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Car seat safety is essential when raising children. When you’re expecting a baby, you’re looking for the best rear-facing car seat options. Before you know it, they’ve outgrown that and they’re ready to switch to a forward-facing seat. Once that stage passes you by, it’s time to pick out the best booster car seat for your precious cargo.
Booster car seats come in many shapes and sizes. A booster car seat is a seat that elevates your child so that they can use the car’s seat belt to strap them in. Some booster seats latch to the car and have a high back which provides additional head and shoulder padding, others simply sit beneath your child with no latching system.
There are convertible booster seats that you can use for many years and lightweight options that can come along with you when you travel. With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to pin down the best option for you. Below, we’re breaking down some of the best booster car seat options and some pointers to help you select the best one for your unique situation.
What to Look For in a Booster Car Seat?
When it comes to picking out a booster car seat for your child, you obviously want to select the best option. This is something that you will use every day and it may even last you for years. Below, we’ve listed some factors to take into consideration when looking for the best booster car seat.
Safety
Obviously, safety should be your top priority. Make sure to read all details of height, weight, and age requirements and double-check your child’s measurements to ensure that the booster you select is a safe option for them.
Versatility
Some booster seats are more versatile than others. If you want to get a lot of use out of yours, then thinking ahead and selecting a convertible option can help ensure that you get many years of use out of your child’s car seat. This means you could purchase a car seat that starts as a forward-facing car seat for when your child is younger and converts to a booster seat once they are ready.
Ease-of-Use
Most parents can attest to the fact that installing car seats is not always the most seamless process. Looking for a booster seat that is easy to install may save you some mental energy when you install it initially and move it between cars.
Comfort Features
You obviously want your child to be comfortable while riding in the car. Even if you aren’t going on longer car rides, they’ll still be sitting in it almost every day. So, it’s important to ensure that the booster seat you select has additional padding to ensure extra comfort (and it may even help prevent whiny travelers.)
Here are the best booster car seats for toddlers
Graco TurboBooster 2.0 Highback Booster Car Seat
Best Overall
$53 $60 Save $7
This convertible booster booster seat can be used as a high-back booster seat or a backless one. With a functional design and reasonable price, we have selected it as the “Best Overall”.
- Weight Range
- 100
- Number of Configurations
- 1
- Product Weight
- 8.98 pounds
- Minimum Height
- 57 Inches
- Versatile
- Reasonable pricing
- Height-adjustable armrests
- Machine washable seat pad
- Minimal padding may be uncomfortable for longer car rides
The Graco TurboBooster 2.0 booster seat is convertible, versatile, and functional. This booster seat can be used as a high back booster with head and shoulder padding, or it can be converted to a backless booster. It features two cupholders and adjustable armrests for added comfort. The seat pad can easily be removed and washed in the washing machine.
This booster seat is also lightweight and easy to transfer between vehicles. One reviewer describes it as being “reliable, comfortable, and user-friendly”. They were especially impressed by the easy portability of the car seat, stating that it was easy to transfer this booster seat between vehicles when needed.
hiccapop UberBoost Inflatable Booster Car Seat
Best for Travel
This inflatable booster seat is ideal for taking on the go. Simply blow it up when needed and deflate it when you’re ready to take it somewhere new.
- Weight Range
- 40 lbs – 110 lbs
- Product Weight
- 1.3 lbs
- Harness Type
- 3-Point
- Lightweight and compact
- Easy to travel with
- Comfortable, cushiony design
- Non-skid underside helps it stay in place
- Reinflating by mouth may be inconvenient at times
- May not be durable enough for long term use
This travel-friendly booster seat can be taken with you just about anywhere. The Hiccapop Uberboost inflatable booster seat simply inflates with a few breaths and can then be deflated and packed up when you’re on the move. The sturdy yet simple design features a non-skid base that keeps it in place when in use and compact dimensions, so it will even fit in the back of most cars that have additional car seats installed.
If you need to take a booster seat with you on a trip, then this is likely the best option for you. One reviewer points out how easy it was to deflate and re-inflate this booster seat while traveling with children and that they made riding in a cab easy with their young children since the seat added the height their children needed to safely use the seat belt of the taxi.
Chicco Kidfit ClearTex Plus 2-in-1 Belt Positioning Booster Car Seat
Most Comfortable
$80 $100 Save $20
This high-back booster seat is made with shoulder and head padding for extra comfort and safety.
- Weight Range
- 40-100 lbs
- Number of Configurations
- Convertible high-back or backless booster seat
- Number of Cup Holders
- 2
- Care Instructions
- Machine washable
- Double-layered padding ensures comfort
- Cupholders are removable and dishwasher-safe
- Easy-to-install features like the one-pull tightening latch
- Can be used as a high-back or backless booster seat
- Removing the cover can be tricky
- Higher price point
The Chicco Kidfit ClearTex convertible booster seat is a comfortable and high-quality booster seat option. This seat can be used as a high-back booster with head and body support, or it can be converted to a backless booster seat. It comes equipped with two cupholders and a height-adjustable design.
This booster seat comes at a slightly higher price point than some of the other options, but it also offers extra features such as the convenient latching system that easily and securely attaches to your car. It has a quick-release latch which allows you to easily transfer it between vehicles when needed. One reviewer liked that the design of the seat made it easy for their child to strap themselves in independently. They also pointed out that the cupholders were easy to remove and clean.
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Chicco GoFit Plus Backless Booster Car Seat
Best Design
$48 $60 Save $12
This backless booster seat has a functional design with extra seat padding, cupholders, and armrests.
- Weight Range
- 40-110 lbs
- Number of Configurations
- 1
- Product Weight
- 5.5 pounds
- Number of Cup Holders
- 2
- Minimum Height
- 38 Inches
- Harness Type
- 3-Point
- Care Instructions
- Machine washable seat pad
- Lap belt guides and shoulder clips ensure proper seat belt positioning
- Comfortable contoured seat
- Stabilizing latch keeps the seat in place at all times
- Carrying handle makes transportation easier
- Doesn?t have the extra padding of a high-back booster seat
- The wider design makes it difficult to fit in vehicles that require three or more car seats
The Chicco GoFit Plus backless booster seat is a thoughtfully designed, easy-to-use booster seat. This booster is backless only, meaning it does not have any additional padding for the head or shoulders, and it does not convert to another style. It latches into the vehicle to ensure stability and safety. We chose this booster seat as “Best Design”, given the comfortable seat and easy-to-use carrying handle.
The easy installation is one feature that reviewers found particularly useful. If you know you’ll be moving your booster car seat back and forth and want a comfortable option, then the Chicco GoFit Plus is a great option for you.
Diono Solana Backless Booster Car Seat
Best Budget
This compact backless booster seat comes at an affordable price.
- Weight Range
- 40 – 120 lbs
- Number of Configurations
- 1
- Product Weight
- 3.1 lbs
- Number of Cup Holders
- 2
- Minimum Height
- 38.2 Inches
- Harness Type
- Seat Belt
- Care Instructions
- Covers: Machine wash cold, line dry. Shell and Components: Spot clean
- Lightweight, compact design
- Seatbelt guides for lap belt
- Two cup holders
- Multiple color options
- No latching system to hold it in place
The Diono Solana backless booster seat is a basic and affordable booster seat option. This booster car seat is backless, lightweight, and comes in a variety of different color options. It includes two cupholders and seat belt guides to ensure proper belt positioning. The polyester cover is removable and machine washable. This booster seat can also be purchased as a two-pack or three-pack, so it is a great option for families who are in need of multiple booster seats, whether it be for multiple children or for installation in more than one car.
Because this booster seat has cloth cupholders (rather than plastic ones that protrude out) it provides a more narrow fit in your vehicle, allowing for extra space for additional car seats. One reviewer points out that this booster seat works exactly as it needs to, with a light and simple design.
Britax Highpoint Backless Booster Car Seat
This convertible booster seat is aesthetically pleasing and functionally designed. It is ideal for anyone who is looking for a visually appealing booster seat and isn’t concerned about a higher pricepoint.
- Weight Range
- 40-120 lbs
- Number of Configurations
- 1
- Product Weight
- 12 lbs
- Number of Cup Holders
- 2
- Minimum Height
- 44 Inches
- Harness Type
- 5-Point
- Care Instructions
- Machine wash & dry
- Aesthetically appealing design
- Machine washable cover
- High-quality seatbelt guide
- Adjustable headrest (when used as a high-back booster)
The Britax Highpoint booster seat is convertible and visually appealing. This booster seat can be used as a high-back booster seat or a backless one. It also comes in soft and neutral color tones which are great for parents who are tired of every kid’s item being super bright and colorful. It features two cupholders, armrests, and an effective seatbelt guide. This booster seat does come at a slightly higher price point than some of the other options so it is a good move for parents who have a little more wiggle room in their budget.
If you need to convert this booster seat from high back to backless, it is easy to switch back and forth. One reviewer states that their kids actually prefer this booster seat over others that they’ve tried, since it is more comfortable. They also said that it is easy to install and remove, making it ideal for travel.
Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 Harness Booster Car Seat
Most Versatile
$84 $140 Save $56
This convertible car seat can follow your child through many stages of life. It works as a forward-facing car seat and can then be converted into a booster seat.
- Weight Range
- 22 – 100 lbs
- Number of Configurations
- 3
- Number of Cup Holders
- 2
- Harness Type
- 5-point
- Care Instructions
- Machine wash
- Can follow your child from toddlerhood into their youth
- Lightweight and portable
- Adjustable headrest
- Cup holders may be small for some styles of water bottles
If you want to use the same car seat for multiple years, then a versatile option like the Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 is a great option. This booster seat starts as a forward-facing car seat, suitable for children who weigh 22 to 65 pounds. It can then convert to either a high-back booster seat or a backless one, both of which are safe for children who weigh 40 to 100 pounds.
Many parents feel like they’re always purchasing new car seats to fit their child’s current size and age, and this convertible seat aims to help with that dilemma. We voted this booster seat “Most Versatile” since it can be a regular car seat or a booster car seat. One reviewer mentions how this feature helps to save money in the long run, since it eliminates the need to purchase additional booster seats as your child grows.
Evenflo GoTime LX Booster Car Seat
Best Height Adjustable
This adjustable booster seat can be used as a high-back booster or a backless one. With seven different height options, we have selected it as the “Best Height Adjustable” booster seat option.
- Weight Range
- 40 to 120 lb
- Number of Configurations
- 1
- Product Weight
- 7.1 lbs
- Number of Cup Holders
- 2
- Minimum Height
- 44 Inches
- Harness Type
- Seat belt
- Care Instructions
- Machine wash
- Easily converts from high-back booster to a backless one
- Seat padding for extra comfort
- Head and shoulder padding provide extra safety
- Adjustable headrest grows with your child
- Does not anchor to the vehicle
The Evenflo GoTime LX Booster Car Seat is a convertible booster seat that features multiple headrest heights, supportive head and shoulder padding, and dual cupholders. The head and shoulder padding is designed to add extra support and safety. Because the headpiece adjusts to 7 different height positions, you’ll be able to find the best fit for your child, and it can even grow with them as they age. When you’re ready to use it as a backless booster, simply remove the top portion for an easy swap.
With an affordable price point and an adjustable design, this car seat is versatile, accessible, and comfortable for most kids. Reviewers found that it was a comfortable option for their kids and that it was a good value for the price. The adjustable headrest was found to be easy to use and convenient.
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When Do You Need to Get a Booster Seat?
Booster seats come after a child has outgrown a forward-facing car seat. It is recommended that children remain in a regular car seat until they weigh at least 40 pounds and are 35 inches or taller. It is also recommended that you do not transition your child into a car booster seat until they are able to remain seated for the full car seat.
For some children, this could be as early as 4 years old, while it may take longer for others to meet the requirements for height, weight, and maturity level.
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