Maxi-Cosi Ambra
The Maxi-Cosi Ambra rear-faces up to 30 lb, weighs 7 lb, and has an expiration of 8 years, per Maxi-Cosi. A light infant carrier from Maxi-Cosi that comes with a stay-in-car base. The base has a load leg and an anti-rebound bar, and the carrier can also be belted in without the base.
- $399.99List price
- 30 lbRear-facing to
- 7 lbSeat weight
Ambra: key facts
- The Maxi-Cosi Ambra rear-faces from 4 to 30 lb and up to 32 in tall, per Maxi-Cosi.
- Outgrown by height: "The top of your child's head MUST be at least 1 in. (2.5 cm) below the top of the car seat's headrest."
- It installs with LATCH (base), seat belt or baseless (taxi mode belt paths).
- Maxi-Cosi says it expires 8 years after the date of manufacture.
- Maxi-Cosi lists it as certified for aircraft ("This restraint is certified for aircraft use.").
From Maxi-Cosi's manual and published specs. Always follow the limits on your seat's labels.
How the Ambra stacks up
Against the 74 infant car seats we track. The shaded band is where the middle half of them fall; the dot is this one.
Within the typical range for infant car seats (6 years to 8 years).
The same as most infant car seats (30 lb).
Below the typical range for infant car seats (8.2 lb to 9.8 lb).
Within the typical range for infant car seats ($219.99 to $449.99).
What sets the Ambra apart
Measured against the 74 infant car seats we compare, from each maker's published specs.
- 4th lightestof the 58 infant car seats with it published: 7 lb
Next to its closest matches
- Clek LiingoNext to it, the Ambra is 1 years shorter before it expires; 2 lb lighter; has base included (the Liingo doesn't); has load leg (the Liingo doesn't).
- UPPAbaby Aria V2Next to it, the Ambra is 1 years longer before it expires; 1 lb heavier.
- Cybex Aton G2Next to it, the Ambra is 2 years longer before it expires; 2 lb lighter.
Flying with the Ambra
Maxi-Cosi's label: “This restraint is certified for aircraft use.”
What airlines say about car seats:
- American: “Each ticketed customer is allowed 1 stroller and 1 car seat to be checked free of charge” “If an unoccupied, adjoining seat is not available, the gate agent will check the safety seat to your final destination.” Source
- Alaska: “We will transport your child's car seat and stroller free of charge as checked baggage.” Source
- JetBlue: “Checking a child safety seat will not count towards your checked baggage allowance and there is no fee assessed” Source
- Spirit: “One (1) car seat will be accepted per child as checked baggage at no charge.” Source
- Frontier: “strollers and car seats can be checked for free.” Source
- Allegiant: “There is no charge for checking or gate checking one car seat per fare-paying passenger.” Source
- Breeze: “Child seats may be carried on board the aircraft if a seat has been purchased for the Infant or Child” Source
Quoted from each airline's page as of 2026-11-02.
Listed features
- Carrier weighs about 7 lb without canopy and inserts
- Load leg and anti-rebound bar on the base
- 7 harness/headrest positions and 5 recline positions
- Can be installed without the base
Worth checking
- List price $399.99
- Maker lists 30 lb maximum, so outgrown sooner than 35 lb seats
- Works directly only with select Maxi-Cosi strollers
Where to buy the Ambra
Prices and availability change. We may earn a commission from some links.
- Check for recalls: Search the agency's recall list with the model number and date code from the label: NHTSA recall search.
- Car seat use and installation: see NHTSA's car seat page, which also lists free car seat inspection by certified technicians. Check the label and the maker's instructions, and ask your pediatrician about your child.
Full specs
| Maxi-Cosi Ambra | |
|---|---|
| Type | Infant car seat |
| List price | $399.99 |
| Rear-facing weight | 4–30 lb |
| Rear-facing height | Up to 32 in |
| Seat weight | 7 lb |
| Head rule | The top of your child's head MUST be at least 1 in. (2.5 cm) below the top of the car seat's headrest. |
| Base included | Yes |
| Newborn insert | Head and body pillows: 'may be used to provide a better fit and body positioning for smaller infants up to approximately 11 lb (5 kg).' Do not use head pillow without body pillow. |
| Installation | LATCH (base), seat belt, baseless (taxi mode belt paths) |
| Load leg | Yes |
| Anti-rebound bar | Yes |
| Rotates | No |
| Harness heights | 7 |
| Recline positions | 5 |
| Works with strollers | Select Maxi-Cosi strollers and travel systems |
| Handle in the car | The carry handle MUST be upright AND locked when carrying and when installed in the vehicle. |
| Aircraft label | Certified for aircraft, per the maker |
| No added flame retardants | Yes |
| Expires after | 8 years |
Compare the Ambra with
How each closest rival differs from the Ambra, from the makers' specs.
- ClekLiingorear-facing to 30 lb16.9 in wide$399.99
- 1 years longer before it expires
- 2 lb heavier
- UPPAbabyAria V2rear-facing to 30 lb17 in wide$399.99
- 1 years shorter before it expires
- 1 lb lighter
- CybexAton G2rear-facing to 30 lb17.5 in wide$399.95
- 2 years shorter before it expires
- 2 lb heavier
- $0 less
- NunaPIPA rxrear-facing to 30 lb17.5 in wide$409.99
- 0.6 lb heavier
- $10 more
Ambra: questions answered
From Maxi-Cosi's published specs, last checked 2026-11-06.
Does the Maxi-Cosi Ambra rear-face longer than other infant seats?
24 of the 97 infant seats we track rear-face to a higher weight than its 30 lb. The highest is the Baby Jogger City GO 2 at 35 lb. NHTSA: stay rear-facing "until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat's manufacturer." (NHTSA)
Is the Maxi-Cosi Ambra heavy to carry?
With a 7.5 lb newborn inside you'd lift about 14.5 lb, and that grows as your baby does. The carrier is lighter than 94% of the infant seats we track. See the lightest infant seats.
Can you use the Maxi-Cosi Ambra in a taxi or Uber without the base?
Yes. Maxi-Cosi lists a baseless install with the vehicle belt; see the manual for the belt routing.
Can you bring the Maxi-Cosi Ambra on a plane?
Yes, Maxi-Cosi lists it as certified for aircraft; look for the red-lettered label that says so. The FAA asks that a car seat go in a window seat so it doesn't block the aisle, and the crew will look for that label. It weighs 7 lb to carry through the airport.
Ambra or Liingo: what's different?
By the makers' specs, the Ambra has a load leg; the Ambra has an anti-rebound bar. See every spec side by side.
Is it OK to buy a used Ambra?
NHTSA publishes guidance on used car seats on its car seat page. Maxi-Cosi lists a lifespan of 8 years from manufacture for this model. Check the label and the maker's instructions, and ask your pediatrician about your child.
Still wondering? Write to us at hello@cribpicks.com and we'll look it up.
More infant car seats
- BritaxCypressrear-facing to 30 lb16.9 in wide$379.99
- Baby JoggerCity GO 2rear-facing to 35 lb17.3 in wide$399.99
- NunaPIPA airerear-facing to 30 lb17.5 in wide$440
- ChiccoKeyFit Max Zip ClearLuxrear-facing to 30 lb17 in wide$349.99
- Peg PeregoPrimo Viaggio Nidorear-facing to 30 lb8.2 lb$449.99
- Peg PeregoPrimo Viaggio Urban Mobilityrear-facing to 30 lb17 in wide$349.99
Where these specs come from
- maxicosi.com/products/ambra-infant-car-seat-ic399
- images.salsify.com/image/upload/s--XGd96240--/ykibnkfeongxtlwrjdzm
Last checked 2026-11-06. Spot something wrong? Tell us. Read our editorial and safety policy and corrections.