhat to fit different vehicle seat shapes, ensuring it sits flush. In trying it out, I found the adjustment mechanisms easy to use, no re-threading straps or anything complicated. You just pull a handle or press a lever and you can slide the headrest up, or lift the seat base, etc. Within minutes, the seat is perfectly tailored to your child's proportions.
Crucially, this tailored fit isn’t just about comfort, it’s about safety at every stage. A smaller 4-5 year old will need the booster fairly high to route the belt correctly, while a taller 10-year-old might use it in a lower setting. The Axkid Up makes it simple to get that right fit at each growth spurt, so the belt is always lying across the strong parts of their body (shoulder and pelvis) and not the neck or stomach. As a parent, I find this feature incredibly reassuring, it takes the guesswork out of “Is my child positioned correctly?”
Comfort-wise, the Axkid Up has generous, high-quality seat padding. Axkid incorporated something called ErgoSupport™ for lumbar support. Essentially, the seat back is contoured in a way that supports the natural curve of a child’s spine, inspired by ergonomic Swedish school furniture design, encouraging good posture and no slouching or sliding forward, even on longer drives. The deep headrest is nicely cushioned, which means less movement or heads from bobbling around during naps on road trips. Axkid also thoughtfully added ventilation holes in the seat, so on hot days the seat doesn’t get as sweaty. And of course, the fabric cover is removable and machine-washable (at 30°C) – a must for any seat that’s going to see crumbs, spills, and who knows what else over the years.
I also want to highlight the sense of space and visibility a child gets in the Axkid Up. The booster’s raiseable design means they will sit a bit higher up than in an old static booster. No more “I can’t see outside!” complaints. Despite being higher, there is still plenty of headroom under the car’s roof due to the Axkid’s multiple adjustment settings. The seat is fairly slim in width (especially if you remove the side wings), which means it doesn’t feel like a throne engulfing the child. Children can easily reach the seatbelt buckle and has enough room on the sides to buckle themselves in (with a bit of practice). In fact, Axkid deliberately made the belt guides in the headrest extra wide to ensure the belt glides at a natural angle and doesn’t get twisted or caught. We found the belt routing very straightforward, the shoulder belt slides into the guide without friction, and the lap belt passes under the armrests/snaps in securely every time.
The bottom line here is that Axkid Up truly adapts to your growing kid, in both safety and comfort. It doesn’t force a smaller child to “fit” a seat meant for bigger kids or vice versa. Every feature; adjustable cushion, headrest, removable side supports, ergonomic padding, works together to give a customized ride. As a parent, I love knowing that we won’t need another seat for the next several years. A 5-year-old could use the Axkid Up now at the right setting, and see it adjusting gradually until they're 10 or 11 and tall enough to safely go without a booster. Given its solid build quality, I’m confident this seat will hold up for the long haul (and maybe even be passed down to a younger sibling eventually). It’s a long-lasting investment in safety and comfort that grows with your child, no compromises there.
Everyday Ease of Use: Installation & Portability
Let’s face it, even the safest car seat needs to be practical for busy parents. In this department, the Axkid Up shines with some really thoughtful touches that make daily use much easier. First off, installation is a breeze. The seat offers two installation methods: rigid ISOFIX attachment (which Axkid calls rigid LATCH in some regions) or the vehicle seat belt. I prefer ISOFIX because it literally clicks the booster onto the car’s anchor points in seconds, ensuring it’s firmly secured even when your child isn’t in it. The Axkid Up has integrated ISOFIX connectors that you simply align with your car’s anchors and push to attach, you hear a satisfying “click” and it’s in. Thanks to the QuickFold™ design, the backrest of the booster can fold forward, giving you a clear view of the ISOFIX connectors and the angle to insert them. I found this immensely helpful; on some boosters you’re blindly shoving connectors between the seat cushions, but with the Axkid Up’s back folded, it’s an open view and I got both latches clicked in on the first try. Then you just unfold/lock the backrest up, and it’s installed. Honestly, it took me under 30 seconds to install this seat after a couple practice runs, Axkid actually advertises a “30-second installation” and I’d say that’s accurate!
If you don’t have ISOFIX in your car (say you’re using it in a relative’s older car or a taxi), no problem: you can just secure it with the seatbelt like a traditional booster. In that mode, the booster isn’t clipped down – your child’s weight and the seatbelt hold it in place. The support leg is optional; you can deploy it for extra stability (it will press into the floor to reduce any wobble) or leave it folded up if, for example, the car has underfloor storage that can’t support a load leg car seat. I love having the flexibility of both installation modes. I mostly use ISOFIX + support leg in our main car, but if you're travelling with the Up in a car without it, the belt works just fine. The seatbelt guides are intuitive and clearly marked, so routing the belt correctly was straightforward. The booster has a nice stable base, and with a child buckled in, it didn’t shift around at all even without ISOFIX. That said, whenever possible, I use the ISOFIX+leg because it adds that extra layer of stability (and as Axkid notes, attaching a booster with ISOFIX also prevents it from becoming a projectile when the child isn’t in it).
One of the coolest practical features of the Axkid Up is how portable and storable it is for a seat of this size. Remember that QuickFold feature? Not only does it help with installation, but it also means the entire seat can fold flat when not in use. The backrest basically hinges down onto the seat, compressing the booster’s bulk. If you find you need the full back seat, just fold the Axkid Up in seconds and tuck it in the boot. It’s so much easier to stash away than a typical booster that’s an awkward fixed shape. Plus, Axkid offer a travel bag accessory designed for the Up. It’s a padded carry bag that the folded seat fits into, with a handle. For flying or storage, this is a godsend, you can sling the folded seat over your shoulder in its bag and not worry about it getting damaged or dirty. The Up Carry Bag makes the booster surprisingly compact and easy to carry, considering its ~10kg weight. If you’re a family that travels or needs to frequently move the seat between cars, you’ll appreciate this portability. (The carry bag is sold separately, but it’s a worthwhile add-on in my opinion.)
Another everyday scenario: fitting multiple car seats in the back row. If you have siblings, you know the struggle of squeezing boosters and seats side-by-side. The Axkid Up is fairly slim (about 44cm external width), and crucially, those removable side wings come to the rescue again. By taking off the outer wing on two Axkid Ups, you'll fit them side-by-side with space to spare, something that is impossible with older, bulkier boosters. Axkid specifically designed the base to be slim and flat, so you can even fit three in a row in many cars. Not every family will need that, but for those who do, it’s a huge plus. And even if you’re just fitting one Up alongside other brand seats, its adjustability and compactness make it puzzle in easier. No more scratched knuckles trying to buckle in a tight three-across setup.
Day-to-day usage of the seat is also very parent-friendly. The cover material seems durable and is easy to wipe clean (for bigger messes you can remove and machine-wash it, as noted). Adjusting the headrest height is a one-hand operation. The support leg has clear indicators to show when it’s properly in contact with the floor, and it neatly folds up under the seat when not needed. There’s even a nifty magnet or clip that helps hold the buckle out of the way when your child climbs in, so they don’t end up sitting on the buckle. a small thing, but thoughtful. All these little details show that Axkid considered the parent experience as much as the child’s. From the quick install to the fold-flat convenience, the Axkid Up makes routines smoother. You won’t dread moving this seat or fiddling with adjustments; it’s all very straightforward and “fail-proof,” as Axkid advertises. In short, it’s a premium booster not just in safety, but in user-friendliness too, which earns it big points in my book.
Design, Style, and Accessories
Safety and function aside, the Axkid Up also brings some style and extra goodies to the table. Looks aren’t everything, but it doesn’t hurt that this seat is actually pretty sleek and modern in design, it doesn’t scream “kiddie seat” with loud patterns or cartoon characters. The lines are clean and Scandinavian (no surprise, given Axkid’s Swedish roots), and it fit nicely with our car’s interior. Parents will appreciate that it comes in five attractive colours, so you’re not stuck with just black. The available shades include Coastal Storm Black (classic black), Arctic Mist Grey (a cool grey), Glacier Lake Blue (a lovely muted blue), Nordic Bloom Green (a subtle mossy green), and Beachgrass Beige (a warm beige). These colours are actually used across Axkid’s range, so if you have, say, an Axkid One rear-facing seat in Nordic Green, you can get the booster to match, a nice touch for aesthetic consistency. The fabric quality feels premium and also worth noting: the plastics and overall build feel very high-quality, which you’d expect given the steel frame inside. Nothing creaks or rattles; it’s solidly built.
Axkid offers a few optional accessories for the Up that are definitely worth considering to enhance your (and your child’s) experience:
- Clip-On Footrest - One thing many boosters overlook is what to do with a child’s legs. Dangling legs can get uncomfortable on long rides and even lead to numbness. Axkid addressed that by creating a clip-on footrest for the Up. It attaches to the base of the seat and provides a little platform where they can rest their feet. No more kicking the front seat or complaining about achy legs. It’s adjustable in height, so you can set it to a comfy spot. I was also relieved to learn it’s crash-tested (Axkid says all their accessories like the footrest have been tested to stay secure in a collision).
- Cup Holder - The Axkid Up doesn’t have built-in cup holders (which I actually prefer, because built-ins often stick out and make seats wider). Instead, Axkid sells a clip-on cup holder that you can attach to either side of the seat, great for holding a water bottle or snack cup within arm’s reach. Like the footrest, this cup holder is crash-tested and designed to break away safely or not become a projectile. It’s a sturdy plastic and clicks on and off easily. Plus, if you’re not using it, you can remove it so it’s not in the way.
- Travel Carry Bag - I mentioned this earlier, but to reiterate: Axkid offers a custom travel bag for the Up. It’s padded and has a durable waterproof zipper, basically made to protect the seat during transport or storage. The folded booster fits like a glove inside. If you plan to fly with the seat or even just stow it in the garage periodically, the bag keeps it clean and safe (and your car’s upholstery safe from any sharp bits). It even has Axkid branding on it, a small flex when wheeling through an airport with your fancy Swedish car seat.
It’s worth noting that Axkid’s attention to detail and safety extends to these accessories as well. Not all brands crash-test their add-ons like footrests or cup holders, but Axkid does, which gave me extra confidence. They’ve clearly thought about real-life use cases: kids get thirsty, kids need leg support, families travel. Instead of leaving you to jury-rig solutions, they offer well-engineered options to meet those needs. Yes, they cost extra, but they have real value in them.
In terms of overall design, I’d describe the Axkid Up as premium and parent-friendly. It looks and feels like a high-end piece of kit. The aesthetic is neutral enough that it doesn’t draw unwanted attention in your car, but it’s definitely a conversation starter among other parents once they notice it which opens the door for me to gush about the safety features. And honestly, as bulky as the concept of a steel-framed booster sounds, Axkid executed it in a way that isn’t an eyesore at all. The seat contours are smooth, the branding is minimal (just a small Axkid logo), and everything has a purpose (vent holes, belt guides, etc., all integrated cleanly).
To wrap up on design: Axkid Up merges form and function elegantly. You get the benefit of a rugged safety device without it looking like industrial equipment. The colour choices and accessories allow you to personalise it to your family’s needs. From a parent’s perspective, I appreciate these touches, they make daily life easier and a bit more colourful, literally. The Axkid Up has truly been designed with families in mind, from the inside out.
When to Switch: Rear-Facing vs Forward-Facing Considerations
Before closing out this review, I want to touch on a question many parents have: When is it safe to switch to a forward-facing booster like the Axkid Up? As exciting as it is to see your “big kid” in a booster, safety experts (and Axkid themselves) urge caution on rushing the transition. Rear-facing seats are substantially safer for young children, research shows that rear-facing can be up to 5 times safer than forward-facing for toddlers because it offers better head, neck, and spine protection. In the UK, the law requires babies to stay rear-facing until at least 15 months old, but most safety organizations recommend keeping children rear-facing far beyond that, ideally until they outgrow their rear-facing seat by height or weight.
Axkid is a company famous for extended rear-facing car seats, and they practice what they preach. In fact, Axkid strongly advocates rear-facing travel for as long as possible (ideally up to 125 cm, roughly 6–7 years old). That might sound extreme to some, but it’s rooted in safety data and the physics of crash forces on a child’s body.
So, our advice to fellow parents: don’t rush into using the Axkid Up (or any booster) too early. Make sure your child meets the minimum requirements; Axkid Up is certified from 100cm and 4 years old at least. Even if your child is 4, if they still fit in a rear-facing seat, you might want to keep them there a bit longer. Rear-facing is generally safest until the limits are reached. Axkid themselves reinforce this message on their website and materials, which I respect – they’re willing to sell one less booster if it means a child stays safer in rear-facing longer.
That said, life and logistics sometimes necessitate moving to a booster. Some children get carsick rear-facing as they get older, or perhaps you have multiple kids and need to shuffle seating positions. If you’re going to go forward-facing, the Axkid Up is about as safe a booster as you can find. It’s i-Size (R129) approved which means it meets the latest European safety standards including side-impact testing. It’s also been put through stringent internal and third-party tests by Axkid, and even snagged innovation awards for safety engineering. All of that helped reassure me that when the time was right to switch, this seat would have my child’s back (literally and figuratively).
One more note: when transitioning to a booster, ensure your child understands the importance of sitting properly, the seatbelt only works if they don’t wiggle out of position. The Axkid Up’s design (with the comfy support and ergonomic fit) actually encourages children to sit correctly without much reminding. But set clear rules: no leaning forward out of the belt, no messing with the buckle, etc.
In conclusion on this topic: wait as long as you can to move to a booster, but once your child is ready, the Axkid Up is an excellent choice for that next stage. It’s intended to be that bridge from the rear-facing world to the seatbelt-only world, and it does so with an extra focus on safety that helps ease my anxieties about turning forward-facing. Knowing Axkid’s safety philosophy is behind it (they’ve literally spent ~60 years refining child car safety, since the first rear-facing designs in Sweden), I feel it's the safest choice possible for this milestone. And ultimately, that’s what we parents aim for, the right product at the right time to keep our children as safe as can be.
Conclusion: Final Thoughts from a Satisfied Parent
I can genuinely say that the Axkid Up has exceeded my expectations. This booster has managed to combine cutting-edge safety innovation with the practical needs and comforts of family life, a rare feat. As a parent, you will love the confidence you have every time you buckle your child in, knowing they're surrounded by a solid steel frame and smart safety tech (that patented raiseable seat and support leg are game-changers). The seat feels like it was engineered by people who get what parents and kids need: it’s safe, yes, but also comfortable for long rides, easy to install and move, and adaptable to all the quirky situations family travel throws at us.
Is the Axkid Up worth it? In my opinion, absolutely yes. It is a premium product, and it carries a premium price tag to match. But considering it will last for many years and through a lot of growth, and considering the unique safety features that could genuinely make a difference in a crash, I see it as a worthy investment in any child’s well-being. You really can’t put a price on peace of mind. And knowing what I know now, how well it fits the needs of a parent, I would choose the Axkid Up in a heartbeat. It has truly set a new standard for what a forward-facing high-back booster can be.
For parents reading this who are evaluating booster options, here are a few key takeaways to summarise the Axkid Up:
- Unparalleled Safety Features: Patented height-adjustable seat for perfect belt fit, a rigid steel frame + support leg for stability (unique among boosters), and comprehensive side-impact protection. It’s built to protect, and even reduces crash forces by ~25% compared to typical boosters.
- Grows with Your Child: Highly adjustable to fit ages ~4–12 (100–150 cm). The seat height, headrest, and side wings adapt as your child gets bigger, ensuring a secure and comfy fit at every stage.
- Comfort for Long Rides: Ergonomic design (lumbar support, spacious seating, footrest accessory) keeps kids comfortable and supported on short trips or road trips alike. My child actually finds it cosy, which is half the battle won!
- Ease of Use: 30-second ISOFIX installation, plus foldable design for portability or fitting multiple seats. It’s one of the most parent-friendly seats I’ve handled, no fuss, no fighting with belts, and easy to transfer or store when needed.
- Trusted Brand: Axkid’s safety pedigree is top-notch (Swedish engineering, Plus-Test passing seats, etc.), and it shows in the Up. They don’t cut corners on safety.
- Optional Accessories: Useful add-ons like the travel bag, footrest, and cup holder can enhance your experience. They’re well-designed and crash-tested, making a great seat even better for daily life.
In wrapping up, I’ll just say that the Axkid Up makes the transition to the booster stage a positive one. It’s a fun, innovative seat that kid will love. No product is perfect, but I honestly have very few criticisms, perhaps only that it’s a bit heavy to lug around (due to that steel frame), but the folding feature and carry bag mitigates that for me. If you’re in the UK (or anywhere) looking for a high-back booster that puts safety first without sacrificing convenience, the Axkid Up should definitely be on your radar. It’s a forward-facing seat that rewrites the rules on what booster safety can look like, and it has given this parent a lot more peace of mind on the road. Safe travels!
