The Complete Cybex Aton M Review

Posted by Julie Monson and Robyn Hunt on Apr 01, 2021

WRITTEN BY

JULIE MONSON & ROBYN HUNT

The Cybex Aton M is an iSize approved infant car seat. It can only be installed rearfacing, in accordance with European regulations. It can be installed with a 3-point seatbelt or with the Cybex Base M isofix base. The Aton M forms part of the M-Line Modular system. The M-Line Modular system allows for the Aton M infant seat and the Sirona M2 toddler seat to fit onto the same isofix base, Base M. The Aton M is the most affordable, high safety rated modular system available in South Africa.

PROS AND CONS OF THE cybex Aton M:

PROS

High safety ratings with and without Base M isofix base
Good infant support and padding
Good recline angle for newborns limiting the risk of positional asphyxiation. ·
11-position height-adjustable headrest and harness
Higher height limit than most other infant seats
Most affordable modular system·(Base M is also compatible with Sirona M2 toddler seat)
7-8-year lifespan

CONS

None (that we can think of!)

WHAT ARE THE WEIGHT AND HEIGHT LIMITS OF THE cybex Aton m?

The Aton M is a Group 0+ approved infant car seat that is approved from birth (45cm) to 13kg or 87cm.

The Aton M is therefore a suitable option for newborn and premature babies. When used with the Base M isofix base, the Aton M is iSize approved. The Aton M would last until approximately 18 months for the average sized baby.

WHAT ARE THE SAFETY FEATURES OF THE Cybex aton m?

The flexible structure of the materials used in the design of the Aton M absorbs the forces of impact during an accident and protect the baby.

cybex aton m safety features

The Aton M has an L.S.P. (Linear Side Protection) System which provides additional protection in the event of a side-impact collision. The L.S.P. system extends out on the side of the seat closest to the door and its purpose is to reduce the first impact forces of an accident. Additionally, the Aton M has a flexible shell that has been made to reduce impact forces by up to 25% and redirect this force away from the baby.

The Aton M consists of a removable newborn insert which ensures newborn babies recline back as much as possible to ensure head support, an open airway, and to reduce the risk of baby’s head falling forward when they are sleeping. The newborn insert should be removed at 61cm which is around 3 months old. Removing the insert at the right time will ensure your baby fits safely and comfortably in their seat.

cybex aton m recline

In crash testing, when the Aton M was installed without the Base M isofix base, ADAC scored the seat a safety rating of 1.7 with low risk of injury for frontal impact collisions and a very low risk of injury for side impact collisions.

When the Aton M was installed with the Base M isofix base, ADAC scored the seat a very good safety rating of 1.3. The crash test displayed that the Aton M and Base M have a low risk of injury in a frontal impact collision and a very low risk of injury in a side impact collision.

WHAT ARE THE COMFORT FEATURES OF THE cybex aton m?

The Aton M contains an extra wide Y-harness which has soft belt and crotch pads to ensure your baby does not get hurt by the harness once tightened. A 3-point harness is easier to strap a newborn in compared to a 5-point harness. The Aton M also has an integrated XXL Sun Canopy with UPF50+ sun protection to keep your baby out of the sun in the car and in a stroller. The 11-position adjustable headrest and harness are moved simultaneously by pulling a lever on the headrest, making it easy and convenient to adjust as your baby grows.

HOW IS THE ATON M INSTALLED?

The Aton M can be installed without the isofix base, using the vehicle’s 3-point seat belt. When installed with seatbelt; it is important to make sure the seatbelt routing is correct and according to manufacturer's instructions because there are errors one can make with a seatbelt installation. However, if the Aton M is installed correctly, it scores well for safety with a seatbelt installation.

Alternatively, the Aton M can be installed with the Cybex Base M isofix base. Installing the seat with the base allows for quick and easy removal and insertion of the seat without having to worry about a sealtbelt. The isofix base adds convenience and is almost foolproof so you don’t have much chance to make an error in the installation of the seat. To ensure the base is installed correctly and the seat is inserted into the base correctly, the manufacturer added visual indicators which will turn green when everything is done correctly or red when something is not attached correctly. Base M is also compatible with Sirona M2 toddler seat.

what is sensorsafe?

SensorSafe is a chest clip that attaches to the harness of the Aton M. It acts as a physical barrier to prevent children from escaping from the car seat. Your vehicle needs to have OBD (On Board Diagnostics) in order for it to work. The kit connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth and provides essential alerts to help prevent critical situations; when your child unbuckles the clip, if your child is put at risk of heatstroke or from being left alone in the car, and if your child has been seated for too long. It is important that the Sensorsafe be positioned correctly, in line with your child's armpits, to prevent injury in an accident.

HOW TO RemovE and wash the covers?

The Aton M’s covers can be removed and washed in the washing machine or by hand at 30 degrees. The harness straps should not be submerged in water or soap, only wiped with a damp cloth. Submerging the harness straps in water may interfere with the fire retardant added on the harness straps during the manufacturing process.

WHAT IS THE LIFESPAN OF THE CYBEX ATON M?

Cybex advises against using the Aton M for longer than 7 years. Due to ageing, the quality of the upholstery and materials may alter, and the seat may not perform as it should in a car accident. Also note that the seat should be replaced after an accident.

WHAT IS THE warranty on THE CYBEX ATON M?

Cybex offer a 36 month warranty on all products from date of purchase. During this period, Cybex may repair or replace the product if it is found by the manufacturer to be defective in material or workmanship. Warranty does not cover the effects of normal wear and tear or damages resulting from negligence, modification, improper installation, accidents, misuse or abuse of this product. The Cybex importer in South Africa, based in Jhb South, carries the tools and can import spare parts if needed, to carry out any repairs. If spare needs to be imported it takes around 90 days.

is the CYBEX ATON M compatible with my car?

The Aton M is compatible with cars that are equipped with full 3-point seatbelts. The Aton M cannot be installed with a lap belt and should never be installed in front of an active airbag. In order to use the Base M isofix base with the Aton M, your car must have isofix anchors and no underfloor storage compartments.

Click here to check if your car is on the approved fit list:

When to remove newborn insert

The newborn insert should not be used after your baby is 61cm which is approximately 3 months.

To remove the newborn insert, simply open the harness, remove the shoulder pads, remove the newborn insert, and then replace the shoulder pads back onto the harness straps.

WHICH PRAMS/ STROLLERS IS THE ATON M COMPATIBLE WITH?

The Aton M is compatible with all CYBEX strollers and can transform into a travel system for the first few months. However, your baby should not be in any infant car seat for longer than 30 minutes (under 4 weeks of age) or 2 hours (over 4 weeks of age) so CYBEX does offer compatible bassinets/carrycots that are compatible with their strollers to ensure your baby can sleep safely once out of the car. The Aton M is also compatible with Qtus prams, GB, Bugaboo, Mimi, Quinny, Stokke, Thule, and Uppababy with the appropriate adapters.