Britax B-Pod Capsule Vs Maxi Cosi Mico 12 Review
We Compare the Britax B-Pod Capsule against the Maxi Cosi Mico Plus Capsule
Read our thoughts why the B-Pod is better
The Britax B-Pod Capsule is the latest capsule from Britax and we compare it to the Popular Maxi Cosi Mico Plus capsule. The Britax B-Pod Capsule is a major change for Britax moving away from the click and go adaptors attached to the capsule to a travel system that will allow prams such as the Uppababy Vista/ Cruz to easily attach to the B-Pod baby capsule.
Summary (price point)The key difference is between the Britax B-Pod Capsule and the Maxi Cosi Mico 12, is that the B-Pod has 3 different variations, B-Pod Go, B-Pod Lite and B-Pod (Low birth Weight).
There is just one version of the maxi cosi mico 12. This means that the Bpod has a number of different price points to suit different customers.
In summary, choosing between the Britax B-Pod Capsule Vs Maxi Cosi Mico 12 can greatly depend on the variations and pricing options available, ensuring that you find the best fit for your needs.
The Bpod Go retails at just $300 – $450. the Bpod Lite retails at $350 – $450 and the Bpod Low birth weight capsule retails at $450 – $550. Contrast this to the Maxi Cosi Mico 12 retailing at $470- $500. All three variants or the bpod capsule are suitable for newborns up to 12 months of age, light-weight and easy to carry weighing only 4.5kg.
Considering all the points below, the Britax Bpod is the winning design over the maxi cosi mico 12
Installation
Click Tight Vs Smart Lock
The Installation of the Britax Bpod Capsule is using the Clicktight system. Clicktight is the latest evolution of safety for baby car-seats. It is widely known that despite Isofix being claimed to make the installation easier and more secure.
Maxi Cosi Mico 12 capsule comes with a Smart Lock installation. The Smart Lock system is surprisingly easy to use and not as fiddly as the click-tight system Both the click-tight and Lock-tight do not need a experienced fitter.
Conclusion : The Maxi Cosi Mico 12 inches ahead of the Britax Bpod Capsule for east of Installation.
IsofixSo parents have given feedback that there should be an isofix option. This is a statement from parents who do not understand that ISOFIX is not as secure as clicktight. The reason it is not secure is because car manufacturers have the isofix points in different positions making the installation less secure.
Click tight can make the installation just as tight as a locking clip, and is definitely more secure than isofix. The problem is many parents do the wiggle wobble test at the front of the capsule and not at the seat belt path leaving to an incorrect impression of the installation stability. The wiggle wobble test is mostly put forward by an experienced parent who has no idea.
Adjustable FooterThe maxi Cosi Mico 12 capsule has the adjustable footer at the opposite end of the capsule and cannot take into account the depth of the seat. So in many cases the Mico 12 Capsule is sitting at the wrong angle.
When the cars seat has a small depth then either the baby will be sitting a higher back angle or you may need a towel underneath to make the correct back angle. Either solution is not suitable as we want the capsule to be as close as the initial tests done.
The Britax Bpod capsule on the other hand has 4 footer positions, maxing out at around a depth of 6 cm. The means that the Britax Bpod is better fit in more cars than the Maxi Cosi Mico 12 capsule.
Conclusion : The Britax B-Pod Capsule is miles ahead of the Maxi Cosi Mico 12 for better baby comfort
Removing the Bpod capsule
Removing the Bpod capsule is very easy as the release lever is located at the back of the capsule and in a natural position where your hand falls easily.
Unlike the Maxi Cosi Mico 12 capsule, where you must press a button upwards and pull out to release the capsule. This is a difficult operation.
Remove from the pramThis is a huge plus for the parents as it makes it easier for them to use the baby capsule, there is no confusion. additionally when the canopy is pushed all the way back it does not cover the lever. Another win for the Britax Bpod Capsule
Conclusion : The Britax B-Pod Capsule is miles ahead of the Maxi Cosi Mico 12 for easy removal off the base
A huge plus for the Bpod is that to remove the capsule off the pram; you use the same release lever to take the capsule off the base and out of the car. This makes the removal of the bpod capsule off the pram easier and more natural carry position.
Compare the to the maxi Cosi Mico 12 capsule where you need to press 2 buttons in the front of the capsule and then change the carry position.
There is no need to remember an alternate way to take the capsule off the pram the Britax Bpod only has one release lever
Conclusion : The Britax B-Pod Capsule is easily the winner when removing the capsule from the Pram.
Britax Bpod Carry HandleThe Britax safensound Bpod baby capsule has three positions Carry, rock and sit: the multi-position carry handle makes it easy to use in your car, with a compatible stroller or on the go.
The Sit position is suitable when you get home and you want to let your child wake up naturally
On the other hand; the Maxi Cosi Mico 12 capsule, has the same number of positions .
The Top TetherThe top tether is a hoop type top tether that is fixed to the stabilising bar. Being fixed means that the top tether does not get lost when the capsule is shared between family members.
The hoop fits neatly into the restraining slot so that it can be easily attached. unlike the unity which has two small lots on the side, with many parents struggling to get the tether into the slots. The maxi cosi tether you must attach the ring to the snap hook where many parent struggle
The buckle position on the Bpod when tensions is well clear of the head rest on the car meaning that Bpod capsule will work in Volvo, jeep and tesla easily without any modifications. A winning design
Contrast this with the Maxi Cosi Mico 12 Capsule where the buckle rests under neath the cars headrest, using the same snap-hook and ring configuration.
Conclusion : The Britax B-Pod Capsule wins again as the buckle is clear of the headrest, meaning it will not interfere with any installed mirror
Which Capsule is lighterThe Britax Bpod capsule weighs in at 4.5 kg excluding the base
Where as the Maxi Cosi Mico 12 capsule weighs in at 5.3 kg (excluding the base)
Once again the Britax Bpod is the Lightest capsule on the market for low birth weight babies.
The third child in a capsule ?When fitting a third seat or capsule into a car it is a task that is best left to an experienced and accredited fitter such as those at TravelSafe. Trying to install a maxi cosi mico plus capsule is difficult given that isofix does not work when trying to fit a third seat so you must use the seat belt installation and that is difficult even for an experienced fitter.
The width of the Britax Bpod is just 44 cm making it as narrow as a graphene , where as the Maxi Cosi Mico 12 is 45 cm. This one cm difference can make a huge difference when trying to fit three across.
Harness adjustmentOn the Low Birth Weight Bpod capsule there are 4 positions, this is following the harness positions on the unity. To change the harness position it requires a manual rethread
The Maxi Cosi Mico 12 capsule has a 9 position easy adjust harness which is over twice as many positions as the Bpod and the easy adjust is very easy to use.
Unfortunately feedback from mothers is that baby tends to sweat a-lot when using this easy adjust headrest.
Crotch BuckleThe Britax Bpod and the maxi Cosi Mico 12 both have 3 Crotch buckle positions and both start in the middle position. When the child is somewhat bigger than average then the buckle is moved forward to the first position. When the child is smaller then the buckle needs to be moved close to the back of the capsule.
This is a manual operation and parents need to see how it fits their child when the place the child in the capsule.